The seventh and final round of the Violent Agreement discussion turns toward fear and its relationship to the barbell. Athletes only reach elite levels by overcoming the fears they face in their sport and developing a related ability to push way beyond their comfort levels. Self-doubt, fear and second-guessing play no part in the development of a top athlete.
“I have no fear,” elite powerlifter Louie Simmons says, backing up his statement by talking about his experience ripping his kneecap in half under a 750-lb. back squat. Apparently that nasty injury sounds a lot like a broomstick snapping, but Simmons still got back on the bar again.
The discussion concludes with Simmons, Greg Glassman and Dr. Nicholas Romanov discussing Soviet and European training methodologies and how they could be integrated into U.S. strength and conditioning programs.
12min 23sec
Additional reading: The Mind Game by Steven Shrago, published March 27, 2010.