Catalyst Athletic and Crossfit

Jim Liguori at Catalyst

Taoists practice a philosophy they call, "Beginner's Mind."  In essence, they believe that every situation is unique, and should be approached with the open eyes of a beginner.  There's education in everything, including scenarios you've seen a hundred times before, and especially in your rival.  Jim Liguori is all that and then some. Jim's philosophy of inclusiveness is not only rare in the martial arts community, but also in the fitness world.

While we at Catalyst have always embraced different philosophies of fitness, only recently have we started sharing some of our influences with you, the reader.  Jim, though, has always been very open about accommodating and incorporating different styles into his training.  And now, it's really paying off for his athletes.

Paraphrasing one of his students: "When I came back to town, I went around to different clubs.  I'm a wrestler, and Jim was interested in what I could add to the group, instead of trying to convince me that his way was best.  I thought, yeah, this is the place for me."

Jim owns Ho Shin Sool Martial Arts and Fitness Centre.  Ho Shin Sool is a Korean phrase, meaning "Protect Mind and Body."   Even in choosing a name, Jim Liguori emphasizes balance in everything.  From their website: ...but it is also important to keep an open mind through various cross-training programs and adapt the program to suit the individual as everyone is different and unique.

He's talking about martial arts, but couldn't the same be said about fitness, your career, or your life?  To paraphrase Greg Glassman (another excellent coach,) in general, nature abhors the specialist.  Specialization in one area, by definition, means the exclusion of another.  

Jim is a fifth-degree black belt, father of two exceptional girls, and, as he puts it, "very lucky to have a wife who shares the same values."  The martial arts community, and the city, are lucky to have coaches like Jim.  Preamble over.  Watch below:

Some additional thoughts on Beginner's Mind, from Jim Liguori in various emails to me:

A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. "It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted. "You are like this cup," the master replied, "How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup." 

This is the speach I sometimes use with my students. "theory of empty mind" or "beginners mind". In todays society it's sooo hard to keep that simple way of thinking. We are all overexposed to an abundance of theories, studies, ideas, etc. Sometimes less is more for sure.

...........
too much clutter? empty the mind
too much stress? empty the mind
too many worries? empty the mind
take time to stand back, and see things for what they are. a little swirl on the planet earth. the long lens of time will show the trivialness of all things.
meditation and peace - empty the mind
eternal joy - empty the mind
the rain drips outside. there is no fight. the laws of nature are as they are. be pliable. bend a little. the struggle will only snap you. be at peace.
empty the mind. empty the mind. empty the mind.
peace and oneness. back to the eternal zen state. one. all. unity. there is nothing else. oneness.
empty the mind. the mantra calls. empty. the. mind.
EMPTY. peace. balance. oneness. THE. eternal. tranquility. bliss. MIND.
the universe has spoken.
...........

Anyway, there are many variations of the "concept" - empty mind or beginners mind or simple mind etc, and many translations. I think the "just of it" is that "the more people tend to learn, the harder it is for them to learn, and harder it may be to teach them". If you remember my telling you that my instructor told me I was about to start learning upon receiving my black belt.....I think he was telling me to approach things with an "open mind". This is what he meant but I didn't quite understand it at the time. So now with my students, I use this concept in trying to explain that. I hand one(1) translation out to those who test for their black belt as well.

I've trained with many great people over the years and also with many people who thought they were great! The "great" ones keep in close grasp with their empty mind.....the "not so great" have some skills, but fail to see the full potential of ones life.

Breaking out of "the box" is sometimes hard, regardless of how hard you punch!

13 Minutes with Andre Riopel

How do I start an article about Andre Riopel?  The guy's a visionary.  He's built Back In Motion up to its current level; he's started Velorution and kept it thriving in a tough local market.  He's perhaps best known for being the bee in some local bonnets who don't care much for cyclists.  As Andre explains it in the video, "If you care about your health, you have to care about your community.  And if you care about your community, you have to care about the world."  Couldn't have said it much better than that.

I invited Andre to do this interview a couple of weeks ago.  When he arrived on his bike, I should have started rolling tape immediately.  Instead, 5 minutes later, I had to ask him to  stop talking so that I could get the camera out.  I was missing too much good stuff.  

Andre and I share a similar philosophy: do hard work, make it an adventure, and keep it brief.  My favourite new Riopel-ism: Live With No Dead Time.  Beautiful.

This is his winter bike.  The frame weighs around 2lbs.  It was custom-made by Ian Dunlop at Andre's shop, Velorution (even the shop's name has a great story behind it.)

He's in great shape - and it shows if you watch the video - but he's really all about heart.  The guy cares.  He cares what happens to you, your family, and our Earth.  It's obvious.  Ok, that's enough; roll video.

Physiology and Runners with Jen Entwhistle

Jennifer Entwhistle is a mover.

To quote her: I run because I ken. <editor's translation: that's Nova Scotian for, "I run because I can.">

She's moved herself through 4 marathons now, with a PR time of 3:26; she's moved herself through the streets of Boston, running with the crowd in 2008. She's moved the local running community in a different direction. And, as you'll see in the video, you can't rope her down.

Jen's from Nova Scotia (notice the 'X' ring.) She's already making her mark as a valuable addition to the Sault Stryders. We're happy to have her around; her sentiments on resistance training, especially, parallel our thoughts. Listen and enjoy.

Jennifer Entwhistle on Running from Chris Cooper on Vimeo.

How To Get A Scholarship

John Clement, head scout for National Scouting Report (Northern Ontario area,) gives you the secrets of that holy grail of sport: a college scholarship.  It's not as easy as you think.  John lays out his Top 10 Things that you've just gotta do to get there.

Inside Dom Deluca's Head

Dom Deluca looks like a rock star. 

And he's loved like one, too.  When we ask hockey players in the Sault to name their favourite coach of all time - one who really made a difference in their careers - they name Dom. 

When we ask who taught them the most, they name Dom.  And sometimes, when we ask why they're still playing, they name Dom.

We asked Dom to come in and open his mind about coaching, hockey, and letting kids be creative.  The interview is attached in two parts below.  In the long lead-up to this interview (it literally took months to get our schedules to line up,) I thought I'd be spending an hour with a real tactician; a scientist.  Instead, I found myself talking to an artist.

Listening to Dom, you hear a guy talk about hockey like some guys talk about wine: they're familiar with their subject to the point of intimacy.  He's immersed in it.  You can't separate the two.  But he's also a masterful coach: he can exude authority, but he can also be a whole lot of fun, and he knows when each is appropriate.

Listen for 40 minutes, and you'll see what I mean.  In the first installment, Dom talks about his philosophy of coaching and leading, his background, and his value system.  It's great stuff.  In Part II, Dom gets into the gritty stuff: some stories from the road, some favourite memories of players, and the foundations of his coaching beliefs.  It's not to be missed, but a word to the more sensitive listeners: you're going to hear a few bad words.  Sure, we could edit them out.  But who are we to censor art?

Enjoy.

Download domdeluca1.mov

Download domdeluca2.mov

The Lego Knights Coaching System

You want a unique way to get kids motivated for sport?  You want to encourage kids to keep playing throughout their whole life?  Coach John Clement is one of the best around.  Kids love this guy.  They love his system of addressing the 4 fundamentals of progress in sport: strength, speed, agility, and wisdom.  They love the game because of John, and they KEEP PLAYING.  That's most important.  Take it away, John!