What do you want?

"The indispensable first step to getting things you want out of life is this: decide what you want." -Ben Stein

This time of year is when I reflect on what I have accomplished over the past year, and where I want to go in the new year. A trend I follow year after year is laser focus on my career goals and very little time dreaming in the spiritual realm and focusing on personal goals. In 2012 I will have balance between the two. Both are extremely important to me; however, one should not take precedent over the other.

I think it's easier for me to get fired up about career aspirations because a team is involved. In 2012, Relentless Training Systems is launching our new 6-week Boot Camps along with streamlined programming across all Athletic Training classes. My goal is to have 375 athletes in Relentless by the start of the round 2 of Boot Camp on April 2nd.

A new adventure for me this upcoming year is I will be competing in a figure show on July 21st. I have never done anything like this before, and I am super excited to take on this  journey with Clarkie. The extra nudge from her is what convinced me to take a leap of faith to train and compete in something new. Mark it down...I will win.

I am enjoying every bit of my 2 week break from coaching Athletic Training classes and catching up on some much needed sleep. I am also enjoying this time of clarity and deciding exactly what I want just as Stein states above.

What do you want out of 2012?

Holiday Fun

(Me & tinyFIT at our end-of-year Staff Banquet)

Relentless Training Systems are off for the next 2 weeks. It is a nice break for us coaches, but I do know our athletes still want to get in some workouts. Personally, this time of year is full of going out with my friends (see pic above), but also making time to get in workouts. Work hard. Play hard.

Below are a few workout suggestions that require minimal equipment.

Workout #1- Compliments of up and coming coach, Adam Martin
100 air squats
90 russian twist with a kettlebell
80 grasshoppers
70 russian swings
600m run
50 american swings
40 KB sumo deadlift high pull
30 KB wall balls
20 pushups
10 wall walks

After many visits to Dave and Sam at Next Level, I learned I need to work the glute max and medius. If you have a Perform Better band then I recommend the following right before a workout:
20 lateral band walks (10 on each side)
90 seconds of static bridge holds (place 1 to 2 bands above knees)
Jane Fondas (minimum of 60 seconds on each side)

Workout #2- I did this workout with my sister yesterday.

Wheelbarrow- She held my feet 1 direction and then we switched. Followed by 10 ring rows while the other partner did as many plyo pushups as possible until the partner was done with the ring rows. 4 rounds.

Next we did the following KB complex:
Power clean
Front rack squat
Swing & clean
Snatch
Thruster
 *equals 1 rep. Perform 3 on right, 3 on left, followed by 10 V-ups. 4 rounds

I challenge you to get creative over the holiday. Use ledges for box jumps, dips, decline/incline pushups. Find a tree to do pullups or visit the closest track. Find a way to workout with family members. I always love when my sister and I workout together. Most importantly, HAVE FUN! It's all about balance.

Youth in Motion

(My little nephew. Anyone named Maximus has to have physical education to let out the inner warrior.)

It's been well over 20 years and I still remember how much I loved P.E. in elementary and intermediate school. Coach Prince, my P.E. teacher from Kindergarten through 5th grade, still is one of my favorite teachers of all time. When we showed up to P.E., it was like athletics. I realized that years later after being a part of sports through junior high and high school.

P.E. was where I ran my 1st mile, held pull-ups in a flex position for time, climbed ropes, did forward rolls over obstacles, played kickball, did 3-legged races, and most importantly---beat all the boys in sprints on field day.

Physical Education holds a dear place in my heart. It kills me to know that our public schools no longer require kids over the age of 11 to participate in any P.E. classes.

Help Trinity Training Systems raise $25,000 by the end of December to jump start Youth in Motion! I want every kid to experience the fun, team building, and discipline that comes with being a part of sports and physical activity. 

Donate HERE. You must choose "Youth in Motion" from the drop down menu before donating.