A Reflection On The Year

Coming up just under 10 days left of the year. Time to finish strong and on high note if possible. Been a hell of a ride, moved into a new apartment back in February, learned a few things, trained my ass off at the parks near by, visited my older brother back in May in Oregon, a few ups and downs but hey, you learn and do what you feel is right.

Left Twitter because of just bullshit that kept going on and just over run with political and religious stuff, fitness groups that didn't really care much about health, more about followers and showing off. Wanted to promote more of what I love but it wasn't going anywhere. Dealt with a few numbnuts along the way on there too, one in particular who got banned several times (good).

With the internet, you just deal with dumb maroons who couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag and think they're god's (or the universe's) gift to the fitness industry when in reality it's charlatans that hold a grudge like their life depended on it while being also being a deadbeat dad and have an obsession by making his blog almost exclusively about how much he can't stand me. Creepy as fuck but hey, that's what happens sometimes. After all that crap, that dude is dead to me, doesn't deserve credit for anything worthy. Shit, he's not even worthy of Thor's Hammer for that matter, just a rotten human being.

New beginnings are happening, finding ways to train better for the long haul and doing what's possible to help others. Sure I love promoting stuff but I want to be helpful and inspiring to someone too, that's my true passion next to training. I rarely ever ask for help this year and I've had to ask a time or two over certain things. For those who had my back, I thank you all. I want to thank all you readers as well, you keep inspiring me to keep at it and write/post what I love to do. 

Got to see an Eagle just yards away on my birthday, learned and mastered new ways to work the Dopa Band, did more pull-ups this year than in a long time and I'm proud of that. Made Isometrics a staple in my arsenal and more when it came to training. Learned some new things to cook that are great, built muscle, lost fat and stayed out of gaining back to being my heaviest. Being 228-235 now feels awesome, lighter on my feet, paying attention to how I move and feeling healthier than ever. 2024 was about staying out of pain after nearly 3 months of that crazy sciatica issue, 2025 was about maintaining and building new levels of strength and conditioning. I know I talk about training a lot which isn't a bad thing since that's the premise of this blog right? It's also talking about some of the life experiences, the little things many take for granted and being to understand things. One of the best things this year is having a strong bond with my wife and going through the great times and the challenging times together and being a dynamic duo. 

I wasn't always in the best state of mind this year, I needed advise on things and had my own issues to deal with outside of the net. Lot of meditating and figuring out how to deal with certain people or should I say a greedy low life obsessed knucklehead that doesn't know the meaning of being a decent human being but sure as hell knows how to be an EVIL and Idiotic one. It was hard dealing with him but as I pointed out, he's DEAD to me and I needed to remind myself of that. I'm positive I'll get some comment or email or he'll write some lame ass post that lasts longer than Wolverine's Lifespan calling me every name in the book and making up stuff that Sherlock Holmes wouldn't find believable. Guys like that, they're just crazier than a shithouse rat. Anyway, fuck that noise.

This coming year will have brighter days, maybe form new friendships, build new bonds, break PR's and maybe hit something big with a promotion or two. 2026 is going to be interesting and there will be curveballs thrown around and I may strike out on a few things but hey, the best homerun hitters were always the ones that struck out the most. Go in with an attitude that you got this and wherever the road may take you, know that there is something out there that is just exciting to happen in your life.

You never know what will happen, things will happen out of nowhere but you do what you can and keep evolving as a person. Some are just too far gone but there are people out there who could use a friend, someone to help out in need, maybe buy the person's lunch in front of you at a sandwich shop just to make their day a little brighter, we all could use some steps to be there for one another because there's too many things in this world that want to run you into the ground and it's not right to just stay down. Can't take the hits alone. Here's to 2026 and keep being amazingly awesome. Shoot me a comment or send me an email using the Contact Form and be sure to subscribe so you can get future posts sent to your email. Looking forward to hearing from you. 

The DopamineO Band Broadway Workout

 No this isn't a musical of songs and dances. There is a stage though, it's called the gym or wherever you can hook up the Dopa Band to. This is an inspiration from pro wrestling of a long and forgotten tradition. The Broadway, where a champion was in the main event and matches lasted as long as 60-90 minutes to a draw. These matches go as far back as the 40's up until the early 2000's that evolved into the Ironman Match where a competitor had to get as many "points" as possible within the time limit. Before the days of television when real matches were more common, matches at times lasted for hours. One of the most famous is Ed Lewis & Joe Stecher who went at each other for more than 5 hours. 

 Unlike a match, this was a workout that consisted of a circuit of 5 exercises for 10 reps each (my kind of circuit) and I would do as many rounds as possible within an hour. Here are the exercises:

10 Chest Flys

10 Wave Pulls

10 Uppercut To Squats

10 Alternating Skis

10 Propellers

The first few rounds weren't too difficult but once I started reaching 12-15, things got interesting. I may have gone one round where I did more than 10 reps of the propeller exercise but I kept on going. It got to a point where the knots came undone from the sweat which happens. I did a round or two without having the knots that were used to make handles but gripping it hard enough to remain efficient was tough and my hands kept sliding where the band nearly slipped out of my hands. After those rounds, I moved fast to wipe down the sweat and create new knots in them and tightened them as much as possible so the chances of them slipping out again was very slim. It worked so I was hammering away again. That was probably my longest "rest" since after each round I would mark off the circuit. 

The last few rounds were hard believe me but I still felt like I was in a groove and focused to the point where everything other than the exercises and the marking off went black. It felt like being in a different realm, I swear I thought I was somewhere else and the only thing I noticed was the band and the moves. I barely even remember what songs played on my spotify, that's how far out I was in that workout. The last three rounds, basically felt like a sprint, just going sonic the hedgehog on that fucker and keeping form as best as possible. The last round, I put practically my entire heart and soul into it before the timer went off and finish strong.

At the end, sweat pouring out of me, my durag on the floor cause during one of the rounds towards the end it got knocked off my head but I just didn't stop to care it happened, high as kite, breathing like I went into a battle and seeing how many rounds I got in was just icing on the cake. I managed 29 Rounds in 1 HOUR!!! that's an average of just over 2 minutes per round. I wanted to drop and die right there but I had to get back home somehow and nobody was in there so I don't think they'd want to see some dude lying on the floor in a puddle of his own sweat. I unhooked everything, put them in my little bag, grabbed my keys and walked out of there back to the apartment. 

Saying the shower felt like being in a rainfall in the amazon would be an understatement. Just feeling good all over, no soreness and the surge of positive energy was at peak levels. Can you say dopamine high? No drugs or alcohol, just good old fashioned post workout bliss. 

A workout like this doesn't happen all the time, quite frankly most of the time it rarely goes past 35 minutes and I wanted to challenge myself to see how many rounds I can get in 60 minutes. Safe to say I thought I'd get in at least 25 but I went more than that and I'm happy I did it. This band is a phenomenal tool you can add to your arsenal, it doesn't need to be relied on but it has usefulness that even Olympic Caliber Wrestlers would agree with. These men and women use bands like these to reach peak levels of conditioning that are unbelievable. In the recent Olympics, one woman won gold in Freestyle Wrestling at the age of 21 for the United States in the 68 kg weight class (Amit Elor) and credits Dopamineo as part of her training. Several men have medaled as well in the last three Olympics from various countries. It builds champions and world-class athletes. 

Be amazingly awesome and kill it in your own training with this band. Use my Discount Code POWERANDMIGHT to get 10% OFF your order. 

How DopamineO Bands Transform Kids Into Unstoppable Forces Of Strength and Vitality

Keep an eye on this one everyone. This is important especially in this day and age. In a world where screens steal our thunder and couches chain our spirits, a revolutionary ally emerges from the shadows – and it's the Dopamineo Bands. These aren't just rubber strips; they're epic tools forged in the fires of innovation, designed to ignite the dopamine rush that fuels unbreakable bodies and indomitable wills. Put this into your mind: Your child, once glued to gadgets, now bounding like a young Hercules, building strong, healthy bodies one exhilarating pull/push/squat at a time. I'd like to take you deep into the legendary benefits these bands offer kids, why they're one of the ultimate weapons for forging strength and vitality, and how they make the journey as fun as a mythical quest. Sit back and breathe it in – this is no ordinary tale; it's a call to arms for parents ready to empower their little legends!

First off, let's charge into the heart of what makes DopamineO Bands a game-changer. Crafted from premium, solid rubber that's hypoallergenic, heat-resistant, and LFGB-approved, these bands are built to withstand the wildest adventures. No more flimsy toys that snap under pressure – Dopa Bands are durable bad asses that last as if it had immortality with proper use, perfect for the boundless energy of children. They're safe for kids, child-friendly materials ensuring no nasty reactions, and kids absolutely love them. But safety is just the shield; the real magic lies in the dopamine boost. Exercise with these bands triggers that feel-good chemical rush, turning workouts into joyful explosions of energy. For children, this means better focus, reduced fidgeting, and a natural high that beats any video game level-up. Imagine your kid channeling that inner fire to conquer school, sports, and life – that's the DopamineO promise!

Now, let's unleash the beast: building strength like never before. In the arena of youth fitness, DopamineO Bands stand tall as a top quality resistance trainer. They're versatile powerhouses, offering adjustable tension from ultra-light for beginners to heavy-duty for aspiring athletes. Kids can target every muscle group – arms, legs, core, back – with exercises that mimic real-life movements. Pull-ups become epic ascents, squats transform into mountain conquests, and rows feel like rowing across stormy seas. The result? A strong, balanced body that defies weakness. Studies show resistance training for children enhances muscle development, bone density, and overall physical prowess without stunting growth – it's like planting seeds of steel in their growing frames.

With Dopa Bands, your little ones build endurance that lasts through soccer matches, dance recitals, or just playground battles. No bulky weights needed; these compact bands slip into a backpack, turning any park or living room into a training coliseum. Epic win: stronger kids who move with confidence, dodging injuries and embracing challenges head-on.

But strength alone isn't the full story – healthy bodies demand more, and these Bands deliver some serious holistic glory. They promote cardiovascular health by blending resistance with dynamic moves, getting hearts pumping and lungs roaring. For growing bodies, this means improved circulation, better posture, and a metabolism that burns like wildfire. Think of it as armor against the villains of modern life: obesity, poor coordination, and sedentary slumps. Kids using Dopa Bands develop agility and flexibility, turning clumsy steps into graceful leaps. And the fun factor? Oh, it's legendary. It's true, it's true (channeling Kurt Angle). Turn workouts into games – "Band Tug-of-War" with siblings, "Superhero Stretches" mimicking comic heroes, or "Dopamine Dance-Offs" where pulls sync with beats. Laughter echoes as they stretch, pull, and conquer, making fitness a hilarious adventure rather than a chore. Parents, start smiling: no more begging for activity; these bands make movement magnetic.

Let's go into into the motivational blaze. The Bands aren't just tools; they're catalysts for mental fortitude. In a era where kids face stress from school and screens, the dopamine release from band workouts acts like a shield of serenity. Exercise boosts brain chemicals that enhance mood, concentration, and even creativity. For children with ADHD or high energy, these bands provide a fun outlet to channel that power productively. NCAA Champion Yianni Diakomihalis raves about how Dopa Bands build strength, endurance, and technique – imagine your kid feeling that champion vibe!

It's epic: watching a kid evolve from tentative tugs to confident commands, building not just muscles but a mindset of resilience. Every session is a victory lap, fostering discipline and self-esteem that spills into academics and friendships. Healthy bodies breed healthy minds – with DopamineO, your young warrior learns to push limits, celebrate progress, and roar with PRIDE!!!

Why are they a great tool specifically for kids? Let's rally the troops with real-world application. Tailored sets like the Durable Resistance Band Set for Youth & Kids or the Ultra-light Dopa Band make them accessible for all ages and skill levels. Unlike traditional gym gear, they're portable superheroes – train at home, during travel, or even in class breaks (with permission, of course). For sports enthusiasts, especially in wrestling or team activities, they hone techniques that translate to on-field dominance. But the true awesomeness? Inclusivity. Whether your child is a budding athlete or just starting their fitness odyssey, these bands adapt, ensuring everyone feels the thrill. Plus, they're multi-purpose: stretch for yoga calm, resist for power bursts, or even use in rehab to heal minor things faster. Fun tip: Pair them with on-demand workouts from DopamineO.com for guided quests that keep things fresh and exciting.

Parents, heed this battle cry – investing in DopamineO Bands is arming your child for a lifetime of health and heroism. Watch as they sculpt strong bodies that stand tall against life's storms, with hearts full of joy and minds that are as sharp as katanas. The benefits cascade like a waterfall of wins: physical power, emotional balance, social confidence, and that infectious fun that bonds families. In testimonials across the realms (Such as TikTok and Instagram), athletes and dads alike praise how these bands inspire kids to move, grow, and thrive. Don't let your young ones miss this epic tool – head to DopamineO.com and grab a set today. Unleash the dopamine, forge the strength, and let the adventure begin. If i had something like this at a young age, things would be very different as far as athletics are concerned. 

In the grand tapestry of childhood, DopamineO Bands weave threads of might and merriment. They're not just equipment; they're the spark that ignites lifelong habits of health. Strong bodies? Check. Healthy vibes? Double check. Fun factor? Off the freaking charts. Rally your family – the path to epic greatness starts with a single pull. Be amazingly awesome and use my Discount Code POWERANDMIGHT to get 10% OFF your order. 

Why It's Important To Master The Art Of Training Anywhere

 Mastery, is a word that people carry around at times and not only believe it, but indulge in it to the degree that they make it sound like they're better than anybody else when in fact they're not a master at all. It takes discipline, time, patience and observation along with the obvious application at the thing you are striving to master. 

Now when people say they've mastered something, listen to how they say it. The tone in their voice, the expressions, the way they may even write about and the personality behind it. Some treat it like it's a gift and something that they cherish and want others to work at it too. Others, are just plain arrogant about it and treat it as if they're some kind of emperor/king/duke or whatever and act like they can talk down to people and that they can't do cause out of 8 billion people in the world, he/she is the only true master. Quite the bullshit way of them don't you think?

Learning from several masters of their craft that range from strength athletics to concert virtuosos to bodybuilders and powerlifters, you begin to pick up on things that aren't always seen. One of the true masters of Strongmanism, Bud Jeffries, was cunning and methodical in how he did things. He didn't lift and do things the same others have. At first glance, it may look ugly to the untrained eye but once you understood his positioning, the way he conducted himself in workouts and the way he spoke about it, you were seeing a rare breed of a human being that was in a class by himself. He was doing things outside the norms and it wasn't just squatting a 700 lb barbell or sprinting with a tire behind him, he made his training look like a unique blend of practicality mixed with nutty formats of unbelievable strength that will never be duplicated. 

The point for this article however, is to see how you can possess the knowledge to train no matter where you are because if you truly want to understand the world of physical culture, you need to learn about the old timers and how they were able to do incredible things before supplements, steroids, PED's and (ironically) without going to a gym on a consistent basis. Back in the day, a gym was very different; there were no machines to work your hamstrings or to pulldown with a metal bar, no treadmills to run on for cardio and sure as hell there weren't rubber tubes to pull. There were Global Barbells & Dumbbells, Indian Clubs, Hand Crafted Racks, Pulleys that were strung together on walls, gymnastics equipment and of course Mats made for those who practiced wrestling, Japanese Jiu Jitsu and other arts that were part of the era. They weren't even called Gyms, they were called in most places, Health Clubs or a club named after an instructor or someone famous of the time or a YMCA. 

The old timers, had to be craftier than those of today. Many of them were laborers, farmers, miners or whatever and needed an outlet to work their bodies outside of those insane jobs of the time. Some worked in the Carnival and would train to take on all comers in either lifting or wrestling. There were strongmen who didn't even see a barbell until they were in their early-mid teens or older. Compare that today when you have 10 year olds doing things with a barbell or dumbbell. Back then, they relied mainly on the things they worked with or used sports such as Baseball, Wrestling, Boxing or something else to get their cardio going. They had tons of sparring partners or others to lift with because since there were no cell phones, tvs or the internet for that matter, the distractions were far less. 

Having a mindset like this is a key ingredient to mastering the ability to train anywhere. You learn to blend the old world with the new using bits and pieces that suit your goals. Yes it's true, bodyweight training is the Michael Jordan of anywhere, anytime exercise but it's only a piece of the puzzle. If all you do is bodyweight, awesome, that's your style. It was my style too for a long time. I believe in variety and applying ways to train that go beyond bodyweight training, it's another tool in the box that's part of your journey. Now when it comes to variety, yeah it's important to know what you want to do and how to utilize them in ways you'll see fit. Obviously we can't travel with barbell plates, a bar and a dumbbell rack in our suitcase, but we can use that old school aspect by finding things like rocks, logs and other things on our travels. Yes there's a gym on just about every corner in every major city, but we must learn to not rely on the gym itself to make ourselves strong and healthy.

Gyms provide things that we don't always have at home or on the road like camping for example, they have uses that are beneficial, but too many rely or are stuck into believing equipment is the only way to train. That's where certain things like building a home gym can be beneficial. It saves more money than you'll believe than a regular gym but it's also important to know what equipment to have so you can get the most benefit. Some hotels have a gym but not all and some areas don't have a gym around for miles on end. When it comes to equipment, find things that are easy to travel with that can be put into a backpack or suitcase. For me, I'll take my WorldFit Iso Trainer, My Dopa Band and an ab wheel or my other Isometric Strap and I have all the equipment I need when I travel. If it's too much for you to travel with things other than your clothes and essentials, that's great, you still have bodyweight training to count on. 

True mastery in this case is that you have built a mindset, the knowledge and the awareness that no matter where you are, you can always find a way to train. You won't always be able to get to a machine or do power lifts, but you can still build strength and fitness that matters. In this pursuit of knowledge, learn exercises from a bodyweight point of view first and foremost, that's your foundation. Whatever comes next, be resourceful and find things that are practical and can easily carry around. At times, I'll grab my half tire, put my hammers in my backpack and walk to the park that isn't far so I can train with them, it's not fun carrying those things cause it goes up to 100 lbs overall with those fuckers but the reward is to do things out in the open air and train your ass off using things that matter to you. Carrying them back after kicking your ass can be a bitch though. You do what you have to do. 

Master these ideals and you're on your way to having a journey that will take you on many roads. Share your knowledge with enthusiasm and do your best to share it without being an asshole. There's too many of those in this world, kindness isn't a weakness but don't be a pushover either. Hold this mastery sacred but don't be like Gollum with the ring, that can get you into the fires of Mordor (talk about geeking out for a moment) or in other words, it can bite you back in the ass. Be a badass in your mastery and don't stop being Amazingly Awesome. 

The Basics For Bodyweight Training In A Circuit

 For years, I've been doing circuits since I first started doing them in the gym as a teenager which that first one ever nearly made me go to the hospital. I was about 19 at the time and experimenting different things I learned in the bodybuilding books I had like Ironman & A Bodybuilding Encyclopedia that featured workouts from the top guys that included Arnold, Lou, Franco, Boyer Coe and others. For real, I tried this circuit of weights and machines and not even halfway in, I was hyperventilating so much I rushed into the bathroom, sat down (which was a really bad idea) and nearly blacked out. For a split moment I thought I was going to die.

Didn't do another circuit after that until I was rehabbing from my accident and learned a few things based on Combat Conditioning from Matt Furey. That was my first taste of circuit training which at the time, wasn't anywhere near the level I can do now but it was an interesting experiment for me and would do it once in a blue moon. 

When I learned about Darebee after years of Bodyweight Training and Conditioning, it lit a spark in me to work on them. Some circuits were easy to get through, others were a bitch and tough as hell (Those Batman & Daredevil Workouts, dear god man). At first, I'd just work into them doing the amount of circuits it tells you what level you're at. Within some time, I wanted to go even further and do 10 Rounds of a circuit and that's where I felt it gave me the best benefit. Not just the amount of rounds but to rest as little as possible if at all. I really wanted to test my conditioning and to keep the timing down. I don't believe I went more than 45 minutes doing these, kept it between 10-30 minutes. 

The one thing I like about circuits is that they test you on the basics. You can do more advanced exercises or whatever reps you want to do per exercise but the basics is where things shine the brightest. The advanced stuff looks cool and they have benefit but in the long run, the basics are what make the difference. Yesterday, I did a bodyweight circuit consisting of Split Lunges, Hindu Squats, Push-Ups & Punches and that was it. 

10 Split Lunges (5 Each Leg)

10 Punches

20 Hindu Squats

10 Punches

5 Push-ups

10 Punches

5 Push-ups

10 Rounds with the only rest in between circuits is marking it off. Total was 100 Split Lunges, 300 Punches, 200 Hindu Squats and 100 Push-ups. Worked up a pretty good sweat. Wasn't too difficult but it wasn't easy to do either. It was great, "warming up" beforehand doing Neck Mobility & Joint Loosening Training. A workout that really kicks off the day and having that surge of strength running all around you. It was basic, simple and can be done anywhere. 

Circuits provide some good testing of mental toughness as well because you're going from one exercise to the next without a break and to stay focused while having the best form possible and learning how to pace yourself. Let the speed come naturally but at the same time, don't be slacking off either.

Come check out Darebee.com and see which workouts would work for you. You can modify them if you wish to make an exercise variation easier or harder. Mainly bodyweight style so many of these can be done anywhere you can do them in. You are your own gym, you are the equipment that has all sorts of things at your disposal. Go kill it and be Amazingly Awesome.