I'm trying to 'sort myself out' ...

I've been keeping in touch with a former colleague who's been looking to "sort [himself] out" ... I always liked him and a few others I've had the pleasure to work with over the years.

Interestingly, I've been getting asked the same questions a lot ... about how I train, what I do to recover and perform better, how I got started climbing, what I eat and how much, about my lifestyle, and why.

It's really simple... unfortunately, it took me decades to figure out.

I want things and will not wait around for someone to just hand it to me. I make things happen for myself because I'm a mature, independant adult. I am no victim. I am in control of my destiny. When I can't perform, I have no one but myself to hold accountable. So when I do, it's my accomplishment. It's my success.

Being independant is important to me. Being self-sufficient is important to me. Being part of a lifelong partnership is important to me.

I value my dignity. I don't want to ever want to be dependant on tubes, wires, or other devices to keep me alive again. I want quality of life and will not be someone's science project.

I don't want to miss out on all the opportunities of life... and believe me, life is one big huge opportunity. Carpe frickin diem, right, November?!

I made a decision and I work as consistently as I can.

Every day is tough. I get sore, I get tired, I am bloody busy ... and I just don't feel like it sometimes.

But I made a choice to live... and live well

I love climbing big mountains. I love being in the wilderness. I love being able to visit parts of the world that few others will ever see. I love that I am strong, that I can endure, that I can recover ... I have longevity and it gives me peace.

Having said all that,

<LI>I follow crossfit endurance fitness programming, practise olympic lifting, practise ashtanga yoga, and find ways to do heavy manual labor

<LI>I practise climbing, wilderness, medical, and first responder skills on a regular basis

<LI>I enjoy a paleolithic diet and try to avoid dangerous foods as much as I can

<LI>We climb every year and do a few trips into the wilderness. It tests our physical, emotional, and mental fitness

Here's a few good links to start:

Getting Started with CrossFit (explains workout formats and what things mean)
http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/start-how.html

Video Demonstrations of all movements (super useful for understand how to move properly)
<A HREF="http://www.crossfitendurance.com/blog/3 ">http://www.crossfitendurance.com/blog/3 </A>

Paleolithic Diet
<LI>Robb Wolf: <A HREF="http://www.robbwolf.com" >www.robbwolf.com</A>
<LI>The Paleo Diet <A HREF"http://thepaleodiet.com/">http://thepaleodiet.com/<A/>
<LI>Mark's Daily Apple <A HREF"http://www.marksdailyapple.com">http://www.marksdailyapple.com<A/>

If you're interested in mountaineering, alpine safety, or other wildnerness training, let me know in the comments and I'll post something in a future article.

... and yes, please feel free to reach out to me and keep those questions going. They help me too, you know.

Memorial Day

Mary McHugh mourns her slain fiance Sgt. James Regan at "Section 60" of the Arlington National Cemetery May 27, 2007. Regan, a US Army Ranger, was killed by an IED explosion in Iraq in February of this year, and this was the first time McHugh had visited the grave since the funeral. Section 60, the newest portion of the vast national cemetery on the outskirts of Washington D.C, contains hundreds of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Family members of slain American soldiers have flown in from across the country for Memorial Day. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

via blog.gettyimages.com

heartbroken

Change ... The real kind

One can see how dramatically the world changes when words of wisdom and compassion can come directly from The Dalai Lama on Twitter and Facebook

I've had the honor of meeting His Holiness here in Chicago earlier this year as well as in New York years ago.

He's a great teacher, leader, and living example of pacifism, compassion, and acceptance... it takes tremendous inner strength, self control, and courage to endure what he has as a public figure and leader of a country and culture in exile

There are no words to describe how he has impacted my life... And the positive influence he continues to make. Seriously, this dude is getting a big honkin' halo in heaven... Although it might not be for long because he'll be reincarnated (according to Buddhist beliefs).

... Definitely makes my list of top 5 personal heroes right up there with JC, Gandhi, and Mother Theresa

Who are your heroes and why are they special to you?

How does Romney's resume stack with Obama's? [[politics]]

How does Romney's resume stack with Obama's?

·        Valedictorian at BYU

·        Baker's scholar (top 5% of business students) at Harvard

·        Master's degrees in business AND law

·        turned a failure into one of the few profit-earning Olympics (Salt Lake) in 2002

·        put aside partisanship prejudices/trash-talk by successfully campaigning/winning the governor's seat (2003 – 2007) as a Republican in a heavily Democrat-controlled state LONG before Scott Brown

·        previous executive leadership experience as a state governor, including Massachusetts' Commander In Chief of state military forces (Yes, a state governor is legally the Commander In Chief of that state's National Guard forces unless those troops are called to active-duty by the President)

·        turned Massachusetts' budget from red to black while governor (- $3.0B to +$2.16B; that’s “billion” with a “B”)

·        cut taxes 19 times as Massachusetts governor (that’s not a typo, NINETEEN)

·        as MA governor, developed a plan that would make deadbeats pay for their own health care (you may not like the MA health care law but that's what it's sole purpose was. Still don't like it because of the mandate? How would YOU have solved the MA healthcare free-loader problem and how would you have done it with an overwhelmingly Democrat-controlled state legislature like Romney had to work with?)

·        “Service over self”. Romney immediately endorsed McCain after ‘Super Tuesday’ in 2008 when it became obvious McCain was the clear front-runner. America is more important to him than his ego to be president.

·        volunteer service to community as a church head pastor for 13 years all with ZERO pay

·        would give ALL his Presidential salary ($1.6 million total) back to the American taxpayers if elected (yes, he's on record as committing to this)

·        turned 65 on March 12, 2012 and voluntarily turned down enrolling in Medicare (in other words, he’s NOT sucking up our precious tax dollars because he knows he can, and therefore should, take care of himself)

·        upon turning 65 he also chose to NOT receive any Social Security payments because, again, he knows he can take care of himself and therefore should not rely on our tax dollars to help fund his daily living

·        understands commitment and the value of marriage (never divorced, in a loving 43 year marriage)

·        understands morality (never had an affair, never accused of impropriety)

·        understands family (5 kids, all successful adults)

·        willing to let all of America see his birth certificate and school records without a fight

·        openly released his most recent tax records proving he’s not a tax cheat, approved access to prior tax information

 

I’m not a “HUGE” fan of either Obama or Romney, but this is kinda compelling….

Happy Pre-Memorial day

I am truly thankful in more ways than one.

An important message

Dear anarchists, looters, and gang bangers:

I do not appreciate you making trouble for the protesters and the police who are trying to protect them and other law abiding citizens of chicago from you

You little pissants are causing my husband to work 18 to 20 hour shifts for days at a time... wearing his full armor, hazmat suits, and gas masks in 95 degree heat...

He also hasn't had my cooking, slept in his bed, or seen me in days... And I leave for a 4day work trip in less than 8 hours

I hope you realize that he's going to be very grumpy with you

You've been warned...

Sincerely,

An annoyed SWAT wife

Thank you

... And thanks again

Seriously?!

You guys are going to ruck now?!

Yes, Turkey. 60min max effort ruck with 45lbs ... I'm getting a 10 min head start on mischief Matt too. He's to bright eyed and bushy tailed

Yummy yummy breakfast

Want to lean up and set the stage to build some muscle?

Middle-aged and recovery getting tougher?

Clean up your diet.

Eggs. Game meats. Seafood. Poultry. Colourful vegetables. Nuts and seeds. A touch of deep coloured fruits.

Pasta, cheese, bread, yoghurt, muffins, and the like are super yummy ... But will prevent improvement in body composition and physiological performance

An important message

Dear anarchists, looters, and gang bangers:

I do not appreciate you making trouble for the protesters and the police who are trying to protect them and other law abiding citizens of chicago from you

You little pissants are causing my husband to work 18 to 20 hour shifts for days at a time... wearing his full armor, hazmat suits, and gas masks in 95 degree heat...

He also hasn't had my cooking, slept in his bed, or seen me in days... And I leave for a 4day work trip in less than 8 hours

I hope you realize that he's going to be very grumpy with you

You've been warned...

Sincerely,

An annoyed wife

a few photos from today

A few photos from judging at the CrossFit NorthCentral Regionals competition... 11hrs or hard work

See the full gallery on Posterous

Day 1: Games Day

A few of the judges at the North Central CrossFit Games Regionals ... Recognize anyone?

So tired.

Sososo tired

Fudge!

Why on a Thursday when I'm out of town?! Poo

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, CANCELED?!

Made it 4 days strict paleo... And for what?!

Some people drink, some do drugs, some smoke ...

Me? Junk food...

I'm a coward and this is the most destructive thing I'll do to myself ... I think I'd fare better hitting myself over the head ... And with less guilt

Sheesh...

Turkey loves Jill

... They're almost the same size too! Ha!

Can do cat

Focus on what you CAN do and just build on that... Everyone started somewhere and so must you

ATL bunny

School drawing... So cute

T + mac & cheese + burpee AMRAP = not good

ate leftover mac & cheese... then 7-7-7 amrap... not good.

 

yeah, i'm not 20, 30, or even 40 anymore ... HA!

 

7:00 AMRAP in the ATL with my 50+ yr old client and her exec team (who is drinking the CF BCAAs)

 

7 burpees

7 power snatch @ 75#

 

8 rounds, 2 burpees, a lot of fun, and a little heaving...