About
What’s up Bodyweight Warriors!
My name is Tom Merrick and for the past decade I’ve dedicated myself to becoming strong and flexible.
This journey has not been taken alone. It started off simply documenting my own training, sharing what I learned and the mistakes I made to help others achieve their goals.
10 years later, with over 1 million in the tribe, it’s grown far beyond anything I thought possible.
Discover
Why
Bodyweight?
“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” - Socrates
Bodyweight training is, in my opinion, the best and most accessible option we have to improve our bodies. It is the combination of strength and skill to master movement. From balancing a handstand to the simple push up, there is something for everyone.
As an 18 year old I started out like many others, looking for a way to improve myself physically. I knew the solution, bigger biceps! I spent the next couple years training bodybuilding, powerlifting and chasing aesthetics.
However, it wasn’t until 2014 that I discovered bodyweight training and started taking a more holistic approach to training and life. I stumbled across people like FitnessFAQs, Ido Portal and many others. I’d try to emulate the moves and exercises but was quickly humbled by simple drills.
I’ve never viewed any goal as impossible but rather a lack of understanding of how the road to it looks. I immersed myself in papers, books, podcasts and sought out teachers through seminars and courses. Most importantly, I put these things into practice by creating a program, training, testing, rewriting it, training, amending, more training, more testing; with the hope of finding the perfect formula. As a mentor Emmet Louis put it:
"Knowing Is Nice but Doing Is Better"
My approach to training today has been sculpted through this process of trying to improve myself, coaching with clients and sharing the best content I can on YouTube.
I believe that a foundation of bodyweight training is essential. Learning to control and move your own body efficiently without restriction. Giving you physical freedom to chase your goals, whatever they are.
"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." - Aristotle.
The Warrior forms the second part of these two influential phases in my life; “Bodyweight” transforming my body and the “Warrior” shaping my mind.
It is inspired from the book “King, Warrior, Magician, Lover” by Robert Moore, which discusses personality archetypes based on the work by Carl Jung. The Warrior being the most crucial for training success.
"You Are What You Do, Not What You Say You’ll Do." - Carl Jung
The warrior archetype can be summarised as the energy to take action. It provides the effort to complete goals, live by your beliefs and achieve greatness. It is aggressive but purposeful, mindful and disciplined.
There are many examples throughout history of cultures that understood the importance of developing not just the physical attributes of the body but also the mind. We now have the ability to actively choose which influences and philosophies shape our lives into the future. Choose wisely.
I thought a lot about how I can give back to the vast community online that has taught me so much. I started with a YouTube channel to share my experiences, learnings and failures. I aim to provide the best actionable advice and guidance for anyone to achieve their goals. All you need to do is harness your warrior energy and get started.