Building off of my post last week about what I learned last year (you can read it here – DHP 2020 Recap: The Year That Was), I wanted to share some of the things I’m looking forward to in the new year. 2021 is set to be the best year yet for DHP, with some major announcements coming in the first quarter. In the essence of symmetry, and my affinity for the number 3 lately, here are three major goals I have my sights set on for Dexshow High Performance in the new year:
1 – DHP PRIVATE TRAINING STUDIO
I’m tremendously excited to be able to open my own fully private training studio in North Vancouver in early 2021. The equipment is ordered and the renovations are currently in progress. To my knowledge, it will be the first of its kind in the area and with ongoing COVID restrictions, it will be one of the safest, most private, in-person training options available. The 400 square foot space will be fully equipped with rubber flooring, a full Rogue Fitness power rack, multiple specialty bars, Powerblock adjustable dumbbells, full range of kettlebells, Ultimate Sandbags, two AnCore cable pulley systems and more. The best part of it all for me is that it is attached to my home – everyone else gets to work from home, now I can too!
Here are some before pictures – I can’t wait to show you the afters.
2 – BROADEN MY REACH
One major thing I noticed when I started scouring social media for relevant content early on in the pandemic lockdowns was that much health/fitness/training information online is garbage. At worst, it’s misinformation or even harmful, and at best, it’s largely misguided. In 2021 I’m going to continue posting information and video content on my Facebook and Instagram that helps people learn more about their body and the host of benefits that come with consistent strength training. How-To videos, technique demonstrations, educational posts, and more insight into my training methodology will be available to all through my social media channels.
Extrapolating from that, I’ve been beta testing online training and coaching via the TrainHeroic app recently and plan on rolling it out on a larger scale this year. I will be offering complete training programs online, as well as having limited spots for customized remote training based on individual needs, goals, and equipment available. I want to be able to help as many people as possible, whether they can train with me in-person or not, and I’m really excited to be able to use technology to reach more people.
3 – READ AND WRITE MORE, PLUS CONTINUING EDUCADTION
When I was a professional hockey player, I always wanted to learn more to improve my game. More about the position, more about the mental aspects, more about new techniques, more strategy. I picked my goalie coaches brains often. I watched video of virtually every shot taken on me from my freshman year at Colgate University in 2004 to my final season of pro in 2018. I have the same passion for strength and conditioning. In the early years of my second career, I’ve been devouring books and articles non-stop – and I continue to do so. I learn a lot from what I read, but I’ve gotten a lot better at knowing how and when to apply it.
Cal Dietz’s text on his entire method, Triphasic Training, lays out exactly how to produce strong, powerful athletes, but it doesn’t help me program for my 69-year-old dad who’s had a total hip replacement and knee surgery. Anthony Donskov’s two books on training hockey players – Physical Preparation for Ice Hockey and the Gain, Go, Grow Manual – have been tremendous resources for most of my base clientele, but I can’t draw on them when working with a middle-aged soccer mom. As I continue to construct my own overarching methods, I pledge to further expand my knowledge base by reading and researching a broad range of training information.
I truly enjoy learning and thus, need to get back into more in-person continuing education courses. I learn best when I’m shown something and then able to feel and implement it in real time with instruction. In-person courses check those boxes for me, as I’m starting to tire with Zoom lectures and self-guided education. The most and best training information I ever learned was when I worked under my mentors, Kari and Steve, at Envision fitness for a year and a half – watching them coach and asking countless questions allowed me to fast-track my ability to train real people effectively, no matter what their goals are. Once travel restrictions ease, I’d love to mix in some courses in 2021.
With all of that that comes my desire to share what I know and what I’ve learned from my experiences coaching on the floor. I was a History major at Colgate, with a minor in Sociology and Anthropology, so I did my fair share of writing. This year, I want to continue putting free information out on my blog that highlights some of my thoughts, methods, real-world examples about what good, sustainable training should be. I hope to get more people to read it, and also have it out in public to receive constructive criticism and peer feedback. Writing publicly keeps me engaged in what I’m doing and also holds me accountable – to my clients, my family, and others who trust me for reliable information on health, training, and sports performance.
Well, those are three big things that I’m looking forward to in 2021. I hope you will think about setting some goals for this year as well. And if you enjoy reading my blog and training articles, please spread the word to help me with my number 2 above! Thanks for the support.
Get strong, stay strong.
Coach Dex
