Post by Konrad Raab on Sept 11, 2019 21:14:30 GMT
Mental training day one. Orlando, Florida. Saturday 9th June. (Off Camera)
Although it was in the afternoon and not long just gotten back from England after wrestling against Holly and Kenzie, it still didn't mean he was going to get away from not training since everyone else had done a lot of stuff already. He barely had time to settle down as he went straight to his room and put on his gym clothes. Of course, it was five in the afternoon when everyone was finished up for the day, it was just only the beginning for Konrad who had to do training all by himself.
Neil might be the boss of the mental training course, but he certainly wasn't his coach as it was a guy who actually accompanied Konrad to his Rebellion Pro matches to witness where he was going wrong and he did notice more than a fair share of things of where he was going wrong and why he put himself down so much as everyone on the course had their own coach. The guy was named Peter Lawley who was in his mid-twenties, wearing teacher's gear to prepare Konrad for the worst.
He knew, of course, Konrad's training was only going to be for five hours as the curfew was at eleven at night. Konrad wasn't going to be able to eat anything as there was no time. They walked to the gym together as when Peter turned the lights on, it was almost the biggest gym apart from Amy's gym he's ever seen. There are wrestling rings and a lot of gym equipment. He had only looked for a minute before the training begins.
Which it does with Konrad doing warming up excises before being told to do some Hindu Squats which, to begin with was told to do it one hundred times to see how far he could go which they see he could get to one hundred as Konrad was breathing heavily already, but only it was about to hit him when Peter told him this.
Peter Lawley: “You only halfway there.”
Konrad Raab: “I'm not done?”
Peter Lawley: “Not even close. You need to give me 50 more of these squats.”
Konrad Raab: “I'm jet-lagged.”
Peter Lawley: “I don't care, just do it.”
It was at that point, Konrad stopped arguing and debating, making up excuses as Peter saw with Konrad that he was clearly making excuses just to not continue with the training and Konrad was really struggling after the three hundred mark as he started to get slower, but was still doing it as he screamed his head off just to put some aggression into it and that it was a huge sign of him being exhausted.
Konrad already wanted to give up and he was in shock how strict Peter was, somebody who wasn't known to take shit from any of his trainees he was assigned to. Now he was pointed to go towards the weight machine and Konrad went to the wrong one, he went to the single weights where it was all arm movement and Peter said this.
Peter Lawley: “No, not those weights. Those weightlifting Olympic star ones.”
Konrad was really exhausted as he didn't know how right Neil would be that he was already going through hell as he gulped at as he went there and waits for instructions to say this.
Peter Lawley: “You stand here and give me five sets of five reps with military presses.”
Konrad Raab: “I can't.”
Peter Lawley: “No, no excuses Mr Raab. I want you to do them right now.”
He had no choice, but to go through more hell with himself as this is all about Konrad being mentally stronger which is the key thing he really lacks as Peter sees how much Konrad struggles to understand mentally to get tasks done, even in the gym as it was almost driving him crazy, but he starts off with something small before moving on with something heavier and even weights that were a lot heavier than him.
This was really unusual for Konrad to do this amount of training in five hours he had as he was yelling pretty loud each time he was lifting the weight up. It was something he really struggled with as he barely did any of it, but the heavy one was what did Konrad in mentally as the fears start to kick in on if he can even last here, let alone last on being a successful wrestler in SCW.
Peter Lawley: “Now you go over to those dumbells there and do the same.”
Konrad knew he couldn't answer back and does what he's told as it was even harder because he hadn't even touched a dumbbell before as he never used them because they were always too heavy for him and he already thought to himself, when will he ever get a break because it was already mentally tearing him down, but he had to go through with it and did the same as with the weights, except that he was doing it wrong as he says this.
Peter Lawley: “No, you don't use two hands, you use only the one.”
When he was told to use one hand, that's where the struggle really began as he barely could lift it up, not cos the weight was too heavy, it was very light, but knows he was already mentally done and it's something Peter clearly wasn't happy with at all. He wasn't happy on Konrad already wanting to throw in the towel and he reminds him to say this while he lifts up the dumbbell.
Peter Lawley: “You can't be a successful wrestler in SCW if you don't dig deep at what you do. You are going to be made as a champion and you are going to push yourself a lot deeper if you want to win an SCW title someday.”
Konrad really struggled as it was really difficult for him in his mind and he knew there's more to come which there was as it was only the beginning of his mental toughness training. He was all alone which was another problem in itself as he says this.
Konrad Raab: “I want support here cos I'm used to it along with training with other people.”
Peter Lawley: “Which is why you'll never be happy because you need other people and in the wrestling business, you have to be by yourself because they aren't gonna give a shit about you. That's the way of the real world.”
It was almost gone past an hour since Konrad started his mental toughness training which it was to get him tougher mentally. He was finished with the dumbells and then Konrad was told to run towards the mat area as Peter brought a weight with him and Konrad was breathing and pouring down with a lot of sweat and he asks a question.
Konrad Raab: “I need a drink.”
Peter accepted the request as he could see how much it was tearing Konrad down, but it's always going to be tough when Konrad hadn't gone through this sort of training since ever. He gave Konrad a large bottle of water and takes large sips before putting the lid back on and was told to go on the floor and Peter speaks.
Peter Lawley: “Now you do 5 sets of reps with you doing one legged squats and since we don't have stairs here, you have to do one the same.”
Peter demonstrated to Konrad how to do them from various of positions before Konrad started to do them himself as Peter saw he didn't really fully get it.
Peter Lawley: “You need to have your arms out without bending them.”
Konrad was almost at a point of giving up as he's fighting against how mentally exhausted he was and he continued until he attempted to walk away, but Peter wasn't having it as went to get Konrad from leaving and told him to go back and finish the task he was told to do. Konrad, of course, got back to it from encouragement as Peter makes sure the doors are locked to prevent Konrad from escaping.
Konrad Raab: “This is bloody difficult.”
Peter Lawley: “It might be, but so is everything else in life, especially when you've not done any of this training that's pushing you outside of your comfort zone.”
Peter was right of course as all of the excises Konrad was doing was completely out of what he usually does. He wasn't really doing well, but the point was to finish them and do the best he could as he felt he was going to be sick with how difficult he was finding it, being afraid of the tasks and there's still more to come. He finally reached doing five sets of reps with one-legged squat which almost took him an hour to complete.
He ran towards where Peter pointed him next as there was a skipping rope on the floor and he picked it up which is something he was very comfortable doing as he's done them many times before, but while Peter saw it was very easy for Konrad to do, he was going to push his limits even more and says this.
Peter Lawley: “You're using this for forty-five minutes. Then when you're done, you'll come to me where the stairs are.”
Konrad focused on using a jump rope and Peter went to where the bags were and picked two of them to place by the stairs for a bit later. It was really draining Konrad a heck of a lot, but he got where Neil was coming from that he was already going through hell and it's the most demanding and worst kind of training Konrad's ever gone through.
Forty five minutes later, he decided to take a seat as he barely had any rest and drank nearly the whole bottle just to get some fluids in him and then he went to get another large bottle which he took almost half of the water that was in there and puts the lid on before leaving the gym to run where the stairs were.
There were bags on the floor and he looks up at the number of floors there was as it was another task potential Konrad's done before or so he thought as Peter says this.
Peter Lawley: “You are going to put these 2 10 kilograms bags in your arms without lifting it on your shoulder and you go up and down those stairs fifty times. I may tell you to do more, I may get you to carry more kilograms, but you need to get this done.”
Konrad Raab: “I want to rest, I can't take much more of this training.”
Peter Lawley: “You are saying this because you aren't used to this kind of intense training and you aren't used to dealing with pressure well. I know this because Neil told me. You can't quit and walk away in a middle of a wrestling match, that's not how it works as you finish the match, and it's the same with this. Now go up and come down fifty times with bags in your arms, not lifting it above your head or your shoulder.”
Then it was the last couple of hours of Konrad starting to walk up and down the stairs before being told to run with bags getting heavier which reached well up to one hundred kilograms of bags he had to keep at arm's length. He then goes back into the gym to give himself a quick drink of water which he finishes his second bottle before being told to climb up the rope ten times without using his legs which meant he had to use his body weight to get himself up there.
It wasn't an easy session at all as he had tried many times to give up and has at one point, especially at the part of the training making him feel sick. Five hours was finally up after he done forty rope climbs and they had a bit of time to gather up thoughts about Konrad's training.
Peter Lawley: “You need a heck a lot of work, I'm serious because your body language says everything about how it reacted to your training.”
Konrad Raab: “I'm scared and feeling sick Peter. This has killed the hell out of me.”
Peter Lawley: “Everyone today did exactly the same training as you and some really struggled from what I've been told, but you really struggled. It's all in your head. You say you can't do it, but you can.”
Konrad Raab: “I failed. I just don't know if I can keep up with this. So tired right now that I want to go to bed.”
Peter Lawley “You've been saying that since you started training, but your limits are needing to be pushed and psychically, you're a very strong guy, but your mental toughness isn't. Out of every client I've worked with, your mental toughness is one of the weakest I've seen and I need to push you extra harder than I originally thought.”
Konrad Raab: “That was pure torture.”
That's how Konrad feels about the five hour training he went through as it should've been longer in reality, but because of the curfew and because of travelling to America today, it had to be cut short and Konrad wanted to lie on the floor for a bit as he breaths heavily and has lost a lot of sweat which obviously Peter needed to clean up.
Peter Lawley: “Neil told you it will get worse before it gets better and it has gotten the best out of you today. It really has because you're in tears.”
Konrad Raab: “Cos I feel like I'm hurt, hurt because I'm in pain.”
Peter Lawley: “You aren't hurt, you just feel hurt in your brain. Your brain is telling you to say those things because of what you've gone through. You go to your room and get some sleep and then first thing in the morning, you must write in your diary how you felt and what you've done today. I see you tomorrow.”
Konrad sighed of relief, for the first time in his entire life, he was so glad the mental toughness training was over as he picked a towel that's left for him in the corner and wiped the sweat off from him before he uses the loo and takes a shower. He comes out of the shower after getting changed into his regular clothes and was given a small chicken salad which everyone had for dinner today and a protein bar to lead himself to the bedroom he was assigned to with three other lads who were in the room.
A dark lad in his thirties: “You're stressed as fuck.”
Konrad Raab: “That was pure hell what I went through.”
White guy from Mexico who's in his late twenties: “It was for all of us, but it looks like you've come off it the worst.”
Konrad Raab: “Because I wasn't used to that type of training. I'm just so tired and need to sleep.”
Dark lad: “Of course, you do look exhausted and tired man. Have a good night.”
If there's one thing Konrad brought with him, it's the teddy bear he had when he was a kid while being in the army for a little while because it calmed him down when he was in very tough situations, even talking to it at times. He puts his bedclothes on which was assigned to everyone in yellow and red pyjamas with white spots on them. He gets into bed and goes straight off to sleep, hugging his teddy bear due to how much hell the training in his mind was today as the alarm went off for every lad to go off to go to their rooms and go off to sleep.
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What mind frame is Konrad in after the Kordy attack last week? Miami, Florida. Tuesday 3rd July. (Off camera)
Of course the mind frame for the result of the match wasn't needed in this case as he won the match with complete focus and it would likely come sooner than later, but the mind frame was more what happened after he won against Dustin Adams which surprised everybody as nobody saw Konrad winning the match, especially how dominant Dustin had been with other wrestlers, but that's already one big test Konrad had to deal with on how he'd cope with the situation he was faced with the attack he got from Kordy who spiked Konrad in his throat, leaving him coughing up blood backstage.
Of course as usual in their hotel room, Konrad was with Jerry Flack who was Konrad's mental trainer to keep him focused for the matches up ahead, but it was a massive problem as while Konrad would love to focus on the title match, it still clouded something over his head about the incident and he literally says this.
Konrad Raab: “I need to know how the hell I deal with this.”
Jerry Flack: “I know you have every right to be frustrated, but you got a much bigger task to handle coming up and the last thing I want to see is you freaking out.”
Konrad Raab: “Can you blame me?”
Jerry Flack: “No I don't, but the fact is you can't allow to show SCW crowd how much you can easily be snapped again. Remember what you learned in the course that you can't let the tiniest of things bother you. Focus on what you have up ahead.”
Konrad Raab: “Explain how I'm meant to focus on my match against Cassius James if Kordy is waiting to strike at me? It's dri.....................”
Jerry knew Konrad would explode at Jerry at some point because that's the kind of guy he was after Jerry got to know a bit more about him and Jerry's concerned about the other goal that's waiting for him, something he could not be expecting and something he hadn't mentioned on Twitter at all as he places his hand on Konrad's mouth.
Jerry Flack: “Calm down. I think I better leave the room until you get yourself sorted because I have news for you, but I'm not gonna tell you if you're freaking out. Listen to music and close your eyes for a minute and then I'll come in.”
Konrad Raab: “No, you aren't leaving.”
Jerry Flack: “Watch me.”
Jerry got up from his bed and left Konrad alone as it was still bothering him so much that he screamed, of course, nobody knows the overall reaction to what Konrad felt as it was all kept behind closed doors. He decided to do what Jerry told him to do, listening to music and closing his eyes along with taking a deep breath as he visualises only Cassius James on how much another match win meant to him how much it would mean to the entire world to come back from being depressed to being mentally tough.
After listening to a couple of songs and having the room being very quiet, Jerry comes in and sees how relaxed Konrad is as he takes his headphones off and wakes up from visualising his opponent and he already felt better as he asks the question.
Konrad Raab: “So what's the big news?”
Jerry Flack: “The news is that your match with Cassius James is more than just a regular match.”
Konrad Raab: “What you talking about?”
Jerry Flack: “I'm talking about one of the tasks you've shown me on Sunday on the list of things to achieve.”
Konrad Raab: “I was confident in my match with Dustin, there are no battle royals in SCW and I know I won't have a title shot.”
Jerry Flack: “The first two, I agree, but there's something about this last one that you need to pay attention to.”
Konrad sits there, waiting for what Jerry's about to say when it comes to matches. Of course, he has told Konrad to isolate himself and do extreme mental toughness training, but for what? Konrad wasn't gonna say anything as Jerry says this.
Jerry Flack: “Do you know why I told you to do mental toughness training and isolating yourself from everybody lately?”
Konrad Raab: “No.”
Jerry Flack: “Because your match against Cassius James is a TV title opportunity. That's why I wanted you to be calm and that's why I told you to do those things cos I can't sup.............”
Konrad Raab: “I know and that's why I'm glad you're here because if I was on my own, I'd fear to go back to how I was.”
Jerry Flack: “You see, this is what I want you to focus on. As you've been told, you shouldn't worry what people say or do too much and you did do it then, but I hope it won't be mentioned in the video.”
Konrad sighed as he was always someone who admitted when he did wrong or said something wrong as that's the personality he has, being the kind and caring guy. Everyone knows it and Konrad remembered what Jerry said on what Peter told him and he says this.
Konrad Raab: “It won't because now you've woken me up, there's more than enough reasons for my focus to be completely on Cassius. I don't like the amount of preaching he says to people. It's pretty disgusting the way he goes on about things and I do..............”
Jerry Flack: “Let me stop you right there before you even dare to go to that way again.”
Konrad Raab: “It wasn't about wrestling and my ability to beat him. What I'm saying is I don't like how he uses some disgusting language. He's taking the piss out of people's race is basically what I'm saying. He claims that black wrestlers matter when I already know that from losing to Dante Culter the other day.”
Jerry Flack: “But don't let it in your head. Sure you'll talk about it, that's a weakness you need to point out for confidence and believing in yourself, but you have a task to do and honestly, this task is a much bigger one than in Rebellion Pro.”
Konrad Raab: “Winning a title shot and winning the belt is the biggest one of them all. SCW company makes it so darn difficult and honestly, two years of being in the company and not winning a single title is really something I need to do right now.”
Jerry nods on Konrad making a bit more sense when it came to the match situation as it was the best thing he said in a while as he didn't know that Konrad had been in SCW for three years as it was too long to not win a single title when many others, even new wrestlers who've been around shorter than Konrad have won titles.
Jerry Flack: “Exactly right. You need to win and you must want to win it too.”
Konrad Raab: “You kidding me? Of course, I want and need to win this TV title contention match as I'm a very different guy now that uses terms of I will and I can on top of my confidence as well and that's exactly how I'm going to come to a match and win.”
Jerry Flack: “Because you know you can, but just remember to not change your confidence at all at this point because well, you don't get something like that every day.”
Konrad Raab: “I know and I'm also sick and tired of wrestlers trashing the TV title. I'd be proud as hell if I won the TV title because it's exactly how I always envisioned the champion to be, defending it every single week. It's a very psychically demanding belt and that's what I love.”
Jerry Flack: “I'm glad to hear that, really am because I know you can win against him, but do you know anything of Cassius's abilities?”
Konrad Raab: “I know one thing he's not very good on, focusing on the matches in hand.”
Wasn't really the answer Jerry was looking for when it came to Cassius abilities and had to look up his matches close and he tends to agree with Konrad.
Jerry Flack: “I do think he talks about how bad the world is and how involving politics into the business that has nothing to do with wrestling and that seems to be the only thing he talks about. You got this win in the bag, you can pin him for the three count.”
Konrad Raab: “I also can sense that he won't want to win a title contention match because I need a great moment in SCW and if it's to add in the task I've been told to do in wrestling, consider it done and let me go on camera and address to everybody.
Jerry Flack: “I agree and remember what I said to only focus on your opponent, not Kordy.”
Konrad nods as it was going to be hard to not talk about Kordy, but he knows Cassius James is a threat to Konrad right now and there were so many things to say as he knew his weaknesses and strengths and he gets his laptop ready from his bag and sets everything up to get ready to speak in front of the fans and with Jerry Flack sitting in the background, listening to everything Konrad says about his opponents.
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A very early unexpected task for me to potentially complete youtube.com shoot (On camera)
“Needless to say I was not expecting to be in the position I'm in right now when it comes to a certain title who I think gets trashed on a bit too much and let me just say this. I love the TV title because it really gives you a challenge that no other belt in SCW can provide and I'm sick of people saying it's like a minor league type belt when it's actually the hardest and most psychically demanding title to win and retain.
We all seen how well champions crack under pressure when it comes to defending the title every week and that's the thing I crave for in wrestling the most to defend the belt every single week that I step in the ring and that's totally a belt for me more than any other ones honestly because the challenge is always there for me.
I know you guys are going to expect me to talk about the Kordy incident, but I'm not going to because I'm focused a lot more on a guy who's pretty much a disgusting human being who brings up some of the vilest things I've heard in the business along with bringing up politics that's completely irrelevant to this sport, Cassius James. Now I know and aware of what you've done since you've joined SCW when you've defeated some of the top names around SCW and only lost one match since and that was last week against Owen Cruze which is one of the only things apart from us being technical wrestlers we have in common.
Of course I view you as a threat like I do with any opponent as I don't care what you look like since you keep bring up that side of things and I won't lower myself to resort to using some of the things you say because it's not something I'd ever do, but I will stick up against using politics as an excuse along with what you look like on why you aren't being treated the same as everyone else. Maybe you thought it's your anger and your cocky mouth that's the cause of all of this? Maybe if you actually took time to show respect to your opponents instead of the whole what you look like card because it's gonna lead you nowhere, but bad places.
Even more so I don't even think I believe you having the focus to keep yourself straight, especially when you barely talk about your opponents in a match which is a sign of disrespect as well. I support any wrestler stepping into this business regardless of what they look like which doesn't bother me one bit.
The point is James is you can continue to ignore me as a threat or the fact that the winner will get a TV title shot most likely next week because it's been a long damn time the last time I had a TV title match and that's one of my tasks I have to do this year is to win a title. Heck, I'm sure I've proved all of you wrong with the battle royal I took part in Union Underground on Sunday.
It's a sign with this match on me coming so far with the mental training course I was on and still being confident and prepared for my match Cassius because at least I got my head straight to focus for the title I've been chasing for two whole years and I've still not won the big one as my mentality wasn't really there.
But it is now and I'm gonna come for the belt as I need and want to win this match a lot more than you Cassius because you haven't changed and I have and tomorrow night, I will beat you in the middle of the ring with my own hands and feet to either pin you or submit you for the three count and I will be walking away from SCW Breakdown arena with a TV title shot at hand because there's nothing more I want than to be a champion in SCW.
Two years is too long and I'm confident enough to believe in myself to know I can do this and my pride and passion for the business is stronger than it's ever been, likewise how my mental trainer is helping and reminding me to not go backwards again. I'm going in the ring to win this match and going in there to vitalise me winning the TV title with that being my first belt in SCW and I'm going to deliver on it because I can and I will.
Not to mention that I'm doing this match for myself with the fans cheering on for me when I will be the next TV title contender and then I either have to face Autumn Valentine or Katie Steward who my god I want to face Katie and win the title from her after I've given her a loss after beating me last time out, but I'm a different person now and I'm gonna be so bloody aggressive to either one of you girls and Cassius in the ring of course obviously, but I want it more and I will be getting something I've fully earned and be the TV champion SCW needs and wants a champion like me and I'll proudly carry the TV title around after I've won against Cassius and after I've won against either Autumn and Katie and be ready for a war you may not get out of.
Because after the ref counts to three or you tapping out, I will hear the announcement of me being the next TV title contender along with me being the winner of the match to perform the best wrestling I know I can do tomorrow night in Miami with my arm raised in the air and have something else to look forward in the future because Cassius, you'll prepare yourself to be Iceinated by The Iceman in SCW Breakdown arena.”
Although it was in the afternoon and not long just gotten back from England after wrestling against Holly and Kenzie, it still didn't mean he was going to get away from not training since everyone else had done a lot of stuff already. He barely had time to settle down as he went straight to his room and put on his gym clothes. Of course, it was five in the afternoon when everyone was finished up for the day, it was just only the beginning for Konrad who had to do training all by himself.
Neil might be the boss of the mental training course, but he certainly wasn't his coach as it was a guy who actually accompanied Konrad to his Rebellion Pro matches to witness where he was going wrong and he did notice more than a fair share of things of where he was going wrong and why he put himself down so much as everyone on the course had their own coach. The guy was named Peter Lawley who was in his mid-twenties, wearing teacher's gear to prepare Konrad for the worst.
He knew, of course, Konrad's training was only going to be for five hours as the curfew was at eleven at night. Konrad wasn't going to be able to eat anything as there was no time. They walked to the gym together as when Peter turned the lights on, it was almost the biggest gym apart from Amy's gym he's ever seen. There are wrestling rings and a lot of gym equipment. He had only looked for a minute before the training begins.
Which it does with Konrad doing warming up excises before being told to do some Hindu Squats which, to begin with was told to do it one hundred times to see how far he could go which they see he could get to one hundred as Konrad was breathing heavily already, but only it was about to hit him when Peter told him this.
Peter Lawley: “You only halfway there.”
Konrad Raab: “I'm not done?”
Peter Lawley: “Not even close. You need to give me 50 more of these squats.”
Konrad Raab: “I'm jet-lagged.”
Peter Lawley: “I don't care, just do it.”
It was at that point, Konrad stopped arguing and debating, making up excuses as Peter saw with Konrad that he was clearly making excuses just to not continue with the training and Konrad was really struggling after the three hundred mark as he started to get slower, but was still doing it as he screamed his head off just to put some aggression into it and that it was a huge sign of him being exhausted.
Konrad already wanted to give up and he was in shock how strict Peter was, somebody who wasn't known to take shit from any of his trainees he was assigned to. Now he was pointed to go towards the weight machine and Konrad went to the wrong one, he went to the single weights where it was all arm movement and Peter said this.
Peter Lawley: “No, not those weights. Those weightlifting Olympic star ones.”
Konrad was really exhausted as he didn't know how right Neil would be that he was already going through hell as he gulped at as he went there and waits for instructions to say this.
Peter Lawley: “You stand here and give me five sets of five reps with military presses.”
Konrad Raab: “I can't.”
Peter Lawley: “No, no excuses Mr Raab. I want you to do them right now.”
He had no choice, but to go through more hell with himself as this is all about Konrad being mentally stronger which is the key thing he really lacks as Peter sees how much Konrad struggles to understand mentally to get tasks done, even in the gym as it was almost driving him crazy, but he starts off with something small before moving on with something heavier and even weights that were a lot heavier than him.
This was really unusual for Konrad to do this amount of training in five hours he had as he was yelling pretty loud each time he was lifting the weight up. It was something he really struggled with as he barely did any of it, but the heavy one was what did Konrad in mentally as the fears start to kick in on if he can even last here, let alone last on being a successful wrestler in SCW.
Peter Lawley: “Now you go over to those dumbells there and do the same.”
Konrad knew he couldn't answer back and does what he's told as it was even harder because he hadn't even touched a dumbbell before as he never used them because they were always too heavy for him and he already thought to himself, when will he ever get a break because it was already mentally tearing him down, but he had to go through with it and did the same as with the weights, except that he was doing it wrong as he says this.
Peter Lawley: “No, you don't use two hands, you use only the one.”
When he was told to use one hand, that's where the struggle really began as he barely could lift it up, not cos the weight was too heavy, it was very light, but knows he was already mentally done and it's something Peter clearly wasn't happy with at all. He wasn't happy on Konrad already wanting to throw in the towel and he reminds him to say this while he lifts up the dumbbell.
Peter Lawley: “You can't be a successful wrestler in SCW if you don't dig deep at what you do. You are going to be made as a champion and you are going to push yourself a lot deeper if you want to win an SCW title someday.”
Konrad really struggled as it was really difficult for him in his mind and he knew there's more to come which there was as it was only the beginning of his mental toughness training. He was all alone which was another problem in itself as he says this.
Konrad Raab: “I want support here cos I'm used to it along with training with other people.”
Peter Lawley: “Which is why you'll never be happy because you need other people and in the wrestling business, you have to be by yourself because they aren't gonna give a shit about you. That's the way of the real world.”
It was almost gone past an hour since Konrad started his mental toughness training which it was to get him tougher mentally. He was finished with the dumbells and then Konrad was told to run towards the mat area as Peter brought a weight with him and Konrad was breathing and pouring down with a lot of sweat and he asks a question.
Konrad Raab: “I need a drink.”
Peter accepted the request as he could see how much it was tearing Konrad down, but it's always going to be tough when Konrad hadn't gone through this sort of training since ever. He gave Konrad a large bottle of water and takes large sips before putting the lid back on and was told to go on the floor and Peter speaks.
Peter Lawley: “Now you do 5 sets of reps with you doing one legged squats and since we don't have stairs here, you have to do one the same.”
Peter demonstrated to Konrad how to do them from various of positions before Konrad started to do them himself as Peter saw he didn't really fully get it.
Peter Lawley: “You need to have your arms out without bending them.”
Konrad was almost at a point of giving up as he's fighting against how mentally exhausted he was and he continued until he attempted to walk away, but Peter wasn't having it as went to get Konrad from leaving and told him to go back and finish the task he was told to do. Konrad, of course, got back to it from encouragement as Peter makes sure the doors are locked to prevent Konrad from escaping.
Konrad Raab: “This is bloody difficult.”
Peter Lawley: “It might be, but so is everything else in life, especially when you've not done any of this training that's pushing you outside of your comfort zone.”
Peter was right of course as all of the excises Konrad was doing was completely out of what he usually does. He wasn't really doing well, but the point was to finish them and do the best he could as he felt he was going to be sick with how difficult he was finding it, being afraid of the tasks and there's still more to come. He finally reached doing five sets of reps with one-legged squat which almost took him an hour to complete.
He ran towards where Peter pointed him next as there was a skipping rope on the floor and he picked it up which is something he was very comfortable doing as he's done them many times before, but while Peter saw it was very easy for Konrad to do, he was going to push his limits even more and says this.
Peter Lawley: “You're using this for forty-five minutes. Then when you're done, you'll come to me where the stairs are.”
Konrad focused on using a jump rope and Peter went to where the bags were and picked two of them to place by the stairs for a bit later. It was really draining Konrad a heck of a lot, but he got where Neil was coming from that he was already going through hell and it's the most demanding and worst kind of training Konrad's ever gone through.
Forty five minutes later, he decided to take a seat as he barely had any rest and drank nearly the whole bottle just to get some fluids in him and then he went to get another large bottle which he took almost half of the water that was in there and puts the lid on before leaving the gym to run where the stairs were.
There were bags on the floor and he looks up at the number of floors there was as it was another task potential Konrad's done before or so he thought as Peter says this.
Peter Lawley: “You are going to put these 2 10 kilograms bags in your arms without lifting it on your shoulder and you go up and down those stairs fifty times. I may tell you to do more, I may get you to carry more kilograms, but you need to get this done.”
Konrad Raab: “I want to rest, I can't take much more of this training.”
Peter Lawley: “You are saying this because you aren't used to this kind of intense training and you aren't used to dealing with pressure well. I know this because Neil told me. You can't quit and walk away in a middle of a wrestling match, that's not how it works as you finish the match, and it's the same with this. Now go up and come down fifty times with bags in your arms, not lifting it above your head or your shoulder.”
Then it was the last couple of hours of Konrad starting to walk up and down the stairs before being told to run with bags getting heavier which reached well up to one hundred kilograms of bags he had to keep at arm's length. He then goes back into the gym to give himself a quick drink of water which he finishes his second bottle before being told to climb up the rope ten times without using his legs which meant he had to use his body weight to get himself up there.
It wasn't an easy session at all as he had tried many times to give up and has at one point, especially at the part of the training making him feel sick. Five hours was finally up after he done forty rope climbs and they had a bit of time to gather up thoughts about Konrad's training.
Peter Lawley: “You need a heck a lot of work, I'm serious because your body language says everything about how it reacted to your training.”
Konrad Raab: “I'm scared and feeling sick Peter. This has killed the hell out of me.”
Peter Lawley: “Everyone today did exactly the same training as you and some really struggled from what I've been told, but you really struggled. It's all in your head. You say you can't do it, but you can.”
Konrad Raab: “I failed. I just don't know if I can keep up with this. So tired right now that I want to go to bed.”
Peter Lawley “You've been saying that since you started training, but your limits are needing to be pushed and psychically, you're a very strong guy, but your mental toughness isn't. Out of every client I've worked with, your mental toughness is one of the weakest I've seen and I need to push you extra harder than I originally thought.”
Konrad Raab: “That was pure torture.”
That's how Konrad feels about the five hour training he went through as it should've been longer in reality, but because of the curfew and because of travelling to America today, it had to be cut short and Konrad wanted to lie on the floor for a bit as he breaths heavily and has lost a lot of sweat which obviously Peter needed to clean up.
Peter Lawley: “Neil told you it will get worse before it gets better and it has gotten the best out of you today. It really has because you're in tears.”
Konrad Raab: “Cos I feel like I'm hurt, hurt because I'm in pain.”
Peter Lawley: “You aren't hurt, you just feel hurt in your brain. Your brain is telling you to say those things because of what you've gone through. You go to your room and get some sleep and then first thing in the morning, you must write in your diary how you felt and what you've done today. I see you tomorrow.”
Konrad sighed of relief, for the first time in his entire life, he was so glad the mental toughness training was over as he picked a towel that's left for him in the corner and wiped the sweat off from him before he uses the loo and takes a shower. He comes out of the shower after getting changed into his regular clothes and was given a small chicken salad which everyone had for dinner today and a protein bar to lead himself to the bedroom he was assigned to with three other lads who were in the room.
A dark lad in his thirties: “You're stressed as fuck.”
Konrad Raab: “That was pure hell what I went through.”
White guy from Mexico who's in his late twenties: “It was for all of us, but it looks like you've come off it the worst.”
Konrad Raab: “Because I wasn't used to that type of training. I'm just so tired and need to sleep.”
Dark lad: “Of course, you do look exhausted and tired man. Have a good night.”
If there's one thing Konrad brought with him, it's the teddy bear he had when he was a kid while being in the army for a little while because it calmed him down when he was in very tough situations, even talking to it at times. He puts his bedclothes on which was assigned to everyone in yellow and red pyjamas with white spots on them. He gets into bed and goes straight off to sleep, hugging his teddy bear due to how much hell the training in his mind was today as the alarm went off for every lad to go off to go to their rooms and go off to sleep.
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What mind frame is Konrad in after the Kordy attack last week? Miami, Florida. Tuesday 3rd July. (Off camera)
Of course the mind frame for the result of the match wasn't needed in this case as he won the match with complete focus and it would likely come sooner than later, but the mind frame was more what happened after he won against Dustin Adams which surprised everybody as nobody saw Konrad winning the match, especially how dominant Dustin had been with other wrestlers, but that's already one big test Konrad had to deal with on how he'd cope with the situation he was faced with the attack he got from Kordy who spiked Konrad in his throat, leaving him coughing up blood backstage.
Of course as usual in their hotel room, Konrad was with Jerry Flack who was Konrad's mental trainer to keep him focused for the matches up ahead, but it was a massive problem as while Konrad would love to focus on the title match, it still clouded something over his head about the incident and he literally says this.
Konrad Raab: “I need to know how the hell I deal with this.”
Jerry Flack: “I know you have every right to be frustrated, but you got a much bigger task to handle coming up and the last thing I want to see is you freaking out.”
Konrad Raab: “Can you blame me?”
Jerry Flack: “No I don't, but the fact is you can't allow to show SCW crowd how much you can easily be snapped again. Remember what you learned in the course that you can't let the tiniest of things bother you. Focus on what you have up ahead.”
Konrad Raab: “Explain how I'm meant to focus on my match against Cassius James if Kordy is waiting to strike at me? It's dri.....................”
Jerry knew Konrad would explode at Jerry at some point because that's the kind of guy he was after Jerry got to know a bit more about him and Jerry's concerned about the other goal that's waiting for him, something he could not be expecting and something he hadn't mentioned on Twitter at all as he places his hand on Konrad's mouth.
Jerry Flack: “Calm down. I think I better leave the room until you get yourself sorted because I have news for you, but I'm not gonna tell you if you're freaking out. Listen to music and close your eyes for a minute and then I'll come in.”
Konrad Raab: “No, you aren't leaving.”
Jerry Flack: “Watch me.”
Jerry got up from his bed and left Konrad alone as it was still bothering him so much that he screamed, of course, nobody knows the overall reaction to what Konrad felt as it was all kept behind closed doors. He decided to do what Jerry told him to do, listening to music and closing his eyes along with taking a deep breath as he visualises only Cassius James on how much another match win meant to him how much it would mean to the entire world to come back from being depressed to being mentally tough.
After listening to a couple of songs and having the room being very quiet, Jerry comes in and sees how relaxed Konrad is as he takes his headphones off and wakes up from visualising his opponent and he already felt better as he asks the question.
Konrad Raab: “So what's the big news?”
Jerry Flack: “The news is that your match with Cassius James is more than just a regular match.”
Konrad Raab: “What you talking about?”
Jerry Flack: “I'm talking about one of the tasks you've shown me on Sunday on the list of things to achieve.”
Konrad Raab: “I was confident in my match with Dustin, there are no battle royals in SCW and I know I won't have a title shot.”
Jerry Flack: “The first two, I agree, but there's something about this last one that you need to pay attention to.”
Konrad sits there, waiting for what Jerry's about to say when it comes to matches. Of course, he has told Konrad to isolate himself and do extreme mental toughness training, but for what? Konrad wasn't gonna say anything as Jerry says this.
Jerry Flack: “Do you know why I told you to do mental toughness training and isolating yourself from everybody lately?”
Konrad Raab: “No.”
Jerry Flack: “Because your match against Cassius James is a TV title opportunity. That's why I wanted you to be calm and that's why I told you to do those things cos I can't sup.............”
Konrad Raab: “I know and that's why I'm glad you're here because if I was on my own, I'd fear to go back to how I was.”
Jerry Flack: “You see, this is what I want you to focus on. As you've been told, you shouldn't worry what people say or do too much and you did do it then, but I hope it won't be mentioned in the video.”
Konrad sighed as he was always someone who admitted when he did wrong or said something wrong as that's the personality he has, being the kind and caring guy. Everyone knows it and Konrad remembered what Jerry said on what Peter told him and he says this.
Konrad Raab: “It won't because now you've woken me up, there's more than enough reasons for my focus to be completely on Cassius. I don't like the amount of preaching he says to people. It's pretty disgusting the way he goes on about things and I do..............”
Jerry Flack: “Let me stop you right there before you even dare to go to that way again.”
Konrad Raab: “It wasn't about wrestling and my ability to beat him. What I'm saying is I don't like how he uses some disgusting language. He's taking the piss out of people's race is basically what I'm saying. He claims that black wrestlers matter when I already know that from losing to Dante Culter the other day.”
Jerry Flack: “But don't let it in your head. Sure you'll talk about it, that's a weakness you need to point out for confidence and believing in yourself, but you have a task to do and honestly, this task is a much bigger one than in Rebellion Pro.”
Konrad Raab: “Winning a title shot and winning the belt is the biggest one of them all. SCW company makes it so darn difficult and honestly, two years of being in the company and not winning a single title is really something I need to do right now.”
Jerry nods on Konrad making a bit more sense when it came to the match situation as it was the best thing he said in a while as he didn't know that Konrad had been in SCW for three years as it was too long to not win a single title when many others, even new wrestlers who've been around shorter than Konrad have won titles.
Jerry Flack: “Exactly right. You need to win and you must want to win it too.”
Konrad Raab: “You kidding me? Of course, I want and need to win this TV title contention match as I'm a very different guy now that uses terms of I will and I can on top of my confidence as well and that's exactly how I'm going to come to a match and win.”
Jerry Flack: “Because you know you can, but just remember to not change your confidence at all at this point because well, you don't get something like that every day.”
Konrad Raab: “I know and I'm also sick and tired of wrestlers trashing the TV title. I'd be proud as hell if I won the TV title because it's exactly how I always envisioned the champion to be, defending it every single week. It's a very psychically demanding belt and that's what I love.”
Jerry Flack: “I'm glad to hear that, really am because I know you can win against him, but do you know anything of Cassius's abilities?”
Konrad Raab: “I know one thing he's not very good on, focusing on the matches in hand.”
Wasn't really the answer Jerry was looking for when it came to Cassius abilities and had to look up his matches close and he tends to agree with Konrad.
Jerry Flack: “I do think he talks about how bad the world is and how involving politics into the business that has nothing to do with wrestling and that seems to be the only thing he talks about. You got this win in the bag, you can pin him for the three count.”
Konrad Raab: “I also can sense that he won't want to win a title contention match because I need a great moment in SCW and if it's to add in the task I've been told to do in wrestling, consider it done and let me go on camera and address to everybody.
Jerry Flack: “I agree and remember what I said to only focus on your opponent, not Kordy.”
Konrad nods as it was going to be hard to not talk about Kordy, but he knows Cassius James is a threat to Konrad right now and there were so many things to say as he knew his weaknesses and strengths and he gets his laptop ready from his bag and sets everything up to get ready to speak in front of the fans and with Jerry Flack sitting in the background, listening to everything Konrad says about his opponents.
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A very early unexpected task for me to potentially complete youtube.com shoot (On camera)
“Needless to say I was not expecting to be in the position I'm in right now when it comes to a certain title who I think gets trashed on a bit too much and let me just say this. I love the TV title because it really gives you a challenge that no other belt in SCW can provide and I'm sick of people saying it's like a minor league type belt when it's actually the hardest and most psychically demanding title to win and retain.
We all seen how well champions crack under pressure when it comes to defending the title every week and that's the thing I crave for in wrestling the most to defend the belt every single week that I step in the ring and that's totally a belt for me more than any other ones honestly because the challenge is always there for me.
I know you guys are going to expect me to talk about the Kordy incident, but I'm not going to because I'm focused a lot more on a guy who's pretty much a disgusting human being who brings up some of the vilest things I've heard in the business along with bringing up politics that's completely irrelevant to this sport, Cassius James. Now I know and aware of what you've done since you've joined SCW when you've defeated some of the top names around SCW and only lost one match since and that was last week against Owen Cruze which is one of the only things apart from us being technical wrestlers we have in common.
Of course I view you as a threat like I do with any opponent as I don't care what you look like since you keep bring up that side of things and I won't lower myself to resort to using some of the things you say because it's not something I'd ever do, but I will stick up against using politics as an excuse along with what you look like on why you aren't being treated the same as everyone else. Maybe you thought it's your anger and your cocky mouth that's the cause of all of this? Maybe if you actually took time to show respect to your opponents instead of the whole what you look like card because it's gonna lead you nowhere, but bad places.
Even more so I don't even think I believe you having the focus to keep yourself straight, especially when you barely talk about your opponents in a match which is a sign of disrespect as well. I support any wrestler stepping into this business regardless of what they look like which doesn't bother me one bit.
The point is James is you can continue to ignore me as a threat or the fact that the winner will get a TV title shot most likely next week because it's been a long damn time the last time I had a TV title match and that's one of my tasks I have to do this year is to win a title. Heck, I'm sure I've proved all of you wrong with the battle royal I took part in Union Underground on Sunday.
It's a sign with this match on me coming so far with the mental training course I was on and still being confident and prepared for my match Cassius because at least I got my head straight to focus for the title I've been chasing for two whole years and I've still not won the big one as my mentality wasn't really there.
But it is now and I'm gonna come for the belt as I need and want to win this match a lot more than you Cassius because you haven't changed and I have and tomorrow night, I will beat you in the middle of the ring with my own hands and feet to either pin you or submit you for the three count and I will be walking away from SCW Breakdown arena with a TV title shot at hand because there's nothing more I want than to be a champion in SCW.
Two years is too long and I'm confident enough to believe in myself to know I can do this and my pride and passion for the business is stronger than it's ever been, likewise how my mental trainer is helping and reminding me to not go backwards again. I'm going in the ring to win this match and going in there to vitalise me winning the TV title with that being my first belt in SCW and I'm going to deliver on it because I can and I will.
Not to mention that I'm doing this match for myself with the fans cheering on for me when I will be the next TV title contender and then I either have to face Autumn Valentine or Katie Steward who my god I want to face Katie and win the title from her after I've given her a loss after beating me last time out, but I'm a different person now and I'm gonna be so bloody aggressive to either one of you girls and Cassius in the ring of course obviously, but I want it more and I will be getting something I've fully earned and be the TV champion SCW needs and wants a champion like me and I'll proudly carry the TV title around after I've won against Cassius and after I've won against either Autumn and Katie and be ready for a war you may not get out of.
Because after the ref counts to three or you tapping out, I will hear the announcement of me being the next TV title contender along with me being the winner of the match to perform the best wrestling I know I can do tomorrow night in Miami with my arm raised in the air and have something else to look forward in the future because Cassius, you'll prepare yourself to be Iceinated by The Iceman in SCW Breakdown arena.”