02 Aug PEDs and Circle of Concern
Writing this post gives me a bit of pause. I’ve been around the sport of MMA a long time and Performance Enhancing Drugs have been a constant source of debate. Who is taking them? How widespread is the use? What punishments and deterrents would curtail the problem? How should an active fighter conduct themselves in this environment?
My travels have given me a very unique perspective in that I have trained in multiple different gyms. I started at a Royce Gracie affiliate, 2 years after I started Royce tested positive for steroids. I then went to Team Quest with Dan Henderson, during my time there Dan Henderson publicly admitted to use TRT when it was possible to obtain an exemption. My next stop was Robert Drysdale’s in Las Vegas and during my time there was when Robert tested positive as well. Besides those examples I have been around countless athletes who have admitted to using steroids or other performance enhancers.
What have I learned from this exposure? There is no hard and fast way to tell who is or isn’t using. There are genetic freaks out there, and the human body is capable of incredible achievements. That said, with what the world has seen with the rise of increased testing, it certainly gives pause whenever someone keeps getting better with age, or suffers few injuries despite an incredible volume of training and competition. Also, most cultures outside of the U.S. have a very different attitude about steroids. It is seen as much more commonplace and acceptable.
I have also been around many gym warriors, or older athletes who utilize illegal performance enhancers as well. Those same individuals who rely on synthetic testosterone to heal injuries and keep them in the game will heckle the younger athletes at the gym for not keeping up. I know a lot of jiu-jitsu competitors in the masters category that rely on that extra help. This is not just at the higher levels, this is across all belt levels.
So what is an athlete to do in such an environment? My takeaway and what I will try to pass on to my students is three fold.
First, do not use illegal performance enhancers. I reserve the right to change my mind on this, but if I do I can guarantee it will be done publicly and not in private. Until that time comes I will not use, or tolerate anyone on my team using.
Second, consider the source. When you get advice, read training plans, or read some motivation quote about how you aren’t working hard enough take it with a grain of salt. You need a plan that fits around our needs. Hard work will always be a part of that and so will active recovery.
Third, keep your area of concern and area of influence aligned. Steven Covey talk about this a great deal in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Basically, even if you knew for a fact your opponent in an upcoming fight were using steroid that should not change your preparation or tactics one bit. You are in a competition with yourself to deliver the best performance and the other person has very little say in that matter unless you give them that power.