Episode Transcript
[00:00:20] Speaker A: Welcome to Infinite Human where we explore our limitless potential through conversations with guests who have achieved greatness, overcome challenges and work to find their purpose. We aim to share and inspire you to do the same.
I'm your host, Shona Kerr. I'm a college coach, professor and businesswoman who is eager to learn from and sharing the wisdom of others with you and onto the.
[00:00:53] Speaker B: Foreign.
[00:01:01] Speaker A: Today we welcome Pete Azadorian.
Pete is a physical fitness and strength trainer that has worked with ice hockey greats such as Ron Hainsey and Nick Bonino. A two time Stanley cup winner, he owns his own company, Future Fitness Pro, that has been successful for the last 20 plus years.
Always a grinder, he has tried many avenues before finding the fitness path which he documents in his book, Built Different. If you're interested in checking out his book, please look at the program notes for a link.
He has also coached high school basketball for Rocky Hill in Connecticut, where he is born, raised and still resides. He's the youngest coach to win a high school state championship with the boys team and is at the time of this episode, mounting a campaign to win the high school state championship with the girls team for Rocky Hill. Also, he talks about some of the challenges along the way, which include a battle with stage three cancer.
He's a master of his craft, genuine to the core, and I hope you enjoy meeting him in this episode and are inspired by his journey.
Welcome and with me today is Pete Azadorian, who is a physical trainer to the stars. Local legend in Connecticut, coach, businessman and the definition of infinite human, who, as we'll discover, has worn many hats in his life and is never shy to to jump in with two feet for new ventures and live life to his fullest, I think is the way to put it. So welcome Pete.
[00:02:33] Speaker B: Shawna, thank you very much for having me. I'm very excited to be here today to help you out with the show and then, you know, just kind of spread my message.
[00:02:41] Speaker A: I know you have a lot to lot to teach us, so I'm going to, I'm going to start with who is Pete Azadorian, the physical trainer? What does your life look like day to day? What are you doing right now? How does that all look for you?
[00:02:54] Speaker B: Yeah, so I mean, I started back in 1999 with my fitness business, Future Fitness Pro. I was just, you know, very fortunate, trying to send my message out, build a clientele. At a young age I connected with some great people and you know, those great people kind of catapulted my career in the fitness industry. Dayto day, I, you know, I go to the gym, I, I work with people. I have such a passion just to kind of like help people and you know, accomplish goals. Like everybody needs goals. And I think that's like one thing that, you know, is a, is a trait of mine that I, that I love employing on, you know, my clients and just anyone that comes into my circle. The fitness road is obviously like a cutthroat business. You know, it's, it's tough to develop your, your, your name and your credibility and to make sure that you're, you're doing the proper job. And again, like I mentioned, I was just really fortunate at a young age to connect with some high level athletes that trusted me to, to do the work and they saw results and from there it just, like I said, it just kind of catapulted my business.
[00:03:57] Speaker A: We both live in Connecticut and I am very aware that if there's a high level hockey player, golfers in the area, they're coming to you, they're coming to you to get stronger, fitter, faster, be able to perform better. So let's say I'm an athlete, I'm coming to you.
How do you start? Where do you start? And then what are you looking for to help me improve? And even for people listening, what would be some real basic things that they could address even just now?
[00:04:27] Speaker B: Yeah, so I mean, it's obviously, you know, there's an assessment. We find out we don't just take anyone either. You know, that's, that's, that's the number one thing that kind of like gave us our niche. It's just, and, and obviously with that I've built up a good staff of trainers. I'm big with functionality. Obviously we want to increase strength, but like a lot of people are hung up on, you know, how much, how much someone's pressing, how much someone's doing. But I want to create an athlete and feel as though through functionality and, and you know, injury prevention movements that that's how, you know, a better athlete functioning out to play is, is, is better in my eyes. And obviously with that built athleticism, you're going to be able to get stronger, bigger, faster. But there's always an assessment. We sit down with you, what are your goals? What do you want out of this? If we have to incorporate nutrition, I have nutritionists that we refer our clients to. So you know, it's, it's a full boat with us. When the athlete comes, high level athlete, we're talking to their, their strength coaches, they're off season. They're obviously in season with their, with their strength coaches more than me. I probably see these guys three the year, maybe four, but always in contact with them throughout the year. What injuries did you have during the season, if you had any?
Again, what does their coach need from them? You know, maybe they're a step short on the ice or a step too slow out in the ice. We have to increase their, their foot speed. Maybe we need to increase mobility. So it's a lot of feedback from, from their organizations, and then we kind of build that program again, depending upon their goals, what they want, and, you know, where they are. Each athlete's different. Obviously, we're going to do similar movements and. But the way we motivate each athlete, I think that's a big part of it, is the motivation aspect of it. I mean, I might be able to motivate you a different way than I can motivate, you know, another player, another athlete. And I think that's like a, that's a trait of mine too, where I can kind of get into the head and get into the. I like getting into the body and just kind of see and learn what they're feeling, how they're performing. And, you know, I watch video on them, I see their, their, their body mechanics and, and again, each athlete's different. The goals might be the same for the athletes where they want to get bigger, everybody wants to get bigger and faster, stronger. But at the end of the day, athlete A is going to be functioning different than athlete B. We have to take that into consideration when we're, we're building a program, and then when we're motivating them through the, through the workout process, you know, athlete A might be able to just come in and, and then athlete B needs that extra little shove and, you know, whatever that may be. But there's always an evaluation process. We get baselines on each athlete, we find out their history of injuries, if there were any, just go right down the line with them in that regard.
[00:07:14] Speaker A: The complete dedication to the human as a whole is impressive. And as a coach, I completely relate to being about the motivation and the connection that you can make with that human goes well above the activity itself. And understanding the why and finding what drives that human is critical. And I think as we get into it, people will see that really as who you are and your particular talent, actually. So that being said, can you give us any stories of any athletes and how you have been able to motivate them? Have there been any sort of more Creative approaches you've had to take.
[00:07:53] Speaker B: I mean this, you know, at a pro level, you know, when we see our pro athletes coming in, I mean those guys are pretty, in gals, they're pretty motivated, they're, they're playing at a high level, they're getting a big paycheck. So that's motivation in itself. You know, I like telling a story. He's one of my best friends, Ron Hainsey, he was one of my first big clients as well as Colin McDonald. You know, you take the two athletes. Colin McDonald, who was second round draft pick out of Weathersville High School. But that kid didn't need motivation. He, he was self driven. Ronnie was a gifted ath. He and his agent came to me and he said, you got to get them, get them right and motivate him in whatever way you can. I really think a part of it is developing that personal relationship with the individual. With the personal relationship with the individual comes trust. And I think trust is a huge factor when you're, when you're working with these guys and gals, if they don't trust you and they don't trust your, your work ethic. And again, for those guys to come in and trust me at a young age, I mean I was just, I'm a young like 24, 25 year old guy that's trying to build a fitness business and I came across a couple stud athletes that helped build my business. So that, and alone was, you know, trust and just showing them that I care, you know, like I'm calling them, I'm not, I, and it was one thing with me too, you know, I don't care about how much money you make. I don't, I didn't care about that. Like I want, I want, I always wanted to be a pro athlete. I think everybody at some point, if you're in this field wants to be a pro athlete. I obviously didn't have the skill to be a pro athlete. So I'm in the realm of it. And for me that's a goal. That was a lifetime goal for me. I want to have something to do with professional athletics. But again, that goes back to the trust factor. Just these guys, you know, being able to trust you. I'm working every day, I'm there early, I have new programs for them. It's fresh and I think that's how, you know, you build it.
[00:09:43] Speaker A: Absolutely. That trust piece is critical. And you mentioned that you were a young guy out there starting a business for yourself, starting this business which is still flourishing to your Credit. Where did that all start? Who taught you to even be able to do this?
[00:09:58] Speaker B: So, like, business has been in my family. My grandfather was a huge mentor. My father were two huge mentors. I saw my dad wake up every single day and grind and work inside jobs in the electrical industry and just, like, did everything he possibly could for our family. And then growing up in a. A business my grandfather started, you know, the stories, you've heard them from, like, our ancestors, they came with nothing. You know, I mean, so insist, like, it's true. And they came with nothing. And they. And they work and, you know, he owned a business and he always had me around it. So I. I learned. I think being able to communicate is huge. And I think that's a. That's a big thing. But I didn't take classes. I just kind of threw it. Threw it up against the wall and see if it stuck. You learn as you go. One thing with me, even with, like, when I coach, now I'm coaching the women's basketball team at Rock Hill High School, I don't have all the answers. Nobody has all the answers. So I've, throughout my life built. Built a team around me. Like, I bring people in that help me. I go find an accountant that can do my books. I find people to advise me. People help me with my marketing. I think building a team. I'm not. I will tell. I'll be the first person to tell you. I'm not proud. You know what I mean? Like, you got something to say, say it to me. If I like it, then I'll use it. If I don't like it, I'll say thank you and carry on. I think we learn from people, and I think through my life, we just learn. I see what, what another gym's doing, and they lasted six months in business and they couldn't make it. Well, why now? I analyze that, what they do wrong, so. And again, it just. It goes back to building a network around you. And I feel as though throughout the years I have a network of people that I can go to and ask questions. And, you know, I talk a lot. You know, I communicate a lot. And I think communication is the key of life. And a lot of people don't necessarily communicate well anymore. I think that's a huge factor.
[00:11:46] Speaker A: I think you touched on a really important point that none of us can do it by ourselves. And that's a big philosophy of mine. Big part of the infinite human piece is, is that we can't do it by ourselves. We need a team around Us, we need people to lift us up, no matter who we are. Even if you're the one lifting people up each day and motivating them. And I know they come driven because they're pro athletes to some degree, but you still gotta connect to get the human that. I'm not gonna let you downgrade significance of that. So, yeah, we do all need people around us and maybe describe to us when was the first time you sort of figured out, I can lift, I can actually do this myself, I can. Because you've lived it. It's not like you haven't been in the gym and figured out what worked for you and figured out how to do that. So how did you, how did you learn that piece?
[00:12:33] Speaker B: Totally. I was an overweight kid. You know, I like telling the story and no one ever believes it. You know, I was 185 pounds in sixth grade and getting picked on and bullied and stuff. And I was like, you know what? Enough is enough. And, you know, I had a grandmother that cooked. And if you didn't finish the food, you'd get yelled at, you know, the same deal. So, you know, it was always like, eat the good food. And so I, you know, I said enough was enough. And I remember my going into my seventh grade, middle school year, I was at that. I ran to my buddy's house that lived down the road. One of my best friends, Nick. I'd go to his house every morning, run there. We'd hang out a little bit, we'd play some basketball. We were just really active that summer. And then my dad bought me a bench. I started the old muscle and fitness magazines with Lee Haney and all those guys. I would watch Dr. Pete and Lee Haney every Sunday morning at 6am I'd wake up and kind of see what those guys were doing on and for workouts. And I was, you know, I started cleaning up my diet and it just stuck with me. And, you know, lifting became a part of my life. Like, exercising became a part of my life. And I think it's. It'll never lose, you know, I'll never lose that. And I think, you know, everybody should make some sort of fitness a part of their life because it's, you know, it's our saving grace. And I just continued through high school. I was a mediocre athlete. I was just part of teams, obviously, but I always just wanted to lift. And it became the point where, like, guys would start coming to me, like by junior year and, you know, like, hey, man, can you write me a Workout, huh? And then I got a job at a local gym. I started working the front desk. And then I was like, I could train, I could help people out. And then saying to myself, like, why don't I start getting paid for this and compensated for it. Other people are doing it. And then it kind of like went from there. And that's how it all dominoed. But as far as lifting, I was obviously a major part of my life. It became an addiction, like a good addiction, where it kind of kept me out of trouble too. It's just, you know, instead of hanging around with the boys, like, I'm going to work out for a couple hours, man. And then you don't want to put bad stuff back in your body if you're doing it. So kind of like fitness obviously helped my mind. It gave me confidence too.
[00:14:42] Speaker A: Also, it does create a really good feedback loop. If you make good decisions, why then make bad decisions? If bad decision track, hey, why bother? You just keep making bad decisions. I, trust me, I can relate to it. I think having exercise as a piece of that, of that puzzle can be everything, can literally be everything prior to being fully established in future fitness. And obviously from what you're saying, you learned a lot about business and working hard from your dad. What were some of the things you tried before future fitness came into your purview?
[00:15:17] Speaker B: I mean, I was always a hustler. I was always doing stuff, always working.
Like I said, my boys would be out and I'm working.
I wanted to make money. Money was an attraction to me. Whatever way I could do it. When I was at a young age, I did it. I had another buddy passed on, but I took over his landscaping business. That was like before I got into my fitness business. So I had all of his equipment, I went out, I had probably like 50 accounts and I started plowing and it was just good money. And then as I was doing that, I was paving my way through college. I ended up starting a fitness business and then it became too much and I got rid of the landscaping and.
[00:15:55] Speaker A: Here we are 25 years later.
[00:16:00] Speaker B: Yeah, about that. 1999. Yeah, yeah, 25. Yep.
[00:16:04] Speaker A: That's actually absolutely phenomenal. So let's, let's coaching. Let's talk coaching. Yeah, coach to coach. I know how proud you are to be coaching the Rocky Hill girls team there. How is the season going?
[00:16:21] Speaker B: Yeah, really good. We just had a tough, tough win last night. A gutted out win. Without our, one of our best players last night. We're ranked second in the state in class Double. I couldn't be prouder.
You know, I. I think with coaching and obviously you're a great coach and you're at a hot, very high level, and it just comes with, like, motivation. How are you going to motivate them? What are you going to give them? What kind of peace? What carrot are you going to put in front of them? And it's a lot. And as you know, I don't. I'm not telling you anything. Like, I wake up every day and I think of, you can't take a day off. You can't, like, mentally check out, like, hey, I'm going to just chill out today. I'm not going to coach. I'm not going to think about my team. It's just. It's impossible. Yeah, if you want to be. Yeah, if you want to be that. And I'm. I'm the type of person where if I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it the right way and I'm going to. I'm going to go hard. That's the only way I've ever been taught. That's. It's the only way I've ever done anything. So. Because I think it's for me, and you know, some people can.
Would disagree with me that, like, I put a lot of pressure on myself and maybe I put even you. We put too much pressure on ourselves to, like, be successful. But, like, my name is on the program, so, like, my name, like, I'm always thinking, like, sometimes it becomes into, like, paranoia a little bit with me, and it goes a little too far where I have to retract back. But I just think that being able to wake up every single day and be grateful that I'm in the position that I'm in and I have young women that I can motivate and mold and kind of give them life lessons. I tell them all the time. I'm like, man, maybe we have three of you that can go to the next level and play some college basketball or something. But at the end of your college basketball career, what are you going to do? I mean, the bottom line is, like, I'm. I'm the same. I'm the perfect person. But, like, if I can help motivate you and give you some life lessons and give you the best life lessons that nothing. You're going to hit a wall every single day, man. And if you. If you resist to that wall, then you're never going to go anywhere. Like, that walls up that walls. Your challenge. And you have to like, find a way to get through it. So kick it down, go through it head first. Do whatever you got to do. But, you know, that, that's, that's the drive I try and give these young ladies. And, you know, hopefully I think it's working. I. And again, I think that's a trait that I have. Just like my book, you know, man, I'm built different and my mindset is different. I don't want to be like anyone else. I don't want to conduct. There you go. I don't want to, like, conduct. You know, I always say, like, I deviate from the norms sometimes that gets me in trouble. But, you know, sometimes deviating from the norms is, you know, that. That extra push that's going to get us ahead. And that is that extra push that's going to, you know, you know, win that game or, you know, obviously I say deviate from the norms. I'm not doing anything wrong. But, like, why. Why go in order? Why just stay in order? Let. Let's go, let's do. Let's change, recycle our mindset and, and know that you could do something.
[00:19:24] Speaker A: And I don't think anybody wants a coach who has been perfect through their life. I don't think. How are you supposed to teach these young women how to overcome challenges and face the difficult stuff if you've never been there? I always joke, I don't want a therapist that's been happy their whole life. Hell, no.
[00:19:43] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly.
[00:19:44] Speaker A: What would be the point in that? So I think you bring so many life lessons because you've tried so many things. You've really put your foot in first and gone for it. And I don't think you can. You can't fake actually caring about the students, and you have to care about them. And like you say, it is 24 7. That call can come at 2am That a student needs you. It's just. I get that. So, no, you can't drop it. And I. I don't think everybody can do it.
You take it for granted because it is who you are. And I think that's what makes it super special is. Is who you are. Really. You emanate this and, And I know they're grateful. I know they. They couldn't be luckier to have you now.
[00:20:26] Speaker B: Thank you.
[00:20:26] Speaker A: How do we see the season panning from here?
[00:20:30] Speaker B: Well, you know, we're going into the. We have two regular season games left, and we're going into the postseason. We'll have conference tournaments start next week, and then we go to the state. So, I mean, God willing, you know, we make a run and, you know, it's. It's kind of epic, a little bit, you know. Back in 01 02, I'm to date, the youngest coach to ever win a state championship with the boys at Rocky Hill. And my mentor, John Reiser, is on pace to also win. And we would be together if we both won it this year. We'd both together, be the only two coaches to win a boys and a girls title. So that's pretty special. It's kind of like I'm big with, like, full circle stuff, you know what I'm saying? Like, you know, why is this happening to me? You know, I mean, like, I'll. I'll. I'll lay in bed or I'll just sit here alone, obviously. Why is all this happening to me? Like, what is? You know, But I don't know if I have that answer. You know, I just think, like, God puts us in positions and puts things in front of us and, you know, so I think it's, you know, it's. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I can only work hard. I always tell the girls, you know, I can't be out there. I told them last week, like, I wish I can go out and set a screen for you. I wish I can box the other woman out underneath the boards and outlet you a pass. And we go on a fast break together. I was like, I can't do it. I was like, I'm on the sideline. I'm your sixth guy. And, you know, we talked about over the past couple of weeks, we talked about trust, where. I trust you. I trust. I trust you guys. You know, we went through this last year. We had a young team. We went to the quarterfinals last year. But now it's like, we've been there. You guys know what it is. You know, my system, you know what we want done here. So just, I can't be like, going bananas on the sideline. I want you guys to go, you guys do it and I'll manage you. But, like, you guys do it now and then I think by me saying that, like, I trust you, I think that's a huge. Especially with young ladies and, you know, going out there and, you know, it's.
Trust is huge. And if you can tell your. Your team, your clients, your whatever that, like, hey, man, I trust you. Just go out and do it. And that takes pressure off of them. Obviously, they have pressure where they want to impress me and my Other coaches and, and they, and they don't want to let their teammates down. They don't want to let us down as coaches. And you know, like, hey, man, you're going to miss a shot. You're going to miss more shots than you take. Like, who cares? Just keep shooting it. And I always say, shooters, shoot, shooters keep shooting. And, you know, just keep shooting the ball. It's going to go in. Trust me. So. And, you know, if they trust me, I trust you. And I can see that it's working out. So we'll just. But just let it, you know, just wake up every day and kind of just go, Go and work hard and know that I'm working harder than the other guys and the other coaches. And that's, that's what I thrive myself on. I'm watching film, I'm breaking stuff down just like you just, you know, that's what good coaches do. And like, you know, I'm not, I'm not going to get out coached. I won't. And, you know, maybe I will, but I don't think I will. You know what I mean? So it's just. That's the mentality I have.
[00:23:35] Speaker A: Yeah. There's an element of trusting the process and the process by tiny little, tiny little steps to the big goal. And you bring up a really interesting point. It's almost, especially with women, and I'm curious to your thoughts on this. I find, having coached both genders, that women almost need it a little bit more to have that permission, go and trust themselves and trust their thoughts and take what they've learned and not look at you for confirmation. It's the right decision. If you have the ball, you're in that spot. Shoot the ball, whatever the play is. I find with young men, they tend to want to go at it first, and then we'll figure it out later if it didn't quite work out. But I know you've coached both and it's again, full circle that you've come around and you're coaching the women. But what are the differences that you've seen?
[00:24:24] Speaker B: I think women are a little bit easier to coach. Like you said, they don't want to let you down. I feel like they, they're just very detailed. Very detailed. We have less ego with the guys that, you know, there's egos involved and, you know, they. It's not a bad thing. It's just how we are.
[00:24:41] Speaker A: Yeah. Oh, yeah. There's no criticism either way at all.
[00:24:43] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah, definitely. And then. But like, I just think, like, you know, with the. With the girls, it's. It's there. It's a special group. And I think there's girls in general. Like, again, obviously, I've trained, you know, women over the years, but, like, working in a team atmosphere with the girls, like, trying to orchestrate. And I always think of it, like, as like a. I'm a band conductor, and I'm just orchestrating music. And we have the clarinet out of tune over here, and the trumpets are banging away. You know what I'm saying? So it's just like everybody's got to be in tune. Everybody's got to be on the same page. But to, like, go back to what you're saying, I just think it's. It's a little bit easier to get through to the girls. They want to listen, they want to be detailed so that through my experience, you know, I give them something, I show them a play, and they're doing it.
[00:25:31] Speaker A: I agree. And I actually find it's the other way around. For the guys, I've got to say, hey, go do that play. And then when it breaks down, we say, right now, let's fix it. And it's just a different way around. But I, you know, always find it fascinating to think about the differences, so. And here's another coaching question for you. I'm really curious how you manage the parent side of coaching, because obviously we're really privileged to work with these young boys and girls and men and women and. But, you know, they have their own support structures, which does include the parents. And how do you manage that?
[00:26:03] Speaker B: I mean, I think obviously over the years, you know, everybody. I can. I can tell you stories where, like, when I was coaching the boys, they.
I had a gentleman show up at my door after a game. It was 10:30 at night, and I was just. And back then that. You don't want to do that, you know, that I was a hothead. I was just, you know, so it's. But I've had people. I've had parents waiting at my car for me after a game, and it's just like, what are we doing, dude? Like, you know, so it's like, you know, this year, I think. I think if you win, then you're not going to have problems, right? So it's like everybody's happy. We have. There's some issues going on with some parents and stuff, but I take it very personally when stuff like that comes. I think I'm an emotional guy. I'm passionate. And obviously you trusted me to have your daughter on this team. But now you're not happy about it. So it's just like, what do you see that I'm not seeing? Come and talk to me. But then, like, a lot of times they won't talk to you. They'll write a letter, they'll hide behind an email. But I'm open, man. Come and talk to me. But so far, I mean, this year, a couple people unhappy. But, you know, I can't make everyone happy. And it's unfortunate. I'll tell you this, like, as a coach with, with my son, like, my son's a high level golfer and junior golfer, just won a state championship as sophomore. I'll brag about him, throw a little line. But then my daughter too. My daughter's a really great lacrosse player, golfer. And obviously you're sitting in the stand sometimes. And Tyson also played hockey. And there would be times where he's not starting. Why isn't he starting? And I'm scratching my head to it. And then one time I just casually said to the coach, I'm going say, hey, man, like, you know, Tyson's kind of like one of your best. Yeah, best player. I'm like, well, why is he on that first line? He's like, because I need his skill with other people. You know what I mean? So it's just like, yeah, it's kind of like, yeah. And I'm just like, all right. And then Tyson is a very old soul and out in a golf course. I. I can't watch him. He won't let me watch him.
[00:28:03] Speaker A: He won't let you watch him?
[00:28:05] Speaker B: Nope. I watch him tee off and I watch him come up 18. And I respect that. And he's just like, dead. You're coming out of bushes and you're almost getting hit with balls. Like, what are you doing? I'm like, dude, I'm just trying to stay out of the way. He goes, well, you're literally coming out of a bush. Like, what are you doing?
[00:28:21] Speaker A: Yeah, you don't hide too well, by the way.
[00:28:23] Speaker B: I know, right? But I think, like, I've learned as a coach and as a parent. Sit there and shut up. Right? And if you don't like the fact that you're what's going on with your team, get your kid off the team. I don't know what to tell you. But then if you do that, at the end of the day, you're hurting your child and that that's what it boils down to, that you're not teaching your K kid anything, man. Like, if you Go home. Like, oh, I think coach should have played you and this and that. Like, I've never done that. Just because I'm a coach, I'll talk to him. You know, I'll just have a, hey, man, can I just talk to you? Like, what's up? And then, you know, I'm cool with it. And I respect the coach, and if I didn't respect the coach, my kid wouldn't be playing for you. But I think with golf, it's. It's you. It's like, there's no one out there. It's all statistic. And, you know, it's like, you're not playing with anyone else. There's no starting lineup, so you have to go out there and just grind on on your own. And I can't complain about anything. The only thing I can do is just offer support. Like, if he has a bad round, hey, man, just analyze your game, dude. Like, you're better. I always say to my kids, you're better than me. You're better than me. And I was like, that's all you want to do. You know, that's. For me, that's fulfillment enough. Like, where, like, you can go out and play golf in a major tournament and go win it. Like, dude, that's pretty freaking cool. The same thing with my daughter. She's in eighth grade, and she's learning the competitiveness with her what. Sees what her brother's doing. And at the end of the day, it's just like, I think parents do do, like, more damage to the kids. And as far as, like, it's just what it is. It's a chirping behind the scenes of the parents who are like, oh, you should be playing. You should be doing this. You should be doing that. Like, why is coach doing that? What's he running that play for? Now they go home, they're only with us for, what, two hours, three hours a day? Not even. And now it's just, like, they're going home and just getting pumped, you know, like, questioned. And, you know, it's just so. It's. But parents can do more damage than good. Sometimes not. It's not always the fact. But for the most part this year, we have very supportive parents, which is great. And I'm a lifer in Rocky Hill, you know, born and raised here. I went to Rocky Hill High School. So a lot of these kids, their parents I went to high school with. And, you know, they. They know me. They know my track record. They know, like, they know my book. They know all My stories, a lot of them do. And, you know, it's kind of like, let Pete do his thing, man. This. You know, he's good. We trust him. And I get a lot of that now. It's. I'll get text messages from some of the dads and moms, and they're saying, you're great. Our kids love you. And that makes me feel good. Because at the end of the day, sometimes, again, we question ourselves as coaches. Am I doing the right thing? Should I have called a timeout? Should I have done this? Should I have done that? It's crazy. It's like I always say, like, I'm.
I hate coaching. I say that all the time. I hate coaching. And then just the. The. The feeling before a game, the day, the whole day, everything, it's just like, why am I doing this? I feel like I have the flu. That's how. You know what I mean?
[00:31:22] Speaker A: It's physical. Yeah, it's physical.
[00:31:24] Speaker B: Yeah. And it's like. And then the game gets over and say, now I gotta think about the next game. So there's. It's a roller coaster of emotions for us because, again, it's pressure. I know I'm rambling right now.
[00:31:36] Speaker A: No, no, you're speaking the truth.
[00:31:38] Speaker B: It's the pressures of just kind of, am I doing a good job? The lights are on me. The cameras are on me. The lights are on me. And it's. And again, you just want to do the best job you can for everyone. But at the end of the day, I know I'm rambling, but, like, you can't please every parent. You can't please everyone that's involved with your program.
[00:32:00] Speaker A: You're right. And I think, as a. Billie Jean King is famous for saying, pressure is a privilege.
[00:32:06] Speaker B: Pressure makes diamonds.
[00:32:07] Speaker A: There you go. Exactly. And I think that's why people like yourself and myself are drawn to this. But I do. I agree with you on the parent stuff. It's really tricky. And if a parent can truly trust the coach enough to let their child have that experience, and for that experience to be solely their child, they get so much more out of it. The confusion comes for the child, actually, when there's a triangulation between the parent, the coach, and the athlete, and then that's confusing because you're getting different messages. It's right, am I that good? Should I have been playing? Was I. Did I make those mistakes? My coach was happy. My parents. Very difficult. I think that becomes very difficult for the athlete and the.
I think the lessons are there to Be learned for the athlete in navigating it for themselves to a large degree.
And it's interesting that you have both sides of it. You're a parent and you're a coach, and that's wild that you're coaching the parents, your high school buddies there.
[00:33:10] Speaker B: Yeah, it is pretty wild.
[00:33:12] Speaker A: That complicates it. Just another level right there.
[00:33:15] Speaker B: Oh, man. Like, it's like, I always make the joke where, like, I can't even go out in town or something. You know what I'm saying? Because, like, I see everybody and.
[00:33:23] Speaker A: Right.
[00:33:23] Speaker B: But it. It has its pros and cons. It's. It's. It's good. I can't tell you enough how grateful I am that, like, I'm in this position. And I was at a previous job for three years and I resigned, and then I just. I was done for eight years with coaching, and I was just like, I'm done. I don't want to do it anymore. Like, I want to just go watch my kids. I want to travel with Tyson. I want to do my thing. And then last year on Thanksgiving, there was an opportunity that the athletic office called, and there's a dude, the season starts Monday. Man, you got to help us out. And then that's how I got put into this position. But that's for me, for, like, someone to call. Like, they're calling me. So that's like, you know, it's cool. But again, like, not to deter here, but, like, I don't think, like, for me, definitely. And other coaches I talk to, too. Like, I don't give myself enough credit.
[00:34:14] Speaker A: No, you don't. You don't. You're very hard on yourself. Very hard.
[00:34:17] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. And it's just like. But that's just my. That's my DNA, if you will. Like, I don't. I don't want praise. I don't want, like, the praise is going to come when I'm up on the ladder, cutting the net down, hugging my team for something that we did. And that. That's, like, it's not like, we're not doing anything, but, like, again, I haven't done anything, man. Like, we're supposed to win games. We're supposed to beat these teams. We're supposed to grind. This is what it. This is the. Like, most people won't understand that. Like, that just go through the motion. But, like, if you can understand that you have to grind to get something that you want, then. Then that's a fulfillment. And I haven't gotten what I wanted. Like, I like I grind, I lose sleep. Tyson's hockey coach, actually, I'll give you this. It was. He's a. He's an awesome guy, and, you know, he's a good friend.
And he.
He said when I was going, I'm like, shawnee. I'm like, I don't know if I want to do this, man. He goes, are you ready for the grind? And I'm like, well, what do you mean? He goes, dude, you gotta grind. He goes, it's gonna be uncomfortable. And he goes, you have to be. He goes, you're gonna be uncomfortable for the whole season. And I'm just like, wow. Yeah, you're right. And you don't wanna be comfortable. I walk into the gym all the time. Yeah, I'm comfortable. It's my team. But it's just that I think you can probably relate with me, where if you're comfortable, then what are we doing?
[00:35:37] Speaker A: You're not moving forwards. There's no. Within that tension of uncomfortable comes the progress.
[00:35:43] Speaker B: Exactly. So, you know, like, I make. Like, I always tell my team, I'm going to make you the most. I'm going to make you feel so uncomfortable in practice. You're just going to hate practices. But you know what? Once the game comes, you guys can be clicking. You guys are going to be going. And that's kind of where we are right now. It's. It's obviously a different mindset going into the postseason with practices and in planning and stuff. But, like, again, like, you. You need to feel the burn in your legs, like when we're doing defensive stances for minutes and everything. It's just like, there's a reason why we're doing this. I'm not. And I always say, like, I'm not here to make friends, man. I don't. You know, I make one or two friends along the line. That had great, man, but I got a job to do, my jobs to win, and that's all I want to do is win. It's a. It's an addiction.
[00:36:25] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's just the. I think there's an addiction to achieving in some weird way, and there's such a satisfaction in setting very difficult goals and then attaining them. And once you've done that once or twice in your life, you kind of seek it a little bit more. I think in everything I read, the most successful people are very willing to delay gratification, whatever that means, in whatever sphere. And again, if you want to. If you want to get big and you want to lift and you want to be strong. That doesn't happen overnight. There's no Google search for that.
[00:36:55] Speaker B: No. And that's the thing. Like, nothing worthwhile is going to come easy. And that's, you know, and. And that's what, again, like, nothing came easy for me, man. Like, that's like, even, Even. Like, everything's a challenge. Like, and I feel like I've been using the word adversity with my team, and I'm gonna say we fought through adversity this whole season, and we're still fighting through adversity. My one, like, our second best player took an elbow to the forehead on Saturday, 30 seconds into the game against a conference, huge conference game, she didn't play. So now it's just like, hey, man, we got adversity. We got a soldier down, man. Step up for it.
[00:37:32] Speaker A: So.
[00:37:32] Speaker B: And then they didn't clear her to play yesterday. Like, minutes before the game, she doesn't get cleared. So it's like, we have adversity tonight. So fight through adversity. Step up. You're gonna face adversity your whole life. In anything you do, you're gonna have adversity. So it's just like, figure it out now. If you can figure it out now, it's gonna be that much easier for you in your future.
[00:37:53] Speaker A: Yeah, you know it.
So, Pete, of all the jobs that I've. I've read about you trying and partaking in mowing lawns, to being a bouncer in nightclubs, to, obviously I'm trainer to the stars now. I think my favorite one is your modeling stint. And I think your. Your high school girls would appreciate hearing a little bit more about that. So tell us how that went down.
[00:38:17] Speaker B: Yeah, so, yeah, it is pretty funny, right? So again, I think everything I've done in my life, like, offered confidence in myself. Just building that confidence, building that, like, hey, man, I can do whatever I want. My sister was working out in la. She works for Sebastian Hair product, and she would cast talent for, like, modeling. And I'm like, chris, I think I could do this, man. Right? So she's like, yeah, do it. So she hooked me up with someone in New York. I got some, you know, headshots done. And back then, like, you. You would have to, like, knock on doors. So I would go to New York and just literally knock on doors of modeling agencies and drop my composite card off and just kind of went from there. And I just didn't take no for an answer. I just kept going back. I'd follow up with phone calls and, you know, there's thousands of people doing the same thing I'm doing at the time, just trying to make it. I, I don't think, like, I wanted to be like a, like a big, big model or something, but it was just like, hey, man, I'm a model. Like, hey, you know, screw it. It's just like another feather in the cap. But yeah, it was fun. It was, you know, it was for a short stint, they kind of got in the way with my landscaping business. I was doing that. I remember, I think my last, my last gig, I was. They wanted me to go do an audition in like, Providence. And we had a heavy snowstorm and I called my agent. I'm like, I, I can't go. I have to plow. I own a plow business. And she basically said, if you don't go, like, your modeling career is over. This and that. And I was just saying, you know what? Screw you, dude. Like, I did enough of this. I made a couple bucks. I could say I did it. Worked at a couple of high level agencies and got in contact with a bunch of people, met people. So it was cool. It was a cool little stint for a couple years. And then, yeah, that's that.
[00:40:01] Speaker A: I mean, how neat, right? To the full circle of being bullied as a child because of your weight to making that decision to do something about that, which they shouldn't make fun of you in the first place. Obviously that's not acceptable. But to do something about that, get yourself in great physical, and then to actually get employed as a model, I mean, think about that.
[00:40:22] Speaker B: Yes, it's definitely cool. Like you said, everything comes full circle with things. And again, I just go back to grateful. I'm grateful for my experiences and I'm grateful for people that have come into my life. If my sister didn't do that, have that job, then I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do it. I think a door is open. I walk through it. That's the bottom line. I don't care.
I don't care what, what it is. Someone's opening a door for you for a reason. Like, and again, I can go back to God. God. God is in control, man. Like, you know, and it took me a while to allow him to control it. And everyone has their own beliefs and stuff. You know, spirituality came into my life through a couple different people. I mean, we can talk about that, but that's like, that could be a whole nother show in itself. I just think, like, people come into your life for a reason. And I think the More aware. Like, people go through life not aware. And you have to be aware because there's signs in life every single day. You can be driving your car, and that could be a sign like, I. I'm so aware of things. I'm aware of what people say, and I hold on to things. I'm like, well, he said that for a reason, or she said that for a reason. I had white doves in my house, and it's just like, why are white doves in my house? For me, that's a spiritual sign. Like it's my father or something. You have to recognize, you have to be grounded, I think, in order and open and aware. In order for those signs to be able to comprehend and digest what's going.
[00:41:49] Speaker A: On, I think it requires a level of authenticity that, again, I think you exude, which is not typical. It's not as prevalent as you may think. And to be that authentic from your soul to. I think that's why you've been a great coach, is because it's because you've gone with what you truly believe. You haven't been molded by the outside influences, although it becomes very difficult as we were talking about, and you do question things, but that's why you've become the coach you are, the trainer that you are, the success that you are. And it's very evident to me from the outside.
[00:42:31] Speaker B: No, I think, like. Thank you. I think, like, success, right, is driven in different people think. Like, you know, I think more people think that success is associated with money, like with the monetary side, but it's not, man. Like, I don't, you know, I. I grind. We all grind. And I think, like, you're saying, like, success for me is to be able to help a kid or help a young athlete or, you know, just come in contact and make someone feel good. That's. That's success for me. Like, I did something. So, you know, we're here for a reason. And, you know, I mean, I'm here for a reason. And, you know, it's. It's that. And if that's what it is for me to help people and. And then that's what we. That's what we're going to do.
[00:43:10] Speaker A: And again, you are epitomizing and living the infinite human philosophy, preaching to the converted and so fully welcomed. Now, one of the biggest challenges you. You've had in your life, reading your book, was actually facing cancer and having had a lot of success prior to that. And then. And then comes along the big C word.
[00:43:28] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:43:28] Speaker A: What do you do with that.
[00:43:31] Speaker B: Yeah, it was certainly a challenge. So just to back up, like, I. I had symptoms for probably like, three, four years, and I ignored them.
And it just. I remember going to Florida. I was with a buddy, another mentor of mine. We're sitting out at a restaurant, and he's just like, dude, what are you doing? Like, I was moving around and I was like, I'm in so much pain. He's like, what are you talking about? And I finally just broke down and, you know, in tears to him, and I was just like, I don't know what's going on, dude. I go, I've had this thing going on for like three years. I don't know what's up. He goes, go to a doctor, dude. Like, what are you doing? And I'm just like, yeah. So I remember going home. He's like, you got to go to the doctor. But I was going like, I got home and then like, two days later, I was spending a week in New York with Ronnie. He was playing some games, so he wanted me down there with him. And I remember I was just like, it was awful. I was just miserable. I kind of didn't really tell him too much. I finally went to the doctor, and that was just like, that. You know, the doctor's just like, wow, man. I. I haven't seen. I don't. I don't know what the. What the hell this is. He goes, you got to go see a specialist. They bring me into the specialist. And it just say. It was immediate. You know, they were just like, yeah, I had stage three cancer. It was like spreading to my lymph nodes.
It's because. And like, people are like, why would you ignore it? And I think, like, subconsciously I wasn't ready for that challenge in my life. And, you know, it was just kind of like, everybody has. We have to be ready for. For a challenge. We have to be ready for the big game. We have to be, you know, in the right frame of mind. And I just was going day to day worried about helping people. And I think that's as, like, coaches too. Like, we worry about helping people, and sometimes we forget about helping ourselves and having that own self care for ourselves. I was guilty of that. Obviously, I had a great supporting cast. It's just like, why wasn't I ready? But, like, I don't want help. I don't want people helping me, man. I want to do it on my own. So I went and they said, you have stage three. You have to. I went to radiation and chemo Five days a week. I drove myself to all the treatments. Afterwards, I had a little routine. I'd go get an egg sandwich, then I'd go to the gym, and I'd train. I had clients that were very supportive of me, and, you know, I would go to work for about three, four hours, train clients, and then just go home and crash out for the rest of the day. But that was my routine. And it was. I woke up every day thinking I was in a game. And I was like, this is a game, and I'm gonna win the game. And I was like, I ain't losing this shit. I was fortunate that it was a cancer that was obviously treatable, but, you know, you still have to go through the rigamarole. And with all the treatments and the doctors and the blood tests and scans, and it was mentally daunting at times where, like, again, I had, like, a great support system. Ronnie, again, like, I couldn't. He was a huge supporter of me. Like, he. He would have food coming to my house and just everything, like. But, you know, I. I didn't want it. I almost, like, said to myself, like, I need to do this on my own. Like, obviously, I have. My family is, like, unbelievable. My mom, you know, my sisters and stuff, that everyone cared, but, like, shut people out. I shut people out because I didn't want people having to deal with my BS and, you know, and that's what I thought it was. It's like. And, you know, I was like, this is crazy. And this is. This is something that has been put on my lap. I have to figure out how to do it and get through it. And it was. It was probably, obviously, one of the biggest challenges in my life to, you know, to get through. To get, like. I knew I was going to be fine, right? So it's just like, you know, with all the medical treatment, but it's like the process of going through it, like, do I go into depression, where we hear that shit all the time, where, like, people go into depression. Am I going to just sit. Sit on my couch and melt into my couch and. And not do anything and not get up and be motivated? Now I got to show my kids that this is nothing, man. This is. And I just kept on thinking of my kids, my family. What, like, if I just sit around and I'm helpless and I'm feeling sorry for myself, how's that going to look to my. My daughter and my son? That. No, that's not a good example. You always want to set a good example. And that was One that was one thing that really drove me through those treatments is where I have to be an example for my family, my friends, and my. Especially my children to be able to get through this and show them, like, hey, man, cancer, man. We can get through this. And, you know, again, I just had, like, awesome support staff, you know, around me.
One real cool thing was I had a. I had a message from the Rock, actually. My sister actually gave. She has a mutual friend that is friends with the Rocks agent, and they did this thing for me, man, and it was awesome. He actually sent me a personal video, and, you know, he talked, and it was just like, for a minute, I was just like, what is it one of those things that you can buy or something? But it really. He talked on, like, you know, like, saying that, like, you know, we know people that know people type of thing. And it was just so special to me that, like, people were doing these things for me, and I'm just like, yo, I got the rock from across the country. Like, who is me? Like, why? Why me? You know? So it was just like. It was cool. Like, you know, a lot of people showed support, but again, at the end of the day, that was something for me, like, my mindset where I had to do it on my own. Right.
[00:48:41] Speaker A: I think at moments like that, you realize how special you are to multitudes of others, however difficult that is to receive.
How did.
How did that then shape your outlook after recovery? Obviously, you're healthy now and. And things are good. But what. What changed for you?
[00:49:01] Speaker B: Just being. Just being more grateful of life and not taking things for granted. I think, like, not that I took things for granted, but, like, I was just. I was in a different mindset. I think I was like.
It was more like. Like, hey, dude, you just got, like, a second chance here kind of thing. And it's just like, just. Again, I use the word grateful. I've been using a lot, but, like, I'm just, like, grateful. Like, just be grateful for waking up every day. Be grateful that you have good people in your life. Another good buddy of mine is Ted Scott. He's Scotty Scheffler's Caddy. He's like one of my good friends. I talked to him and, you know, talk to him about spirituality and. And, you know, just having people and just listening. Listening for once is listen to people. I think I'm a better listener now, and I'm a. I had a very short fuse. Some people probably think I still have a short fuse, but, like, I think my short fuse comes out now is because I'm so competitive, and I want to win, but, like, it's. I didn't listen enough, and I. You know, and I. I think listening and, like we talked about before, listening and just kind of just shutting your mouth for a minute. You don't have all the answers. Just. I got a better outlook on life where, like, I want. Like, not that I didn't do everything for my kids, but, like, it's my kids, man. Like, I'm. You're developing a legacy. My legacy. I want left. That dad works hard. Dad's a grinder. Dad knows how to win. And obviously, there's more to that than. Dad's a good person. And I just think, like, I just want to be a good dad, and I want to show, like, my kids that, like, hey, man, go meet someone. I. I got a thing, man. Like, I cry every day. I want to meet a new person every day. It's from, like, Jimmy V. Right? Cry, meet a new person, and laugh every day. Those three things are so key in life. And, you know, that's something I took from him. And, you know, those are. That's something that I. I hold every day. Like, show emotion every day. You know, be emotional with someone, give someone a hug, tell someone that they did a great job. Or, you know, if someone doesn't wave to me at a stop sign, dude, talk to me, man. Just wave. Like. Or someone doesn't say thank you when they hold the door. It's all communication, man. So, like, I just think, like, it just made me a better communicator, made me a better person and just being grateful that I'm here and I can talk to you and preach my message.
[00:51:12] Speaker A: Yeah. And obviously, you're connecting to hundreds and thousands over the years, which is hard to quantify when you just sit there by yourself, but that. That is what you're doing. What. What are your hopes and dreams moving forward from here? What's left to accomplish?
[00:51:28] Speaker B: Yeah, I think I. You know, we talked before. I. I really want to put, you know, the show on the road. I kind of want to just go around and get. And speak to people, speak to groups, whether it be kids, adults, you know, whomever. Not that my message is any different or any better than someone else's, but I think I can help people. And I. And I just. I want to motivate people. Obviously, I want to be in the gym, but that's a grind. I'll always have the gym. I'll always want to have a great staff to, you know, To. To help me run my gym, you know, is coaching in my future. I don't know. I don't know if it is. I think. I think it just takes so much time and energy, and I just want to take that time and energy and put it into, like, you know, going around and. And being able to speak and. And send my message to different people. So I think that's like, really my next goal, you know, in the next, you know, within the next year or something. You know, I think I really need to do that. That's. That. That'd be something that would be very, very good for myself to do. I'm working in the school system now also, and I'm working with some troubled kids. And it's awesome. Like, I go there today, this afternoon for a few hours, and I work with some kids and they laugh, and it's just like the feedback I get, like, their parents are calling. It's like, hey, you know, who's this Coach Pete? Like, who's coach Pete? I just. But just being able to talk to someone, man, like, just everybody's a human. Everybody has feelings, and it's just like, how are you going to drive those feelings out of individual. So that's what I like doing. That's a challenge.
[00:52:56] Speaker A: Well, I have no doubt that. That this is going to happen for you, and perhaps this is one. One step along the journey. I do encourage everybody to read your book built different and explain to us why you have two different colored eyes on the lion here.
[00:53:10] Speaker B: So the lion, like the book's name dedicated to my father. My father had, like, blue eye and he's a Leo. And I just got kind of like a little bit creative with it where it's like me, four minutes of my dad, man, because that's the man I want to be. So just like, you know, it's an involvement so that, you know, half man, half lion, man. I'm going to get it. Bite your head off, dude, right now.
[00:53:33] Speaker A: Oh, we hear your roar. No, no doubt. Well, we wish you all the best with the Rocky Hill girls basketball team and when you win that state championship back on. That's right. We're doing the championship edition. Epic.
[00:53:45] Speaker B: That'd be awesome, man. Thank you so much for your time. I really had a good time with you.
[00:53:49] Speaker A: Likewise. Thanks so much, Pete. And this is going to help more people than you know.
[00:53:54] Speaker B: Thank you. I appreciate you.
[00:53:58] Speaker A: This has been infinite human with me, Sharona Kerr. Until next time. Keep challenging yourself and make others better along the way.
