Careful what you ask for

My last post was all about the woes of owning your own business. I had somebody find my website and wants me to train his 14,12 and 9 year old boys for football camp. Basic football conditioning and agility. Right up my alley. He wants 6 sessions over the next 2 weeks. Hmmmm I'm thinking I could really charge him what I should and make a big chunk of change. I think it over and settle on $400 for the 6 sessions. A nice chunk for school clothes and supplies. I'm so excited. I can't wait to beat the boys into a pulp.

Then I meet with them.

The oldest? In bed.

"Part of your job is just getting him off the couch."

Me: "I don't do bed extractions. He needs to be ready for me. The clock is ticking."

After much whining, yelling and complete disrespect for his parents he goes. Sucking wind the whole time. I'm beside myself. Half way through they are pissing and moaning so badly I'm ready to hand the check back. Actually, they weren't moaning. They flat out REFUSED to participate. Take an "F" for the class attitude.

I tried everything. Be their friend, be an asshole, humiliate them, outrun them, out pushup them. All that did was leave me exhausted.

I tried giving them the benefit of the doubt- maybe they were just tired or not sure what to expect for their first time.

Second meeting was much better. They ran hard, they didn't try to kill each other the whole time and they were...almost...nice to me. I helped them in the gym. They tried.

Today I show up at the house for more running @ the field. Oldest is in bed.

Mom: "I need your help getting him out of here."

Me: "I have to leave @ 11:15. He needs to get his butt up or I'm taking the others out. I don't have time for this"

There is much screaming, the boy walks all over his obscenely ginormous house flopping on beds and couches. He flops on the basement couch. His mother walks downstairs to get him. He walks up about 2 minutes later.

Then I hear a knock. Then a banging/kicking at the door.

He locked his mother in the basement.

I send the youngest downstairs to free her.

I told her if that happened in my house, there would be a story on the news about a boy being chained in the basement for 30 days and nights.

Finally, after what seems like eternity but is actually 15 minutes we make our way out. The oldest is giving me lip. I'm telling him to change the way he looks at this, look at it as an advantage, blah blah blah. He says in a disrespectful voice "Oh I'm so happy I get to run and sweat."

I whip around. "I don't give a rat's ass how you speak to your parents. But I'll be DAMNED if you're going to try it with me. I don't give a shit what you do. I've already got my money. You can sit you sweet ass down in the grass and suck your thumb for all I care."

He sat for about 20 minutes of the conditioning. I said "You may want to do a little something. You're Dad will be pissed off". He got up and did some running. When he applied himself- he was a killer athlete. But he just didn't care.

I've had a lot of different types of clients over the years. Many aren't crazy about working out, but they know it's good for them. THey may not want to be there, but 99% end up sucking it up and getting it over with.

This group of boys is a first for me. THey just refuse. How do you 'make' somebody do it? Not to mention how incredibly disrespectful they are. For me to be horrified- that says a lot. Locking your Mother in the basement in front of a semi-stranger? HELL to the No! I would MURDER my children if they ever acted like that. Shit, I'd make it a public execution.

The good news? Tomorrow is the last time this week I see them. Then 2 days. Then they can kiss my ass!!!