Five tips for mastering your domain from one of the worlds’ best shot putters

It’s hard not to love Austin Simply Fit Trainer Hayden Baillio. He’s like a big teddy bear, always walking around the gym with a smile. But don’t mistake his kind heart for a lack grit. Hayden is a living example of Austin Simply Fit’s mantra: I will not accept mediocrity.

Hayden, a former member of the 2013 University of Texas Mens Track and Field Championship Team, puts in the hours and the sweat required to be the best at his event: shot put. Hayden is among the top 30 professional shot putters in the world. Later this month he plans to throw a distance that will qualify him for the USA Track and Field Indoor National Championships which will take place at the end of February.

“The reason I love Track and Field is because it is my time to shine. No one, besides me, can take credit for where the shot put lands when I throw it,” Hayden said.  I am the master of my domain in that moment. I control my destiny. It is a macho thing.”

Hayden’s desire to be the “master of his domain” explains why he also loves and excels in the world of powerlifting.  After a seven  year hiatus, Hayden lifted 1,800 lbs in the APF Gary Pendergrass Memorial Powerlifting Meet in Orange, Texas last December, taking 2nd Place overall.

“You have to go up to the bar and lift it off the ground. There is no other way to get the white lights. Shot put is the same way. I have to show up and throw the shot put further than everyone else if I want to win. The beauty of the shot put lies in the simplicity of it,” Hayden said.

So what drives Hayden’s success? We asked him. Here’s what he said.

Tip #1: Believe
– This is the most important thing I have ever learned. From a young age my parents programmed me to believe that I could achieve anything I set my mind too. No obstacle was too hard and no goal was out of reach. I distinctly remember going to bed every night as a young boy and my mother/father making me recite “If its to be, its up to me!” These words have stuck with me for my whole life guiding me to each new challenge and helping me conquer it.

Tip #2: Visualize
– Visualization is arguably the other most important thing in my life. If you want something in life/sports/school you have to go get it. The easiest way to get to your goal is to visualize yourself obtaining it. All the sudden you see your whole world starts revolving around that goal, and subconsciously you will take the necessary steps to reach that goal. Once again as a child my father used to tell me that if I visualize in my head every night, standing on the podium at the olympics, then it will come true.

Tip #3: Work Hard
– There is no substitute for working hard. Someone out there is trying to beat you at all times. You are only as good as the work you put in. I have seen extremely talented athletes fall short of expectations or their potential because they were lazy. Work hard when it’s time to go lift. Work hard when it’s time to study. Work. Hard. Period. Work hard and you will reap the fruits of your labors.

Tip #4: Be Genuine. Be You.
– Don’t be someone you are not. The sooner you realize that, you will go farther than you ever thought possible. There are no “cool kids” or “nerds”. There is only genuine people and people who are trying to be someone they are not. Be kind and love your neighbors. You will live a life much fuller when you value other people as much as you value yourself.

Tip #5: Be Confident. Stay Humble.
– This one took me a very long time to learn, and I am sure I have many more lessons in this subject before my time is up. It is extremely important to never doubt yourself but never get to the point of cockiness. We are not invincible. Give information and receive it graciously. We do not know everything. There is always a lesson to be learned. Learn how to soak in the quality information and brush off the haters. You are powerful beyond measure.