We’re often told that if it sounds too good to be true then it is, BUT not when it comes to your health. 

“I can’t afford that, it’s  too expensive”

“I don’t know, that seems TOO hardcore” 

“I’m afraid”

“I want to lose weight BEFORE I start”

If you’ve ever made a list of excuses as to why you don’t deserve a program like us, then we can guarantee those are 4 of the things you have said at some point in your life. Let us clear the air and explain to you WHY YOU DESERVE A PROGRAM LIKE US…We are sure that If we told you to trust us you’d probably say “Trust you? I don’t even know you.”  You can trust us and here’s why…..

1. You may think the following are “too expensive;” vacations, new cars, a new home, an engagement ring.  While they may indeed be large expenses, they are also purchases we are willing to invest in. Why then, don’t we treat our health in the same way? We invest in real estate for the future, we even invest in that high end mattresses for a great night’s sleep,  the high-end appliances to save energy & the longer life span, maybe now it’s time to invest in yourself.

For $10/month you could choose a program that is fundamentally against your goals. One with zero nutritional guidance and alarm that sounds if you lift too much weight because, well,  that means you are getting stronger and people who are actually getting strong and toned will intimidate those that are not. Isn’t that the goal? But hey, they do give you free pizza!

2. “Hard Core?” I wouldn’t say we’re hard core, but I would definitely say we’re serious. We’re serious about educating you, motivating you, keeping you accountable, and most of all treating you with the respect you deserve. Everyday we sweat and we smile, everyday we take on each new challenge together, and everyday here we make you feel VALUED. 

3. Fear is probably the thing that drives you the most and although you may not realize it; its most likely the best motivator. Probably one of the more serious excuses because we tend to be scared of what we don’t understand, fear of the unknown, but here we train more and we fear less. It’s one of our mantra’s.

When it comes to fitness  what we were AFRAID of the most is what we’ve been led to believe from the internet and every YouTube video we’ve ever seen. Sure, walk by our window and see that we have absolutely no bikes, treadmills, or machines, and the only reason that’s scary is because it’s probably what you’re used to training on because no one has ever taught you the skills you need to succeed. 

“Here you go Mr/Mrs. Smith here’s your workout sheet,” and that is the extent of it. You are left to walk around aimlessly to figure out that most selectorized equipment looks like medieval torture devices. Any uncharted territory is scary because we don’t know what it will bring. We are here to guide you every step of the way as to  WHY we have certain equipment and HOW it can help you. We will listen to you and discuss your goals, the hows and whys of where you are now and most importantly,  how we can help you get to where you want to be. 

4. Last year we celebrated our 20 year anniversary of being a SYSTEM and a NETWORK, not a workout of the day or a 60 minute internet window to watch. That means we don’t do things that are “trendy,” and we certainly don’t scour the internet to show you what’s hot. We show you the RIGHT things not the RIGHT NOW, that means we coach YOU and we coach you well. Give us the chance to help you lose the initial weight, give us the chance to help you break your current records and reach new ones, let us be the ones to start the journey WITH YOU.

Don’t value the menu, VALUE yourself, we know we do 

It’s no joke! The first quarter of 2019 is over and WHAT A RIDE IT HAS BEEN!

Over the past few months a little has built on top of a little and eventually become a lot and I’m sure as you are reading this you’re already saying “It’s been awhile TFW Dtown, what’s up?”

Well, where do I begin? What lessons were learned? What stories were shared? How did I know where to grow? Let’s start with January

Culture Wins Every Time

I haven’t attended an event that WASN’T Training for Warriors related in a long time, but guess what? Do you notice it now? Most people in the picture are repping the black and gold, but what you don’t see is two rows ahead of us are still matching too! Even when myself and Coach Ted showed up for the Perform Better 1 Day Seminar it was STILL a Training for Warriors dominated event. People showed up from all over the Tri-State area to come support our head coach Martin Rooney and to learn from him along with other fitness professionals.

The thing that makes OUR CULTURE so amazing is when one of us goes somewhere A LOT of us go there. It’s not just about fitness, it’s about US, its about a family, and growing together.

The Shirt Is Mightier Than The Sword

Even into February when we had a meeting in Florida the vibe was ALIVE. When you walk on to a beach wearing the same shirts and people are scratching their heads wondering “what’s going on?;” it makes an impact, it makes people go “What…is…that?” People always stop to ask “Hey what’s that mean on your shirt?”

It’s like a varsity jacket…It’s a point of pride, it represents who you are, what you’re a part of, and how hard you’re willing to work to earn it. Your clothing is an extension of who you are, it reflects our identity, and creates our first impression on those around us.

A Blind Man Opened My Eyes

If you live in Bucks County you know Mark McCowan, but you may not know his new buddy Arlo.

On 3/14/19 at about 8:30pm I got a message from my stepfather (who is part of the Plumsteadville Fire Company) that was unlike any message he had sent me before. The fire company was looking to help Mark by finding someone who could run with him and be his eyes during the Blaze of Glory 5k later that week, so naturally I volunteered myself to help. It didn’t matter that he ran an 11 minute pace what mattered is I knew I could help, so I did.

So after our St. Patricks Day workout at TFW I rushed over to the firehouse and before I could even say hello everything was about to begin! I was admittedly nervous because I had no idea what to expect, but then Mark began talking and told me what he needed me to do for him and what Arlo would do for us. Then we started laughing because Mark said “Don’t worry Arlo had like 3 nervous poops so we should stay on pace.”

As the race began I let him know there would be 3 big turns, a big hill, and other then that we should be good, 5 minutes later the crowd thinned out then it was just the 3 of us. We talked about training, about family, motivation, ups/downs, and everything in between. He told me that this was his and Arlo’s first race together and he wasn’t necessarily looking for a personal record…just to get comfortable with his new four legged friend.

Here are some facts I learned about Mark, he’s ran a myriad of races from 5k’s to half’s, he’s a retired teacher, a motivational speaker, Race Director for “Bookin’ for Lookin” 5k based in Newtown, a husband, and soon to be father. When I asked if he knew what they were having he simply smiled from ear to ear and kept his pace going. I learned more life lessons from Mark in the 36 minute run we had done then probably the last few years of my life.

If I was to use one word to describe Mark it would be UNSTOPPABLE.

Mark may be visually impaired, but just because he doesn’t have his sight you can never take his heart, his gumption, and his spirit. Most in his position would probably find excuses or rationalize the fact they can’t accomplish what they want, but Mark is Bucks County’s own living breathing proof. I will painstakingly run any day of the week if it means I get to run side by side with Mark again.

He is a true inspiration

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So what can be learned from all of this? What does it all boil down to?

1. Who you spend your time with will SHAPE you
2. What you wear INFORM’s those about you
3. It’s what you DO that DEFINE’S you

Today I said another goodbye

A place I found when Krista was 9 months pregnant, a place where I saw a dream become a reality, a place where a community grew, a place where culture took root, and a place I could call my own.

It didn’t just start two years ago, it goes back farther than that, it goes back to a conversation with a friend in a limo, “I could open up my own gym,” I said jokingly and fast forward to now, but I always knew the place I could call my own would always be MORE than just a gym.

It would be a home.

It would be a place where people who wanted to feel better about themselves could gather and not be judged based on who they were or the actions they had made. It was a place where people could go who wanted to focus on the future, who wanted to learn from their decision, who wanted more from life, and for those who wanted to be better somehow.

As I stood staring in to an empty facility I couldn’t help but feel like it was my last day in high school. I could hear all of the laughs, see all of victories, and remember every story of every person that ever set foot through this garage door. As much as I can remember the good times I can also remember the hard times, the frustrations, and even the let downs, but ultimately in life, in order to know more you have to be willing to grow more.

2 years, 24 Months, 730 days… However you want to put it I remember everything.

Looking back at every decision I made, every weight I lifted, every word I said, and to even every stroke of paint I made I can say I would do it all over again to get to where I am now.

People always say hindsight is 20/20 and its true, but I like to think back and look at everything from 360 degrees. I like standing in the center of it all and just looking around, sure I could have questioned myself and maybe done things differently, but I never wanted to live my life by what-ifs.

So whats my view point now? What’s the point of all this?

1. Trust the process – Whatever you’re going through, no matter how hard and how frustrating things may seem you have to trust YOUR gut
2. Believe – Believe in yourself, believe in what you are doing. If your goal is to lose weight then believe it; you will, if your goal is to earn a masters degree then believe it; you will, and don’t think for a second you have to justify your goal to anyone. Your goals are YOUR goals.
3. Leave the Roads, but Keep the Compass – You can follow every road, every route, and still manage to get lost along the way. You can take detour after detour or listen to “ways” to find alternate routes, but your destination will always be the same and your compass will lead to your goal EVENTUALLY.
4. Make Moments into Memories – Every chance you can you have the ability to turn a moment into a memory, it’s like the first song you heard when you fell in love, or what you felt when you had a great loss. How do you want to be remembered? or how do you want to remember for that matter? Do you want to look back and say I did everything I can or look back and say I gave it my all.
5. When one door closes, another opens – Every action has an equal or opposite reaction, so if one thing walks out of your life another is bound to come in when you need it most.
6. We the People – Sometimes its not even about the physical space you are in, but the people that you share it with. The people who will be there for you to lift you up and the ones that will make you laugh. It’s the relationships you build and the bonds that you create that make things go by just a little bit easier and seem a bit more tolerable.

I have so many amazing memories from 431 Deep Run Rd., but I know I will only have even more at 5776 Easton Rd., because of the people.

Because of my friends.

Because of my family

Because I believe

Because I trust the process

Because I have a compass

And although 2018 felt like I was stuck in a cyclone I realized that every storm has to have a center. I know that every struggle has to have an end and every battle has to have a victor. I was battered and I was bruised, but I came out stronger than ever and I know where I need to head to for the next year.

So thank you 2018 for kicking me while I was down because I got back up and i’m ready for more.

PAUL

I never thought at my age (62) I would be deadlifting or sprinting for that matter, but I knew I needed to counteract the loss of muscle mass and the effect of aging as I want be very healthy and active in retirement.

In general, becoming more comfortable with the exercises (or maybe it’s being more comfortable putting my lack of coordination on display) and after starting TFW I realized my lack of coordination is not what it used to be, but now after practicing certain exercises i’ve found a love for ladder drills and the dreaded “sit-out”. 😉

Realistically, I think (actually I know!) that in ten years I want to be stronger and even more fit than I am now.

When I first heard about TFW I knew that I wanted to try it, but didn’t think that the social aspect of the class would work for me. Also, that I wouldn’t be coordinated enough to handle it without messing up a knee, having my elbow tendinitis return, etc. From the beginning, the coaches helped me start slowly, and still continue to help by keeping a watchful eye and correcting my lousy form. Others in the classes have been great in helping me with form as well.

If I could tell my future self one thing it would be this, “Try something outside my/your comfort zone and take steps to increase your own fitness level.”

TINA

I WANT to be able to keep up with my grand children, enjoy our retirement and stay healthy. I never thought with a knee replacement I would ever be able to squat, deadlift, sprint, etc., let alone do it with weights AND do it well!

My daughter-in-law was the one who first told me about TFW and after thinking about it I finally decided to take a leap. I had tried going to our community center, but just couldn’t find the right level of motivation around me; I felt like a slug.

After initially joining their transformation program everything started to fall in to place, I had more energy and began to look forward to sweating and smiling. I now find myself messaging my daughter-in-law and asking “how did you do tonight!”

So in essence years from now I want to feel even better than I do now and the fact I was able to accomplish so much at 61 I can only imagine what I WILL accomplish later!

ELLEN

The question should really be why ISN’T fitness important for you? Sure it helps me sleep better, It allows me to be around for my kids and hopefully grandkids one day, but what’s crucial to be is so I can fully enjoy my retirement at some point. Age is only a number and even though I can do all the workouts with an occasional minor modification I’ma lot stronger than I was earlier on.

I’ve been going 2 years and still love it! You have to find something you love and stick with it, for me it’s TFW.

Although, there was a time before TFW when I was feeling defeated and hopeless about some family issues, but now I know I have to put my health and fitness at the forefront to better handle whatever life throws at me…Oh and physical strength has definitely helped boost my mental strength. It’s important to me that I can feel like I can do whatever I want without my health or fitness limiting my life (So bring on the grandkids too!) …. we got this!!!

ASTRID

Fitness is important to me because I want to be healthy and active and not always achey! Although it may not seem like a big deal, but I have been dealing with back issues due to a bad fall over a year ago and I don’t want to get back to that.

I remember almost a year ago when I had problems doing a silly knee grab, now I can do several, and with no pain! When I think about the age old question “Where will you be years from now,” I can only hope that i’ll still be able to exercise at like I do now at 67 years young☺️.

I’m thankful for starting TFW last September because before that I was getting little results and doing very little about proper nutrition and exercise. One of the greatest things about my own fitness journey is discovering that with support around you, you can accomplish anything and will happily remind myself of that down the road. 💛🖤💛🖤

MICHELE

Fitness is important to me for so many reasons! For optimum health, to keep my energy level high and my stress level low, and I want to look my best! If I have it my way I want to look better in my late 50’s than I did in my late 30’s!

I had a decent energy level before TFW, but I have even more now even though I am older. The workout’s not only energize, but because of them they have also alleviated my chronic back pain from surgery many years ago and for the first time in my life I can do a chin-up!
I think as long as my mind stays strong I will never give into the aging process, I will never settle for a “silver sneaker” program, and I want to feel exactly the same as I do now if not better and I want to be able to keep up with my grandson regardless of his age!

 

Evan

So why is fitness important to me? It’s not because i’ll be 40 in October, but simply because it ensures my long-term health and enables me to be the best version of myself now.

No matter how small or how large the victory is, a victory is still a victory and i’m happy to say one of my biggest accomplishments is that i’m able to do pushups again after years of agonizing wrist pain.

Before starting TFW I was tired all the time, frustrated at just about everything, and a general sense of weakness; I knew there had to be more. Now that i’m back in to a structured fitness program I can say that 10 years from now I want to be even stronger, more flexible, and even more energetic than I am today! That way I can tell my future self that i’m proud I put myself and my health above all else.

 

AMY

Just because i’m 41 doesn’t mean I’m down or out for that matter. Fitness is important to me because it gives me energy to keep up with my 8 year old son & it makes me a happier person. I have tried other fitness routines & NEVER stuck to any of them –

TFW has me hooked and have NO plans to leave. Even though I just celebrated two years at TFW (This past June!) 8 years from now I still want to feel healthy & strong as I begin a new decade of my life, I want to be able to sprint faster, live healthier, and be happier.

I remember a time before TFW when I was miserable, I would wake up and dread getting dressed (because none of my clothes fit), I had no energy and would sleep in everyday during the summer NOW I bound out of bed excited for the 5:30AM class at the DOJO and happy to start my day. I can’t wait to tell my future self that you should be proud of the healthy role model I have become for my family 💪

ROBIN

Standing at the mid-point of my life I not only want to be around for my children, but I want to watch them get married and have children. I want to have energy for all of our crazy adventures and so far there have already been A LOT. I realize I am not getting any younger, (45 now), so it’s important for me to stay fit now and forever.

I’m most proud of myself that even when I want to quit I don’t… when I feel like I can’t go any more… I keep going… and always surprise myself and what I can do. I’m always trying to work and bust my butt so when I get to that point in my life in 10 years I want to feel Like I am 25 and I want to be the one giving my kids and their kids a run for their money!

When I first started at TFW, I had a hard time working out and never had too much energy. Even though stress and other issues have come up throughout my life I think without TFW I wouldn’t have the mindset to keep pushing forward. There are times where I feel like I’ll take two steps back, but I know because of TFW i’ll take three steps forward. My mental fortitude is where my real strength lies, its my will power, determination, and resiliency that keep me focused on the tasks ahead.

 

TARA

Personally i’m at a point in my life where fitness helps me manage my stress and overall brings me happiness. Even though a few years ago I wanted to lift heavy(ier) I have become incredibly focused on myself, my form, and most of all I am stronger than I thought. I used to go to a commercial gym and just go through mundane things by myself and now I feel a sense of belonging not just to a dedicated program, but also the support from those around me; my familia.

Looking in to the future isn’t so scary because I know I will be making healthier choice for my family and I know this will only lead to more happiness.

Kayla

Even though i’m only 25 fitness is important to me because I am young and I not only want to stay in shape, but also want to improve my shape as well. One of the most surprising accomplishments for me has been getting stronger, it may sound silly, but it surprised me because it actually happene

I know i’m in my mid 20’s, but if I had to fast forward time I think I want to be in better shape in my 30’s than my 20’s. I feel incredibly motivated after starting TFW, but when I look back I couldn’t believe at how fatigued and lazy I was.

Without going too far ahead in time I think it would be great to tell myself in the future that i’m proud of trying something new such as lifting and how focused it’s made me become.

 

 

Cavan

Sure, i’m only 26, but fitness is important to ME because I want to live a long and happy life.

It would also be nice to not have to worry if I’ll fit on a roller coaster and even though i’m just starting back on my journey I feel like I haven’t had that one big accomplishment yet, but I am proud in the fact that I feel like i’m getting close to where I used to be that way I can REALLY improve from where I was.

If I had to think about the past, future, and present it would look like this:
Before TFW I felt like crap, now i’m feeling better, and in 10 years I want to feel like a BADASS. If I ever had the chance to meet my future self I would definitely tell him that I’m proud that I/You decided to get back into it and to stay in it and not give up.

Meet Evan!

Prior to joining TFW, he had been training several months for a marathon.

An ankle injury sidelined the training and almost immediately I could feel the stress and anxiety build up.  At the same time, I was going through a difficult time at work which pushed the stress beyond anything I had experienced before.

Increased stress led to poor sleep, less energy during the day, and a short temper.  I knew that exercise would help me get back on track, but didn’t want to join another big box gym.

One evening last Fall I searched for a gym on Google Maps and was surprised to see that TFW Doylestown was LESS THAN a mile from my house.  I googled TFW Doylestown and watched Mike’s intro video.

I thought Holy crap, a gym that focused on personal development and exercise!  I reached out to Mike, signed up for the 7 Day Kickstarter and was hooked.

Continue reading → “Invest IN Yourself” – Evan’s Transformation Story

Meet, Darrah!

Darrah joined Training for Warriors Doylestown in November 2017. Prior to Darrah joining, she had her eye on TFW Doylestown for a few months. After feeling burnt out and bored with previous routines, Coach Mike and Darrah finally met at a work event, when he told her what TFW was about.

“The encouragement I felt from him in our brief conversation was enough that I put my fears aside and walked through the TFW doors the following Monday.”

In 2013, Darrah was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She spent her time distance running, even taking part in the Philadelphia Marathon! Continue reading → “WHY I Keep MY Body Strong” – Darrah’s Transformation Story

Meet, Michele! Aka, MA!

Michele joined Training for Warriors Doylestown about three years ago, after her son, Mike, opened TFW Doylestown.

When Mike told Michele that she was going to train with him under this program, the name “Training for Warriors” intimidated her.

“I thought it was just about throwing weights around and drinking protein shakes! I also thought I would be judged because of my age and have to keep up with younger people as I had experienced in the past.”

But that was simply not the case.

“Here’s the thing, Mike does not take ‘no’ for an answer if he thinks that something is truly in your best interest, so I thought, what the heck I would give it a shot.”

Michele was not really interested in losing weight, however, she felt that at her age she needed to build strength, tone, and most importantly, keep her energy levels high for what she was about to face.

Continue reading → “You’re Never Too Old” – Michele’s Transformation Story