Fatherhood: Force For Fitness

    This message is dedicated to all the fellas who uphold the role of SUPERHERO to their children. We have the unique privilege to be larger than life and the men they look up to. This should never be taken for granted and we as fathers need to earn this title every day.

    It's so important that we play with our kids and demonstrate to them how to live life to the fullest. Numerous studies have shown that rough and tumble play has significant impact on our children's development. This creates confidence and a sense of adventure in kids that Dads have the opportunity to foster in them. I can personally remember with great detail the roughhousing I did with my father and how beneficial it was in my life. 

    One of the many joys of being a parent is that you get to be childlike all over again. You get to share with them everything you learned growing up and have a front row seat to their growth. This compounds the joy you experience even more so than when you were their age. Gentlemen you as a father are vital to your children's lives and offer lessons only you can show them. I'll close with one of my favorite quotes:" My father didn't tell me how to live; He lived and let me watch him do it."

                                                                                                                               - Clarence B. Kelland

    

 

Calm In The Storm

    How does a person achieve anti-fragility? This concept supersedes resilience, because it results in exceeding one's capabilities after enduring hardship. The goals are becoming the metaphorical "steady hand" and being the voice of reason amidst chaos. When navigating through life's storms it's those who are battle-hardened that perform the best.

    Never in our lifetimes do we need individuals that exude these characteristic than now. The ability to remain calm and rational when dealing with complex issues is in great lacking. The proactive are prepared and the reactive are vulnerable to life's circumstances. There has to be a certain level of acceptance to suffering and conflict to our lives. It's an unavoidable part of our existence and needs to be dealt with by steadfastness. 

    You can do things the "easy way" or the "hard way" the choice is yours. I've observed the more a person tries to avoid their problems the greater and more numerous they become. The only way through hell is one foot forward at a time. Be the bison that walks into the storm instead of the coward that runs and succumbs to it...

 

Strengthen In Solitary

 

    When was the last time if ever you went off-grid to work on yourself? To escape the everyday routines and shut-off all the distractions that hinder our personal growth. It's in solitude and adversity that we are introduced to ourselves. These moments of reflection force a person confront and deal with their inner most flaws and failures. 

    This type of sabbatical is very difficult and pain staking for most people but is necessary to become the best version of oneself. That's why most people indulge in entertaining or self-medicating in order from looking inward at all the things they don't like about their character. Each one of us are S.I.N. positive and have moral shortcomings. Peering into the depths of your soul is a frightening endeavor that reveals the frailty of our humanity.

    Make the most of these experiences by employing a variety of disciplines. The first recommendation is utilizing prayer or meditation. This provides clarity of mind and connects you to the divine. Next suggestion is to immerse yourself in nature and embrace its simplicity. Lastly, participate in a difficult endeavor that pushes the limits of your being.  In times of hardship and suffering life is stripped down to the essentials: food, water, and shelter. All the trivial things that once consumed your thoughts are eradicated. My challenge to you is to give yourself the hard-earned gift of repentance and healing. Remember we are only as sick as our secrets... 

The Entitlement Of Nothing

    You are owed nothing in life and not going to be handed anything. This sentiment was seared into my consciousness from a very early age. If you wanted something you worked for it and other people's prosperity was to be celebrated. Your ship was never going to come in you needed to swim out to it. You and God are the architects of your life and the best way to predict the future is to create it.

    Too many people nowadays are unwilling to participate in their own rescue. They complain and wait idly by for someone to make their lives better. You are your biggest problem and greatest solution. A person needs to create a compelling vision for their existence and serve something greater than themselves. We live in a very self-centered culture where our wants and needs come before everyone else. This ultimately leads to despair and loneliness when your deluded expectations don't match your current reality.

    The entitlement mentality has infiltrated all aspects of our society. If everyone has a right to everything than we really don't have any rights at all. Change your attitude towards what can I GIVE instead of what can I GET. Generosity is the most selfish thing you can do because the reward you receive is superior to the reward given. Be a maker and not a taker...

 

There Is No CAN'T

    I just can't do it, or I just can't do it YET. This is the differentiating factor between a fixed and a growth mindset. They produce radically different outcomes and trajectories in life. Human beings are malleable and very adaptive to their circumstances. Failure is an essential part of success and struggle is a prerequisite to growth. This should be accepted as an unavoidable part of our reality. The individuals that seek and embrace these concepts are the ones who experience purpose driven and fulfilling lives. Personally, in my home the word "CAN'T" is the equivalent to dropping an F-Bomb that my children know is unacceptable. We build each other up and encourage them to strive for greatness. It's important to remember anything that you practice at you will become better. I hope you find value from my rant and understand we are all works in progress, but there is no CAN'T...

 

MEN - Be Good and Formidable

    This one's for the fellas. Today's message is about reclaiming your masculine spirit and embracing your life as a man. It's important to be an asset to his family, community, and country. You have to be tough to be good. Become the strongest member in your bloodline and the one who changes your family's legacy.

    We as men are designed to be dangerous. The chaos of the times reveals the conquer in the man and his strength is measured by the ability to confront pain. The two primal components of the masculine frame are greatness and victory. Masculine wisdom is communicated through action and experiences. He takes responsibility for not only himself, but for others as well. 

    The HERO archetype is one who converts his weaknesses into strengths and limitations into advantages. The ideal life is the full development of your potential and wise stewardship of your resources. Be a strong man; Be a good man and let the world rage around you...

    

 

The No Fear Gear

    What is the cause of someone willing to risk their own life or gives a person ' superhuman" capabilities in an emergency situation. We witness our fellow humans doing extraordinary things and ponder about what drives them to such feats. It's amazing and perplexing all at the same time. My hypothesis is that this rare group of people have found the capability I call the: "No Fear Gear."  

    This phenomenon allows us to strive far beyond our limited beliefs and abilities. These people have found a way to dance with fear and use it for constructive means. It's used to enhance their lives instead of becoming a hinderance. We have heard the adage " courage is being afraid and doing it anyway." They're aware of the fear and embrace it to allow the freedom to pursue the necessary tasks. 

    I've personally have had to tap into this hidden potential and discovered its congruence with being in "Flow State." You experience an acute intensity of your senses and time almost seems malleable. The only thing that matters in that moment are your current circumstances. You are completely in the present and shut out all distractions. The most accurate way I can describe it is that you feel you have connected to the divine. It's for the chosen few who have dared to reach that tier, but upon arrival they are rewarded with the NO FEAR GEAR...

    

 

Designed For Danger

     A childhood memory I fondly recall is running through the woods to my tree fort yelling: " I wanna be an airborne ranger; I wanna live a life of danger." Unbeknownst to me this would eventually become my life's mantra. Was I just a crazy SOB or being called to something beyond my wildest expectations?

    What does it mean to live a life of danger? My definition is to approach your life boldly and courageously in everything that you do. It means being the architect of your life and living it on your terms. By taking the narrow path and forging your own way and embracing your god given uniqueness. Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something. A person must discover what their gift is and share it with the world fearlessly. 

    I'm constantly striving to push my own limits and don't wait for permission to embark on new endeavors. It's at the margins of your abilities where you truly experience the fullness of life. Everything you want is on the other side of your fear. If you take anything away from this message let it be this: ' Don't let the trials of life, be a stranger; face them with ferocity and know you are designed for danger...

 

Athletic Arete'

 Arete' - The pursuit of excellence...

    

    Why is chasing perfection a noble endeavor, because what you will attain is excellence. It's one's responsibility to be a good steward of their bodies. Embracing your physique and striving to maximize your genetics will benefit every aspect of life. This can be accomplished by practicing discipline and instilling good habits. Fitness is comprised of both nutrition and physical training in order to achieve desired results. An individual has to frequently train at the margins of their ability to become hard to injure and hard to kill. In this pursuit you will be an asset to your family and society. It's a tragedy to reach the end of one's life not fulfilling their God given potential. You are not going to make it out of this life alive, so why not go all in to reach that apex of humanity known as Arete'...

 

Shoot. Ready. Aim.

        50%...This is the number of people my mid-January have quit their new year resolutions. I've always been agitated and intrigued by this phenomenon. Why do so many well intentioned people lose motivation or let the minutia of everyday life derail them. The new year is the summation of the following slogans:

- New Year...New You!

- Live your best life this year!

- Your transformation awaits you!

    We all have heard these empty platitudes put on endless repeat for the month of January. Every year it's a new commercial with a new tag line that's supposed to inspire us into lasting change. I think by now we as a society has seen how well that's working out for us. One month of motivation and a list of vague resolutions isn't going to produce favorable results. We must have a reason bigger than ourselves in order to create a compelling future to achieve a new lifestyle. This approach will sustain an individual when it becomes difficult, and willpower is diminished. Another common obstacle is procrastinating, because people are waiting for the conditions and timing to be perfect. This is a day that never comes and will be the greatest barrier to success. We must take action and get started to create momentum. Enough with the excuses, delays, and blame just pick up your metaphorical rifle and SHOOT.READY.AIM...

 

 

Excess Denied 🚫

    Another year has passed bringing in the holiday season. Truthfully these festive months are the best of times, but professionally the bane of my existence. Our culture's celebration of excess and indulgence is never more evident than now. Here is a pre-emptive strike to help mitigate the caloric damage ahead.

    First and foremost, you have to continue with you training regimen. The natural inclination is to take some downtime and resume after the first of the year. This is a costly mistake that too many people make. The next landmine is caloric intake through alcohol consumption. This ever-present foe is at every social gathering and family meal. Lastly the plethora of sweets that are available just about everywhere you go during the holidays. These temptations are formidable opponents that are 

best mitigated through moderation and portion control.

    By all means go to the party and have that glass of wine with a cookie. This is a time to celebrate and enjoy the company of family and friends. It doesn't have to be at the expense of your health and hard work. What you do between the months of (Jan - Nov) is much more important than what you do between (Nov - Jan). Be sure to keep your gluttony in check so that excess will be denied...

       

 

Break to Build

    "We are going to break you down boys to make you into navy men" shouts my drill instructors at basic training. I quickly found out the true meaning of forged through adversity. The term "uniformity must prevail" was seared into my conscience. I walk into Navy RTC an eager boy and came out a formidable man.

    The shared hardship and teamwork that fostered comradery amongst men of all different parts of the country was one of the greatest experiences of my life. At the beginning we were complete strangers and in the end we all bled blue and gold. That type of unity is what our nation is in desperate need of today. The adage "iron sharpens iron" is a quality most eminent in the military. To level up in life you have to be willing to pay the price of admission.

     It's common knowledge that suffering is an unavoidable part of existence and the harder you are on yourself the easier life will be on you. I believe that a person should seek out voluntary hardship to fortify them against the challenges ahead. Change is a constant variable within all our lives, so in order to be congruent with it you must break to build...

 

Nature's Crucible

How do you test yourself?

          What metrics do you use for improvement?

          How often do you operate at the margins of your ability?

    These are primary questions to use to evaluate your overall health and fitness. I believe that your training regimen must be intentional, and purpose driven. It needs to be dynamic with skillset acquisition to create the ability to endure hardship. There is no better arena to challenge oneself then being at the mercy of nature.

    The great outdoors offers a test that will introduce a person to oneself and reveal their potential. From grueling terrain to brutal exposure of the elements will exploit weaknesses in the best athletes. This is the exact proving ground for someone who wants to answer the question: "Do I have what it takes." Nature doesn't care if you are tired, hungry, or hurt its relentless and will claim your life.

    Then why would someone subject themself to such danger and risk? It's the person who has an unsatiable desire to seek the limits of their physical and mental capabilities. There is nothing tragic about dying doing something you love. When you want to apply your training while forging your character take a chance and accept nature's crucible...

 

                                   

 

Real World Over Virtual World

     I want to address an issue that has been plaguing our society for the past decade. It's our misuse and addiction to technology. The tools that were supposed to enhance our lives have now enslaved us with constant distractions. Let be clear technology is a great thing when utilized in the manner it was intended. We need to use technology and not let it use us. 

    Today so many people are living their lives vicariously through others albeit social media or YouTube. This is very problematic in our youth who would rather watch a video than actually participate in the actual activity. So much precious time being wasted as a spectator to other people's "highlight" reel.  Participating on these platforms isn't wrong but needs to be put into perspective. We should be spending the majority of our time living life and fostering our relationships. That is what brings us the deepest fulfillment in life.

    We need to focus our efforts at playing this game of life at our highest level because we aren't going to make it out alive. Quite torturing yourself with comparison and create a life that's a masterpiece that will be an inspiration to others. The virtual world can provide an escape while the real world can provide ecstasy; the choice is yours...

 

The Sins of Success

     Allow me to pose this question: Why do you work? Is it for monetary gain, social status, providing value or serving others? Whatever your motivations there is a recurring theme of sacrificing health for wealth. Let me be perfectly clear that success is a noble pursuit that should be celebrated, but not at the cost of your overall well-being.

    In this instant-gratification society we have created too often I've seen people choose work > wellness and lifestyle > longevity only to their peril. You have to cultivate a mind-set of playing the long game with your fitness. The reality is that poor health becomes an obstacle to achieving or sustaining success. What good is wealth if you're unable to enjoy it due to injury or illness. It's pointless to be the richest person in the graveyard and you'll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. This is not an either/or it's a both/and proposition. 

    Why be at the apex of the game and not be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor? I would argue that with more affluence comes more opportunities to invest in self-care. Your vocation is a means to an end not the end all be all. Going forward be sure to prioritize yourself from time to time and be vigilant not to commit the sins of success...

GET 2 LIVING

    Take a moment and remember back to childhood. The sky was the limit, and the world was our oyster. We had our whole life ahead of us with seemingly limitless possibilities. Now as we grew older that's when life's constraints took hold. We became entangled in the minutia of life and options narrowed and our enthusiasm became diminished. Why do we allow such a personal tragedy to occur?

    Now I've met numerous people that live with passion and purpose. They have a zest for life that is attractive and contagious. We all have witnessed people that were accomplishing amazing things and making a conscious decision to be a light in the world. Regardless of their age or what stage of life; they were committed to being learners and unafraid to seek out new challenges. 

    That's the life I strive to lead every day and the legacy that I want to leave to my family. I want to be an example of what's possible and become an uncommon man. To leave this world with no more music inside of me. To rightfully fulfill my duty and God given purpose. If you're not living on the edge you are taking up too much space. Get off of the sideline and #GET2LVN...

    

 

ME vs. MYSELF vs. I

 

Why do we constantly compare ourselves to others? 

What is it about human nature that makes us our worst critics? 

How can this internal dilemma be solved?

    There is a lot of truth in the statement: "We are our worst enemy." The fact that we seem to hinder our progress by getting in our own way. Self-sabotage is a plague that we all contend with at some point in our lives. The "scorched earth" or "burn it to the ground" mentality are vengeful thoughts that seem too familiar. At times we feel our minds are permeated with negativity or feel attracted to chaos. This internal battle within can be a formidable opponent, but an adversary that can be conquered. 

    We are the gatekeepers of our minds, so the information we acquire and the people we associate with will have a profound impact our lives. Taking control of our immediate environments and routines is a proactive approach for setting ourselves up to flourish. Creating an empowering mental narrative is crucial for overriding the barrage of negativity we are exposed to on a daily basis. Experiencing voluntary hardship alone forges resiliency and enduring difficulty with others builds comradery. These moments greatly enrich us and give our lives meaning. We all have to be aware and vigilant against kicking our own asses. Quite being your own enemy and become your strongest ally.  

Recover or not to recover?

    Recently I've been getting asked about proper recovery by clients and friends and how it compliments a training regimen. This is a great question and an area of fitness that has many opinions. Most of recovery techniques are predicated on personal preference and individual need. I'll discuss what I believe to be the fundamentals of an effective recovery routine. 

    First and most importantly your recovery has to be congruent with your training in order to be effective. For example, if you're not exerting yourself or exercising for prolong periods of time utilizing deep tissue massage, acupuncture, and cryotherapy would be excessive to say the least. Conversely if your workouts are comprised of high frequency, intensity, and volume the above recovery techniques would be beneficial. If I'm being honest a lot of individuals use recovery to avoid getting started or from pushing themselves outside their comfort zones. 

    My personal training regimen is comprised of 4-5 days of exercise using various training modalities with 1 day of active recovery:(biking, swimming, hiking, climbing, etc.) and complete rest on the Sabbath. I've used an array of recovery techniques to address specific issues or to achieve certain results. Understand that recovery isn't an either-or proposition it's done simultaneously with exercise not to avoid doing the work, but to enhance it...

What Will it Take?

    Here we are on the other side of another chaotic year. The pandemic we thought was going to be over in two weeks has lasted two years. The "RONA" virus has proven to be a great equalizer amongst our society. Everyone has been affected by this event in one way or another. Now we as a nation are confronted with a choice on how we prioritize health and wellness going forward. 

    The virus has revealed just how unhealthy and vulnerable we are. We have more fitness resources than any other country on the planet yet we are plagued by chronic disease and obesity. For too long we have chosen what is easy over what is right. Comfort and convenience are opiates of an affluent society. We have been lulled into neglecting our physical and mental health. We choose to sacrifice our bodies in the pursuit of lifestyle. 

    Now that I've stated the obvious let's discuss solutions. Healthy living has to be prioritized and incentivized in this country. It takes each of us to make all of us so, change is going to start with YOU. We all can make incremental and consistent improvements in our lives. We have witnessed the havok this pandemic has caused, so if this doesn't wake us up WHAT WILL IT TAKE!

Post - Pandemic Playbook

   Here we are at what appears to be the back side of the worst pandemic most of us have ever experienced in our lifetimes. With all tumultuous events that occur in our lives there are always lessons to be learned and harsh reminders of all the things we have taken for granted. As a fitness professional I've had a unique vantage point to this entire experience. This virus has devasted some and emboldened others. I want to present some information that will ensure that you are part of the latter group.

    We as a society HAVE to make health a wellness a priority in our lives. The greatest method of prevention is the investment into one's well-being. Quality sleep, proper nutrition, and consistent exercise will do far more for immunity and symptom mitigation than anything else. In fact, a person who is already in good health will benefit more from peripheral antidotes including: personal hygiene, meds / vaccines, and public safety protocols. What troubled me most throughout this time was the 'quick fix" and instant gratification mentality towards treatment options for the virus. The emphasis on "pop a pill'' or "get the stick" and continue life as usual was the wrong message. If we don't use this pandemic as an epitus for changing how we live, then our situation will only become more dire. This isn't the only pandemic the world has ever known nor will it be the last. Those of us who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. 

    In closing I want to reiterate on the importance of self-care and personal relationships. We need to start taking better care on ourselves as well as others around us. The stronger and more capable you are as an individual will give the ability to assist others in their time of need. Remember that the hard times wake you up to all the good things you been missing!