ZE:Matt Wichlinski, thanks for hooking EliteFTS readers up with an
interview. Tell us something about yourself, your background, and how you became
motivated to build your own warehouse gym?
MW: Thanks Zach, my pleasure. After some acute injuries in high school, I
realized that my athletic progress was being held back from lack of training
discipline. As we all eventually learn, talent can only get you so far, and then
it’s up to you to you work your ass off if you really want to get anywhere in
your sport, business, and life. When I first realized what training was really
about, my college football career took off and I became a two-time All-American
running back at Susquehanna University.
I was fortunate enough to stay relatively healthy as a "banger" style runner,
due to my time under the bar. A funny nickname I acquired from a Sports
Illustrated article back in 1997 was the "Claymont Cannonball," from my hometown
in Delaware and my aggressive playing style.
I have since lost the nickname, fortunately, but my aggressive personality
remains in my training and gym business. It was almost impossible to train (and
also train others) in commercial gym settings, which have a tendency to be based
around machines, and not physical culture.
My style mixes with most gyms like rocks and milk. I found it imperative to
leave and continue my quest as a beast on my terms. It has not been easy, but
we’re moving forward everyday, inch by inch with bloody claws.
ZE:What were the top three things that pushed you over the edge to make
the move toward opening your own gym rather than working for someone else?
MW: First, I got fed up with dealing with poopy man panties on a regular
basis. Strength is something that can't be bought or achieved without hard
freakin’ work. Whiners can't win this game. So, I needed to terminate myself
from that atmosphere.
Next, I knew I’d never be truly happy until I started pursuing the thing that
I feel I’m on this planet to do. The one thing I'm REALLY good at is building
strength and athleticism. I felt compelled to make it happen, so I went full
throttle and pursued my dream before life started to pass me by.
I never wanted to look back on my life with regrets wishing I had chased the
dream.
And lastly, I just can't stand living by other peoples’ rules. I play my own
game at my gym. No one tells me what to do or how to do it. Not only is it
awesome to help others get bigger, stronger and faster, but it’s also liberating
to make it happen according to your own rules.
ZE:Since opening your own gym and doing things your way, what NEW things
have you learned regarding training AND business?
MW: I think one of the biggest things I'm learning along the way is the
ability to make adjustments to an athlete’s training programs based on needs,
abilities, injuries, motivation and determination. Simplicity works best.
Just because I found a new "trick" to use in my training doesn’t mean that it
will benefit other athletes at all. Keep the training tailored to the athletes’
needs, not because it’s new or trendy, but because it’s the most effective.
As far as business goes - I have so much to learn, but the biggest piece of
advice I could give is to find a mentor and constantly seek help and advice from
those more successful than you who have walked your path. I always wanted to do
things my way, but in business, being a trailblazer might only burn your
wallet…unless you’re just that savvy. I’m not, so I'll keep looking to others to
keep me on the right path.
Matt Wichlinski is a USA Weightlifting Sports Performance
Coach, Underground Strength Coach, CrossFit II, NSPA CPT, and owner of The
Strength Shop in Virginia Beach, VA, where he trains athletes from wrestling,
football, baseball, basketball, among other explosive strength sports, as well
as military and general fitness enthusiasts. He utilizes a combination of
bodyweight gymnastic training, barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, and
other various implements to elicit profound results from his athletes. For more
information on Matt please visit http://thestrengthshop.blogspot.com/
or www.thestrengthshopvb.com
Matt will also be co hosting a Underground Strength Coach
Mentorship along with Zach Even - Esh at his gym on March 20, 2010. For more
information go to
http://zacheven-esh.com/Matt.php
Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the strength
training industry by providing the highest quality strength training products
and services while providing the highest level of customer service in the
industry. For the best training equipment, information, and accessories, visit
us at www.EliteFTS.com.
