According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, “to lose” can be defined as: (1) “to miss from one's possession or from a customary or supposed place” or (2) “to suffer deprivation of.”  To the man, English tries to simplify this simple word into an even simpler meaning; the vernacular tries to make the word “loss” a black-and-white term which thus tarnishes the running world’s definition – to NOT take 1st place.  But what if there was a man who truly understood the meaning of a loss, and simply doesn’t care what YOU think the term means?  To Coach Paul Williams, “to lose” can be defined as simply “to not try.”

     So, how could winning a track State Championship ever be considered as unsuccessful?  In Coach Paul’s words, “dropping out of events so that you could specialize in one particular race: that’s not competing.  But being extremely competitive in several events and making a run for a title wherever possible: now that’s the determination and drive that I am used to.”   Williams doesn’t see any type of “settling” for victory as remotely victorious, and furthermore doesn’t approve of how people treat such unaccomplished victors.  “You might never win a district championship or you might never win a state title, but you can always PR.  Our society is so caught up on looking at the ‘winner,’ not the guy who has taken a minute off his time and may end up being a national contender in the long run.  The ones who keep improving will be setting the bar down the road.”

     Well, if you haven’t caught on to Coach Williams’ in-your-face, old-school lingo, then “training with an attitude” probably isn’t your cup of Gatorade.  Some of you may still feel that a personal trainer at the local gym is the best scenario.  Indeed, that may be the case for the readers still scared to push their training to the next level.

     For the serious athletes still tuned in: you may be wondering if there was a personal coach that turned you away unless you were 100% committed to him?  What if he explicitly stated that he doesn’t want to train you unless you are up for his challenges?  Certainly compliments are not commonplace, when a coach tells prospective athletes “If you’re looking for a compassionate, nurturing trainer who will hold your hand and stroke your ego: Look somewhere else!”  But the reality of the situation is clear – Coach Paul Williams is in fact one of Florida’s best kept secrets.

     Even if the coach is somewhat hidden from the Florida running scene, he’s not afraid to deliver his message: “I don’t mean to sound egotistical, but a lot of people don’t really know what I do, even if they think they do.  The truth is – this program is not for everybody.”  Based out of Sarasota, Williams’ training regimen focuses primarily on discipline, intensity, and adherence to strict form.  Having 20+ years of experience in Wado Ryu, Aikido, and Ju Jitsu as well as accomplishing numerous accolades in basketball and track & field from his youth, Coach Paul emphasizes the importance of having a superior work ethic to one’s competitor.  He believes that you should not be afraid to toe the line and say, “You go after me and I’ll go after you.  And let the best man win.”

     On Williams’ website he describes his method to specialize in “functional speed and movement development with further concentrations in performance analysis, specific-sport conditioning, building mental muscle and issues concerning asthmatic athletes.”  A Nationally Certified USATF coach, Williams has helped improve speed, strength, and endurance for top-tier athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.  But besides helping out dozens of NFL, MLB, and NCAA teams, the coach’s true rhythm flows with the sport of track & field.  “I always tell people that track is the best sport that there is.  It’s up to you if you don’t like getting beat.  You can do something about it.”  A standout sprinter and long jumper during his college years, Coach Paul had always thrived under the pressure of track & field – a characteristic that can be hidden in other sports.  “You are on your own and under the spotlight when you step onto the track; that always made me want to compete at my best.”   

     Certainly Coach Paul makes this message clear to his athletes: racing on a track gives instant results.  It’s true – a track race can either bring out the best or the worst in a runner; that’s why William’s strictness and assertiveness in workout sessions emphasizes instantaneous corrections.  His interactive teaching style expects athletes to be punctual and willing to accept constructive criticism…frequently.  “When I see an athlete start to lose form or ease-out his or her last rep, I remind them that championships are won right now [at practice], not later [at the race].”

     Indeed, giving Coach Paul Williams a try would not be a “loss,” considering he will work you past what you once thought was possible.  But what defines a “win”?  Well, that’s up to the coach to decide.  But if you walk away from Coach Paul’s workouts and your rivaled competitor pops into your mind, then you think “That kid is supposed to be fast?  Let’s find out.” – you may then understand the text on that hefty, stolid man’s shirt: “Shut up and run.”