Find a mentor
In a world where everyone is trying to sell you something, I think mentors are underrated.
My First Mentor
My first mentor was another coach called Allan who I met at the second gym I worked at.
After working at a budget gym, surrounded by insecure bodybuilders pointing out how my upper pecs needed more definition, I started to think, "There must be more to the fitness industry than this shite."
Coming from Muay Thai and the military, fitness was there to supplement my performance. It wasn’t there to gain the approval of other men in fake tan.
As Ross Edgley says:
"Be an instrument, not an ornament."
Moving gyms, I met Allan, a strength and conditioning coach and a national Olympic weightlifting champion. He showed me a whole new world in fitness and also helped me think about business.
When I look over my notes from back then (10 years ago), it’s the same advice that fitness business people are giving now.
What Makes a Good Mentor?
Mentors are two things:
A few steps ahead of you in whatever your game is. Someone who’s made all the mistakes you’re about to make. They understand your problems.
Simply someone you click with.
You Usually Don't Find Them on Purpose
The best mentors are often just people you stumble across without looking.
Colleagues. Teammates. Coaches. Even folk you follow online.
I’d also add that the best mentors aren’t trying to sell you anything.
They aren’t making money from helping you. They’re just happy to help because:
They’re a good person.
They love the game, whether that’s martial arts, business, or whatever else you’re into.
They get something from it too, because you often learn more by teaching than you do by doing.
Plus, they probably had some sort of mentor at some stage themselves.
How Do You Find One?
Honestly, I’ve always just stumbled across mine.
When you do find someone who you know can help you, ask them questions. DM them. Buy them lunch. Pick their brains on whatever you don’t understand.
Allan never charged me a penny and never asked for anything in return.
Find someone like that.
