“Built, not born”: Coach Krupar on building strength, discipline and character
By Roman Gallitz
Studies have shown a positive correlation between physical activity and mental health. However, it’s challenging to find the motivation to achieve the benefits of physical activity. Staying motivated for days, months, and even years can be enough to turn someone away from even trying - a big reason why many people don’t exercise.
Jake Krupar /
Photo from Muskingum.edu
Jake Krupar, the Fighting Muskies' head baseball coach, thinks people can motivate themselves on occasion, but motivation alone is not the key to success; rather, he believes one should learn self-discipline. Krupar says that the best ballplayers he gets to coach are ones who demonstrate high levels of self-discipline.
Discipline is, in the words of boxing legend Mike Tyson, “doing what you hate to do, but nonetheless doing it like you love it.”
According to Krupar, discipline is learned through doing hard things when you don’t want to do them; however, discipline alone may not be enough for someone to stay committed to an exercise routine.
To this, Krupar describes how progress made from working out can be motivating in itself. “You start to see your muscles get a little more defined… and once you see that, it’s almost like a drug, you want more of it,” Krupar said. He believes that time spent in the weight room has allowed him to go beyond what he thought he was capable of. It is an attitude that carries over into his daily life, too.
Krupar said that exercising has taught him how to be a more present and mindful person. Exercising boosts his energy levels and improves his mood, enabling him to be a better coach and person overall. However, according to a Harvard Health article, these claims aren’t just his opinion; exercise improves mood, increases energy, and promotes deeper sleep.
“It's tough to be present, especially in today's world with all the distractions that we have,” Krupar said. So sometimes I'll put my phone aside, turn some music on, and honestly, I'll even have some of my best thoughts while I'm lifting weights or going for a run because I'm not focused on a million things. I’m focused on the task at hand and it just clears your mind. It kind of gets me back to center.”
Krupar has accomplished more than he thought possible in his life. He was a four-year baseball letter-winner at the University of Toledo – an NCAA Division 1 school - and has coached at various collegiate schools since. Now, he believes he’s got the best job in the world by coaching Muskingum’s baseball team. He’s aiming to lead his team to the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament and championship this season; his standard wouldn’t allow anything less.
Krupar’s mindset largely stems from years of exercise, athletics and the skills he’s picked up from them. Using what he’s learned from his experiences, Krupar takes great pride in building the best baseball program he can; perhaps more importantly, he aims to build quality men of value through said program.
Picture the person you want to be in one year, five years, or even 10 years. Think about how they look, how they act, and how they feel. Most likely, that person lives with enthusiasm each day. They are also successful, in good shape, and have goals. Now think about what needs to be done to become this person.
It doesn’t have to be a life-changing move at first. Start small and build your way towards greatness. Eventually, you’ll get hooked on the drug that is consistent growth, similar to what Krupar said. If you feel as if you want to make a positive change in your life, consider adding exercise to your life. Just remember this: nothing changes if nothing changes.
“Motivation comes from within and discipline comes from within,” Krupar said. “But I think you can learn discipline, I don't think you can learn motivation. Motivation is that fire within you, right? But let's face it, we're all human, we're not going to have that fire every single day, it's just not the way life works, right? Life's going to kick you around a little bit, steal your lunch money every now and again, right? So you're not always going to have that fire, but what you can have is brain power and the discipline to do something even when you don't want to do it. But I do think you can learn discipline.”
