EXPERT
Mike Shoffiett Sr. (Left) and Beau Williford (Right) welcome
Angelo Dundee (Center) to Raw Speed Training headquarters in Lafayette,
Louisiana.
First of all Mike, why did we change our company
name to Raw Speed Training?
Our company used to be called Achilles Speed &
Achilles America because our shoes and program stretches the most
important sports tendon in human body so much. Achilles, an ancient warrior who
fought for the Greeks was so fierce the enemy captured him and hung him
from the tendons in his heels that bear his name. Mostly I got tired of spelling
Achilles to find our web site.
Everyone
says “speed” wins in sports but exactly WHY?
It defeats strategy, forces slower players to
think before acting or reacting and separates one level of sports from the
next. i.e. Super fast college running backs in football are just average
Pros that get hurt a lot because: Veterans know how to "cutting the ring"
(taking away one direction) wand
speed up when they faster rookies slow down to cut or fake. Coaching can reduce
some “speed” advantages but the fastest, injury free players always win far more
often in any sport. Our shoes and program lets boys & girls win in their sport
sooner by just making the team or playing at the “next” level.
What’s your “speed training” background?
My life in sports at all levels as an Athlete,
Coach and Fan. In my playing days Coaches believed “speed” was a natural talent
and injuries were just part of the game”. They didn’t train to improve speed
or reduce injuries. Plus they had a “drill sergeant” Coaching style that
“ran off” countless good athletes. I really got interested in Coaching after
seeing some amazing athletic feats while working as a lifeguard during HS at the
Augusta, GA State Hospital for the mentally handicapped.
What amazing athletic feats can mentally
handicapped patients perform?
Once just before a basketball game at the
hospital gym I watched a teenage patient with one crippled arm hit 96 foul shots
in a row. He only stopped at 96 because the game had to start. Another teenage
patient called “Eli” had a 6 foot 200 pound body that looked like superman. He
had the mind of a 1 or 2 year old child and suffered from epileptic seizures 3
or 4 times a day. One day he got scared and tried to climb a 10’ cyclone wire
fence around the swimming pool. A seizure occurred when he got 3 or 4’ up. After
it ended I broke his fall and looked at the wires in that fence were his hands
had been. They were in a solid knot body builders couldn’t make with vice grip
pliers. (See Training Manual)
How did
working at that mental hospital relate to “speed” training?
The main “speed training” advantage was learning
how to artificially duplicate the incredible strength caused by epileptic
seizures. Plus I’ll never forget how those children tried so hard to please the
staff. Their heart & dedication is the main reason I don’t like “Special
Olympics”.
It’s not about “speed” training but WHAT’S wrong
with “Special Olympics”?
It raises a lot of money that doesn’t always
benefit handicapped children. People with good intentions actually think they
help handicapped children by volunteering to work a “Special Olympics” 2 or 3
days a year. Those children have no concept of time! Most people working with
them have a big kind heart that gets broken when children cry after being told
their “Special Olympics” friends won’t be coming back until next year. Never
is the same thing to them but they ask every day. Finally, most Special
Olympic volunteers I met are shallow minded liberals. They wouldn’t think twice
aborting their mentally handicapped child or make them a state institution
prisoner. Sarah Palen didn’t and that’s why I wish she would be our next
president.
It’s
hard to argue with your strong opinions but getting back to “speed” training:
When
did you start developing the Raw Speed
training shoes and program?
After my
college football & track career I Coached 10 years in LA and TX before entering
private business. In the ‘70s and ‘80s I worked with Dr. James Boston, Paul Cox,
Doug Merchant Et Al Coaching Pioneers to invent platform shoes. Our theory was
to reduce injuries by providing leverage to increase lower body strength, et al
skills. Athletes soon developed tremendous lower body strength by lifting their
own body weight countless times while running. We knew we were on to
something when athletes not only reduced injuries and began running faster.
Why is Raw Speed Training superior to other
programs?
Raw Speed shoes and program is the only
way to stretch, strengthen & condition all running muscles, ligaments and
tendons at the same time by running with correct form in 9 “speed”
drills.
Exactly how does Raw Speed shoes and program
do that?
It's impossible to increase "speed"
without taking longer strides quicker. We soon discovered how to
do that by improving lower body / running strength, quickness,
balance, flexibility, agility, control, form,
technique and endurance at the same time. i.e. Each stride
in our platform shoes causes a "ripple effect" like waves when a rock hits water
starting in the feet / ankle plantar flex (Where Speed Begins)
and spreads up the legs and lower body. All running muscles ligaments & tendons
are constantly stretched, strengthened and conditioned to improve all 9 “speed”
skills at the same time.
How did the idea of using platform shoes
start?
As I said earlier our goal was to reduce injuries
by improving lower body strength et al skills using sports playing motion
drills. We got the idea of trying platform shoes from iron shoe weights the York
company
sold
in 1941. They increase strength but alter running form. We made our 1st
platform shoes round for stability by gluing & screwing blocks of wood & rubber
on the front of tennis shoes in the school shop.
When other Coaches noticed our athletes avoided
injuries / healing time, ran, faster, jumped higher and further they started
asking to buy them. We took on investors, got a patent, had shoes made in Asia
and began selling them at Coaching clinics.
That “word of mouth” sales effort lasted
for 30+ years until I recently retired from the oilfield service and
manufacturing industry. Now we’re selling our shoes and program on the internet
and starting a new marketing plan.
How does Raw Speed training shoes compare with
the competition?
Great “speed” trainers like “Boots” Garland and
Loren Seagrave have a different approach that doesn’t really compete with our
shoes and program. A lot of people confuse our “rocking chair” platform shoes
with the 1st round platform “strength” shoes we invented. We sold that model to
a company in New Orleans. It’s still sold today as “Strength” shoes and was once
featured on the Steinfield TV show. Our shoes also get confused with the flat
velcro strap-on platform jump soles. Both models develop lower body strength
to reduce injuries but they do NOT improve running stride quickness! Our
"rocking chair" platform shoes are just as stable and increase running
stride quickness. Athletes run faster in our “rocking chair” platform
shoes or fall because it's like running “down hill”.
Exactly how and why is "speed” training and
injury prevention the exact same thing?
Improving “speed” was an un-intended consequence
of training to reduce sports injuries / healing time. As a parent and grand
parent injury prevention is just as important to me as “speed”. Injuries can NOT
be reduced without developing the skills that increase speed. Plus we reduce
injuries / healing time in days that used to take weeks by massaging the
injury with RELIEF analgesic cream and doing isometric exercises
as intensely as pain from the injury will allow. (Click the STOP link on
our web site)
What is isometric exercise?
Stay with me on this answer because I’ve been a
“voice in the “speed” training wilderness” for years. Isometrics is a
mysterious physical / mental exercise that science can’t explain. i.e. No one
knows how Mike Tyson hit with such power & speed his victim’s cloths were out of
style when they woke up. I call that level performance “world class”. It
requires performance intensity and the only way I know to develop it is
isometric exercise. The human mind is the main barrier to sports performance
intensity. Isometric exercise is like adrenalin that allows a mother to lift
a vehicle after it falls on her child. I don’t know all the reasons it works but
I refuse to train athletes that won’t do isometric exercise.
How is isometric exercise done?
Isometrics is done by isolating, violently
flexing and moving one (upper or lower body)
group of muscles ligaments and tendons at a time through its’ natural range of
motion. (As fast as injury pain allows.)
Other groups are controlled and relaxed while breathing normally. The group
being exercised is switched when it gets uncomfortable after 15 to 30 seconds.
How does isometric exercise help “speed”
training?
Reducing injuries / healing time or developing
“speed” skill performance intensity requires two types of fatigue. The 1st
is performance fatigue caused by doing our “speed” drills correctly. The
2nd is fatigue from doing isometric exercise intensely.
Especially before stretching and while resting after doing our
drills. The speed training and injury reduction advantages of isometric exercise
are best illustrated by the unbelievable strength demonstrated by the mentally
handicapped boy I referred to earlier that crushed the wires of a cyclone fence
into a solid knot. (See Training Manual)
Results of our “speed” test proves isometric exercise increases the performance
intensity of all 9 “speed” skills.
What is that “speed” test?
It’s a test to measure where athletes are
in “speed” training. We developed a “speed / injury reduction” test to measure
when athletes can perform the skills required by any sport at peak speed.
i.e. Less than 5% of all athletes can stand, extend either leg forward and do 10
full squats without losing their balance. When athletes can
do that AND all 9 of our "speed" drills correctly in 30 minutes they can run as
fast as their size and age will allow. 7% of our customers pass our “speed”
test in 8 to 12 weeks by training as directed. Especially, after using
isometric exercise.
Why don’t more people do isometric exercise?
I don’t know. It became an exercise fad when I
played in the ‘60s but died out for some reason. I used to see a magazine
cartoon AD depicting a muscle bound guy at a beach kicking sand in a skinny
guy’s face and taking his girl. The AD promised you’d get your girl back if you
sent them $10.00. If you did they sent a pamphlet describing isometric
exercise. I became a convert after working at a GA state hospital for the
mentally handicapped. (See Training Manual)
Athlete can perform all 9 “speed” skills at some level. As I said before I think
isometric exercise is the only way to help athletes reach a higher level of
performance intensity. I’d love to do a study relating to isometric
exercise and sports performance intensity because I believe it’s an
artificial substitute for adrenalin.
What would you base that study on?
I’d base it on the reasons isometric exercise
rapidly develops the performance intensity to perform at peak speed in
any sport. Athletes have enough upper body performance skill to play at
peak speed in any sport when they can sit with legs fully extended and
climb hand over hand up and down a 15' rope in 30 seconds. They have enough
lower body performance skills to play any sport at peak speed when they can
stand, extend one leg forward, maintain balance and do 10 full squats on either
leg. I’ve never seen these levels of sports performance intensity
developed lifting iron.
What are some examples of Raw Speed success at
developing performance skills?
My favorite example is having over 200 Navy Seals
preparing to get shot at train in our shoes and program. Carl Lewis was already
fast but our shoes and drills increased his long jump by 4” and kept him setting
records at 32 years of age. One year we trained 6 out of the 7 fastest football
players in the south eastern conference. We’ve had 7 customers tie or break Dion
Sander's 4.25 forty yard dash record. The best example is the Methodist Hospital
in Jackson, MS physical therapy study that concluded our shoes and program
reduced low body injuries and/or healing time by 50%.
What are the main injuries that Raw Speed
shoes and program prevent?
The modern injury to the muscles, ligaments and
tendons in the foot and big toe caused playing on artificial surfaces called
“Turf Toe”. Low & high ankle sprains, inside and outside knee injuries along
with muscle, ligament & tendon injury bruises. I can go on and on about injury
and “speed” training but doing isometric exercise as intensely as pain allows
along with massaging the injury using the amazing "Relief" analgesic
sports cream and shoe inserts described on the STOP link of our
web site will make reasonable person consider our approach to injury prevention
and treatment.
How much time does Raw Speed training
take?
Once customers learn to do our “speed” specific
drills correctly 75% of them can pass our “speed” test in 8 to 12 weeks by
training just 30 minutes 3 days a week. Training more is over training
and just as bad as under-training. Our shoes and program takes less
training time because lifting your own body weight thousands of times 3 days a
week eliminates up to 80% of lower body weight room time.
Why do people ignore Raw Speed Training?
Old habits die hard. I remember when “weight
rooms” were rare. Now every school has them. “Old school” stationary weights,
exercises, resistance, over distance running etc are the main reason Raw Speed
training is ignored. Plus most people either don't know about our shoes and
program or they confuse it with others.
What’s wrong with the “old school” speed
training methods you mentioned?
The worst problem is “old school” Coaches have
held “speed” training back by causing bad training attitudes with shallow
instructions like “Go run until I get tired.” Plus these tools and methods are
boring, exhausting, used for punishment and take years for questionable “speed”
training results. Plus they change running form / technique and neglect
other “speed” performance skills by only working a few muscles in a limited
range of motion.
What makes Raw Speed training different?
The “speed” training logic of our shoes and
drills can’t be disputed or the scientific training basis. Exhaustion is often
the enemy of “speed” training because tired athletes just “go through training
motions” without concentrating on correct form et al skills. As I said earlier
“No pain, no gain” is true when preparing for competition but it’s NOT true for
improving sports performance “speed” skill intensity. After our shoes and
drills the main thing we do different is using the logic of humor, competition
(with yourself) and rewards. i.e We allow
athletes to rest as needed after 2 attempts to do our drills correctly.
They tell “clean” jokes while resting and doing isometric exercise between
drills. We give them candy et al small rewards for improving their own
performance. I think “speed” or any other training sessions are wasted when
athletes don’t leave laughing and looking forward to improving their effort in
the next session.
What age do athletes benefit from our shoes and
program?
Boys & girls run faster as they get older by
regular training in almost any program. I wouldn’t start training my kids or
grand kids before puberty. Research isn’t available on stretching growing
muscles, ligaments and tendons as much as we do before the age of 12. Kids
should be kids as long as possible and play with toys. Our shoes and drills work
fast and kids catch up quick. However drugs etc make it important to get and
keep kids involved in sports early. Kids can run faster by using correct form
and technique in our “speed” drills and during the 4 stages of sprinting.
What are the most common “speed” training
barriers?
Bad “speed” training attitudes caused when
running is used for discipline. Poor “speed” skill performance due to
slew feet, pigeon toes and foot placement. (These barriers can be corrected by
training on the lines of a court, track or field.) “Over striding” acts as a
brake before athletes have the running strength et al skills to support longer
strides. Another common “speed” barrier is poor starting (UP instead of
OUT) toward the finish line along with poor
running form / technique. Depending on age and size athletes may be running in
place if they don’t cover 20 yards in 12 to 14 strides. One of the best things
about our “speed” training program is that our certified Distributor /
Instructors can rapidly customize it to correct each athlete’s weak “speed”
skill. (Click on the PROGRAM link)
Should players “speed train” during the season?
I don’t recommend starting our program after the
season starts. Our program is simple but not easy. Athletes will get sore in
places they didn’t know about. We do the same thing for “speed” that weights do
for strength. Once athletes start it’s critical they keep “speed” training or
they’ll lose a step the same way they’ll get weaker if you stop lifting iron.
I notice you don’t use scientific “speed”
training terms?
“Speed” training scientific terms are academic
topics that are best learned in a class room. My science minor and physician
partners allow me to prove the physiology of everything in the Raw Wpeed
training program. I think telling athletes to “pick’em up and lay’em down”
faster and better is clearer than talking about slow & fast twitch muscles.
How do girls benefit from our shoes and program?
The exact same way as boys! They run faster, jump
higher, further, reduce injuries or healing time to win in their sport by
just making the team or playing at the “next level”.
What can we do for athletes that have “world
class” speed?
I get that question a lot from Pro & College
Coaches that can recruit or hire faster players. We’ll keep them playing better
longer! People asking that don’t see the link between “speed” training and
injury prevention is the exact same thing. Carl Lewis’ trainer, Dr. Boston gave
the best answer when he said, “Carl was already faster than diarrhea. I don’t
know if or how much we improved his speed but I can prove Raw Speed shoes &
drills improved his long jump as he got older”.
What about Coaches that say, “We don’t have
time to speed train”?
IF they’re polite I ask them about fast players
they Coached and tools & methods they used. I always ask IF they think “speed”
wins in sports. If they do I ask if 90 minutes a week is too much time to spend
training to win. I mention that less than 5% of all athletes can pass
our “speed” test. I point out that lifting your own body weight countless times
by running in our shoes & drills eliminates up to 80% of low body weight room
time. IF they’re not polite I invite them to accept our “Speed Training
Challenge”.
What IS our “Speed Training Challenge”?
Exactly what I said, “We accept wagers, give odds
and challenge anyone to compare the results of their “speed” training
program to ours after 8 weeks.
Has anyone ever accepted our Challenge?
Once an honest “iron” Coach accepted our
challenge at a Coaching clinic. We agreed to put up $10K to his $5K and let the
local TV sports guy pick 10 HS athletes. We both would train 5 athletes for 8
weeks and announce the results on TV. He changed his mind when he realized we
were “grave yard” serious. He’s now one of our best Distributor/Instructors.
What do Raw Speed Customers say about Raw Speed
Training?
NFL Football Coach, Ray Perkins said, “We hire
fast players or get fired. Raw Speed shoes and drills keep them playing faster
and longer”. Ex-Yankee Baseball Player & Tulane Coach, Joe Brockhoff
says, “A lot more close plays go our way after training for 8 weeks just
30 minutes 3 days a week in Raw Speed shoes and drills.” Soccer: Pro, Roberto
Gonzales says, “I play faster at 32 than I did at 22 by using Raw Speed shoes &
drills”. Basket Ball Coach, John Callahan says. ”Raw Speed shoes and drills
increase our team vertical leap and we run the floor faster”. Volley Ball Pro,
Ann Wan, says, “Thanks to Raw Speed shoes & drills I get to my spots a lot
faster and higher.”
Manager & Trainer of 8 world Boxing Champions ,
Beau Williford says, “These shoes and drills rapidly increase my boxer’s foot
speed and reduce their road work time.” Tennis Pro, Ralph Fedder says, “I
eliminated a nagging groin injury and returned a lot more hard shots after
training in these shoes & drills”. Track Coach, Dr. James Boston says, “Carl
Lewis’ was faster than diarrhea. I don’t know about his speed but I can prove
these shoes and drills helped him set sprinting & long jump records longer“.
John Curtis, a AA Louisiana HS wins boy’s & girl’s 5A state championships each
year. Their strength & conditioning Coach Brant Sloan says, “We’ve run faster,
reduced injuries, rehab time and low body weights 20+ years by speed
training in these shoes & drills. Nothing’s better or we’d be using it!”
What do you say to people that want to change Raw
Speed drills?
I say, “Why RE-invent the wheel”? We eliminated
thousands before selecting the 9 un-restricted “speed” drills we use to
develop all 9 “speed” skills. Some tools and methods may compliment our shoes
and program but nothing can replace it. Different drills is a long
discussion in our one day Distributor / Instructor certification schools I
am interested in talking to people about developing “sport” specific
training drills for lacrosse et al sports I don’t know much about.
Will you briefly describe the Raw Speed
training program?
That will take a while so I’d tell readers to
click on our PROGRAM link.
How much do Raw Speed shoes and program cost?
People are buying guaranteed raw “speed” and
injury prevention. It’s frustrating to watch schools spend $50,000.00+ for a
weight room and then object to spending two or three thousand dollars for our
shoes and program that can eliminate up to 80% of lower body weight room time.
Our shoes are expensive because they’re hard to get manufactured in
Asia. Thousands of customers will confirm our shoes and program would be
cheap at twice the price. Before group discounts we charge $150.00+ $10.00
shipping for our shoes and training manual.
What is your vision for Raw Speed Training?
My goal is to revolutionize “speed” training and
injury prevention world wide for boys and girls of all ages in all sports.
How do you plan to do that?
By executing our business plan. It describes how
we will become the “McDonalds” of the “speed training and injury prevention
industry by recruiting, training and selling sports minded people an exclusive
opportunity to Distribute our shoes and instruct our program in protected
markets.
Why did you choose this marketing plan?
It lets us
penetrate and make the vast $8B dollar a year world wide demand for “speed”
manageable. No product or idea stays viable for 30+ years without customer
demand. Our plan lets everybody win! We and our Distributor / Instructor
Partners earn impressive un-ending profits without risk, big investment
or competition.
CLICK
HERE To visit “The
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY” Page.
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