"You are what you decide to be." -Maxwell Maltz
This is a POWERFUL idea. This is my latest study through a CD series.
We are pre-programmed from the moment we are conceived in mom's tummy with garbage in our head. Neuro-science says that every person is a genetic predisposition to the state of both parents at the moment of conception...this means that whatever 'state' your parents were in at the moment you were conceived you are doing your best to survive those circumstances.
However, you can change EVERYTHING you've been taught because let's face it...almost everything is learned behavior. Self-talk is the X-factor between the person you are and the person you want to be. People have been telling you what you 'should' be your entire life. This is where most people stall in a rut and do what other people tell them instead of exploring their own wants, needs and desires.
Most of what I have accomplished in my life has been the exact opposite of what people tell me I should do. In your life journey, you will have many people who want to offer their "OPINION" ...that's OK because that is what makes the world go around. In 99% of those cases, I have found that doing the exact opposite of what 'they' are saying has served me well. Find a mentor who you can really really trust to speak into your life. This person will not have a personal agenda towards you. He/she exists as an 'intuition' guide to mold you into a better person.
The other people who offer you advice usually...
1 have a personal agenda
2 do not want you to out grow them
3 have never really accomplished anything great themselves
*these are just personal observations from my short existence on the planet.
Let's dive into this further...
You decide what you want to be or the universe will decide for you!
You have the power to work in the job you want.
You have the power to receive compensation for what you are worth.
You have the power to develop the body you want.
You have the power to have the family life/relationships you want.
and on and on and on.
When you decide, your universe was just set in motion. The key is to ensure there is congruency between the goal that you set and the person you want to be. Ask yourself the question...
"Who would I have to 'be' in order to accomplish this specific goal?"
That is a HUGE key in our world where we throw out random things that we want. Think about the person you must become in order to achieve that goal and work on the little things to 'being' a different person. The goals will follow.
"You are what you decide to be."
20070725
20070701
The opposite end of the spectrum
The other day I posted about an up and coming ELITE high school athlete. Today, I am headed to the opposite end of the spectrum after viewing a TV show on The Learning Channel called 'Big Medicine' which is a show about a father/son surgeon team who perform beriatric surgeries.
Let's begin.
Disclaimer #1 This could be long.
Disclaimer #2 I will not hold back.
This show begins with a story about a 500lb+ woman and a 730lb man who want gastric bypass and through the show they find out that their insurance will not cover their surgeries.
The woman was figured out to be consuming 6000 calories PER DAY. I repeat 6000 CALORIES PER DAY. This is not a physical issue, this a mental and emotional issue.
Newsflash #1: Having a surgery to shrink the size of your stomach will not solve the ROOT issue!!! The person will not be any different mentally or emotionally in the next 48 hours after the surgery because there was NO PROCESS. The process is what changes people. With no process, there is no change...only quick fixes (which are the easy way out and to readily available today). By the way, the doctor made an interesting statement..."whatever the client tells you they are consuming, they are most likely consuming 75% MORE calories than they are telling you." WOW. How does this happen? Denial. Depression. In the above cases, food becomes more than addiction...it becomes a MEDICATION.
All of these patients need to have a psychological evaluation. Newsflash #2: They are ALL messed up psychologically. Newsflash #3: The doctors who perform these surgeries need to have a psych evaluation!!
In this case, TRUE mental and physical transformation will be FORGED ONLY through physical transformation which is through hiring a trainer to change habit patterns and be held to EXTREME accountability. Will this be hard? IT WILL BE THE MOST DIFFICULT FRIGGIN' THING YOU WILL EVER DO. Will it be worth it? YOU'RE DANG RIGHT IT WILL BE WORTH IT. Take away: The only way to OWN transformation is to go through it.
Without a doubt, I believe that a person who is not willing to learn the meaning of accountability and discipline and apply it to their lives, will not be truly transformed.
American society has become extremely pathetic and apathetic. People just refuse to care of themselves anymore. Looking back at our ancestors--only in the last 30-40 years has our health spiraled out of control. What are the causes of this? Some of this is my opinion and some of this is fact.
1) sugar -- fake sugar / candy / low fat (they have to put something in it to make it taste good)
2) white flour
*these two alone eliminated from your diet would solve most of the problems.
3) nutrient value in food declining at an astronomical rate due to less crop rotation and therefore depleted soil. You would have to eat 20 heads of lettuce today to equal the nutrient value of 1 head of lettuce 25 years ago. WOW!
4) technology -- information age part 1. Majority of the population commutes to work in a car for 30-60 minutes SITTING, 4-5 hours at work minimum in the morning SITTING , 30-60 minutes eating lunch SITTING, 4-5 more hours at work in the afternoon SITTING, commutes home 30-60 minutes SITTING, eats dinner 30 minutes SITTING, moves to the couch to watch on average 3-4 hours of TV per night SITTING, then moves to bed for 7-8 hours of SLEEPING. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
And 'they' say that 'exercising' (I will define exercise in two different terms shortly) 30 minutes 3x per week is going to off set all of THAT? LET'S GET REAL PEOPLE!!
This is where that algebra I learned may come in handy...
Using the MININUMS of what I stated above:
20 hours of the average person's day is spent completely SEDENTARY / NOT MOVING / BARELY ALIVE / NON VIGOROUS ACTIVITY ...you get the picture
The other 4 hours per day may be spent who knows doing what.
That means that out of 120 hours Mon-Fri / 100 of them are forming atrocious habits. And if that is happening 5 days/week, I highly doubt there is a different habit on Saturday and Sunday.
sheesh we've only made it to #4.
5) technology -- information age part 2. Computers / home video games / iPods / cell phones and text messaging. This one is mainly directed at the kids' generation. I am GRATEFUL for all of the above. I own all of the above. However, I use them 95% for business purposes. Video games / Computers and DVD players have become the 'new babysitters' for kids. iPods and cell phones ....well this will say it all: a young lady I know sends 4000+ text messages per month. That's just on the sending part, how many is she receiving? I might total around the 500 mark for the YEAR. Not only does this have to do with state of health physically, but what about the state of communication between people in future generations? I thought email was impersonal.
6) The diet industry. Books/infomercials/products anything to hit the hot buttons of overweight consumers...95% of it is MIS-INFORMATION--which means they are not telling you the WHOLE truth.
7) The restaurant industry. What used to be a plate is now a 'platter.' The RDA (which is a joke because it is so outdated) determines serving size. 1 pancake (1 serving) should be the size of a CD. How big and how many pancakes does one get served at IHOP or Perkins? 3 the size of the PLATTER, on top of the omelot with buttered toast and sugar jelly.
8) The snackfood industry. Low fat, low sugar. Low fat = HIGH SUGAR. Low sugar = HIGH SATURATED FAT. Candy bars, chips, pop. 'They' are adding chemicals to these foods to keep you buying more both in quantity per purchase and eat more in quantity per serving. Lay's tag line 'betcha can't eat just one'. You're dang right because they are adding chemicals that alter your brain function to EAT MORE!
9) The magazine / fashion industry. Newsflash #4: The models on the covers of magazines went on extreme diets to attain that body for that specific photoshoot. They DO NOT look like that year around. 99% of all magazine covers are airbrushed as well. Let's look at camera tricks: Lighting can change the way a person 'appears'. Tanning can alter the person's look. Wearing different types of clothing can change the appearance (horizontal stripes vs. vertical stripes). Hey, we all want to look good. Understand though that a lot of times you are aspiring to something that will not be achieved without EXTREME discipline and also sometimes drugs, eating disorders, surgery, make-up artist, professional light and camera crew. Disclaimer: THIS DOES NOT GIVE YOU AN EXCUSE TO AVOID GETTING IN THE BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE.
10) Plain laziness. We have it all. We have it all at our fingertips. From our computers, we would never have to leave our house being able to buy ANYTHING that we need or want via the internet.
I'll stop at 10. 10 is a good round number.
Final thoughts on 'exercise'.
I mentioned above that 'they' say that 'exercising' 30 minutes 3x per week is a good target. I'm here to tell you that will get you JACK SQUAT! The key word being 'exercise' which 'they' usually refer to as WALKING. Sorry folks, walking is the most overrated form of exercise there is. Your body adapts, oh in about 2 days to it. You MUST STRENGTH TRAIN. This does not mean using 3lb pink weights (Ladies you WILL NOT get 'big bulky muscles'). You also must do INTERVAL TRAINING with some type of resistance. If you must walk I recommend purchasing a weighted vest from http://www.x-vest.com/ where you can buy a 40lb vest and incrementally increase the load 1 lb at a time. You see 'their' exercise and my exercise are two COMPLETELY different ideas. Theirs means the absolute minimum to hopefully help you avoid heart attack up until the age of 50. I am talking LABOR that will allow you to put more life into your years and your grand kids and/or future grand kids. If you want to know more you will have to come visit me at my studio Kinetic Edge Fitness in Woodbury Minnesota where 'beatdowns' are delivered without apology (and I say that in the most LOVING way ;).
Saddle up and ride.
Let's begin.
Disclaimer #1 This could be long.
Disclaimer #2 I will not hold back.
This show begins with a story about a 500lb+ woman and a 730lb man who want gastric bypass and through the show they find out that their insurance will not cover their surgeries.
The woman was figured out to be consuming 6000 calories PER DAY. I repeat 6000 CALORIES PER DAY. This is not a physical issue, this a mental and emotional issue.
Newsflash #1: Having a surgery to shrink the size of your stomach will not solve the ROOT issue!!! The person will not be any different mentally or emotionally in the next 48 hours after the surgery because there was NO PROCESS. The process is what changes people. With no process, there is no change...only quick fixes (which are the easy way out and to readily available today). By the way, the doctor made an interesting statement..."whatever the client tells you they are consuming, they are most likely consuming 75% MORE calories than they are telling you." WOW. How does this happen? Denial. Depression. In the above cases, food becomes more than addiction...it becomes a MEDICATION.
All of these patients need to have a psychological evaluation. Newsflash #2: They are ALL messed up psychologically. Newsflash #3: The doctors who perform these surgeries need to have a psych evaluation!!
In this case, TRUE mental and physical transformation will be FORGED ONLY through physical transformation which is through hiring a trainer to change habit patterns and be held to EXTREME accountability. Will this be hard? IT WILL BE THE MOST DIFFICULT FRIGGIN' THING YOU WILL EVER DO. Will it be worth it? YOU'RE DANG RIGHT IT WILL BE WORTH IT. Take away: The only way to OWN transformation is to go through it.
Without a doubt, I believe that a person who is not willing to learn the meaning of accountability and discipline and apply it to their lives, will not be truly transformed.
American society has become extremely pathetic and apathetic. People just refuse to care of themselves anymore. Looking back at our ancestors--only in the last 30-40 years has our health spiraled out of control. What are the causes of this? Some of this is my opinion and some of this is fact.
1) sugar -- fake sugar / candy / low fat (they have to put something in it to make it taste good)
2) white flour
*these two alone eliminated from your diet would solve most of the problems.
3) nutrient value in food declining at an astronomical rate due to less crop rotation and therefore depleted soil. You would have to eat 20 heads of lettuce today to equal the nutrient value of 1 head of lettuce 25 years ago. WOW!
4) technology -- information age part 1. Majority of the population commutes to work in a car for 30-60 minutes SITTING, 4-5 hours at work minimum in the morning SITTING , 30-60 minutes eating lunch SITTING, 4-5 more hours at work in the afternoon SITTING, commutes home 30-60 minutes SITTING, eats dinner 30 minutes SITTING, moves to the couch to watch on average 3-4 hours of TV per night SITTING, then moves to bed for 7-8 hours of SLEEPING. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
And 'they' say that 'exercising' (I will define exercise in two different terms shortly) 30 minutes 3x per week is going to off set all of THAT? LET'S GET REAL PEOPLE!!
This is where that algebra I learned may come in handy...
Using the MININUMS of what I stated above:
20 hours of the average person's day is spent completely SEDENTARY / NOT MOVING / BARELY ALIVE / NON VIGOROUS ACTIVITY ...you get the picture
The other 4 hours per day may be spent who knows doing what.
That means that out of 120 hours Mon-Fri / 100 of them are forming atrocious habits. And if that is happening 5 days/week, I highly doubt there is a different habit on Saturday and Sunday.
sheesh we've only made it to #4.
5) technology -- information age part 2. Computers / home video games / iPods / cell phones and text messaging. This one is mainly directed at the kids' generation. I am GRATEFUL for all of the above. I own all of the above. However, I use them 95% for business purposes. Video games / Computers and DVD players have become the 'new babysitters' for kids. iPods and cell phones ....well this will say it all: a young lady I know sends 4000+ text messages per month. That's just on the sending part, how many is she receiving? I might total around the 500 mark for the YEAR. Not only does this have to do with state of health physically, but what about the state of communication between people in future generations? I thought email was impersonal.
6) The diet industry. Books/infomercials/products anything to hit the hot buttons of overweight consumers...95% of it is MIS-INFORMATION--which means they are not telling you the WHOLE truth.
7) The restaurant industry. What used to be a plate is now a 'platter.' The RDA (which is a joke because it is so outdated) determines serving size. 1 pancake (1 serving) should be the size of a CD. How big and how many pancakes does one get served at IHOP or Perkins? 3 the size of the PLATTER, on top of the omelot with buttered toast and sugar jelly.
8) The snackfood industry. Low fat, low sugar. Low fat = HIGH SUGAR. Low sugar = HIGH SATURATED FAT. Candy bars, chips, pop. 'They' are adding chemicals to these foods to keep you buying more both in quantity per purchase and eat more in quantity per serving. Lay's tag line 'betcha can't eat just one'. You're dang right because they are adding chemicals that alter your brain function to EAT MORE!
9) The magazine / fashion industry. Newsflash #4: The models on the covers of magazines went on extreme diets to attain that body for that specific photoshoot. They DO NOT look like that year around. 99% of all magazine covers are airbrushed as well. Let's look at camera tricks: Lighting can change the way a person 'appears'. Tanning can alter the person's look. Wearing different types of clothing can change the appearance (horizontal stripes vs. vertical stripes). Hey, we all want to look good. Understand though that a lot of times you are aspiring to something that will not be achieved without EXTREME discipline and also sometimes drugs, eating disorders, surgery, make-up artist, professional light and camera crew. Disclaimer: THIS DOES NOT GIVE YOU AN EXCUSE TO AVOID GETTING IN THE BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE.
10) Plain laziness. We have it all. We have it all at our fingertips. From our computers, we would never have to leave our house being able to buy ANYTHING that we need or want via the internet.
I'll stop at 10. 10 is a good round number.
Final thoughts on 'exercise'.
I mentioned above that 'they' say that 'exercising' 30 minutes 3x per week is a good target. I'm here to tell you that will get you JACK SQUAT! The key word being 'exercise' which 'they' usually refer to as WALKING. Sorry folks, walking is the most overrated form of exercise there is. Your body adapts, oh in about 2 days to it. You MUST STRENGTH TRAIN. This does not mean using 3lb pink weights (Ladies you WILL NOT get 'big bulky muscles'). You also must do INTERVAL TRAINING with some type of resistance. If you must walk I recommend purchasing a weighted vest from http://www.x-vest.com/ where you can buy a 40lb vest and incrementally increase the load 1 lb at a time. You see 'their' exercise and my exercise are two COMPLETELY different ideas. Theirs means the absolute minimum to hopefully help you avoid heart attack up until the age of 50. I am talking LABOR that will allow you to put more life into your years and your grand kids and/or future grand kids. If you want to know more you will have to come visit me at my studio Kinetic Edge Fitness in Woodbury Minnesota where 'beatdowns' are delivered without apology (and I say that in the most LOVING way ;).
Saddle up and ride.
20070627
Obsessed
OBSESSED
a word lazy people use for the
DEDICATED
This is what was on DeVos' shirt today when he showed up for training. Background on DeVos... He is a 7th grader who WON the 103lb State Wrestling championship for the largest schools in Minnesota this year. Eric does not know the meaning of 'rest.' He is relentless to the point that you can throw anything at him and he will not quit (think Jason in Friday the 13th). So far this summer Eric has accomplished:
17-0 record at Nationals (team) tournament Greco/Freestyle in Indianapolis 2 weeks ago
23-0 record at Nationals (individual) tournament Greco/ Freestyle in Waterloo Iowa 1 week ago
This is a pic from a couple of years ago when he was a mere 85lbs:
WARNING: Obession creates independent thinking and will cause you to have moments where your 'inside' voice accidently becomes your 'outside' voice usually with impeccably ill timing (but you just can't help it ;) Politically Correct BEWARE (and get over yourself).
Obsessed.
Addicted.
Proud.
a word lazy people use for the
DEDICATED
This is what was on DeVos' shirt today when he showed up for training. Background on DeVos... He is a 7th grader who WON the 103lb State Wrestling championship for the largest schools in Minnesota this year. Eric does not know the meaning of 'rest.' He is relentless to the point that you can throw anything at him and he will not quit (think Jason in Friday the 13th). So far this summer Eric has accomplished:
17-0 record at Nationals (team) tournament Greco/Freestyle in Indianapolis 2 weeks ago
23-0 record at Nationals (individual) tournament Greco/ Freestyle in Waterloo Iowa 1 week ago
This is a pic from a couple of years ago when he was a mere 85lbs:
*fyi this is my first pic upload on my blog...I am a little slow with technology*
**His dad is reading this and still hasn't brought me a sweet pic of his son givin' some kid the beatdown to the tune of a 5 point throw.**
Back to DeVos...
Did I mention he is 13 years old?
WARNING: Obession creates independent thinking and will cause you to have moments where your 'inside' voice accidently becomes your 'outside' voice usually with impeccably ill timing (but you just can't help it ;) Politically Correct BEWARE (and get over yourself).
Obsessed.
Addicted.
Proud.
20070621
Rogue Trainer, Western Medicine & High School Elite Hockey
WARNING: The following piece of prose is for entertainment purposes only (mainly mine ;) This may cause dramatic belief inventory!
I am taking a chance to step out of the proverbial 'box' when it comes to discussion around injuries, training & rehab and going out on a 'Z' as in Z Health rant....I'm sure the termites will protrude from the woodwork with comments on this one.
Scenario began this past Tuesday 6/19/07...
Female elite High School hockey player (we'll call her 'Sam' for now) begins training with me. She came recommended from her coach (who also trains with me...smart coach ;) of the elite team. This female athlete plays for a state semi-finalist team and is on one of two 'elite' female HS hockey teams in the state...of which 99% are recruited to play D-I college hockey.
Insert first comment here: these athletes are considered elite...however, there is a HUGE GAP between where they are and their athletic potential. This is NOT their fault. The fundamentals of all sports have been lost in the pursuit of winning at WAY too young of an age in our country.
Back to regularly scheduled rant...
Sam has a R hip flexor / R groin disfunction causes an 8-9 out of 10 pain level when she skates or does sprints of any kind at this point. We find 3 Z corrective drills that take the pain from level 8-9 to level 2 in about 10 minutes. (This is still Tuesday 6/19/07).
Today, Thursday 6/21/07 Sam opts to keep her orthopedic surgeon (one of the best in the Twin Cities...aren't they all?) which I told her to and report what the doc says today.
2nd comment here: I am not a doctor. Nor do I intend to be. Nor would I want to go to school and intern for 12 years total to conclude something as ludricrous as what is to follow.
Resuming...
The ortho says that she needs an MRI because there might be something wrong with her labrum...Ok fair enough. MRI will happen sometime next week. In the meantime, doc says it could be some torn cartilage that is possibly causing her issues...fair enough.
Doc's prognosis pre-MRI & and not watching her move (as in athletically):
1 Surgery to trim the 'possible' cartilage tear (my take: so she can end her hockey career)
2 Cortizone shot (my take: so she can avoid feeling anything and really injure it worse)
...what an answer and only after spending about 5 minutes talking to her.
Now back to my Z point earlier...
3 Z drills on Tuesday took her from a Level 8-9 pain to a level 2 pain.
Today (Thursday) she returned with a pain level 4 or so. I did some more evaluation. Follow me on this one. As in earlier posts about Z... here are some key points to remember.
1) The body is an 'X' in regards to the way we function as bipeds...backforce transmission happens at the sacroiliac (SI) joint. In English, this means that when I press something with my left hand overhead, my right leg (specifically my glute/med) will act as the main stabilizer.
2) Also 'anything can cause anything'
3) Opposing joints & opposing joint positioning usually correct biomechanical issues (on the surface, however there could be MANY layers to this)
4) Any muscle/connective tissue that crosses a dysfunctional joint (jammed or immobile) will ALSO be dysfunctional...therefore showing up somewhere along the kinetic chain as 'pain'
Back to Sam and a little more about her history. Sam's R Hip Flexor is her main 'pain' problem currently...it showed up in February at the end of hockey season and flared up dramatically during track to point where she was forced to stop track. Sam severely sprained her R ankle about 1 year ago. The ortho said that her ankle has nothing to do with her hip. Are you serious? WTH?! Last time I checked my foot hits the ground when I walk or run and is connected to my torso via my knee and my hip. Maybe I'm just an alien. Sam also shoots hockey LEFT handed. Therefore, her RIGHT side must stabilize EVERY TIME she shoots LEFT handed (which has probably been 30,000+ times in her young career)
Do we have coincidence, Bueller....Bueller?? Maybe some Voo Doo orthopedic surgery? OR mayyyybbbbeeee some Mad Scientist Z neurology 101?
Position of Sam's L arm/hand when she is shooting:
L shoulder = abduction / external rotation
L elbow = slightly bent
L hand = supination
The L shoulder (her shooting arm) is the opposing joint to the R hip (where the problem is occurring).
Another coincidence? I would have to go with 'no.'
Rx = Left arm cross body shoulder circles (adduction / internal rotation / with elbow locked)
This IMMEDIATELY took her out of pain. Not home free yet however. Still having her do lateral tilts and middle/inside toe pulls to help with the former ankle problem as well.
This is what drinking Z Kool aid gets you...cool party tricks to help your clients love you more. It's not always this easy, but more times than not, it is.
There is also a tremendous gap between eastern practices and western medicine is willing to admit or explore and instead continue to appease our instant gratification society (at the same time, who wouldn't like to become pain free in under one hour without going through 3-6 months of rehab??)
Last comment: Sam is caught in the 'middle' of two extremely opposing viewpoints when it comes to her hip and her comment today: "I just wanna be able to skate full speed without pain." She is an extremely intelligent young woman who will make the right decision.
Up for debate. Challenges welcome.
Rant over...for now. Updates to come. Progress ensured.
I am taking a chance to step out of the proverbial 'box' when it comes to discussion around injuries, training & rehab and going out on a 'Z' as in Z Health rant....I'm sure the termites will protrude from the woodwork with comments on this one.
Scenario began this past Tuesday 6/19/07...
Female elite High School hockey player (we'll call her 'Sam' for now) begins training with me. She came recommended from her coach (who also trains with me...smart coach ;) of the elite team. This female athlete plays for a state semi-finalist team and is on one of two 'elite' female HS hockey teams in the state...of which 99% are recruited to play D-I college hockey.
Insert first comment here: these athletes are considered elite...however, there is a HUGE GAP between where they are and their athletic potential. This is NOT their fault. The fundamentals of all sports have been lost in the pursuit of winning at WAY too young of an age in our country.
Back to regularly scheduled rant...
Sam has a R hip flexor / R groin disfunction causes an 8-9 out of 10 pain level when she skates or does sprints of any kind at this point. We find 3 Z corrective drills that take the pain from level 8-9 to level 2 in about 10 minutes. (This is still Tuesday 6/19/07).
Today, Thursday 6/21/07 Sam opts to keep her orthopedic surgeon (one of the best in the Twin Cities...aren't they all?) which I told her to and report what the doc says today.
2nd comment here: I am not a doctor. Nor do I intend to be. Nor would I want to go to school and intern for 12 years total to conclude something as ludricrous as what is to follow.
Resuming...
The ortho says that she needs an MRI because there might be something wrong with her labrum...Ok fair enough. MRI will happen sometime next week. In the meantime, doc says it could be some torn cartilage that is possibly causing her issues...fair enough.
Doc's prognosis pre-MRI & and not watching her move (as in athletically):
1 Surgery to trim the 'possible' cartilage tear (my take: so she can end her hockey career)
2 Cortizone shot (my take: so she can avoid feeling anything and really injure it worse)
...what an answer and only after spending about 5 minutes talking to her.
Now back to my Z point earlier...
3 Z drills on Tuesday took her from a Level 8-9 pain to a level 2 pain.
Today (Thursday) she returned with a pain level 4 or so. I did some more evaluation. Follow me on this one. As in earlier posts about Z... here are some key points to remember.
1) The body is an 'X' in regards to the way we function as bipeds...backforce transmission happens at the sacroiliac (SI) joint. In English, this means that when I press something with my left hand overhead, my right leg (specifically my glute/med) will act as the main stabilizer.
2) Also 'anything can cause anything'
3) Opposing joints & opposing joint positioning usually correct biomechanical issues (on the surface, however there could be MANY layers to this)
4) Any muscle/connective tissue that crosses a dysfunctional joint (jammed or immobile) will ALSO be dysfunctional...therefore showing up somewhere along the kinetic chain as 'pain'
Back to Sam and a little more about her history. Sam's R Hip Flexor is her main 'pain' problem currently...it showed up in February at the end of hockey season and flared up dramatically during track to point where she was forced to stop track. Sam severely sprained her R ankle about 1 year ago. The ortho said that her ankle has nothing to do with her hip. Are you serious? WTH?! Last time I checked my foot hits the ground when I walk or run and is connected to my torso via my knee and my hip. Maybe I'm just an alien. Sam also shoots hockey LEFT handed. Therefore, her RIGHT side must stabilize EVERY TIME she shoots LEFT handed (which has probably been 30,000+ times in her young career)
Do we have coincidence, Bueller....Bueller?? Maybe some Voo Doo orthopedic surgery? OR mayyyybbbbeeee some Mad Scientist Z neurology 101?
Position of Sam's L arm/hand when she is shooting:
L shoulder = abduction / external rotation
L elbow = slightly bent
L hand = supination
The L shoulder (her shooting arm) is the opposing joint to the R hip (where the problem is occurring).
Another coincidence? I would have to go with 'no.'
Rx = Left arm cross body shoulder circles (adduction / internal rotation / with elbow locked)
This IMMEDIATELY took her out of pain. Not home free yet however. Still having her do lateral tilts and middle/inside toe pulls to help with the former ankle problem as well.
This is what drinking Z Kool aid gets you...cool party tricks to help your clients love you more. It's not always this easy, but more times than not, it is.
There is also a tremendous gap between eastern practices and western medicine is willing to admit or explore and instead continue to appease our instant gratification society (at the same time, who wouldn't like to become pain free in under one hour without going through 3-6 months of rehab??)
Last comment: Sam is caught in the 'middle' of two extremely opposing viewpoints when it comes to her hip and her comment today: "I just wanna be able to skate full speed without pain." She is an extremely intelligent young woman who will make the right decision.
Up for debate. Challenges welcome.
Rant over...for now. Updates to come. Progress ensured.
20070526
Saturday Morning Epiphany
e·piph·a·ny /ɪˈpɪfəni/ (noun)
3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
What I am about to describe is common place to me and other trainers familiar with kettlebell training. It takes place in gyms, fitness centers, garages, basements, etc. almost on a daily basis now that kettlebells have began to invade the general population, although still most prevalent in 'underground-in-the-know' trainers and other folks.
Stay with me here as I paint the picture...
Today in my beginner kettlebell class, one of my new grasshoppers is a very successful executive. He runs 10ks and half-marathons on a regular basis. He does very little strength training. Now what makes this individual who we will call 'Bill' different from other people who walk in to my studio? Well, he's stopped in about 5 times 'checking things out' but never really understood the mystique behind kettlebells because he had never touched one or swung one ...until today.
Today was his 'epiphany' in many forms. Let me explain. You see our society has created a bunch of people who blindly follow whatever when it comes to fitness, exercise and dieting. The latest infomercials are full of gadgets, potions, and not so truthful statements surrounding WHAT IT REALLY TAKES to look great naked.
'Bill's' Epiphanies
#1 How difficult SIMPLE exercise can and should be in terms of form, proper technique, and conditioning when it is all put together
#2 Why all of my class members are walking around in circles when he has stopped by to watch all of those previous times...THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO RECEIVE OXYGEN INTO THEIR BODIES
#3 Distance running and machine weight training are for all intents and purposes 'pseudo-exercise' ...THEY ALLOW YOU TO FEEL ALL WARM AND FUZZY BECAUSE YOU ARE 'EXERCISING' BUT THEY DO VERY LITTLE FOR ACTUALLY CHANGING YOUR BODY COMPOSITION.
#4 The weights are in KILOS not pounds...this always serves up a nice slice of humble pie...I leverage the kilos to my favor. Women think they are only doing 8 lbs instead of 8 kilos and guys think they are wussies, what a great concept to put them in kilos.
#5 and the most important of all...
"I went through Mayo Clinics 'Executive training program battery of tests' and they told me I was in great shape."
In shape for what? Obviously not in shape for whatever is next! How PREPARED are you for anything? Are you 'in shape' to get through your day? Are you 'in shape' to have enough energy at the end of the day to play with your kids? Are you 'in shape' when an unwanted person comes through your front door and he doesn't realize who is going to get the raw end of that situation (which hopefully never happens)? Are you in shape for the 10k / 75 obstacle ...Volkslauf obstacle course in Bakersfield California on October 13 of this year which we are taking multiple teams to? You see 'in shape' is relative. There is ALWAYS another level.
By the way, for those of you not familiar with the Mayo Clinic it is considered to be THE BEST collection of medical doctors IN THE WORLD and it's based in Rochester Minnesota. Now they have incredible doctors and I have seen some miraculous surgeries in various people that I personally know...however, my question to you is do you strive to be 'in shape' to pass some stupid test on a treadmill or are you working towards being 'in shape' because it is in every fiber of your being?
In the words of the Philadelphia Kettlebell Club:
"Don't rely on anything you can't carry, in case civilization is temporary."
'Bill' had an epiphany or two or five today.
How many people have you helped have an epiphany?
3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
What I am about to describe is common place to me and other trainers familiar with kettlebell training. It takes place in gyms, fitness centers, garages, basements, etc. almost on a daily basis now that kettlebells have began to invade the general population, although still most prevalent in 'underground-in-the-know' trainers and other folks.
Stay with me here as I paint the picture...
Today in my beginner kettlebell class, one of my new grasshoppers is a very successful executive. He runs 10ks and half-marathons on a regular basis. He does very little strength training. Now what makes this individual who we will call 'Bill' different from other people who walk in to my studio? Well, he's stopped in about 5 times 'checking things out' but never really understood the mystique behind kettlebells because he had never touched one or swung one ...until today.
Today was his 'epiphany' in many forms. Let me explain. You see our society has created a bunch of people who blindly follow whatever when it comes to fitness, exercise and dieting. The latest infomercials are full of gadgets, potions, and not so truthful statements surrounding WHAT IT REALLY TAKES to look great naked.
'Bill's' Epiphanies
#1 How difficult SIMPLE exercise can and should be in terms of form, proper technique, and conditioning when it is all put together
#2 Why all of my class members are walking around in circles when he has stopped by to watch all of those previous times...THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO RECEIVE OXYGEN INTO THEIR BODIES
#3 Distance running and machine weight training are for all intents and purposes 'pseudo-exercise' ...THEY ALLOW YOU TO FEEL ALL WARM AND FUZZY BECAUSE YOU ARE 'EXERCISING' BUT THEY DO VERY LITTLE FOR ACTUALLY CHANGING YOUR BODY COMPOSITION.
#4 The weights are in KILOS not pounds...this always serves up a nice slice of humble pie...I leverage the kilos to my favor. Women think they are only doing 8 lbs instead of 8 kilos and guys think they are wussies, what a great concept to put them in kilos.
#5 and the most important of all...
"I went through Mayo Clinics 'Executive training program battery of tests' and they told me I was in great shape."
In shape for what? Obviously not in shape for whatever is next! How PREPARED are you for anything? Are you 'in shape' to get through your day? Are you 'in shape' to have enough energy at the end of the day to play with your kids? Are you 'in shape' when an unwanted person comes through your front door and he doesn't realize who is going to get the raw end of that situation (which hopefully never happens)? Are you in shape for the 10k / 75 obstacle ...Volkslauf obstacle course in Bakersfield California on October 13 of this year which we are taking multiple teams to? You see 'in shape' is relative. There is ALWAYS another level.
By the way, for those of you not familiar with the Mayo Clinic it is considered to be THE BEST collection of medical doctors IN THE WORLD and it's based in Rochester Minnesota. Now they have incredible doctors and I have seen some miraculous surgeries in various people that I personally know...however, my question to you is do you strive to be 'in shape' to pass some stupid test on a treadmill or are you working towards being 'in shape' because it is in every fiber of your being?
In the words of the Philadelphia Kettlebell Club:
"Don't rely on anything you can't carry, in case civilization is temporary."
'Bill' had an epiphany or two or five today.
How many people have you helped have an epiphany?
20070521
Union Football
un·ion /ˈyunyən/ (noun) 1. the act of uniting two or more things. 2. the state of being united. 3. something formed by uniting two or more things; combination. 4. a number of persons, states, etc., joined or associated together for some common purpose: Union Football. Iowa that is. Dysart Iowa population 1100. LaPorte City Iowa population 1500. Together they are the Union Knights and they have a new sheriff in town in the form of Head Football Coach Joe Hadachek. And up until yesterday, I don't think they had any clue what they are in for this season. Probably never heard of Union High School on a national level. Probably not even on a state level. You will in due time.
You know you are in small town Midwest when you show up 20 minutes prior to start time and there are already 5 parents standing there. By start time there are about 20 people with lawn chairs watching AND they stayed for the ENTIRE session. Are they here because they have nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon in small town Iowa? Probably. Are they here because they have heard stories about Coach Hadachek and his 'different' philosophy and training methods? More likely.
You see Coach Hadachek was my strength and conditioning coach in college. He is the one responsible for my head swimming with ideas and constantly squeezing out any knowledge I can from the pages of discerning textbooks. Better yet, he taught me something right out of the gate about APPLICATION. Theory is theory, but do you know where the weight room is? That, my grasshoppers, is where 'it' gets done. There was something about that college weightroom: down in the basement of the fieldhouse, dark, dungy, so humid you could cut the thick air stench of bodies with a machete when you walked in. A smell and a feeling that I will never forget.
Joe is a mentor to me and is more like the big brother I never had. Yesterday was an opportunity to give back to him, his new team and the beginning of the foundation of the house that Haddy built. He won't take credit for it because it is all TEAM first. Me second.
Fresh meat. 55 of 'em. Sitting there soft and undisciplined. You know it's going to be a great afternoon when during the virgin set of swings a young man in the front row had his iPod plugs in. Coach Joe said "Are those headphones?" Kid "yes" Joe "Take them out before I rip them out!" "We will not tolerate that on this team." That commanded attention from 55 young men immediately! Brought a tear to my eye as those were the days...and I didn't even play football for him. We are talkin' Lombardi style "deep down every man worth his salt yearns for discipline." That's what all of these kids are ...unbridled fresh meat yearning for discipline; most of them have yet to discover that. These kids will come to know the depth of these 2 phrases in every sense of their existence: Personally Responsible. Individually Accountable.
We attacked them like a tiger attacking fresh kill...grab the jugular and hang on rippin' into 'em. 3 RKCs plus one that will be certified in 3 weeks. 92 degrees. 2 hours and change. 10 basic kettlebell drills. I will bet there was no other football team in the nation outside for 2 hours on this beautiful Sunday afternoon doing ANYTHING, let alone learning a new school of strength and conditioning unbeknownst to them their new weight training program starting today Monday 052107. We finished the day with a little injection of 'Nellie Love' ...relays of swings and farmers walks that turned into runs. Coach wanted to see who wants it since he has only known them for 3 weeks. We put that to the test. Seniors vs. Seniors, Juniors vs Juniors, and down the ranks. 10 swings then Farmers carry 2 bells about 40 yards then the next person goes. After 2 hours of sweat, moans and glimmer of fear in some eyes I heard a couple of Frosh say 'This is fun.' Fun. What a concept. You mean these kids have the ability to learn discipline and have fun at the same time? I say 'Welcome to the Beat Down.' Now that's what we are talking about. Instilling 'FUN' back into these kids. Then as my thoughts were going off into dreamland I was snapped to attention with 'Bring it in and take a knee.' Coach Joe said a few words and then passed it to me for some final thoughts. After a short 2 minute lecture on how Mountain Dew and Twinkies are not the best fuel for young football players dedicated to their craft we brought it home...there's something that warms my heart about 9 coaches and 55 athletes breaking a huddle on... "EASY doesn't pay!!"
I was very proud to be associated with this group of young men. They have no idea what they are in for this season. 3 words come to mind: Leadership. Perennial Powerhouse. I'll give Coach Hadachek 2 years. No pressure on him. I just know his fiber. He will completely gut that program with a filet knife and stitch it back together with every ounce of his being. Is he back coaching because he misses it? Probably. Is he back coaching because he is going to impact young men for generations? Definitely.
Union Football. There is a wind in the air and it's only May. This is one team that I guarantee will outwork its opponents. 11 weeks til 2-a-days. What a great country we live in.
You know you are in small town Midwest when you show up 20 minutes prior to start time and there are already 5 parents standing there. By start time there are about 20 people with lawn chairs watching AND they stayed for the ENTIRE session. Are they here because they have nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon in small town Iowa? Probably. Are they here because they have heard stories about Coach Hadachek and his 'different' philosophy and training methods? More likely.
You see Coach Hadachek was my strength and conditioning coach in college. He is the one responsible for my head swimming with ideas and constantly squeezing out any knowledge I can from the pages of discerning textbooks. Better yet, he taught me something right out of the gate about APPLICATION. Theory is theory, but do you know where the weight room is? That, my grasshoppers, is where 'it' gets done. There was something about that college weightroom: down in the basement of the fieldhouse, dark, dungy, so humid you could cut the thick air stench of bodies with a machete when you walked in. A smell and a feeling that I will never forget.
Joe is a mentor to me and is more like the big brother I never had. Yesterday was an opportunity to give back to him, his new team and the beginning of the foundation of the house that Haddy built. He won't take credit for it because it is all TEAM first. Me second.
Fresh meat. 55 of 'em. Sitting there soft and undisciplined. You know it's going to be a great afternoon when during the virgin set of swings a young man in the front row had his iPod plugs in. Coach Joe said "Are those headphones?" Kid "yes" Joe "Take them out before I rip them out!" "We will not tolerate that on this team." That commanded attention from 55 young men immediately! Brought a tear to my eye as those were the days...and I didn't even play football for him. We are talkin' Lombardi style "deep down every man worth his salt yearns for discipline." That's what all of these kids are ...unbridled fresh meat yearning for discipline; most of them have yet to discover that. These kids will come to know the depth of these 2 phrases in every sense of their existence: Personally Responsible. Individually Accountable.
We attacked them like a tiger attacking fresh kill...grab the jugular and hang on rippin' into 'em. 3 RKCs plus one that will be certified in 3 weeks. 92 degrees. 2 hours and change. 10 basic kettlebell drills. I will bet there was no other football team in the nation outside for 2 hours on this beautiful Sunday afternoon doing ANYTHING, let alone learning a new school of strength and conditioning unbeknownst to them their new weight training program starting today Monday 052107. We finished the day with a little injection of 'Nellie Love' ...relays of swings and farmers walks that turned into runs. Coach wanted to see who wants it since he has only known them for 3 weeks. We put that to the test. Seniors vs. Seniors, Juniors vs Juniors, and down the ranks. 10 swings then Farmers carry 2 bells about 40 yards then the next person goes. After 2 hours of sweat, moans and glimmer of fear in some eyes I heard a couple of Frosh say 'This is fun.' Fun. What a concept. You mean these kids have the ability to learn discipline and have fun at the same time? I say 'Welcome to the Beat Down.' Now that's what we are talking about. Instilling 'FUN' back into these kids. Then as my thoughts were going off into dreamland I was snapped to attention with 'Bring it in and take a knee.' Coach Joe said a few words and then passed it to me for some final thoughts. After a short 2 minute lecture on how Mountain Dew and Twinkies are not the best fuel for young football players dedicated to their craft we brought it home...there's something that warms my heart about 9 coaches and 55 athletes breaking a huddle on... "EASY doesn't pay!!"
I was very proud to be associated with this group of young men. They have no idea what they are in for this season. 3 words come to mind: Leadership. Perennial Powerhouse. I'll give Coach Hadachek 2 years. No pressure on him. I just know his fiber. He will completely gut that program with a filet knife and stitch it back together with every ounce of his being. Is he back coaching because he misses it? Probably. Is he back coaching because he is going to impact young men for generations? Definitely.
Union Football. There is a wind in the air and it's only May. This is one team that I guarantee will outwork its opponents. 11 weeks til 2-a-days. What a great country we live in.
Simple.
Brutal. Savage. 'Fun.' -- All in the name of today's training.
I am beginning to adapt very quickly to all of my training. I really have to keep things creative right now and rarely do the same exercises two weeks in a row. I am doing some lab rat experiments as I am the rat. My CNS is very amped right now and highly malleable to all training stimulus. I am very surprised and encouraged about how 'smart' my body has become over the last 6 months.
Here's how today went down.
Z I Phase for about 30 minutes.
Training:
A1 Split Jerk 79/10 sets of 3 l,r
A2 Pistols 79/ 10 sets of 1 l,r
rest 4 minutes
B1 Double Snatches 70s/30 sets of 2
Total time 48:42
Felt really great. My mind was going crazy. For some reason simple brutal training causes my neurons to go on a creative mission to daydream new training structures and plans for me and my clients. Ohhhhh, only to their benefit!
I am beginning to adapt very quickly to all of my training. I really have to keep things creative right now and rarely do the same exercises two weeks in a row. I am doing some lab rat experiments as I am the rat. My CNS is very amped right now and highly malleable to all training stimulus. I am very surprised and encouraged about how 'smart' my body has become over the last 6 months.
Here's how today went down.
Z I Phase for about 30 minutes.
Training:
A1 Split Jerk 79/10 sets of 3 l,r
A2 Pistols 79/ 10 sets of 1 l,r
rest 4 minutes
B1 Double Snatches 70s/30 sets of 2
Total time 48:42
Felt really great. My mind was going crazy. For some reason simple brutal training causes my neurons to go on a creative mission to daydream new training structures and plans for me and my clients. Ohhhhh, only to their benefit!
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