I started lifting weights back when I was 13, it was 2 weeks before 8th grade was over. I used the weights my older bro had in his room down stairs on an old school Weider Bench.

Some of those weights were sand filled and I still remember doing dumbbell benching and sand would fall in my eyes and mouth – ahhhhhhhhh, those were the days

Through the last 2 decades, I have gone through many phases in my training. All of these phases were based on my goals, my intuition, experience, injuries, motivation, joy and most importantly, how my family inspired me and in a manner I was drawn to.

Some may not understand what I mean by being “drawn to the weights” but it is very similar to the manner a surfer is drawn to the water, no matter what shape or form it has. Surfers such as this are considered Watermen or Soul Surfers.

Bruddahs like Laird Hamilton, Uncle Mike Stehle and Kurt Gregory are ALL Watermen.

They also ALL train with that Underground Style – No Rules, training as they see fit, sometimes with barbells, kettlebells and bodyweight, other times outdoors at playgrounds, in backyards, on the beach and in the water.

It is about whatever is drawn to you and whatever you are drawn to, they both go hand in hand.

I guess we can be considered “Soul Lifters” and “Iron Men” – we love to train, regardless of the tool, where, what, when or the shape or form, we just love to train.

Of course, the more natural the setting and the tool, the more connected we are to this style of training.

Laird Hamilton surfs with any tool available and doesn’t discriminate much and even uses “machines” to extend his surfing to the next level, very much like powerlifters wear suits to lift bigger weights.

His surfing and life are guided by his family, his connection to nature, peace, adventure and his roots, which is water, as my roots are training.

I think if we stopped focusing so much on simply the physical benefits of training and more of what it can do for our soul, we would have a lot more people getting way better results in the physical realm.

If you’re not a Soul Lifter, if you’re not an Iron Man, then you’re missing out on some of the most beautiful things “training” can offer.

Think about that for a bit….

So let me ask you, are YOU a “Soul Lifter”?

Drop a comment below and let me know.

Peace Bruddahs!

–Z–

PS: By the way…. I am Running out of copies of Lost Secrets of Strength FAST. Orders have come from some VERY cool parts of this world, one of which I had never even heard of, The Faroe Islands! I LOVE helping people around the world! Follow your passion – it’s NO joke!

PPS: It was AWESOME to see 2 people sign up for the 1 Day USC Certification with less than 24 hrs to go, one cruising down from Canada with his Dad as part of a “Bonding” road trip! I LOVE seeing people going after dreams in their life, following their passion and Making it Happen!

Other USC Certifications are available HERE ==> Follow your passion, Achieve your dreams, make it happen!

Redemption Time.

I just got my ass kicked during the brutal Jersey Shore Challenge.

Pauly Reddick of course verbally abuses me and I used my bread and butter to redeem myself: The Pull Up.

The Peg Board, well, that’s another story.

I tried this when I first got to their gym and it was rough. AFTER the workout, somehow, someway, I got it a bit.

A little practice and I can kick that peg board’s add!

Check it:

Can you count the number of times Paul Reddick calls me son?

Whatcha think of those pull ups and that peg board.

The last few videos you guys have slacked on the comments.

Step that shit up SON. I wanna see 20+ comments on every video.

Share and exchange ideas. Ask questions or just leave a comment.

Bring it SON.

Peace,

–Z–

PS: If you want workouts that kick ass, build muscle and get you strong as hell, look no further than the Underground Workout of the Month. I post a monthly workout AND a daily workout at http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com – sign up today and see how I roll. Click HERE to sign up.

PPS: A few more spots are left for the July 18-19 Underground Strength Gym License. Do what you love and heck, you can even run your biz part time like I do and STILL make a full time income from it. Click HERE for your ticket to living life on your terms!

Last week I took a journey 45 minutes south to the beautiful Jersey shore.

My buddy Mike Stehle runs a kick ass training center HERE.

The awesome thing about Mike’s place is not just the set up and the equipment, it’s the atmosphere he creates combined with the ability to train outdoors while breathing in the fresh, ocean air. His gym is literally a few blocks from the beach – it’s VERY powerful to train while breathing in this air and it feels great.

But this time around, it felt more like an ass kicking, a GREAT one at that though

This was an awesome time and a mix of training and business masterminding – both of which I love to do

Let the journey begin, please your comments below and let me know your thoughts, questions, comments. I’m psyched to hear frm you as always!

Lots of Kettlebells, Lots of bodyweight.

Stay tuned for the next part of our adventure!

Post your comments and questions below.

Peace!

–Z–

PS: Did I get abused by my “friends” or what?!?! ha ha ha ha

PPS: The 2 places I reccomend getting your Russian Kettlebells from are:

1) HERE

AND 2) HERE

PPPS: The Underground Strength Gym License is OPEN! We just had a sign up from Down Under baby! That’s right, Australia will be representing! Who else will be international!?!?! More info on becoming an Underground Strength Gym is HERE.