What is Brutal Training?

Brutal Training is dedicated to all those that dare to question and aren’t afraid of the answers they may find.

Brutal Training is essentially a melting pot of ideas and opinions aimed to provide useful information for the physical, mental and spiritual development of the athlete and punter alike.

This web site evolved out of the need to provide the ever increasing number of athletes that train with Brutal coaches a reference that they can refer to and be referred to as they develop.

Who is Brutal - The Trainers

Chris Burns

Dr. Burns or ‘The Unit’ as he is also known is a pro beach volleyball player and president of Beach Volleyball Victoria. Chris is renowned as one of the fastest defenders on the Australian Beach Volleyball tour. Outside of playing, Chris is also one of Victoria’s top beach volleyball coaches. The Unit is famous for the savagery of the beatings he delivers at Wednesday’s Dynamic Athletic Training (DAT) sessions.

Burnsy contributes regularly to this site as the author of Mind Games and various articles throughout. You’ll find many a Burnsy beating in Building he Beast or Snakes & Ladders.

Although Chris is a specialist beach volleyball coach he also trains athletes and punters alike in general fitness, explosive power development and jumping ability. Chris played a significant role in helping prepare Haydn for the Australian Long Drive (golf) titles.

For any information regarding coaching and/or services he provides feel free to Private Messenger Chris on the Brutal forum or contact him through the site on contacts@brutaltraining.com.

“The Unit is responsible for holding the Brutal ship together. He is the only one of us that maintains a truly ‘big picture mentality’. We often discuss philosophy when training and I am intrigued by his insights as he ventures further down the rabbit-hole. Dr. Burns offers a lot as a coach both in terms of physical and technical development but also in terms of building the confidence of his clients.” H

Haydn Ellis

The founder of Brutal Training, H is a self-styled super performance coach that specialises in getting the best performances out of athletes when it counts most, game day. His obsession with the discovery and application of the universal principles behind ultimate performance has provided the opportunity to work with athletes from a variety of disciplines.

H predominantly works with professional and high level amateur athletes but has worked with businessmen and musicians alike in developing what he calls ideal ‘frame of mind’. His goal is to firstly turn players into athletes through physical, technical and strategic development but then to turn athletes into warriors through development of that intangible of intangibles, spirit.

He has and continues to work with fighters and martial artists, football players from various codes (including Gaelic, AFL, NRL and Union), golfers, beach volleyball players, kayakers, tennis players, yoga instructors and coaching the coaches of various sports. He works with athletes both in person and online.

Haydn can be contacted via the forum or through email at contacts@brutaltraining.com.

'H is a living example of a true warrior, he demonstrates through both his actions and his words what correct function and spirit mean. H's understanding of 'the truth'  is exceptional and has taught me more about truth, courage, friendship, and life more than any other person'
David Kelso

David Kelso

Based in Scotland, Kelso is the founder of Brutal Europe (www.brutaleurope.blogspot.com). Kelso has years of experience in all manner of training methodologies and sporting pursuits including, Hand balancing, gymnastics, martial arts, MMA,  contortion, Parkour, military experience and other performance arts.

Kelso regularly contributes to this site with his articles entitled Lion’s Den and Lion’s Roar.

Kelso is a ‘strength and conditioning’ expert and not only writes for Brutal but has articles posted on credible sites including Underground Strength Coach.

Kelso provides training services including general fitness, Brutal training sessions, bodyweight and underground strength training, flexibility training, jungle training, nutrition and philosophical study for a wide a variety of athletes from martial artists to Hockey players, and members of the public to security personnel.

Kelso can be contacted through PM on the Brutal forum or through email at contacts@brutaltraining.com.

“DK has been nothing but a blessing to Brutal Training. He has provided us with enormous insight, wisdom and experience and continues to do so via his articles, web site and posts on the forum. Kelso is incredibly gifted physically, spiritually aware and far beyond driven in terms of self-exploration and understanding. I have learnt a great deal about life, training and courage from the ‘little lion’.” H

Ben Newton

‘Frank’ is the co-owner of Spike Magazine (www.spikemag.com.au) & Spike Design and is the creative mastermind behind the Brutal web site and all of Brutal’s creative productions. He is a pro beach volleyball player in his own right and is one half of Team Brutal (www.teambrutal.com). Ben recently won the inaugural King of the Beach Moomba Festival tournament in Melbourne beating all on-comers from both Victoria and interstate.

With a lengthy career in basketball and a nickname of ‘jumpin’ Ben provides his clients with a wealth of experience in the explosive power arena, in particular jump height and hang time. Frank also trains beach volleyball players and runs DAT sessions.

For any information regarding coaching and/or services he provides feel free to Private Messenger Ben on the Brutal forum or contact him through the site on contacts@brutaltraining.com.

“Frank can not only be described as an incredible athlete but more importantly as a ferocious competitor. When the whole Brutal Training concept started to become overwhelming, it was Frank and the Unit that stood up and offered their help. Frank spends hours developing our site and works for next to nothing. Aside from the web site stuff and professional sporting career he is also becoming a well-rounded physical and technical coach of athletes and punters alike.” H

Adam Regan

Adam was one of the first to begin training Brutal specifically for the biggest, toughest game of all, life. With an interest predominantly in training for training’s sake and a fascination with the human condition Adam has trained in all facets of Brutal from physical beatings to the rabbit-hole of awareness training. A gifted musician, Ads has provided some of the background music to the Brutal movies. He is Brutal’s profile in issue 17 of Shitfighter.

His training philosophy involves guiding people ‘by any unbiased means possible’ on their own evolutionary journey of self discovery and fulfilment by way of truth from experience. He also stresses that no person or teaching is your answer, but rather a source of guidance on your journey of personal discovery. He believes you must constantly research, experiment and experience your own truths.

Adam is training people out of Newcastle in NSW, Australia. He currently trains defence force personnel in explosive power, strength & conditioning as well as awareness training. If you are based in Newcastle and want to train with one of Brutal’s toughest exponents, contact Adam, either via this web site or through brutal_newcastle@hotmail.com.

“Adam is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever trained. It is toughness without ego. Ad’s is a natural leader and one of the most sincere guys you’ll ever meet. Adam’s comprehension of self through awareness training has been startling. Anyone that has the opportunity to train with him can consider themselves very fortunate.” H

Andrew Read
Andrew Read has been a contributor to Brutal before it even really existed.

When we were all learning to play volleyball he came along and taught us the basics. When we were into martial arts he came along and showed us simple things that cleaned up our technique. When the website started he was writing from the very first issue and now uses the forum to post his never ending thoughts and questions on training.

With over 25 years of curiosity regarding exercise Andrew has constantly learnt more with each passing year. In addition his passion for everything to do with health, fitness and performance makes him an excellent teacher and coach.

Andrew runs his own training company - Relentless Performance Training. Life is continual movement and training should reflect that. Whether your goal is to run faster, jump higher or just look better naked and have more energy to have fun with your partner or kids Relentless PT will give you the tools you need to get the job done. Here's what some other members had to say about him:

"I've been suffering from severe knee pain for the past 2 years.  After following Andrew's plan for only 2 weeks I was able to sit pain free for the first time and my condition is steadily improving due to his guidance. His techniques are easy to follow and easily implemented into my busy daily schedule."
Alex Kontis, 26
Highett Vic 

"I feel that hiring Andrew Read of Relentless Training as my trainer and program designer has without a doubt been one of the best decisions I have made for reaching my athletic goals. Andrew has given me nothing but exceptional service from the word go- Going through a very thorough process with me to find out my goals and my own strengths and weaknesses he devised a training program to fit my needs perfectly. Both the individual workouts and the overall program are solid and demonstrate Andrew's extensive training knowledge. The feedback Andrew has given me has been great, any questions I have asked to do with exercises, or application of the program have been answered very quickly- within a day, and very thoroughly. Andrew has also offered advice and suggestions on products and books which will assist in my own development which have proved extremely useful, and has answered any questions I have had about this material.

I have designed my own training programs and programs for the people I train for some time, but from working with Andrew, my knowledge on both how to train myself and other athletes has improved greatly.

Andrew is clearly not limited in anyway to any specific sport, but can apply his expertise to all goals. I came to Andrew in the middle of switching sports and with the massive challenge of training myself to become a circus acrobat basically from scratch. Andrew took on the challenge happily and is proving to be essential in helping me achieve my goals.”
David Kelso
Head coach - Brutal Training Europe
www.brutaltraining.com

“After coasting through mediocre sessions I drew up for myself for too long, I had stopped making anything you could call real progress, in fact I'd probably started going backwards. My problem wasn't motivation as such, it was more one of information - or lack thereof. Anyone can stand beside you screaming at you to push out that last rep, but not everyone can explain to you exactly why you just pushed out the previous 99. Up steps Andrew. I asked him if he would help train me as a sort of online PT, and he agreed on the condition that enough information was passed back and forth so as to really make it "personal" and therefore worthwhile. He set me 8 weeks of progressive sessions, in 2, 4 week blocks leading up to an adventure holiday I had planned. The first 4 weeks probably got me further than my entire last 6 months of training had. He avoided certain excercises and put more emphasis on others as I had certain past injuries that needed consideration, a really personal program for my individual needs. Not only that, but at the drop of a hat, he rewrote the entire second 4 week block as I had travel commitments thrown at me at the last minute. I'm now ready to hike, bike and run the Canadian Rockies after following just 8 weeks of Andrew's program. Would have taken me at least 5 times as long without him...................”
Stuart Jamieson
Brutal Member, England

Jerry Hamill
Jerry is a 36 year old Operations Manager, part time trainer and sports coach. He began Brutal Training’s DAT sessions in 2007 and quickly developed into one of the toughest contributors both in the physical training drills and in particular his ‘give it all’ attitude to the Desperation Drill.

Jerry was originally from the cold depths of Northern Ireland and spent over 10 years in the UK, Middle East and Eastern Europe before coming to Australia 8 years ago. His career includes time in the Police and Military in various roles. Jerry is a qualified PTI . He specialised in limitation training and large groups in all facets of fitness and currently runs his own women's boot camp three days a week. He also coaches men's and women's Basketball teams at various levels.  

What’s he like?
I have a reputation for getting in between your ears and driving the best in mental strength whether it be a group or an individual. Limitation training exists and continues to exist because there is no limitation. I must be one of very few people who do it because a lot of people do not like doing it because it is sooooo damn hard, mentally and physically. Past experience has given me the benefits of developing these strengths within people and sometimes it’s an amazing journey to see people grow with it.

Personally I’m a nice guy, I don’t want to bite your head off and spit in the hole, I’d rather have some fun and hard work in a session than the mundane repetitive bullshit some people come up with. I can’t train with anyone who can’t have a bit of fun energy and enthusiasm, it wears me down. That’s where Brutal’s DAT sessions attracted me and why I’ve taken the opportunity to come forward and be a Brutal Trainer along with the team.

Philosophy and approach to life
If  I was a cat I’d  be dead as my nine lives were up years ago. Each day is precious to me and I do not waste it. If I do I’ve missed something and lost the opportunity to experience something, even if it’s making someone laugh for twenty seconds.  I’m obsessed with my training and training others and put a lot of care into doing it so people get the most out of it. Dare I run a crap session?????? No. If I do, have your money back please and smack me around the head with a wet fish.

What do I love???
Besides my girlfriend and three gorgeous boys ???- the look of satisfaction on someone’s face when they are totally satisfied they have given their all and their eyes sparkle with the youthfulness of a puppy dog.