Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright
In The Forests Of The Night
What Immortal Hand Or Eye
Could Frame Thy Fearful Symmetry?
Although it's a piece of William Blake's epic poem it only touches a small scale of an even powerful surface. There is a wild beast living within all of us. It burns within our soul yet not many can achieve it within many reasons but one of them is a fear we all have to bare. That very vastness of our being is yet to understand our full potential of what it means to be human, to be strong, to achieve something beyond ourselves not just how we live but living to our greatest potential that which gives us our greatest because we don't understand.
Immortality is not about how long you have lived, it's about remembrance and your impact as you have lived. People can live for over 100 years but how many kept it exciting and build up a solid sense of wisdom and achieving the potential that made who they are not by praise or by stories but by your own way of living with purpose that created a legacy that will live on after you have passed in physical form.
We can change how we grow mentally, change our bodies into a powerful sense of flesh, muscle and bone; some see it as beautiful, others see it as intimidating or reacting out of jealousy but in the end, we are nothing but flesh and bone. We become strong through physical application, our adaptation can be used in ways we have yet to comprehend but in the end, the mind is the one that makes or breaks us. We fear of losing ourselves through rough edged obstacles and the way we react to different aspects for how our surroundings take their toll. Becoming something beyond human or the importance of what it is to be human is nothing short of a battle that is neither won or lost; it's ongoing and it's up to us to be able to adapt and reach out if needed but only a few have made that possible for themselves.
Time is both enemy and ally, how we choose to see it's course is how we live and make something of ourselves creates what develops into our own effect of a chain reaction. Life is both complicated and frightening but it is also beautiful and full of wonders. Our beastly instincts is what drives us to be more than we think we are meant to be. The burning desire to move and become strong, the will to go into the unknown and come out with a ray of light that melts deep into everything you have ever fought for and/or accomplished will never be in vain if you believe it within you and only you.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Monday, November 9, 2015
The Game That Gets You Animal Fit
If you have read any of my articles over the last few years you know that you'll find some where I give off high levels of enthusiasm and have a taste for the imagination and the spirit of adventure. Fitness for me is a way to have fun, something to enjoy and play out. Most have a hardcore mentality and take exercise way too damn seriously. There's nothing wrong with discipline and practice but if you can't get any excitement out of it what the hell is it really worth.
Many times I have written the importance and benefits of Animal Exercise and why it is my all-time favorite method. I've done many methods that have their purpose but I always seem to go back to the animals because that is the ultimate adventure. No strict structure or routine, just roll (literally) with the animal that comes to you. Making a game out of it brings fun and mystery to exercise. You never know what you're in for and because of the awkward movements, it's never the same every time. That's the beauty of play and making it exciting, it brings new meaning to go out and do whatever you want.
I play this one game where random animals become your biggest training session and the more you do it, the more fun it becomes. You take a 20 sided dye and you make two rolls; one to get the animal that comes up and a second to do your reps/distance. Very simple nothing complicated or difficult. Whatever level you're at is doable. Want to make it interesting, double or triple the reps/steps that come up and you'll really push the limits of your training. Check off how many rolls you do that day and see where you're at. Start with 5 and work up to how many you think you can do. Better yet instead of counting how many rolls, set a timer and just have at it, say start with 5 minutes, build up to 10, 20 or 30 whatever you desire. Make it work for you. Play with a friend or significant other and make a contest out of it; see who can rack up the most points for example: You would roll and whatever animal comes up you do and do the amount of reps next; the other person has to do the same amount of reps. Keep Track of the points, who's ahead or behind. Go until one of you can't do it anymore.
There are many other games you can make doing this type of training. Roll and whatever animal comes up use it to play tag, you can race, jump as far as you can with the leaping animals, how many yards? Pick your favorite animals from a Disney movie or cartoon. There are literally no limits to your imagination. It's time to get back into the wild; simple, daring and something to do that you've never done before. All that and getting fit at the same time. Get the kids involved, they love imitating animals and it keeps them out of trouble. There's no other method that I have seen (and this is nearly 2 decades we're talking here) that is this much fun and uses more muscles in one shot. It brings life and enjoyment that very few other methods can touch. So put down the video games, get off the couch, get outside (or move like a caged animal at the zoo in your house) and go wild. Play, be free and have a blast. There's nothing in the world like it.
****Product Of The Day****
Post-Workout Recovery
It is important to have something to fuel the muscles after a hard fought workout so they can repair greater and get you back in the next workout or Playful Training Session. Recovery is just as important as the training itself and it's best to get the most optimal form of nutrition possible. Real Food is best but sometimes you need nutrients that you can't get from other foods. It'll help restore energy and give you optimal recovery. In the words of Nature Boy Ric Flair "To be the man, you got to beat, the man."
Many times I have written the importance and benefits of Animal Exercise and why it is my all-time favorite method. I've done many methods that have their purpose but I always seem to go back to the animals because that is the ultimate adventure. No strict structure or routine, just roll (literally) with the animal that comes to you. Making a game out of it brings fun and mystery to exercise. You never know what you're in for and because of the awkward movements, it's never the same every time. That's the beauty of play and making it exciting, it brings new meaning to go out and do whatever you want.
I play this one game where random animals become your biggest training session and the more you do it, the more fun it becomes. You take a 20 sided dye and you make two rolls; one to get the animal that comes up and a second to do your reps/distance. Very simple nothing complicated or difficult. Whatever level you're at is doable. Want to make it interesting, double or triple the reps/steps that come up and you'll really push the limits of your training. Check off how many rolls you do that day and see where you're at. Start with 5 and work up to how many you think you can do. Better yet instead of counting how many rolls, set a timer and just have at it, say start with 5 minutes, build up to 10, 20 or 30 whatever you desire. Make it work for you. Play with a friend or significant other and make a contest out of it; see who can rack up the most points for example: You would roll and whatever animal comes up you do and do the amount of reps next; the other person has to do the same amount of reps. Keep Track of the points, who's ahead or behind. Go until one of you can't do it anymore.
There are many other games you can make doing this type of training. Roll and whatever animal comes up use it to play tag, you can race, jump as far as you can with the leaping animals, how many yards? Pick your favorite animals from a Disney movie or cartoon. There are literally no limits to your imagination. It's time to get back into the wild; simple, daring and something to do that you've never done before. All that and getting fit at the same time. Get the kids involved, they love imitating animals and it keeps them out of trouble. There's no other method that I have seen (and this is nearly 2 decades we're talking here) that is this much fun and uses more muscles in one shot. It brings life and enjoyment that very few other methods can touch. So put down the video games, get off the couch, get outside (or move like a caged animal at the zoo in your house) and go wild. Play, be free and have a blast. There's nothing in the world like it.
****Product Of The Day****
Post-Workout Recovery
It is important to have something to fuel the muscles after a hard fought workout so they can repair greater and get you back in the next workout or Playful Training Session. Recovery is just as important as the training itself and it's best to get the most optimal form of nutrition possible. Real Food is best but sometimes you need nutrients that you can't get from other foods. It'll help restore energy and give you optimal recovery. In the words of Nature Boy Ric Flair "To be the man, you got to beat, the man."
Friday, November 6, 2015
Put Some Spark Into Your Day
I don't usually review supplements, hell very few I've ever tried actually worked but even more rarely one make a difference within an instant the moment I used it. I want to share with you my view point on what makes this one of those extremely rare reviews. Like some people, I see the majority of Supplements as complete bullshit and I'll tell you why; first off many of them don't work and for good reason, there's way too much stuff in them that can harm a person's body. I feel when it comes to it, a supplement ought to help you in the way it was meant to and not give you your body something to ache on.
Some guys like to drink those really high octane energy drinks which includes red bull and monster. For the most part that shit is horrible and it has chemicals that devour more of your system than help it. Sure you have a ton of energy for a while but it has that jittery and unwanted feel of high anxiety. I've drank Gatorade and Vitamin Waters yet somehow they don't have that kick that i'm looking for, sure they help with electrolytes but there's sugar in there that can possibly lead you on the path to diabetes. Don't get me wrong I'll drink Gatorade from time to time but because it's something to have every now and then, yes I do also drink soda which i'm cutting back on so what could possibly help me to kick start that boost I need?
I was talking to a fellow strongman Adam Glass and he gave me an idea that at first I was skeptical about because come on how can a guy be so excited about something that just screams "That crap" but I put my skepticism aside and after research and joining up on the program this supplement is a top seller for, I gave it a shot. From the moment I tried this, I shot up like a cannon and was wired and focused. In that instant, it gave me what I craved and training a little after taking it, I was in for the ride of my life. I was moving with greater awareness and precision I was stunned. I shifted moves, my body was in its best state and I felt like a young kid full of life. Even after hours of the workout, I felt no crash and still had my focus. This stuff is amazeballs.
It's called SPARK, an energy supplement that jacks up your body to a level that makes Monster & Red Bull obsolete. Sugar-Free, a plethora of vitamins and minerals in every serving and it helps you take your training to a whole new level. Imagine breaking a new PR, gaining endurance and strength that is unleashed in you brought out. This is not and I repeat NOT a steroid drug, I absolutely loath steroids and I would never let anyone get me to do, I don't care if it was for a movie deal it happening brother. Back to the benefits at hand; imagine being a parent and needing to keep up with your kid, have that jolt while you're at the office or to help your performance in your sport. You don't believe me? Than I'll give you one pro athlete who uses this and other stuff of that caliber; New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, you know the guy who recently Passed the 500 yard mark in a game and Passed for not one, not 2, not even 5 but 7 freaking touchdowns, that's about average 2 per quarter the entire game. Talk about awesome.
You see, even world-class athletes who need to be at their best on a daily to weekly basis during the season need something to help them perform better, some use worse things than others but the truly natural powerhouses take real world-class nutrition that not only helps them excel but also in their daily lives outside their sport. So hey, you may not be into sports and just want to gain some extra energy for whatever you do during the day and put extra springs in your step. Maybe you're just into training like me and want to do better in each session. I like to play when I exercise and as a big man, I still want to have energy and agility while I train. If this can help me perform better without the crazy side effects that some other stuff has it can definitely work great for you even far greater than I can imagine.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Train To Play
I have developed a few philosophies over the last couple years or so. I've covered what I believe in what works and what doesn't, helping others find awesome ways to train but all in all nothing takes the cake more than using exercise as PLAY!!! When you start to play in your training, the word "Workout" becomes a thing of the past. Working out can be good but it has the word work in it and many times that drives people away. Now I know what you're thinking "Then how can someone take you seriously if you only play, isn't that the opposite of what you're suppose to in exercise?" Here's where I do take it seriously, by not putting a stamp on being so hardcore and fixated on a single system that I worship it's abilities. I take it seriously by being myself and putting effort into not just mentally seeing the power in play but physically I make it a mission to be creative and throw in some off the wall stuff you won't see coming.
Alot of us in the world think fitness is about machines in a gym, drinking nothing but protein shakes and lifting weights to look like a bloated freak with enough syntol or steroids his brain can't tell the damn difference. No, fitness is a journey of finding exercise throughout all walks of life. Some people get fit lifting weights, some use nature to crawl, jump, swim and anything else that the earth can be used, others get fit riding a bike or swimming in their pool or lake on the beach, hell some are so extreme they even get fit rock climbing without any gear (not recommended). I choose to get fit by doing different things and combining them together to create something unique and fun to do. How you feel gets you fit should be your biggest priority.
Playing bends the rules and even breaks them. You can color outside the lines, do something outside the box that makes people's jaw drop, you can even step out of the time depleted routines where you are have so little time to do round after round of injury-type exercises that can kill your potential and take away your psyche to which you based on your training in the first place. I get super excited for when I do my days of Playful Movement; just free to do what I want, how I want it and pick things I like and work them into the ground with a smile on my face and feeling like a billion bucks from beginning to end.
I believe when you start to play and let your mind loose and free, results will come when you least expect them to. You're relaxed and not so tense you become internally inflamed, you move better, your organs become stronger and you will generate greater breathing and flexibility. Don't become so rigid and narrow that you get stuck and can't get out. Be free and use your imagination.
****Product Of The Day****
-SPARK
For optimal performance it is vitally important to have as much energy from the beginning and ending of your training session. This bad boy is the ultimate replacement for high-risking and surgery substances/beverages like Coke, Monster, Red Bull, Gatorade and many more. This product is Sugar-Free and full of kick ass nutrients that help you have the best training in your life. My friend Adam Glass used it to help him enhance his strongman and bodyweight feats that make him one of the most physically powerful men on the planet today. This is not a steroid or a performance enhancing drug; it's to help you bring out the very best in how you perform with awesome benefits that will also help you live a healthy and full life.
Alot of us in the world think fitness is about machines in a gym, drinking nothing but protein shakes and lifting weights to look like a bloated freak with enough syntol or steroids his brain can't tell the damn difference. No, fitness is a journey of finding exercise throughout all walks of life. Some people get fit lifting weights, some use nature to crawl, jump, swim and anything else that the earth can be used, others get fit riding a bike or swimming in their pool or lake on the beach, hell some are so extreme they even get fit rock climbing without any gear (not recommended). I choose to get fit by doing different things and combining them together to create something unique and fun to do. How you feel gets you fit should be your biggest priority.
Playing bends the rules and even breaks them. You can color outside the lines, do something outside the box that makes people's jaw drop, you can even step out of the time depleted routines where you are have so little time to do round after round of injury-type exercises that can kill your potential and take away your psyche to which you based on your training in the first place. I get super excited for when I do my days of Playful Movement; just free to do what I want, how I want it and pick things I like and work them into the ground with a smile on my face and feeling like a billion bucks from beginning to end.
I believe when you start to play and let your mind loose and free, results will come when you least expect them to. You're relaxed and not so tense you become internally inflamed, you move better, your organs become stronger and you will generate greater breathing and flexibility. Don't become so rigid and narrow that you get stuck and can't get out. Be free and use your imagination.
****Product Of The Day****
-SPARK
For optimal performance it is vitally important to have as much energy from the beginning and ending of your training session. This bad boy is the ultimate replacement for high-risking and surgery substances/beverages like Coke, Monster, Red Bull, Gatorade and many more. This product is Sugar-Free and full of kick ass nutrients that help you have the best training in your life. My friend Adam Glass used it to help him enhance his strongman and bodyweight feats that make him one of the most physically powerful men on the planet today. This is not a steroid or a performance enhancing drug; it's to help you bring out the very best in how you perform with awesome benefits that will also help you live a healthy and full life.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Play Vs. Work
There are two sides to everything, its what makes life interesting and how obstacles and struggles play out. For me the word "work" is a bit harsh and very negative. Some say work is a positive which in a way it is depending on your perspective. You hear things like "I work hard", "She's a workaholic", "Nice Work Bob", "I'm proud of your work sweetheart." With a certain perspective Work can be used positively and negatively. The funny thing is though, people work all their lives, some more than others and even put their lives at risk for their work but more often not many people work so damn hard and still don't get the recognition they deserve. I knew guys who bust their ass 12 hours a day and struggled so much they're brains were caving in. Work a lot of the time feels daunting, harsh and downright sucks.
The word "Play" in my mind is something that is filled with fun, excitement, creativity, something effortless even though it doesn't from another person's view, time passes by like an 8 hour day felt like 5 minutes; it happens sometimes. Fitness is a prime example between the words "play" & "work"; when you work for your body, you push it to certain limits, sweat dripping down after a hard fought set of Push-ups or deadlifts or you put in a good hour or more battling exercises and busting your ass for the results you want. No matter how much work you put in, results may not come the way you want them to because your body will do what it can and it's a gamble at times. People workout so hard and most of the time too quickly then end up quitting. When you change the mindset to the word Play, it becomes a whole different ball game; hell it won't be in the same freaking sport. I like to use certain phrases when I train, things like "today, i'm going to play with these exercises", "my training session consists of playful movement", "I'm excited to play today." You can't help but feel happy about hearing stuff like that, using words like these can change how you move, the way you think and how you use your imagination.
Play is letting everything go, the rules fly out the window and all you're left with is your imagination and what course of action within your creativity you develop. Believe me it's not easy being creative but once you let loose and let yourself be anything, possibilities open up, you begin to have burning passion and it won't become work anymore, it becomes something to play with and create something out of your own world in your mind. Being fit is both a mind and body journey that has you learning all kinds of things but what you do mentally first will show in how you physically move in that next step. I pushed my body to limits I can't even bare to mention but I have bled, I've been hurt and I've been as sore as you can possibly imagine but once I change my mindset to play mode; my creativity comes out, I move more freely, I smile and have a greater focus.
Next time when someone says "work harder", tell yourself "No, i'll play harder". When you're in school, you work on your homework to get good grades, sometimes working just won't cut it, play with your homework, make something funny and find answers that both the subject and your creativity can co-exist. You're in a sport and you work on drills, now say "let's play on the drills" it goes in a totally different direction and those drills may be easier to do because you're relaxed in the mind and you're grooving through the session like a pro. Play with your heart and your mind and you can't go wrong.
The word "Play" in my mind is something that is filled with fun, excitement, creativity, something effortless even though it doesn't from another person's view, time passes by like an 8 hour day felt like 5 minutes; it happens sometimes. Fitness is a prime example between the words "play" & "work"; when you work for your body, you push it to certain limits, sweat dripping down after a hard fought set of Push-ups or deadlifts or you put in a good hour or more battling exercises and busting your ass for the results you want. No matter how much work you put in, results may not come the way you want them to because your body will do what it can and it's a gamble at times. People workout so hard and most of the time too quickly then end up quitting. When you change the mindset to the word Play, it becomes a whole different ball game; hell it won't be in the same freaking sport. I like to use certain phrases when I train, things like "today, i'm going to play with these exercises", "my training session consists of playful movement", "I'm excited to play today." You can't help but feel happy about hearing stuff like that, using words like these can change how you move, the way you think and how you use your imagination.
Play is letting everything go, the rules fly out the window and all you're left with is your imagination and what course of action within your creativity you develop. Believe me it's not easy being creative but once you let loose and let yourself be anything, possibilities open up, you begin to have burning passion and it won't become work anymore, it becomes something to play with and create something out of your own world in your mind. Being fit is both a mind and body journey that has you learning all kinds of things but what you do mentally first will show in how you physically move in that next step. I pushed my body to limits I can't even bare to mention but I have bled, I've been hurt and I've been as sore as you can possibly imagine but once I change my mindset to play mode; my creativity comes out, I move more freely, I smile and have a greater focus.
Next time when someone says "work harder", tell yourself "No, i'll play harder". When you're in school, you work on your homework to get good grades, sometimes working just won't cut it, play with your homework, make something funny and find answers that both the subject and your creativity can co-exist. You're in a sport and you work on drills, now say "let's play on the drills" it goes in a totally different direction and those drills may be easier to do because you're relaxed in the mind and you're grooving through the session like a pro. Play with your heart and your mind and you can't go wrong.
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