Sunday on a Monday...

We should all be so fortunate to be able to take Monday and make it a day of rejuvenation especially for those who are true Weekend Warriors...Can't seem to make that necessary schedule change? No worries it;s more of a state of mind and a call to action...While everyone else runs off to the Gym I tell my athletes take this day and do something different, do something for yourself, do something fun! Just get out of the gym and let the rats have their race...

You+Me Open Door

Workout of the Day:

 Focus on Nose Breathing, Foam Roll, Stretch and work the Lacrosse Ball in to your feet...

Enjoy! 

What is Boot Camp anyway?

Everywhere I look these days the term "Boot Camp" is as common as Starbucks. Advertisements boast life changing results through hard work by getting back to basics with whatever you are working on or involved with. The term is being used by financial institutions, e-mail marketing groups, culinary schools and soft wear companies. I think the biggest abuse is currently done by people who work in the fitness industry.   Interesting...Suddenly the term seems to fascinate and motivate people some very strange ways.

But why?

 Do you think that a screaming Drill Sergeant or Trainer will really help  motivate you to do a bunch of stuff you really don't want to do?

Or is it an ego thing that more or less allows you to look and feel like a "Bad Ass" in the yes of your friends and family?

Either way I think most people are missing the point. Boot Camp is rite of passage a game of sorts if you will.

I went through Boot Camp, real boot camp. I was young, naive and ready to take on the world. Or so I truly believed. I decided to join the Navy. I had no idea of the state of economy the direction of our government or the potential for international conflict. All I really wanted was some international adventure, my education paid for and learn something that could be used in the real world. 

It all started as soon as we got to the gate of the of the base and didn't seem to let up until we left that base. For 16 weeks we couldn't do anything right  and even when We did there was still some fault or I was simply reminded that We could always do it better. We barely slept and we barely ate. I say "WE" and emphasize "WE" because as a company of about 80 men "WE" did everything together. Everything! If I took a shower, it was with 10 other guys, if I took a crap it was on a toilet with no stalls. If one guy couldn't make his bed properly we all did push ups. If part of the marching party couldn't get the steps right we'd all march from the middle of the day until the middle of the night. It was ruthless, relentless and unforgiving. I felt humiliated and uninspired. Beaten broken and scared day in and day out. We resisted our company commanders and worse We fought each other mentally and physically and for what, our country? The experience was mesmerizing! We completely immersed in this world, we knew nothing, said nothing unless we were told to. I was lost until, I actually learned how to play their game. I had to surrender to what was right in front of me and realize that all they were trying to do was break me down in order to surrender to the team and then they would build me back up. Still one of the most intense experiences of my life with a huge reward at the end the completion of boot camp.

Since this was so monumental as a rite of passage your damn right I get pissed off when people casually use the term "Boot Camp". A group of soccer mom's running around a park doing fitness minded human movements is NOT A BOOT CAMP it's a group workout or group fitness class. Please be mindful of the people who have endured the rite of passage and what it truly represents. It's ones ability to be broken down, conform, then be rebuilt in a stronger form mentally and physically. Most of the people I encounter who boast about their involvement in these Pseudo Boot Camps make me laugh. The true nature of what Boot Camp is all about would frighten most and debilitate even more. As for the people who are cashing in on the Boot Camp name, I understand your goal. We are hear to motivate people to live healthy lifestyles and make money. But, when your ready to step up and really understand the true nature of what Boot Camp really means, stop and think for a moment and ask yourself. Do I have what it takes to be a "Boot" because in the end result the pushups were easy...Laying awake all night, trying to figure out the game while listening to someone off in the distance cry themselves to sleep was the real challenge. Not to mention trying to muster up the courage to take a poop in front of 20 other guys!     

'We Have a piper down..."

“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.” 

                                                   Mahatma Ghandi

 The power of the human mind is an incredible tool but, science is as well. Combine the two and you have an indomitable approach to heath and wellness. Although viscous bacteria and viruses still find there way in to those crazy little orifices known as eyes, ears, nose and mouth. So we all fall prey to the cold and flu from time to time. So when it caught me off guard all I could do was scramble to the bathroom rummage through the potion drawer and look for anything that might help. Now, I am not a huge fan of medication especially the prescription stuff. But, I am a huge fan of vitamins, minerals and herbs. So when I was out on tour and starting to fall ill someone gave me this stuff called COLD FX. It's an immune system booster  derived from North American Ginseng that is clinically proven to help fight off cold and flu. It also helps reduce the symptoms of the cold and flu. Yes, I was skeptical too but, in practice it works! Not only did it help kick that nasty cold but, it gave me the energy I needed to take on extremely long days of touring. So last week when I started coming down with a stuffy nose and slight fever I was overjoyed to find some leftover COLD FX capsules in my toiletry bag and took them right away. I didn't have the full recommended dosage but even the little bit I had worked to at least help reduce the symptoms so I could kick this thing a lot faster. Now mind you  I don't usually endorse any particular products but, this one works for sure. Unfortunately it's only available in Canada so now I am kicking myself, I was in Canada over the summer and never got around to stocking up. But, then again who's really thinking about boosting their immune system in August. Fortunately, you can order this stuff on the web! It's not cheap but, when you've got people counting on you to get the job done what's the investment really worth...

 Skeptical? Check it out for yourself...

Cold FX Wikipedia 

Cold FX Website 

I know I am ordering more today. Cold and flu season is just gearing up so time to make sure I am prepared! 

                                                  

It takes energy to create energy...

"I'll tell you about the driver who lives inside my head
Starts me up and stops me and puts me into bed
He opens up my mouth when it's time for me to talk
And fires up my legs when he wants me to walk
Keeps my eyes open for most of the day
Adds to my memories the things that people say
When he makes decisions I don't have to wait
But sometimes it seems that he's got too much on his plate
Like this morning when I woke up and he dressed me in this shirt
That looks a little ragged where he dragged me through the dirt
I'm moving through this life and I'm thinking about the next
And hoping when I get there I'll be better dressed"
                                                    Driver by Phish

Phish performing "Driver"10-20-98 

My Google mentor say that writing 3 complete sentences is still blogging...I guess I'll give it another shot.

So as we managed to pull ourselves out of winter or what's left of it, I will focus on challenging myself first, then I will challenge you.

My autopilot or my "driver" has been a lazy son of a gun. Quiet and comfortable with a new stage in life that resides in watching the busyness glide on by for a while. It's been a nice change of pace. But, like all things change is inevitable and yes it takes energy to create energy. So in my effort to create energy I must challenge myself, push my envelope and therefor create change!

So the plan is simple and it starts with each morning.
1) Wake up and smile
2) Once your feet hit the floor say " Thank you" (out loud for more effect)
3) Roll around on the floor stretch your beautiful muscles for 5 minutes
4) Think about the things you WANT in your life
5) Start each day with a nutritious breakfast and drink lot's of water throughout the day!

Master simple steps....

"Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
Lao Tzu


 

A quest for vision

 

"I am," I cried
"I am," said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why..."
                                                         Neil Diamond

 
 We all need to get lost from time to time. It's the moment we realize that we are lost that we have truly found ourselves. No distractions, no illusions, and nothing competing for our attention. Lost in an energetic flow of creative abundance being sifted through the sand and mirrored in the face of desert flowers peaked with bloom.


As I begin another leg of my quest for vision I am reminded, the hardest part of beginning the journey is the realization. Once you see the ongoing dream happening in your experience, the adventure has begun! The only thing to do is open your eyes, ask the right questions, drink plenty of water and ride it out. The answers will present themselves. The formula always works if the intention is pure.

My Battle:

"Who has genuine abundance to give the world?
Only a person of Tao.


He acts without expectation,
        Accomplishes without taking credit,
        and has no desire to display his merit."
                                                           Tao Te Ching #77

Striving for Greatness...Following your nose.

My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.

-- Henry Ford

What else can I say but it is an ongoing pursuit. Everyday we wake up, put our feet on the floor and make a decision to feel good or to feel bad. To break it down even farther would be to say either you can or you can not. I often say to the people around me "If you say you can't you won't" The choice is yours. Once you say it you've already planted the seed in your mind that you can't so you won't even try. You've focused your energy on the obstacle, the limitation or simply the weakness you feel you have. The funny thing is the weakness is not physical it is mental. 

So as you continue your path, your mission, your life, take a look around you are you limiting yourself from your true potential?  Are you surrounding yourself with people who bring out the best in you? Your best friend should be the person who brings out the best in you. Often times we look outside of ourselves for this person when in all actuality this person lies within. Building a strong relationship with ourselves can be extremely challenging yet very rewarding. After all who is always there? YOU! So whats the best way to stay on the path... follow your nose it leads you everywhere you want to go.   

Explosive Endurance

5 rounds rest between rounds 10 seconds

5 push ups

50 yard sprint

5 push ups

50 yard sprint

Explosive Core

5 rounds 30 seconds rest between rounds

5 rolling get ups

sprint 10 yards

180 degree jump to the right

180 degree jump to the left (this will put you back facing forward)

Back peddle 10 yards to starting point

Core Endurance

4 rounds rest 1 minute between rounds

10 get ups

1/4 mile run easy pace (roughly 2.5- 3 minutes)