"But You Shall Become the Miracle"

surprised it doesn't say HIPPIES instead of IEDS

The above license plate belongs to none other than Derick Carver. If you're new to the gym and/or blog, please click HERE to read about my good friend. Any man who gets his leg blown off in combat, then fights back to become stronger while keeping sense of humor intact..should have your utmost respect.

He is my constant reminder to man up and always maintain a sense of humor. It would have been very easy for Derick to become an angry and bitter man for what had happened to him and absolutley no one would have blamed him. He didn't...I'm sure there were bad times..but through it all he continued to fight.

I have 2 legs and I can't ski worth a damn, let alone catch some air

If you think the metaphorical weight you carry around is too heavy, don't wish that it were lighter, instead train your body and mind to be stronger. This is paraphased from one of my favorite quotes:

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle."

-Phillips Brooks

Through continued hard work, you can become the miracle. Sometimes you can think the "suck" can become too much. Whether that "suck" is a Mudder Monday or more likely when life hits hard outside the gym. Always believe you can shoulder the burden and be the one standing.

becoming the miracle

And for gym specific stuff, don't ever get down on yourself. Always remember the state you were in on your very first workout, never forget how far you've come. It's incredible to see how far so many of you have come. And for those who have stalled or don't think you're progressing fast enough. Here's a few questions you need to ask yourself:

1) What are you eating and drinking? Your diet more than anything is going to determine how well you perform and look. No matter what, you can't "out train a shitty diet". And HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE...

2) Are you training hard and consistently? You've got to put in at least 3 times/week. And simply showing up doesn't cut it either. You've got to attack the workouts like a "rabid grizzly on meth". Get excited, strive for the challenge. Just because you aren't up to the "prescribed" weights yet doesn't mean you should always stay in your comfort zone. If you can't do 95lbs on certain things, that doesn't automatically mean you drop to 65lbs...try 75/85.

3) Rest/Recovery: How many hours of quality rest/sleep are you averaging a day/week? You're putting your body through hell...the way the body becomes stronger is through quality rest and nutrition outside of the gym. And don't forget to work your mobility to help in the recovery process.

No matter what..keep fighting, always. And it doesn't hurt to have a little fun and smile either...

Schedule note: this Saturday's Pain Clinic will start at 0830. We're going a half hour earlier so folks can go help out at the Red Cross event. We still need people! Make sure you register at the gym.

Also, we are still having the 10am Intro on Saturday. Please continue to spread the word and let your friends know!