Episode 64: Training Think Tank, with Max El-Hag

Episode 64 – Training Think Tank
 
Sometimes I invite a guest on the show because they are nowhere near as popular as they should be. This is the case with today’s guest, Max El-Hag. You will hear a lot of humility from Max in this episode but don’t mistake it, as he has profound knowledge of the fitness industry. In this episode we talk about his company, Training Think Tank, and how it is helping athletes of all sports connect with coaches who are able to advise and train them to the highest abilities. We talk strategy, methodology, and more related to his business and life!
 
Reminder: The 2017 Two-Brain Summit is coming this June 3rd and 4th in Chicago. Be sure to register now!
 
In this Interview:

What are the first steps to creating an online training program
Testing Philosophy with remote clients
Do athletes need an individual mindset to be successful?

 
Plus:

Finding the right balance with the commoditization of intensity
The one message all CrossFit gyms need to hear
Building nutrition into remote training programs

 
About Max:
 
Max has had a long career as an athlete and was first inspired by his father who was an Olympic fighter. After qualifying for the CrossFit Games a team and making it to Regionals as an individual, Max decided that coaching is what truly inspired him. At this point Max coached many clients from models and future NFL stars to ultra-runners and CrossFit athletes. He now runs Training Think Tank, a company that focuses on remote coaching, educational courses, and online programs for athletes and coaches. 
 
Timeline:
 
0:58 – Training Think Tank introduction  
2:41 – The lead up to Training Think Tank with Max
4:52 – Finding CrossFit for the first time
8:05 – Starting out as a personal training prior to CrossFit
9:18 – CrossFit principles mixing into training for fighters
11:10 – How Training Think Tank has grown to where it is today
14:07 – Training Think Tank from a global perspective in today’s world
16:45 – What are the first steps to starting an online training program?
19:09 – Tools needed to start a remote coaching program
20:30 – Testing Philosophy with remote clients according to their goals
23:56 – How often should you be retesting clients on their progress?  
25:27 – Building nutrition into a remote training program
28:18 – Keeping workouts nontraditional leading up to the CrossFit Games
32:41 – Different training programs for games athlete’s vs non games athletes
37:00 – Finding the right balance with the commoditization of intensity
41:00 – The top solutions gym owners take away from Max’s program
45:03 – Recommending group training to individual clients
46:20 – Do games athletes have to have an individual mindset to be successful
47:50 – Firing individual clients when it’s not working out
49:43 – Keeping clients compliant with the program
51:06 – Giving athletes a win when you know they are down
54:49 – Creating a template for your clients leading up to the CrossFit Open
56:10 – Establishing a format of training for your gym
59:18 – Where should a client look to do individual training in a group training gym?
61:03 – How to implement a culture of one on one training in your gym
63:16 – The one message all CrossFit gyms need to hear
 
Contact Max:
 
https://www.trainingthinktank.com/
max@trainingthinktank.com
https://www.facebook.com/trainingthinktank/
https://www.instagram.com/trainingthinktank/