To actually describe my philosophy on training and health practices, it should be- Principle-Centered, Purpose Driven, and Results Based Health. So why do I need 3 components to fully describe my philosophy? Each has its own unique contribution and all three are needed to complete the process of realizing success.
Principle-Centered refers to the term popularized by Stephen Covey. He stated in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (1989) that someone needs to center themselves and thus their priorities and actions around that which really matters to them. He mentions how “principles” are those things, which do not change across time. They can not be broken, or played with across time.
My adaptation of the term applies to the methods I use to train people. I use the physiological, biomechanical and biochemical principles which govern our bodies to train people. For example, if I am training a beginner and they are interested in performing any type of activity, I am going to make sure their core musculature is established as well as the balance of musculature and coordination throughout the kinetic chain. The principle of needing to build a strong foundation before adding floors is in operation. Equally, a novice runner must first build his base. He must train the joints and tendons as well as the aerobic base before pursuing high intensity interval training.
Purpose-Driven is a term I am borrowing from the world famous speaker and evangelist, who is the leader of the Saddleback Church. In his best selling book, Purpose Driven Life (2002), he discusses how essential having purpose is to be motivated, energized, and focused to perform.
Finally, results-based is a term I developed for a training program I conducted once and how most athletes or companies judge what they are doing is correct. The definition of insane is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Thus, if you are not getting the right results, it is probably time to change your actions. The only way to know this is to have hard numbers which tell you!
Principle-Centered Health uses the road map of principles, the motivation and focus of purpose, and the guidance of results to design your fitness and health program. It is only through scientifically valid measurements on one’s performance and physiological state that the results can be found. In addition, it is only through someone having knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and biomechanics that the appropriate principles can be obeyed and the appropriate program can be designed. If I don’t know the answer to something I will find it out from one of many databases I have access to.
I believe in using what has been shown to work time and time again. I believe in not leaving anything to chance. Finally, I believe in science and if you obey the mechanisms by which things operate you will get the results you desire. Ever person is unique and that is why it is important to collect as much data as possible on someone. The more data I have on someone, the greater the clarity of my program for that person.
I hope you understand that your health and fitness is not something to play around with. It is not something to be trusted to a young kid with a weekend certification course. It should only be entrusted to experienced scientists or health care professionals with considerable experience, advanced academic degrees and practical knowledge.