The secret of......

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

 

 

 

 

 

Only those who will risk.....

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."

  -- T. S. Eliot

 

 

 

Present suffering is......

"Present Suffering is not enjoyable, but life would be worth little without it. The difference between iron and steel is fire. But steel is work all its costs." -- Maltbie Babcock

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing in the world....

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common thn unsuccessful talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." -- Calvin Coolidge

 

 

 

 

Far better is it....

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." --Theodore Roosevelt.

 

 

 

 

A Personal Post

This post is a little personal. I always love it when I get comments on how people never see me without a smile, always see me happy and always see me in a wonderful mood. It means that I've come along way. People tend to stare in disbelief then when I talk about my past. I've gone through many periods of darkness. Many periods of intense violence, anger and hurt. But, not only did I survive and make it out on the other side. I also came out a much happier, stronger person. One that's completely in love with life, at peace with myself and the world around me, and unconditionally happy. I've always known that it is my path to help as many others live the lives of their dreams; and the lessons that I've learned, and the scars that I've beared; have only helped me in my quest. Remember, the wake my always trail behind the boat, but it has no bearing on the boat's direction. And, no matter where you are right now, no matter what you're going through, you can not only survive and make it out the other end; but you can find out that the best is yet to come for you!! Much love and happiness to everyone! =)

 

 

A little from Seneca

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare. It is because we do not dare that they are difficult." --- Seneca

 

 

 

Keep Away From....

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -- Mark Twain

 

 

 

Sometimes you just have to play!!

Was having some fun playing around with the V-sit, to Handstand to Bent-arm Lever to V-sit combo on the parallets this morning. It's always fun to play. Here's a link to the video: https://youtu.be/

 

 

 

 

Some Morning Fun

Having some fun practicing the poses today and remembering a few things:


1.)  God and Nature blessed me with this amazing gift called a Human Body. Now it's my turn to take the best possible care of it.

2.)  I don't train because I hate myself. I train because I truly Love and Respect myself and my body! And, I believe, that when you truly Love and Respect something you long to take the best possible care of it!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having some fun in the park

Having some fun in the park today!!

 

 

1.)  Here's some High Bar Forward and Backward Rolls:

 

Here's the link to the video:  https://youtu.be/HOpHtIOL36Q

 

 

And a quick picture:

 

 

 

 

 

2.)  High Bar Swinging From one Bar to Another, and Back:

 

Here's a link to the video:  https://youtu.be/agH55ye85JQ

 

 

And a quick picture:

 

 

 

 

3.)  Human Flag Work

 

 

Just a picture for this one, lol:

 

 

 

 

 

4.)  And some Bent-arm Lever Work:

 

Here's a quick pic:

 

 

This saddens me....

It's a shame in the fitness industry that so many people have an "either/ or" mentality. The thought that you can either train for being ripped and chiseled, train for being strong and powerful, train for being functional and athletic, or train for being healthy; but that you can't mix those protocols pervades our industry in so many ways, and I find it sad. After all, shouldn't a proper training program allow you to do all of the above?

 

 

 

 

There is no way.....

There is no "Way to the peaceful warrior." There is only the "Way of the Peaceful Warrior."

-- Dan Millman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why do handstands?

Why do handstands, you may ask? I say, why not?

Channeling my inner Mike Metzer

During Posing Practice this morning

I thought I'd Channel

Another Hero of mine

The Late, Great Mike Metzer!

 

 

 

 

 



The highest realm of the true warrior

Warrior cultures have always followed certain principles based on honor, integrity, respect, loyalty and protection. But what the true warrior seeks, above all else, is peace. The highest realm of the warrior's life then is to become an instrument of pure peace and love. -- Brett Stepan

 

 

 

 

 

A great morning for Posing Practice!!

It was an amazing Morning for Posing Practice today!!

 

Here's a few poses from posing practice today!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Flex Friday!!

This was supposed to be my take on a classic Mike Metzer pose, but it ended up looking a little more Frank Zane, lol.

Working through the poses!!

Working through some Mike Metzer  inspired poses today!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A great one for the tricpes!!

It's amazing how working with the best, you pick up the tips that lead to amazing results. Here's a picture of my final set of an amazing triceps developer. One that most people do, yet do too lightly and without the correct technique. In this picture I'm hitting my 4th set, 6 reps per side, with an 80 lbs. dumbbell at a bodyweight of 168 lbs.

A great way to work the wrists, forearms and grip

One of my favorite exercises for hitting the wrists, forearms and grip. Here's the final heavy set o Wrist Curls from last night's training. It's awesome hitting more than your bodyweight on a movement like this one. Here I'm hitting 170 lbs at a bodyweight of 168 lbs.

Here's a link to the video:

https://youtu.be/mfM1CQI9O9I


And a picture too:

Channeling my Inner Frank Zane!!

Working on becoming

And then

Surpassing the Idols.

 

Here's a few variations

Of Some

Frank Zane

Style Poses!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the best chest developers ever!

Hitting the Vince Gironda Style Reverse Grip Dips with bodyweight plus 115 pounds. This is the final heavy set before dropping weight for a high rep set. Working on pulling the elbows together rather than straightening the arms to really develop that chest. Great stuff!! Here's the link to the video:

 

https://youtu.be/1H4JHk1JVXY

 

 

 

 

My way of sending a message of love and hope to the world!!

I felt the need to send some love and hope out to the world today, ad this is my way of doing it. My version of White Lion's "When The Children Cry." This one is dedicated to all of my brothers and sisters out there regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political leaning, ethnicity, nationality, etc. or any other way that people try to divide us. We're all one and the same and much love to everyone out there!!

 

Here's a link to the Video:

 

https://youtu.be/3XdWO_YSq2k?t=5

 

This was Hilarious!!!!

This was hilarious. I'm working with 3 young ladies from the pride that are looking to compete in fitness competitions. We're talking about posing, and they weren't getting what I was saying. So, I take of the shirt to demonstrate and all I hear is a collective, "WHOOOOAAAAAAAA!!" Over the next 40 minutes, they had a great session on proper posing, but they also threw in lots of great compliments like, "you're a work of art," "you're like a living statue," "there should be a law that you aren't allowed to wear a shirt," "wow, you are beautiful," "even your legs are incredible," and so on and so forth. I laughed really hard, and blushed a ton. Thanks for the great session and the ego boost ladies. Lol!!

 

 

 

 

Channeling My Hero

Channeling My All-Time

Physique Hero.

 

The Legendary,

Steve Reeves!!!

 

 

Steve Reeves Front

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Reeves Lean Back

 

 

 

Steve Reeves Back 1

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Reeves Back 2

 

 

 

 

Steve Reeves Front 2