Twenty Five in Twenty Five

Monday I celebrated my 25th birthday. Yes, I am pretty damn old. In light of this I decided to post 25 random things related to training, strength, lifestyle, nutrition and some plain randomness.

Enjoy!

1. Find your passion. Find something you are passionate about it and pursue it. I am passionate about anything training/nutrition related as well as helping people. I put everything I have into my career and my own training and then some. It is so easy to do because I am passionate about it. Listen to no critics and pursue your passion with all you have, you will succeed.

2. Find new music. Seek it out. Use Pandora, YouTube, or any other sources. You can’t listen to the same shit all the time. I like my Pantera but only when I am fixing to lift heavy shit. I don’t want to be in the mindset Pantera puts me in 24/7. Find some good, new music. Favorite band I discovered this year? Dispatch:


3. I have been asked to write some articles for WannaBeBig.com. I have 3 waiting to be published and I believe the first one will be up this coming Monday. It is titled:

“Functional Badassity: The Sandbag”

The other two:

“Make That Lower Body Grow”

&

“Training Tips to Unleash Your Upper Arm Potential”

Check them out!

4. Go to conferences, travel and learn. Whether you’re in the fitness industry, music industry, etc. you can benefit from learning from others about it. Whatever you are passionate about (see #1) travel and learn! This past year I went to the NSCA Sports Specific Conference, Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training, NSCA KY State Clinic at University of Louisville and Murray State University strength and conditioning facility. I learned a ton that I could immediately apply to my own training and to my clients training.

5. I get emails and questions from up and coming trainers quite a bit about how to get new clients. What advertising to use? What marketing ideas to use? Etc. If you get clients the results they want you will never have shortage of clients. Results speak for themselves. You will have walking billboards for your business. You will have a problem fitting all the clients in that want to train with you. Getting results gets clients and retains them.

6. I really don’t have a problem with CrossFit. I know it's not the best form of training for most, unless you want to be mediocre at a lot of things. It has it’s place for conditioning purposes but that’s about all in my opinion. Anyway, if you want to piss a crossfitter off this worked for me:

“CrossFit? No thanks, I am an athlete. Not trying to be the best at exercise”

7. Compete in something. I don’t care if it is strength or physique sport, a race or a recreation sports league. Find something you enjoy, train for it and compete. You will be surprised at how much fun the whole process is. You will see what it feels like to set a goal, deadline and obtain it. Use the carryover in all aspects of life (business, relationships, etc.)


Me Riding the Raft Like A Bull

8. Try something new. For my bachelor party I gave my best man a list of ideas for things to do. I didn’t want to the typical stripper bachelor party. I wanted to do something fun, adventurous and that I hadn’t done before. They picked white water rafting and it was a blast! Want to sky dive? Bungee jump? Hike a long distance? Ski? Go out and try it!

9. Drink a Spike at least once in your life. If you don’t like it then don’t drink it again. I find this is the best pre-workout drink available. I also owe some of my college GPA to Spike and it’s “focus” effects. I’m serious.

10. Push the prowler. The first time I pushed a prowler was when I visited IFAST. Talk about a killer conditioning workout! Once I got back home we got one for the gym and it is great. Our clients fear the prowler so much we now call it the “Push and Play”. Sounds nicer, still evil.

11. My freshman year of football I had my pinky cut off playing football. It got smashed between two helmets and some how ended up on the grass. Luckily they found it and I had it reattached. It doesn’t look much different now, but if you look closely you can tell.


12. Life is busy for most, and no one wants to hear about how busy you are because well, they are too! Even with a busy life it is very important to still make time to enjoy your friends and family. Visit your grandparents; go out with your friends, etc. Make the time!

13. I drink coffee every morning.

14. The last 2 books I read are: “Raising the Bar” –by Dave Tate and I am finishing up “Never Let Go” –by Dan John. Both I highly recommend!


Jamaician Sunset from our Trip
15. Travel. I spent my honeymoon in Jamaica and the beach is amazing. The people and culture are very interesting. Travel to new places.

16. I have gained 15 pounds in the past 8 weeks thanks to this shake recipe. I drank 1 each morning and 1 before bed. I’ll be honest, it isn’t all muscle. I am training for a strongman competition and want to weigh in at the top of the class. The extra weight makes my joints feel better and gives me better leverage for events.

17. Spend less each month than you make and you will not have money troubles. It really is pretty much that simple. Also, try and save up 3 months worth of what you make for an emergency fund.

18. Recovery is important. You have to have off days, weeks, deloads, etc. You can’t go all out day after day, week after week. Supercompensation is real. Use it.

19. This year I have met Mike Robertson, Bill Hartman, Tony Gentilcore, Coach Adam Feit, Coach Joe Kenn, along with some other great coaches and trainers. I appreciate all they have taught me and hope to pass it on by teaching others what I know.

20. I have been training for over 10 years consistently. My training goals have changed over the years but I am still hitting PRs, gaining muscle and loving it. Remember the iron game isn’t a race; it is a life long journey!

21. Surround yourself with like minded people whether it is business, training, etc. If you want to be strong hang out with those stronger than you. If you want to run a successful business, hang out with those who run a successful business. You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Think about who you spend the most time with…Do you want to be the average of them? If so, keep doing what you are doing. If not, maybe you should rethink things.

22. Train people and get results before you come out with a freaking product. Training your mom and girlfriend doesn’t count. Spend your time in the trenches learning and getting people results. After years of this you may be ready to come out with a product. You also may not. However if you haven’t put your time in and you're just a fraud you will expose yourself with time.

23. The “Lonely Island Boys” put out some funny shit. (Adult Content)



24. I don’t think excessive protein is needed for most people. 1g per pound is sufficient for most.

25. Don’t by into the supplement hype. The basics: protein, creatine and fish oil is enough for most. Pre workout drinks (Spike) and post workout drinks are a nice addition if it's in your budget. Spend the rest on food, a foam roller and books on training. You can’t go wrong with this method.

There you have it, 25 in 25. Any questions on them? Any comments? Anything to add? Post a comment and let me know!