Client's Review (This Made Me Happy)

I don't train many people. The individuals I do train see positives results but we work together anywhere from one month to four months. It's usually enough time to accomplish small goals and/or teach weightlifting basics.

The most recent person I had the pleasure to work with was my friend. We talk on the regular and during April he would tell me about his current exercise and diet. His progress eventually stalled and he wasn't happy. Rather than let him regress, I offered to help him with his exercise programming. I wrote the programs and demonstrated how to do basic exercises such as rows, deadlifts, squats, and presses.

That's how it went for three months. I'd ask questions about his workouts the day after as well as how he felt. If something didn't feel quite right, I'd explore it with him to troubleshoot it. I never monitored his training sessions outside the one weekly conditioning day in the program.

During mid-July, we decided everything would come to a close at the month's end. I asked if he would write a review for me to which he promptly replied,

"Total ass. That's complete."

With such a lovely response, I didn't think he was serious. Three weeks later, he sent me the following:

Start Date: 4/22/2013                     Starting Weight: 244

End Date: 7/30/2013                       End Weight: 234

Niel’s exercise regimen for our 3 month course was an overall positive experience. Each month had a specific role with the 1^st month being introductory, 2^nd month for building strength, and 3^rd month for building volume. Although, I may have not lost all the “weight” I wanted to do by the end date, I will say that I am currently at the strongest physical state I have ever been in my life. I feel confident enough to say that the amount of weight I lost was mostly body fat. Unfortunately, I did not have a max session when I first started, but my max for bench, deadlifts, and squats are as follows:

Max Bench: 245 – Repped 135 at beginning – Now rep: 185

Max Deadlift: 315 – Repped 135 at beginning – Now rep: 205

Max Squat: 335 – Repped 135 at beginning – Now rep: 225

Max Push-Ups Before: 25 – Now: 40 (I didn’t do push-ups while working with Niel)

Initially, I was skeptical of using Niel’s workout plan when I first took a look at the program. I have been working out prior to asking him for advice and just needed some simple guidelines as to what to do on certain days at the gym. So after taking a look at the program, I thought that the program was a bit weak and that the exercises I have been doing were much better than what he had offered me.

This introductory month looked like child’s play. He had lowered all the sets and the number of reps looked like a joke. But little did I know, there was a method to his madness. The first few weeks I did not follow his program as outlined and would do 10 repetitions for each exercise rather than what he had listed.

After having multiple “heated” conversations with Niel, I submitted and said that I will follow his every word until the end of workout. I was advised to stop the cardio sessions that I was having to mainly focus on the strength training at hand. I thought he was insane, but like I said he had a method to his madness. I was being stubborn and did not like what I had to do for the initial month because I felt I was taking a step backwards and wasting my time.

It wasn’t until our introductory month was over, that things finally started to pick up. The month of June has to be my most intense month ever in my life in terms of exercising. I was going to the gym 4 days a week and had 1 conditioning day at Niel’s house. So, I was working out 5 days a week which was something I requested for and felt really determined.

Within this month, magic happened. I thought the amount of times going to gym and the workout regimen itself would leave me feeling exhausted, but boy was I wrong. I was feeling amazing and stronger each day. This is the month where I really learned technique and form which greatly helped with increasing my weight every week. After completing the month of June, I was exhilarated. I went into the month of July feeling great.

The month of July was pretty much a breeze compared to last month’s regimen. However, the workout changed to focus on volume and the weight was largely increased with minimal reps. I finished this month feeling the strongest I have ever been in my life. When it came time for my max out sessions, I surpassed what I thought I was capable of and ended up doing more than I imagined.

I previously stated that when I finished my workout regimen with Niel that I am currently in my strongest, physical state that I have ever been. I would like to say that my mental state is also at the strongest it has ever been as well. To know that I could have completed such a workout and keep up with the regimen left me feeling ecstatic. You cannot imagine the amount of times I’ve tried sticking to a workout plan and being consistent with it.

Niel is a great person to work with and will fix a regimen that best suits your needs. If there is a specific exercise you do not like, let him know, and he will do his best to change it. Maybe he has an exercise listed in the program that is very inconvenient for you or you may not have access to at the gym. He definitely will help you find an alternative to the exercise. However, I do suggest giving all of his exercises a chance, even though you may not favor them. In the end, I fell in love with many of the exercise he provided and will now keep it in my regular routines.

Although he may have an “unorthodox” style to his training, it does work! You may be skeptical at first and that is exactly fine! Because if you are skeptical, I believe that truly means you care with what you are doing to your body and just want the best for yourself. Being skeptical will force you to do research and you will be surprised how much stuff out there is fake or a myth. Many people take other people’s words for specific exercises and techniques. This spreads like wildfire and soon becomes “truth” or “fact” for society. But a simple Google search will tell you how they are wrong. If you feel that Niel is steering you in the wrong direction and that he is crazy, I urge you to do some research and you will find that he may NOT be as crazy as he sounds. J

What a nice guy! When I read this the other morning, I was happy to learn he had such a positive experience.

Thank you my friend. Stay strong!

Anchor Points

The world is full of many things.

I enjoyed studying psychology and religion. However during undergrad I didn't make as many acquaintances as you would think within the two majors. It only became apparent when I noticed how many people my friends knew in their fields.

One of the PhD students in our research lab taught us people can identify themselves across multiples domains. Myself for example, I can be a brother, son, friend, mentor, writer, bachelor (yeah! high 5!), and former student.

I instead identify with other areas. While I didn't identify with my majors fully, one week I wondered what I find as my own place. Coincidentally, the light bulb in my head lit up the same week!

My workouts in the gym revolve around the one squat rack there was - overhead presses, Olympic lifts, squats, rows, deadlifts (gym manager wouldn't allow it in the free weights area). So being stuck to this one corner many people would come by and ask if I'm using the rack. Sometimes yes, sometimes no, but regardless everyone's in the same corner when using it. On this particular day I struck up conversation with a few of the guys. Typically it's the meatheads trying to give advice, but not this time. One was a thrower, one a powerlifter, the other an exercise science major.

I was in my element. For once, the gym was a constant where it wasn't all that different compared to previous years. This was my senior year where I felt everything around me and I was involved in was changing - student groups, volunteer activities, classes, and similar things.

I found an anchor point. Something I saw as comforting and that kept my mind sound.

Identify the anchor point in your life even if they come in small personal forms. They might not be as obvious as you would think and could be right in front of you.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Refinement of the Way

Character for "the Dao/Way."

The past few weeks I've been lax with my approach to training and writing. I usual follow a set routine, but instead I did everything on the fly.

I didn't do this out of laziness to plan. That's actually further from the truth. Rather, I've noticed the most elite and exceptional individuals did what was best for themselves. In their own realm they were above and beyond everyone else, such as Michael Jordan, Bruce Lee, and Jack LaLanne to name a few.

That's the distinguishing factor. The greats do their own thing and create their own individualized methodology. It's their own formulated system which works best for their own body. Within training and life, it takes a great deal of experimentation to find it. To find that special thing isn't easy.

Daoism calls it "the Dao," or "the Way" when translated into English. The name itself isn't important. What is important is that when it's found, you'll find yourself dedicated to it with a strong passion and as a result work won't feel like work. It will be your livelihood.

And that's what I'm in search for as I attend graduation this morning. To find my own Way: to develop and refine it in life.

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucius

The End of Six Weeks

He impressed everyone with his

abilities first, his physique second.

Why did I do this series?

I like to share information that can be applicable to anyone and that can be of use, especially if I'm able to adapt it to the world of fitness. My lab work presented such an opportunity.

I began lifting roughly five years ago. My goal was to optimize my gains as best I could by being as efficient as possible in the weight room. To learn what worked and what didn't involved a lot of experimentation, meaning new methods, exercises, and the like - anything to get better. I rarely compared myself to others around me or thought I would look awkward trying something different.

With regards to lifting, it hasn't been until the last year or so I've become more refined in my thinking process. The bulk of my years I was hardly strong nor knowledgeable on the topic, but still curious to try new methods.

During these past few years conversations about exercise with others would come up. Never have I had so many conversations where people felt insecure on a subject to the point of absurdity based on nonsensical fears instilled. A number of them waste time and end up feeling dejected and hopeless about their goals thinking it should be a torturous journey.

Women stick to their little corner away from any men using the paperweight dumbbells, guys quiver at other guys more muscular than them, while others are too scared to touch the weights at all and stick to their turtle-paced treadmill.

I have a different experience where I enjoy myself with weights, my body, and my performance achieving what I set out for. I enter the gym, enjoy my time lifting, and leave happy when it's all said and done. The only worry I ever have is "will I have to wait to use the squat rack today?"

I wish others the same. Goals are achievable and it doesn't have to be a horrendous experience.

"Research your own experiences for the truth, absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is specifically your own." - Krishnamurti

Be your own person, be confident, and most importantly: be happy.

Lift like you mean it
and enjoy it.

Old Masters

When sage advice is offered, listen intently.

If you know what the title's from, kudos to you. The title does serve a purpose itself. Specifically, an important lesson I learned from others this past year.

The first instance was attending a kendo practice to experience the sport. Beginning with a footwork drill, we practiced dashing across the auditorium towards our opponent. The mistake we all made was that after one person stopped short and went to the back of the line, everyone else did the same instead of dashing completely across the room.

When we completed the drill, sensei explained peer pressure can be positive or negative. An action of one person can alter the actions of subsequent peers. In this case it was negative because one person set the trend due to a small error.

Positive peer pressure would demonstrate desired behavior that would be reinforced if everyone did it - such as if that one person did the drill in full.

The second instance was meeting with Swami Radhanath. Our university's bhakti club was fortunate to have him visit for their big semester event. My professor was able to contact him to visit our class and then I heard him speak again when I attended the evening's festivities. After the main event, attendees were able to meet with the swami and have their copy of his new book signed.

When I had my chance to go up I asked him, "What advice would you have given to yourself when you were younger or someone else about to embark on the world?" He took a moment then responded, "Whatever you do, make it positive. Thoughts, speech, action, people, food, everything. Immerse yourself in positive surroundings."

One simple piece of advice I've noticed in other blogs is to keep a good social network. One that is beneficial to your own life and will only uplift it. Heck, it's so straightforward and obvious even my parents tell me to have good friends.

Unless you're a hermit, you most likely interact with other individuals on a regular basis. You have the ability to choose who those individuals are, and in doing so, set the tone of your own life. Even with the greatest environment in the world, what good is it if you are constantly around those who are negative and of bad character? It will only be detrimental to yourself.

You can easily tell who improves your own life by how they affect you.

Do they uplift your mood or bring it down?

Offer good advice?

Act in ways that aren't harmful to themselves or you?

Are they close-minded?

Stubborn?

Poor intentions?

Reinforce positive attributes and behaviors?

Make your own character grow and mature?

Do they tell you can or can't achieve something?

Who you surround yourself with will make your own personal development rise or fall.

How will you choose?

Passion

Boris posted this today:

I saw this on TV back in 2008. He cleaned & jerked 10kg (22 lbs.) over his personal best. It's definitely impressive. However, it was after he won I learned how his wife passed away a few years prior.

He was lifting for her and I thought it was beautiful. Likewise, the Russian lifter he was competing against looked like a tank and I didn't think Steiner would win.

Every now and then I hear or read someone lifting who uses aggression, anger, and basically rage to lift heavy.

Me? I believe you should be focused, but not filled with anger to push yourself.

Rage is hot tempered, irrational, and violent. And in a sense to achieve this mindset, you need to hate to a certain degree. After all, what else fuels aggression?

Is that how you want to be? Have hate and anger as your motivating force?

Passion for an activity should be driven by positive means. Steiner competed with the love for his wife. Love is nurturing unlike aggression.

What drives you should have a positive meaning.

Have a good weekend everyone.

On Happiness: The Big Question

It's not "which came first,
the chicken or the egg?"

I sit down in the seat to be interviewed by my professor and not know what to expect. To make it even more interesting, I didn't practice going over a single question that would be asked during an interview. Smart, right?

Nearing the end of the interview, I should have expected this:

Professor: So, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I answered with one or two options I foresaw, but I don't think it was a concrete response. More so, it was where I'd like to be.

Done with one, next I shuffled over to the room next door to be interviewed by the lab manager.

This one ended:

Her (the lab manager): Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hm, again this question. I gave a similar response and learned afterward that my professor and her didn't know they asked the same question.

It's fascinating how many times I've come across this question or something similar.

In 2^nd grade, our class had a guest come and talk. In a circle, one by one we stood up and said what we wanted to be when we grow up. I forgot what most kids said, but I remember hearing NBA player and dolphin trainer among the responses. I got up, said I don't know what I want to be, and sat back down. I didn't think much of it, but he made me stand back up again and said to everyone that is perfectly fine (along with other stuff I can't recall).

Senior year of high school, my health class teacher said write down where you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, and then some time later. My mind was drawing a huge blank.

Seeing yourself in 5 years, what's the significance of it? What's it show? That you have plans?

It seems so strange to me. 5 years ago I was 16 and high school sophomore year finished. Back then, the most fitness-related thing I did was quit drinking soda.

I was 16. I didn't know I would,

• Be working with kids on a regular basis.
• Drop engineering at 17 for Psychology.
• Take up a Religion major at 20.
• Not care about what school I go to.
• Get involved in weight lifting.
• Be reading books. (I despised them)
  
• Be writing this blog.
• Meet all these people in my life.
• Lose so many people in my life.
• Head an organization.
• Be helping other people.

That's 5 years. And you know what? I probably missed a ton of other things.

This past spring, my friend and I went to talk to our professor. My friend asked when he should go live as a Buddhist monk in a monastery. Now while he's young, easy to soak up knowledge & be molded or older when life is more peaceful & settled.*

My professor told him he is young now with a lot of opportunity, but a very distractible mind. During your later years, it would be easier to live as a monk but what if your life is different, what if you fall in love?

Life isn't predictable.

How can you predict where you see yourself in 5 years? If you did know, where's the excitement in it? How can you account for other people - old & new - in those 5 years?

As you can see, I'm not a fan of the question. However, I think there's great value in the reverse.

Look back at the last 5 years, what have you accomplished that you didn't account for? What has happened? If someone asked where do you see yourself in 5 years, did you answer correctly back then? If so, are you happy about it? Are you happy now?

In 5 years, a lot can happen.

Have a good weekend everyone.

*He's currently at a monastery in Korea. I hope he's doing well.