My Take-aways from Travis Mash (Mentor and Friend)

The first time I met Travis was almost 4 years ago at one of his “Learn 2 Lift Seminars.” (which I highly recommend attending along with the rest of his seminars) I drove 10 hours one way just to get there and it was worth every double shift I worked to save the money to be able to do so. I had only been a Strength and Conditioning coach for almost 3 years but I had read nearly every article, watched every video, and listened to nearly every podcast Travis had ever been on. I looked up to him as a mentor before ever meeting him because of the genuine care he appeared to have for his athletes. At this time (and even still) I was searching for guidance as to what type of Coach I wanted to become. I had a very knowledgable coach at the time and I was grateful for the programming I received but something was missing. As soon as I met Travis it was apparent that his passion and love for strength and conditioning and his athletes was as genuine as it seemed.

Culture: Physically being at Mash Elite Performance Gym is a very unique experience that I would highly recommend to all Coaches and Athletes. The culture is one of relentless work ethic with the healthiest and most appropriate dose of fun, family rooted support, and sibling-like love and competitiveness amongst the athletes. Watching world class athletes go back and forth, lift for lift, pushing each other to be better and stronger every day while still laughing and dancing between lifts, shows you the iron rooted bond that can be created amongst people through the pursuit of strength and greatness.

Character: Watching Travis be more excited than his athletes when they hit a new personal record, immediately showed me the type of Coach I want to be, the kind who truly cares about the human, not just the “athlete.” Travis understands that although his athletes may go on to win Olympic gold medals, what’s most important is that they become gold medal level humans in every day life. Because eventually, no matter how great, every athlete retires. This was evident when I had the honor of visiting the gym during the athletes peak week before the American Open, tension and nerves are of course high, athletes are on edge, and as the cherry on top, Travis’s two young sons were sick. Watching Travis make sure he came to watch the athletes hit their big lifts, address each athlete individually, while still making sure he left earlier than usual to get home to his family. I believe this is a huge reason for Travis’s success, although he’s an Olympic level coach, training world class athletes, his priorities as a human, a father and husband, trumps every thing else, as it should. This is by far the most valuable lesson I have ever learned and will always be beyond grateful for.

White belt mentality: As a coach, there seems to be no better quality than open mindedness and the pursuit of constantly learning and evolving. Being open to learning from all coaches and systems, taking what works for you and leaving what doesn’t. When I am around Travis, I feel like the grasshopper to the Sensei, I am constantly asking questions and listening intently. I’ve had the opportunity to be around Travis while other great Coaches are around and it’s obvious he has the same mentality, always asking questions, taking notes, regardless if he’s technically more experienced or accomplished. He’s still a student of the game, regardless of his accomplishments, he remains humble and open minded and continuously giving credit to other coaches when their methods prove to work for him and his athletes.

Travis indirectly made me a better coach by directly making me a better human being. I’ll never be able to repay him or thank him enough for his guidance and friendship over the years. All I can hope is I am able to do the same for some one else one day. I encourage all of you to seek out a mentor, some one who possesses a character you aspire to have, and do whatever you have to do to be around them as much as possible, it may just change your entire life.

Travis, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for every thing.

Every one please follow and support Travis and his amazing group of athletes

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