PODCAST - Two Books That Have Changed My Career

In the last podcast episode, Coach Donskov mentioned something really powerful in evaluating the continuing education of coaches.

He said..

“In the past two years, I don't know if I've read a strength and conditioning book. But every book I've read has something to do with S&C. Whether it's philosophy, art, communication, or leadership, those books can all be applied to our craft.”

And that's something I really relate to. Not because I don't read S&C books..

But the most influential books on my life and career..

Have all come from outside the field.

And so this week I wanted to take a break from the interview format, and talk about two books..

That come from outside our field, but have had a huge impact on me.

I specifically chose two, among the dozens I could've chosen, that you're probably not familiar with..

But that have principles that DIRECTLY

Improve on-ice performance AND our ability to coach In any setting...

The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin

The 4-Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss

If you pick up either of these books, let me know what you think of them. 

Also, please reach out if you liked this podcast and you'd like to hear more non-interview short-form podcasts.

Check out our full reading list.

Full Transcript - Continued.

The Art of Learning

When I was in high school..

I played a lot of chess.. ESPECIALLY after the hockey season ended. 

And so I stumbled across this book, by chess international master Josh Waitzkin.

In his youth, Waitzkin was considered a prodigy —

In fact, the movie, Searching for Bobby Fischer is based on him.

But, when I opened the first pages of the book..

I realized It wasn't about chess.

It was about the learning principles Waitzkin learned in both chess —

And later in Thai Chi Push Hands (he's a World Champion at that also)

And how those principles are applicable to ANYTHING. 

There are so many elements I love about this book.

But one chapter, in particular, had a huge direct impact on my hockey performance.

I don't want to make this about me, but it illustrates the point well.

I was the kind of player who was a go-go-go, full speed all the time grinder.

I never opened myself up to make mistakes on the ice — 

By slowing down, and working on my weaknesses.

Waitzkin, in this chapter, outlines How important this is for growth.

He writes, “A gifted boxer with a fabulous right with no left will get beat up while he learns the job…

And continues, “Great ones are willing to get burned time and again as they sharpen their swords in the fire…”

After that, committed to working more on my stride and other weaknesses, even if in the short-term, while I practiced what I was bad at, my performance decreased.

On the ice and in the weight, we need to encourage our athletes to do the same.

Sometimes in the weight room, we might want to do heavy split squats..

But what we need are to reset our posture with some PRI exercises FIRST.

And then squat with a lighter weight than normal while we internalize the improved posture.

You have to Invest in Loss.

The Art of Learning is exactly as the title implies..

It's a guide to so many main principles of the learning process..

Told through Waitzkin's experience in chess and Tai Chi.

Even if you have no interest in either of those subjects

You'll find so many parallels between these disciplines and our discipline of strength and conditioning and hockey.

The 4-Hour Body

The second book I want to talk about is the 4-Hour Body, by Tim Ferriss.

I like to think of this book as a choose-your-own-adventure for improving your body in any way — whether that's losing fat, running marathons, maximizing sleep, and more.

In particular, though, there are a few concepts towards the beginning of the book that have shaped the way I train clients — particularly online..

Where COMPLIANCE is the name of the game.

Ferriss states, “We break commitments to ourselves with embarrassing regularity…”

In other words: “Logic Fails.”

We all WANT to get better, to make our athletes better. And they want to get better to.

Most trainers and jabronis would tell you..

To be more disciplined. Work harder. Just do it.

Or..

Maybe you just need to change your incentive structure and create better systems..

To FAILURE PROOF your goals.

For example:

We've all beared witness to the power of public accountability..

As much as you want to tell yourself you work just as hard behind the scenes.. 

It's much easier to give it your all..

When you have somebody there keeping you accountable.. 

Or even, when you put your reputation on the line.

Ferriss writes about one anecdote about a friend trying to gain muscle..

“He invited all the bettors to receive notifications when he updated his weight..

Then we proceeded to talk an ungodly amount of trash..

Needless to say, smack-talking would make him look doubly stupid if he didn't win.”

The example is a bit silly, but the principle is simple: 

Don't rely on trying harder.. Put systems in place, so you HAVE to try harder.

Think about when athletes sprint..

They can “give it there all”

But they won't REALLY give their all..

Unless they're racing against somebody..

Or unless they're timing them.

Which is a big reason, I think,

Timing sprints has shown to be so effective the last few years..

With the inclusion of timing systems into most programs.

Accountability is one of many strategies Ferriss outlines in this chapter of the 4-Hour Body.

So, I'd highly recommend the 4-Hour Body by Timothy Ferriss

Thank you so much for listening. Once again, those are two of my favorites.

Let me know if you get the books, let me know what you think of them.

Let me know if you'd like to see a few more podcast episodes like this. 

I'm an avid reader, so I have plenty of books I'd like to recommend.

And actually, if you'd like to see our full list of recommended reading..

We have the list on the website right now. 

Next week, we'll be back with our typical interview format. Thank you once again for listening, and we will talk soon.