Being On The Oregon Coast And Training To Keep Things Flowing

 Being near the ocean again was just incredible and putting in some training doing Isometrics, Dopa Bands & the 2 + 1 Sapate HIIT Workouts. Feeling the air, the sound of the waves, it's one of those great places to clear your head. Each day, there was a fun way to get some exercise in and then enjoy the rest of the time doing whatever. First night after getting into our Hotel in Lincoln City, did some Isometrics and using the band to stretch my body after being on the road for over 8 hours. The rest of the week was Sapate Workouts and a couple more Dopa Circuits doing 500-600 total reps each in Coos Bay. When we came home Saturday, I did a 500 Rep Dopa Circuit after a long travel day. 

I turned 42 last Tuesday and the older I get, the more I'm understanding that in fitness, it's not about who the toughest is or who can be so damn extreme consistently, those can be subjective but the latter has become more of a joke because of how much it's pushed by certain people. It's really keeping things flowing, especially after reaching 40.

I'll still push myself at times, hell those Sapate Workouts are hard and I do enjoy them. Testing things out but also being smart about what I do. I rather do things that build a future over beating the crap out of myself that leaves me wanting to sit out for days. I'm not breaking my streak to do that shit. Being on the sand and seeing the waves while feeling the wind of the sea reminds me of these things. Sometimes it's calm and other times, it creates a greater force but they always keep coming. Always in motion, that's a big proponent of my fitness journey.

It's those days where you can hammer out a high rep workout that can have you breathing like you ran sprints but other times, you can do some Iso Training, creating heavy tension and letting those muscles work without pounding the joints into an oblivion. Being over 40, I know I haven't peaked yet but I also know that when to go hard and when to back it up a few notches becomes an art form.

It also doesn't mean slowing down or making excuses. It means you're training with purpose, a structure that has meaning. Being able to train anywhere has become somewhat of a lost art, sure you can do just body weight and be cool with it, I encourage it wholeheartedly but having things like Bands on hand just adds not only the variety, but also getting an on site education to what you can come up with and developing abilities that keep you young and vibrant.

There's nothing fancy about old school training, it's the consistency and the use of your imagination that will have you going into new realms of strength, health and durability that didn't seem to exist before. Too many these days feel turning 40 means you're going downhill. Not me man, I don't believe it for a second. Do I train exactly the same as I did at 21? Nope, but that's ok. Do I believe I'm doing better now? Very much so, because I've learned that wisdom comes with age and experience. Adapted to what my body responds to and how to progress intelligently. That's what knowledge through trial and error over the years gets you.

Nature is a great teacher. Giving us lessons that can last a lifetime. When we pay attention to things in a different light, it shows us what we are capable of. The weather changes, the tide can be low or high, the wind can be calm but out of nowhere can be gusty. It teaches adaptability. The way we train shouldn't be any different. Some workouts can feel incredible, others can be humbling and even question our life's choices, we can seem invincible in one sense, at times just showing up and doing what's possible in the moment is our victory for the day. Just don't stop moving.

For those over 40, don't spend so much time worrying about what was in the past, stay the course on what you can do today. Experiment, learn new challenges, the journey doesn't end because a calendar tells you you're a year older. Think of it as a new chapter, a new adventure on the horizon. 

As for our time on the coast itself, we saw beautiful sunsets, witnessed a proposal within yards on the beach and even celebrated a little of it, some awesome lighthouses and spending time with people that we don't see very often even though each time we do, we pick up where we left off last. We smiled, took little trips down the coast and created memories that will never leave us. Being loved and sharing it with the people that matter to us. Life can be hard at times but there's beauty in it as well and that is also what keeps things flowing. Be amazingly awesome and have a great Monday.

Share some of your favorite travel memories in the comments.

A Traveling Asset That Keeps You Strong

 

Fitness is a lot of trial and error. You experiment with things, you test out the waters and you find what works and what doesn't. Some are closed off or haven't learned valuable assets of training especially if they travel. Back in the day, gyms weren't as easy as to come by and many travelers had to figure out things to keep themselves going. Some had a few things with them that they can carry, like Bob Backlund for example would take his Wheel & Foldable Step Stool and train in hotels and in the arenas. 

Those things are very good to have and if you love conditioning, bodyweight is right at the top of the list. To keep up with the riggers of travel, you can get a workout in anywhere if you have the right mindset and knowledge of what you can do. I love circuit style bodyweight exercises and have done them in airports, hotels, theme parks, on the beach and wherever it helps. However; if I had to pick a method that can be done anywhere with little to no equipment, it's Isometrics hands down.

People forget how valuable Isometrics really is especially for travelers. You can do all kinds of holds that will not only keep you strong, but also keep you energized for those long flights, crazy drives and being able to haul your bags with little effort. If I had to pick the best equipment for Isometrics, it's the WorldFit Iso Trainer. You can pack it into a little bag and throw it in your suitcase or duffle bag and you can have a workout anywhere you want and not have to move a muscle, just contract, relax, repeat and you're good to go. 

Strength Training on the road can be a challenge but with this bad boy, you can mimic just about any exercise in the gym isometrically and get something going for as little as 10 minutes. My favorites to work are the Bicep Curl, Overhead Press, Lunge, Zercher Squat, Deadlift, Seated Row & Chest Press. These alone can be done in a matter of minutes and I'd be spanked. You can do them their respective positions for 7-12 seconds or you can do them in one position per exercise and go for longer periods of time. Overcoming Isometrics truly is the Game Genie of Fitness.

One of the perks of Isometric Training is that it doesn't tear you down or make you feel as sluggish, you can use a lot of effort and not feel dead afterwards. Whenever I do them say in an airport waiting for a flight, they provide the focus and concentration, along with Spatial Awareness & Vitality. With controlling the breathing, it also helps relieve anxiety of being on a plane and being overwhelmed. It gives off that calming effect afterwards. In a hotel room, they're great for preparing for the day's activities or winding down after a day of fun and adventure. They're there when you need them and be able to carry on your day.

For a preference of which book or course to help you with this kind of training is Overcoming Isometrics With Matt Schifferle who provides not only the exercises but what you can do with a regular routine on the road to keep you sharp no matter where you are. It is by far a top 5 in the entire realm of the method. I personally believe very few can match it when it comes to the wisdom, the science, the small details and the professionalism that comes with it. 

Safe travels everyone, kick ass in your endeavors and keep being amazingly awesome.   

Why You Should Crush Workouts While Traveling

Lets talk about keeping your gains and your sanity intact while you’re out there conquering new lands or just making those pleasurable trips more interesting. Traveling—whether it’s for work, adventure, or just vibing in a new spot—can be a beast that tries to derail your fitness. however; we're not going to bow to excuses, are we? Hell no. Exercising while traveling isn’t just a flex; it’s a game-changer that keeps your mind sharp, your body strong, and your spirit unbreakable. Let’s break down why you need to pack your discipline alongside your passport and make every trip a chance to level up.

1. Stay a Savage, No Matter the Zip Code

When you’re bouncing between airports, hotels, or Airbnbs, it’s easy to let your routine slip. New surroundings, weird schedules, and that sneaky voice saying, “You’re on vacation, chill.” No way. Sticking to your workouts as best as you can on the road is a declaration of dominance. It’s you saying, “I control my destiny, not my itinerary.” A quick hotel room HIIT session, a run through the streets or on the beach of a new city, small town or hitting a local gym keeps your momentum roaring. Consistency is king, and kings don’t take days off just because they crossed a border.

2. Smash Stress, Jet Lag Or Those Long Hours In The Car Like a Boss

Travel can be a meat grinder for your mental state—long flights, time zone hops, and the chaos of navigating unfamiliar turf. Exercise is your secret weapon to crush that noise. A solid sweat session pumps endorphins, torches anxiety, and resets your internal clock. Studies back this up: aerobic exercise can cut jet lag recovery time by regulating your circadian rhythm (look it up, science is crazy). So, when you land, lace up your kicks, find a park, and sprint it out. You’ll feel like a god while everyone else is popping melatonin and giving themselves a hard time.

3. Explore Like a Beast, Not a Tourist

Ditch the basic sightseeing bus and turn your workout into an adventure. Run through the cobblestone streets of Rome at dawn. Do pull-ups on a beachside bar in Bali. Hike a mountain trail in Colorado with a weighted pack. Exercising while traveling lets you experience a place in a raw, primal way. You’re not just seeing the world—you’re owning it. Plus, you’ll stumble on hidden gems no guidebook will ever show you. That’s the kind of story that makes you a legend at the bar later or just taking it easy later at cool restaurant or whatever.

4. Keep Your Gains, Don’t Let ‘Em Ghost You

Let’s be real: skipping workouts for a week or two can start unraveling your hard-earned progress. Muscle loss kicks in faster than you think, especially if you’re eating like a tourist (pizza in Naples, croissants in Paris, you know the vibe). A quick bodyweight circuit—push-ups, squats, burpees—takes 20 minutes and keeps your muscles engaged. No gym? No problem. Use the WorldFit Iso Trainer for isometric sessions or a park bench for dips. You didn’t grind for that physique just to let it fade because you’re “on the road.”

5. Build Mental Fortitude That Shatters Limits

Exercising while traveling isn’t just about your body; it’s about forging an unbreakable mind. When you’re in a new environment, tired, maybe lost, and still choose to crank out a workout, you’re training your willpower to laugh at adversity. That’s the kind of mental toughness that spills over into every part of your life—business deals, relationships, you name it. Every rep you push through in a cramped hotel room is flipping off to the stereotypes of just laying around. That’s how you become a force of nature. Micro Workouts are very powerful.

How to Make It Happen: No Excuses, Just Execution  

Pack Light, Train Heavy: Bring a jump rope, resistance bands, or just your bodyweight. You don’t need a full gym to go beast mode.

Plan Like a General: Scope out local areas for some kick ass sessions, trails, or parks before you go. Apps like Strava or Google Maps are your recon team.  

Time It Right: Morning workouts beat jet lag and free up your day for exploring. Plus, you’ll feel like a champ while others are still snoozing. Things like loosening up the joints or DDP Yoga, HIIT ect. 

Improvise, Adapt, Overcome: No equipment? Use stairs, benches, or your own luggage. Can’t run outside? Crank out a Tabata in your room. Adaptability is power. I've even used my duffle bag full of clothes as an alternative to the Sandbag. 

Fuel Smart: Travel food can be a trap. Hit local markets for protein-packed snacks like nuts or jerky to keep your macros on point if you're into that sort of thing but overall, keep a good level of eating good while you have fun.

The Bottom Line: Be Unstoppable

Traveling is a chance to test your mettle, not an excuse to slack. Exercising on the road keeps your body chiseled or maintaining your energy and strength, your mind razor-sharp, and your soul fired up. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being relentless. So, next time you’re packing for a trip, throw in your sneakers and your grit. The world is your gym, and every workout is a chance to prove you’re a cut above. Now go out there, dominate, and make every mile a masterpiece.

Stay strong, stay amazingly awesome.

A Traveler's Guide To Fitness On The Road

If you're someone who travels a lot or goes on trips ever so often, it is important to keep fit while on the road. The best type of training you can take with you is really your own bodyweight where you can do your push-ups, squats, lunges, isometric training and all sorts of kick ass things. However; some people prefer to have equipment with them to travel with as an add on to bodyweight exercises. 

In order for traveling with equipment to be efficient, the best recommendation is to keep it to a minimum as best as possible. I don't think it's allowed to travel with a kettlebell or a barbell with plates unless you got a hefty truck to haul that stuff than maybe. If you're traveling by plane, buses, cab/uber rides, it's not the best idea to travel with equipment that weighs more than a couple pounds if that. Some of the best equipment I've ever traveled with that I can pack into my bag and be able to lug it onto a plane or other transportation has been my Lifeline Bands, Ab Wheel & my Isometric Belt. The first two are pretty easy to find and snatch up, the Isometric Belt was specially made by one company but you can get straps or better yet the WorldFit Iso Trainer is a great choice for maximizing your Isometric Training. 

Not every place you go to has a gym and not every single hotel has one (many do but it's mainly a few machines and a little dumbbell rack that is pretty lame in my book). Hell when me and the wife traveled to Tahoe one year, we stopped in Winnemucca, Nevada and that was a night we both want to forget since the first hotel we tried looked like Bates Motel on steroids (we don't talk about Winnemucca) and had to change hotels at like 1-2oclock in the morning. Neither one had a gym and that was ok, had my Isobelt, Wheel & even my 20 lb Sandbell. There's a bad dad joke I made about one of the restaurants that we passed by there that has a reference to the Three Amigos. 

Back to to the task at hand. Being in shape anywhere you go is important and it's vitally important to be aware of how you move around in a place you've never been to or handle certain situations that can pop up on you. It's why I love being able to have certain things on hand that I can to use to stay strong, durable & conditioned whenever something is called upon. Going camping is really important to be in shape for unless you're one of those people who likes to go Glamping and not have to worry about tents and having to build a fire. When we go camping, we set up a tent and areas for food and stuff and it's my job to chop the wood and help get a fire going. Chopping wood is a workout in itself and it builds up a hell of an appetite so we bring along plenty of food. My wife chops wood with me every now and then because she does enjoy it since she's a bit of a tomboy having grown up here her whole life. 

Make the most out of your travels and be resourceful when it comes to training. You can find just about anything to workout with anywhere you go if you know the right ideas and being intuitive. Traveling to Tahoe & Disneyland most of my life, I learned a lot about making the most of what you have. Learned how to hike in Tahoe and going swimming everyday, doing sprints near the cabins, picking up heavy rocks and climbing those torturous stairs at Zephyr Point. Getting in up to 10 miles a day at Disneyland and holding wall sits while waiting in lines for rides in the summer air. Climbing stairs at hotels with bags and not always using the elevator, going on hikes up here sometimes wearing my 40 lb vest to really test my conditioning. It can be really enjoyable.

Travel well and keep exercise equipment to a bare minimum or just use your own bodyweight and use workouts from Darebee to help you find great circuits that kick your ass regardless of where you are. Be adventurous and soak in the best moments. Life is full of wonders guys and we never know what will happen tomorrow. Keep being amazingly awesome and safe travels wherever you go. 

Share, Comment & Sign Up.

The Traveling Gym

           In fitness, there are so many programs and so many options to choose from but what most people don’t understand or even bother to notice is that you can work out virtually anywhere. Sure it’s nice to have a gym to go to and there are some awesome gyms that will kick your ass but a gym shouldn’t be your only option. Think about it, if you’re traveling on the road not even leaving the state, just going to a different town, you may not always find a gym so what the hell do you do and still get in some awesome training? You travel light; you can have a gym in your own bag or just use your bodyweight.

            Your mind is an extremely powerful tool. In this case, if you concentrate and focus, you can actually in this case, find any gym anywhere on the planet. Look at it this way, a gym really is just a building full of things to pick up, move and even run on that’s it. When you step out of that element and look in different pieces, you can find great ways to train. You’re at a hotel, they don’t have a gym so what can you do? Use your imagination, use the hotel for your workout, do push-ups near your bed, do step-ups on the stairs, do isometrics on the rails. This is just a prime example, what about being in a cabin and the nearest gym is about a half hour and not that easy to find what can you do? Use your imagination, go swimming, do sprints up a hill, hike, lift a rock, there are so many things you can utilize.

            Let me give you an example; Almost every summer, my family and I go to Lake Tahoe for a couple weeks max, we laugh, we cry, there’s drama at times and we make up for it, we go out to different places and even go to an old western town if we had the chance but I find the best ways to train anywhere we go. A little up the road from our cabin is the lake where there’s rocks, trees, a dock and plenty of water to swim in. I would swim and then climb up a big rock maybe bear crawl it up who knows, jump back in the water, swim to a series of rocks around the area and climb, crawl, jump, squat, sometimes I do push-ups. Look what I just did, I used every muscle in my body from head to toe and even did cardio at the same time because I needed to keep moving and use not just my body but my mind to think where to plant myself and coordinate because it can be dangerous.

            Learn to see the world as your gym no matter where you live. If you want to have the cheapest gym that requires no gym fees and can be used to travel with, get yourself some stuff at Lifeline USA. The Chest Expander is a great tool to travel with, The TNT Cables are bad ass because not only you can use them on the ground but have a door attachment to wrap the cables around do the same exercises you see in the gym. Use the Power Walk for your walking exercise and get fit from doing that. Don’t make things complicated for you, take advantage of what you have and make it work for you. Open your mind and body and there are endless possibilities.

Be awesome my friends.

Travel Training

             I love to travel when I have the chance, sometimes for an extended period of time over a few weeks. If you're into fitness or learning and doing certain things it’s important to remember that when you travel, you may not have the same luxury in a different town or state so don't be limiting yourself. Many people believe that to get in shape you need to be in a gym and hitting the iron or the machines but believe it or not it’s not always that possible to do so. I have a friend that travels constantly and needs to be in shape for what he does but he uses his imagination and realistic approach that gives him the tools to travel in awesome shape no matter where he is. Don't limit yourself.

            Expand your horizons. If you can't get to a gym or your hotel doesn't have what you need, do things a little differently. Instead of focusing on what you need to lift when you travel, think of moving your body around, do push-ups and squats in your hotel room, hold certain postures, travel with a chest expander that works your upper body like crazy yet easy to travel with.

            Here’s a little tidbit for you; when I was 25 I went to Disneyland with someone in my family. When we were there we went on rides and stuff but we also we went out on our own at times, I was going to do The World Of Tomorrow where in order to get in you stand and the ground rotated to get to the entrance, I decided on a whim to do a free standing Handstand while the thing was rotating and I actually held it for quite a bit. It was awesome and that was the only exercise of the day that was it. When you travel, be creative and have fun, don't rush things.

            If you're going to travel with something to workout with, travel light. It’s not easy carrying a dumbbell or a kettlebell in your bag so why not cables like the Chest Expander or the PowR Walk Pro; they're easy to carry around and they’re there when you need them. I like to travel with some cables and an Isometric Belt that I have that’s about 14ft long and practice my isometric training. One of the best ways to train is to do it in nature. About every summer my dad’s family goes to South Lake Tahoe for about a couple weeks and get a couple cabins, go to the beach and chill out. When I go, that’s the perfect opportunity to do some great swimming, lift heavy rocks, crawl, balance and climb on the rocks as well. Training in nature is just different, exciting, and spontaneous and you never know what you're getting into.

            I emphasize this with great intent that no matter where you go whether it’s in a big city or the Fiji Islands, utilize your imagination and use the environment to get an awesome workout in. I get more out of creating something than trying to find something that can be too far away or whatever. When you learn to channel your mind and being aware of your surroundings, you can create any type of workout you want. I've been in some crappy places and even some gorgeous and beautiful places too and still found how to train without an excuse. If you want to stay in shape bad enough you will find a way to do it. Create opportunities and take advantage of them. A gym is just a gym but why not use the world as your gym. 

Ideas From A Traveling Strongman

            There are strongmen around the country who travel to schools, churches, prisons and occasional corporate offices upwards to 300 days a year. Some travel all over the world, some just in the U.S like my friend Bud Jeffries does. Now what they do is not always the same, I've witnessed first hand two very distinctive differences in their performances. Some do what’s called Junk Feats where they’re feats that seem legit but really are as fake as you can get, an extreme few are legit. The other is called the Real Deal where they take certain objects and although the feat may seem like a fake it’s really a legit one like bending steel, tearing a deck of cards right out of the package, hammer levering and so forth. A traveling strongman has to be creative and learn their distinct patterns for a performance. This can be ideal for your training.

            Some strongmen perform the same feats in a show where there’s a pattern or routine for them that sets their mind to think automatically to do the next feat. Some others perform certain feats on a certain day either to change it up a little bit or because they got hurt doing a certain feat that it’s tough for them to perform at their best. It’s like a fitness program, you set your mind to specific exercises and you follow a routine that is suitable to what you want to accomplish. I have literally seen some off the wall feats but also I look for a specific type of routine that has meaning and can be used in a creative and fun way. Although I change my workouts frequently, I still find certain exercises that go hand and hand with my mind and my body that works for me.

            One thing many people ask about strongmen who are on tour is how they get themselves motivated? How do they go day after day finding that inner strength to show their positive side and their will to teach and show these incredible feats to other people? Well, in my opinion, they learn to pick up things from a certain place, program their minds to set a certain tone that gives them that “Winning Feeling” of putting themselves out there to the crowd and learn to use their own story and share it with the people their performing for. Quite frankly I don’t know how the hell they do it but that’s my take on it.

            Last thing I want to point out is that there are certain strongmen who perform just for the sake of performing and don’t have anything else to give back to the people other than some arrogant prick who can bend a silly bar just to make certain people inadequate; however there are some guys and gals out there that give back to the people they’re performing for, sharing their story of how tough it was for them and how they’re just like the rest of us only in a different format. My friend Bud happens to be the latter because underneath all that muscle and smiling persona, he’s really an awesome and sweet guy who wants to make a living helping out the other guy. Show that you are a special person and that you have a brighter future where you don’t need to be macho to get what you want. It takes a man of character and a man of great heart to tell you that there’s no need to bully anyone, no need to be afraid of whom you are. You are an awesome person and you can go places if you apply yourself with the right mindset and the right tools to get you there. He is truly a one of a kind strongman and an incredible human being. 

       If you want some good ideas on how to be creative and how to apply your training in a certain way, talk to a strongman, they're very creative in what they do (at least some I've heard of) and have some wonderful motivational tips that can jump start your training and how it applies to you like how certain feats are to a strongman performing, they're there for a specific reason.