Mental Strength
08.20.2008 | Filed under: 
There have been approximately six people that have tried a Shah Training (ST) workout under my supervision. Out of those six people, four people were pushed to the max and finished the workout. I saw a potential in them. I saw a determination and a drive to succeed in their eyes. I thought to myself, “yes, these are people I can reach out to. They know what hard work means.”
But then, out of those four people, only two came back. The two that did not come back did not give me a call, leave me a Facebook message, or send me any sort of communication as to why they did not come back. Money is not an issue because I was willing to train them for free. So then, what is the issue here? The problem is belief. They simply did not believe in themselves. They did not recognize the determination and spirit in themselves.
I have two warriors, as I like to call them, that are currently training under my wing. They understand my methodology because they have spent at least three weeks training with me. Three weeks, or ten workouts, whichever comes first, is all you really need in order to truly understand what Shah Training is all about. But I’ll try to explain it to you right here: MENTAL STRENGTH.
It’s truly a shame how few people actually believe in themselves. My workouts are hard, and there are times when I feel like giving up. There are times when one of my own trainees beats my time. But that just keeps me going. There is a sense of fear that grabs you by the throat while you attempt to pump out those last few reps. When you know you only have 30 seconds left on the clock and you have to push yourself or else you’ll never know what you’re capable of. That is what mental strength is. The power to believe in yourself even when you’re physically and mentally exhausted. Your mind controls your body, not the other way around.
From Athlete to Warrior
Recently, one of my “warriors” attained a new level of mental and physical strength. Deeraj (D-Raj) started training with Dominic (Dom) and I approximately three weeks ago. Dominic made fun of his friend because of his stiffness. Deeraj was used to bodybuilding workouts, which make you big and strong, but also make your body inflexible and slow. The backbone of all ST workouts is power. Speed + Strength = Power. The majority of the people out there have the strength, but they lack speed.
Two days ago, we performed the following workout:
- Paint Bucket Carry to the end of the Driveway (Not sure the weight, but they felt heavy).
- Medicine Ball Throws and Sprint Back to front of the Driveway (Or end, depends on where you started)
- 10 Alternating KB Swings (Switch hands on top)
- 10 Pushups + 115lbs Clean Pull
- Run With Medicine Ball to end of driveway
- Walk back with Paint Buckets
Round One:
Parth – 3:15.78
Dominic – 3:30.85
Deeraj – 2:48.71
Round Two:
Parth – 2:34.74
Dominic – 3:19.89
Deeraj – 2:12.06
All three of us improved our times in the second round. However, Deeraj blew us away both times. I attempted to catch up to him by beating his first round score by 14 seconds, but then he decided to beat his own time by 36 seconds! Now here is a guy was as stiff as a baseball bat performing a workout that requires high levels of speed and power:
First, you’re carrying two heavy paint cans for 50 feet as fast as you can, then throwing a 15 lbs medicine ball back to the beginning of the driveway, then you perform 10 quick alternating kettlebell swings. Now the tough part begins: Pushups + 115lb Clean Pull. Anyone can just do pushups, and anyone can just do a clean pull. But an you combine the two? Can you go from one movement plane to another, and still maintain your speed and strength? That is what you call agility!
So then after performing 10 reps of these Pushups + 115lbs Clean Pull, you pick up the medicine ball again, run back to the paint cans, then bring the paint cans back. This is the perfect blend of all of Deeraj’s weaknesses: speed, power, and agility. But guess what, Deeraj beat both me and Dom.
I remember one day in Karate class, my Sensei looked at me and said, “You’ve changed, Parth.” Yes, I went from a fat, slow SOB to a fast, powerful, in-your face conditioned fighter. There is this mental switch that just turns on and helps you step up your physical game for the task at hand.
That is precisely how you go from being a regular guy who works out to a world-class warrior who know how to use his mind to fight adversity.
Application to Practical Life
Ever since I began training this way, my confidence, self-esteem, and overall outlook on life have changed tremendously. I am no longer afraid of taking chances and making mistakes. I understand that making mistakes are all a part of life.
I’ve always been the one to tell people to follow their dreams. However, I myself have held back quite a bit in my quest to excel. There is always a little piece of you telling you to just settle. Be comfortable with where you are. You need stability in your life. You need peace and tranquility in your life. Yes, you do need peace and tranquility, but you also need excitement and challenge. I refuse to do work that I do not enjoy. I refuse to take part in activities without any purpose.
Indian parents put lots of pressure on their children. Every Indian parent wants their child to be either a Doctor, Lawyer, or Engineer. I wanted to be an actor, writer, and personal trainer. I have come across many creative people in high school and college who should be pursuing a career in something that truly interests them, instead of becoming doctors.
I’ve also noticed that many girls look for stability. They want a steady job that will help them pay the bills so they can get on with their daily lives. As a son whose mother has gone from one dead-end job to another, just to support the family, I can tell you that if you’re doing something you hate, but are in it for the “comfort factor,” then it’s going to show. It’s going to reflect in your mental and physical health, as well as your personality and the way you react to situations.
When you have learned to face adversity in the eye, nothing phases you. Stop settling for less, and unleash your creativity, intensity, and passion into the world. The only way you can do this is to continually take on challenges and push yourself to the limit. I don’t even care if you don’t do it through Shah Traning workouts. Follow the basic concepts of Mental Strength, and you’ll succeed in life!
About the Author
Parth Shah is a Strength Consultant based in New Hyde Park, New York. He has just started an online personal training service through his website, Shah Training.
