I came to Minnesota to learn amazing things from Gray Cook and Brett Jones, the masters if movement. But the biggest life lessons I learned from 5 outstanding kids. My friend Ann Marie has 2 biological children and 5 adopted children. Her adopted children all have special needs, ranging from fetal alcohol syndrome and full-spectrum autism to Stickler’s. In the process of adopting them, she was told they’d never do things, from a range of … Read more
The Short Version: paradigm-shifting and the most productive fun I’ve had in years. Complete game changer. The longer version: CK-FMS stands for Certified Kettlebell Functional Movement Specialist. Most of the people there were FMS level I and II certified personal trainer that were also Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) certified. We are talking the cream of the crop trainers. I was one of the few clinicians there, and I was in awe of the people around me. … Read more
I read a comment recently about training smart versus hard. In response to the tendency to trump effective training with toughness, the gentleman retorted the following: “Cheap steaks are tough.” That comment sat with me and hasn’t left me yet. I have a tendency to be quite tough, with my training, education, teaching, and relationships. But am I being tender enough? Am I a cheap steak in my life? Tender is palatable. Tough is not. … Read more
Yesterday, I was working fervently on my computer while seated at the SGU student area. I saw a group of young male doctoral candidates, studying as they were eating. They were a very good-looking group of smart gents, who appeared to have few troubles being sociable. A socially awkward, young male student asked to join them. Being a geek to the core myself, I had my dukes up, ready to say something if these “cool … Read more
I battled depression at a young age. I tried the drugs. I did the therapy. I did what I was told. I was still depressed. If you have known me for the past 10 years since then, the last thing you would call me is “depressed.” If anything, I’m elevated- and looking to help others around me. But, I have my moments. They are brief. I have my tricks. I can’t assume this will work … Read more
After 6 months of consistently skipping breakfast, I decided to eat it on my last Saturday in Grenada. It felt foul. I felt heavy, sleepy, and the opposite of what’s good. I didn’t teach better, think better, or perform my training more efficiently. My day did not go better. I’d argue it started off worse. The research supports caloric restriction and insulin regulation for increased longevity and disease prevention. So why, over the course of … Read more
After today’s lab session, I grabbed a water for my sprint-walk home. As I was paying, I saw a sign below the cigarettes that read, “Ministry of Health Warning: Smoking May Be Hazardous to Your Health.” Fair enough. Cigarette smoking increases your risk of myriad diseases, ranging from stroke to certain cancers. My smoking friends will be psyched to read that smoking actually decreases your risk of Parkinson’s disease. I’m betting it’s due to the fact … Read more
An esteemed and brilliant anatomist approached me in lab yesterday. He pointed out my large following for review sessions. He got me thinking about what makes a student excel. He noted this: “You are effective at getting them to show up when they don’t have to do it. You make things simpler, making it all feel doable.” Getting students to come to lab when they are not required to be there is a simple task. … Read more
I woke up early this morning to do some swings before walking to campus to teach. I wanted my brain to feel perfused to help teach head and neck anatomy. I didn’t want to do the students any disservice by not being on top of my game. As Pavelina (16 kilo KB) and I had some QT with one-armed work, I heard not one but TWO “health” infomercials, back to back. They each had neuroscientists … Read more
There is no worse excuse you can give for me for not getting what you want than blaming your genetics. HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/jason.kapnick?group_id=0” Jason Kapnick, RKC Level I, tamed the Beast this past weekend. He pressed, pulled, and pistol squatted a 48 kilo kettlebell – even though his genetics and surgical history should not allow him to do so. But he works to the bone and gets it done. HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/salim.poindexter?group_id=0” Salim Poindexter, RKC/SFG Level II, … Read more