Wake Up ENERGIZED!

How was your sleep last night?

Did you get a solid 8 hours of rest?

When you woke up did you feel awake, energized and ready to tackle the day?

If you’re like many men over 40 then you probably had a rough night and had trouble falling asleep and getting out of bed.

Why does this happen to us?

Why can’t we just wake up feeling refreshed?

Being the health nut that I am I’ve been learning to hack my sleep for years.

What I’ve discovered is that the #1 factor that ruins sleep is…

STRESS.

Yup.

When I don’t exercise multiple times a week my mind begins going crazy… I stress over little details, my mind doesn’t shut up and I lose sleep over it.

I have trouble falling asleep. When I do fall asleep, I wake up several times during the night. And finally, when my alarm goes off it becomes impossible to get up!

So what’s a guy supposed to do when he doesn’t have time to work out often and needs to relax and get a DEEP good night’s sleep?

You can get drunk and pass out. There are drugs out there that will knock you out (legal and illegal).

But none of these solutions are sustainable.

Recently I was talking with one of my herb suppliers and he introduced me to a really interesting herb, Albizia.

Turns out this herb is a natural sedative. In Chinese medicine it’s called the “Tree of Happiness” and it’s been used for literally thousands of years (the first documentation of it was in the 2nd C).

After looking at studies I found that albizia helps with:

· Sleeping disorders (like insomnia). So you can finally get a good night’s sleep.

· It induces peaceful feelings by regulating your mood. It does this by blocking your brain’s anxiety-inducing receptors. This is key for stressful times. Can be used during the day or at night.

· Fights depression. This is literally a natural antidepressant.

The best part? Little to no side effects were found and can be used safely for prolonged periods of time (for months).

So if you ever need a good night’s sleep, and want to wake up the next day ENERGIZED, then I highly recommend picking up albizia HERE.

Since this is a brand new product for us, for the next week ONLY you can get albizia for just $15.99… instead of $19.99!

Rooting for your sleep!

P.S If you really want to get a kick start for the day, in addition to taking Albzia, grab some Spark to get that extra kick for the energy you've already woken up to, this will help with your focus and a clear pathway to make the day filled with energy, happiness & clarity.

Developing Tarzan Muscle And Conditioning

In the last few weeks or so I've been reading an omnibus book on Tarzan that has stories going as far back as the late 40's to the mid 50's (Talk about CLASSIC) and as far as I'm seeing, these are just insane stories from rescuing slaves to going after his son Boy and leading a tribal army to rescue a chemist. These stories just don't depict the exciting life of Tarzan but show how physically strong and conditioned he is from swimming sprint style, to lifting up certain heavy objects, flying through the jungle on the vines and his endurance to fight as long as it takes. These attributes are what is inspiring to be in that kind of shape.

Now not everyone can be like Tarzan but we can however become very strong and conditioned than the average person. There's a lot of mixed things that happen in life today that brings a complicated style of fitness and educating those wishing to learn it. On one end you have people that are extremely overweight and have issues with eating healthy, finding "time" to exercise and building a foundation that helps them live longer and have a healthier lifestyle, on the other end of that extreme spectrum you have athletes or those who develop physiques that look like cartoon characters that seem to be out of a comic book that have huge muscles or extremely lean muscle that looks "obvious" they're on steroids. In the middle of this there's everyone else but don't have a complete informed outlook of what true fitness is. Because of the overwhelming level of information provided today it can be extremely difficult to find what suits you the best.

This is where I like to provide simple info that doesn't overwhelm a reader or someone who wants to get fit. There are many ways to get fit but many many courses tell what reps build the most muscle and what gives the most endurance and exercises that work for this bodypart and that bodypart plus you have those infomercials that sell basically crap and pass it off as a sparkling entity. The very best training style that has worked for me has been the Animal Exercises; it takes out all the crap of which bodypart and how many times you do it out of the equation and gets down to the nitty gritty of how to move like a wild animal and do it as long as you can and making a fun game out of it.

That's the emphasis of what Tarzan means to becoming strong and powerful, you take certain things and master it and not always through a single spot but by moving and making the most out of those movements to take on life's biggest challenges. You do movements where you learn step by step how to move like a wild beast in the jungle just like Tarzan; he studies the animals, he practices their movement, calls and makes it the very best for his style whether it be friend or foe. You no longer get to just go to the Zoo to watch animals, you get to become that animal. When you move in various directions, speeds and control; you are using muscles that you didn't think existed and forget crunches and sit-ups, practically every animal you learn to move as will force you to use your entire core from the upper abs to the pelvic area in order to stabilize you and protect you from injury because a lot of these exercises are very intense and usually 1st timers of animal workouts don't last the 1st 5 minutes, that's how tough they are.

As you progress through these animal movements, you'll find your body changing by having greater definition, functional strength, greater flexibility and have conditioning that is very unique unlike other programs of regular calisthenics and/or weights. You'll have a set of lungs that will impress people and if you play sports, your opponents will be terrified of your endurance. I was already quite fit when I started to do these almost exclusively but even at that, they kicked my ass big time and it gave me a goal to shoot for. You don't need more than 5 minutes to start and once you get to the advanced versions of these movements, you can go as long as you want however you want. You can make a game out of it, race friends, make it a part of your current regimen or you can use it to enhance your sports training. Tarzan is a symbol of courage & inner/outer strength with incredible endurance and the will to get better as life goes on. I don't workout with animal exercises, I play them and learn the value of making the most out of them because they're fun & exciting and that's what true fitness is about.

The Power Of VRT

The VRT System is a program that provides the increase of muscular hypertrophy quickly without the need of weights, an apparatus or highly dangerous steroids. It has been proven to be very safe and an effective way the entire muscular system the the maximum of the growth phase by causing the muscles to get that "pump" in every muscle group within a period of 20 minutes or less.

Since the 80's it has become quite an impressive system that has been researched and tested by thousands of bodybuilders, pro athletes, world-class lifters and many more around the world in over 30 countries including the US. Over 95% of those who have practiced this system has had an increase in muscular size and tone. Around 1985 there were reports from now the former Soviet Union shown that the trainers there picked up on the VRT System and the Soviet coaches began implementing this system to their athletes such as wrestlers, weightlifters, gymnasts and other Olympic-Level athletes.

The Exercise Physiologists found out some amazing and killer statistics that have shown remarkable increases in muscular development and the techniques applied helped increase other attributes such as speed of movement, strength & even neuromuscular coordination. They also found out that VRT doesn't do any straining to the joints & ligaments no matter how many times these guys performed the technique.

This is a very unique system that in its concept has the extraordinary ability to bring in such an intense pump of the muscles through the rush of the blood to obtain muscular growth. It can be done by practically anybody regardless of age or sex. Think what it would be like to get in an amazing playout within 15 minutes and do it anywhere and anytime you wished. This is the power of how to apply this awesome program and save so much TIME & MONEY it is unimaginable. It is another outlook to what is called Muscle Control where you apply the mind/muscle connection to specific muscle groups and flex & relax in a range of motion. I've applied this technique many times and have increased muscle size to where I have nearly 18 inch arms, a 20 inch or so neck, thick muscular back and a near 48 inch chest at 250 plus pounds. Haven't touched a barbell or dumbbell in over a few years and still managed to develop muscle fast. This system works and can be used for any bodybuilding program and all you need for equipment is your imagination.

Check out this system for yourself and make it your own. You have the power to create anything you want with this system and develop a physique that turns heads and amazes people. Get VRT for only $9 for paperback and $1.99 for Kindle; that's far less than the cost of a monthly membership to a gym and you never have to wait for equipment ever again and you can do this when you get up in the morning walking only a couple feet from your bed, do it at a park, by the lake/ocean or in a hotel near Disneyland. Wherever you go, VRT will always be with you.

Be Able To Do Bodybuilding Anywhere And Anytime

I'm not the biggest fan of modern bodybuilding for a few reasons; one it's not as simplistic as it was in the early 20th century, two there are too many exercises that make people overthink and hinder progress & three because too many drugs have taken over than the love of pure bodybuilding itself. Not everyone is meant to have that kind of lifestyle and it isn't practical to spend so many hours while the general population has a life to live when it comes to family, jobs & paying bills. When something becomes overcomplicated, you're going to really get anywhere.

I'm a firm believer in using simple methods that are not only effective but have a long term positive effect on the body, it is also rejuvenative and and doesn't wear and tear on the joints. Calisthenics are usually ideal in my arsenal of methods and I can never get enough of airope skipping and using the power wheel or doing Isometrics but when it comes down to deep and direct approach to bodybuilding, I go with VRT (Visualized Resistance Training). It is a system that provides pumping the muscles without ever touching weights and you can mimic any machine in the gym anywhere you want. It is without question one of the most powerful methods around and all it takes is flexing a muscle, moving through a range of motion and your imagination; those main three are the foundation. People tend to knock off this system because it has that negative notion of only "pretending to lift weights" ordeal and think the only way to build muscle is by moving weights.

Not everyone can afford a weight set and even moreso, they can't travel with weights on a plane or in their car and it's not ideal to moving weights in a hotel room if you're traveling. Weights can be beneficial for the body in certain ways but you do need specific spots to have them so it is safe for the surrounding environment. VRT takes out all of that where you can imagine lifting a weight and flexing the muscles through a specific range of motion without ever needing the equipment there. You can take VRT anywhere you wish because the only equipment is you and your mind. I have done VRT in a hotel room, at the park, on a plane, riding in the car and even did it at Disneyland (yes it is possible). You can make this system whatever you wish and whatever you can think of, you can make a VRT exercise out of.

Think of it this way; ever heard of the Green Lantern and that mighty Ring of his? If you ever read the comics or watched the disastrous flick with Ryan Reynolds; the ring is a symbol of how to apply imagination and turning it into action. He comes up with all sorts of weird stuff to defend himself and others and whatever he thinks of, the ring creates out of that. That principle is similar to VRT where you imagine something heavy and doesn't have to be a weight or a machine; it could be lifting a car, picking up boulders, doing chest flys with steel chains or whatever you can think of. You have your own Green Lantern Ring and that ring is your imagination & the muscles are the action of that ring. You have the power to be as creative as you wish to be and you control how much tension you create to build the muscles you want.

One of the most well developed human beings on the planet didn't lift weights and all he did was flex his muscles in certain positions of exercise similar to VRT; that man was Bobby Pandour. His physique at the time was extraordinary and was only topped by guys like Otto Arco, Maxick & Eugene Sandow; he was that well built. His body was so well put together it would give today's Physique Contestants a run for their money and this was long before the days of steroids, supplements & exercise machines. Back then the only way to even remotely find a way to lift weights like a barbell and such was in a massive gymnasium in a major town or at a YMCA that provided such luxuries. You couldn't really buy weights at that time and if you did, the most you'd get is maybe a 100-200 lbs. set. Bobby settled only for Muscle Control and his best style of leg training was carrying his brother up flights of stairs. Don't believe me on the possibilities of having a mighty physique by this system, take a look below.

You can develop a body to be proud of and not wear and tear on your joints. Be able to train anywhere you wish and do it in less time than with any other bodybuilding method. Wear whatever you want, do any exercise that your imagination can come up with and have fun developing the mind/muscle connection. Get VRT today for less than the cost of a monthly membership to any gym and never be bored with exercise ever again.

Its Schisandra Harvest Season Again

Every year between August 15th and September 15th in the Massachusetts Connecticut river valley, the floral fragrance of organically grown schisandra berries fills the air as folks hand harvest these precious little red treasures.

You know what that means?! SALE TIME 15% Savings Coupon Code: SHARVEST

ONLY $16.99 a bag (with discount applied) Sale Ends Monday Sept. 25

SCHISANDRA

Schisandra is known as one of the top herbs used in Chinese herbalism and has grown in use and popularity over recent years. With the tasty qualities, this berry holds it has been widely consumed as a single herb, made into teas, smoothies, and even alcoholic drinks. (They've included a few recipes below)

It has all five flavors: salty, sweet, sour, pungent and bitter in one food which is like nothing else on the planet. Just that alone showcases the magical properties of this herb.

Once you taste this little red berry, you will see why its popularity has spread far and wide and its uses have continued to benefit people of all ages.

Do you already know? And want to claim your savings before stock is depleted. Click here now – Supplies Are Limited!!!

But, If you haven’t tried this sweet and sour little berry extract check this out:

As a top anti-aging herb in Chinese medicine, Schisandra chinensis is said to enter into every meridian channel in the body, once again a quite unique claim to fame, and work on the five elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal.

Benefits taking Schisandra can have for you:

Antioxidant (Increases SOD)
Supports the Liver (Thru both Phase 1 and Phase 2 Detoxification)
Supports Concentration and Memory
Increases Alertness
Reduces Stress and Exhaustion
Improves Night Vision
Slightly Calming

The Highest Quality Schisandra Available

Their schisandra is grown on an organic farm Massachusetts, United States. These berries are hand harvested, soaked, washed, hand sifted, then sealed in large food grade containers and freeze-dried locking in the flavor and vibrancy.

This freeze-drying method naturally concentrates the levels to approximately a 5:1 and makes all the valuable nutrients in the seed material bio-available and absorbable. It also helps lock in the natural color, energetic signatures, and unique taste.

Don’t procrastinate 15% saving means you get a bag for $16.99…THAT’S A DEAL! And this offer only comes around 1x a year so if ever you considered… now is the time.

Their 365 Day Money-Back-Guarantee means YOU DON’T LIKE IT then send it back for a full product refund.

Sale Ends Monday, Sept. 25th 2017

Schisandra Berry Powder RECIPES

Schisandra Berry Tea Recipe #1

1 TB Schisandra Extract
1 Qt. Hot Water
Simply mix and enjoy. Doesn’t get much simpler than this.

Schisandra beautifies the skin. In Chinese medicine, it strengthens your “Wei Chi”, which is the defense chi of your body. It’s the first line of your body’s immune response and much more. As an astringent, it helps to tighten skin and tissues, helping to preserve moisture.

The following recipes contain several more ingredients to give you many more ideas.

Schisandra Berry Tea Recipe #2

1-quart water
3T Schisandra (soaked and drained)
1T goji berries
1T astragalus root
1t orange peel or a couple of pieces
1t fresh ginger root
Simmer the above ingredients in one quart of pure water for no longer than 15 minutes. Strain and drink alone with super sweeteners or allow to cool and blend into a smoothie or iced drink.

Schisandra detoxifies the liver. This is due primarily to antioxidants and lignan components including schizandrin, pregomisin, gomisins, and deoxyschizandrin. In China a drug was created out of Schisandra for this effect.

Schisandra Berry Tea Recipe #3

2 Tbsp Schisandra Berries
2 Tbsp Elderberries (optional)
6 small pieces of licorice root, broken into small pieces
5-6 inch knob of ginger peeled and coarsely chopped
A palmful or two of dried eleuthero
1-2 Tbsp of dried green stevia leaves
1-2 cinnamon sticks, crushed
Combine everything (except for the stevia) in a saucepan and cover with 4 cups of water. Cover and bring to a boil.

Schisandra berry is one of the top adaptogens in the world. Schisandrin B stimulates the expression of heat shock proteins in normal cells which enhances mitochondrial glutathione status, other antioxidant activity and ATP generation. The Russians heavily investigated this and other adaptogens to support their athletes and soldiers.

Fermented Schizandra Berry Tea

One tablespoon of water kefir grains
One quart of water
One cup of sugar
One cup of dried schizandra berries
Two cups of boiled water
Two cups of pomegranate juice (cherry and raspberry juice are great too)

1. Dissolve the sugar in the quart of water. (They recommend heating the water to help dissolve the sugar, but then allow the water to cool before the next step.)

2. Put the water kefir grains in a clean quart jar and pour the cool sugar water over the grains. Let it sit for 24 hours.

3. In the meantime, pour two cups of boiled water over the berries, cover, and let it sit and cool. (They've had no issues letting this sit for 24 hours.)

4. After 24 hours, strain off the water kefir grains to use in another recipe. Set grains aside.

5. In a half gallon jar, combine the sugar water, steeped berries with liquid, and the pomegranate juice or juice of your choice.

6. Cover with a tea towel and let it ferment until it reaches your desired sweetness.

Combining the benefits of schisandra along with the benefits or a fermented drink. Sounds great.

Schisandra is a great aphrodisiac. It’s not what many people think of, like other herbs such as tongkat ali and cistanche, but helps increase circulation, lubrication, sensitivity as well as libido for both men and women.

Schisandra Berry Smoothie

2-3 Tablespoons of Schisandra Berry Syrup
2 cups Strawberries or Mixed Berries
Vitamin C Powder ( 1000 mg. dose – I used ⅛ tsp.)
1½ cups of Homemade Yogurt, Coconut Yogurt or Coconut Milk
2-3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil, melted Pinch of Sea Salt
2-3 Tablespoons of Gelatin (cold soluble)

Schisandra Juice

In Asia, it is common to infuse schisandra into other fruit juices. If you had fresh berries you could juice them but it wouldn’t be something you drink a lot of. But a little bit added to other juices can be great tasting and highly beneficial.

1 tsp to 1 TB schisandra berries or extract
1 cup to 1 gallon of dark fruit juice (They recommend tart cherry juice for its many benefits)
Allow to soak for a day. Strain and drink.

A whole book could be written on the benefits of this amazing herb. Because it contains all five flavors, which is a rare thing for one food to have, it enters all 12 meridians in the human body, and nourishes the five elements, water, wood, fire, earth and metal. In addition, it contains all three treasures, Jing, Qi and Shen, all in one place.

With all these options and recipes, you should give this organically grown schisandra berry extract a shot.

THE Superfood That Will Enhance Natural Balance In The Body

It gets old, right?

You lead a busy life. You have responsibilities to your family, your job…

But when was the last time you thought about your responsibility to your body?

Now, if you think the dusty old duties of eating right and exercising are all you need, you are DEAD WRONG.

Recent science proves you've got one HUGE new health duty you (and millions of others) are ignoring...

It's a silent new health disaster caused by modern food and drug industries that NO amount of exercise and healthy eating can cure...

Combating Hormone Imbalance isn't impossible...

Specifically - a little-discussed growing epidemic called Estrogen Dominance...

Not sure Estrogen Dominance is that big a deal?

Well let me ask you this:

Did you know BOTH women's AND men's bodies already produce both Estrogen and Testosterone naturally?

It's true! Everybody needs and produces a bit of both - and maintaining the delicate balance of Estrogen to Testosterone in our individual bodies used to be so easy no one even noticed it...

...it has become increasingly difficult for both men and women to avoid estrogen dominance, and the side effects to your health are extreme.

There is something that can help….

…. Chinese herbalists have been taking advantage of its infinite benefits for thousands of years….

….It’s called Pine Pollen.

The secret behind Pine Pollen is the Phyto-androgens it contains.

Phyto-androgens stimulate testosterone. They work to support the optimization of hormones within our body by balancing out that excess estrogen that we’re bombarded with.

The balance of hormones directly affects how our bodies function. Good balance translates into energy, weight control, sexual vigor, youthful appearance, recovery from daily stress and physical activity and overall sense of well- being.

Imbalance leads to fatigue, sleep disturbance, sexual dysfunction, depression, impaired immune function, chronic illnesses, disease, and ultimately, early death.

Why wouldn't we want to take something that could by far- have amazing health benefits inside and out? Especially with a 365 Day Money Back Guarantee.

Instead of shelling out thousands for painful, unsure, and time-consuming hormone replacement therapies created and administered by the very industry that helped cause this Estrogen Dominance epidemic in the first place, why not get back to basics and go for a purely natural, gentle yet effective, centuries-proven solution? You have a responsibility to yourself and your loved ones to maintain your health fully. Don't let your Estrogen Dominant imbalance become impossible to fix!

Building A Strong Foundation For Great Posture

Having good posture has a certain presence to it. You don't have to be a pompous jerk or look down at someone in order to have good posture but it is important to have muscles that give you that solid look that grabs people's attention. Great posture is built on having a strong core and a mighty back with the shoulders pulled back and having the chest up.

How you breathe determines your posture as well, some people breathe through their chest, others through their diaphragm, i'm thinking why not do both and master them so when the occasion calls for it you know how to apply them. Some people actually believe diaphragmatic breathing makes a person lazy and weak while the chest breathing makes them super strong, for me that's a crock because from the diaphragm, it is a natural instinct that we as humans have had since we were born. How can you ever say something natural is an automatic outlook of weakness? There are many ways to breathe incorrectly but there are others that breathe with efficiency and power. Look to Paul Bragg's book on Super Power Breathing For Health on this subject.  

An ideal outlook on developing poor or bad posture is how you apply certain exercises and if there's too much or too little of what developes that posture. One thing you don't want to do is do too many exercises that require a ton of pushing that brings out that hunched over look. There are many people that love the bench press and do so much of it that it destroys their ability to have solid posture because the shoulders are too far forward, chest is caved in and looking like a hunchback. Now push-ups, bear crawls, crab walks and Isometric pushing really helps the opposite but it is valuably important to do a great amount of pulling which strengthens the back, powers up the core muscles and pulls back the shoulders. Lately due to more observations on my lower back issue, I instinctively learned to do more specific ab and back training. I do more of my pushing training through animal exercise but at the same time I realized I needed to open up the core and back more using specific equipment to target those areas without isolation. I use the TNT Lifeline Cables for back training doing curls, rows, pulldowns and stretching pulls while using the Power Wheel for strengthening the core muscles. Just after only a few times my posture and lower back have gotten way better.

Muscle Control is another powerful method for developing posture as you apply the flexion and relaxation of the muscles being performed whether individually or as a group. Some of the strongest athletes of the early 20th century had tremendous posture and it helped them live a long life. One of the best was George Hackenshmidt the wrestler and weightlifter from Estonia that lived until the age of 90. He emphasized the application of exercise using the best methods possible that went beyond just strength. Posture is what separates you from the pack.

Make it the best you can and strengthen your body with purpose and health, not just for vanity.

A Workout Fit For The Ultimate Star Wars Fan

What would it feel like to have the Dark Lord of the Sith in your hands? To feel the power of the darkside in order to be in the best shape possible; look no further than Onnit's new line of Kettlebells based on the phenomenon that is Star Wars. Kettlebells have been a staple for physical strength & conditioning for years now and have been a part of Physical Culture for well over 100 years. There have been different variations of the Kettlebell but never anything like this.

When you have a Bounty Hunter, a Stormtrooper & the greatest villain of them all Darth Vader as the new heads for Kettlebells, it brings out a whole new level of fear in competitors and inspiration to be not only in incredible shape but an added bonus of Bad Assery. These three loathsome figures have been meticulously sculpted and cast in dark black iron to strike fear into the hearts of all in their presence. You will never find a more wretched group of scum and villainy in any gym.

There are plenty of exercises to do with these awesome bells and regardless of your age or sex, they can give you the tools to develop a level of conditioning and physique that would make Luke Skywalker hide in fear just like he did when Rey found him in Episode 7. With the addition to Kettlebell Training, it can help build loads of explosive power and other major attributes through efficient full body movements. These bells come in sizes of 50, 60 & 70 lb weights; a bell for every creature in the galaxy.

Pre-Order today and get ready for the battle of your life and hone the power of the darkside in the palm of your hands.  

Developing A Thick Bull Neck Without Weights

In sports and in life it is critically important to keep your head on your shoulders yet many neglect to train the area that is attached to the head which is the NECK. The people with thick necks are usually football players & wrestlers and that is because of the full contact blasts they take especially pro wrestlers who get tied up in headlocks, rolling out and even kicking out have to have a strong neck otherwise it could be disastrous. Same thing with football players that tackle head on like fighting bulls, buffalos & rams; they're necks need to be a key factor in winning a fight otherwise you can shatter your spine and be paralyzed from the neck down.

For over 12 years, I have studied, trained & learned various aspects on training the neck. Off and on and a lot more on lately, I have been working on building a strong neck for practically any occasion. I rarely ever touched weights for neck training and that's mostly because most weights or machines isolate only a small portion of the neck in a specific position so unless you need to fix a weak area you don't necessarily need a machine to build a powerful neck. Because of the methods I have practiced, I have developed a thick 20 inch neck without ever touching a single pound.

Some exercises even for bodyweight can be debatable or controversial depending on who you talk to and how certain methods are applied. When I had my very short stint training in high school wrestling I was taught to bridge on the top of my head and because I never heard of the bridge then I didn't know any better. It turns out years later, it wasn't the best type of bridge to do. I really began my style of bridging from learning from Matt Furey's Combat Conditioning Book and applied the more stretching component of bringing the nose to the mat. This was my first taste of learning how to handle my neck in awkward positions and the experience just kept growing. Eventually within a short period of time I was able to hold a bridge for 3 min. with feet flat, arms off the floor and nose touching the mat.

I wanted to learn more on how to make my neck stronger not just from bridging. One of my favorite methods came from Jim Forystek's Book Flexercise where it taught how to build a strong neck using self resistance exercises where you applied pressure to really make the neck work as you went through a movement. It had a specific level of repetitions that you progressed to so you can safely build the neck without straining. I hit level 3 status for those exercises quickly and my neck was getting sculpted but the funny thing was I didn't really care how sculpted my neck looked, only cared about making it stronger, durable and flexible.

The neck is a fist impression of a strong and powerful individual. It doesn't need to be sculpted like a bodybuilder which to me is more counterproductive because most bodybuilders today don't have that strong of a neck. A neck with power shows confidence and gives off a strong vibe that tells a person that is full of vigor and posture. If you have a weak neck, you have a greater chance for injuries and very hunched over. The course that settled it for me to really develop the neck I wanted was none other than Advanced Bridging by Logan Christopher; this alone taught me the true value of neck building and honing a thick bull neck that screams strength. From holding specific positions to rocking gave my neck the fuel it needed to develop size.

If you're interested in learning the deepest aspects of building a thick neck, look for the man with the world's strongest neck Mike Bruce who developed his neck in ways that cannot be matched by anyone. His neck is so strong, he's literally lifted hundreds of pounds while moving his head up and down, has had steel bars bent across his throat and even a horseshoe. This was all done by applying methods he used in wrestling and Martial Arts while utilizing strongman techniques and firmly applied bodyweight style conditioning.

You can apply weights for neck training but you have to be extremely cautious and be safe at all times. The neck is a set of muscles and tendons like everything else but its a lot more delicate than practically any other part of body because its in congruent with the spinal cord and that electric power from the brain to the spinal cord is firmly in the neck. So train with intent, purpose and able to apply with proper technique. There have been countless injuries due to spinal cord breaks and hitting the neck in the wrong spots. One of the most famous is from the injury that put legendary Superman actor Christopher Reeve in a wheelchair until the day he died. Another athlete that had a major neck injury but had someone or something on his side that had pull out of being a vegetable was pro wrestling technician and high flyer TJ Wilson aka Tyson Kidd. He had a match a while back and landed really badly on his head or his neck I can't remember which one and it was so bad he had to be carried out on a stretcher and put in a severe neck brace. The upside to this is that because of his training building that neck, it was so strong it kept him from being in a wheelchair for life or worse killing him.

I'm not trying to get you thinking the worst scenarios but I'am being honest on how important it is to train the neck with proper technique and developing a strong foundation that can help prevent disastrous circumstances. Here are my key ingredients to developing a powerful neck.....

Bridging (Front, Back)

Bridge Rocks (Front, Back, Side To Side)

Self Resistance Movements (Side To Side, Turning Of The Head, Up, Down, Circular)

(Advanced Movements)- Bridging Gymnastics (Kicking Over & Back), Headstand Neck Stretches, Circular Walks In The Bridge, Front Bridge Plank

I personally do the majority of these almost daily alternating a couple exercises. Don't jump into some of these right away, build up to them and progress to advanced variations & exercises. It's not going to happen over night and some of these are extremely difficult especially if you're someone of a heavier size. When I first kicked over in the bridge I was 230+ lbs. and I had to have solid form in order to pull it off, you can be far smaller and kick over with not so good solid form but its vastly important to have the best form possible to safely do this. Build the best neck you can and pay attention to weaknesses & the ability to progress.    

How Long Should You Rest Between Sets Of Exercise

This all depends on your goals and what you're trying to accomplish whether it's preparing for competition or overall fitness. Resting can also mean a lot of things; are you sitting down? Are you walking around after a set? Are you active at a lower intensity? Or are you just going non stop?

In my opinion, you should rest as long as needed, not as long or short as someone tells you to. I've been through the 30 seconds rest periods, 2 min., 5 min., 15 sec. and so on and so forth and I have come to the conclusion that if you need to catch your breath then do so and take as much time as you need. When it comes to conditioning, the objective is to keep going and if you're in need of a rest or finished say a circuit, do a lower intensity exercise that is active and keeps you at a solid level of cardio. If you've been hitting it hard with the weights or you have done some rough HIIT than I suggest you rest as long as needed to.

Rest periods for the most part written out by various trainers and fitness enthusiasts make mere suggestions and some are very questionable especially those that have you doing some heavy training but your rest time is way short. I get it, you want them to keep their heart rates at a high level but suggesting a rest period when someone isn't in the shape for that workout and telling them if they're weak or not for how long they rest is ridiculous. I have been through some of the most intense training around and some that are considered beginner, I barely made it and i'm in good shape.

This is where it can be debatable for people and depending where the training is from and who teaches it can be overwhelming. When you're following someone at their pace, at times you won't be able to keep up, doesn't mean you're not in shape, just means you're not meant to. When it comes to programs like DDP Yoga, the objective is to keep going but he does remind you if you need to back off a bit then do so because if you're going harder than you need to, it can cause injury.

You want to be able to recover at an optimum level for you and how do you know if you're resting enough? Is your form at a solid level when you move onto the next exercise or set or is it sloppy? Are you able to go at the pace you've progressed or are you going slower? How are your energy levels? These are the things many don't think about and the reason why that is it's because they were told to only do this and that. The key to learning this is being able to be intuitive and understanding your awareness and the ability to go at a level needed to progress to a greater stage or efficiently in another exercise or set.

I firmly believe in resting until I'm ready for the next set. I've been experimenting with skipping rope or the airope lately where if I get too tired during certain rounds of the animal dice game or I used it as rest between each exercise from the recent Cable workout, I skipped enough to let things go down a bit but at the same time i'm staying active. I rest only enough to where my breathing is good and the lactic acid has died down a bit for me to go hard again. So far this has been working extremely well for me and I have stayed on active rest sometimes shorter to catch my breath and sometimes a little longer to be at a good pace so when I go back, i'm efficient.

Resting is just another word for recovery and if you're able to go through an entire workout without needing recovery time, that's awesome and impressive but if you need to catch your breath and need to move around a bit and recover than do so, don't be afraid to recover. Recovery is just as important as the training itself and if it's not on a balanced level (which can vary an individual) than you need to make it so. Have a foundational ratio and you'll be reaching levels of fitness that are just awesome.

Super Conditioning For Women

A strong woman both inside and out make up the very best of what this world has the potential to be. It's more common nowadays for women to have a strong and powerful independent nature and be able to handle things many men cannot fathom. Forget physical strength for a second and let's look how conditioning plays a major role in both life and in sports for women; in my opinion, women have just as much of potential or even more so often to be in better condition than most men for a specific purpose.

The mere hardcore fact that women pull off more strength and endurance for going through childbirth should give you the not so subtle hint that conditioning for training isn't just possible, it'll be a greater capacity to progress at the best level. Girls are beyond capable to being in the best shape they can possibly be in and more often than not can have greater strength pound for pound than the average man. Men do have a greater capacity for developing hardcore strength due to our testosterone levels compared to women but yet women can be so freakishly strong that would make a man run in fear. 

Think of a woman that can swing a 100+ lbs Kettlebell and weigh no more than 110 lbs. That's just insane, most men cannot match that if they were to weigh 200 lbs. or more and swing with the same weight. Women can possess incredible physical strength but they also have the enormous capabilities to be highly conditioned and can go for periods of time that is just incredible. One of the best ways to develop great conditioning is to be able to handle your bodyweight in various positions where it does take some great strength to do it. Eddie Baran's Body Sculpting For Women can do just that and turn them into powerful and strong women that can go and be able to pull off some amazing feats. 

Women can get seriously conditioned using nothing more than their bodyweight. If you decide you want to get on the weights wagon then I suggest you check some amazing women such as the Scottish Tankerbell Kirsten Tulloch, the 5ft badass of Ant Strong Melody Shoenfeld & one of the most athletic women on the planet today and the South African Queen of Kettlebells Vanessa Raymond. Go beyond just building great muscle (without great bulk) and take on fun and exciting training ideals that not inspire women to be very strong but incredibly skilled at whatever they want to accomplish.

One of the cool things I love to do for others is to give a bit more than they pay for because let's face it when you invest in something especially in health and fitness you want the best bang for your buck. That's why when women order products at my Advocare Store, you won't just be investing in top quality supplementation with healthy tips on food but from me personally you will also get bonus workouts you can do anywhere, anytime that are based on powerful women in Comic Books & Mythology; Heroines, Villains, Goddesses & others that break stereotypes and inspire girls from all walks of life to be in the best shape possible using simplistic methods that have stood the test of time. Most men cannot do some of these workouts and as a man myself, I had trouble keeping up with a few of them, that's how tough they can be but despite the challenge they're fun and don't take too long to get you going. Be able to train less than 30-45 minutes a day with workouts that do more in that time than it takes to get the gym, train and leave. Wear whatever you wish, listen to your favorite tunes and get into that amazonian mindset of kicking ass and conquering a workout that could take down some of the best athletes on the planet. This isn't crossfit or extremely hardcore, they're very simple yet highly effective to be fit on a long-term basis. Adjust your own levels according to your current state of fitness and build up to high levels of Super Conditioning. 

HAPPY LABOR DAY: TIP ON HOW TO KEEP MOVING IN YOUR WORKOUTS

Hope everyone is having a fun Labor Day and making the most of it. This weekend has been a partial rollercoaster for me mentally but I never give up on what I love and that's training. Got a couple of new movies on Blu-Ray such as Baywatch & Batman And Harley Quinn and experimented with something I never tried before and wanted to give you a little tip...

During some recent playouts, I tested out how I can keep moving during rest periods or if I start to feel a little tired. It was during my Animal Dice Game and in between rounds I would go to the Airope and do some skipping to keep myself in that cardio zone and boy did it pay off. Just doing enough rest with this to catch my breath but still moving and I was cruising through that game really good. Once I started feeling tired, I repeated the skipping.

Now I know what you're thinking (In that Magnum P.I type tone), you might be asking "Why don't you just use a regular jump rope or just sit down and/or walk around if you're tired?" Well my good man (or woman), I could use a jump rope which I do have that you can get here but lately, its been very smoky due to forest fires from the state east of us (Montana) and breathing that in can be hazardous and it isn't easy to jump rope with ceilings. Also yes I could just walk around which I do from time to time but sitting down is out of the question because in order to stay in top condition in training, you never stop moving.

I like the airope because for one it gives me a chance to work on coordination with my right hand and I can skip anywhere, anytime.  It works the calves like crazy and you get a hell of a lot of cardio out of it and that's what you need to help increase chances of fat loss and weight loss. This is only needed in between sets of any exercise you do or in between rounds if you do circuit training. This keeps the blood flowing and keeps your heart rate at a solid level while "resting". If you prefer a jump rope, awesome use it. Jump ropes are a classic conditioning tool that has been around for generations. The airope is just another tool in the arsenal.

You want to be in as good of shape as possible regardless of what you're training for. Using a simple tool to keep up cardio while going for strength, agility, conditioning and/or endurance can take you into the far reaches of fitness. Imagine what it feels like to never tire, make your friends go "damn does this guy ever stop" and be able to have so much energy you'll be burning calories like no tomorrow. Rope skipping can be a great starting point or it can be a part of your bag of goodies to be in the very best shape possible. Make it work for you.

Sometimes 20 Minutes Is All It Takes

While making the best of the animal dice game, I have learned that despite being able to do a full at one time, its not the ideal amount of time to get in the best shape possible. You can play it as long as long as you wish and if you could go longer than an hour that's awesome but I have found that my best for staying as strong in the end as the beginning is around 20 min.

People like to go to extremes seeing how long they can really go and regardless of form or consequences they shoot beyond what the body is capable of. The important aspect of true fitness is not to push beyond the limits for a long-term basis. Many won't like this but it is the truth. I don't want to be hovering over like I just got my ass handed to me like McGregor in the 10th round, I want to be able to walk out knowing that I could still go but have done enough to say "ok that's all for today." That doesn't mean I'm not putting in the work to get in shape, very much so and because animal moves are often so intense that training hard for too long of a period of time can be more diminishing than result producing.

The way the game is set up is different every single time because one day you might find easier exercises to move around in and not go all explosive but another day you can put your legs through the ringer and only last maybe 10 min. before you're spanked. After going through hundreds of rounds, thousands of steps/reps and many many animal moves I can expertly say some days you'll feel like you can take on the world but don't expect it to be permanent because sooner or later, you'll have that playout that is so intense it'll be short as hell but you'll still be in awesome shape.

There's a massive difference between running on a treadmill for 20 min. than it is to do a full animal playout; the intensity are pure opposites because while running at a fixed speed and a specific motion, you'll be putting your body through a whole other realm of crazy as you crawl, jump, hop, balance, hold and coordinate in very awkward positions and using muscles you don't normally realize are being worked. I've ran and walked on treadmills in the past and they were boring as hell but when I do the same amount of time doing animal moves, I'm moving through planes of motion, having to adjust every single step to stay balanced, be able to stabilize my core in weird positions and i'm building much more than cardio; i'm building strength and power in those positions. You can't get real strength from a treadmill, its physically impossible.

The most intense training is more likely to gain a success in your fitness endeavor than a low intensity style of fitness. Greater intensity builds muscle quicker and you're burning calories far greater than at low intensity due to the nature of muscles being used and the ideal movement it provides. Sometimes, 20 min is all it takes.  

SUMMER END SALE AT LOST EMPIRE

Been waiting to stock up on herbs? Or even waiting for the first time to dive into the amazing world of natural herbs?





Wait no longer… It's SALE TIME.






Since summer is almost in the rear view we figured why not celebrate another beautiful year.



SUMMERS END SITEWIDE BLOWOUT STARTS NOW!



Coupon Code: SUMMER15








Save 15% on EVERYTHING sold on the lost empire herbs website, Yes - this means, herbs, formulas, gear… the whole enchilada.






Already know what your heart desires? You can enter here!


Want a cheat sheet? Enter here to view a complete list of herbs, description and health benefits associated. For those who may have missed the last few products released let’s recap!


Maca Powder: Also called Peruvian Ginseng has been a popular herbal supplement in the West for years. The two things Maca is known for in the West is for its ability to promote healthy sexual function and as a nutritional powerhouse. Maca has been traditionally used in the following areas: increase endurance/stamina, help build muscle, adaptogenic effects, promote healthy bone density, memory stabilization, and neuroprotective effects. Great in FOOD and for cooking.

Beet Powder: The King of Nitric Oxide, Blood Boosting, Detoxification, and More. One of the beets most popular benefits comes from the dietary nitrates it provides. Nitric Oxide is important for healthy heart function, supporting athletic function and workouts, increasing recovery, decreasing fatigue, and providing better energy. Beets are also loaded with powerful antioxidants that work to quell oxidative stress in the body and support detoxification.


Gynostemma Tea: The Herb of Immortality, a Strong Adaptogen with Ginseng-like Activity. Gynostemma is widely known. Gynostemma is one of those herbs that can seemingly do-it-all. In Chinese Medicine, it is considered sweet (building) and slightly bitter (good for digestion), growing Yin and supporting the Yang. It is applied to many conditions. Here are a few uses: Neuroprotective, Helps support a healthy heart, Works as a powerful antioxidant, Immunomodulatory effects, Modulates the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.


Coupon Code: SUMMER15





End of Summer sale 8/29/17-9/4/2017*No Rainchecks







You have a few days- but supplies are limited so don't wait until the end.

How Long Can You Go In The Jungle?

Every now and then I like to test myself in specific feats or see how long I last during a playout. At one time, I went a FULL HOUR of doing the animal dice game and I tell you man it was brutal and it was a killer set of animals. Roll after roll after roll of various animals, sweating like niagara falls and taking the brutal beating that is the Animal Kingdom.

Doing that was a dedication in a unique way to pro wrestlers that would do what were called "Hour Long Broadways", being able to wrestle continuously for a full hour time limit. The thing with the animals like wrestling is that you don't rest and you keep going even if you have to walk around a bit to catch your breath but you never stop to lay down or just stand. The jungle can be a dangerous place so you have to be prepared (no pun intended to Scar from the Lion King) for whatever comes at you and be able to move & handle your body in every direction and condition the body to keep moving cause if you stay in one spot too long and there's predators, you can get killed.

I ended up finishing the hour long (animal) broadway with I believe 82 rounds and over 935 total steps of movement. That's a lot for moving well over 250 lbs. It takes a mental mindset to push beyond certain limits; I'm not saying to the degree of passing out or throwing up or moving with a vengeance you pull a muscle or tear something. You go until you're done.

Now if I didn't count by writing it down after every roll, I could have easily done 100 rounds or more and if I didn't have a previous minor low back injury I would have moved far faster. It wasn't the greatest idea but I wanted to do it and yes I did take some time off doing other exercises while my back healed. I'm edging close to being 100% completely healed and I will pursue the hour long playout again and this time, I won't hold back; no writing down anything and not stopping unless I really have to to catch my breath but still walk a bit or do marches to keep my cardio up.

How long can you go? The most result producing I have found for me is around 15-30 minutes continuously doing this game. Most people can't handle 10 min. and even less people can do the simple movements. I just like to go until i'm done and call it a day so if there's a day where I'm not scheduled to be anywhere with my girl or family I would go until I say its over but if I have a small window, I use it however I can. You may not even be interested in the game which is fine, do whatever animals you like and keep going until you say it is done. Remember though that if you start to get sloppy at any point during the playout, you stop because that can really hurt you and quite frankly I want you succeeding at being an animal.

Make it fun and interesting for you and go however long you feel works. It is a hell of a way to build phenomenal conditioning and enduring strength. If you happen to get a few looks while you're doing this type of training, embrace it. You just might inspire someone to get fit while having fun while you also may have people run in fear because you are doing something they're not used to seeing. I have literally seen people walk out of parks the moment I started moving like an animal and it has happened quite a few times but you know what; I'm getting fit and conditioned while they live out their unadventurous ways and not see the fact that there is a world out there that can turn them into lean, mean fighting machines and that world is the Animal World.

Grab one or all three animal courses on the right side of this blog and share with me your thoughts on this type of training. Share it on facebook, twitter, send it to your friend's email, put it on tumblr and spread the word of adventurous movement and priceless info on getting the most functionally strong, agile and vigor body on the planet.

Why It Is Important To Switch Things Up

Have you ever been so bored from a routine you just want to strangle someone just so something is different? I certainly have; I hate being bored and I hate to say this but if you're repeating a routine and it becomes stale plus you're not having fun or getting anything out of it its time to change it up man.

Changing up a routine often can be a good thing as it keeps the brain active and learning new aspects and taking on different tasks to keep things interesting. You can only stick to something for so long before you start to dread it and just end up going down a blackhole into purgatory. To keep things interesting, it is important to find what you like and what gives you benefit plus a good solid challenge to test your abilities. You don't need to be hardcore in order for things to be interesting.

That's the beauty of playing with animal exercises (specifically primate as of late), it constantly changes and because of the movements it's practically different every time. The Animal Dice Game is a prime example of constantly changing things up, working your brain like crazy while developing a physique that excels at conditioning, functional strength, agility and preparedness. You expect the unexpected and you never know what you'll come up with.

There are routines however that some people just can't let go of because of the fear of change and starting over again. We mainly fear what we don't know know and we buckle under our own set of pressure. Switching things up can be a good thing, a new experience and challenging the norm. I take pride in finding out different things, moving a certain way from a different angle and developing my body in ways I haven't found yet. I rarely ever stay with a specific routine for an extended period of time mainly because I do bored very easily and I intuitively find things to learn or go back to something I love that lays that foundation.

Never give up on your training but don't go stale either. Everything can be learned so pick your battles and find exciting adventure.

Organic Beet Juice Powder Sale- LAST CALL - Benefits of Antioxidants

A few days left to grab Organic Beet Powder $5 OFF…Actually, you have until Sunday evening, but I would hurry as they are going quicker than we expected.

Today I want to focus on another one of the BIG BENEFITS Beet powder provides…

Antioxidants!

Besides the nitric oxide boosting nitrates, there is a whole lot else inside beets and our new Organic Beet Juice Powder.

Another powerful group of compounds is betalains.

These are further grouped based on colors. The red-violet color in beets come from betacyanins. There is also yellow-orange betaxanthins present. These are powerful antioxidants that work to quell oxidative stress in the body.

Juiced beets run red just like your blood, a clue to the positive effects they have on it.

One of these antioxidant compounds is known as betanin. “ Betanin’s high antioxidant activity appeared to stem from its exceptional electron donating capacity and ability to defuse highly reactive radicals targeting cell membranes.”

But that is just one of many antioxidants. Others include rutin, epicatechin, caffeic acid and more. Even the nitrates have been shown to have antioxidant benefits.

While research is still early, a review of the literature concluded that “ This raises the possibility that beetroot’s antioxidant potential is not limited to just scavenging and suppressing [free radicals], but includes the ability to reinforce the endogenous antioxidant network.”

If true, that means that beet juice powder can not only support your body directly but helps it better support itself.

Right now, you can pick up a bag or several of our Organic Beet Juice Powder for $5 off.

And we’re not done yet…

Dimethylglycine and trimethylglycine (the latter of which is also known as betaine, since it was first derived from beets) are other potent molecules found in beets.

Both of these are methyl donors, with DMG having two molecules to donate, and TMG having three.

The process of methylation involves attaching these methyl donors to proteins, including enzymes, hormones and even DNA and RNA, as well as to heavy metals.

While methylation plays many roles in the body, the most notable is that it helps your body to detoxify various toxins. Supporting methylation is extra important today because of the added pollution we’re all under.

That’s why this Organic Beet Juice Powder is great.

It tastes great. It easily mixes into water. And each serving is equal to approximately half a cup of beet juice. With the ease of use, you can get a lot more beet into your system.

I know I have been lately, and I hope you will too.

SALE ENDS SUNDAY

The Art Of Moving Like A Wild Primate

We are mesmerized by the strength, agility and overall conditioning of Primates; they use what their daily lives require in order to hunt, climb, run and take on daunting tasks that no human can match. We can however determine some simulated movements to develop our body's chemistry to build muscle, increase strength in the tendons and tremendous endurance in the legs with given exercises that mimic a primate's movement.

Gorillas & Chimps/Bonobos walk on their inner knuckles that's above the finger nails, orangutans walk more on their fists in full knuckle position; monkeys use more of the palms since they have a different structure compared to the apes, more of a cat/dog type structure especially in certain species such as Baboons, Rhesus Macaques, Lemurs and others of such. To move as close as possible like them our positioning needs to coincide with the way our structures will allow us.

Nowadays the bear crawl movement has opposite hand/foot type movement with back aligned as straight as possible; I take that style but locking in my inner knuckles and pressing my thumb into the floor as I walk in that position. It's not as easy as it looks but it develops insane gripping power, tendon strength and makes the forearms like steel cords. I have gotten such great strength from it that when I do massages for people I have gotten the nickname "Boney Fingers" due to the solid hardness and muscular structure of the fingers.

There are many ways that don't have to do precisely how a primate moves because lets face it, we don't have the optimal ability to have that side by side strength and coordination with them so we use what we can to get as close as possible. The hanging exercises alone build the body in a very unique way. I love to hang in various grip positions and even the most simple one is a tough bastard because you're holding your entire bodyweight in your hands. To make things a little easier and hang longer is to tense the muscles from the fingertips to the toes and with that method at my size, holding for up to 30 seconds is decent. The lighter you are the greater the chance of hanging for a solid period of time but the bigger you are, the greater the difficulty of time spent hanging.

Whether you grip into the floor or by a pull-up bar, primate movements and holds develop a unique set of strengthened muscles and elongating the spine that trims fat of the obliques and lowers body fat along the entire core structure. Once you get into the advanced movements, your body will begin to change. One of the greatest examples of this magnitude is to look at a young girl back in the mid-2000's I believe where she had a pet monkey and mimicked it throughout her childhood and it changed her structure to a degree of the way her hands, fingers, shoulders & core were developed. They tested her at a clinic to see what her overall strength was and pound for pound she had developed strength that most men couldn't match. She went on to become a rock climbing champion. You can check out her story here>>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcKclzbY4Yo

Primate Fitness Wins Again

My back issues are really dwindling now and I'am loving it. Been waking up the last couple days with hardly any pain in my lower back and slowly getting back to what I love the most and that's moving like a primate (ape/monkey) and hanging longer on the pull-up bar. I'm also down to 253 lbs which has been the lowest in the last couple years. The most I have ever weighed was 273 so i'm happy to stay 20 pounds off thus far.

Just getting on the mats, lock in my knuckles and just have at it. Seeing a bit more sinewy muscle and more definition in my abs and back. To me it is the most natural form of exercise; squats and push-ups work great and natural movements but moving with primal instincts, movement & precision is far more natural to me. It'll look goofy but as they say, looks can be deceiving.

I feel blessed to have such a strong intuition and I know not too many people believe in that kind of thing but it is something every person should practice. It teaches you how to harness your instincts, what feels the most natural to you and the understanding of right and wrong using emotions and what makes you feel good. Too many forget how to apply their own instincts by going by someone else's ideals and be more of a follower which for them is great but I believe being too much of a follower leads to fear of becoming a leader in your own right. You can't control everything in life but you can control your emotional content and applying it to your natural abilities to do something regardless of others.

I practice Primate Movements not for the sake of others and what they think is fitness, I do it because it's fun, natural & it keeps me fit that is unique. Being different is one of the most difficult things to learn because in some ways you were taught to be like everybody else, listen but don't do things that are right for you. It's good to have common sense and the understanding of right and wrong but it is also important to learn about your own individuality; your own self being and discovering your true self. People are very fearful for who they truly are because they have been taught to be like someone else because of status, creed, race, religion and other elements. I don't consider myself fitness royalty and i'm damn sure that I don't let the color of my skin define me; I'm a human being and want to do something is different, something not many people see but seem intrigued. I don't seek approval, I seek self and gives me the best benefit.

New Organic Beet Juice Powder

This is one you’ve probably heard of before…
Beets - ORGANIC USA Grown and Processed Beet Juice Powder 
…but just cause you've heard of it, doesn’t mean you’re familiar with all the benefits this amazing root can bring.

Nitrates
Antioxidants
Methylators
And More
$5 Off Now through Sunday, August 20th, 2017.
Only $29.99 for 250 grams.

It is great for many but in particular two great things…Athletics and Sex.

Plus, unlike many of our other herbs and formulas, this one tastes great, and it a good base when mixing it with other herbs.

But first, let me tell you why I’m personally excited about this one.

Beets and Nitric Oxide

One of beets most popular benefits comes from the dietary nitrates it provides.

What does this mean for you? Nitric Oxide (NO) is necessary for proper blood flow and functioning. Most notably:

NO is important for healthy heart function .
NO is important for supporting athletic function and workouts, increasing recovery , decreasing fatigue , and providing better energy .
NO is important for erectile function .
NO is important for brain function .
Rich in Antioxidants

Another powerful group of compounds inside beet roots are betalains.

One of these antioxidant compounds is known as betanin. “Betanin’s high antioxidant activity appeared to stem from its exceptional electron donating capacity and ability to defuse highly reactive radicals targeting cell membranes”

But that is just one of many antioxidants. Others include rutin, epicatechin, caffeic acid and more. Even the nitrates have been shown to have antioxidant benefits.

Beet Juice Powder for Cognitive Function

Blood flows to the brain. As such you might expect this can bring some beneficial effects.

“It is conceivable that a NO generator like beetroot has the potential to improve cerebrovascular blood flow and challenge detriments in cognitive function.”

That's not all but I think you get the point!

Grab yours today and SAVE $5 until August 20, 2017 ( $ 29.99 ) ON SALE

Bundle For BIG Saving…Pine Pollen & Miron Glass

Right now, Lost Empire Herbs is having a pretty spectacular offer! In order to move some 1 liter Miron Glass Containers! There is no better use for them than putting a whole bag of Megadose Pine Pollen in one!

That's right, it might barely fit but it does.

Right now we are offering 20% off the combo purchase of a 1 liter Miron Glass container and 1 Megadose Pine Pollen. With the code you only pay $87.99 instead, saving $22!

Be sure to include both in your cart for the code to work properly! The code to use is: MEGAMIRON

Miron glass is great for limiting the effects of photodegradation on foods. Whatever you place in a Miron glass container will retain more nutrients and color as described by Livestrong.com:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/523460-does-light-affect-how-fast-foods-spoil/

Photodegradation occurs when the absorption of light directly causes a chemical reaction in a constituent in the food, or when light indirectly causes a reaction in a second constituent by its effect on the first one. Photodegradation usually affects specific components in food, such as pigments, vitamins, fats and proteins. Absorption of light can cause food to develop off-flavors and lose or change color. It can also cause vitamin loss.

These 1L jars are perfect for keeping your herbs lasting fresher, longer than otherwise! Perfect for storing lots of Pine Pollen!

Don’t forget you must choose Pine Pollen Megadose 250 grams And 1 Litre Miron glass jar to be able to use the discount

Code: MEGAMIRON (Valid 8/9/17 – 8/14/17)

Hurry There is a Limited Supply

Taking Care Of Yourself

We're all human and we get caught up in certain moments when we train and feel that confident in our abilities that we sometimes forget that we need to also be aware of the consequences that could happen, not by paranoia but by acknowledging that if something does happen we need to back off. Injuries happen, they can come at you at any moment and if it does happen and you don't do anything about it to let it heal, it can bite you in the ass. I have been having low back spasms and aches for a while now and doing movement does help and when the adrenaline is flowing the pain is gone but once it comes off, holy shit.

It finally occurred to me that I need to get strength and mobility back into my back (how redundant huh?) by backing off the intense training I've done lately (500 Hindu Squats, jumping movements, Finishers, long animal playouts) and focus on giving my body time to recover. That's not to say I'm going to stop training completely just means doing other things without taking on such intense formalities. My cardio for a time being will be most likely DDP Yoga which is always awesome, MovNat type training to get mobility going, Gymnastic Abs to really hit the Core Muscles to give my back that specific training through Core Training and more Hanging Exercise to really target the lengthening o my back and strengthening the little muscle along there. Bridging a little more often as well to hit everything and getting that stretch along the spine and oblique area.

That sounds like a lot of training but the thing is, i'm not doing them all at once, do little warmups, than do a solid playout for up to a half hour maybe more max and do little things throughout the day to stay active and sedentary. Some days do DDP Yoga, do bridging exercise at night, Gymnastic Abs on other days, MovNat here and there; it's all about mixing things up and putting your body through recovery training. I will be back doing 500 Hindu Squats, maybe not every single freaking day like I was doing but frequently so I can keep up my conditioning and only do the animal moves up to 4x a week (every other day) for no more than 20 min. Shift stuff around to when you feel ready and you are in the mood for that kind of training that day. I hate to sacrifice what I love to do at times but I want to be at my best every single session and if i'm not in shape that day for it, I'm not going to force it. You learn to compromise with yourself and do something everyday whether it is big or small down to the smallest fraction. If you need to only stretch that day, do so, if you have the energy for 500 Hindu Squats do so, feeling up to doing 20 minutes of intense animal training do so; be intuitive and back off when you need to.

People get so caught up in the moment that they forget that they're body is a tool and not just something to go so hardcore for they don't think of the consequences. It is a machine but it can also breakdown when it's not properly being put to good use. You can push yourself all you want but at the end of the day, you need to take care of it otherwise you can do some serious damage and putting your health at risk. I've heard too many stories of those crazy morons at the gym trying to one-up against others and show off their strength and think they're invincible. I have been training with various intensities for over 12 years without ever taking a day off and not one time ever having to go to the hospital because of training.

It drives me nuts that these crossfit psychopaths with a death wish spend so much time doing the most intense & hardcore form of extreme training. I've watched the latest film on The Fittest Person On Earth about the 2016 Crossfit Games and I have to say as much as I admire the work ethic and the drive they have I also feel sorry for those men and women who get injured on a frequent basis and torturing their bodies to the point where they have this mentality of thinking they can keep this up for years on end which quite frankly makes them age much faster. 75% or higher of those athletes are more than likely to not only have crippling side effects when they reach 50 (possibly 40) because they never took the REAL time to take care of themselves in a healthy manner. Their form on many of those exercises alone are so horrid and disgustingly terrifying to watch it boggles my mind that bones aren't popping out of their skin. I'm not knocking Crossfit in itself not all of it is horrifying, it's when you have some coaches and athletes that push so damn hard to the point where form and common sense becomes negative and you see people puking, passing out, screaming in agony when they tear muscles, rip tendons and other injuries that occur. I'm all for going the distance and seeing what you're capable of that's not what I'm getting at, I just don't see any reason why you go so damn hard you end up in the hospital and having to spend thousands of dollars on surgeries that could've been prevented if you were truly aware of what you're doing. It's not just crossfit, it's other areas too that put people in the crosshairs making them believe they're in the damn navy seals and pushing to limits that shouldn't have to go any further than they have to. Take care of your body.

It is important to realize that you don't need to go to extremes to make yourself fit. I'am stronger now at 33 than I was at 23 and far more conditioned and flexible yet haven't even remotely peaked yet. My goal for the next 10-20 years and beyond is to be as strong, conditioned and flexible as I' am at this very moment and be able to say that even in my twilight years, I can still go and be able to take on kids half my age. When you go to such extremes and not take care of yourself, you can end up crippled faster and you're going to utter these words at 50 if you're still alive "man I use to be able to do that but can't anymore." There shouldn't be a use to, there should be a "still can pull off" mentality. I want to still be able to bridge at 50, 60, 70 years old, still be able to knock out 100 Hindu Squats or more, still be able to do bear crawls and push-ups, still be able to bend spikes and bend steel; all those things can happen. You can do extraordinary things but it's also important to be mindful and have self-awareness and intuition. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!!!

Taking On The Heat

It's hot out here in Idaho. Sometimes in the upper 90's and humid, holy crap. It's not easy training in that kind of heat no matter how many fans on in the house. Being in the Dungeon is no picnic either and end up most of the time doing playouts in my boxers only. One of the things that help on occasions is only doing a small bit of training than go on to do something later in the day. It gets so hot at times I barely want to eat and maybe a few exercises just to let myself know I have done something.

Usually regardless of the weather lately I still manage to do 500 Hindu Squats and do a workout either right after or later on or even do a little something at night when it's cooler. Drinking water is basically a necessity and refilling practically every time. If you're an athlete, 2 gallons of water a day might be your best option. I do my best to try to drink a gallon a day but even that is a challenge because heat can do crazy things to you; lose appetite at times, tired & other sorts. It's not fun when it's so hot you barely want to do anything and it can be even more challenging when you have trouble sleeping.

I build up heat very easily so one of the things I manage to keep consistent is taking cold showers a little more frequently sometimes up to 4x a day because if I overheat and no matter how much water I drink if I don't stay cool enough there's a possibility of heatstroke. Heatstroke is no joke and people can die from it of neglecting to keep their body at level temperature and drinking enough water. Cold Showers are a must in my opinion. You may hate it at first but if you're only taking hot showers it's practically redundant and not letting your body be at a level of temperature it needs to maintain energy. Some people can handle heat like nobody's business but regardless even for them there's a limit. Heat can be life giving but if it's past a certain limit it can also be damaging so it's important to maintain balance for your body.

If you plan on taking on the heat, be safe and keep cool as best as possible.

Horny Goat Week?

Join us in celebration of Horny Goats everywhere this week.

We are celebrating our second annual horny goat week (weed). We had fun last year with this one so why not bring this big old week long discount back?

And if you’d like to be like one yourself, you can pick up a bag of Horny Goat Weed for 20% off Now until 8/8/17.

The standard price is $39.99. With 20% off you can grab a bag for $31.99.

Just enter the coupon code HORNYGOATWEEK when checking out. (not case sensitive).

Although it is known primarily for its benefits to men…it works just as well for many women too.

Here is a little background on this amazing herb, if you didn’t already know!

But if you do… click HERE to be taken to the detailed product page where you can learn more, read reviews and see what all the fuss is about.

The so called “active” constituent of epimedium (Horny Goat Weed) is icariin, a unique flavonoid. What is special about this molecule is that it is a PDE5 inhibitor. That probably doesn’t mean much to you until you know that this is what the various Erectile Dysfunction drugs are too.

PDE5 is an enzyme that breaks down the result of nitric oxide with cGMP pathway, causing the erectile tissue to lose its blood flow.

This is just one of the effects of Horny Goat Weed. Horny goat weed also helps to boost nitric oxide, not just inhibit its breakdown working well for athletes and promoting healthy sexual function.

Traditional Chinese Medicinal Uses:

· Organ Meridians affected: Kidney and Liver

· Tonifies the Kidney Yang

· Used for increasing Libido, Impotence, Infertility, Forgetfulness, Lower Back Pain

· Strengthens Lung Qi

· Strengthens Sinews and Bones

And much more… Check out all the details HERE and grab your bag today!

Just enter the coupon code HORNYGOATWEEK when checking out.

Eric writes, with his five-star review, “Ok, this is the real, and it is very potent… Just received it, and already feeling the affects. Bingo !!! Lol, not everyday a product does as they say what it will do. I believe, I’m going to have to try everything on this site. These people are straight, about their products. Keep up the good work, Lost Empire Herbs.”

Chimps Vs. Bonobos

In the animal kingdom, the chimp and the bonobos are the closest to our primate family tree and although both apes possess enormous strength, agility and power; they are vastly different in terms of personalities and the way they treat each other in their social groups.

Chimps in my mind are the strongest of the two species of ape but they're also far more aggressive and have hunting skills that even lions would think twice about. Bonobos on the other hand are more compassionate and share more similar qualities to us humans in terms of how we love and show affection. Chimps dominate in groups and have a violent side that gears towards overpowering other groups and species of both monkey and ape alike. The bonobos are no where near as violent and have a unique distinction of women ruling a troupe than the usual males. This type of ape gathers in groups and shows how "close & personal" they can be; ever heard of the Sexual Revolution of the 1960's? Bonobos were doing that long before that term was even heard.

When we look at the world, we see both areas of these apes in everyday society, some more revealing than others but we can learn how to adopt a powerful outlook on how we treat our fellow man & woman. We don't need to be as sexually explicit like a bonobo but we can learn how to share each other's company by being friendly and showing compassion and sympathy for another. Chimps can be friendly in certain times but if you piss them off and test them, you're in for a rude awakening as you may be on your last life.

Both species of Ape are extremely strong and have powerful grips that would make even the strongest of men cringe with fear. The way they walk, run, climb and leap is an extraordinary sight to see. When you begin to walk or even hang like an ape, you're developing the body the way it was meant to; strong tendons, flexible shoulders, pain-free backs, muscular core & have arms and legs that are so powerful it would make the average man look like a weak little boy.

I love the practice of moving like a wild ape as it opens up the imagination to what us humans are capable of to the degree where for our structure and bodily purposes we can create strength greater than the average man without needing to go to extremes like actual apes. The mindset of being aggressive when needed but also have the love and compassion that's within all of us. They are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom and it's not always what they can learn from us but what we can learn from them.

New PRs In The Hindu Squats

I've been on a rampage lately with the Hindu Squats & Hindu Jumpers. Building up that conditioning and forming the rhythms of breathing and form. I'm hitting 500 Squats a day in a single workout and on my birthday for my age in minutes I hit 1000 in 33 min. Yesterday I did 500 in under 15 minutes (14:39) which I have never done before in my life.

Accomplishing something like that is no easy feat and I have been battling a weird low back issue for a while now but I still wanted to beat my goals and I have. The only person that should have expectations over you is YOU!!! Living up to others' expectations in life can be a drag and there are some people that will never be satisfied with your expectations. Even if their proud and you're an overachiever, it's important to expect yourself more than others expect of you.

Hindu Squats are a phenomenal exercise and it's going to either make you love them or hate them depending on what you do. I always say things are never easy but they can be interesting. For most doing high rep squats builds endurance for a number of sports especially in wrestling but if you're also a soccer player, football running back, Base Stealer in baseball the squats will help tremendously with explosiveness and speed. Power and drive come from the legs so it is important to utilize the best methods possible.

Breaking PRs is always great and as you get older its even more awesome. I have never pulled off 500 Squats consistently like this before even in my 20's and now i'm in my early-mid 30's so it feels amazing to be able to do this and know that if I wanted to do 500 Squats with some of my favorite wrestlers, I can do that. Once you hit a peak, its mainly mind from there but it is also important to not be bored when you train. You can only push so hard and if your form becomes sloppy, you need to stop and fight another day. Depending on leverage and body to weight ratio plus your balance, not everyone is going to have perfect form but if the form is in their favor that it doesn't cause pain then practice having the best form possible for your body. I have a weird hip/thigh ratio so my form may not be up to certain standards but it works for me and I can go all the way down in the hindu squat without bending too far forward and not feel pain in my back from it.

Make your goals as awesome as possible and only expect out of yourself not from others.