The older I become, the more I see that Louie Simmons was right about some things that I thought were complete bullshit. I could write a book on the number of things he told me would happen which I 100% disagreed, only to discover years later that he had been right the entire time. Maybe I did know at the time but just didn’t want to believe it would happen to me.
I assisted Louie with seminars and consultations for several years before he decided to cut back on them. I was happy and excited to take over them for him and will always be grateful to him for allowing me to handle them. Since before my time at Westside, I have felt a need and desire to pass on what I’ve learned in the gym, and Louie gave me so much more to speak about and teach. Within the first six months, he told me that if I didn’t stop doing these events, my powerlifting career would be over within a few years.
While I didn’t totally ignore his advice, I did become very cautious in regards to when, where, and how I did them and how long they would run. I really thought I had it all figured out. While I can sit and debate the real reason why I could no longer compete - the FACT is that less than three years after he told me this, I was done!
I could write dozens of more examples like this, and with each passing year, I see more and more of them come true. It wasn’t that Louie could predict the future, it's just that he had a great memory of the past.
I can now see the future issues lifters will face before they even happen. I am now the one who is making many of the same statements, and I am now the one who is being ignored in the same way. I’m on the other side of the table but still sit with those who want to break the rules, want to beat the odds, and want to prove me wrong.
Many today have it all figured out, think it will never happen to them and think there’s a better way. Just as I did. They say they want risk - but only on their terms. They say they want to work hard but only on what they like. They say they are committed, until it’s tested.
So far it’s a lot to think about to train at a “free” gym. More to come.
More Blogs & Articles From Dave Tate Here