Day 125 of 365: Facta Non Verba

Winchester about to BEAST 295

 Today marked the 6th week of the Super Squat program that I and some of the other CrossFit Central coaches have been hitting.  Michael Winchester and I both started this program at 265, and now I am sitting pretty at 295 and Michael is about to enter the realm of 3 bills!!!

 When we started this program, we knew that it would be difficult, but we really underestimated how much it would test our resolve and our character.  I will tell you this...as Friday approaches, my mind goes into *that* mode of operation...of complete focus...of tunnel-vision.  I find it hard to fall asleep on Thursday nights and the anticipation on Friday mornings is almost unbearable.

As a result, though, we have all seen increased gains in all of our other lifts.  The carry-over from the massive workload is pretty damn obvious in regards to how we are moving weight and attacking new PRs.  But I have to say that the most distinct and valuable pay-off has been in the mental toughness that this program requires and creates each week.

Every week, we step under more weight knowing how difficult it was the week before.  

This alone takes a massive dose of "SACK THE F*CK UP!"

The Aftermath

In addition to that, not every week is considered an "On-Week".  We've all been there.  Things just are flowing the way that you would like, but what we've learned is the invaluable lesson of being able to flip the switch.  To turn your mind off and focus on one thing for a specific purpose, knowing full well that it will be the hardest f*cking thing you do until next Friday.  This ability to focus your mind, body, spirit and the combined energy from all three has been a truly spiritual experience for me.

The gym is where I connect with myself.  The gym is where I connect with others.  The gym is where I grow, where I learn from my mistakes and build upon them to become stronger on all levels of being human.

Facta Non Verba

I only hope that you all have something this special in your life that gives you all of these gifts...and moreover, 

I hope that you appreciate every moment you get to be in that space.  

If you don't...Find it.  

Growing(on any and all levels) is Living. 

Day 61 of 365: IF You're Feelin' SPICY...

I've got a special "treat" for you guys today! 

One that will change everything you thought you knew about "training hard".  

What I'm about to share with you will, quite possibly, be one of the hardest, most diabolical methods of training that you'll experience.  It is also one of the most effective methods by which to generate ridiculous power output and receive amazing returns in the areas of speed and conditioning....

all while transforming you into a F*#king MACHINE!!!

If I haven't scared you away, and you're still reading this, this is exactly what you need to add to your training!  

You ready?

BAND-RESISTED SPRINTS

B-R Sprints are a potent exercise that not only deliver on all of the previously mentioned benefits, but they cause a pukie sensation that is unmatched as far as I'm concerned.  The only drills that can come close are steep hill sprints and prowler sprints. 

 These are excellent options if you don't have a "buddy" to dig your ass into the ground.  

With that being said, whatever you do - you MUST start adding this to your training!!!  

Just be sure that you are smart about the volume.  Don't hit this stuff everyday and expect to see massive gains in speed and strength.  You'll most likely wear yourself out and possibly sprint your way straight to the point of overuse injuries.  I recommend getting one good day of sprinting in at least every two weeks.  Some do it more often, but I have found that my athletes work extremely hard on each sprint when it is more spaced out.  And, as you can imagine, max effort output is the name of the game when talking about any form of sprint work, but especially when hitting Band-Resisted Sprints.

Now, the question is: 

"Are you tough enough to do something that you KNOW will suck...BIG TIME?"

If you are, welcome!  

You are one of the few that works under the HARD ROUTINE mentality....and you are my family!  Go Get It!!!

Day 23 of 365: GETTIN' YOU JACKED!!!

This post has a very simple purpose: 

To get you JACKED UP for what ever you have going on this week!  

Whether you're a student and you've got a big exam....if you're an athlete with a major match up...a businessman or woman with a huge proposal to make...or simply "Average Joe" and just in need of a kick in the ass....

What ever IT is.  Whoever YOU are.  

Pursue that next BIG THING with relentless strength and hunger.  

It's all about YOU vs. YOU!

This video always gets me STOKED and ready to rock!  Let me know if it does that same for you!

Turnin' up the heat...In the *Cold*

I'm sure that y'all have noticed that it's FREAKIN' FREEZIN'(19 degrees) in Austin!!!  While school districts are considering school closures, and many people are skipping out on their obligations, the studs in the newly formed STRICTLY STRENGTH class are bustin' their asses... no matter what! 

There's a lot to be said for living life by the HARD ROUTINE(a MUST read).  We all know that life is not always comfortable, in fact, it hardly ever is.  But, when you consider it...would you really want it to be easy?! 

There are two kinds of people in this world; Those that answer with, "Yes", and those that answer, "Hell NO!"

I'll gladly hang with the latter crew.

Great job, Mary and Stephen!!! You're hard work and dedication is inspiring.