Trainer Interview: Sincere Hogan

Q: What is your background and how did you get into Unconventional Fitness?
A: I've been very active in sports since my teens. I was a late bloomer in terms of organized sports, due to growing up with severe asthma and bouts of bronchitis during early childhood. However, I never let that stop me from being active on my own or playing various sports and games in my neighborhood. Upon playing organized sports in high school, mainly football, I was introduced to strength training with weights, primarily olympic lifts. Going from a 145 pound junior to a 165 pound senior which was mostly solid muscle, I was hooked!

As with most people these days, that was high school. Soon after, I attended college, got married, started a family, began a career in the entertainment industry, and let "life" take over. Soon, the 165 pound high school senior, became the 31 year old, 215 pound father, and it definitely wasn't mostly muscle. However, at that time, I made a decision that this was not the example I wanted to set for my children, nor the life I wanted to live. In fact, I did not feel alive at all.

Suffice it to say, I left the entertainment industry and the bad eating and lifestyle habits that came with it, picked up every training magazine, dug up some old high school football training programs, and got to work. Others close to me, who shared the same downward spiral of health, observed my sudden healthy changes, and wanted to know more about my journey. Once I shared my personal experience, they were often inspired to begin their own journey. Seeing how passionate I was about helping others live and feel better, those same friends suggested being a coach was definitely my true calling. I agreed, and here I am.

In terms of Unconventional Fitness, to use the old adage, "What's old is new again" is an understatement. I've stated on numerous occasions that this type of training referred to as unconventional training, underground training, odd-object training, etc., was simply known as "doing chores" where I come from. Pushing & flipping big tires (or anything big, for that matter), swinging sledgehammers, mallets, and axes, pushing wheel barrows, tossing ropes, lifting sandbags, etc. is nothing new to a lot of everyday Joes & Janes earning a living. It's part of their job description.

However, I love how this style of "chore" training has gained prominence in the strength training world, due to the extraordinary way this type of training, when programmed well, can increase work capacity, real world strength, mental toughness, increased range of motion, explosiveness, and much more. Training with most machines found in the gym usually lack in these areas or don't even come close to producing the desired results, as these type of odd objects could.

Q: What is one of your favorite pieces of equipment to train with and why?

A: Although quite a few implements are mainstays in my training arsenal, such as: kettlebells, sandbags, bands, sledgehammers, and medicine balls, I feel that no training tool replaces the human body. I've always been a fan of bodyweight training. I feel no one should pick up any other training tool to train until they master their own bodyweight.

Bodyweight training is not only convenient (anytime/anywhere/no excuses), bodyweight training also helps you build stronger, more resilient joints, helping you become more flexible, build long, lean muscles, as well as help to give your body an insurance policy to resist injuries that may be caused by any other training tool due to imbalances. However, always take into account the need for proper form at all times no matter what training tool you choose in order to reduce the chance for injury even when bodyweight training.

However, as far as the other training tools I mentioned, some of the reasons I love training with these tools is that they are fairly inexpensive, some can be hand made, they take up less space than most machines found in the gym (with the exception of some tractor tires), can be used just about anywhere, add variety to my training, and are just plain fun!

Q: What keeps you driven to push it hard in your own training?
A: What keeps me driven is the fact that I know I don't know everything. This industry is changing on a daily basis, and it excites me to witness its evolution, as well as learn from great coaches such as you guys over at My Mad Methods, Mike Mahler, Steve Cotter & Ken Blackburn, The Orange Kettlebell Club crew, Zach Even-Esh, Valery Fedorenko, and too many more to name. All of you continue to bring different aspects to the strength game, and you continue to evolve. Coaches, such as the ones I just mentioned, also continue to prove that there is more than one way to skin a cat.

In other words, although each person mentioned can perform the same exercise, each brings a different perspective of how, when, where, and why it should be performed. Once that perspective is shared, it is then up to me, as the individual, to take what is good enough for my goals of teaching and training, put it together, slap some of my own flavor to it, and troll with it, or I can simply choose to respect your decision and yet, respectably disagree.

I understand that we are all like cells in the body. Like an individual cell, we all have our own roles to lead and contributions to lend. However, when we all do our part collectively, then we can function and thrive as a whole. Just as I have those who inspire and energize me, as a coach and a trainee, I know I take that infectious enthusiasm, and pass it on to those who look to me to do the same. Knowing that someone is inspired to make changes in their lifestyle, or the way I explain or demonstrate a certain exercise or workout, helps another individual with their own program, is more than enough to keep me driven. I understand and respect my moral responsibilities as a coach and influencer, and that is my fuel to always strive to be better.

Q: What is your ultimate goal with your business?
A: No matter how much I accomplish with my business, I will always seek out the best, continue to learn from the best, surround myself with the best, and continue to do my best. You are truly the company that you keep. If you try to do everything on your own, you will be on your own. If you are surrounded by driven, forward-thinking professionals, then you will strive to do the same in order to not be the "dead weight" of your crew. If you run with negative, closed-minded losers, it's just a matter of time before you either become one, as well, or simply decided you no longer fit in with them.

Also, I know I have the tools to reach out and help change more lives, for the better, via various aspects of social media, seminars & workshops, as well as via video, whether it is online or DVDs. All of these options are in my current business plan, and are helping to take my business to the next level. Meanwhile, I am having a blast, watching it all unfold.

Q: Do you have any advice for potential strength coaches?
A: Sure. However, first let me take this opportunity to thank the crew at My Mad Methods for allowing me to share my ideas and training philosophies. I love the work that you guys do, and appreciate that there are true professionals in this industry, striving to help it grow, by keeping things fresh and innovative.

As far as any advice I can lend to other fitness professionals, surround yourself with positive, driven folks who are going in the same direction, or have accomplished the goals you choose to achieve. Also, keep it simple. Never forget the basics. Never stop evolving. Know that the only "one" way is no "one" way. Lastly, if you're not growing in your business, relationships, training, and most importantly, your life....then you're dying. There's nothing worse than dying a little each day, in these aspects of your life. Choose to live, and then get going. No matter what you choose to do, to improve these aspects of your life, just do it. Accept that It will never be perfect. However, you will never know, if you are too afraid or close-minded, to just effin DO it!

Q: Thanks for your time, Sincere. Where can people find more information about you and your workshops?
A: Check out www.NewWarriorTraining.com for services, products, and free training information.