Mentors & memoirs: Dan Pfaff, Michael Boyle, Buddy Morris, and Fergus Connolly

I recently had a very unique opportunity.  In fact, if someone asked: “If you were able to sit and have dinner with four coaches who’ve had a profound impact on your career, who would they be?”  Well, I lived that experience.  Although we didn’t have dinner and drinks, I was able to get everyone together and boy was it special.  Life, mistakes, mentors, coaching, advice, and lots of laughs.  In fact, I’m excited to say that I recorded it and will be sharing it with all of you on the next episode of the HPH Podcast.  This was truly an amazing chat!  So... who’s on the guest list?  Why are they important in my career?  What did they teach me? 

Dinner and Drinks with my mentors: Dan Pfaff, Michael Boyle, Fergus Connolly and Buddy Morris.

Michael Boyle

The first seat at the table belongs to no other than Michael Boyle.  Mike was my first mentor in strength and conditioning.  I remember vividly flying to Boston for one of his first mentorship programs.  Perhaps the first ever.  They say success leaves clues.  I knew of Mike through his ties with hockey, his classic DVD series Functional Strength Coach, and his website StrengthCoach.com.  I wanted to learn from him.  I remember emailing Mike every week in hopes of having my articles published on his site.  I would wait every Monday in hopes of seeing my name on the page.  I was so excited in anticipation.  Mike was cordial, always returned correspondence, and never made me feel that I was young, inexperienced, and green.  The first time I ever met Mike was at a Perform Better conference.  He invited me to breakfast with Mark Verstegen and was more than willing to chat, answer questions and keep me involved in the conversation.  Mike never made me feel like I didn’t belong in the room.  This is one of the many lessons that I’ve learned from Mike.

Fast forward to the current.  Looking back with a smile, I had the opportunity to work for Mike during an Olympic quad cycle (USA Hockey Women’s National Team) and am proud to call him friend and mentor to this day.  Mike taught me many things, both performance and professional.  Here are a few: 

• Don’t pick the pepper out of the fly shit (One of my favorites).

• Keep it simple.

• There’s a reason there’s a box.  Think inside it before being an “out of the box” thinker.

• Be a lifelong learner.  Don’t apologize for changing things.

• Treat people the way you want to be treated. 

• It’s ok to disagree.

• Vitamin B.E.E. and R is ok in moderation.  Live a little.

• The goal of the coach is to eliminate the coach.

Thanks Mike.  I know many in the field call you “mentor” but I’m grateful our paths have crossed.  You’ve left an indelible mark on my career.  Love you. 

Buddy Morris

I love Buddy Morris.  The first time I heard Buddy speak was on the Robbie Bourke Podcast in 2014.  It was an amazing chat.  In fact, I had to pull the car over to take notes.  It was, and still is a MAJOR impact on my programming and how I view the training cycle.  I then saw Buddy speak at an Elite FTS seminar in 2015 in Columbus, Ohio.  Buddy has had a major impact on my career in terms of programming, work ethic and the way he holds himself as a professional.  He’s candid, passionate, extremely bright, quick witted and has no time for BS.  He is driven to constantly educate himself by stiving to read, and study daily.  Selfishly, I wish I played on a team Buddy coached.  He inspires me a great deal.  Perhaps it’s his coaching style, his approach, the rasp in his voice, or his intimidating looks, but Buddy makes me want to get better!  Be a better coach, a better observer, learner, and leader. 

I was given Buddy’s contact number from Coach Dan Pfaff last year, and he immediately responded.  I sent him a copy of my book and Buddy wrote a handwritten thank-you replay.  He has given me his time graciously as I was lucky enough to have him on the podcast last November (most downloaded episode ever).  What does a hockey podcast have to do with football performance.  Nothing, BUT everything.  Coaching is universal.  So is Buddy’s message. Here are a few lessons Buddy has taught me:

• Simple programs work well for beginners and advanced athletes BUT for very different reasons

• The most stress/forces placed on the athlete is the sport itself NOT the weight room

• Sport is like playing the guitar.  You must practice to excel.  This comes at a cost.

• Beware the enter-trainer

• Take notes.  Observe.  Take more notes.

• Work hard.  Nothing is given.  Earn it. 

• Take advice from people who provide honest, critical feedback.  No echo-chambers.

Thanks Buddy.  I know many in the field call you “mentor” but I’m grateful our paths have crossed.  You’ve left an indelible mark on my career.  Love you.

Dan Pfaff

One of the smartest, most humble human beings I have ever had the privilege to call friend and mentor. Coach Dan Pfaff is a real-world Swiss Army Knife of knowledge.  He is an Encyclopedia.  Coach Pfaff instilled in me the idea of being a generalist, a serial specialist.  I call these first principles.  Physics, programming, phycology, physiology, and biomechanics.  He is a master at them all.  

They say great mentors point you in the right direction without telling you what to see. Well, Coach Pfaff does a tremendous job listening, providing direction, and listening even more.  It’s no surprise to receive numerous emails pertaining to research studies, video links or contact numbers from other coaches.  He is a connector, an educator, and a world class coach and human being.  I had the opportunity to be a part of the Altis Phase III Mentorship a few years back.  Simply amazing.  What an opportunity to listen to decades of experience, coaching, mistakes, life lessons and application in the applied setting.  Coach Pfaff was one of the first individuals in the performance space to reach out to me during a very dark time.  I will never, ever forget that.  Here are a few lessons Coach Pfaff has taught me:

• Thrive to be a generalist

• First Principles

• Longitudinal data trumps published research (keep meticulous records)

• Watch video

• Lead with love and humility

• Brief and Debrief

• Learn AWAY from your craft.  Most can be directly applied to your craft.

• Listen

Thanks Coach Pfaff.  I know many in the field call you “mentor” but I’m grateful our paths have crossed.  You’ve left an indelible mark on my career.  Love you.

Fergus Connolly

The final seat at the table is the Irishman himself, Fergus Connolly.  I met Fergus in Columbus, Ohio years back while he was visiting West Side Barbell.  We had a coffee, a deep chat ensued, and ever since Fergus has been a go to for advice about life, performance, and everything in between.  Like Dan, Fergus is a serial specialist.  One of the smartest human beings I know.  He just thinks differently and has an amazing way of articulating his message.  His book Game Changer was years ahead of its time.  Honestly, it changed my view on the importance of everything AWAY from the weight room.  I speak to Fergus twice/month.  Everything from tech, sport, life, and leadership.  He was one of the first individuals who called me during an extremely difficult time in my life.  He made me laugh, listened to me cry, and always had my back.  Love you Ferg.  I will never forget the gesture and our friendship.  You are a leader, critical thinker, and head of the class in most all areas of human performance.  Here are a few lessons that Fergus has taught me:

• The 4 co-actives

• Game patterns

• When and when NOT to use tech

• Complex systems

• Pitfalls and life lessons in leadership

• Critical thinking

• Brandolini’s Law

• Sheepdogs

Thanks Ferg.  I know many in the field call you “mentor” but I’m grateful our paths have crossed.  You’ve left an indelible mark on my career.  Love you.

Well...there you have it.  My table.  The table.  What an experience.  Perhaps next time, dinner, drinks and cigars?  Who knows. Can’t wait to share the chat with all of you.  The podcast is set to air 11/20/23.