"The Hay Is In The Barn!"
Lots of lifting and Lots of learning going on the past week.
Keep up if you can. This is the Human Food Chain.
If you're willing to do work, stay focused and get shyt done, you can achieve a LOT of success in any endeavor.
The choice is yours.
Let's get after it.
1) I just finished reading this book: The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader.
I read every night, even if it's only 2 pages. This book was tough to put down and the BIG reason behind my affinity for reading Military books is that it gives you a clear picture of just how easy life is compared to what these Warriors do.
"I'm too busy" and "I'm too tired" takes on new meaning when you see what these men endure AND conquer.
The SEAL in this book had a portion of his face shot off, was ousted by his brothers and endured about 40 surgeries to regain his "normalcy". The commitment and sacrifices he made to regain trust from his brothers was amazing to say the least.
Highly recommended.
2) After recording a STRONGCast with John Welbourn, a 9 year NFL veteran & Founder of CrossFit Football, I learned a ton and got even more inspired in training and life. Here are some training AND life lessons to wet your appetite before we load this episode to I Tunes and YouTube.
[youtube width="640" height="360"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJVqY6GRakI[/youtube]
3) How Often Should You Squat For Maximum Results?
I have said many times before that sometimes I personally get "too smart" for my own good.
I've seen it happen WAY too often for others out there as well. Listen to these stories on breaking the rules and breaking PRs.
[youtube width="640" height="360"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W13IcJwxaQM[/youtube]
4) The Paleo Manifesto
It's been a while since I dug in and read a nutrition book. Most of the time I read online or connect with Brian MacKenzie and my Guru Nutritionist, Tom Bilella.
BMack suggested I read this book as every time I go to my Doctor they freak out over my cholesterol BUT when I listen to guys on Bullet Proof Exec they always talk about eating plenty of whole eggs, organic butter, etc and they are proud of cholesterol levels twice mine.
So, I am learning that NOT everyone responds the same to the same nutrition. I'll be digging into this book and will start listening more to Robb Wolf's PodCast. BTW, Robb's original book was GREAT.
5) Learning From The Best
In the recent Power Magazine, there was the 2nd part of an interview with Dimitry Klokov. I have been watching all of Klokov's videos on youtube and instagram and learning a TON. This interview was GREAT and you can get Power Magazine on the newsstands or get a digital subscription HERE
I snapped a pic for my Instagram page as I read an inspirational portion in the Klokov interview. Check it out.
6) Jim Wendler Needs My Help
Jim sent me a text message and without all the details, he asked for some suggestions on old school books to read.
Although NOT old school, it has awesome tales of "old school" and I recommended Dan John's book, Never Let Go
I also have the original Dino Files from Brooks Kubik that I wanted to send him along with many others. An important lesson to be learned here is that just Wendler, you should also be sifting through the bull shyt out there, refusing to allow yourself to get caught up in the fads, the gimmicks, the hype.
The iron will never lie to you.
Drop a comment with your questions / comments and please share with your friends.
Live The Code
--Z--
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16 Responses
nice- I just picked up Civilian Warriors, the inside story of Blackwater.
DAMN, that must be intense. That was some crazy shyt
If you had to choose one thing to read and one thing only what would that be.
I am interested in both mental strength as well as physical and I would be interested as to what your response will be.
Lone Survivor is AMAZING
Awaken The Giant WithIn was awesome as well, read that when I was about 22 or so, had a profound effect on my mind
Zach the writings of Harry Paschall are awesome. George Howlett is good. Bill Hibernia is a good guy when it comes to the classics. For Christmas I got the reprint of The Way to Live by George Hackenschmidt.
Maybe it is me but when I look at the body of strength training programming menus the little tweets here and there it can all be found in the old school works. Last major movement was standing on one foot on a wobble board while doing an arm curl with one hand, shoulder press with the other while whistling Dixie (Ok that last part I made up but watch it will be an infomercial sensation-Ha! Whistle away the Weight)
I really enjoy your work and Louis Simmons because it is a marrying of old with new yet hold to the code. Most importantly give respect where it is due.
I will have to check out Crossfit Football because it sounds like what I am doing with my college guys.
Have a good one.
Bill Hinbern (dawn spell check)!
DW BIG thnx hombre, and YES I have seen Bill’s stuff, lots of reprints of the oldies, many of them I have!
GREAT and critical readings in my opinion!
The hay is in the barn. It means the work has been done, now it’s time to go out and perform.
The hay is in the barn means all the hard work is done. The hay is cut bailed and stored now you just reap the benefits of your hardwork.
“The hay is in the barn” means that all the hard work is finished and it’s time to reap the rewards. In training, we know that growth doesn’t occur in the gym, but outside the gym with proper nutrition and adequate amounts of rest. Throughout the week, we crush the workouts in our program that are designed to help us achieve the necessary adaptations for our specific training goals. Once the week is over and all the “hay” has been stowed away in the barn i.e. all the “heavy lifting” (pun intended) is finished, it is THEN that we can reap the reward of heading into a weekend with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that we’ve done everything we needed to do throughout that week for growth and progress. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that you CRUSHED it in a given week, and EARNED the time to tone it down for a few days to relax, eat like a king or queen, and spend time with your family, friends and loved ones.
“Hay is in the barn”. The hard work is done,it’s ok to rest and recover, you earned it by putting in the hard work all week,month, year long. I’ve loaded hay bales in my time, no easy task filling a barn full of hay by hand.
“The hay is in the barn” means that you are totally prepared.you have your s*** together and ready to rock!
Great video Zach. You’re right there are NO secrets, just fundamental application. Roll the sleeves up and get after it, period! The body and mind have to be in harmony, but it starts in the mind. Mental toughness, consistency, and the will to keep pushing harder is the key to success as you well know. Thanks for the share.
Those who are STRONG understand this, those who are weak are too busy looking for magic
Great to see you training at the new gym. More posts with this included please! Always find it inspiring watching you train. Looking to invest in the “squat every day” E book, Break the rules!!
Thnx, Oli! Yes, most of my workouts are at the new gym b/c I live 2 minutes away! BUT, the feel of cold steel at the original Underground Strength Gym in Edison has a VERY special place in my heart!