At Arm's Length with the Real You

How many people do really know? In this age of social and digital media, our "world" has expanded exponentially. We can blog, post, tweet, Facebook, and rant to an entire social network that wasn't within our reach fifteen years ago. Now, all we have to do is push "send" and our thoughts can reach others half a world away. For better or worse, this is the world we live in today. But I ask you, how many people do you really know? How many of those Facebook friends have celebrated a birthday with you? Been there to rescue you in an hour of need? Or helped celebrate a moment of triumph? Can you really call all those people "friends"?

Yes, our society has gone digital, sometimes too digital, but the old fashioned way of communication is still in play: face-to-face conversation. We still need to have human contact, that human element to life. We cannot live in a digital plane and hide from people. That isn't a realistic possibility. Ours is a world of facial expressions, body language, hand gestures, stuttering, and stammering that cannot be duplicated by smiley faces or hearts. 

So, I ask again, how many people do you know? Do they really know the "real" you? Your fears, hopes, dreams, and nightmares? How about your aspirations? Your defeats? Do they know the simple surface things? What is your favorite color? The food you can't stand to even smell? Guilty pleasure? Or the place you feel the safest? I'm pretty sure they don't. But those real friends, the ones who you grew up with, know every little detail about you. Or those who you met in college, the ones who helped you figure out what to do in the "real" world. And your co-workers whom you may see more than family. How much do they know about you? Or do you keep them at arms length because you're there "just to get the job done not make friends"?

The reason I bring this up is very simple. How many of us actually really let others into our lives? Do we let even our closest friends/family see a glimpse of who we are? There are very few of us that walk this earth that have been completely vulnerable ... at the mercy of the opinions of those we call friend. We are all very comfortable with the surface stuff. It's when we dig a bit deeper that it gets complicated? But really, is asking someone how their family is doing or what their hopes/dreams are, is that really digging too deep? How many of us know the passions of our co-workers are outside of work? Do we even know where they're originally from? Or if they hold a Masters degree in English? I can safely say that I don't.

We all need to make a better effort in knowing those around us. I'm not saying we have to know every little hope or dream, but we need to make an effort to know more about those around us. And we all also have to make more of an effort to open up our lives to those who may inquire. That conversation about music could evolve into a lifelong friendship. Discussing one's passion for rescuing pets could lead to fulfilling role as an animal shelter volunteer. We don't need to be so guarded with our lives. Yes privacy is important, but only to a certain degree. We don't need to have everyone at arm's length. Instead we should be trying to learn about all we can in many ways.

We should be celebrating every one's life now, when we're here. Life is not but a journey, but it's a journey that should be celebrated each and every single day with the sounds of joy and laughter. We need to celebrate our friends and family while we have them close to our hearts here on this earth.

RIP Karon Wendt ... this should have been written a long time ago. I thank you for your generosity, kind words, and sharp tongue. You have been missed and will continue to be missed by many. I only wish those words of kindness could have been shared with you while you were here with us. I miss hearing your laughter and seeing your smile at work each day. Rest in Peace .....

Andre the Giant, Hannibal and ... Insanity!?!

“The A-Team is proud to help diminish the rampant violence so prevalent in society today.”


To say that Insanity is hard would be a vast understatement. It would be akin to saying that Andre the Giant was only an average sized man. Every single infomercial, every advertisement and every person who has ever tried Insanity knows that its completely nuts, hence the name Insanity. From the very first day, which is a not so easy fit test, Shaun T does what exactly what he promises .... pushes you harder than you've ever been pushed before. But he also encourges, motivates, and instructs with the best of 'em. He doesn't want to break you, but he does want to see you become healthier and stronger.

I made the clossal mistake of thinking that if I could make it through Tony Horton's version of plyometrics in P90X, I could handle Shaun T's version of cardio. Sweet lord, I'll be the first to admit that I was ... dead wrong in every single aspect. My legs, back, knees, and abs were (and still are) hurting. Dude just doesn't let up. Within 20 minutes of starting Plyo Cardio Circuit, I was begging for mercy! I swear that I was within an inch of death ... maybe closer. I don't know about anyone else, but the first time I went thru that routine, I threw up. And I'll tell ya what, those pre-workout supplements taste horrible coming up!

Tonight was attempt #2 at Plyo Cardio Circuit. I had to take less breaks and got farther. I'm baby stepping this program. From week #1, I've still got sore joints and some mild to searing pain in my right foot. Bought new shoes (dude, the last time I bought running/cross trainers was way back in 1997 and shoes have changed dramatically) this past weekend. The new shoes are pretty slick and have helped some, but the pain in my right foot (arch area near the side of the foot) bothers me enough where the higher impact exercises cause me to slow it down. I'm Minnesota stubborn enough to keep pushing but I've also decided to scale Insanity back a touch. Not saying I'm quitting (see big bold word starting with the letter "s" above), instead, I'm going to incorporate parts of Insanity into my P90X routine.

Going forward, I want to alternate days between P90X and Insanity so I get both the intense resistance and intense cardio all during the same week. I'm in the middle of creating a workout routine that will consist of 4 week blocks (4th week will be recover) that vary. One thing I've learned is that muscle confusion is a good thing, you just got to plan it all out. As Hannibal said many times during my childhood, "I love it when a plan comes together." And of course, I'll be blogging about how I'll do the routine here.

Until then ... #TakeOnTheWorld

Infectious Evolution

Infectious Evolution: Start a Revolution!
"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

Today was day one of Insanity. And let me tell you, it was thirty minutes of pain. It's the type of pain that changes lives, though. The type of pain where sore muscles and an achy body lead to six pack abs and rock solid muscles. It's the type of pain that will strengthen character/confidence, and harden your resolve. Yeah, that's the pain I want, need, crave and desire.

It was "only" a fit test but damn, that was intense and extremely tough. I made it through, but I'm gunna be walking like a saddle sore SOB tomorrow. Shaun T's Insanity is intense cardio, so I expect to be plenty sore for the first couple of weeks. But after that, all bet's are off cause my lungs will adjust, my body will be in a routine and I'll be able to dig deeper and kick some major ass.

Tony Horton helped me build confidence in myself and gave me big bad ass shoulders. Shaun T's Insanity is going to help me take it to the next level.  I'm taking on the world and going to win .. every ... single ... time.

Segway into a different subject .... now (sorry couldn't think of anything to link the next topic to the first one, my quads were hurting too damn much).

Have you hung up the phone and been completely flabbergasted (I always wanted to use that word), blown away, and utterly speechless? But in a positive way? And for those that know me, speechless isn't me. I don't shut up ... Anyway, the phone call I got today was amazing! As I said, I was speechless and blown away. I think that I may have turned a few shades of red. The call I got was from Julie Willson, a friend who has fast become very integral to my fitness success. She and I have a passion for fitness ... no, that isn't exactly right. A passion for finding and becoming better versions of ourselves, both mentally and physically. That I think would be more accurate. 

Julie was literally on cloud nine when she called. I could feel her joy and happiness even though it was a phone conversation. She was so happy that even Grumpy Dwarf may have cracked a smile (insert laugh track here)! Julie wants really wants me to be a Coach with Team Beachbody. Today, she told me that I was one of the main reasons why she start Horton's Power90 program. Julie is now working as Coach with Beachbody and has took off running with the whole fitness thing. Shit, she has pursued this with more passion, determination, and will power than most people do with their careers. Her passion for her personal evolution is infectious. And she has pointed the finger at me for motivating her. First off, I want to say thank you so very much to Julie. The greatest accomplishment an individual can have is changing lives, making a difference no matter how large or small. Julie's desire, passion, determination, grit, or whatever you want to call it was always there. I just sparked the match and she took off running. Her motivation level is so high it's completely sick ... ... and it gets me amped up to do more and become a better person. I want to keep my intensity level as high as hers, if not higher (competition brings the best out in all of us).

I can't and won't take full credit for Julie's passion with Beachbody. I will, however, take credit for pointing her in the right direction and introducing her to the best fitness company out there. Hands down, Beachbody has the absolute best programs/trainers/support out there for those who "want it" and are willing to put in the hard work. Ladies and gentlemen, in this corner ... the undisputed CHAMPION OF THE FITNESS WORLD ..... BEACHBODY!!! Yeah, that's right, CHAMPION OF THE FITNESS WORLD. From Tony Horton to Chalene Johnson, Beachbody has got it all going on dude, no joke. And all I really did was show Julie some result pictures and point her in the right direction. What happened next was all on her ... full boar, right into the belly of the beast known as what I like to call "self-evolution". And she hasn't stopped, looked back, or took no for an answer. Rather, she's out there being inspirational, motivational and friggin' awesome. So Julie, I want to thank you for helping me re-ignite the fire inside of me. For showing me that I need to push harder, faster and longer to take it to the next level.

We inspire each other to become better, to find a better tomorrow. We will reach our goals and potential ... and then set new ones.