By · December 21, 2011 · , , , · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , TFW…WTF? I think it was probably a couple of hours into the Certification that, for most of the room, the penny dropped. Whatever Martin Rooney’s Training for Warriors has to share on the subject of fitness, training and strength & conditioning (and believe me, it is a helluva lot) what he’s really about is changing lives. Now, I appreciate this all sounds rather grand and I don’t want to suggest TFW is some high fiving, waking the giant within, circle jerking buddyfest. But being in the company of Mr Rooney will encourage even the most cynical to take a major look at the way you live, the examples you set and the potential you have to make more of everything you do and ultimately how you can share that with others. It might be uncomfortable, it might be scarey but that might just be exactly what you need. In a market place filled with “gurus” and fitness “entrepreneurs” who have a vested interest in making the simpleappear complicated or taking the hard and pretending it’s easy, there seems to be two very strong camps at work. One will tell you to “man up”, “go hard or go home” and might even suggest that “weakness is pain leaving the body” and “You know you are doing xxxxxfit properly when you get injured”(Yes, that  is an actual quote) . The other camp wants you to believe that everything boils down to bullet pointed quick fix lists of “the best 3 exercises you’re not doing”, “5 best ways to get shredded” and “7 ways to become a Super Hero”. Last year we were all Spartans, this year we are all cavemen, logically the next incarnation should be Neanderthal, that should be fun…can you see how it works? Martin Rooney Thailand - Photo Lucas Noonan Martin Rooney is the guy that coaches champions (including current UFC Light Weight Champion Frankie Edgar whose last couple of fights are a testament to the power of digging deep, the incomparable Gracies, the  NFL and  the NBA) he’s has worked with moreaspiring athletes than you can comprehend and is prepared to admit (in fact he demands it of himself) that years of experiment and failure have brought him to the unique place he is now. He’s done the R&D, we get to see the results. My own introduction to Martin came via the first Training for Warriors back in 2008. I contacted Martin at the time to tell him how much I enjoyed the book and over the last few years we’ve corresponded, finally hooking up at Body Power in Birmingham earlier this year where the seeds were sewn for the TFW Certification in Scotland. I try to be aware of ““. You know, that tendency we have to gravitate towards things that shore up our pre-existing view of how our world works. Whilst TFW reflects so many of the principles I have valued over the years, Martin has a way of putting it all together that simply makes sense. What’s more, you don’t need to have any connection to the world of martial arts or combat to readily benefit from the principles and methods ofTraining for Warriors. Martin Rooney - Frankie Edgar - Photo Lucas Noonan I have long been of the opinion that combat sports style conditioning (for want of a better description) is the most effective way to build useful strength, general conditioning, good body composition and remain injury free. Most people will never step in a ring or on to the mat but everyone can benefit from training like they might. Fighters, by the very nature of their sport, accept that the arena presents a very real prospect of injury. Consequently, they train for resiliency and to remain injury free. (Despite what the recent spate of cancelled UFC bouts due to injury might suggest, mindful coaches aim to keep their charges out of harms way). In addition, combat sports requires strength, endurance, speed, power and agility. Can you think of a more well rounded set of qualities? Martin’s pragmatic approach with Training for Warriors is the antidote to much of our sickfit culture. Like Martin, I grew upinspired by Bruce Lee and like Jeet Kune Do, Lee’s own personal expression of the Martial Arts, Training for Warriors asks that you… Research your own experience for the truth. Absorb what is useful. Reject what is useless. Add what is specifically your own. From this direct, personal and experiential approach you can begin to create a foundation for sustainable practice and progress. Unfortunately, many people get stuck in the research phase. TFW requires application, without putting yourself in the driver seat all you are doing is looking at the map. Martin Rooney - Renzo Gracie - Ricardo Almeida I am not going to go into the details of the Certification itself. That’s kind of like giving Cliffs Notes to a book you haven’t read. The website and Martins blog offer a ton of free information to whet your appetite. I can tell you this, The Training for Warriors Certification is as complete an immersion as you will get to the the art and science of coaching. The approach is hands on. Fromthe moment you enter the room Martin makes it clear, you are a coach, working alongside your peers. It is very much and environment where . Along with the practical nuts and bolts of evaluation, prehab, strength and metabolic training, recovery, nutrition and Martin’s very own explained in detail, TFW digs deep in to the mental process, the inner game and how we can make the most of our resources to achieve the results we desire in the most effective and efficient way. TFW emphasises the principle of Minimum Effective Dose to achieve sustainable results, injury free. In all of this, personal accountability is at the forefront. Martin doesn’t leave any ground cover where you can hide until the action is over. No, when you are Training with the Warriors, you have to stand tall, however you feel and you finish every round with your hands held high. I share Martin’s passion for creating meaningful habits that endure, the kind of habits that carry over in to every aspect of our lives. Thoseof you who are familiar with the should check out Martin’s as well as the challenges he posts on the . 100 Rep Challenge The Certification is a fairly equal measure of theory and practice, all of it peppered with Martin’s extensive experience, unique anecdotes and unfailing sense of what’s possible for every one of us. It’s fair to say that Martin Rooney’s Training for Warriors is a metaphor for life. I am grateful he’s decided to share his journey, his knowledge with such generosity, energy, enthusiasm and humour. TFW - Where's Wally? - Photo Lucas Noonan It has to be said, this event was made possible by all the folk who decided to be there on the day including Scotlands first TFW Tom Robertson, so to all of you, THANK YOU, it’s your energy and support that makes these things happen. And A special mention must go to the mad skills of , photographer extrordinaire, responsible for the fantastic pictures in Martin’s books. Simple Strength would like to say a  special thanks to -   – Forsupplying bars, bumpers, bands and slam balls! – For kitting everyone out in a Rival Cap! – For supplying shakers and sustenance for the weekend. About the author I am a movement maverick, exploring beginner's mind and beginner's body through mobility, bodyweight training, breathwork, mindfulness, kettlebells and martial arts, focussing on self care, pain free movement and resilience. Find suggestions to get you moving over at Want to move with ease and imagination? For individual or group instruction please contact me. Related Posts August 14, 2013 · Some time ago I came across the wonderful Japanese concept of , forest bathing. Eva Selhub, author