It’s a common scenario coaches and athletes are faced with each day in the gym.

 

How, and what do I eat to get bigger? And by bigger I’m talking building lean muscle and gettin’ JACKED!

 

Unfortunately, like everything else, too many guys are looking for the easy route.

 

They will never find it. This stuff is hard work. It separates the men from the boys.

Below is a conversation I had the other day with one of our dedicated high school athletes.  He was your typical skinny high school athlete. In the last year of training with us he’s gained over 30lbs and has transformed his athletic ability (literally added over 5” to his vertical – how this is possible while gaining that much weight is another post entirely). I’ve had this conversation with him and all our athletes many times before  – which may have added a little aggressiveness to my replies.

 

Read this actual conversation as it covered some frequent topics high school parents, coaches, and athletes are frequently faced with.

 

 

Athlete – What supplements do I take to get bigger?

 

Me – You’re seriously asking me that? It’s in your Nutrition Packet, read it. Then read it again. Everything you need to know is in there and a list of quality supps if you decide to take some. Supplements should help round out your diet – not replace stuff entirely. Real food should be your best friend. If you aren’t eating ENOUGH of the right foods then you shouldn’t be worrying about supplements man.

 

Athlete – Yeah I should read that again.

 

Me. And quit taking that crappy pre-workout. It’s not certified for athletes. You don’t know what you’re putting in your body. Take the P4 and sleep easy (Order our favorite pre-workout supplement HERE and use code 1008 at checkout).

 

Athlete – I know you’re probably right.

 

Me – Probably right? Just like you’re PROBABLY not eating enough and you’re asking me about silly supplements. Are you even eating breakfast?

 

Athlete – (sheepishly) I can never wake up in time.

 

Me – (Instantly get irritated and sense a rant coming on – this is about more than just supplements now) Wow. You sound like such a lazy ass. Not to mention you’re making me, Cam, Brian, Bob (kept naming people that were in the gym) all look bad because you’re making weak excuses like that. From day 1 we told you that if you can’t wake up early enough to to eat in the morning then don’t even bother training here. It also says to plan your food ahead of time for the rest of the day too. It’s in your Welcome Packet. Read it. Then read it again.

 

Athlete – (starting to get more serious) So what should I do?

 

Me – (knowing I got his attention we work to solve the issue) At the very least, you must make a high-calorie shake the night before. Put it in the fridge and drink it on the way to school. Ideally, you make the shake then drink it on the way to school AFTER you had your breakfast.

 

Athlete – Yeah I could easily do that.

 

Me- I know you could. You’ve gained 30+lbs. You’re a badass. Start acting like one.

 

Athlete – I want to gain another 25lbs this off-season. (He trains 3-4x/week and doesn’t play another other sports- he’ll train for 8-9-months straight).

 

Me – Do the math. Your goal is to gain a pound a week. Training camp is over 32-weeks away.

 

Athlete – Ahhh I gotcha. That makes it seem much more simple when you break it down like that.

 

Me – Consistent little gains add up over time – start looking at it like that. This will be easier at first but we’ll have to monitor your body composition as we progress to make sure you aren’t gaining too much fat. That’s why we’re always testing your vertical and chin-ups as they are usually a good performance indicator. 

 

Athlete. Oh yeah, that makes sense.

 

Me – Now don’t even talk about supplements until your diet is in check. Let the weak, half-assers talk about them. You worry about getting big and strong. When this happens those same guys will all ask you how you did it and what supps you took. When this happens, and it will, just smile and know that they don’t have what it takes.

 

Athlete – Okay. Yeah that’s all so-and-so (names a couple friends names who don’t train with us) talk about.

 

Me – Yeah see? They’re still small and weak aren’t they? Tell them to invest in a coach, a good training book, or real food rather than miracle powders.

 

Athlete – HA HA yeah they look the same still and they’re training is easy compared to this. 

 

Me – Dude, getting jacked is hard work. If it was easy and supps were the answer then why aren’t all the rich guys jacked? They have the $ to buy all the supps they want, right? This shit is tough and not many guys have the guts to do it. You must be patient and consistently work hard.

 

Athlete – (Silence. Eyes are motivated.)

 

Me – That’s what makes you different. You’re learning how to be disciplined in your training. Now take that discipline to your nutrition. Quit trying to find the easy route. There isn’t one. If you keep searching for it you’ll always be skinny and weak – you also won’t be training here because we don’t want that loser mindset spreading to the rest of the guys.

 

Athlete – Yeah you’re right.

 

Me – You also won’t grow as a man at all. Your slacker attitude will make you suck at life. Forget about being jacked at that point – girls won’t even want to be around a guy who makes excuses and can’t work hard. So then you’ll be skinny, weak, a wuss, AND alone – ALL because you wasted you’re time searching for the easy way. 

 

Athlete- (Chuckles in agreement) Yes sir I got it.

 

Me – Now do the little things and start applying the coaching – we don’t make this stuff up and I don’t even like hearing myself talk this much. Look at all the progress you made so far. You’re the man. Get your mind right and start acting like an ass-kicker again.

 

Athlete – Damn. I needed that. Thanks a bunch coach. (Looks me square in the eyes and shakes my hand).

 

Me – No problem. Next set.

 

 

Accountability in training, nutrition, and life cannot be over-looked. Our days in the gym are filled with similar interactions just like these. Our goal is to keep our athletes heading in the right direction for all types of success.

 

It’s more than just lifting weights.

 

 

-Mark

 

Check out some of these crazy transformations HERE