Monthly Archives: March 2012

Bruce Lee training inspiration

Posted on March 26, 2012 by jbrader21

Bruce Lee is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the martial arts community.  Along with his influence on the martial arts, his innovative training style has greatly influenced our training at FASST Performance.  Even though we do not teach the martial arts, many of his concepts have transcended into the athlete performance world.  Here are few of his teaching philosophies that have been utilized at FASST Performance:

Simplicity

“It’s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.”

Keeping it simple and working on the basics has been a staple of our program since we began in 2002.  It is easy to get caught up with all the latest fitness fads and fancy equipment but when we look at overall athlete performance, it really comes down to simple movements that are done with a high degree of skill.  We will never add exercises or drills just to do them.  We only do what has been proven to be effective and work for mastery.  Whether it is strength gain, speed development, skill acquisition, or getting the body composition you are looking for, it is integral to eliminate the unessential and work on the key components necessary for excellence.  Our workouts are normally only an hour because we cover flexibility, speed, agility, and power in segmented bursts.  Whereas some facilities will spend hours doing exercises just to say they spend hours in the gym, we are focused on hammering out the essentials and doing them with high tempo.

Do not divide

“Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than. Be not for or against.”

In training it is very easy to get caught up in using only one method and comparing who is right and wrong.  As far as one method being superior or inferior, we like to look at which method is most appropriate dependent on our athletes age, development level, sport, and training goals.  We have found that almost every methodology that we are aware of has been utilized in some shape or form throughout our years of training.  By being flexible and adaptable, we are able to keep our training exciting and our athletes continuously make strides toward their athletic goals.

Be yourself

“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.”

When I first entered coaching I was seeking to form a style that was unique.  I often met coaches who were great guys outside of practice but when they walked into the gym or onto the field, they changed.  I thought about all the coaches who I encountered and what motivated me.  I recalled the hard ass, the teacher, the communicator, and the pacifist.  I thought about myself and tailored my method around myself.  I thought that it would be better to be myself than try to imitate someone else.  I find that by being myself I am able to stay true to my philosophy and the athletes always know what to expect.  Sometimes I may not be the most politically correct, the easiest person to deal with, or the most sensitive, but at the end of the day…..it is what it is!!!

Because of this approach, I think that I’m able to be more confident and sure of my training program.  We don’t like fluff or smoke and mirrors.  Our objectives are simple…..Do whatever it takes to get to where we want to be.  Push yourself to the limit, aim big, and make it happen.  That is our credo at FASST and it has been for almost a decade.  Whatever you choose in life as an athlete, leader, teacher, business leader, or person, develop your own signature and master it.  Be the best you and kick some ass!!!!

Coach Brader

Categories: Mental Edge | Leave a comment

April 1st Grand Re-Opening (What I’ve Learned)

Posted on March 25, 2012 by jbrader21

This Sunday April 1st marks our 2 year anniversary at our current facility.  It all began 10 years ago in the basement of my house working with a few individuals and has grown into our 3400 sqft facility that allows us to work with over 1000 athletes per year, high school teams, and college programs.  To say that it has been a journey is an understatement.  It has taken a tremendous amount of work, tons of support from family and friends, along with our committed athletes and their families.  It has been an unbelievable ride that has taken us to Florida, Tennessee, New Jersey as well as internationally with our friends Marc Lebert, the creator of the Lebert Equalizer.

If you have ever been to our facility, everything that we have has a sentimental value.  We have kept many of our original pieces of equipment, added some additional pieces, created our patented reaction devices, and most recently developed training software to further advance our training methods.  Currently we are working on our latest idea that we will unveil in the coming months.  This year I was fortunate to meet my friend Rob Shutte who has enabled me to be a featured guest on ESPN radio “The Water Cooler.”  Every Sunday we are able to discuss our training programs with our dedicated followers and help educate, motivate, and inspire those who are interested in pursing their life goals and ambitions.

Throughout this journey I have discovered the following:

Chase your dreams

Everything begins with a dream.  As a collegiate athlete I always looked forward to one day opening my own training facility.  I had the ambition, drive, and pioneering spirit but lacked the experience and capital.  I had to be creative and find opportunities to hone my skills.  I got a position teaching psychology and was able to coach with my good friend Bill Hurst (Phillipsburg High School NJ).  He was able to earn the New Jersey State Track Coach of the Year award and during our time, we were fortunate enough to have worked with several state champions and All-Americans including Justin Gaymon who is currently one of the top 400m hurdlers in the world.  Because of Bill I was able to build my name as a successful sprint/jump/hurdler coach and begin the process of creating FASST Performance.  I was able to hone my skills speaking in front of athletes/students and save money to buy training equipment.

Shortly after my 2nd year of coaching, I started training athletes in my basement.  This is when I began working with such athletes as Dan Persa, Kevin Osifchin, Leonard Brice, and countless other athletes who were looking for intense training sessions without the big gym atmosphere.  During these grueling sessions we were able to build college athletes and now these people are successful teachers, business leaders, and professional athletes.  The lessons taught transcended all areas of life and mutually we learned together what it took to become a success.  We learned to challenge our minds, bodies, and attitudes to build confidence and the winning edge.

Anxiety

Following our start in my basement I moved to the Sluggers Dry Diamond located in East Allentown.  We had a modest 500 sqft space that gradually expanded when the baseball school closed.  This was the crossroads because I was faced with the possibility of having to move before I ever got started.  Anxiety and fear were on the top of my list and I knew that I had just invested much of my savings in new equipment and quitting wasn’t an option.  I knew that once I committed, there was no looking back.  This was the point of no return and I took on the burden of working full time as a teacher, coaching track, and expanding FASST.  We knocked down walls, put up a cage and expanded to 2000 sqft.

Mr. Murphy

Business was building, training was hot and intense in the rugged conditions, and our no nonsense killer attitude was developed.  Shortly after our first full summer, new owners took over at the baseball school and we had to share the facility.  This is when I met Mr. Murphy.  Mr. Murphy always pops up when you least expect him and has many faces.  Mr. Murphy taught me to expect the unexpected and to adapt.  Because of the new owners and different goals, we had to look at alternative facilities and needed to find a new home for FASST.  I was able to find a couple different places that were suitable but none in the Lehigh Valley.  The only facility with the size requirements was located in Quakertown.  Quakertown wasn’t too far but I was concerned that my athletes wouldn’t follow me.  This is when I faced Fear.

Fear

This was the first time I had real fear in business.  I recently was let go from my teaching position I held for 8 years due to budget cuts.  I was unemployed from my tenured teaching position, my wife had recently given birth to our 3rd child and was not working, and I was about to make the biggest business move of my life.  This road was one that was untraveled and to say I was scared is an understatement.  I knew that failure wasn’t an option and that I had to push full steam ahead.  I remember how some of my athletes helped us pack up 1,000′s of pounds worth of equipment and how the moving company dropped our astro turf out front without bringing it around the back for us to install.  I recall how our new landlord said we would never get the 1200lb turf roll around the corner.  I remember my friend John Bagin and I using dollies to push the turf into the gym area.  We worked day and night and finally put the finishing touches to the turf at 2:30 am.  We were able to miss only 2 training days in the transition.  It has been a total of two years and over 1000 athletes later.  I’m proud to say that FASST isn’t just surviving but we are thriving.  Thanks to all of my family for their support, my friends for helping me with upkeep, upgrades, and electrical work, and my following of athletes who have helped FASST become a nationally recognized program.  This is only the beginning and now I’m pleased to see my children working out at the facility I dreamt of creating as a young college athlete.  Remember that the only limits are the limits we place on ourselves.  If you have the ambition, work ethic, and talent…..Take some shots, risks, and push yourself to the limit to achieve your goals.  You deserve it!!!!  Expect some challenges and bumps in the road.  It is all part of the process.  I know first hand that I was beyond stressed but at the days end, it was all worth it.  Things always happen for a reason and when they do, practice committing yourself and kicking some ass.  Looking forward to seeing everyone at our event on April 1st…..Thanks again and keep ripping it up.

Coach Brader

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Monday Power Message

Posted on March 19, 2012 by jbrader21

Monday Power Message

This weekend was outstanding for us at FASST Performance.  We’ve come a long way since the days in my basement in 2002.  We have grown substantially and work with coaches from all across the country teaching, educating, mentoring, and inspiring the young and not so young.  This weekend we were fortunate enough to have Darnell Stapleton work with us and instruct youth and high school athletes on the finer points to offensive line play.  Darnell has a tremendous life story himself and was able to make an instant connection with all the age groups which is indicative of what type of person he is.

It was awesome to see everyone working to improve themselves, the eagerness of all the athletes, and their ability to take risks.  For many of the youth athletes, you could tell, it was the first time they were in a real training environment.  After they were able to break through the nerves, they settled in and had a great time.  The lessons that I learned are the following:

Never Be Satisfied with where you’ve been

There is always room to improve regardless of your age, skill level, or expertise.  Embrace each day as a new day to improve and kick some ass.  As we get older, we are often conditioned to take less risk in fear of a negative outcome.  We are concerned about financial catastrophe, embarrassment from failure, or make excuses as to why we can’t move forward.  It is in our DNA to explore and conquer.  If we didn’t have the pioneering spirit, imagine how boring the world would be.  Find your inner pioneer and take some shots…It will certainly be worth it.

Surround yourself with winners

It was awesome to work with a former Superbowl Champion and all the athletes from the various levels.  Just being around everyone made me feel great and this is a feeling that everyone should be able to experience.  Surround yourself with winners and you will also begin to have an attitude shift toward positive emotions.  I remember my mother telling me that “Birds of a feather, flock together.”  This is true….hang around with winners and you will become one too.

Do one more rep

By one more rep, I’m not talking just weights…I’m talking about everything we do.  Our clinic had a decent amount of athletes but when I compare the number of athletes in attendance and the amount of coaches/athletes we reached out to, the numbers were pretty conservative which tells me people are either busy with other things they enjoy doing or that the athletes who attended are more motivated.  If everyone does just one more rep in whatever they have passion for, they will have a ton more practice over the long haul.  Each of our guys were able to get in one extra practice session which in turn will have them a step ahead of the other athletes they compete against.

Have a great day and take the message to the gym!!!

Best in Perfomance,

Coach Brader

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Darnell Stapleton Lineman Clinic

Posted on March 19, 2012 by jbrader21

Darnell Stapleton Lineman Clinic

FASST Performance teamed up with former Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Lineman Darnell Stapleton this Saturday for our first annual lineman clinic.  This outstanding event had lineman ranging from youth to high school levels learning from the 2009 Superbowl Champion.  The athletes worked on their stances, footwork, pulling technique, hand placement, and overall line play.  Almost 50 athletes attended both sessions and had the opportunity to work one on one with the former Rimington Finalist at Rutgers University and ask questions following the session.  Athletes traveled from as far as New Jersey and the Philadelphia area to participate.

FASST will follow up this great event with our 6 week training series that begins on April 16th.  This session will also enable each
participant to work with Muhlenberg College Offensive Coordinator and Line Coach Tom Perkovich.  Athletes who participate will continue to develop the necessary skills needed to perform at an elevated level.  You may enroll for this great event at http://fasstperformancedotcom.wordpress.com/camps/football/

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Darnell Stapleton Youth Football Training

Posted on March 19, 2012 by jbrader21

Darnell Stapleton Youth Football Training

Lineman from around the valley participated in our youth lineman clinic with Darnell Stapleton

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Torture Tuesday

Posted on March 6, 2012 by jbrader21

It’s torture if you don’t maximize your Tuesday….Yesterday I had the privilege of working with one of my good friends who also is an outstanding football coach at New Jersey state powerhouse Phillipsburg High School.  Ryan Ditze and I have been working together for a decade and he not only knows what it takes to succeed as a coach but was also a hall of fame athlete himself.  After another one of our great workouts with the team, we broke it down as a team and we ended on the theme “All In.”  I thought this was fitting because if you aren’t all in, why be in it at all.  I reflected on all of the great teams we worked with in the past, the current teams we train, and all the great athletes that have passed through our program.  I certainly know that all these athletes were all in and kicked ass in the progress.  Along with the athletes, all of the coaches exhibited this all in mentality.  Regardless of your life endeavor if you have one foot in and one foot out the door, you will never be as successful as you could have been if you had fully committed.  I know that everyone has reservations and fear when diving into a new venture….Whether it’s business, athletics, or new exercise regime it’s scary to get started.  Many times people focus on the “what if’s.”  What if I fail?  What if I give it my best and fall short?  What if I don’t reach my goal?  What if I put all my time, effort, and resources in and fall on my face?  These are all questions we ask ourselves.  These are questions the successful and unsuccesful ask.  The difference is the successful people realize that they may fail but are guaranteed failure if they don’t try.  Instead of thinking of “what if I fail,” how about asking yourself, “What if I kick some ass and win!!!”  How good will I feel?  How much will my confidence increase?  What will it feel like when I reach the top?  What new level of respect and gratitude will I have for my journey?  I’m beginning to get jacked up just thinking about it.  This morning I had a great workout with an outstanding group of women who participate in my women’s training and I know they are “All In.”  They were pushing the prowlers sleds, smashing the tire with the sledgehammer, and crushing some kettle bells without a single comment on how bad it hurt.  All that I saw was a lot of sweat and hard work.  They are definitely “All In” and off to a kicking ass Tuesday.

My good friend and mentor Dr. Jim Brennan recently wrote a great book titled “The Art of Becoming Oneself.” http://www.drjimbrennan.com In one of the chapters he explains the thought of being “All In” in a clear and concise way that everyone can easily understand.  The best way to get over apprehension is to commit.  Once you commit, you have no other option than to move toward your goals.  Make sure that you take this opportunity today and commit to your goals and go “All In” on creating a better life for you, your family, and those that are important to you.  Make this day, Torture on your opponent and let them know that you aren’t taking it easy and neither should they.

Best in Performance,

Coach Brader

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Kick the S#!t out of Monday!!!

Posted on March 5, 2012 by jbrader21

When I was a young boy my mother always told me to take the bull by the horns.  This advise has always stuck with me throughout my life and probably means more to me now as I grow older.  I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of elite athletes and found out that success never came easy and there was always a price to pay.  This price was both mental and physical.  While others felt it was necessary only to attend practice with the team, these individuals knew that to reach the level they wanted, it would take more.  While their peers slept in on a Saturday morning, they pounded iron.  When others went home after practice, they attended additional sessions.  When their teammates broke down, they broke through.  They took control of their destiny and made everyday count.  Throughout my years as a business owner and as an athlete, I found out that no one is willing to handover the keys to their business without a fight.  I found out that no one wants to give up their position on the field.  It was up to the people who were willing to pay the price for success that were able to build a great business or become an elite athlete.

I work with several teams throughout the year and encounter a wide array of ability levels.  I often listen to the athletes before we begin and notice the body language.  I also like to judge when the session takes place.  Does it take place early in the morning, late in the evening, or beginning of the week.  It often seems that external factors generally dictate how the athlete perceives that task at hand.  As if the time of day or day of the week has some sort of control over their level of effort or how they attack the task.  This is a psychological ailment that has been passed on by our parents, friends, coaches, and all those who have ever muttered, “it’s monday” or “Thank God it’s Friday” as if these days are days to take it easy or pound the pavement.  I find that the most successful people are able to rise up regardless of the hour or day and “take the bull by the horns’ and become an ass kicker. That’s why I like to “make it happen” on monday.  Monday is the launching ground for an outstanding week.  For all the haters out there who find gloom on the sunniest of days, look out because there will be people making it happen each and everyday no matter the circumstances and pushing you further in the rear view mirror.

Take a look at how you approach challenge and what you say to yourself on a daily basis.  Are you positive and inspiring yourself to move closer to your goals or are you making excuses as to why you can’t make it happen and achieve all you should.  Make a change and become the best at what you do.  Remember that you live only once and it’s up to you to make the best of every circumstance.  Will you steer the wild bull and take control or get your ass kicked and sent to the hospital…..The choice is yours.

Have an ass kicking week!!!

Coach Brader

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Week in Review 2/27-3/3/12

Posted on March 4, 2012 by jbrader21

Owner, FASST Performance

Hope everyone had a great week this week.  My family and I had a very challenging week because we lost a close friend.  This person was loved by many and this was evident by all the people who attended his viewing and services.  His passing made me think about my own mortality, my family, and all the people who I hold close to me.  I thought about what I do daily and if I’m making the most of the time here.  Often, it is easy to become so self absorbed in what we are doing, we can lose sight on what is most important.  I remember thinking about my friend in the shower before I left for my morning session at Muhlenberg College.  Thinking to myself why things had to turn out the way they did.  I wondered if I could have done anything more to help him and why things like this occur.  There will never be any answers but only questions.  Before I drove to my morning session I took a long look at my children as they slept and thanked god that I have the life I do and thanked him for giving me all that I have.  I wouldn’t know what to do without my family.  They give me the strength, courage, and support needed daily to keep moving forward and pushing myself to reach my goals.

As the week progressed, I was able to concentrate on the upcoming Nike coaching clinic.  I was speaking on maximizing your training facility while not breaking your budget.  I was excited to speak because I was speaking with my former coach and good friend, Charlie Grande who coaches wide receivers at Lackawanna College.  Every year we catch up at this clinic and reminisce on our times together in Scranton.  Those were some of the best years of my life and back then, I often wondered if I would ever do all the things I wanted to do with my life.  Because of Coach Grande, Duda, and the other coaches who assisted me, I have been able to do all the things I love and often feel like I never had to work a day in my life.

Our talk went well and it basically made me realize that success isn’t measured by how much you make but is really dictated by how many people you help. I looked around at the convention and saw so many coaches who help young people bring out the best in themselves everyday and mover toward their goals.  I’m sure that without these people many young adults wouldn’t be anywhere near where they are today.  I know I certainly wouldn’t.

Hope everyone has a great week and remember to push yourself everyday.  Everyday adds up and it’s important to make the most of them.  We never know how many we have left.

Push On,

Jason

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Increase Your 225 or 185 Bench Reps

Posted on March 1, 2012 by jbrader21

For all your athletes looking to rip up a high school combine or maximize your performance at your pro day, you can help your upper body muscle endurance by following the exercises provided on the video.  Make sure that you have a good foundation prior to trying these exercise examples and do them following your bench press workout.  This is a very challenging sequence so make sure that you prepare yourself mentally before attempting.

 

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