“Busy is bad”. Three very simple words that convey a timeless message and even deeper philosophy. In 1998 Mike Pimentel was extremely busy, in his position as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.  Mike was responsible for over 700 hundred college athletes.  With a background as an Athletic Trainer, Mike also juggled a passion to learn more in the areas of rehabilitation as well as physical preparation. in addition to the college athletes, Mike's responsibilities included his position as a member of the Sports Medicine staff at this prominent New England university, developing a newly constructed gym for the University, working part time at a Physical Therapy clinic - and then of course there were the strength and conditioning programs for the 700+ athletes....

To put it in perspective, there were periods of weeks each year when his hours were so long he didn't bother going home. Instead, he would sleep on the floor of his office. A normal week was 70+ hours, and the pay - well, it was OK if you know the pay scales at college level, you would appreciate that he was over-worked and under-paid. Now don't get it wrong - Mike is passionate about Tufts and the great kids the University attracts - but he was also passionate about the growing family who he didn't see very often...

As a committed professional, Mike's quest for greater knowledge left his reading technical literature and attending seminars faster than he could replenish his bank account. This search took him from one “expert” to another looking for answers to support his 70 hour a week work habit. Each “expert” offered interesting insights, however, something was missing. As he looks back now, the methods he learned were merely tools. As the saying goes, “give a man a hammer and everything becomes a nail”. He found this to be true.

He would incorporate the latest tool (e.g.. An exercise, a system or a protocol) and maybe achieve a result. Sometimes a good result, sometimes no result, and often times a result that lasted for only a short period of time. Again, there was something missing. There had to be a more effective way to achieve a lasting result!

Mike was not adverse to investing considerable sums of money in his education. He will admit however that he was also “investing” in a lot of other things as well. As a young professional, he felt he was “entitled to it all” and somehow justified the “need to have it now”. He spent more than he was making. Accumulating large credit card debt, he rationalized it all to himself and blamed it on circumstances such as inflation, the cost of goods, and the serious relationship he had developed with his girlfriend, Rhonda, who he went on to marry.

His search for professional information continued. One such search, followed a series of references, lead to Ian King. He was attracted to the simplicity and power of Ian's information. It seemed to span the gap between physical preparation and rehabilitation. It so happened (was it chance?) that Ian was giving a seminar in the area. Mike jumped at the opportunity!

After registering for a weekend seminar, he received material regarding the “Three Day Boot Camp”. He was dumbfounded by the cost. Understand his debt, at that time, had more than doubled, and his new wife and he had recently purchased a new home and all the “needs” that go with it. (Rhonda was pregnant with their first child and Mike was busy, busy, busy working more to pay the accumulating bills). He immediately sent an email to Ian asking, “how can I justify the equivalent of my monthly mortgage for three days with you?!”

Ian replied to my email within hours. “I do not need to justify anything. Perhaps you are not the type of person this information was meant for.” The message came across loud and clear. A challenge. He had to concede this guy either had nuts of steel or was just plain nuts. A challenge is a challenge and he wanted to step up and see what this guy was all about.

A great story short, Mike went to the weekend seminar and at the conclusion he approached Ian. Mike shook Ian's his hand and humbly told him, 'I was the one who sent the email'.  Impressed and inspired by the content of the weekend seminar, Mike signed up for the Boot Camp (much to Rhonda's dismay!) Mike didn't want to miss something by not attending the three day Boot Camp that followed. Nine months later he hosted a “Three Day Boot Camp”. An experience that has forever changed him.

Over the next four years Mike studied Ian’s methods. Devouring hours of video, absorbing everything he could read, and hosting every New England leg of every KSI (King Sports International) U.S. tour. Most importantly, Mike attended multiple “Three Day Boot Camps”.

On one particular occasion Mike remembers being invited to Ian’s hotel room with the other Boot Camp participants for the purpose of seeing Ian’s computer (with all the detailed programs and records he’s developed) and watch him design a program for one of his athletes. It was amazing. What amazed him was the consistency. Ian was exceedingly consistent with what he taught in Boot Camp and how he worked…….. But there was something else.

At first Mike couldn’t put his finger on it. So Mike said to Ian, “ There is something different here. There is a common thread amongst everything you do and teach.” In response Ian asked the question, with a deep look of curiosity in his face, “What do you believe that is?”. Ian's reply stunned and impressed Mike even more. Ian was sincerely interested in Mike's reply. The “Master” was open to being a student. His search for more information is never ending.

In the winter of 2003 Mike received a phone call from Ian and another individual who had attended multiple boot camps with him. Ian had a proposition. Ian knew what he had developed was extremely unique in this industry and wished to pass that on to others in order that many more could achieve the level of success he had. His reason for selecting Mike was based on our level of consistent action to date. Mike and his colleague were given time to think about the proposition.

Shortly following, Mike decided to follow through with the offer, rationalizing that, “I don’t know what to expect from this experience but I know I can expect it to be great.” Something was happening to him. He just wasn't sure what it was - but he trusted Ian.

Mike was busier than ever, with his hours at the University job insane (leaving him sometimes sleeping on his office floor because it wasn’t worth the sleep loss to drive home!). The debt was mounting at an incredible rate. Rhonda and Mike now had two children (Alex and Katie) and their third, Grace, was on her way. The previous Christmas, if it were not for Rhonda going to yard sales, the kids would not have had presents. They were not keeping up with the bills. They had friends who were filing for bankruptcy and, honestly, they thought that filing for bankruptcy was looking more like an option.

That June after several months of working with Ian on the CMP (Coach Mentoring Program), the first intake commenced. Mike was gladly a part of that first intake. What was it going to be like? How much more could he learn after the seminars, Boot Camps, videos, and readings? He didn’t know but I would find out.

The approach in the CMP was different from anything he’d ever experienced, even after years of studying Ian’s material. There was so much more …… The coaches talked, learned, and were held accountable in the areas of personal development, finance, business, professional and spiritual development (not in the religious sense). They learned how to leverage our selves our businesses and our finances.

A year in to the CMP experience Mike's circumstances had done a complete turn around. He and his family had dug themselves out of debt, started a number of businesses, including a profitable physical prep business! Rhonda was able to quit her full-time job, and come home to spend more time with their children. Holidays were now a joy!

At the time of writing this story Mike's net worth has more than doubled from what it was in 2002, including a new home in a beautiful neighborhood.  Rhonda still stays at home with the kids and is also able to contribute to the various incomes streams, so Mike and Rhonda have become more of a 'team'! And Mike has bought a new pick up!  More importantly Mike is far less busy with the things that would detract from their future, working only part time for the university, and enjoying more time with the family as well as time to create more for KSI, their businesses and future. And yet these lifestyle changes for Mike and his family pale in comparison to what is different in Mike.

What is different? Mike's whole family has changed for the better, along with Mike. What Mike has learned is that the process of becoming more as a person is more important than what you do for a living. The “common thread” alluded to earlier, that escaped him in the early years is… the person you choose to become, the process you create to become that person and how you choose to perceive your reality in any given moment. Once you find yourself, it permeates everything you do professionally, financially, business, and spiritually. These are amongst the greatest gifts that the CMP has given Mike and his family.

The journey continues…………

My thoughts on Mike - from Ian King

When Mike was first attracted to my seminars he had been in the industry a long time, and achieved what most would have thought constituted success - he had successfully combined his skills and training as an Athletic Trainer and his skills and training in Sports Science to provide a great service and hold a worthy position, as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at a great university, Tufts, in Boston. However he obviously realized something was missing, to his credit.

And whilst I know he realized a big part of the puzzle was missing in his approach to physical preparation, a lack consistent with all who follow only the mainstream teachings, he also realized that life was not panning out as he would have liked. He was cash poor and time poor, a common condition for a physical preparation coach. Any one with a 'job' is time poor, and most with physical preparation jobs are also cash poor.

Mike has come a long way in the last few years. Because of his intuition and trust in myself, and his commitment to making a better life for himself, he has achieved so much. Not just for himself. Sure he has added some missing components to his professional abilities. But more importantly to me, he can now give his family so much more - more time, more money, and a better dad.  Most of us start out in this industry just wanting to know as much about training as we can, and be the best coach (or whatever our specialty) we can be. However most of us, sooner or later, will realize there is more to life, and having a family is one of those 'more to life' realities. There is little joy in spending more time with your work colleagues than with your kids, and then not being able to adequately support them financially after paying that price in time away from them.

Since committing to being a student in my professional development, some of the things Mike has achieved include:

• Doubled his net worth.

• Added a number of additional streams of income.

• Upgraded his house and moved to a better suburb, in one of America's most sought after holiday regions.

• Halved his time spent at his 'job'.

• Renegotiated his 'job' to a contract.

• Created leverage in his contract position, with dozens of people working for him.

• Bought a new 'toy' (pick-up) for himself and upgraded his wife's car.

• Retired his wife, so she can be a stay at home mum.

• Works more closely with his wife as she contributes to their multiple income streams from their home office.

• Increased his hourly earnings in physical preparation by over 500%, now demanding in excess of $100 US/hr.

• Appointed as the KSI Director of Education, responsible for guiding the implementation of the KSI professional development programs.

Not bad for a bloke who once asked me 'how can you justify me spending the equivalent of my month's mortgage on a three day seminar with you'?!  Quite a shift in psychology to money, learning and life - and as equally significant rewards for a person who was once just another rat in the rat race of life, albeit the physical preparation rat race, one of the lower paid forms of being a rat. Now Mike designs and lives the life he chooses!

Ian King

How does one describe a 'way' of being, a 'way' of living, a 'way' of building relationships, and a 'way' of building businesses?

When one truly and completely adopts a 'way' it impacts, permeates and distils into all aspects of one's life.

When I say I train clients in the ‘King Sports Way’, I have to add that I live my life in the same way. Ian is teaching Universal Principles that are so simple and so powerful. When you walk the ‘way’, breath the ‘way’, and have the ‘way’ in every intelligent cell of your being, you achieve more quickly and everything happens with ease, as it should.

I am continually impressed by the personal and business growth of the other CMP coaches. In fact, it is more than growth; it is a continual evolution of character. Working together as a team I know we are all helping to grow Ian’s vision of ‘Teaching the World How To Train.’ One of the best places to see this is on the forum at www.coachking.com. The members have also grown. This is a fundamental principle of associations: hang around a crowd that seeks improvement and you will grow as well.

In September 2005 I spent a few days in Park City, Utah, where KSI held the Level 1 and 2 Boot Camps. I was privileged to be an observer and assist Mike Pimentel, KSI Director of Education, with the Level 1. What an experience to see the attendees learning for the first time, what I learned a few years ago and have been practicing ever since.

I said to a few of the CMP coaches, “You are my chosen family. You are the people I look up to, the people who inspire me and I inspire in return. You challenge me, you offer accountability.”

I walked into one lunch meeting, while in Park City, and thought, 'Ian hasn't offered me a lesson in some time.' My intuition was spot on for the lesson was soon offered. Yes, the ability to be silent in the company of others is a skill I am developing. Ian, as always you teach with few words.

It was incredible to see Ian and the CMP coaches who were taking the Level 2 boot camp in their CMP polo shirts, track pants and KSI jackets. We caused heads to turn at the gym, outside and at the restaurant. Not just for the consistent look, but the overall posture. I am not just referring to physical posture, rather to the confidence, energy and the awareness offered by the CMP coaches. People cannot help but to be drawn to that kind of energy.

The CMP and KSI are my mastermind group. Every opportunity I have to be with all of the coaches is an honor and a massive learning experience. The dynamic is such that we cannot be around each other without growing, learning and improving in all areas. This became very clear to me watching Mike Pimentel lead the Level 1 Boot Camp. Mike has become a Master like the Master he studies. Michael, kudos to you! I was impressed with Mike’s flow, his unconscious competence and his balance in all aspects of teaching and communication. I am fortunate to have been able to observe this 3-day process.

Through the mentoring process I have discovered my own voice. Ian doesn’t seek to create robots. A ‘way’ requires learning principles and methods and developing intuition, while seeking to express your knowledge in your own language of communication. I have achieved so much in life in the last few years. Ian offered me the role of KSI and DTI News Editor: I have the responsibility for most of the out-bound marketing communication for KSI. In 2005 I published my first book, “Flex Your Mind” (available at http://integratedfitness.ca), which was the realization of a dream to ‘be a writer’. The consistent action and responsibility to KSI to publish 6 newsletters per month, as well as 2 newsletters for my own business, Integrated Fitness Inc., lead to the realization of my dream to publish 

I am profoundly grateful for what I have, for my association with KSI and to have a mentor in Ian King. I can be and create anything I desire. I feel a knowing sense of fortune for the increase and the value I experience in life and the quality of my associations, the friendly, heart-felt 'butt-kickers' who watch out for me if I even begin to slide back.

Change is the only constant. Growth is a climb upwards. Coasting in life means you are going downhill. When you have something to fall back on, you fall back. Faith, discipline and consistency have brought me to this point and with continued application of my values and my level of productivity, my output and cash flow will only increase.

There is nothing better then seeing your dreams unravel before you! To see improvement in all aspects of life, to attract more and better opportunities, to attract wonderful clients and friendships, to operate on a level where everything is ‘interesting’ and to respond instead of reacting — there is, simply, no better ‘way.’

My thoughts on Darren - from Ian King

When I first met Darren he had a chip on his shoulder bigger than the CN Tower in Toronto. It was an experience to say the least. As Darren knows, I describe the old Darren as someone you would not choose to spend time with.  To say that Darren has undergone significant personal change be an understatement. As with all of us, he is a continual work in progress, but I have enormous respect for the journey he has undergone so far.

One common denominator in any of the CMP coaches is a degree of mental toughness and a commitment to change in levels not commonly found in the average person.

In fact, I have witnessed many who have had a strong desire to be part of the CMP, yet falter at the final point out of fear or a realization that they perhaps don't really have a strong desire to leave the relative comfort of their current status quo. Then there are those who joined the CMP only to fall by the wayside. When the going got too tough, when the need to change exceeded the desire to.

For whatever reason, Darren not only had the drive to join the CMP, he has shown the commitment to stay and play, to continually improve and respond positively to the constant mentoring that all CMP coaches receive. As you know, you can go to a weekend seminar and get a lot out of it, but it won't change all your habits instantly - habits of belief or action (which are linked anyway). We all need constant re-direction if we are to go anywhere near fulfilling our potential, and CMP coaches receive this for the minimum period of three years. This is a program ahead of it's time, being participated in by pioneers and those with vision, and people like this are definitely in the minority in a society dulled by the conditioning of what to think, what to do, and what to receive in life.

Darren's journey and success in personal development has led him to develop his first book.  It has also led him to the position of KSI newsletter editor, a position with significant responsibility.

Darren's story is an excellent story that reinforces one of my favorite sayings - 'It's not what you have or where you are now that matters - it's what you are willing to do that will determine your measure in life'.

Ian King