I am a jack of all trades, master of none. It’s a label I don’t mind. As a matter of fact, I have grown quite fond of the designation. I am primarily an autodidact but do have a formal education.*
With that said, no conversation can truly begin in America until one answers the most important question, “what do you do?” Now, this is a tough question for me to answer because the only “career” I’ve ever had was the four years I spent building bridges as an Ironworker. The question annoys the shit out of me. But, to satisfy the curious nature of our culture I will oblige–so, to date I have been (in order) a: paperboy; janitor; residential painter; Division I college basketball player and terrible college student; snowboard bum; dishwasher; barista; bike courier; short order & line cook; yardman (lumber yard); glazier (primarily industrial); Ironworker; college student (taking it seriously); Home Depot sales associate; law student; career services assistant; research assistant; law clerk; and stay-at-home-dad & sometime blogger. There, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to the whole point of this page.
When I was about nine or ten I saw Arnold in pumping iron and decided to start lifting weights. I had already been playing basketball, baseball, and football around my neighborhood and in CYO; however, there was something different about lifting (which at the time, to me, meant bodybuilding). It pulled me in because it seemed pure.** You were either strong or not strong. You either looked like Arnold or Ferrigno or you didn’t. There were no teammates to blame, there were no coaches to praise you or tear you down. It was you versus the weight. Nothing more, nothing less. Unfortunately, there was no way my mom could afford to buy me a weightlifting set. Fortunately for me, I had no shame garbage picking a plastic/concrete set of weights and rusty bench. Thus began my love affair with lifting weights, which lead to my respect for and love of physical culture.
I’m not going to write my autobiography here. So, why am I writing this blog? I love to write. I love physical culture. I love designing and experimenting with training programs. And, I enjoy learning as much as I can about physical culture (through both academic and non-academic sources) and promulgating that information.
What do I believe in regarding weight lifting/physical culture? There is no simple, cookie cutter answer to any question about getting stronger, faster, quicker, gaining endurance, gaining flexibility, etc. Each individual must determine where he/she is at in their training life and move forward from there–this is a continuing process. Most people can’t afford coaches/trainers, so most people better get used to filtering out the meaningless bullshit and noise from most popular culture sources–in other words: research any training regimen before you blindly follow it. Diet is the hard part, training is the fun part. And, there is no simple, cookie cutter answer to any question about getting stronger, faster, quicker, gaining endurance, gaining flexibility, etc., etc., etc.
I hope you find something useful or entertaining on this site. Enjoy!!
*Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Juris Doctorate–BA from Cleveland State University, JD from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
**If I knew then what I know now!!
