RossTraining.com Blog

Looking for inspiration?  If so, look no further than Melanie Roach.  At age 33, this mother of three is off to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games.  Sounds pretty inspiring, right?  Perhaps, but there is much more to her than age and children.  Once you read the full story, you’ll understand that her strength goes above and beyond the weight room.

Take a moment to read her inspiring story at the link below:

Finding Inner Strength 

You can also watch Melanie in action in this tribute video:

As a parent, I truly commend her efforts, and wish her the best of luck next month.

Ross

One of the comments left within my last entry referenced a seasonal guide to fresh fruits and veggies.  By knowing what is in season in your local area, you can often find much lower prices.  For one example, take a look at the picture above (taken last week).  Blueberries are currently in season here in Connecticut.   We recently went blueberry picking and racked up almost 50 pounds of fresh blueberries (not to mention the berries that Troy ate from his bucket)! 

At $1.50 per pound, you won’t find prices anywhere near this low at the grocery store.  We now have enough blueberries in the freezer to all turn blue!

To find what fruits and veggies are in season in your area, refer to the link below (unfortunately this map only lists US states):

Peak Season Map

To find a farmers market near you, refer to one of the links below:

Farmers Market 1 or Farmers Market 2

If anyone has International directories that they would like to add, please leave links in the comments section so others can benefit.

Ross

Last month, I posted several entries about simple, yet effective nutritional strategies.  The message was clear, eat real food and stay away from the processed, artificial junk that fills most store shelves.  Forget about all the fad diets, complex calculations, and worries that you were a few decimal points shy of hitting a certain nutrient percentage for the day. 

I don’t follow any diets.  I don’t count calories and I don’t count nutrient ratios.  If you do, that is fine, but don’t spread fear to those who prefer a more basic approach to life (there are bigger problems in our world today).  The Keep It Simple approach to nutrition works well, even if it isn’t very marketable from a business standpoint.

Personally, I eat real food when I’m hungry (ex. fruits, veggies, meats, eggs, fish, nuts, etc.), and I bust my ass in the gym.  If I want to go out for a nice bite to eat, I go out and don’t lose sleep over it.  Nutrition doesn’t need to be complex.  More and more people want to discuss the nutrient habits of our ancestors (which is fine), but many who do seem to forget that our ancestors didn’t sit around the fire calculating specific ratios on the abacus. 

Furthermore, why do so many nutritionists harp on the importance of reading the labels?  What happened to eating food that doesn’t have a label?  Why not instead promote fresh foods that will spoil?  If you pick an apple from a tree, it doesn’t come with a label.  The more real food that you can eat, the better.  If you must fall back on an old chemistry class to determine the ingredients listed on a package, there is a good chance that it was not intended for human consumption.  

And for a comical take on reading the labels, take a look at the video below.  You won’t run into these problems if you simply eat real food from a plant or animal. 

Ross

Earlier this year, I posted the following entry:

Powerful Speech

Unfortunately, the man who gave this powerful speech (Randy Pausch) has passed away.  As a father, I can’t imagine leaving my children.  My thoughts and prayers certainly go out to his family. 

Full Video Below

For those interested, the video below contains the entire speech.  My original entry (above) contained an abbreviated version.  The full version is long, but certainly worth a look when time permits.

Lastly, for those interested, there is an online memory book for Pausch at the link below:

http://www.tributes.com/condolences/leave_memory/83829780

RIP

The video below serves as a follow up to a past entry. Within that entry, I discussed the potential fault in taking someone else’s word for the way things should be.

There are different types of people in this world. Some automatically heed the advice of others without questioning it. They never search for their own answers. If so-and-so said so, it must be true. The puppet master is always right, as the follower is lost without someone or something to follow. Others (such as those highlighted in the video above) are too proud and stubborn, and rarely take someone else’s word. They will hear what others have to say, but hearing and believing are not the same.

I am a proud member of the latter group. I can’t imagine living any other way. I will gladly listen to the advice of others, but I don’t assume it to be true. I’d rather come to my own conclusion. No one lives inside my body. No one can tell me what I can or cannot do.

Even science isn’t always right. Humankind has a history of mistakes. Who knows what will happen in the next 100 years. I’m sure that future generations will look back and laugh at some of the ideas that we assumed to be true. And if you don’t have the patience to wait it out 100 years, start following a current scientific journal. Conflicting studies are regularly released. Who is right when one study “proves” fault in another? I’m sure both parties were pretty damn sure they had it right the first time around.

Often times, we are not as smart as we think. Humans are far from perfect. We all make mistakes and even the know-it-alls have been wrong before. When someone tells you what you can or cannot do, how do we know it isn’t one of those times when human error has reared its ugly head? Wouldn’t you rather find out for yourself?

As a kid, I remember hearing how children of divorced parents were more likely to have this problem, that problem, and then another problem. The list of problems seemed endless. According to these researchers, I was doomed. My first thought however was that they were full of sh*t. They don’t know me. They didn’t study me. I’m not like anyone else, so how can the results of others somehow determine what will happen to me?

This is how I thought as a kid, and in many ways I still have this mentality today. Some may say that I’m ignorant or stubborn, or a combination of both (and then some), but no one else lives my life, so I honestly don’t care. Why worry about what someone else thinks? Who cares what so-and-so said I can do?

As much as we know about the human body, there is far more that we still don’t know. The complexity of our inner workings stretch far beyond our own comprehension.

As a coach, I will gladly train the youngster who walks into the gym with an unstoppable mindset. I want the kid who will try to fly if I tell him he can. It is these people who often exceed their supposed potential (according to others).  Believing in yourself and going against the grain when necessary will often take you places that you’ll never reach otherwise.

As the legendary Babe Ruth once said,

It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.

Ross

Time flies. It’s now been a month since my daughter was born. It seems like it all happened just yesterday.

And since I don’t know if we’ll have more children, there is something I’d like to address while the memories are still fresh. First of all, we (men) have it easy. Labor is a literal term. It’s hard work! My wife was in labor for over 24 hours without any pain medication. She was on her feet for 90 percent of the time, working through one contraction at a time. She was obviously tired, but taking a break wasn’t an option.  

I sat by her watching in amazement.  This labor was much different from our first child.  My wife was truly a warrior!  Personally, I was exhausted, but you can be damn sure I didn’t mention it!  I had the easy job as labor coach.  My wife was the one fighting the actual battle!  Watching her fight through one contraction at a time was really incredible. 

Mothers deserve a lot of credit for going through what they go through. Labor can come at any time. The only certainty is pain. We just don’t know when. It isn’t like a fighter who knows that he’ll be in the ring at 9PM on Friday night. Labor is unpredictable. Living pregnant for 9 months and then facing the uncertainty (and certain pain) is really incredible.

Yet, as incredible as it is, women have been giving birth since the beginning of time. Labor isn’t new. It is something that all mothers have gone through. And please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not at all minimizing the monumental task of delivery. On the contrary, the birthing process shows me that we are all much more capable than we realize. Ask any mother how labor compares to 30 minutes of exercise. The most intense workout in the world is a walk in the park in comparison.

If a woman is pregnant, the baby has got to come out. Staying pregnant forever isn’t a choice. When choice is removed from the equation, we all become much more capable.

The same can be said of many situations in life. For example, I’ve had several emails in the past month from individuals asking about my sleep (or lack of it) since the baby was born. Everyone wants to know how I can function on such little sleep. The answer is really quite simple however. There isn’t a choice. If one of my children needs me, I will be there. Parents of infants know exactly what I’m talking about. My children are far more important than sleep. Once you are a parent, you are a parent for life. Parenting isn’t periodized or tapered. If the baby wakes up crying, we don’t have the option of hitting the snooze button. You get up and care for your child.

I cannot stop providing food for my family because I am tired. It isn’t a choice. When you have a job, you do it. Sure there are choices in terms of different careers, but we all need to work and pay taxes. It is part of life. The bill collectors and IRS don’t care if we are tired. We do what we need to do, and if that means working with less sleep than normal, so be it. No one said life was easy, and if they did, they were full of sh*t!

For another example, think back to when you were in school. As a student, you show up each day and do your work. We all went through school. As a kid, I didn’t choose to attend school. It was chosen for me. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there were days I would have rather stayed home. It wasn’t a choice however. My mother didn’t negotiate. Going to school was the law!

Making Your Own Choices

The time will come however when we must make choices for ourselves. Consider the high school student who heads off to college. He is no longer living with Mom and Dad. He must make the right choices for himself. He must wake up for class. He must make time to study. Will he study, or will he go out partying instead? He alone must choose.

And while this entry is somewhat random, the concept of choice is closely related to health, fitness, and sport. We make choices each and every day. Personally, I choose to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. I could choose to drink beer and eat pizza all day, but I choose not to. Life isn’t always about what we can or cannot do in terms of capability. More often than not, our lives are based on the choices that we make. As William Jennings Bryan once said,

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.”

Unfortunately, many are either misinformed in terms of what decisions to make, or simply do not believe that they are capable of achieving anything worthwhile. There are many who honestly believe that they are not physically capable of improving. More often than not however, a solution is not only possible, but right around the corner.

The first step is actively choosing to change, and then believing in your decisions.

If someone else chose for you, you wouldn’t think twice. You would just do it (just like going to grade school). If someone put a gun to my head and told me to jump, you can be damn sure that I’m about to fly! More often than not, the ability is there. It’s always been there. It may be dormant however, which is why you must choose to wake up and use it.

How your life unfolds will largely depend on the choices that you make going forward.  Don’t underestimate the power of choice.

Ross

The clip below serves as a useful follow up to my last entry.  It comes from the final Rocky movie.  As a long time fan of the original Rocky movies (I and II), I wasn’t too fond of part 6, but it did have its moments.  The clip below is perhaps the best (and most inspiring) part however.  

Within this segment, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) gives his son a speech about life.

And while Rocky is just a movie, most do not know how it all began.  Refer to this entry for another inspiring (related) story.  Stallone the person (not the actor) knows a little something about what he says in his speech.

Enjoy,

Ross

When I was younger, I often wondered how my life would unfold.  What would I be?  Where would I live?  What would I do?  The list of self-asked questions was endless.  Sure, I had dreams as a young fighter, but after my hand injuries, I didn’t know what would happen.  Everything that I wanted was gone.  I was miserable and depressed.

Fortunately, I got over feeling sorry for myself and woke my ass up.  I eventually found my way back to the gym and started helping the young fighters.  Soon after I realized that my injuries were a blessing in disguise.  They opened up a door that I would have never found as an active fighter. 

Here I am many years later.  I’m in married, in my 30’s, and have two wonderful kids.  Ten years ago, I would have never guessed that I would be sitting here mentioning my two children.  I didn’t even think I’d be married.  So sure, having a family is a bit of surprise to me, but then again, producing kids isn’t a difficult task for most men.  The latest census figures certainly support this hypothesis. 

And please don’t take this the wrong way, as my kids are my life.  They mean everything to me.  I’d give my life for them.  The point of this entry isn’t about having kids however.  The message that I’m trying to convey is that we all have the ability to define (or redefine) our lives.  Each day presents this opportunity. 

An Honor For Me

A few months ago, I opened my mail and was shocked to find a Flag and certificate from the US Marines Corps.  Below are pictures of the framed certificate, as well as a close up. 

I was blown away after opening the package.  Ten years ago, I would have never guessed that the Marines would send me a Flag that had been flown in my honor.  To say that I was honored is a huge understatement.  The Marines put their lives on the line to honorably serve our Nation.  To be recognized for helping the Marines, who protect our country each and every day, is worth more to me than words can describe.

Where Am I Going With This?

Fortunately, I’m not here to toot my own horn and impress you.  I’m not a big shot or high roller who walks around like his sh*t doesn’t stink.  There are still fighters that I’ve known for years who don’t even know I have a website.  I’m happy keeping to myself and have no interest in impressing anyone.  There are better things to do than live your life wondering what someone else thinks about you.  We’ll all be 6 feet under one day, so why bother with the trivial nonsense. 

My point with this entry is that life presents many opportunities.  None of us know where we will be in 5 of 10 years.  My advice is to embrace the uncertainty and pursue even your most challenging goals.  To think where I came from and where I am now is still mind boggling to me.   I’m still a regular guy who is far from rich, but I’m rich in other ways.  I’m happy with my life.  I love what I do and have a wonderful family.  I’ve lived at both ends of the spectrum and am glad I figured things out while I was still young.  We’ve all had our heads screwed on backwards at some point, but we can all snap out of it and get back on track. 

Time does fly by, but that doesn’t mean we cannot improve and enjoy ourselves during the whirlwind of life.  I see so many people who have given up on life, many who are younger than me!  Let the past be the past and get on with it.  So you messed up and fumbled an opportunity.  Who hasn’t?  Your life doesn’t need to be defined by past mistakes.  It only is if you let it.  A mistake or setback is nothing but an opportunity for you to get up off the ground and redefine who you are as a person. 

As Napoléon Bonaparte once said,

“After making a mistake or suffering a misfortune, the man of genius always gets back on his feet.”

Get up, shake it off, and get on with life.  It comes and goes in a flash, so get up and find your true passion and then pursue it with relentless desire.

Ten years from now, you’ll be happy that you did.

Ross

The video below serves as a nice follow up to our last discussion.  There were some excellent points raised within the comments section.  Yet despite all the questions that were raised, there are still plenty of honest, hard working athletes who stay busy busting their ass, day after day after day.

Ross

Last year, I linked to a story about the then 40 year old Dara Torres, and her plans to pursue the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. 

Almost a year has passed, and the now 41 year old Torres is off to her 5th Olympic games!  

Her story is clearly inspiring, as she has shattered many age related myths regarding athletic performance.  Any 41 year old (young) mother who has a legitimate chance at a Gold medal is worthy of respect, and then some. 

Yet, despite her tremendous accomplishments, it should come as no surprise that there are haters looking to rain on her parade.   

For example, a recent Sports Illustrated article stated the following: 

*******

Torres arrived at these trials knowing people would wonder how someone her age could possibly make it to the Olympics without some sort of illicit help.  She endured those whispers in Sydney, where she won two gold medals and three bronzes at age 33, and it ticked her off.

That’s why she volunteered for extra drug testing this time around. She was accepted into a new program that focuses on a dozen athletes in different sports, subjecting them to additional testing and the latest technology.

Since March, she’s been tested at least a dozen times, with testers drawing five vials of blood from her body each time to look for the telltale signs of illegal drugs.

“Anyone who makes any accusations, I take it as a compliment,” she said.

*******

I’m appalled that society is so quick to form an “assume guilt, prove innocence” opinion towards athletes.  The media attention harnessed around the Barry Bonds story (among others) has given casual fans the impression that all athletes are illegally enhanced.  Any worthwhile physical accomplishment will raise eyebrows and questions about illegal drug use. 

Why must a few bad apples spoil the bunch?  Yes, there are dirty athletes in the sporting world, but there are just as many clean athletes out there who have busted their ass and earned every bit of success.  Why can’t we give them the benefit of the doubt? 

Perhaps the has-beens or never-weres feel better blaming their lack of achievement on everyone else’s assumed drug use?  How pathetic is that?  Could it just be that the never-weres either weren’t good enough or just didn’t work hard enough?  Why must they cast doubts on others?  Perhaps to comfort their own failure?    

Could it be that the never-weres have a different interpretation of hard work when compared to a lifelong, dedicated athlete? 

Those who hate on athletes such as Dara Torres should observe the training that takes place behind the scenes of a world class athlete.  Training is a full time job.  Torres didn’t start swimming last year.  She was an Olympic athlete in 1984.  Clearly, she is blessed with talent, but that shouldn’t mask the hard work and dedication that she has endured for over 20 years.  

Many people in this world sit on their ass all day.  Many never competed in anything (not counting the professional armchair quarterback).  These people have no idea what kind of work is required to produce a world class athlete.  I’m talking about the kind of training that literally beats your ass up, down, and all around.  When you dedicate your life to this kind of training, year after year, it is amazing what the human body can achieve. 

We have far more potential than most will ever realize.  When someone such as Dara Torres offers a glimpse at our potential, we should applaud her achievements, rather than looking to spoil what she has worked so hard to achieve.  And for those who have cheated the system, they certainly deserve everything they get, but their deceit shouldn’t discredit the countless natural athletes that still exist today.   

Hats off to Dara.  I’ll be cheering for her next month!

Ross