This evening I deleted over 89 Gigs of videos and photos on my hard drive. I have owned this computer since 2004, and I have been recording clips from my workouts for years. 700+ videos.
Why Do that?
I did this because recording PRs has lost its meaning. I PR EVERY WORKOUT. My log reflects this, my videos confirm this. There is literally no point in holding on to these old videos because the past is gone. Now is what matters. Right now today is what is most important.
What about Christmas?
This is my 9th year missing the Holidays with my family. I spent one Christmas in Texas, three in North Dakota, the rest were overseas. So to me the “Holiday season” is simply another day on the calender. I have not missed a single day in the gym, I have not changed my diet or sleep schedule. There are no thought process to that either. I have simply continued to move forward. I feel pity for all the people who slip off the track from Nov to Jan, because they hate themselves for falling off the wagon. Keep moving.
So as you read this, get your ass on track. Tomorrow morning for Christmas I will be in my studio. The music will be loud- New Mudvayne this week. No one will be within two blocks of the building. They are all at home pretending to like their new tie or pair of socks. Get your ass out of bed and go do something. Go throw around a kettlebell, go run, go lift several hundred pounds and make some noise. Not because it’s Christmas, but because that is what you do any other Friday of the year.
Empty the cup for 2010
Another year on the board. What did you accomplish in 2009? I moved from a steady body weight of 204-210 to 236-240. I went from being hit and miss with my #3 COC to closing it any time I look at it for reps, with either hand. I bent some of the biggest baddest steel bars ever done, and made it easy. I bought another 10 grand in equipment, moved to a bigger gym, and trained a lot more people.
With all of that stated–it’s all gone right now. There is new shit to do, bigger better badder things to do. I refuse to be another clowns who lives on old achievements and all of life hinges on what used to happen.
These people are responsible for my behavior and actions
My friends, who reflect my direction in life. I would like to acknowledge them and the efforts they have expended to make me better:
Brad Nelson, Super athlete/master trainer/a true friend. You let me crash at your place, laugh while I give your wife a hard time, and you always have cold beer waiting in the fridge. You’re always on the ball, you have your shit together, and in an industry of rats and mice you are a Lion. The only thing left for you to do is learn how to return phone calls goof ball.
Frankie Faires, one of the smartest men I know, a bigger dickhead than I, and one of the only people who consistently makes me think. You have influenced change in me more then any other person ever has. You have made my job in the Military impossible to do, and my career as a leader and trainer infinitely more effective. You have been the only person with the credibility and courage to challenge my belief systems, my appreciation cannot be expressed with my limited vocabulary.
Josh Hanagarne, you always makes me laugh, you’re a wonderful student, great friend, and have earned the title of World’s Strongest Librarian. You are one of the people whose success has truly moved me emotionally, and you have not yet begun to find out how good you will be in the coming years.
Mike T Nelson, Mike you are the smartest guy I know. Your efforts have contributed to more PRs in my program than combination of DVDs and books in my library. As I have pointed out in the past–the proof of excellence is not how much a person can do–it’s how much they improve piece by piece, day by day. You started from a point of difficulty far greater than most can imagine–and there you are getting better all the time.
Chuck Halbakken, being friends with you and Frankie proves I am a dickhead. Old Yeller I am glad we won’ have to put you down any time soon. I am grateful for our friendship and I look forward to getting out to work full time with you.
Matthew Smith your potential is undefinable. Always remember, the Slave becomes the Master. Action allows us to reshape this world. The weak will always bitch about how things were and what they think should happen–the powerful change the now through action and lead from the front.
All of my clients both in house and online: working with you to attain your goals is my honor and the time when I am most happy. An hour trying to figure out why you think knee bend is the same as hip snap trumps winning the lotto or sitting on the beach. Without you I am a weirdo shut in who likes to break shit and enjoys conversations about metal bending. Thank you.
What does 2010 hold?
A departure from uniform service, More Workshops,the stand up of a powerful joint venture, a cross country move, but most importantly it is 365 chances to be better than I am now.
So tell me, dear readers- What are you doing in 2010??
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{ 13 comments }
You deserve it all, brother.
Great insight, as usual.
Great post Adam. I would join you for your Friday morning workout if I wasn't six hours away and there was this lovely blizzard dumping a foot of snow on the entire state of ND. So I'll stick with pistols, pullups, bolt bends and finish with some VO2 snatches at my parents with dads 20kg bell. Have a good weekend.
Thanks Adam, and right back at you. I love Christmas, so today I'll be working out AND pretending to enjoy my new tie. But I'm going to set three PRs two hours from now.
Adam.Great post.In 2010 I'm shooting for Pressing the 40kg,the44kg,and the48kg.Big goals but I'm getting them or die trying!Reading your posts and watching your video's inspires me daily.Good luck in the new year.
Thanks Max
Mark
I have a snaow drift as tall as you in front of my drive way. The blizzard has picked up in the last few hours. TOmorrow morning i will be digging, i am certain of this
Josh,
how did it all turn out?
Joel,
it is easier then you think. You will get them if you train smart and keep moving
Adam, it was good. I hit a Rolling Thunder PR on my left hand at 167.
Pressed on the axle for a while with 115. Light weight, but was able to press 6600 lbs in about 30 minutes with low reps. Still getting the technique figured out. I probably won't be putting more than 5-10 lbs on the bar each week to stay solid.
PRs on one-legged deadlifts. I'm pitiful on these, so the PR was quality, not quantity. used the 16s.
Josh
the rack position to try out is elbows forward on the chest, and slightly inward. This makes it close to the KB rack. I tend to use a false grip. So far this is only rack position which tests well. Use caution with the thick bar as it places a lot of stress on the thumbs.
On the single leg DL, wise choise
Thanks for the wonderfully kind words Adam–much appreciated.
Thank you for all the great advice and wisdom you have provided me. You are also a true student and action taker. Not many email me back after some nerve glide work at 2am with the results the next day; but you did.
Keep up the awesome work and 2010 is going to be AMAZING.
Rock on
Mike T Nelson PhD(c)
Extreme Human Performance
Adam,
While I generally refrain from backslapping and mutual admiration societies these days, I'll make an exception.
Some men think.
Some men act.
You do both…and most often correctly on both counts.
Very impressive.
You are a giant among men.
Lead well,
fF
It's been an honor working with you Adam, and I look forward to doing so in the future. You've lit a fire under my ass in regards to training, which has in turn awoken other fires that have been asleep far too long.