It’s been almost a year since my last blog post. When I
first started writing I thought it was one of the most underrated skills of a
great strength coach. After giving it a go, I am certain that is. Writing, like
any other attainable skill, requires a certain number of hours to become
proficient at. It takes thoughtful practice and the willingness to plow through
the idea that right away, you might suck. The ability to dedicate time to
reflection and the sharing of ideas (whether they be popular or not) is a rare
one in the strength and conditioning world. Some people are just deathly afraid of sounding stupid but I think it can be largely attributed to the type of
people the industry draws. Most that are passionate about physical preparedness we would label as “doers.” Good
coaches bring energy, love to coach, and love to move. Sitting still and
writing for an extended period of time is a tough concept for people who are
more comfortable being active. I have known for a while now that I am much more
comfortable “doing” than I am sitting and in turn understand that my
development as a writer has taken a back seat.
When you’ve taken a break from any specific field as long as I have from writing I think the first step to getting back to it is to not only take time to reflect
but also appreciate the things that have occupied your time otherwise.
Heilman’s Performance is still very much in its infancy, but has already grown
in a way that I am extremely proud of. It has taken an absolute village to achieve
the small growth that we have thus far and I’m fully aware that none of it
would be possible without the guidance and assistance (both physical and
financial) of a number of people.
Here's just a short list of people (and I know I’m going to miss some
people) that I owe a huge chunk of gratitude to for the past year:
1.
My
Parents
Heilman’s Performance wouldn’t exist
without them. Besides my dad lending me the money to pay for the organizational
costs to get my feet off the ground, the values my parents have instilled in me
is a priceless gift that gives me my best chance to succeed. My mom and dad
have always told me to do what makes me happy and if I put my mind to something
and work my ass off, the sky is the absolute limit. For that, I am forever
grateful, thank you.
2.
My
Fiancée, Courtney
I could write forever. The early mornings,
the late night cleaning and errand running and the weekend social events
surrendered to designing programs. How she hasn’t told me to kick rocks yet I’m
not sure. She keeps me grounded and constantly reminds me that I should be
writing. Without her overwhelming support I wouldn’t be able to dedicate myself
the way I have. And on top of that she has a damn impressive deadlift, I am
head over heels in love with this woman and wouldn’t be half of what I am
without her. For that, I am forever grateful, thank you Boo. (Yes, I call her
Boo)
3.
My
“Employees”
All of the people that I’ve employed to
assist with what we do down at Heilman’s Performance have played a larger role
in its growth than they could ever imagine. I have yet to employ the help of
any coach, and I’ve employed three part time (Sean Arbaut: close friend and
assistant baseball coach with Minot State University, Pat Arntson: close friend
and the hitting coach with MSU, and Bryan Krahler: a close friend and former
college teammate), that the athletes we work with haven’t enjoyed having
around. Hell, sometimes I get complaints when they aren’t around enough. All
three are well versed in the fundamentals of strength and conditioning technique,
take care of themselves physically and most importantly are passionate about
coaching and positively influencing young athletes. All three have competed in
college athletics and received their degrees (Pat has earned a Master’s Degree)
at the end of their careers. That, despite the field or institution the diploma
is from, shows me they have the stick-to-itiveness to commit to something and
see it through and I am proud to call them my friends and colleagues. They have
done nothing short exceed my expectations in their willingness to help me run a
facility we can be proud of. And for that I am forever grateful, thank you
fellas.
4.
My
Uncle: Joel Metz
My Uncle Joel is a CPA here in Minot and
understands the ins and outs of any accounting related conundrum you can throw
at him. Without his guidance and assistance I’m pretty sure the IRS would have
everything except for my medicine balls by now. He trains as hard if not harder
than anyone else at the gym and is north of 50 years young. He’s always available
to give me advice, both financially and entrepreneurially, and for that I’m
forever grateful, thank you.
5.
Minot
State University, Coach Weppler and Coach Brunkhorst
This year is the first year that Minot State
University has had a legitimately well-established strength and conditioning
department. Last year I was fortunate enough to be able to work with the MSU
Volleyball and Baseball teams. This year when they hired Coach Chris Brunkhorst
(who has acquired experience with multiple S
& C programs including Mankato State U, Louisiana State U, and
Arizona State U) and my fate as an employee with the college was in his hands.
Brunk has instilled his faith in me as a coach and has allowed me to stay on as
an assistant on the strength and conditioning staff. The initial opportunity
for me to work with multiple teams at the Division II level was given to me by
head baseball coach Brock Weppler. The lessons I’ve learned thus far as a young
coach from working in a team atmosphere have been invaluable, and impossible
without the support of this institution and both these guys. For that I am
forever grateful, thank you.
6.
Chris
Schilken and Prairie Federal Credit Union
When I first started presenting my business
plan to banks I wasn’t always treated like an adult. I was called “honey” multiple
times by one lender. When she glanced over what I planned to pay myself she
also exclaimed, “Oh honey, how are you going to live?” So that set a pretty
good standard for how much I valued her opinion. Chris treated me like a grown
man, which I’ve always appreciated. He understood that I was a novice as far as
my understanding of “business financials” but genuinely wanted to help me get
my feet off the ground. Without his upfront honesty and belief in me, I
wouldn’t have the opportunity to turn my dream into a reality. For that I’m
forever grateful, thank you.
7.
Scott
Haider
Since I was half his size Scott has taken
me under his wing and been willing to offer me a helping hand. From making sure
I had a teammate to grab a bite with after a bad baseball game in my first year
or legion baseball to helping me get my business credentials organized. Without
your generous guidance I wouldn’t have had a clue how to get this thing going,
and for that I am forever grateful, thanks dude.
8.
All
the athletes, parents, and clients I’ve worked with
This is obviously a large group and a more
vague thank you than I’d like it to be. To name every athlete and parent that
has entrusted me with their own/their child’s athletic development/physical
well being and success would take me the rest of the day. I absolutely love the
culture that we’ve created down at Heilman’s Performance. The primary focus has
always been to create an atmosphere that facilitates progress for everyone, is
free of judgment and values consistency and work ethic. To my college athletes,
some of you I only have a few years on, for you to treat me like a real
professional and work the way you have for me, I will never forget. For your
work ethic and loyalty I am forever grateful to you all, thank you so much.
I know there are some people that a week from now I’ll feel
like an idiot for leaving out, but please just know if you have been in any way
affiliated with the early years of Heilman’s Performance I am forever in your
debt. Nothing we’ve accomplished thus far could be possible without the tight
web of support I’ve received. Even though I feel like I just used up my
Thanksgiving week blog post, it feels good to write again. I’m looking forward to
dedicating more time to it in the near future. Thanks for reading.
Caleb Heilman
“The only thing I know is I’ll never know everything.” –
Jason Green
