Yesterday, I saw this video and it REALLY motivated me to RUN.

You see, in high school, back when I weighed 160 or 170 lbs or less, I ran on the regular. In season wrestling runs were 4 – 5 miles every other day regardless of the freezing temps or snow. I hauled ass….. It wasn’t a slow, easy jog…. it was an all out WAR, running hard through the cold night while Metallica blared through my head phones in my Sony Walkman, circa 91′, 92′ and 93′.

After getting heavier, bigger and bigger, running became painful…. it became something I hated, and that hate for running REALLY affected me emotionally. I was very upset with myself for having this relationship with running.

Today, this video changed me. I felt calm while running. My breath was relaxed. As I ran, I envisioned the Navy SEAL in the video below, reminded myself that the body can handle 20 X more than I have been setting limits on.

Yesterday, I ran beach side with my wife while my son rode his bike. I felt good running, which almost felt weird. I was running without getting tired as I used to. I started to feel that love for the run again.

Tomorrow, my truck will be getting a new stereo, navigation and DVD player for the kids. I plan to run to every place I need to get to without the truck. I am excited.

I miss running. I will keep you posted on this journey, as I evolve, I hope you evolve as well.

Check this video out, of a Navy SEAL….

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’m letting go of the “performance thing”…. things like “don’t do anything except sprints or you’ll be slow…..”

I’m gonna run for what it does for the mind. Plain and simple.

Today’s Underground Strength Challenge:

1) Run 1.5 miles

2) Kettlebell Snatches x 5 minutes x max reps (perform equal reps on each arm)

Please take a moment & Drop your comments on: running, this running video with Navy SEAL David Goggins, running for mental toughness and of course, drop a comment with ANY results regarding this challenge (weights, reps, time, etc.)

Hope to see you at The Underground Strength Conference!

Sign Up HERE Before the Price Goes Up

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Undergrounder Strength Nation…. Let’s DO this!

I hope you had a powerful day yesterday…..

I had MANY obstacles to overcome yesterday as the past few days have been tough and the stress was mounting.

Was it easy? NO

Did I get it done?

YES….

Mission Accomplished.

I had to focus on what I wanted and where I wanted to go, what I wanted to MAKE happen and ultimately what my best outcome looked like and felt like.

VERY Important: Keep focusing & putting Your Attentions On Your Intentions

The mind is what made all the pieces come together.

What is My Commitment To YOU?

I will continue to commit to training you in the various ways of empowering your mind because the mind is what motors everything you do, fast or slow, it’s up to your mind.

Yesterday, 2 of my athletes ran from their house to the gym. This is not odd for either of them as both are highly committed
athletes, one is only  a 7th grader while the other is an 8th grader.

Click here to view the embedded video.

BOTH of them were on their “off” days, where they can come in and train anyway they want to train. Coach Reeve calls these “Champion Workouts” – where you do the work when no one tells you to do it, ALL through your own motivation and inner drive.

Both of these boys run between 1.5 – 2.5 miles. The younger athlete, a wrestler, ran both here and back, no car ride home.

The older, a Football player & Wrestler got to work on the jump rope immediately.

The gym was crowded so he took the rope to the street, without shoes, barefoot…..

After he was done “warming up” he practiced the many bodyweight exercises we favor:

- push up variations

- hand stand holds

- pull up variations

- rope climbs

From there, he jumped in on a workout with one of our wrestlers, which, at the time was 3 rounds of farmer walks carrying 130 lb military cans filled with sand coupled with tire flips for speed….

Yes, he did this barefoot…..

Why am I sharing this story?

Because you must train your body to get uncomfortable, even if it means little by little.

It’s amazing how fast the body will adapt.

Strengthen your feet and ankles, get rid of the shoes but keep it SAFE.

Hate Running? Change WHERE you run…. today I’ll be running on the beach, next time in the park, next time in the trails.

Do you suck at a certain exercises, perhaps the squat? Then start  squatting during your warm up at least 3 x week with some added weight.

Rule of thumb: “If It’s Weak, Attack It.”

Stronger Than Yesterday.

Thank you for being a part of Underground Strength Nation.

Let’s DO this!

–Z–

PS: One of our speakers, Elliott “The Incredible” Hulse will be presenting on something very unique and powerful.

He calls it his ’4 Layers of Strength’. He shared some of his info with me and I know that learning from Elliott with his life changing lessons will be worth the small investment of The Underground Strength Conference.

You’ll notice discounts are available to Inner Circle Members along with a special link for you to gain discounted access to The Inner Circle

I’m doing ALL I can to make this event as affordable as possible but hurry because price increases SOON.

Check the details Of The Underground Strength Conference HERE

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Underground Strength Nation – This was shared Monday to my e mail subscribers via This Blog. Please subscribe at the top right to get these powerful e mail updates, here’s a quick look:

It’s Monday…. the beginning of a new week to get things done, make epic sh*t happen and take your overall life to a new level.

There’s a BIG question asked my way often:

“How do you get so much energy and get so much done all the time?”

I’m asked if I drink tons of coffee, others ask if it’s “really you?”

Yep, this is me.

I approach life and lifting with passion and commitment. I see NO other way.

When it’s tough, I don’t back down. Neither should you.

When I am outnumbered and negativity is flying my way, people try to hold me back or even stop me, I remind myself of Spartans…. Navy SEALs…. Special Forces Soldiers…. ALL of whom are always outnumbered yet they NEVER back down, refuse to quit and refuse to allow anyone or anything stop them, slow them down or dare stand in their way.

As you can see, this has to do with attitude, ALL of which YOU control.

If life is NOT the way you want it to go, then you need to LEARN, as I did, exactly how to make things happen in YOUR favor.

Warriors are always learning, evolving and bettering themselves. Are you living your life as a Warrior?

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Warriors that will be speaking at The Underground Strength Conference will make this a life changing event.

At such a cheap price (on sale NOW) you can’t afford to miss this.

The speakers are all close friends of mine, ALL of whom I also learn from, trust and operate on an ethical basis first and foremost. No BS, NO liars, cheats or people who don’t #LiveTheCode

What types of speakers will be present? From the best Strength Coaches in the world to a former Navy SEAL to people who have overcome obstacle after obstacle….

Take a few minutes, get rid of distractions, read the entire web site, and begin changing your life, your success, your ability to
overcome…. NOW.

Click HERE for Details on The Underground Strength Conference

Stronger Than Yesterday.

Have an awesome day!

–Z–

PS: This conference is NOT just for Strength Coaches…. you’ll see the gist of the entire conference is all about overcoming obstacles and succeeding at all you do.

This is about LIFE…. Living it to the fullest, following your passion, kicking ass & taking names. Period. End of story!

I see NO other way to live.

This is an event not to be missed.

Details HERE. Check It Out Before The Discounted Rate Ends.

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Here’s your Underground Strength Challenge for April 17, 2012

It’s ALL about the basics in this one, post your comments, weights used, etc in the comments section.

** Increase weight on each Set of trap bar deadlifts & squats **

1A) Trap DL 5 x 5

1B) ANY Back Squat 5 x 5

2) 100 Push Ups AFAP

Click here to view the embedded video.

Post your weights / comments / times below.

Looking forward to seeing how you did.

Live The Code

–Z–

Sign Up For The First Ever Underground Strength Conference

Space Is Limited. Click HERE

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Here are 10 Exercises that you simply can’t go wrong with (minus if you have any injuries, physical limitations, excuses, etc).

Check em’ out and decide how you can put them to use into your current training regime. You’ll also a unique video from one of my workouts this week….

1. Squats

2. Deadlifts

Click here to view the embedded video.

3. Barbell Snatches

4. Jumps

Click here to view the embedded video.

5. Pull Ups

6. Push Ups

7. Rope Climbs

Click here to view the embedded video.

8. Hanging Leg Raises

9. Hand Walking

10. ANY Ground to Overhead

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dan John once said that if all you did was clean and press you could become awesome. As I practice the snatch I see exactly what he means. His message is of commitment. Are you committed?

11. Farmer Walks (Carry ANY Object)

Underground Strength Conference 2012 is Now Open – Click HERE

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Last night was a rough workout for me…. as many of you know if you’ve been here for a while, my workouts don’t focus on solely the physical development of strength aspect but largely on the mental toughness aspect and pushing myself to greater heights.

Last night started with about 10 sets of snatches. My body felt like it was on “empty” from the get go. Once I finished my snatches, I told one of my coaches that it’s time for me to crank a “mental toughness” workout. Once I finished that first set of deadlifts I felt as if ALL my energy was sucked out.

Those are the times where you must push through…..

Overall, I was unsatisfied with this performance, the workout should have been completed in half the time, all sets and reps unbroken. BUT….. This is LIFE.

What if you have to go for a day without eating and at the end of the day you encounter a physical confrontation? This is why we say, “Train for LIFE!”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s your workout for today: 04-11-12

1) Snatches from Floor: 3 x 5 reps light weight, 2 x 3 reps medium weight, 3 x 2 reps heavy weight

AFAP: 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 reps

A) Bodyweight Deadlift

B) Push Ups + 20 lbs

C) Pull Ups + 20 lbs

If you need 20 lb chains, get them HERE

Post your comments, weights used, times, etc in the comments section

Let’s DO this!

Train For LIFE

–Z–

PS: Mark your calendars for June 1st and 2nd, the FIRST Underground Strength Conference is going down in NJ. Details to be announced this week.

Recommended Resources

The Underground Strength System

30 Day Trial for Underground Inner Circle

Renegade Diet

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We always hear about “old school strength” but what is it, really? Well, one thing’s for sure, we don’t see a whole lotta dumbbell training going on nowadays.

Back in the day, “old school strength” books and magazines show athletes and lifters using heavy dumbbells (dumbbells weighing 100- 200 + lbs) for movements such as:

Click here to view the embedded video.

- Military Presses

- Snatches

- Clean & Press

- Bent Press

- Windmill

Let’s get back after these old school lifts.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Try the “Old School Strength” Workout below using as heavy a weight as possible for at each rep range.

1A) Sandbag Power Clean x 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 reps

1B) Strict Dumbbell Military Press x 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 reps

Post the weights you used in the comments section.

If you’re pushing your work capacity and endurance, set the clock and post your time as well.

Your weights can vary with each rep range and you don’t necessarily need to choose a weight light enough to complete each rep range consecutively.

Post your weights / time in the comments section below.

Peace!

–Z–

Recommended Resources:

1 Day USC Cert in Kirkland, Washington

The Underground Strength System

Old School Strength Equipment

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I’ve got a question for you…..

Click here to view the embedded video.

Please drop a comment with your answer. Looking forward to hearing who and what inspires the men and ladies of Underground Strength Nation!

Peace

–Z–

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Above, Weapons of Mass Construction at The Underground Strength Gym. The “original” days began from my parents backyard, their garage, local playgrounds & ANY Wrestling Club that would let me through their doors….

QUESTION: I really want to open a warehouse gym as soon as I possibly can. Right now i’ve got some minimalist equipment: rope, olympic rings (just got em’ 2 weeks ago…they are awesome), some dumbbells, a sled, keg, kettlebell & tire.

Just slowly building it up. I’m still working on getting my 1st client.

Working a full time job & family leaves me a little short on time.

I just wanted to ask though, I don’t have a warehouse gym, will some of the plans & details outlined in Operation Thunder still apply…garage training/outdoors, etc?

Thanks Z & cheers for the daily inspiration.

- Ricky -

ANSWER:

Ricky, Operation Thunder details exactly HOW I began my training business from my parents backyard and garage, transitioned to my first home and built up The Underground inside my garage….. Back then we would split time between training in my garage, my backyard and down the street at the school when no one was there.

You can see some of that video footage below from 6 years ago

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I detail exactly how I started getting clients while in your position: A husband, father, full time teacher….. I busted my ass, woke up early, stayed up late, did what other up and coming coaches did NOT want to do. It required mental toughness and a passion like no other but I KNEW I would succeed.

I wanted to help athletes dominate and become strong as hell, both physically and mentally. I didn’t let my hectic schedule stand in my way. I knew the only thing that could stand in my way and stop me was ME. I refused to let it happen, my mind was locked on where I wanted to go and I never let up.

Was it easy? Hells NO! It was brutally hard! But, if it was easy then we’d have lots of successful Coaches.

In my home garage gym I had just over 20 athletes training with me till I was essentially forced to move out of my garage and finally sign the lease for my warehouse. The athletes were flooding the street and their cars were lined up the road. It was a GREAT time and I remember seeing my wife looking out the bay window at all the cars and athletes.

I saw the look in her eyes as if she was saying to me, “It’s time, you did it, it’s time to get your warehouse gym. You busted your butt and created a monster, now go take it to the next level!” I literally read her mind…. and I f**ing DID it!

It was tough to do with all my commitments but that is how success comes, from TOUGH minded, ready to take action Coaches.

I strategically used everything to build my business from internet, to public speaking, to referral systems and more, ALL of which are detailed in Operation Thunder.

So…. can YOU do it?

YES….. if you’re willing to do the work, crush the excuses and take smart business action.

Most people are lazy, don’t wanna invest in business courses and if they do, they take NO action.

That’s the cold, hard truth.

I see this in athletes And Coaches…. it takes work and a NO excuses attitude.

If you really wanna make it happen, Yes, it Can be done!

Get after it….

NO procrastinating.

Make it happen. Here’s my final thoughts on what it takes to become a Strength Coach….

Click here to view the embedded video.

Peace

–Z–

Operation Thunder: The Warehouse Gym Project

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Click here to view the embedded video.

I have a high school Football Player / Wrestler who broke his hand / wrist in 8th grade. Now, he’s a sophomore and strong as hell (naturally .

After his hand and wrist were fixed via surgery, it wasn’t quite fixed. Ironic, right?

Benching and holding horizontal weights in the hands is tough, the wrist deviates big time & causes pain no matter how strong we work the hands, wrist, grip, etc. Neutral grip barbells and dumbbells feel somewhat better and stronger.

But, when it comes to snatching a 80 lb Kettlebell, flipping a 450 lb tire, farmer walking 185 lbs each hand, dragging sleds…..

He’s an ass kicker.

Clean and press double 70s, BOOM. Legit, powerful and explosive.

The question arises about the bench press... naturally, as a high school Football player, this will happen.

Your Football Coach says ya gotta do it, even if it means your hand will break at the wrist, or the bar comes down crooked, or it forces one side to work harder than the other & destroys your shoulders…..

Your buddies say, “Ya gotta bench, dude.”

What do I say about the bench press for athletes?

Who Cares.

I fear the athlete who can snatch an 80 and 88 lb kettlebell at a bodyweight of 175 lbs, farmer walk more than his own bodyweight in each hand, deadlift more than 2 x bodyweight and can run fast as hell coupled with mental toughness.

The ability to climb rope, rip through 450 and 600 lb tire flips, drag, push and pull sleds at high intensity…. this is where it counts. The mind and body must dig deep to stay strong and remain explosive.

It reminds me of the old training footage Dr. Ken was using to train Football players, although not pretty and the form was quite wild, these guys were prepared for WAR on the field, you could see it….

Click here to view the embedded video.

I have had many big benchers walk through these doors who couldn’t make it through The Underground warm up… Football is a sport of battle. The ability to bench heavy isn’t what counts, it’s ALL about the performance on the field.

Having strong and explosive horizontal pushing power is critical in Football but we achieve this through movements aside from the bench press.

- med ball throws

- neutral grip push ups on rings / dumbbells with added weight (chains or vests)

The list goes on and on. The bottom line is we wanna help athletes and tactical men / ladies be prepared for battle in the physical AND mental sense.

The bench press doesn’t matter too much…..

What are your thoughts? Drop a comment and let us know.

Mission: Agile, Mobile & Hostile

Peace

–Z–

Recommended Resources

The Underground Strength System – The Inside Look at How The Underground Strength Movement Began, Evolved & Helped Athletes Dominate

Underground Inner Circle 30 Day Trial Plus 7 FREE Gifts

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