How long is 3 days and 2 nights? Long enough for the education of a lifetime.

I was able to see 13 presentations, not counting the expert Q&A. I took 19 pages of notes on my laptop. Had about 6 too many beers. Both nights. I spoke to every expert I could corner, whether they were there presenting or not. Here are the common themes and important points which I took away.

1. Dos is 43, has been coaching for 20 years, and is still considered by some to be a "new comer".

2. If I heard correctly, Eric Cressey may be the only junior tennis player turned power lifter turned incredibly uber accomplished coach in the world.

3. There are 26 bones in the foot, and if you are not starting to pay attention to the foot/ankle complex, you are missing the boat….a very big boat.

4. NETWORK. You are only as smart/successful/accomplished/etc. in this industry as your network. And if you were in the larger network of the PerformBetter attendees, you hopefully have learned that most of the people who positively influence the industry are more than willing to share and network with you… if you are determined enough to seek them out.

5. Chris Poirier is owed a beer by every single person who was in attendance… and a keg by me.

6. Common trait amongst the best…they get up early. How early? 4:30am.

7. You don't read enough. I thought I was on pace. Roughly 10 books in the last 10 months. Vern Gambetta has read 106 books this year. ONE HUNDRED AND SIX. That's why he is and should be a legend.

8. The best take the incredibly complex and complicated, and make it simple. This applies to training, business, and life.

9. Common theme: Less is more.

10. Pay to listen to Thomas Plummer, at least once. Even if you are not a personal trainer or run your own business. He is incredibly entertaining and amazingly insightful, all at the same time.

11. If you are good you don't make excuses. I have personally seen the crap that Coach Robert Dos Remedios has at his disposal to make his athletes great. Basically nothing, nada, zip. Watch him train 80+ football players in a studio apartment. I will never bitch about lack of space. Oh yeah, and he has how many national championships?

12. I believe Gray Cook (and his team of Lee Burton and Brett Jones) think on another level. At least another level than I am on. But once again, the great make it simple.

13. "Avoid grain like its poison" Advice from Coach Boyle on obese clients. I am starting to think this should apply to just about everyone….slight aside; go see FOOD, INC. This will probably open a can of worms.

14. Speaking of a can of worms, was there really a Crossfit question at the Q&A?

15. Common theme: Opportunity or Obstacle….its up to you to decide.

16. Great line- "Study outside your profession" Greg Rose, TPI. Also, "Do you know what my job is? To sell you golf balls." Also Greg Rose. Maybe you had to be there.

17. "Find out what you don't know, and get to know it" Todd Wright

If you were at the Long Beach Summit, or any of the Summits this summer, I hope you got as much as I did out of the very short weekend. It is important to realize how much work goes into these functions. It's actually astounding. But the lessons taken away, the connections made, and of course the fun had by all is what makes it not only amazing, but also necessary to people like me. Without these people willing to come together and share what they know, and above that be willing to interact so genuinely with all the aspiring "so and so's", the industry as a whole would not be where it is today or where it is headed tomorrow.

My list of thank you's is too long for one article, but it includes every presenter, all of the PerformBetter staff, and especially to all of the over enthusiastic "aspiring experts" whom I shared the audience with this weekend. Thanks.

Devan McConnell is the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Women's Basketball, and Men's and Women's Volleyball teams at Stanford University. Formerly of MBSC, he has spent time working with athletes from middle school through the NHL. He can be reached at DevanM@Stanford.edu