Passion into Profit
EliteFTS Small Business Conference Feb. 2009
By
Paul D’Arcy
I received the email early Friday afternoon:
“If you’re going to be in town, please feel free to meet around 6 pm at
the Compound (same location as the seminar) to train with me and my group. You
are all welcome to join us.
-Dave Tate”
This was certainly different. I mean, it’s not every day that I get an email
from Dave Tate, and I have never, and I mean never, ever been invited to train
with him. If I was excited to attend this seminar before, well, that had just
been ratcheted up by a factor of eleven!
Unfortunately, I was unable to take Dave up on his invitation. Somehow,
however, I knew that Dave’s invitation was heartfelt, it was sincere, and it was
only the tip of the iceberg, as I would later come to learn. Dave Tate and the
EliteFTS crew are truly good to the core. It would be Dave’s core values, and
the core values of the company he founded (EliteFTS) that would have a profound
impact on my life and on my business in the days to come.
As it was, getting myself to London, Ohio for the EliteFTS “Passion into
Profit” Small Business Conference this past weekend was something of a task.
Attending a seminar is never cheap, it’s always a bit of a sacrifice, and you
never really know what kind of a payoff it will have, if any. I had never
attended an EliteFTS seminar, however, so no matter what the outcome, I was
confident that my experience would be worthwhile. As it turns out, it was.
Finding the facility known as “The Compound III” proved easy enough. The map
I received with my conference confirmation was right on target and easy to
follow. I walked into the facility Saturday morning and saw for myself what
might just be the finest collection of strength and conditioning tools I have
ever seen, all in one location. The floor was set up with chairs for the guests,
and a table projector was flashing familiar images on a large wall screen. I
took a walk around and breathed in the atmosphere: the photos on the wall, the
equipment on the floor and the bars standing all in rows waiting to be loaded
and used. Everyone was friendly and eager to talk. Jeff Allor, EFS’ sales rep,
confidently walked up to me and shook my hand. He introduced himself and we
immediately began talking shop. This was my kind of place. I fit in here. I
really belonged.
Dave Tate began calling roll. It was approaching 9 AM and it was time to get
started. When I heard my name, I approached Dave, shook his hand and was warmly
welcomed. Does it get any better than this? Yes, in fact it does.
The conference began with an inspirational introduction by Dave Tate. This
alone was worth the price of admission. Dave’s passion is like a fire raging out
of control, barely contained by the massive frame he’s built over nearly a
quarter century of work under the bar. Dave moves laterally across the floor,
quickly bobbing and weaving as he presses his message into the crowd. He reminds
me of a hungry prizefighter, delivering everything he has with each and every
blow.
If you came to the conference unsure of what makes EliteFTS successful,
without question, now you knew. Dave freely shared the keys to his personal and
business success. He outlined a clear and direct path to follow, encouraging and
empowering the eager entrepreneurs in attendance to do the same for themselves.
“If you want to get stronger, if you want to improve, your only option is to
identify your weaknesses and continue working on those weaknesses until they
become your strengths.”
Does this sound familiar?
If you read the Q & A here on EliteFTS or if you’ve spent any time with Dave
Tate’s inspirational book Under the Bar, you know this strategy and you
know it well. The road to success requires strength and the “extraordinary
resolve” to conquer your weaknesses. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about
your lifts, your life or your business. This principle is universal in its
truth, powerfully effective in its application and would be the recurring mantra
during this weekend of education, inspiration and awakening.
After Dave finished his introduction, he stayed right in the thick of things
throughout the day, adding details and credibility to the points his presenters
made. He also made himself available throughout the conference to discuss
business, training or whatever came up, and he always made the participants feel
welcome and at home. This was his gym, after all. This was his home and this is
who he is.
The conference continued with presenter and EliteFTS contributor Jim “Smitty”
Smith. Jim expounded on Dave’s message of identifying weaknesses, and explored
the latest methods for identifying the weaknesses in a business and taking the
methodical steps necessary to eradicate weaknesses however they may manifest
themselves.
Jim’s presentation was a departure from the initial tone Dave had set. While
Dave’s message was one of internal examination, emotional energy and physical
expression, Smitty presented ideas that required much more thought and external
observation. He was asking us to examine our businesses from a completely new
standpoint, which was hard for me to wrap my mind around at first.
During a break, I had the opportunity to speak with Smitty, and it was then
that I started to realize the importance of his message. After a few questions,
Smitty was able to point out that I had elaborate written progressions for my
training and the training of my clients. I knew exactly what was going to
happen, on which day, with whom, how it would happen, and the exact results I
expected to produce in the time allotted.
But here was Smitty’s question: Was I putting that same effort into my
business? Did I know with such exacting certainty the results I expected? Was I
achieving those results? Did I have systems in place to monitor the
effectiveness of my business programming the same way I have systems in place to
monitor the effectiveness of my personal training programming?
In business or in training, no one likes to learn his or her weaknesses.
Nevertheless, without this kind of honest, straightforward examination and
coaching, we can never improve, and that’s exactly what I came here to do.
Improve. I took Smitty’s advice to heart.
Smitty continued his presentation by giving the participants specific tools,
templates and methods for correcting problems and avoiding potential pitfalls
before they develop. Jim’s experience in the corporate world and in the hardcore
Diesel Crew weight room provided seminar participants with real-life examples of
how best to achieve the epitome of corporate strength, stability and leanness.
Lunch was served as the participants continued their discussions with the
team of business experts Dave Tate had assembled. Talk of aim, integrity,
objective, focus and drive flowed seamlessly between the disciplines of business
and training. Walking up on a conversation, it was sometimes difficult to tell
what was being discussed – business or training. Ultimately, it didn’t matter.
We were all there to accomplish the same thing: to increase our total.
After lunch, presenter Mark Lundquist took the floor. Mark is a
well-established entrepreneur, mentor and advisor with extensive experience in
corporate and small business development. Mark happened to be the only presenter
without a lifting background, but that didn’t stop him from making an impact.
Mark provided the attendees with options, ideas and strategies for growing their
businesses and developing their long-term business plans.
This was pretty heady stuff for a bunch of meatheads. I have to admit that I
thought, at first, that this information may have been a bit out of my reach.
However, early in the seminar introduction, I remembered Dave saying that all
problems could be identified as being either mental, physical or technical. Then
I began to put the pieces in place. Dave had presented the physical side of the
equation. His passionate plea for action reached out and grabbed our attention.
Then Smitty challenged us with the technical aspect: examining our processes and
business systems from an external perspective, correcting miscues and wasted
motion. Now Mark was providing the mental aspect of business development by
tying it all together and presenting new options and new ways of thinking about
the planning and growth of our businesses.
Mark’s presentation continued as he outlined options for equipment leasing,
business finance, acquiring investors and raising expansion capital. Mark
engaged and enabled the participants to think of their businesses as more than
just a job, career, or extension of their passion. Mark challenged us to plan
long-term, think of exit strategies and the way we would like to leave our
business and preserve our legacy. Mark may not have been a lifter, but his
passion for business was evident. And passion was the defining characteristic of
the entire conference.
Mike Szudarek, public relations expert and elite powerlifter, was our final
presenter. Mike complemented Mark’s discussion of long-term corporate vision,
strategy and image. However, Mike re-focused the group and targeted his
presentation on the power of personal and corporate branding. Mike discussed the
importance of developing a corporate brand based upon one’s own personal aim,
integrity, values and strategic objectives. Mike provided examples of good and
bad logos, as well as bad ideas. The group discussed the color, shape and layout
of logos and the power of “emotional reaction” in the sales industry. We also
learned the meaning of being true to your brand and the power of creating
lasting business relationships.
Mike’s presentation ended with an open Q & A session which lasted well past
the scheduled close of the seminar. It was during this open Q & A that Mike
provided a one-on-one branding consultation with a lucky participant. Dave Tate
and Mark Lundquist joined the consultation and provided additional feedback from
their own unique perspective. This was coaching at its best. Three talented,
knowledgeable and passionate professionals guiding, directing, coaching and
cueing the athlete as the rest of us leaned in to soak up the experience and to
learn.
The seminar portion of my weekend ended, we reluctantly headed out into the
cold and dark Ohio night. However, I would be back in the morning and the
learning would continue.
The next day, Sunday morning, the participants were invited to stay and train
with Dave and his crew. This was yet another dream come true for me. This time,
I would take Dave up on this once in a lifetime offer. Nothing was going to
stand in my way.
With the tables and chairs cleared away, the Compound now looked completely
different. Walking in the door, I was immediately struck by the awesome power of
the bars, benches, racks, plates, chains and bands that are lined up in
military-esque columns and rows across the walls and floor of this impressive
facility.
I could have used any piece of equipment I chose. I could have easily spent
the entire morning trying every imaginable tool in this wonderland of strength.
But instead, I choose to watch and learn.
In walked Dave Tate, just as massive and as friendly as the night before.
Dave greeted everyone with the same affable attitude and friendly smile that
made me feel so welcome and so at home the day before. As the crews go back to
their training, I watch Dave as he stands in the corner of the facility, having
an easy conversation with Phil, one of the attendees of Saturday’s “Passion into
Profit” conference.
Nothing escapes Dave’s attention. As he chats with Phil, I can see him
scanning the room, noting the training, the tempo, the technique and the effort
of all the lifters. A few glances here, a nod of his head there, and he motions
for one of the leaders in the gym. Dave asks a question, gives a suggestion and
the training goes on. I watch this same scenario play out over and over
throughout the morning as I continue pestering Dave for more answers to my many
questions.
Dave answers each and every question I have and then some. He’s not one to
stand around, though. Dave quickly makes me a partner in his training for the
day. If I’m going to get anything more out of him, I’m going to have to do it
between sets and reps, which of course is fine with me. I continue asking and
Dave continues giving, always looking me in the eye, always listening to what I
have to say and always seeing more in me and in my questions than I can see
myself.
Dave graciously spent the entire morning with me, giving me answers to my
questions, tips for my training and providing me with more motivation than I
could have ever imagined. I’m not sure how, but I’m going to find a way to repay
that generosity. That is, if he would ever let me.
At one point in Dave’s introduction the day before, Dave was speaking about
the camaraderie and spirit that prevails in the real gyms across the country.
“You remember what it was like,” he said. “There you were, doing lat
pulldowns or something, throwing yourself back and cheating the hell out of the
movement. Some big guy who knew his shit would come up and tap you on the
shoulder.
“Hey, c’mon, tighten up. Stick your chest out and squeeze. Pull it down to
your sternum.
“Next thing you know, you’re walking across the gym with your lats all puffed
out because you just got the best pump of your life. That’s how it should be!”
Dave continued. “We should all be helping one another out!”
That afternoon, driving the four and a half hours back to Michigan, I could
barely contain myself. I felt just like that kid in the gym again. I was pretty
pumped up. I guess I still am.
I suspect that the first EliteFTS Small Business Conference was just the
beginning of Dave’s ultimate vision for this program. And from what I can tell,
it’s a program destined for success. All of the industry experts that Dave
assembled share the EliteFTS vision: they each “have a passion for empowering
success through personal achievement.” All of the presenters were readily
available and easy to speak with. They were eager to help and listened intently
to the needs of the participants.
The concepts, principles and ideas that were shared throughout the seminar
are really no different from the concepts, principles and ideas that are
necessary for success in any venture: Aim, Attitude, Integrity, Honesty,
Teamwork, Education, Risk Management, Perseverance, Flexibility and Execution.
However, the way in which Dave and the presenters were able to pull these
concepts, principles and ideas together and make them accessible to those of us
who attended was truly astounding.
I have great hope that this Small Business Conference continues as a series
of workshops and perhaps develops into a premier mentorship program. Dave Tate,
EliteFTS and the industry professionals assembled for this event provided the
tools, templates, attitude and passion for success, be it in life, business or
Under the Bar.
I am looking forward to the next EliteFTS Small Business Conference, and if
you want to succeed in business and in life, I highly recommend you attend the
next offering.
It was well worth my time and investment.
Paul D’Arcy is the owner of Sport Fitness & Physique, LLC in Adrian MI.
Sport Fitness & Physique serves busy, professional women in their pursuit of
health and happiness through superior nutrition and fitness. Sport Fitness &
Physique can be found on the web at
www.SportFitNow.com To contact Paul directly, email him at
paul@SportFitNow.com or call (517)
673-5286
