Update – This entry was originally posted in March 2011 but has been updated with a new video

Below is a powerful story about a man (Brock Mealer) who was involved in a tragic accident that left him with a 1 percent chance to ever walk again.   Words cannot do justice to the story, so all that I can do is encourage you to take a few moments to watch.

It certainly puts our own bumps and bruises into perspective.

A related video can also be seen here:

Brock Mealer

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I have woven a parachute out of everything broken. – William Stafford

One of the most exciting periods in the history of boxing took place throughout the 1980′s with four legendary fighters.  During this time, there were epic battles involving Roberto Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard.  These combatants provided boxing fans with controversy, action, shocking finishes, and epic battles.

Below is a feature video dedicated to this renowned foursome.  The video includes over an hour of exciting footage.

If you are a boxing fan, prepare yourself to be glued to the screen…

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Sports do not build character. They reveal it. – John Wooden

Below is a brief ESPN video which highlights the determination of a cross country team that set out to win one more championship for ALS-stricken coach Jim Tracy.  You will be hard pressed to find a better example of determination as you watch high school junior Holland Reynolds literally crawl to the finish line to secure the championship.

As her display illustrates, true determination allows us to overcome obstacles that we would have never imagined.

A related story can also be found in a recent Runner’s World article.

The Inspiration: Jim Tracy

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The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur. – Vince Lombardi

I’d like to start by wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

More importantly though, I’d like to share an article that I recently read.  And while the timing for such a piece may seem off, life is often unpredictable and unfair.  I actually consider the holiday season to be the ideal time for this entry.

The article below was written by a palliative care worker that interacted closely with countless patients who were approaching their final days of life.  Within the short piece, the author shares five of the most common regrets that were expressed by her patients.

The Top 5 Regrets In Life

I first read the article early last week.  As I approached the 4th regret listed within, I made a mental note to give my best friend since elementary school a call to wish him and his family a Merry Christmas.  While we’ve been best friends for well over 20 years, it had been too long since we last spoke.

Upon finishing the article, my gut reaction was to pick up the phone that moment, but I decided to wait until this week as there was still plenty of time before Christmas. Unfortunately, less than a week later, I received the tragic news that my best friend had died in a car accident.  He died on Tuesday.

I’m now kicking myself as I wish I had taken five minutes out of my day to give my friend one last call.

In summary, I don’t mean to put a damper on the holiday season.  I do however think it is a good time to be reminded that life is precious and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.  Each day is a gift. Embrace your friends and family during this holiday season and take the time to reconnect with those that you haven’t seen in a while.

RIP Charles

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Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once. – Lillian Dickson

George Hood isn’t the typical 54 year old man.  He is everything but ordinary.  He once jumped rope for over 13 hours (setting a world record).  Another time he rode a stationary bike for over 222 hours.  At the time, that too was a world record and his efforts raised over $25,000 for a memorial fund for an American soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.

Most recently, George Hood shattered yet another Guinness World Record.  This time he held the abdominal plank position for 1 hour, 20 minutes and 5.01 seconds.

The video below highlights his extraordinary accomplishment.

A related article can also be found here:

Busting World Records

As you’ll see within the video, George Hood did not stroll through the challenge.  He had to battle through each minute.  In his own words,

The spasms were taking over, and I couldn’t control the shaking.  I couldn’t spit, and I burped up some acid and knew I was getting thirsty and dehydrated.

As for the purpose of this entry, I’m certainly not suggesting that we all train to the point of extreme exhaustion and dehydration.  You can however learn some valuable lessons from George Hood.  First, he clearly believes in himself and is able to fight through what others would consider impossible and unbearable fatigue.  There is almost always more gas in the tank than you realize.

He also didn’t need a miracle core training infomercial product to break the record.  What he needed was mental toughness and a relentless desire to succeed.  Those attributes alone will often outweigh the significance of everything else.

If you are a competitive athlete, the time will come when you must push through your comfort zone and thrive in an uncomfortable environment.  If you are not mentally prepared, it won’t matter how well conditioned your body is.  Either suck it up or pack your bags and go home.

George Hood clearly knows how to suck it up and blast through his comfort zone.  We can all benefit and learn from his example of relentless perseverance and mental toughness.

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Endurance is patience concentrated. – Thomas Carlyle

I mentioned Ray Lewis on this blog a few months ago (previous entry here).  Below is yet another video of Ray.  This time he speaks on the importance of effort.  The entire clip will take less than a minute of your time. Fortunately, the brevity does not minimize the significance of the message.

Ray Lewis is without question one of the most passionate and tenacious players that the NFL has ever seen.  He works as hard as anyone on the field.

All aspiring athletes can benefit from his emphasis on individual effort.  Don’t be a victim of paralysis by analysis.  When in doubt, outwork the competition.  Wake up and do it again.  Continue on such a path and you will surely pass many who are in front of you now.

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Much good work is lost for the lack of a little more. – Edward H. Harriman

The inspirational section of this blog has always been one of the most popular areas of the site.  I’ve posted stories of people from all walks of life who have in some way inspired others to better themselves. Even I regularly look through past entries to remind myself of the potential to improve that we all possess.

Below is yet another entry to this section.  I watched the video for the first time this morning and was glued to the screen.  The story is inspiring on many levels.  I won’t spoil it for you, but the man seen within is a prime example of our ability to improve when truly motivated to do so.

Take a few minutes to watch the full video.  It is well worth your time…

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Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing. – Muhammad Ali

Below are two videos that were recently emailed to me.  Within the first video, you will see a brief tutorial that shows how to make a strong outdoor pull-up station.

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The specifications for the pull-up station are listed below:

Specifications:
2.03 solid stainless steel bar (34-35mm)
2 x 3.7M (100mm x 100mm x 4mm) Galvanized posts
2 Galvanized Post caps
0.6m³ concrete mix (25MPA X 14mm Stones)

Hole dimensions:
500mm x 500mm x 1.2m deep
Distance between posts (inside) 1.7m
Distance from ground to bar is 2.5m (Plenty of room for legs to hang even if >6″ tall)

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A video of the bar in action can be seen next:

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For more homemade equipment ideas, please refer to the link below:

Homemade Exercise Equipment Archives

I was offline for much of last week as we were finalizing preparations for the weekend fights at the West Warwick Civic Center.  While the entire show was a success with several action packed bouts, I am particularly happy as my fighter Chip Perez earned a unanimous decision victory over six exciting rounds.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support us.

I will now get back to responding to all of the emails that came in over the last few days.

Nick Newell is an undefeated mixed martial artist who upped his record to 6-0 with a submission victory last Friday.  Footage of his most recent fight can be seen below.

This entry isn’t just about an up and coming MMA fighter however.  Nick Newell is everything but ordinary.  Born with congenital amputation of his left arm, Nick has been fighting since day one.  He’s never let his disability hold him back as he continues to defy the odds.

In his own words,

I’m not just going to be a good fighter for someone with one hand. I’m not shooting for mediocrity or to prove that people with handicaps can do things because that’s already been proven. I compete to (be) one of the best in the world.

I’m sure there were plenty of people who thought Nick was crazy to pursue the mixed martial arts.  Fortunately, Nick lives his own life and makes his own decisions.  He doesn’t let critics choose what he does and where he goes.

We could all learn a thing or two from his resilience and perseverance…

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If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell. – Lance Armstrong