By Haley Kim
For students chasing more than just speed or strength, Zero G (Zero Gravity) Club is where discipline, drive, and consistency are built year-round. It began simply as a pole vaulting group until Coach Paul expanded the club to include all field events. Zero G blends together a culture of goofiness and grit, creating a special family that keeps each other accountable and gives a sense of belonging. If you’re looking to be a part of this high-flying crew, here are Coach Paul’s top 5 rules to get you started:
1- Never give up (there is no can’t)
A very self-explanatory rule, but always overlooked. A casual “I can’t do it,” will get you caught doing extra push-ups and leave a bad first impression. Instead, push through those difficult workouts without complaint even when you’re exhausted, and over time, you’ll notice how much stronger you become because of it. Don’t be discouraged by the person next to you who seems to be lifting so much more weight than you. Your attitude comes before your performance, because once you’ve got that down, the sky’s your limit.
2- Paul is always right
It’s tempting to argue with a coach who says you’re wrong when you believe your actions are correct. But, at the end of the day, Paul is always right. And even if you don’t believe it at the moment, it’ll dawn on you sooner or later. Once you hear that sarcastic “I’ve been coaching for like two weeks,” you know he’s seen the same mistake happen hundreds of times. So save yourself the argument and just know he’s right.
3- See rule #2
He’s pretty big on this one.
4- Don’t be a wuss
Don’t get cocky, have a “me first” attitude or refuse to accept criticism. Simply put, let’s not become a person in the club that everyone secretly hates but can’t say anything about.
5- Don’t lose to Jessica (good luck with that one)
A legend. A queen. A forever record holder. You can’t possibly beat the extraordinary Jessica, who broke state records, got first place in countless meets, and has a 12-second 100m hurdle record. She will pick up on any event in track and field, then break a school record on the first day….you can try to beat her, but you’ll need all the luck you can get.
P.S. Throwing up is a good thing! If you start to feel your insides churn, don’t be embarrassed. The only catch is, don’t stop running! That’s the important bit. Throwing up shows your effort and how much you’re physically pushing your body, but continuing and finishing that workout.
But as much as Zero G sounds like an intimidating boot camp, don’t let it stop you from asking to join. One of my biggest regrets is not joining Zero G in middle school because I was too nervous to ask. Ultimately, Coach Paul is always ready to help anyone who is willing to show up and put in the work. Once you settle in, put on a good attitude and stay consistent, you don’t just become part of a club– you become part of a family. So if you have even the slightest urge to join, just take that leap! You’ll thank yourself later.