...A lesson from Mike. Fade in: {Backstage. Atlantic City, New Jersey} We were wrapping up the east coast leg of the @therealmaryjblige tour, back in my #tourbustrainer life. I’m in the dressing room with the queen and the team, just finishing blending my signature post performance/workout shake that I made for her after every show. And there’s a knock on the door @thederickhenry_999 (head of security legend) tells Mary, that @miketyson is outside and wants to pay respect. She runs to the door to greet him and they talk for a while. Before he leaves she introduces us. He gently reaches out his hand to shake mine, we shake and then I go in for a hug lol! We talk for a while, about training and world history (thank you dad for passing that on) and I told him how much he has meant to me growing up. I remember Mikes fights of course. His picture hangs proudly on the walls of @heartandhustlegym. But when Mike Tyson punch out came out...man. I was enthralled. I played until my ribs hurt from laying so long on stomach on the hard floor. I had one mission to get to Mike. I learned the combos, the dips/slips, the timing and that super punch! It took me so long to learn how to beat all those characters along the way. But I finally made it to Mike (thanks to Doc Louis as well 😆) I’ll never forget after I finally made it to Mike somebody said to me ‘why didn’t you just use the cheat codes?’ I felt deflated for a moment. I could’ve just gotten to the end without fighting and/or earning all those belts and mastering those other opponents along the way?! I often think about that today, in the training world or in the world in general. There is a new mind set. A new error of instant gratification. •Skip the grind, right to the shine. •Skip the learning, and right to the earning. But all the great ones, the follow Michelin star hustlers that I deeply respect and admire in all professions (strength coaches, athletes, barbers, tattoo artists, hairstylists, chefs, the fellow ‘service’ industry providers that have made it to the top know there is no cutting corners. There is no cheat code to get to ‘Mike’.