Pompeii

---I told most of you a posting about that awesome song would be coming; here it is---


If you've been coming to CFNP consistently for the last month and a half or so than you have undoubtedly heard the song "Pompeii" by Bastille; probably to the point of nausea.  At first, the only reason I liked the song was because it had a catchy beat and it seemed to bother Arron so naturally I played it in spite of him.  However, the song took on a whole new meaning to me after I carefully listened to the lyrics.

For me, the phrase, "Many days fell away with nothing to show," hit me like a fucking freight train.  I started thinking about all the days in my late teens to my mid twenties that I wasted away either being wasted (which was a lot of fun but done in a very irresponsible manner) or focusing my energy on things I felt others wanted me to be doing and not necessarily what I was meant to be doing.  Many of you may have this same feeling of dissatisfaction with the way you spent certain periods in your lives, many of you may not regret a god damn thing.  I've spent countless hours agonizing over past life choices. While hindsight is 20/20, there are decisions I wish I could go back and change.  It wasn't until I had a conversation with my mom that I finally accepted and understood that those feelings were normal and the only choice that is now important is my next one.  (I bet my mom is smarter than your mom)

"And the walls kept tumbling down in the city that we love."  Immediately I thought about our new members from D-Fit and how they must have felt the day they showed up to the place they grew to love only to find it empty.  Building trust is a process and the folks that came to us from D-Fit undoubtedly allowed themselves to trust the people that ended up betraying them.  It's hard for me to understand how people could treat others in such a disposable fashion and I can only imagine the frustration and anger that comes along with being treated that way, but I hope we have made you feel welcome and filled that void that was left by those douche bags.

"Great clouds roll over the hills bringing darkness from above."  This is just a bad ass line and clouds are pretty cool.

"But if you close your eyes....Does it almost feel like nothing changed at all?...And if you close your eyes....Does it almost feel like you've been here before?"  I had to think long and hard about how I was going to apply this lyric to myself.  I could have literally gone a thousand different directions with it because it is that powerful of a line.  I found myself closing my eyes when this part of the song played, then opening them and looking at where I was....in a gym, surrounded by people I am emotionally invested in.  I have always dreamt I would someday be in a position where I could impact peoples everyday lives, I just didn't know how long it would take and what kind of impact I could make.  I'm not very smart, so teaching was off the table.  Again, I'm not very smart so becoming a doctor was off the table but I knew I wanted that everyday connection with people. Coaching the training program that is crossfit has allowed me to share my knowledge of physical fitness with truly wonderful people.  People that are willing to put in the work that is required to be healthy and in the process they allow us into their lives.  I remember being at the grocery store with my mom and starring at this man who had clearly been crying.  I wanted to go over to him and talk to him and try to make him smile but I didn't because I was twelve and that would've been fucking weird.  I have always had the instinct to want to help and to comfort (not a pun) people so even though I haven't done so as much as I would've liked in the past, it feels like I have which is why I am constantly trying to make all of you smile.... because you never truly know what kind of day someone is having.  Maybe I over analyzed this song but it's awesome and it gave me something to write about so fuck you if you don't like the song.........just kidding.

I usually end these posts with a quote, this one is no different.  "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
                                                                --Albert Schweitzer

Conviction

I've been crazy busy with school, training, and the gym so sorry I haven't put anything out here in awhile.  I threw this one together this morning but I have some pretty awesome shit coming your way in the near future.


The original thought theory states that anything anyone can ever say has already been said by someone else.  This theory, in my opinion, is bullshit.  I'm on the cusp of an original thought but it has yet to manifest itself.  Until it does, I'm going to continue quoting people I think are awesome.  "People seldom do what they believe in.  They do what is convenient, then repent."  This is a line from the great Bob Dylan.  I came across this quote when I was looking up Bob's concert dates and it has been in the back of my mind ever since.  I always try and apply the quotes I put in this blog to my life and personal experiences.  I only write about what I have experience with and hope it resonates with you, the reader.

I began to think about how this line applies to me.  What do I believe in?  It's a simple question, yet I couldn't come up with an answer.  Then I started thinking about our gym and the people that make it such a wonderful place.  I started thinking about why in the name of Zeus's butt hole, do I get up at 4 in the morning to go to a filthy gym (its not filthy when I mop on Sundays but it sure as hell still is after Arron mops)?  I've talked to plenty of people that work at regular gyms that have to wake up that early and they hate their lives.  I on the other hand, thoroughly enjoy it and on days I accidentally sleep in, I feel like I've deprived myself of a fulfilling day. The answer as to why I felt that emptiness was simple; I believe in what I'm doing.  I believe in all of you and am humbled that you put your faith in myself and Arron to program workouts for you (not that you really have a choice).  I don't take this responsibility lightly and I am constantly challenging myself to get better at every aspect of what crossfit has to offer.  I challenge all of you to ask yourself that same question, "what do you believe in?"  If you find you are doing what is convenient and then repenting; I hope you find the courage to start over.

GOOD LUCK TO THE CORN CRIBBERS THIS COMING WEEKEND.

Suffering in Silence

"Cowards never allow their hearts to blaze with fire: all they desire is for the changed situation to quickly return to what it was before, so they can go on living their lives and thinking in their customary way.  The brave however, set afire that which was old and, even at the cost of great internal suffering, abandon everything and continue onward."

The above quote is from the novel "the fifth mountain," one of my favorite books.  The beauty of this quote is in its applicability to different aspect of our lives.  For me, its a reminder that suffering is an essential part of my growth as a person.  Suffering is different for everyone.  I personally suffer when I'm sitting at home and my mind wanders off, I'll begin to think about past relationships, current relationships, and military experiences.  Usually, I over analyze everything and I'll start to stress over things I felt I could have done or should have done. Dwelling on past and present "ifs" and "whats" is suffering for me.  Recently I've learned to accept the outcome life has dictated, and I choose to move forward.  Embrace the causes of your personal suffering.  Attacking it head on and devising a plan to combat it will aid in the development of your character, and our character can always be improved upon, no matter how old we get.

For some strange reason, people associate pain and suffering with Crossfit (I hope you're picking up on the sarcasm because I'm laying it on pretty thick).  All of us have wanted to quit during a workout, if you say you haven't you're a frenching liar.  Despite the suckiness of these workouts we battle to the end, no matter how long it takes.  This pain and suffering is what either brings people back or keeps people away.  It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone (globo gyms or your couch) and try something new, especially when that something new knocks you on your ass and humbles the shit out of you.  Go back and read the last sentence of the first paragraph.  If you did awesome but I'm re-typing it for effect.  "The brave however, set afire that which was old and, even at the cost of great internal suffering, abandon everything and continue onward."  I remind myself of this quote when someone has the courage to walk through CFNP's door, or when one of you decides you're tired of not being able to do a muscle up or handstand push up or whatever it may be and you say "FUCK IT" I'm getting one today.  Hopefully, after reading this, you will realize your souls are being strengthened through the experience of suffering at CFNP.

I hope all of you are enjoying the skill practice programming.  Keep knocking out weakness's!!!

Training Smart

Before I get started on my rant for this week, I wanted to take a minute and give a few shout outs to some folks.  The overwhlmeing amount of support I recieved prior to Regionals and at Regionals has been well documented but one more "Thank you" never hurt anyone so....THANK YOU CFNP.  A special thank you to Dr. Chad and Karl over at Benningfield Chiropractic.  These Gents got my body primed to compete.  Another special thank you to Stephanie Walker and Chris Wheatley.  Steph and Chris revolved their training schedules around mine so I didn't have to train alone.  Kacie, Brian, Kirstin, Angela, and Derek;  these guys came and stayed for all three days of the competion.  The Lumley's and Brian also took more pictures of me then anyone has before which is RAD, they also framed a couple so thank you guys.  Last but not least; Arron and Kelly.  Thank you Kelly for coming and keeping Arron sane over a three day span during which he wasn't able to work out and for being there and constantly encouraging me every chance you got.  If it wasn't for Arron, there is a 100 percent chance I don't make it to Regionals.  He was my coach at the competition.  He brought me breakfast, made sure I stayed calm in between workouts, and hung out with me while I warmed up for every event.  As I walked out of the warmup area onto the arena floor to compete, I always made sure to pick him out of the crowd so I knew where to look in case I started to panic.  If I left people out I apologize.

Injuries happen in training.  This is a fact.  The severity of these injuries varies but at some point and time we will all get knicked up.  What's the alternative?  You could not train like an athlete and go back to half assing 5k runs and ripping out curls (yes I do curls which is why my Bi's are so jacked) or you can heed my upcoming advice.  First, trust in us as coaches that we will set you up for success.  If we tell you your form is off, trust us that its off and allow us to fix you.  Many times this will involve using less weight.  (No you aren't weak or less of a man for using lighter weights and vice versa for the ladies of CFNP) Technique is our foundation for functional strength.  If your foundation is weak, all the blocks you build around it will be weak and eventually will crumble (injury).  Second, listen to your body.  If you are feeling banged up, take an extra day off.  Arron, Terry, Steph and I will never put you in a comprimising position but we can't feel what you feel.  Stretch a bit more, go see Dr. Chad to get adjusted or Angela for a massage.  I personally try to take a week off every three or four months.  This will allow your body to recover (we get stronger in recovery) and  make you eager as hell to get back into the gym and hit it hard.  Finally, remain as positive as you can about your training.  Stay focused on you and don't worry about what everyone else around you is doing.  Believe me when I say you'll have more shitty days than good ones in the gym and not every day is guna be a PR day.  Enjoy yourself while fitnessing.  THIS SHIT IS SUPPOSE TO BE FUN and we do our best to make sure it stays that way.

Maintaining Perspective

Chris Spealler wrote in a recent blog post; "Your performance has no impact on your identity."  This is a concept I struggled with early on in my crossfitting days.  I could never fully give myself to the workout because I was so concerned with the outcome.  Arrogance and ego undoubtedly played a role with that mindset.  Everyone wants to win but everyone doesn't win; as long as you lay it the fuck out there then no one can judge you based on the results.  I have used this as the framework for training and it has allowed me to keep this weekend's Regional in perspective.  Knowing that I am part of something bigger than myself (CFNP) is a luxury I have never had during competition.  Everyone has their reasons for competing.  Mine, in the past, were to feed my ego so I could feel a sense of superiority over others.  I still have a mellowed down arrogance about me, but its fueled by my immediate family and my second family; CFNP.  I acknowledge the fact that I am representing not just myself but my Mom, Dad, two brothers, sister, Arron, Terry, as well as all of YOU from our gym and it fills me with pride.  At some point during the pain and suffering I'm undoubtedly going to endure, I promise  I'll rip a patented Comfort- shit -eating- grin to let you all know that I am enjoying myself and there isn't anywhere else in the world I'd rather be.  My intent from this post is to encourage those of you who wish to compete in the future to do it with full hearts and clear minds.  Make sure your reasons are pure and in sync with your personality. Somewhere along my journey I got back on the righteous  path (Thanks to Arron McCall), a path that has prepared me for the next few days.  Thanks again for all the support.

-Drake-

Inspiration

The training that we have chosen requires self-discipline.  It also requires us to live a certain lifestyle that many people on the outside aren’t familiar with.  Crossfit is hard-eating right and taking care of our bodies is equally as hard.  I know it took me 4 years of suffering through workouts hung-over and eating terribly to realize how much I needed this sport and the people that it attracts in my life.   Looking for things that motivate and inspire us in our everyday lives is essential to seeing the bigger picture that IS life.  I am constantly looking for things to inspire me, both in the gym and outside of it. It isn’t hard to find inspiration in the gym; seeing Judy’s face light up when Arron screams her name or watching Prashant yell and struggle for every rep on a heavy deadlift day is enough to fuel me for a lifetime.  The things we need to search for are outside of the gym.  Today’s world is increasingly evil.  Look no further than your favorite news outlet for proof.  Seeing the good in other people is sometimes difficult; but it is possible and wonderful people do exist and we all see them.  It’s whether or not we choose to acknowledge them that is the question.  Maybe it’s a cashier at your local grocery store who makes you smile with their positive attitude?  Maybe it’s a co-worker who shows up to work every day and asks you how you are doing?  Maybe it’s someone you’ve never talked to?  Whatever or whoever it is, pay more attention to the feeling that is ignited within you and use that to inspire you throughout your day at work, at home, and at the gym. Hopefully, these small things which motivate us in positive ways become the foundation for a new outlook on LIFE.  I will end this post with my favorite quote from Donny Shankle.  “Now you are able to feel the greatest virtue man can experience which life has to offer. Joy in what you do, joy in how you live, joy in the manner you fall in love, joy in the chance to be remembered, joy in every breath you take, joy in being a great person. Joy in life is all any man or woman should aspire to feel. You will not feel joy trapped within yourself alone in the dark. You will not experience joy on your knees or cowered behind previous failures. Joy is being within warmth and light during the day so when you rest at night it is with peace.”  Reading this moves me to tears, I hope it has a similar effect on you. 

-Drake-