Put Your Own Mask On First

Put Your Own Mask On First
 
I’m sure; most of us have been on a commercial flight and heard the “in the event of” speech.   I can’t quote it word for word because (to be honest) after a while it all starts to sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher to me.   Anyway, at some point they always [...]

The Need to Progress

The Need To Progress
 
There is nothing more rewarding in the gym than making progress.  To me, it is that golden time when all is right with the world.  The planets align and nothing hurts too badly and I seem to make gains every time that I walk in the gym.  You have to love those [...]

Overcoming Obstacles

Overcoming Obstacles   
If you have been training for a while or if you are just contemplating getting started, there can be many barriers that have the potential to stop your progress.  Some of them are real obstacles and some are self induced excuses that can easily be overcame. I want to help you realize the [...]

Keeping The Drive

Keeping The Drive
 
Remember the first day of school each year?  Can you remember how excited you were to go back and see your friends?  Don’t you wish you could feel that way about working out?  If you have been working out any length of time, you have probably had days that you just didn’t [...]

Pass It On

Pass it on 
 
Way back in the days of parachute pants and “Member’s Only” jackets, I needed a helping hand to make it to the next level in the gym.  I had made some progress on my own but I wanted to be a competitive bodybuilder and really had no idea how to go about [...]

Inside Out

Inside Out
 
Some people think that lifting weights and fitness training are only for the shallow people who think only about their outward appearance.  I have many acquaintances that would be shining examples of this statement, but I also have many friends that are not that way at all. For me, in the beginning, it was [...]

The Trophy or The Challenge

The Trophy or The Challenge
 
What drives you to achieve?  Is it the shiny object that you receive that says you’re number one, or is it the challenge to push yourself to the limit just to see what you are made of?  For me, it’s a little of both.  Never have really cared much for [...]

Mentor versus Trial and Error

Mentor versus Trial and Error
 
During the course of my life, I have been privileged to have some great teachers.   In the field of bodybuilding, one stands out from the rest.  Big Steve (the man) from Rockingham, NC (by way of New Jersey) taught me the basics I needed so disparately.  Under his tutelage, I went [...]

What’s Your Goal?

What’s Your Goal?
 
What do you really want to do?   I’m not talking about running through an enchanted forest chasing sugar plum fairies.  What is a realistic goal that would make you happy with yourself?  Do you really want to look like a bodybuilder?  Being a bodybuilder is harder than it looks and is not for [...]

Stay Hungry

When I talk about staying hungry, I’m not talking about being physically hungry.  I’m talking about keeping your mental and physical drive alive.  Most of us have been guilty of the “remember when” game.  I know I have.  Back in Humpteen Twelve, I could pick up a car with one hand and change the tire [...]