When I was really young, there weren't but a few channels on TV and one of the things my dad use to watch was boxing. It was at the tender age of 3 that I took notice of Muhammad Ali's (Cassius Clay back then) training and tried to copy the dancing, the shadow boxing and later jumping rope, speed bag, heavy bag, sparring etc. My dad is probably responsible for me doing my first pushups.
As time progressed I also seen other athletes and I started forming my training specifically extracting out key performance enhancing aspects of each sport.
The athletes that formed the foundation for my training are:
1. Muhammad Ali - 3 Time Heavyweight Boxing Champion
2. Dr. J - One of the greatest basketball players of all time, super-stylistic-ghetto-ball-flavor, the ish.
3. Franklin Jacobs - One of the Greatest High Jumpers of All Time.
4. Ron Galamore - One of the most dynamic tumblers, Former 3 time U.S. floor exercise champion.
5. Sergio Oliva - Olympic Lifter, 3 Time Mr. Olympia and Massive Bodybuilding Freak ahead of his time!
6. Bill Kazmaier - World's Strongest Man (back in the day)
7. Bruce Lee - Martial Artist & Actor
8. Lee Haney - 8 time Mr. Olympia
It is from these 8 (above) that I have formed the basis of my training over the years, not by copying them, by incorporating training within these areas to make myself a more well-rounded practitioner of fitness. Dave Schmitz, the Band Man, is one that I've followed closely over the last 3 or so years, he's doing a great job on educating others on proper training and programming related to using flat resistance bands for athleticism and more.
This is why, at 50+, I still do back flips although around 220 lbs, this is why I practice boxing fitness & conditioning and cycle my training to incorporate strength, power, speed, coordination, timing, flexibility and explosiveness.
Proper training extends your athleticism and youthfulness. Is there is a Fountain of Youth? Yes, it is in the way you eat, sleep, train and take care of yourself... which includes drinking good quality water (wink!).
I believe our bodies were made to be challenged. When we stray into the comfort zone, we become soft, we lose coordination, speed, strength, power and the mental discipline it takes to protect, improve and preserve the gift we have called life. Working out or training shows my Creator that I'm grateful for my mind, body and soul and it shows that I don't take my health for granted. There is no feeling in the world quite like the natural high of running, training hard, pushing yourself and taking yourself to that heightened level of awareness, that deeper level of "BEING"... this IS why I LOVE TRAINING...