Expressing Gratitude

"A sick person only wants one thing, while a healthy person wants 10,000 things."

Let's be more thankful. Expressing thanks is not a neutral endeavor. No matter what you're going through, if you have your health, you are lucky. Even with my health, that I work on each and every day, I personally have SO many other things to be grateful for. The people I'm surrounded by and the opportunities I'm able to pursue are not lost upon me. I'm extremely thankful for everyone who has supported me along my journey. I do my best to remind those who are close how much they mean to me, which is something that hasn't been present my entire life. It's a work in progress for me, and I urge others to express gratitude. Express thanks to those around you, don't just assume they know. Make it a point. Attitude is everything, and gratitude is the attitude.

--
Kyler Blades CPT

The Practice of Positive

Everyone likes to say they are a positive person.

While smiling or wearing bright clothes is a fine start, putting legitimate action to the notion you are positive takes a lot more substance. To actually be positive it takes creativity, patience, thinking, energy, intent, JUICE, or many other words of this similar guild. I was recently noting one of my favorite coaches' sayings for helping young baseball players get into an athletic stance.

He gave two scenarios: #1: the coach simply yells at his players "C'mon get down, in the ready position."

#2: The coach sings to his players with a melody "Dance, dance, everybody dance on the toilet, and hold two pizzas in your hands." Silly yes. Memorable yes. More helpful than simply yelling get ready? Certainly.

I think the words "Yells at" and "sings to" go a long way to illustrate the more overarching relationship I'm trying to convey. In any team, (team applies broadly to any group of 2+) it is most beneficial if all members are striving toward the same goal. Rather than having a vast hierarchical system, opting instead for one that involves not only the "coach" but also the participants' decisions. This will create a more intrinsic connection to the team by dividing up the power amongst all parties.

That is what it truly means to be a team; everyone is given part ownership, and everyone must do their own job to the best of their ability to put the team in a better position to achieve the desired goal. Notice I did not say WIN. Winning is not always within our control.

A quick tidbit I use often when working with people of all ages, sports, or tasks, is the "feedback sandwich." It might be cliche, but it works if done correctly. How it goes is you pick out something the person is genuinely doing well and you tell them that. Then give them the thing you really want them to work on. Finish the interaction by reiterating the thing they are doing well, or even give them another compliment. It can go a long way to not damage the psyche, while also getting your desired outcome across.

To actually be positive, one must do the following:

-Bring ENERGY

-Be patient

-Provide tasks that focus on things within our own control

-Be creative

-Keep perspective. It's a game after all.

Baseball's Bond: Why I Love The Game

“Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand.”

-Leo Durocher

I don’t claim to know everything about baseball. I do however feel a great connection and deep understanding to the game. Maybe it was the fact I grew up in the house with my dad as the coach of all my teams. Maybe it was the multiple 2nd place finishes at the state championships as a young player that urges me to push forward. Maybe it was the fervid bond that was formed after the passing of my mother. Probably, it was a culmination of many factors that led me to transfer to multiple schools through college in the pursuit of being involved in the game I love so dearly. 

The popularity of baseball is dwindling, partly due to the perceived lack of action in today's stimulated world. The nuances of the game are seldomly appreciated or understood. I take it upon myself to help young players understand some of these nuances, form a fairy-tale like bond with the game, as well as interjecting excitement into the game/practice for the future generation. 

Part of it is learning to appreciate the little things, managing failure, and recognizing how these principles apply to real life. It is unfair that the best player in my lifetime, Mike Trout, who has played for 10 seasons, has never won a playoff game. That is baseball. That is life. Baseball, unlike other sports, is the truest team game. Learning to do things for the greater good is a principle instilled in players who “understand’ baseball. If we can learn to better help one another, understand nuance, and interject some excitement, I think baseball and the world will be better off.

-Coach Kyler

Discipline, Not Motivation

“You will never always be motivated, so you must learn to be disciplined.” This statement struck me as I read it on a Friday afternoon, exhausted from the week and not wanting to the hit the gym after work. Even as a personal trainer, I still struggle with lack of motivation. Or at least, that is what I thought I was lacking. Motivation comes and goes but it is discipline that pushes us through to our goals. Motivation is the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way OR the general desire or willingness of someone to do something. Discipline is the practice of training people to obey rule or a code of behavior. The difference between these two paradigms is easy to see. So what do we need to do to become more disciplined? Practice! Its not something that just comes easy to everyone. Discipline is like a muscle that needs to be worked, and eventually it will become stronger and easier to use. I always blamed my inconsistency on my motivation levels. Desires are feelings or emotions. Our emotions change daily, even hourly. We are tired, we are stressed, we are mentally exhausted — all the things! See how we cannot rely on “motivation” to get us to our goals? I read an article about the differences between discipline and motivation. The differences were explained in a point blank manner. Motivation operates on the erroneous assumption that a particular mental or emotional state is necessary to complete a task. Discipline separates outwards functioning from moods and feelings and thereby ironically circumvents the problem by consistently improving them. Right here! Your lack of desire to train today is due to a feeling or thinking you have to be in a certain mood or mental state to perform your workout. When in fact, if you just show up, put in the work in even if its not your best, your mood and mental state will improve by completing your training due to the effects exercise has on the human body. It elevates us and really, that elevation doesn’t ever drop until we decide to quit (or skip) training. If you wait until you feel like doing stuff, you’re never going to get anywhere. It’s a vicious cycle. The words “I’ll do it later,” or “I’ll start on Monday” are so deadly to our own well being! Yes, there are times for resting, and rest days are so important. What I’m speaking of is relying on feelings to get you to the next level. In addition to training, this relates to anything in life that you want to accomplish. Motivation is situational. You check your workout off as done for the week and nothing more. Its almost blinding because we lose sight of our goal when we become mentally situational. Discipline is like an engine, once kick started, actually supplies energy to the system (exercise endorphins, mood) and the fuel that keeps the engine going is actually consistency. Training is not a chore. It is a blessing and an opportunity. We are lucky. Those who have the ability to challenge their body and simply move, is huge. Don’t take it for granted. Set goals, crush them and even go beyond. Apply a new level of discipline and throw out that old motivation.

-Coach Jess Poe, CPT

There's A New Trainer In Town

The following comes from an interview between Kyler Blades and new trainer Jess Poe!

     KB: How did you get into strength & conditioning?

JP: About 3 years post high school I was introduced to weights. I had always wanted to get into fitness but I was always afraid to step a foot into the weight room. Luckily, I had someone show me the ins and outs of lifting, proper form and how to be confident in the weight area. I saw the effects of training with weight vs only cardio exercise and I was hooked. Lifting heavy is my absolute favorite thing to do in the gym. 

     KB: What do you like to do in your free time?

JP: I live in an active outdoorsy town so I’m always doing something outside. Hiking is my favorite outdoor activity. I’m also pursuing my degree in psychology & communication through University of Idaho.

     KB: What are some goals you have reached and ones you hope to reach in the future?

JP: Fitness goals - my current max squat is 275lbs which is a goal I wanted to hit for a while! Next will be 300lbs. I’m currently training for a figure competition in April and I’m anticipating getting top 3 in my class. A non-fitness goal I have is to complete my bachelors degree. I’ve worked a full time job for the last 5 years which has made it tough to go to school, but I’m close to finishing!

     KB: What made you want to become a part of the BladesAPA team?

JP: I’ve been wanting to pursue my fitness passion for a while now, I just didn’t have the avenue or resources to do so. Blades APA stands for a lot of great things that I believe in so, when Kyler asked me about being a coach, I felt it would be a perfect way to reach people I want to impact as a personal trainer. 

     KB: What population do you enjoy working with most? Why?

JP: I really have a connection with women although I absolutely love building relationships and coaching anyone with a desire to learn more and improve their health, fitness, and performance. As a female, I’ve had to overcome a lot of set backs in the fitness realm such as poor self image, eating disorders, and the skewed idea of what happens to women when they lift weights. So because of my personal experience and victories, I relate to women on a compassionate, personal level. 

     KB: Who are some people you look up to?

JP: My two sisters have always inspired me to push into my fitness passion. We have all been active our whole lives and watching them conquer their goals excites me about mine. We conquer together. I am also extremely inspired by my fiancé who, despite his medical set back (nail-patella syndrome: makes it harder than normal to gain/retain muscle), he puts in the hard work and fights for his fitness goals all while supporting me in mine. 

KB: Favorite post-workout meal?

JP: PASTA! I usually have chicken and pasta and veggies post workout. Of course I switch it up to keep things exciting, but give me some whole wheat penne and I’m set. 

     KB: Where does your motivation come from?

JP: I fear stagnation. I do not enjoy a sedentary mindset or lifestyle. My motivation comes from the desire to always keep progressing and celebrating any small victory along the way. 

     KB: What does the future hold for you in the strength and conditioning field?  

JP: I am going to continue on past my personal training certification. My desire is to expand my education and experience so that I can positively impact my clients with the best coaching experience possible. 

The Importance of Strength

Allow me to clarify one thing; exercise is not the same as training. If you have goals (and you must in order to improve in any aspect), then you should be training.  Exercise that includes randomized techniques whereas the idea is to become exhausted, sore, or “thrashed,” is simply punching a time clock to elicit effects felt that day.  Training is not about today but rather a process to get to where you want to go. Strength is the basis of all human movement, no matter what age, gender, background, or genetics.  Gaining physical strength is bar-none the most beneficial activity anyone can do in the gym.  Whether your goals are aesthetics based, performance based, or functionally based, increasing strength is the only answer. 

“Well then, how do I get stronger?”

Good question. Short answer: lift heavy things. To get the most bang for your buck in the gym, elicit free weights (mainly a barbell) that recruit large musculature over a full range of motion. Designing workouts for strength is accomplished by choosing a movement in each of the following categories.  

-Knee dominant ex.) squat/lunge

-Hip dominant ex.) deadlift, good morning

-Push ex.) bench press, push-up

-Pull ex.) rows, pull-ups

An explosive move plus auxiliary and core stability lifts can be done to accompany these four main movement classes.

“Great, I have some moves, now what?”

Work on your form. You have the rest of your life to load up the bar and actually become strong. I highly recommend watching or reading items from strength coach Alan Thrall, or the people at Starting Strength.  Some of the main problems I see to focus on would be learning to hip hinge properly, squat below 90 degrees without a forward weight shift, and horizontal pressing with hands placed directly below the shoulders while not allowing elbows to flare outward.

“My form rocks, so do this as often as I can right?”

No. You do not get strong from lifting weights but rather recovering from your bout of training. That is where adaptation occurs.  The sweet spot for strength training occurs at 3-4 days per week, with the other 3-4 days being active recovery.  Simply, if muscles are continuously broken down and not given adequate time to adapt, that is where overtraining injuries, plateauing, and eventual abandonment of the program occurs out of frustration.  Give yourself a break once in a while!

“Got it. So then do as much weight as I can on my training days?”

You are on the right track. Tons of reps do not get you “toned.” In general, when a move is done 12+ times that is considered an endurance exercise.  Muscles that are more prone to utilizing oxygen (endurance) are actually smaller and less visible than anaerobic musculature.  Strong muscles are large muscles, and large muscles under a small percentage of overall body fat look good and function better, so the focus should be on getting larger stronger muscles. It is MUCH harder than it sounds. Nobody becomes “bulky” overnight, or even over a course of a year for that matter. It is much easier to regress from that bulkiness if desired than it is to actually get there in the first place.  DO NOT BE AFRAID OF BIG WEIGHTS.  If you are just starting a strength program, an easy route to take is doing 5 sets of 5 reps on each of your main movements for the day, adding weight each set, as well as increasing weight from week to week.

“Great. Is there anything else I should know right now?”

Enjoy the process.  Training is hard but it can be used as a release from the norm.  There are countless ways to accomplish aspirations so find a system that works for you yet still incorporates some of these previously listed essentials. Keep things fun while relishing the development of the person you will become.

The Mentality of Training

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cdxWOB2KZE&t=60s

How many calories do you need?

Kyler and John talk calorie counts, BMR, and a lot more in this videocast! Comment with any questions or to start a discussion. Enjoy!

How Productive Can You Be In A Day?

If you are reading this looking for something to the effect of “Top 10 Tips for Productivity,” I will have you know this is personal account more meaningful than that.

On this day I will have accomplished:

-Training others and myself for 7 hours

-Conduct our very first screens of new members in which I am the head operator

-Be scolded multiple times by superiors

-Contrary to being scolded, have the most productive day at work in my life

-Be offered a more permanent position at my current job due to the growth of my youth program over the last six months

-Have an encounter that reminded me of how crucial perspective is among our daily living.

4:45-5:45: I rose to cook my typical 4 egg, avocado breakfast washed down with a 600-calorie smoothie.  The commute always goes swiftly at that hour as cars are sparsely spaced throughout the valley.

5:45-9:00: Our open gym is a great experience for everyone that makes up our team because we have the opportunity to work with people whom we have not had the chance to before.  I take pride in “speaking the same language” as other strength coaches but presenting it in a slightly different manner.  You never know what will stick with somebody allowing them to bust through a plateau.

9:00-10:45: I typically allot 90+ minutes for myself to train including a warm-up and cool down.

10:45-12:00:  Squeaking in 15 minutes to hastily set up our very first screening process of new members in our laboratory.  Upon completion, I met with two wonderful women that I train on a weekly basis for one hour.

12:00-2:30: I have never fully executed our entire process of the hour examination of individuals overall health at this point.  While intimidating, I am able to administer the exams with a façade of confidence.  After breezing through the tests with no problem whatsoever I began to clean the lab.  A fellow worker sprang in at this point visibly angry.  He spouted asinine accusations toward me leaving feelings of gloom and confusion.

2:30-3:15: Waltzing up the 24 stairs it takes to get to my office, I left for my quick lunch.  Before I could open the door, my supervisor was waiting for me.   At first I thought this was more bad news but in fact he was there to express his gratitude for my work since being hired and to inform me of my file being reviewed for a more permanent status position; essentially a raise.

Now more exuberant but still having conflicting experiences I walked out of the building toward the hospital’s cafeteria.  A brief encounter took place and is the most influential experience I’ve had in recent memory.

By shear chance, a close family friend was walking into the hospital as I was carrying my lunch out.  I didn’t actually recognize him at first, but exuberantly shook his hand when I realized who it was!  Even that was too much.  He said, “Easy there I might fall over.”  Known as a jokester, I quickly noticed he was not kidding in this instance.  His eyes a mixture of bloodshot and jaundice yellow.  Pale skin stretched over a frail body was left after an advanced procedure that, “took all my insides out an rearranged them.  I’ve been pent up in a hospital bed for weeks in Seattle,” he said.  “It did give me a chance to check out the small college basketball teams punch their ticket to the NCAA tourney for the right to get beaten in the first round,” he cheekily stated.  An eager and genuine grin appeared on his face as he proceeded to ask how I was doing.  My trepidations of that long day seemed to melt away as I grasped how amazing my life has become.  I spoke of being able to pursue my dreams of bringing advanced training to young athletes and how special home is to me.  People like him make the area I grew up in unbeatable.  Through a gruesome surgery and a tough uphill battle about to take place, he was able to eloquently communicate (without even really trying) the importance of both health and kindness.  He intently listened to my newest pursuits before shining one last smile and a wink before going to check into his newest hospital bed. 

3:15-7:30:  It was as if I had just been anointed this found again ability to see through all the pettiness surrounding me, and focus on what is truly meaningful in life.  I taught my last few classes of the day with joy and enthusiasm, finally calling it a day at 7:30 PM.

Through this day filled with high highs, and new lows, the only thing I really took from it was that brief encounter walking out of the hospital.  It reminded me to seek immediate action, one step toward something I’ve always wanted to do because life can take unfair turns.  Even with these unexpected happenings that everyone inevitably experiences, the one thing we can do is have perspective.  Today: take a step back, slow down, and be kind because that is something always within our control.

Episode 4: Lift For Life

Strength is the ability to produce force against an external resistance in the environment.  Force is produced whenever you touch anything with you hands or feet.  Strength is the basis of human movement, no matter what age.  Training with a barbell is the most ergonomic way to increase strength because of the natural way it utilizes the normal functions of all the joints and muscles in the body.  In this post I will outline the importance of this training throughout ones entire life.

One of my first memories of a weight room is when I had to spot my father as he performed the bench press.  My sixth grade mind thought if my dad couldn’t lift the weight, I would have to pick the whole thing up.  Since my dad was the strongest person in the world to me, I definitely had some apprehension.  He calmly explained that I would only have to lift the difference of what he couldn’t.

The benefits of strength training can start at this preadolescent age that I was at.  There is a misconception of the safety involved with barbell training, especially in young athletes.  While at Pacific Lutheran University, I specifically studied the effects of training on youth.  It has been proven that lifting weights does not impact the growth plates and can actually enhance the maturation process.  As long as a knowledgeable supervisor is present, barbell training should be utilized because young athletes can improve their abilities safely.

Nothing else comes close to the effectiveness of barbell pressing, knee dominant, and hip dominant movements for developing strength.  Barbells are so valuable because they allow heavy weights to be held and moved vertically over the midpoint of the foot.  The biological response of all exercise involves the stress on the body, the recovery, and the eventual specific adaptation to that stress.  Recovering from the previous stress is the body’s way of getting itself ready for exposure to that same stress in the future.  The adaptations we see are specific to the imposed demands, while a lack of exercise decreases strength, endurance, muscle mass, bone density, and more.  Lifting a barbell through the body’s normal range of motion while not falling over means you are producing force and balancing at the same time. 

People over eighteen and not yet seniors can go through miraculous body changes with barbell training.  The goals can be adjusted to any desired change the exerciser wishes to see.  Athletic performance in the form of power development can occur.  Aesthetic changes will happen no matter the concentration but can be focused on even more with hypertrophy training.  Whatever the reason for training, results will be enhanced by incorporating barbell training.

A great thing is that more people than ever are performing regular exercise.  The issue is the majority of those people are doing it ineffectively.  Machine training has been proven to not increase strength in anything except the performance on that one machine.  Muscles work together as a system, not in isolation, which is why barbell training should be implemented for ANY POPULATION.  Since the system working together can move heavier loads, a barbell can apply much more stress to to the whole body compared to an isolated muscle group.  Who wants to spend twice the time in the gym for half the results?  Yes, these isolation machines posses the ability to make it feel like you are working hard.  Since the ability to produce force is limited to the mass of the working muscle, so is its capacity to increase strength when in isolation.

Barbell training needs to be implemented as part of any program, especially for older adults.  The main benefits come from increased bone density as bodies become more brittle, and improved balance as fall risk becomes a problem.  Grip strength is commonly used as an assessment of overall body strength.  In a recent study, researchers suggest that grip strength is a better predictor of mortality than blood pressure.  The author went on to say “low grip strength is associated with increased susceptibility to cardiovascular death.”  If you are not training with a barbell, what are you really doing?

Episode 3: Why We Do What We Do

Today is my mother’s birthday. For those of you who do not know, Dawn passed away from cancer almost ten years ago, when I was just about to enter high school.  If one were to describe her, they would use words such as: ferocious, caring, positive, joyful, and much more.  As an Occupational Therapist, she utilized special equipment to assist disabled children to perform tasks dealing with fine motor skills so they can lead healthy lives.  She was self-employed and would travel to all the local elementary schools to work with kids each week.  Distinctly, I recall sticking my head into her confined room at Muldown Elementary on Wednesdays to steal a hug.  Boy would that be nice on this particular Wednesday.  She thrived off providing a better life for the less fortunate.  Part of where I got my passion for serving young athletes derives from her profession.  Not in the sense that the athletes I deal with are unfortunate, rather I believe everyone should be given the tools to succeed. That’s where I step in and provide the comprehensive training program that is BladesAPA.

The entrepreneurship she displayed influences me to this day.  She started “All About Kids” (under my title suggestion) which was a combined Physical/Occupational Therapy clinic specifically for children.  In her free time, she also created her own jewelry company with proceeds going to assist cancer research.  A mindset of proactivity and relentless pursuit of betterment is something she passed to me.  Do you think I planned to transfer to four different schools in the eventual achievement of playing college baseball?  No.  But that path led to complete satisfaction knowing I did everything within my power to accomplish what I set out to do.

In all honesty, BladesAPA began out of frustration.  Time constraints made it impossible for me to train two young men who deserved and wanted to improve.  Frantically, I looked and eventually discovered a way to provide the best training available on their schedule at a minute price.  Shutting down their aspirations and explaining how they were just out of luck was not an option I was willing to consider.  Tired of seeing ineffective training methods being pounded into the brains of kids, I chose to do something about it.  I have been espoused to the people who I can provide assistance to and that is in my genetic makeup.

Dawn initially had breast cancer that she fought, and won for twelve years.  My little brother, Logan, did not know her without this disease.  That could contribute to his heartening perspective on life.  To her, life was a balance.  There were times to work, times to relax, times to play, times to cry.  I take it upon myself to emulate these ideals invariably.  The one eventuality that everyone must make time for is facing death.

I drastically underestimated the impact she had on the community.  This was only made evident to me at her funeral service.  In a rather large church, every seat was taken, the isles were packed, and people were crammed next to the rear door.  How can this be?  What did she posses that drew such attention from people, so many of whom I had never met before?   Part of it may have been her persistence to live a full life, which people wanted to emulate. Some of it was direct genuine influence to many of those people in the church on that day.  Much of it was due to the goodness in her heart that was felt whenever someone interacted with my mom.

If you have made it this far in reading my article, I thank you for giving me your time. It is my hope you take something from this passage.  The token could be to follow passions with all your might, go out and make life happen, or simply tell your mom you love her today.

Episode 2: Top 5 Reasons Why Resolutions Fail & What To Do About It

The busiest time of the year for any gym is right around when New Years Resolutions are being formed. Often, these aspirations fizzle out by late February or maybe last until March if one is particularly motivated. The general population and media will have you thinking that resolutions, and thus goals, are not built to last. I’ve heard people say, “How long will your resolution last this year?” Setting goals is a positive practice. Setting an expiration date on your resolution insinuates the lack of expectation and accomplishment. So why do so many resolutions fall to the wayside?

1.     The practice of choice seems too hard

There is no question that each person should set somewhat lofty goals for themselves. Where a lot of aspirations fail is when they are not broken up into steps with a clear path to success. 

What to do about it?

Having a coach or friend readily available to ask the right questions can be the difference in capability or defeat. It is easy to become less accountable to oneself, but if someone else is keeping tabs, you are more likely to stay on the right path.

2.     Laziness

Americans are getting more and more sedentary, that is no secret. With all the new technology, people are required to produce more at work in lesser amounts of time. The same does not go for training. People have a natural gravitation toward machines in the gym. “If a machine can do it for me why not use it?” There are many issues with that line of thought that I won’t dive into here.

What to do about it?

The most important thing is to pick a goal that will be intrinsically motivating. Something that burns inside and cannot be put out. For me that was playing colligate baseball. I was constantly the first one to the field/gym and the last one to leave. Knowing I had the skills, I wasn’t going to let my drive dictate when I was finished playing.

Of course there were times where I felt like hanging up my spikes. Those were just bad days, and I eventually came back around to my fiery personality. A key is to be sure you are constantly motivating yourself. Whether it be corny YouTube videos, taking five minutes to recognize why you are doing what you are doing, or finding someone to compete with, discover a way to stay motivated. “People say motivation often doesn’t last. Well neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” –Zig Ziglar

3.     Consistency

Whatever you do becomes habit. Once that habit is formed, typically it is hard to break. The difficult accomplishments in life are also the most gratifying so I encourage you to take those steps.

What to do about it?

Push yourself to generate positive habits. Get to the gym. Once you’re there, you wont sit at the juice bar without working out. One change I made that was a progressive struggle was attaining my caloric goals. I typically ate a very small breakfast. Then I started making a couple eggs. Then I added some turkey bacon. Now a typical breakfast consists of 1,200 calories and I am adding the long desired muscle I worked so hard for.

4.     Specificity

We use a simple acronym when setting goals: S.M.A.R.T. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. So often I hear general goals of, “I want to lose weight,” or, “I want to be better at this.” More important than having the big general goal in mind is having the mini achievements mapped out along the way. Goals should be able to fit into the S.MA.R.T. criteria. Be honest with yourself. A safe fat loss rate is 1-2 lbs/week with diet and exercise while a sensible muscle gain rate is .5-1 lb/week.

What to do about it?

Make your resolution as specific as possible AND give a completion date along with it. Be sure you can measure your progress because if there is no data, there are no results!

5.     Bumps in the road turn to mountains blocking the way

I promise, with each lofty goal you set, there will be hiccups, things that slow you down, or something will happen outside of your control.

What to do about it?

Understand that there is not a straight path to success. Approach each scenario with the mindset of the inevitability that these bumps in the road will occur. This thought process will allow you to absorb and eventually overcome each obstacle without the permission to grow into a mountain.

The New Year stands before us like a blank sheet of paper with a chance to write something beautiful, or add a chapter to something great. My hope is that each of you experience these bumps in the road because that means you are trying, making strides, and growing. May 2017 be a year to become whom you truly desire.

Episode 1: We Begin With Why

Why is an important question in life.  To be verbally announcing, and also continuously asking oneself internally this question, is a pursuit of advancement. In relation to exercise, I ask all of my clients early on why they want to begin a program. I have heard a multitude of answers.  Everything from, "I want to tone up" to, "I want to play collegiate athletics."  Now, one of those has some true merit and motivating factors but in regards to the former, I would attempt to dig deeper into the roots of why they want to make a lifestyle change. The reason to get to the origin of "WHY?" is to find something that will not ever die.  A motivating factor yes, but something even deeper: a passion, a dream, a goal.

            For myself, I became jaded at an early age.  My aspiration always revolved around baseball and yet, my team was always narrowly eliminated just before the pinnacle of success.  I experienced multiple 2nd place finishes in state championship games, and a 3rd place with a team that had the most chemistry I have ever been around.  We just happen to slip up in one game of a single elimination style state tournament (who does that?).  Enough with the team stuff, how can I become the best I can be?  This is another important question to continually ask: HOW? 

I was a small in stature kid who loved playing an outdoor sport in a place where there is snow four months out of the year while baseball season is only a few months long anyway.  Turning toward a local fitness facility, I tried to build myself into a better athlete.  With no batting cages in the area, there is a distinct memory of mine begging my little brother to pitch me side toss with tennis balls in a racquetball court between games being played by older gentlemen.  That was the only offseason hitting I could accomplish.  The other thing I could control was my strength.  Gaining muscle was a partial success, but I had little true guidance into what was right and what was wrong.  I do hold a belief that if I had a proper strength training regimen, I could have better maximized my potential and avoided suffering an overuse injury, which took from me an entire season of basketball. 

Now, my purpose is to provide for those people who may have a destination in mind, but do not have a map to get them where they want to be. There saying in baseball that the worst pitch thrown with conviction is better than the best pitch thrown without.  Be purposeful in your life, with your words, actions, as well as your exercise.  Answer WHY and HOW?