Get Tough
For the last 27 years I’ve ended most personal
conversations, as well as most emails with the
phrase, “Kick ass – take names.”
Later on, for the Internet I changed the three-
letter word to “butt” or “arse” – depending on
the occasion.
Today I want to go a step further and say what I
mean in two words: GET TOUGH.
Now, just to make sure you know where I’m coming
from – the words “Get Tough” are not about being
physically tough. They are about being mentally
tough.
Why. Because you cannot be physically tough if
you’re not mentally tough. All super human change
begins in the mind. You can take a physical weakling
and turn him or her into a powerful human being IF
the person will toughen up mentally.
Yes, you can ignore the “get tough” part of training
and make progress – but it will be the type of progress
you could rightly compare to watching paint dry.
On the other side of the fence, the person who
recognizes the need for mental toughness – he’s
the one who will go the furthest.
When I was at the University of Iowa, Dan Gable had
us do many, many things that were designed to condition
our minds and bodies at the same time. The result was
one national championship after another – altogether, 15
team titles in 21 seasons.
I have never forgotten his lessons and have used them to
succeed in much more than sports or fitness. And I’d like
you to have a chance to learn from him as well. That’s why
this May, I’m bringing him in to speak at my Get Tough
Fitness Challenge – to be held right here in Tampa.
In addition to Gable, I have another man, a monk from Japan,
coming in who no doubt ranks up there with the most mentally
tough people who’ve ever lived.
I’ll tell you more about him very soon, when I formally
announce the details about the Get Tough Fitness Challenge.
For now, suffice to say that this monk, known as the Japanese
Superman, took on a goal of doing 1,000 marathons and
double-marathons within seven years, through the mountains;
rain, sleet or snow. And if he failed to accomplish the feat he
was prepared to take his own life.
And the marathons and double-marathons are only PART of
what he chose to do.
I tell you this because if there is one thing that all of us can
use more of – myself included – it’s mental toughness.
That’s why, from now on, I’m going to cut way back on, if
not eliminate the “Kick butt – take names” phrase I’m world
famous for.
In place of it, I’m going to use the two words I began this
email with – or a variation thereof.
Those two words really cut to the heart of the message that
I want to instill in everyone who gets Combat Conditioning-
http://mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html -or any of
my other products.
The key to your success is not being a whiner, complainer or
excuse maker. The key to your success is the creation of a
“Man (or Woman) of Steel” within.
Think about it.
And …
Get Tough,
Matt Furey
P.S. The announcement for the Get Tough Fitness Challenge
will come later this week. Be ready to enroll immediately.
An event like this will never repeat and you’ll hate yourself
if you miss out.