“
Built For Success” – Part 1
by Todd Schumluck
Hello Pinkbike readers. Since this is my ‘maiden voyage’ in contributing columns to Pinkbike, I should take the time to introduce myself. My name Todd Schumlick, I am from Pemberton, BC, and am the owner/operator of
PerformX. I have spent the last 13 years training top athletes in motocross, downhill, snocross, snowboard and other action sports athletes. My downhill athletes include Steve Smith, Remi Gauvin, Kyle Sangers, Miranda Miller and Tyler Alison. My background includes a degree in kinesiology, certification in sports nutrition, national strength and conditioning association professional certification, and various sports performance courses I’ve attended over the past 20 years in the industry. Most importantly, the many years of hands on experience and development. As for my own two wheel background, as a kid it all began as a competitive BMX racer, later in life turning to a mountain bike and motocross enthusiast and recreational competitor.
As for PerformX itself, it includes motocross, downhill and other action sport-specific training services, motocross and downhill schools and camps, and a motocross and downhill team.
Todd with Steve Smith and Remi Gauvin at Crankworx 2010.
Let’s move onto a column I’ve had in mind, appropriately named “Built To Succeed.” As my first column, I think it’s a good place to start. Why? Let me explain.
As a professional “trainer,” I am the first to admit that fitness and nutrition, in my opinion, are not the most important aspects in downhill racing success. I’ve been fortunate to be around world-class athletes for some time now, so I guess you could say I have seen “what it takes.” This includes what I like to call the five D’s: desire, determination, dedication, drive and discipline; and the two A’s: ability and attitude.
Steve Smith has been training with Todd for a few years now...it's working.
I guess I could have named this column “Built To Win,” but in truth, not all of us can win. What we are capable of though, is success. To expand, I also don’t believe championships, wins, money and/or fame dictate success either. What I do believe, is that anyone who can put in an effort that is equal to or greater than the requirements of their goals is a success. I guess this goes beyond downhill racing and sport as well, as this holds true to life. I say all this because I’m 42. That doesn’t mean I’m necessarily wise, it just means I have some experience from being surrounded by elite athletes, those pursuing dreams, and I guess life general. Trust me, nothing will be more satisfying than someday knowing you put in an effort that properly matched your goals…dreams. This is how I approach the development of all athletes I assist. With a bit of guidance, I assist them in properly setting goals, both short and long-term, and then together developing a plan that will help them getting there.
To further expand on some goal setting, I’ll use the following as an example:
1. Long-term goals for 20____ season:
a)
Racing Performance:
a. Technically
b. Physically
c. Mentally
b)
Practice Performance:
a. Technically
b. Physically
c. Mentally
c)
Training (fitness) Performance:
a. Physical assessment/fitness test
b. Verbal assessment
c. Strength and weakness/priorities
d. Schedule and testing
2. Short-term goals __________ to __________ (usually 3 – 4 months) that will assist me in reaching my long-term goals:
a) Training (fitness)
b) Nutritionally
c) Mentally
d) On-bike practice (weather permitting)
Now this is a basic example of assessing and setting goals. We use this type at our MX and DH camps, but would go in to further depth with the athletes we assist in Level 2 Training such as Steve Smith, Remi Gauvin, Kyle Sangers, Miranda Miller, and Tyler Alison.
That should give you enough to think about for now. Next column, I will expand upon how to set such goals, and what you should know before making such commitments. Look for “Built For Success” – Part 2.
Until then,
Todd Schumlick
PerformX
Here's a season recap of PerformX Downhill Team racer Remi Gauvin, talking about goal setting, training and achieving goals:
The best teacher I ever had told me to list the 5 most important things in my life. Then to scratch 2 off the list. That sounds like the bike-part principle.
Winners or those with lots of success are terrible people to live with - what is it worth to be inspiration for thousands while you don't have time to take care for your loved ones. More you race, less energy you have for other things... and racing is far from beign the most important. Anybody speaking of right attitude to become a racer should explain this in the first place to any wannabe: what are the consequences, are you sure you really want that, are you ready to go to the dark side
Motör Head - SACRIFICE! SACRIFICE!
For every decision you make, you also make the decision not to do an infinite number of other things with that time. It's a trade-off but weigh your opportunity cost.
Now, are you sincerely ready to sacrifice everything to become a Downhill mountain bike champion? Is that what you really want? As far as I'm concerned, I realized I'm more useful elsewhere as I probably don't have everything it takes and even if I do, I don't really want to take the time/money to get to the top. Emo feeling? I'm stoked every single time I'm headed for the local hills and I usually have a good time even though I know I'll never be a downhill champion. Like valtra said, you have to evaluate the opportunity cost, make your choice and live in peace with it. That's where attitude makes all the difference.
This guys pitch in this first article is super serious to me, it's like some of my teachers say (the worst ones) - you are born to be an architect, you have it in your blood, or you don't and you will never achieve anything. Bullshit! The best teacher I had who made into what I am now said: this is just a job: everyone can learn it, it just takes less or more time for different people. The same vibe I get from McCormack Wilson and Hamilton about mountain biking. They don't put this right and only mental attitude in the beginning, as they now that not everyone wants to be a winner. And I guess if this guy is adressing only potential world cup top10 wannabies, he's advertising in the wrong place. Don't know maybe it's only me, but it sounds super serious, not for average Joe.
I'm personaly not ready and never was to sarifice a lot for any sport. Though at the very moment I am working on architectural competition, working over 10h a day since two weeks without having any weekends, barely few words with my wife and no riding at all. I am good at what I do as the teams I worked in, won like 7 of 10 competitions. In three I was the project leader. I know how to win, and I know exactly what it takes in terms of skills and mind set. It takes a terrible toll on my health save vision alone, and my relation with my wife.
Same applies to downhill or XC racing, the trouble is: to put everything on the sport as a way of living is on the very edge of bravery and insanity, especially in extreme sports. What happens after you quit racing?
It's ok though, as a truckloads of kids are "diagnosed" with ADD and with the "everything instantly" culture floating around these days, most of those who don't have what it takes will probably get discouraged fast from their worldcup superstar dreams haha.
A real man has three principles in life (order not important) 1.Work 2.Passion 3.Family
Because every man has a limited energy it goes like this:
- if you want all three, you will be average in each (low risk of failure)
- If you want to be good in some of them, you can pick only two, one will be neglected (medium risk of failure)
- if you want to be the best in some: you can pick only one, two will be neglected (high risk of failure)
From my experience, I barely manage with two (poor wife), my boss seem to suck in all three, it doesn't matter who you are if you neglect the third (love) the "devil" will fk U up sooner or later
Seriously though, its quite simple in the end. The more time you spend on something the more you will neglect the other aspects of your life. I was going to say that you better make sure there will be a positive ending down the road if you chose to specialize in one aspect but I don't think this is true... as you never know where that road could lead you. Gotta be positive sometimes!