The question was asked: “What does it mean to be a “Strong Man”?
I took a shot at the question, just like training, we are ALL flawed, there is NO perfect, but ya gotta try to do do your best, plain and simple.
If you’ve got tips to add, drop a comment.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts!
Peace!
–Z–
Filed under Articles, Kick Ass Business, Kick Ass Life, Monday Motivation, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos by on May 16th, 2011. 4 Comments.
Three summers ago at Joe DeFranco’s strongman contest I was introduced to a guy I had heard lots about. I had heard the rumors….Some crazy ass business man addicted to strength. Word was he was some BadAss Business Man, strong as hell and had to overcome a LOT to get where he was in health AND business.
His name, Jeff Sica.
I kinda knew his story as we met briefly at Joe DeFranco’s documentary release, STRONG, but I did not truly know the severe extent of what really happened to him and how or why he became so obsessed with strength and why he sought out Joe.
There was a short spot focused on Jeff during the documentary and when I watched it I didn’t realize that the jacked up guy I met only 45 minutes ago almost didn’t survive through a rare disease! That night was an emotional night for me.
I got a deeper look inside the family life of Joey D, I saw Joe’s Dad cry and express the meaning of family and I had just met a guy who almost lost his life and was now chasing a 405 lb bench press. It was at a time where I was regularly working from 7 AM – midnight or 1 AM and thought I had it pretty tough.
This night taught me otherwise and it toughened me up mentally in more ways than one.
Check the video below and you’ll see Jeff talking about life and lifting and how the two coincide…..
Jeff was a very reserved and quiet guy when we met. I didn’t know much except what I had heard from Joe.
The REAL word was, Jeff almost lost his life at one point due to this rare disease, and because he was so committed to life in general, it was only natural for him to become committed to his health after he made it out of the hospital.
Jeff got extremely sick in 2001 with a bacterial infection that attacked his skin and then was headed to his heart and brain. He suffered with fevers around 105 and facial distortion. He was packed in ice and treated with an arsenal of antibiotics that wiped out the infection and also his stamina.
Here and there I get sick and it wipes me out for a few days perhaps a week. The mental fortitude one needs to bounce back after 6 months of exhaustion is mind boggling and impressive to say the least.
So, like many over achieving business men, Jeff wasn’t interested in being your typical business man who hits the elliptical for 45 minutes 3 days a week after a long, hard day at work.
Nope. That’s the WRONG guy. This guy is DIFFERENT. WAY different.
He told a friend he had to get BACK on track and he asked his friend to research the best trainer in NJ. His friend told him about some dude named Joe DeFranco, who became the key to changing Jeff. Jeff began training with Joe twice a week and then employing Joe’s method of training two other days on his own at home changed Jeff forever. He never looked back, and has not been sick again since making his comeback. He made Joe’s washed up meat head hall of fame instantly!
I knew of Jeff’s goal to bench 405 and so when we met in person again, there seemed to be a mutual respect that we were both a bit crazy. Perhaps we had BOTH just heard strange stories of one another. Who knows what Joe and his athletes have said about me, haha!!
When I arrived at Joe’s first open strongman contest with 10 + high school and college athletes ready to rumble, the question was, “Who the hell is Underground?”
We were an unknown gym at the time and Joe was explaining to others that we were basically a bunch of crazy bastards coming from some tiny warehouse gym loaded with strange objects like stones, kettlebells, sandbags and more.
When Jeff saw our guys compete, I think we earned his respect a little more as well. He saw our guys fighting for every inch of speed and strength on that hot day. Jeff’s wife liked what she saw in our athletes as well. Perhaps she saw the same “fight” in them as she saw in her husband.
Every time I ran into Jeff it reminded me of a guy who I had first seen on ESPN, competing as a bodybuider in The Mr. NJ competition. We became friends when I was a bodybuilder at the hardcore, Diamond Gym. The bodybuilder was a business man and as I grew up in that gym, from a teenager and then into a working man, working as a teacher, we always discussed the need to be strong as I got older.
His name was Carlo, and he was in his mid 40s, strong as hell and ALWAYS ripped. He seemed to never slip, always tight on his training, nutrition and his tan! haha
He would tell me that his business was so successful because of his physical and mental strength. He mentioned how he would dominate business meetings because of his energy and his ability to handle large quantities of work and complete tasks in less time than others.
Carlo would always train with his wife. She respected him for his drive and loved him for his dedication to his health and his family. He kept things simple, it seemed to me. Be strong and ripped, be healthy. Love your wife and love your family. Kick ass in business.
Jeff Sica does the same. I am lucky to have crossed paths with men like this. I spent many years training side by side with Carlo. My respect to him was great and my memories of his intensity and his passion have never faded.
With Jeff, although we have never trained together, I have the common bond. The feeling and the understanding of what he does while in training, his commitment to strength, business and most importantly, family.
I have known Joe since 2004, we met 2 weeks before I got married and I had studied his methods. Jeff has been training with Joe since 2001. I know his last 9 years have been an intense battle with the iron.
Men like Jeff Sica are a RARE breed.
If you ever feel you are down and without hope, look at Jeff’s battle to regain his health inspire you….
For a little over 6 months Jeff had NO energy. He was always a regular at the gym and worked 12-15 hour days, but he barely made it through these days. Finding Joe, was the key to change, training with him twice a week and then employing Joe’s method of training two other days on his own changed him forever.
Jeff never looked back, and has not been sick again since then. He made Joe’s washed up meat head hall of fame instantly! Its easy to see when you look at him the work he has put forth, stretching his shirt sleeves with his jacked up guns, big ass traps and chest….
Jeff Sica IS built like a BadAss.
Jeff’s wife, Lori, spoke to me about his dedication and she said she doesn’t think there is anything he looks forward to more than training after a long, hard day at work as it clears his mind a bit. Joe has to force him to take a week off once in a while.
Behind MANY great men stands a great woman and a great family. Marriage is sometimes the toughest thing one can face, but it has made me a MUCH better man and for sure, my life is better with my family. Before meeting my wife, to be honest, I had NO goals of what I have today. I was self centered and focused on ME and how everything could benefit ME. It was NOT a good way to live.
Every time I run into Jeff I see him with his wife, Lori. It’s NOT odd to see a good man spending most of his time with his best friend and biggest fan. Last time we all met was at Joe DeFranco’s charity dinner for The MS Society. I believe she convinced Jeff to take it easy on me as we battled for a bid on a David Diehl autographed NFL Jersey. BIG thanks to Jeff and Lori for taking it easy on me, haha!
Lori connected with me as I told her I was inspired by what Jeff does and how he lives with greatness. She was honored to share some info about the man who nearly lost his life and now gives his ALL to his family and those around him.
Jeff has been married for 15 years and has 3 kids, a son who is 12, and twin girls who are 11. Jeff is the defensive coordinator for his son’s football team and has recently launched his own company, Sica Wealth Management.
A typical day for Jeff…. Up by 5 AM and in the office by 7. From August through October he coaches Football three nights a week. Outside of that, while he always worked long hours, this year, getting the business started required more hours..some weeks 7 days and as late as 11 or 12 pm.
This has been his dream for many years, and after assembling a great team, getting the right business plan and just about perfect office space, he made his dream a reality on May 28, 2010. He is also the vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Daytop NJ, a program for adolescents fighting the demons of addiction.
Even with all that, he finds time to be an amazingly thoughtful and loving husband and father.
When it comes to nutrition, Jeff is adamant. Lots of protein, lean organic meats, vegetables, no gluten and no dairy…well, an occasional piece of cheesecake.
Vitamins, pre and post work out shakes and a few through out the day as he sometimes doesn’t have a minute to eat. Jeff is passionate about serving his client base, always looking forward, helping to bring out the best in others: doing everything, working, training, helping, mentoring, with an intense drive and focus.
It’s an honor to shake Jeff’s hand every time we meet. It’s awe inspiring to know such a man. Jeff’s story and commitment to family, health, strength and being an overall BadAss inspire me to take EVERYTHING I do to the next level and then some.
If you’ve been inspired at all by Jeff’s story please drop a comment below and share.
I’d like to thank Jeff’s wife, Lori, for taking the time to share more of Jeff’s story with me as well as always being supportive for the success of The Underground. I’m honored and grateful beyond words.
Thank you to ALL who read this Blog and have inspired me to go beyond the workouts that once began in my parents garage.
Most of ALL, thank you to my wife and my beautiful children, without them, I am not even 1% the man I am today!
Lead from the FRONT!
–Z–
PS: Please drop your comments below!
Filed under Articles, Kick Ass Business, Kick Ass Life, Success by on Aug 8th, 2010. 24 Comments.
I receive countless e mails asking me how I get so much done without fail. How I balance my business with family life, lifting, answering e mails, vacations, and more?
I’m also starting a NEW business (On the DL for now) and just bought a new house.
I do my best to answer in the video below.
If you have good stuff to add about YOUR ‘Art of Living’, feel free to drop a line!
Peace
–Z–
PS: This is perhaps the BIGGEST success that comes from attending The Underground Strength Coach Certification & Mentorship…. Learning how you can create YOUR dream life. The Next Mentorship / Certification is HERE with only 3 spots left.
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Q & A, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos by on Dec 29th, 2009. 10 Comments.
In the above video you see me doing the 2 things I do best:
1) Lifting Hard (I can’t say heavy because that incline bench SUCKED!)
2) Talkin’ Life
I’ve been going through a lot lately, as I’ve mentioned in the video.
But I’m forging forward, onward and upward, because I KNOW this is what my family needs and would be most proud of.
My Grandfather was a work horse and did everything in his power to do and give the BEST for his family.
I remember all the times he would ride us on the back of his bike to buy groceries, toys, take us to the beach….
You name it, he did it for us, and there were never any excuses. He found a way to make everything happen.
My Grandmother was the most giving, kind hearted person I EVER knew. Her concern was always with our health and happiness.
Every day for lunch was the best chicken soup I ever had. Breakfast was often eggs and fresh fruits from the many trees my Grandparents grew around their home.
Orange trees, grape trees (my Grandfather also made his own wine with the grapes), pomegrant trees and more.
My Grandfather built his home, working long hours on the home AFTER he worked the night shift in a factory. He always told me how he outworked my Father and Uncle and how they were so young and still couldn’t keep up with him…..
Of course, he rubbed it in that this was AFTER he worked the night shift.
My Grandparents were as tough as they come, both escaping from the Holocaust.
I was named after my Grandfather’s brother, who he lost during the Holocaust.
I won’t lie, there are plenty of times I feel some inner pressure to do GREAT things for my family and others to ensure I carry his brother’s name in high esteem.
I remember every single trip I took to Israel to stay with my Grandparents.
Some of these trips I remember as far back as age 7, when I played soccer in the streets EVERY day for hours on end, or when I was 15 and did 20 sets of pull ups every other day at the playground.
I am 33 now, 34 in a few short weeks.
The years have flown by like minutes, and this means there is NO time to screw around in life.
NO time for excuses.
NO time for a 5 year plan.
I didn’t plan what is happening right now, 5 years ago. I DID one simple thing, and this is taking Massive Action.
I put my head down and grinded away, getting my hands dirty and passing many in the process. I passed many people because they didn’t take action and they made excuses or long term plans without any immediate action.
This goes for life, business and lifting.
Sure, the 5 year plan is ok for long term goals, BUT, you need daily action.
You are entitled to NOTHING. I don’t care what you think, you earn what you get by working for it….in life AND in lifting.
It doesn’t matter who you, where you’re from or what you used to do.
Working your ass off is what gets you to achieve your goals.
I’ll be pushing onward and upward, and giving YOU my best. I care about my family and I care about YOUR success in life AND lifting.
But, I can’t convince you or preach to you about taking action. I can give you the tools and then the ultimate decision making is up to YOU.
I’m going to care for my family the way my Grandparent’s did. It’s not a question of IF i can do it, I KNOW I will do it.
What about YOU? What do you KNOW you will do today and tomorrow?
The 5 year plan can sometimes cloud your thinking, because today is what is MOST important.
Drop a commet below, looking forward to your thoughts.
Peace!
–Z–
PS: If you are a subscriber to my e mails, I’ll be sending you the details later tonight for our FREE, Hybrid Bodybuilding Teleseminar on Tuesday Night.
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Nov 2nd, 2009. 27 Comments.
Wow! Today is my son’s 1st birthday.
AMAZING how fast time flies, and my little homeboy is already 1 year old
My daughter will soon be 3 years old.
I am BEYOND grateful (and I got a lil gift for you down below so read this entire article
to have such an awesome family.
Having kids changes everything – funny how selfish I used to be before having kids.
Now, all that runs through my mind is making sure that whatever I do is good for THEM.
Making yourself happy suddenly means VERY little once you have kids, if you have kids, I’m sure you can relate.
I have great memories of when I was a little kid. I remember growing up in the aparments in Fords, NJ.
You’ve likely heard me talk about my Dad pulling my brother, his friend and I on a wooden sled through the snow at high speeds!
I remember my Dad teaching me to ride my bike, and I will come clean, it was a freaking purple bike with one of them big ass banana seats!
I was also too scared to pedal on the bridge which went over the small creeks running through the courtyard in the apartments. What a wuss!!! ha ha
My favorite TV show was The Incredible Hulk, the one where Loe Ferrigno was all jacked up and kicked EVERYONE’S ass – I loved that!
I remember my Dad cut his old jeans into a pair of shorts. He took the bottoms of the jeans and placed them on my arms so when I flexed I THOUGHT they were REAL muscles and I felt like The Incredible Hulk.
Ahhhhhhhh, to be young again.
I also remember Underoos, do you remember them?
My first pair was Aqua Man! I cried when my parents made me wear them.
They couldn’t find The Hulk Underoos so I got stick with Aqua Man! I was pissed off!
I’m lucky I had underwear though, right? What the heck was I crying about?
Of course, I also watched The A Team, Dukes of Hazard, HE Man and I LOVED watching The World’s Strongest Man which would be shown on basic TV channels, you didn’t even need cable!
I guess I was obsessed with trying to be Big, Strong & Cool – some things never change, huh?
Time went too fast, I’m sure you feel the same.
It seems like yesterday my friends and I were racing Big Wheels down the street crashing into the finish line, which was always 3 or 4 garbage cans lined up together (that was GREAT FUN!).
Time goes so freaking fast I really have no clue where it goes.
We have NO control over time.
But we DO have control over how we use our time and what we can do in life.
I’m a simple guy – I want to be a Better man, a better father and a better husband.
I want to raise my son to be strong and healthy, confident and polite. I want to help him find his way, not by pushing him in any direction, but by supporting the path he chooses and by demonstrating that “it” can be done.
I look forward to the days of Ethan and I cranking workouts together.
Maybe our workouts will be with the vintage york barbell equipment I have in the garage – 600 lbs worth!
Maybe it will be in the woods somewhere, hiking trails, lifting stones and enjoying the sounds of nature and an escape from the hustle & bustle of so many days we all experience.
Maybe it will be at the beach, chilling on the sand, or learning to surf, or heck, body surfing when those big ass waves roll up and drop you on your ass so hard you get sand stuck in your bathing suit from every angle.
Maybe it will be on a cross country trip as we explore the USA.
Who knows what else will happen or might happen, but I know this: I’ll do the best I can to show him that whatever it is he wants to do, it CAN be done.
With so much negativity in this world, I want to be the person and place that he can look to showing him that his reality is whatever he chooses to make of it.
I hope you guys can share some of your childhood memories with me, and, if you’re a Parent, tell me what path you’re blazing to make your kid(s) better.
Post them in the comments section below, I am psyched to see what you have to say
Thank YOU again for reading along with me
Peace!
–Z–
PS: As a way to celebrate with you, I wanna hook you up with a special offer that I rarely ever share. It’s a 30 day trial to http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com for only $1 – this is where you get 24-7 access to me and get to hang with other cool dudes
Check it out HERE so I can make sure I have enough money to buy my son th right underwear when the times comes
PPS: If you enjoyed this article please use any of the buttons below to share on facebook, twitter or whatever your favorite social bookmarking site is. Thanks for spreading the good word!
Peace!
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Jun 26th, 2009. 23 Comments.









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