What's Your Price?

Is competition good for intensity? Or has competition negotiated pride, professionalism, honesty and community? I often times share with my friends and athletes the importance of intensity. I also share with them the need to focus on yourself – because at the end of the day when you look into the mirror you are faced with reality. What stares you back in the face is the product of you efforts. That individual staring you in the mirror knows without question whether you gave it your all. That person knows if you were honest with your eating, your workout, your mind, your motivation, your conviction and the efforts you have attempted to reach your goals.

But at what price does intensity come with? Does it mean win at all cost? Does it mean overexerting your body? Does it mean over exerting your relationship with yourself? Does it mean negotiating your friendships, your teammates or worse – your community? Elm City Crossfit is a collection of like-minded people who want to change. We all want something. We are all willing to sacrifice to get that something. But what we will not do is sacrifice intensity for relationship or wellness. I am proud to be the owner of a facility that provides an honest avenue towards achievement. I am honored to be surrounded by people who would not negotiate character for intensity.

Life is the ultimate endurance event. You are the individual who controls the outcome or the participation of this event. Exercise in general – specifically Crossfit is an individual sport. Participate with honor and conviction – not exclusiveness ~ The Average Joe

Keeping the Norm

It has been quite some time since my last post. I can assure my followers that I have not been sitting still. Sometime life happens. For most of my adult life, I have adapted my own coping mechanism for eventful and busy situations. I call it keeping the norm. The norms are the bare essentials or responsibilities that keep you going. They are the relationships or in some case the tasks that must be maintained –even in the most hectic of times.

When I was in college, I was the captain of the College Rugby team, a full time student and a full-throttle beer drinking, ass chasing party animal. Regardless of the degree of hang-over or the drama that may have been brewing on the rugby field, I never lost focus of what my original path truly was. I was in college to better myself. My norm was school. That was my first priority and my main focus. It did not matter what I was doing – I would always keep the norm.

That was then and this is now. My norm today is providing for my family, staying healthy and true to my clients and community and training for my up-coming race. It does not matter about the numerous distractions and constant pressures of work-life, I never waiver on the norm. At the end of the day, it comes down to priorities, responsibility and strength. Do you have the strategy and focus to endure? ~ The Average Joe

Where's the Beef?

I read an interesting news article recently about how Taco Bell is being sued for false advertisement about their beef. Come to find out that their beef contains only about 30% actual beef. The rest of the beef contains “particulates and fillers”

The ironic thing in this situation is that the general public looks to these types of eateries as a healthy alternative to burgers and fries. In many cases, this may be worse. Deception, misinformation and smoke and mirrors drive our healthy nutritional theme in this country. Now I am not one of those people who have deeply rooted political views. My point is that we should not walk with the herd. We cannot continue to fall into the corporate trap of eating synthetics. I have to take a page out of Rob Wolf’s train of thought here – human beings have been on this planet for millions of years. It is only since the agricultural age that we began to develop sickness and illnesses.

As the common man with simple standards, I believe in simplicity. Food quality is the main ingredient in changing your body and healthy living. For anyone who knows me, when anyone asks about how they can loose weight. My first response would be to move your butt and go simple on your eating. I call it the phase one scenario: cut out all breads, chips and any synthetic foods – food products that are not produced naturally in nature.

These are the basis for the theme and programming we prescribe to at Elm City. Every individual that comes in the door must have a goal. The goal can be as simple as looking better naked in the mirror – others can be training for a particular event. The point is that every single person on this planet has the ability to change if you want. The biggest thing is you have to want to change. The rest are mere details. ~The Average Joe

Fear Factor

On my ride to work the other morning, I had an opportunity to reflect on my current training. I am currently training for a 100k trail race that will take place in New Jersey this March. I have the honor of training with a client and friend from Elm City Crossfit whom I ran my last event with. This will be a step up for Mike in distance and I have no doubt he will be great. That is truly the point, as a matter of fact -normal, everyday people setting goals, making a plan and executing their training. It is not only motivational but inspiring to workout with Mike. I need you more than you need me – thanks buddy.

So that got me thinking- what is more motivating when training for an event? Is it the fear of suffering or failure or the sense of accomplishment upon completion? What motivates you? I know the deciding factor for me- Both! I make deposits into the pain bank in the hopes that come race day I can make my withdrawals without fear of running short. I also do events to prove to myself that I am different. I can plan and execute different types of activities that make me different- signature or identification measures that make me feel alive. I have no desire to be the norm. How about you? ~ The Average Joe

Friends to the End

My training and nutrition has a face. It has a body. It has a presence. I consider him my friend. One who relies and counts on me. We have a continual relationship. And just like any other relationship, it requires compromise, attention and most of all commitment. He knows my every nuance. He knows my short-comings, my motivations, my failures, and my success. He knows my deepest and darkest secrets. He requires balance and motivation. He is a true friend in every since of the word. He gets me and the only requirement in return, that I respect him and make sure that he stays a part of my life.

I will never turn my back on him. There was a time where I did turn a blind eye to him. The funny thing is – he never complained. He never made mention about what I was doing to my body without him. He did not nag me that every day that passed; I did not only neglect him, but negotiated our future. Something happened. I began to realize that this relationship was important to me. It may not be a first priority in my life, but it is a priority. I have come to know and love my friend. We have explored many new obstacles and have seen an entirely new side of not only me but my family, my surroundings and he has opened me up to a more fruitful and joyous world. I will forever be indebted to my friend and try and live up to his expectations. ~ The Average Joe

I'd Rather be a Blue Collar Man

I’d Rather Be a Blue Collar Man

There is a very funny thing about fitness and training that I see all the time. People have a tendency to think of it like a diet – a fad. It has a starting point - in some cases a goal and then no plans of continuation. No systems in place for continued success. Proper nutrition and healthy living has no ending point – it is a position. It is a cognitive and decisive stance to change. Once the mindset is changed – the body will follow. 

So I was talking with one of my athletes about her upcoming training schedule. She was telling me a story of another trainer at another facility trying to convince her that she should train with him. His approach was that she had the “right” build and fit to become a good athlete. He then spoke about proper shoes to make her faster, better clothing to make her efficient and a new bike that would determine her future success. I share this story for the simple reason that fitness is not bought from a catalog. It has nothing to do with equipment. It has nothing to do with aesthetics. Fitness is earned not bought.

For those individuals who shop at LuLu Lemon to prepare yourself for fitness or the ones who have to have a pair of Newton running shoes in order to run – I will give you a hint. Stop worrying about what you look like if you want to change what you look like. It is all about positive choices and moving your body. So stop making stupid excuses – GRAB THE HANDLE AND DO WORK ~ The Average Joe

What Time is it?

Is it your time?

Is it your time to commit? Is it your time to re-focus? Is it your time to formalize your goals? Regardless of your current situation, change is inevitable and in most cases good. No matter the scale or degree, deciding that now is my chance – that now is my time will change my life. Personal inventory – I call it. Turning the camera back towards you and saying – what’s next. This kind of awareness make our journey better focused and will give you a greater appreciation for success. Life is the ultimate endurance sport. We are always training, changing and enduring. Is it my time to…. ~The Average Joe