Outperforme Community Blog

Outperforme Athletics (OPA) - How long has training been an important part of your life?

Zach (Z) - Training has been important in my life since 17-18 years old honestly. I was off and on at Outperforme at the old location but my love for strength and mobility training didn’t kick in until my first summer of crossfit before my first year of AAA midget hockey in Brandon.

OPA - How long have you been training with Outperforme Athletics?

Z - I’ve been with Outperforme for 4-5 years

OPA - Do you have any specific long-term athletic and training goals?

Z - Honestly; I strive every day to be better than I was yesterday, otherwise you’re not doing all the things possible in efforts to master your craft. I want to play in the NHL for as long as I can, then afterwards I would like to become a certified strength and conditioning coach and help young athletes like myself, become better than they were yesterday.

OPA - You would be a great mentor for young athletes, keep us in mind when job hunting!

OPA - What is your most memorable accomplishment since joining Outperforme?
Z - Playing in my first NHL game for sure, it’s what you’ve dreamt of as a kid, then you actually get to do it, irreplaceable feeling.

OPA - You look good in the gold!

OPA - What is your favourite exercise and why?

Z - I’m a big trap bar deadlift guy, followed by some sort of max effort distance or height jump / explosive movement. I like moving big weight, but moving it efficiently and feeling the benefits of moving it right after gets me fired up.

OPA - What is your least favourite exercise and why?

Z - Probably bench press, sure it looks good for the beach, but I’m a hockey player not a body builder, and I outright suck at it.

OPA - What is your favourite song to listen to before working out or competition? 

Z - 2 Vaults by Tee Grizzley or Body by loud luxury

OPA - How do you describe the concept of the Outperforme Family to someone who hasn’t trained here before?

Z - Everyone’s here for the same thing, to be better than they were when they came in here. Nobody judges or excludes you for age, level, or anything, you come in and do your work and work 110%, the environment allows for that and makes it fun to be training.

OPA - You and the other hockey guys are a big reason for helping make everyone feel comfortable!

OPA - What is something you have learned since joining the Outperforme Family?

Z - The harder and more focused I train, the luckier I get (emoji guy with sunglasses)                              

OPA - Who is your favourite Outperforme Athlete to train with and why?

Z - Anyone that works 110% and pushes me to my limits, those are the kinds of people that make the training process fun.

OPA - Do you have a favourite post-training meal or smoothie?

Z - I always like to go with a chicken breast, sweet potato or brown rice, and lots of mixed veggies with salad, goat cheese, mixed nuts and some fruit!

OPA - If you could meet any celebrity alive or dead. Which one would it be and why?

Z - Bobby Orr forsure, the guy revolutionized the defensive position and changed the way people viewed that position.

OPA - What is your favourite book and why would you recommend it to others?

Z - Jordin Tootoo’s book hands down. It shows that no matter how deep you are in life, good or bad, there’s a way and you just have to dig deep and find it.

OPA - What are you currently reading?

Z - Left college this year so the only thing I’ve read are my text messages

OPA - What if your favourite movie and why?

Z - The new avengers movie, just an all round great flick

OPA - Favourite YouTube video of all time.

Z - Videos of Erik Karlsson exposing guys all over the ice hahaha

OPA - That could be you one day (no laughing)!