“As an irrigator guides water to his fields, as an archer aims an arrow, as a carpenter carves wood, the wise shape their lives.” – Buddha
When people ask me what I do. I say, I’m a Coach.
I could give them some fancy elevator pitch like: I coach human performance and potential and guide others to build a Kū body. To be Kū, is ones continuous effort to build a strong mind, body, and spirit. By doing so we can make a positive impact on the most important aspects of life; contribution, relationships, personal growth, passion, and health.
That actually sounds pretty good, ya? Maybe a little tweaks. But overall, I’m simply a Coach.
Being a coach isn’t the most lucrative career. Real coaches don’t get into this profession for the money. I’ve had my share of ups and downs when it comes to being a coach just like any other job out there. I worked for a stipend, salary, commission, hourly, and presently I’m back on a commission, where payment comes after a paid training session with an athlete (I consider all my clients – athletes).
I’m lucky enough to have a wife who is supportive in what I do. She works on a corporate level and it’s always interesting going to events with her. When I meet her co-workers and I tell them what I do, some are a little thrown off. I’m sure they are expecting some sort of business, management, sales, or whatever. Nope. I’m a Coach.
The hours and pay are inconsistent. You deal with people who have a full-time job, family, and a whole separate life a part from the time they spend with you. You have to coach out of your own house, at a park, rent a space out, or open your own gym to only bring more variables into the picture. You never have a clear view of how much you will be making for the month and that little voice in your head is saying to you - is this really worth it?
I’ve come to the conclusion that it is all worth it. This is why:
SEAN W.
Coach Aipa helped me to further develop as an athlete in a number of ways. His unconditional support and motivation helped push me to new levels I had no idea I could reach. He was determined to see each of his athletes grow and achieve their goals. Coach Aipa sees the potential in each athlete and gives him or her the path towards achieving it. With Coach Aipa’s expert programs and advice and with a hard work ethic, any fitness goal can be achieved.
PETER K.
This is long overdue, but I just wanted to Thank you for writing me that program and helping me through it last Spring. Not only did it help me get into the shape I needed to be in for my sailing this summer, but it changed the shape I’ve been in for nearly the last 8 years. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
KEENAN O.
I broke my hip my freshman year of football at the University of Redlands. August 21, 2011, all of my summer preparation became worthless, and I was sidelined, on crutches, until November. After I was cleared to start rehab and begin getting back into shape, I began working out with Coach Aipa 4 times a week. I began to put muscle mass back on, and was leaning out in the process. I went from 190lbs to 183lbs and gained lean muscle. My squat came up to 365lbs for 5 reps, and my bench was up to 275lbs. I was jumping out of the building and my sprinting and lateral movements were on point. Thankfully, Coach Aipa had me in football shape to start playing strong safety again in August of 2012. I have the utmost confidence in his philosophy and strength plans.
Do you see the idea? In one of my talks I gave, I was asked, “What is the best part of what you do?”
This was my answer:
As a coach, every time you connect with a person you are given a possibility to make a difference. That is why I began this blog and started speaking to organizations, schools, and teams. It gives me the possibility to help and influence the fitness, health, and lifestyle (aka Build a Kū Body) of others outside of my reach.
One of my teachers told me, “Leadership is influence.” It is my hope when someone reads my blog they feel inspired to help others and empowered to build a Kū body. So if I coach 1 person or reach 1000 people, it gives me more of a possibility to add value to their life. The Minimalists in their blog post, Adding Value, said, ”When you’re adding value to someone’s life, you are contributing to that person in a meaningful way.”
My wife sees how coaching people keeps me going and happy. She hears the stories and knows how much they mean to me. For that reason, she continues to be supportive during the ups and downs. She lets me stay up late in to the night writing, programming, reading, and day dreaming because she knows she married a Coach.
Mahalo. Aloha. A hui hou!