cfdesperes

The Pillar of Pain

2007-11-11T19:56:00.000-08:00

For about $85, we made 4 "slosh pipes". Basically it's about a 10 foot section of 4 inch PVC pipe capped on both ends. It is fills 2/3 with water. Hold it, carry it, press it, squat with it, or any other movement you can think of. It only weighs about 45 pounds but at times it feels like 200. The water does not behave...ever. Enjoy the video!

Sport or Freakshow?

2007-11-11T19:26:00.001-08:00

I know I'm going to catch some heat on this one. Keep in mind I am only promoting healthy debate. This is not a particular slam on the sport of bodybuilding but rather on steroid use. First of all, I hate sports that are judged. Competitive sports are won and lost on definitive evidence, i.e. points, goals, kilos, etc. Sports that are judged are decided by the so called judges, many whom I think are getting an extra paycheck from someone. Professional bodybuilding in particular leaves me saying...hhmmm. Make no mistake, the top pros in this sport are juiced heavily! It is funny how it is kept so hush hush. They expect the public to believe they are natural. What is not spoken about doesn't exist I guess. These athletes are getting bigger, more defined, and freakier. In fact, I venture to say that they all basically look the same...freaky, almost not human. So how do they decide who is the best? I have the greatest respect for natural bodybuilders who train hard and compete. It takes a very disciplined training program and diet. Professional bodybuilders are supposed to be representatives of health and fitness. Is taking massive amounts of steroids and diurectics healthy? Again I say...hhmmm.

Savor the Flavor

2007-11-04T03:32:00.000-08:00

I love good food. I also have a tendency to eat too fast. I may think back on the meal and forget just how good each bite tasted. I have often rushed through a week just to get to a weekend that only went by too quickly. I have been on vacations where I am so anxious to get somewhere or do something that I find myself struggling to remember the details. What does this have to do with training? More than you think. Physical training is vital to maintaining good health, preventing disease, resisting injury, feeling well, and looking vibrant. That is the short list. People get into physical fitness for different reasons and sometimes they aren't ideal ones. Either way we all seem to share one common way of thinking that seems normal. We all want things as quickly as we can get them. As a trainer and athlete I have evolved while constantly learning, practicing, and contemplating the nature of fitness. Wanting everything now is a flawed desire. Patience has many rewards but it is up to you to recognize them. What I have found personally is that the little steps you take in training have the largest impact. Of course the long term goal is important but focusing on that too much blurs out these small gains and accomplishments. You are missing the journey. You are missing the great meals you had or the small moment in life. I have seem people loose weight, receive compliments, and then reply with a disgusted, "Yeah, but I'm still overweight." I have seen clients master an exercise and never even realize that they couldn't do it 2 months ago! Perhaps they are only seeing a vision of themselves in a size 2 dress. Well once you get there then what? Are you finished? I don't think so. Training is a lifestyle. A really great lifestyle. It's important that you witness and think about every step you take. When you finally get that pull-up, run a record mile, or reach any other goal, realize it! These are the things that should spark your motivation and keep training fun. You should experience a rush of joy every time you do something that was previously impossible. You can bet that they will hear me screaming a mile away when I do a muscle-up! I will savor that meal for a long time.

Squat Therapy

2007-10-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

Decided to have a little fun today. Enjoy the video!

Go Katie!!

2007-10-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

I recently started some basic strength training with a friend's daughter (yeah you owe me Claire!!!). Katie plays soccer and is on several teams, including a select team. She is 12 years old. The debate on when young athletes should begin weight training is a sticky one. Opinions vary widely. All body systems are continuing to develop and major changes are taking place in the adolescent body. Exercises should be chosen carefully and loading position is critical. Bone growth plates are a major concern. Exercises where the load is in the "hang" position are good ways to develop leg and core strength. Females involved in ballistic sport are particularly subject to ACL tears. There are many theories as to why. The lack of recruitment in the posterior chain muscles is one theory. By strengthening the lower back, gluteal, and hamstring muscles, the athlete is able to generate power, create stabilizing strength, and resist torsional forces across the knee. Katie performed the dead lift and kettle bell swing after 1, count it, 1 explanation and demonstration! Hey, some of us are just naturals! Good job Katie!

Muscle-Up!!

2007-10-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

We have our first two athletes at Core Fitness to successfully perform the "Muscle-Up". This is the ultimate move for upper body strength. Being able to do a muscle-up assures you that you can get up and over almost any obstacle. It is very advanced and requires some practice. Competence in pull-ups and ring dips is obviously essential. There are several technique tips to learning the muscle-up. You must first become accustomed to a "false grip." To achieve the false grip you must turn the hands in by flexing the wrists. The rings will push into the fat pads of the palm. Practice false grip pull-ups! The initial pull must be powerful, bringing the rings in close to the chest and armpits. The legs can be thrust upward creating a "kip" which generates some upward momentum. Here is where it gets tricky. You must time the turn until you get up and over the rings. The hands will turn out. You are now is the bottom of a very deep dip position. Keep the rings in tight, thrust your head and upper body forward and press! Easy enough? Not really but just like anything...practice makes perfect. I have not yet been able to get one but I'm getting closer every day. Hey, getting 250 pounds over those rings is tough! You'll be sure to get the video on that glorious day! Great work Nick and Brandon!

Let em know what you think!

2007-10-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't picked up a "Fitness" magazine in a long time. In fact, I think it was about 10 years ago that I last looked through a copy of Muscle and Fitness. It was then I realized what a joke it had become! However, compared to what they have become today, that would have been informative reading! These publications have only gotten worse. They are endless advertisements for bogus supplements, redundant training articles, steroid freaks, and half-naked women all sending this message of....health? Let me go puke before I read the next article on "How to get 22 inch biceps." Joe Weider should be ashamed! Curiosity got the better of me when I saw Christina's latest copy of "Shape" magazine. Shape is one of the more popular mags for women's health and fitness. Now I may not see a need to print fashion, beauty, make-up, sex-advice, and other "feminine" issues in a fitness publication, but I do understand there must be a reason for it. After all, they are selling millions of copies and I'm not selling any. I skip all the....excuse me ladies....."garbage" articles and turn to the very few pages of training information. I have to admit there are a few decent pieces of information. For example, I found one that explained how you have to let go of the handrails and actually sweat to get any benefit from cardio machines. I also found one on picking the right running shoes. Good stuff. But here's where I get irritated. This "Top Trainer" in New York put together a routine to give you ladies the "V-shaped" back you always wanted. It's called the "strapless dress workout". His 3 choices were a prone row with 5-15 pound dumbbells, a single arm cable row while in a lunge position, and a practically horizontal pull-up on guess what...."The Total Gym", a device created by that karate stud Chuck Norris. In each picture, the trainer is sitting there with his hands around the woman as if she's about to collapse. I guess he's spotting her! Interesting they didn't even mention a pull-up. I train women that can prone row 40 pound weights with no problem and keep up with anyone on pull-ups. This was only the beginning. Each article I found had these skinny models holding little chrome dumbbells, performing "shaping" movements. Man, if "shaping" movements were anything but a stupid name, we'd all look like super models. This sad portrayal of women is so interesting. I see great female athletes every day and I will tell you guys something. Pound for pound, they are tougher than most of us. I don't train my female clients any different than a male client. It escapes me that these publications don't make an attempt to make women look powerful, strong, and athletic. I am choosing to e-mail the editor and give them my thoughts. Most likely it won't ever get read but hey, maybe it will. At least I'll feel better. readersspeakout@shape.com

Intensity, Aggression, Reward

2007-10-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

This clip is great. These ladies are pushing tremendous numbers. However, what I really liked about it was the intensity. Nicole Carol is simply a dynamo and I love to see how she throws the bar in defiance. Her athleticism prevents her from injury. Obviously experience is important when going this heavy. Keep in mind no one wins car races without crashing into the wall once in a while. Her raw emotions always show and it's profound. Controlled aggression and intensity is critical to reaching potential. It brings out emotions and efforts that most people didn't know they were capable of. It always drove me nuts when people bitched about others in the gym who were sweating, grunting, and making noise. Well those are the people getting something out of their workouts. Just go back to your elliptical machine and read a magazine! OK, I feel better now.

Going Heavy

2007-10-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

Lifting very heavy weights is always a controversial subject. Many people fear lifting heavy weights because they associate it with risk of injury. The fact is most injuries occur from poor bio-mechanics, awkward positions, inefficient angles for handling load, or sudden ballistic movement. Proper technique is critical no matter what the load is. Lifting heavy weights will produce many desirable effects. With heavier loads we build more strength. A drastic hormonal response strengthens muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Bone density increases and joint integrity improves. Beign stong prepares us for unforseen events that could leave us injured. Strength is the foundation for all other aspects of physical development. Besides that, it's a blast! Always be safe when training and don't worry ladies, you're not going to "bulk up". I want to scream everytime I hear that ridiculous myth. I'd rather scream under a heavy barbell. Enjoy the video!!

Having Some Fun!!

2007-09-25T18:03:00.000-07:00

A little clip I put together. Enjoy!!

Don't tell me you're too old.

2007-09-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

This video speaks for itself. I don't know how many times I've heard people associate activities with age. Most of the time it is in reference to avoiding exercise and sport. Even worse, many times their fear is a result of a doctor or other health professional telling them they need to take it easy, walk the dog, and be safe. B.S.!!!! Aside from real physical limitations, there is nothing you can't do. Physical exercise is the best thing you can do to slow down the aging process. Pick out ones you like and go for it. Risk of injury is always a factor, even when you're walking the dog! Learn how to exercise correctly. Live well and enjoy! Notice the pit bull guarding the kettlebell on the left side of the screen. Love it.

Friends, Partners, and Good Workouts!

2007-09-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

The last time I had a steady workout partner was back in 1997. We trained consistently for about 2 years. There is no doubt having someone who I "clicked" with was great. We made great gains, drew stares in the gym, and had a blast! He would call me at work just to say things like, "Are you ready for leg day?" He voice would literally shake with excitement and the thought of beating each other up until we crawled into our cars. We would do cardio side by side with one of us pushing up the resistance, speed, or incline while staring at the other as if to say.."just try and keep up". It would have been poor form not to keep up. I sure miss those days. It really is hard to find some one who you gel with. Time schedules and goals may not match up. However, if you're lucky, you can find someone who holds you accountable to show up, motivates you, and picks you up when you're about to call it quits. A workout partner or group workouts add so many positive elements, it is one of the best investments you can make. A partner will make sure you are there on the day that you may otherwise take a turn and head for home. A partner will encourage you and show you that you are capable of doing more. A partner will invite you for some "friendly" competition. Chances are there are many people around you who would love a chance to hook up and share a sweat. All it takes is a conversation. I miss my good friend and workout partner. Fortunately I have a job where I can be a workout partner to many many people. Many of you train with me solo. Many of you workout with a friend or two. Either way, it is always thrilling and rewarding for me to bring out the best in you. Now.....see that up arrow on the treadmill? Come on....you know you can do more!

Snatch 170kg

2007-09-06T18:32:00.001-07:00

Pretty impressive clip of an Olympic snatch. Many people don't see a practical application of such lifts to standard sport or fitness programs. The truth is these movements have a huge neuroendocrine impact that results in improvement of all athletic skill. They are truly awesome and the Fusion crew is about to get a taste! Tracy Fober, a.k.a. Iron Maven will present us with a great workshop on October 27th. You won't want to miss it!

The confusing cloud of food choice

2007-08-30T05:58:00.000-07:00

For me, training is the easy part of being fit. I love getting a good sweat. If you come to me wanting to increase strength, increase speed, lose weight, gain weight, get better times in your runs, or any other athletic endeavor, I will have a confident, clear cut plan to get you results. If you ask me what you should eat, my answer is not always backed with the same confidence or certainty. I'm not saying my advice isn't good. I can say I know much more than the average person when it comes to nutrition. But, I have been fooled before. I, like millions of other Americans, have been influenced by so many studies, opinions, articles, and other media relating to diet that I find my head spinning. I remember when bread, pasta, potatoes, and rice were regarded as good wholesome foods. I remember when the low fat craze was in. Then it was high protein, low carb. The list goes on. Even when you learn what to eat, you now have to know how much and at what times? I am just stunned everyday at all the products, diets, pills, and plans that have been created and marketed to our lazy, overweight, irresponsible nation. I say that because I just read about a lawsuit against Nabisco for putting "trans" fats in their cookies and I am venting. It is up to YOU to stay fit and make sure your kids eat well. Ok.....I'm getting off track. The bottom line is our system of education makes sure you learn about the history of the world, how to differentiate an igneous rock from a sedimentary rock, or how to figure out advanced mathematical problems even if your major is journalism but teaches us virtually nothing about health and foods. The fact is most of are confused in a time when we need clarity the most. This is not an easy process. It is one where you must seek opinion, evaluate it, and come to your own conclusions. I recently went through an interesting metabolic tying program that shed a lot of light on the darkness of food choices. I have come to some conclusions that to me, are life changing. Poor dietary practices will lead to many adverse reactions in our body. I won't even get into physical health problems, there are too many. Instead, I want to talk about how you feel. What emotional and physical states do you go through from eating? Do you feel tired? Nervous? Never satisfied? Craving? Energetic? Short tempered? I can promise you that negative feelings from poor food choices accumulate over time......years and decades. You hardly notice and it is not long before you forget what it is like to feel good, vibrant, and energetic. Eat clean for a week and I can promise, you will notice a difference. Go back to eating garbage for one day, and you will be amazed. Now all you have to do is figure out what "clean" is. I could give you a simple answer. If it doesn't grow, don't eat it! Too easy right? This is where you have to put forth some effort. Start recording how you feel after a meal and then write down what you ate. If your reaction was negative, adjust the amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat and see how you feel. Keep doing this until you come up with ratios that leave you feeling well, nourished, and energized. That is what food is for right? Energy? You may have found a ratio of nutrients and food types that works best for your body. You will start using food for energy, not storage. You will feel better and over time, you will change your body composition.

200 Lb. Club

2007-08-27T04:39:00.001-07:00

Hey, Nothing wrong with doing a 1 repetition maximum once in a while! It can be alot of fun. Congratulations to Donna with a 200 lb. Deadlift and Meghan with a 205 lb. Deadlift! Great lifts! Notice the difference in lifting styles. Donna extends the knees more initially, raising the hips, and pulls with a powerful back extension. Meghan bends the knees more, creating equal pull with the legs. Deadlifters are typically classified as "back" lifters or "leg" lifters. Neither is wrong or right, just different. Maintaining a neutral spine is ideal but becomes increasingly difficult as the load gets very heavy. A strong athlete can get away with deviations in form. A beginner should exercise more caution. As always, safety in training is critical.

Windmills and Weight

2007-08-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

Windmills are an extremely effective exercise to develop core strength, shoulder stability, and flexibility through the torso, glutes, and hamstrings. However, it is mechanically technical. This is one of our favorite movements in Fusion not only because of it's effectiveness but also because of the many combinations it can be used with. While observing the images, let's break it down. The stance starts from square and then staggers starting with the leg opposite of the raised arm. The toe should angle out about 45 degrees. The raised arm, with or without added resistance, should be extended completely. Next make a slight bend in the forward leg while "kicking" out the hip underneath the weight. This slight hip tilt and bend in the forward knee can be seen clearly in the 2nd picture. While keeping your eyes on the weight slowly "unhinge" the hip and turn the torso down while rotating towards the middle of your stance. Notice how the leg position has not changed from the middle frame to the completion of the movement. This is important. There is a tendency to continue the knee bend which basically turns this into a weird squat. I have seen many people reach towards the forward toe or lean away from the raised arm. This is incorrect. Observe how Christina has created a straight line with her arms. Now you see why they named this the "windmill." The single most limiting factor will be flexibility. Christina is flexible and can easily touch the ground. She can even get the palm flat on the ground. However, when you learn the windmill, it is likely that you will not reach as far. That is fine! Make your rotation until you feel the limit of your flexibility. You may feel "bound up." That is natural. With practice, things will loosen up. Key in on the correct movement and let the range of motion develop.
The next topic today concerns weight and repetitions. Many times I will specify a number of repetitions to perform or suggest a resistance for you. Most of the time this is easy and I am eager to give you suggestions. However, there are times when we split into group practice and it is not always easy for me to figure out a particular resistance or to know how many repetitions you are capable of. Often we are trying a new movement or a more difficult version of an exercise. In this case, we may both be at a loss to know how many you can do. It is here where we need to recognize some baseline numbers. We also need to know how much output it required. Most importantly, we need to know when to adjust. Let's break it down with some examples. Baseline numbers are amounts of resistance that we can do a certain number of repetitions with. This is always changing! Over time, we get stronger and need to use heavier weight to produce adaptation. It also changes day to day. I may perform much better on certain days. When a certain weight becomes easy to complete the desired number of repetitions, it's time to go up! For example, if we practice dead lifts and I say to get 3 sets of 6-8 repetitions. Grabbing a weight that I know I could do 20 repetitions is relatively useless. I know that my resistance for 6-8 perfect dead lifts is going to be somewhere around 340-375 pounds. So I may do my first set with 340, add 20, then add 15 more for my last set. The important thing is that I know my baseline. When faced with a body weight movement such as ring push-ups or pull-ups, I know the weight is my body. Now I just need to see how many repetitions I can do. The idea is to work up to your limit capacity. I am practicing the movement. I want to exhibit intensity. I won't go until sloppy failure but I won't leave much in the tank either. I want to feel like I worked after each set. Practice intervals are times when the athlete should be getting to know his or her capabilities. Practice is meant to be tough and very precise. Obviously with Fusion there are many variables and often we need clarification on things. Hey, that's my job and I love it! However, once you become competent in a movement, it's a good idea to know how much or how many. You will feel empowerment and I will know that I am doing my job, which is not just training you, but teaching you!

St. Louis Fusion Fitness

2007-08-12T19:21:00.001-07:00

The Power of Perception

2007-08-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

It is a mistake to underestimate the mind/body connection. This profound and perplexing relationship is often overlooked. There is no question that our thoughts and mental state manifest through the body. Have you ever received tragic news only to feel nausea and elevation in blood pressure? After a completely exhausting workout, do you find yourself feeling energized and sharp? All of these things we feel physically are largely determined by what is going on in the ole noggin. Mental state is vital to great physical performance and different emotions often produce different outcomes.
Perception is also a very strong force that will affect our performance. What happens when a trainer or workout partner hands you a weight that is heavier that you usually use? Typically you may immediately assume you can't lift it. The set is already done here and you failed. Rack em up and grab something lighter. If I tell you...."We're going to try the 50 pound dumbbells, you have never done this much before.", chances are that specific number, 50, threw you off. It is interesting to see someone who has no idea how much weight is on the bar perform a set. They will often set a new personal best. Once we perceive something as being too heavy or too difficult, it sets our body up to obey the mind. It sets off a chain reaction of failure.
How does all this relate to you? Lifting weights that exceed what we have done in the past is crucial to continued physical development. "Going heavy" is not only fun and challenging, it is necessary! We have been plagued with myths of "bulking up" and fear of injury. However, it must always be done with technique. Exercise is movement. When we think about the movement and not how much weight is in our hands, the technique gets sharper and the body performs better. It is not always possible to be unaware of how much weight we are using. In fact, most always we will know exactly how much we are lifting. The key is thinking about the "movement", not the resistance, and if possible.....being unaware of the weight. When you are performing a deadlift for example, don't think about how heavy it is. Think about what your hips, back, and legs must do. Think about the joints and what they are doing. Put your mind into the movement and you may find some untapped strength. Use your mental state and perception to your advantage.

Kipping pull-ups

2007-07-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_Kipping1-Concept.wmv

The Kipping pull-up is something you rarely see. The idea is to generate speed or power through momentum. Many people would regard this as cheating. It is not cheating, just different. The benefits of the kipping pull-up include more repetitions, gains in power, and gains in overall work capacity. The strict pull-up relies upon pure strength or pulling power while the kipping pull-up calls upon timing, speed, power, and coordination. It is not easy to master. I have just begun to get the hang of it. You will really feel it when it's right and the actual pull-up part is much easier due to the power transfer. Watch closely the woman on the right. It's a great way to see what is going on. Also, the explanation from Greg Glassman is very good. Enjoy and post comments on your progress!

Greasing the Groove!

2007-07-25T19:14:00.001-07:00

Training is practice. Especially when you are attempting a very difficult or technical movement. The fact is you will never be able to do it unless you....do it! Greasing the Groove is an old saying about repetition to improve skill. It is basically a neuromuscular response that is not much different than hitting a baseball, riding a bike, or any other physical skill. The more you do it, the better you will become at it. The nervous system recognizes this repetitive pattern of what you are trying to do. Eventually it says, "ok, if you're going to keep trying this, I better help you out". The right muscles fire, tension kicks in, and you become used to the spatial awareness. Strength is indeed a skill. You don't have to get bigger to get better. I failed miserably at a pistol squat and handstand push-up when I first attempted them. I have worked my way up to 6 pistols and 5 handstand push-ups with no increase in muscle mass. How do I add more reps? Do them often and PERFECTLY! Teach the body to do it right. Turn practice into perfect practice and never go to complete fatigue. I could also increase my reps on exercises such as pull-up by losing body weight. I think there is a direct relationship here when it comes to certain exercises. This can be a limiting factor. It's important not to get discouraged and to recognize your limitations. You will find that you are capable of much more than you think. Just grease the groove and have fun!

Defying Gravity

2007-07-25T05:26:00.001-07:00

Defying Gravity

2007-07-25T05:11:00.001-07:00

I will soon be posting information about a workshop in early October. I will be hosting it at Core Fitness and will be presenting a guest speaker/instructor. It will be based around Olympic lifting but will extend into much more. Our guest shot this video and it's a good look at the "snatch" and "clean and jerk". Very neat to watch these tremendous athletes. Try and spot the important elements of these movements. Also, watch the push press (jerk) movements. Pay attention to the "dip" where you witness the knees slightly forward and hips slightly backward. You can also tell how explosive the hip drive is. I know I explain this alot in class but it's good to have a nice visual. I will be sending out E-mails about the workshop soon. Enjoy!

Variety and Balance

2007-07-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_BalanceMetabolicPathway.wmv

The Weakest Link

2007-07-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

Consistent intense training in the gym will bring good results. Comparisons between simple isolation movements and complex compound movements bring about broad discussions. For simplicity, let's just state a few things. Once you move past machine based exercise, the dynamics of exercise begin to change. There is more going on mechanically and neurologically. These movements will do much more to develop the athlete in all aspects of physical skills. These exercises will also be quick to expose your weak points. Don't try and hide! They are there. There are a few ways you can deal with this. Most people will AVOID the exercise. Big mistake. How are you going to ever improve on anything if you don't work on it? It may defeat you mentally to work on something you are not good at yet. It shouldn't. Get over it! Have you ever met a professional athlete who didn't work on every aspect of the game? Would Tiger Woods be on the PGA if he couldn't chip or putt? Trust me, every golfer hates to work on chipping and putting but they must if they ever want to score well. The other choice is to work on the weak points, even to the point where you are doing more of these dreaded exercises than the ones you like. It is easy to migrate towards things you are good at. It takes guts and determination to tackle the ones that are getting the best of you. I can promise you that if you are consistent, it will get easier over time. The human body adapts remarkably. Give it a chance. I can also promise you that this will do more to develop your body physically than biceps curls or leg extensions. Perhaps even more important is how you will feel mentally. It is empowering to overcome and achieve. It is absolutely thrilling to finally perform something you have been working at. It is the fuel that keeps us in the gym. Remember it's the journey that makes is worth something. Slow down, take your time, enjoy making gains, and put your weak points at the top of the list.

How much is too much?

2007-07-15T16:23:00.000-07:00

How many hours do you put in to your job per week? Don't forget to count any time you have to spend "outside" of the office...traveling, going over notes, typing on the computer, etc. How many hours do you spend at home with your family, outside of trying to those precious few hours of sleep? I found it interesting that Europeans statistically live much longer than Americans despite the fact that they smoke and drink more, and have a diet high in sugars and fats. I also learned that they typically get 5 weeks of paid vacation during their 1st year of employment, unlimited paid sick days, and bonus time off if they clock in more that 35 hours per week. Could it be that they avoid the single most dangerous threat to your health....STRESS? I think there is something going on here. Take a look at the health crisis we have going on today. Why is it happening? Aren't we the smartest? Aren't we the most wealthy? Don't we have the latest medical modalities? Don't we know everything? There is a nasty cycle going on here and taking in all of the elements involved can make your head spin. Just consider the price you pay for the almightly dollar. Ultimately you have the choice. When we feel like we have no choice, we are demoralized. We are in a sense, being controlled and some larger forces at work here, want it that way. Me, I love being a trainer. I love knowing that I am helping you life a longer, healthier life. I also love what I'm doing in this picture. And I'd like to do it for a long time.