Arnold, Franco & Jusup destroying the gym. When you immerse yourself in an awesome environment with awesome people, you change ALL aspects of your Life! ___________________ STRONG Life ep. 172 is a short and sweet QnA episode. The questions / topics I dig into are from my Instagram and the Underground Strength Coach Private Group. Here are the topics: … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Success Story: From Sleeping In A Garage, Training on Homemade Gym Equipment to Law School
I love getting e mails like what I'm about to share with you, below. If you're not subscribed to The STRONG Life Insider, Sign up HERE. Life is tough, there are no 2 ways about that. But, the tougher you get, the better you become at transforming obstacles into opportunities. The mind must be treated like a muscle. Train hard and get stronger. The easier you train, the softer you get. Same goes for the mind. Read the e mail below, name withheld to protect identity yet this young man … [Read more...]
7 Random Thoughts on Strength & Conditioning, Coaching, Technology & The Fitness Industry
Some random thoughts and ranting here, hopefully to make you THINK a little deeper. And, as I write more, I think a bit deeper and take more action. Things in this world are constantly evolving, especially humans. We can not rest on what we did yesterday or what worked yesterday. I'm deeply intrigued with cracking the code on how to better change the lives of more people through strength in mind, body & spirit. As I write, I've been awake since 4 AM. LOTS on my mind and work has to get … [Read more...]
Strength Training: Consistency VS Intensity?
I'm starting something new, where I Vlog my thoughts and expand on them beyond the typical 2 minute video you see on youtube...... This episode I get fired up when I think about all those who quit strength training in season as athletes. I talk about those who don't vs those who don't. Some gold training advices here, prepare to get fired UP! … [Read more...]
Training to Always Be Ready VS “I Have to Get Ready”
I've been harping on a topic I call "Always Be Ready" for many years now. I began hearing the phrase I have to get ready from people who were interested in training at The Underground Strength Gym many years ago. They would come in with a friend or do a trial and then I'd hear that weak phrase, I have to get ready...... I was thinking to myself, who the hell says that? Why not just be relentless and attack NOW!!?? Who shows up for a trial workout and then doesn't want to ATTACK NOW? … [Read more...]
Fitness Is So Simple It’s Complicated
The photo above is from 1938. That's a pretty impressive physique for about 80 years ago. I am sure his training was ultra basic, what else was there in 1938? I am sure this man's nutrition was basic as well. If I could guess, he did calisthenics, basic gymnastics, basic barbell and dumbbell work and maybe some running? He probably worked full time, did manual labor and worked hard. Of course, the food back then was likely much more different than today. Whole eggs and whole milk were … [Read more...]
They Said “Slow Down, You’re Working Too Hard.” THEY. ARE. WRONG.
Every morning I rise early. Before the dogs went to get out of their own beds. Before the sun has risen. I get the Coffee going for myself and my wife. I begin writing. My writing comes from my inner fire, which I began to recognize in myself as soon as I began lifting weights, circa June of 1989. The emotions that came from training were a mixture of many feelings; Anger, Safety, Confidence, Intensity, Passion, Loneliness, Bonding, Aggression and then some....... The majority of … [Read more...]
Why The Easy Life Breeds Weakness In AND Out of The Gym
After returning from a great vacation, I shared a story with my kids to remind them just how good and easy they have it. And, many times I wonder, is this "easy life" hurting my kids and humans in general? My Dad would take us on "vacations" that included canoeing or rafting. Another "vacation" was fossil hunting after my Dad saw an article in the newspaper about people finding old fossils, so off we went! The Canoe trip was more of a death defying stunt than a "vacation". First off, I … [Read more...]
12 Lessons From A Never Ending Podcast with John Welbourn & Jim Steel
What a day..... What a night..... I left the house at 2:30 PM to drive to Philly to meet up with John Welbourn & Tex from Power Athlete HQ. The original plan was for the guys to finish their seminar at 4 PM but like any passionate coach, you can't stop the freight train of passion when you're on a roll. I believe things came to a close around 5:15 PM. From there, we headed to U Penn to meet up with Jim Steel, the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach. I had spoken with Jim many times … [Read more...]
5 Garage Gym Workouts For Strength, Size & Mental Toughness
I began training in my garage during my 5th year as a teacher. Time was of the essence as I was balancing the following: A new teaching position at the Middle School Middle School Wrestling Coach BJJ Training Finishing my MA in Health Education Adjunct Professor at Community College Training! I picked up some odds and ends from newspaper classified ads back then as E Bay didn't even exist yet. I recall driving to Newark to meet someone in a storage depot and I … [Read more...]