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

Below is a video that has quickly been making its way around the web (for good reason).  Within the clip, you will see a 60 year old man who has performed bodyweight exercise for longer than many have been alive.  This individual offers yet another example of the potential of a simple, yet consistent exercise plan.  Showing up and putting in the work is often more important than anything else.  In time, you tend to figure out what you prefer and what works best for you.

This man doesn’t waste his time arguing over periodization models and ideal rep schemes.  He gets up, puts in his work, and gets on with his day.  And while some may criticize his approach, you’ll be hard pressed to find others his age who can keep up with him.  Many half his age couldn’t even hang with him on the bars.

For more age-related exercise displays, be sure to visit the link below.  Be prepared to drop any excuse that you may have used before.

http://rosstraining.com/blog/category/the-blog/age-related/

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Fools ignore complexity. Pragmatists suffer it. Some can avoid it. Geniuses remove it. – Alan Perlis

Below is a video that contains a partial reading of Og Mandino’s well known third scroll (from his book The Greatest Salesman in the World). This video was recently posted to my forum and it is well worth a share.  I haven’t seen this scroll in many years.

The message shared throughout can be applied to many facets of life.

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For those interested, the full scroll can be read below:

I will persist until I succeed.

In the Orient, young bulls are tested for the fight arena in a certain manner.  Each is brought to the ring and allowed to attack a picador who pricks them with a lance. The bravery of each bull is then rated with care according to the number of times he demonstrates his willingness to charge in spite of the sting of the blade. Henceforth, I will recognize that each day I am tested by life in a like manner. If I persist, if I continue to try, if I continue to charge forward, I will succeed.

I will persist until I succeed.

I was not delivered unto this world in defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I am not a sheep waiting to be prodded by my shepherd. I am a lion and I refuse to talk, to walk, to sleep with the sheep.  I will hear not those who weep and complain, for their disease is contagious. Let them join the sheep. The slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny.

I will persist until I succeed.

The prizes of life are at the end of each journey, not near the beginning; and it is not given to me to know how many steps are necessary in order to reach my goal.  Failure I may still encounter at the thousandth step, yet success hides behind the next bend in the road. Never will I know how close it lies unless I turn the corner. Always I will take another step.  If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult.

I will persist until I succeed.

Henceforth, I will consider each day’s effort as but one blow of my blade against a mighty oak.  The first blow may cause not a tremor in the wood, nor the second, nor the third. Each blow, of itself, may be trifling, and seem of no consequence. Yet from childish swipes the oak will eventually tumble. So it will be with my efforts of today. I will be liken to the raindrop which washes away the mountain; the ant who devours a tiger; the star which brightens the earth; the slave who builds a pyramid. I will build my castle one brick at a time for I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete my undertaking.

I will persist until I succeed.

I will never consider defeat and I will remove from my vocabulary such words and phrases as quit, cannot, unable, impossible, out of the question, improbable, failure, unworkable, hopeless, and retreat; for they are the words of fools. I will avoid despair, but if this disease of the mind should infect me then I will work on in despair. I will toil and I will endure. I will ignore the obstacles at my feet and keep my eyes on the goals above my head, for I know that where dry desert ends, green grass grows.

I will persist until I succeed.

I will remember the ancient law of averages, and I will bend it to my good. I will persist with knowledge that each failure to sell will increase my chance for success at the next attempt. Each nay I hear will bring me closer to the sound of yea. Each frown I meet, only prepares me for the smile to come. Each misfortune I encounter will carry in it the seed of tomorrow’s good luck.  I must have the night to appreciate the day. I must fail often to succeed only once.

I will persist until I succeed.

I will try, and try, and try again. Each obstacle, I will consider as a mere detour to my goal, and a challenge to my profession. I will persist and develop my skills as the mariner develops his, by learning to ride out the wrath of each storm.

I will persist until I succeed.

Henceforth, I will learn and apply another secret of those who excel in my work. When each day is ended, not regarding whether it has been a success or a failure, I will attempt to achieve one more sale. When my thoughts beckon my tired body homeward, I will resist the temptation to depart. I will try again. I will make one more attempt to close with victory, and if that fails, I will make another. Never will I allow any day to end with a failure. Thus, I will plant the seed of tomorrow’s success and gain an insurmountable advantage over those who cease their labor at a prescribed time. When others cease their struggle, then mine will begin, and my harvest will be full.

I will persist until I succeed.

Nor will I allow yesterday’s success to lull me into today’s complacency, for this is the great foundation of failure. I will forget the happenings of the day that is gone, whether they were good or bad, and greet the new sun with confidence that this will be the best day of my life.

So long as there is breath in me, that long I will persist. For now, I know one of the greatest principles of success; if I persist long enough I will win.

I will persist.  I will win.

As a follow up to yesterday’s entry, the full Judoka documentary can be seen below within the two embedded videos (thanks to Sean for providing the links).

The short film is about a self taught Judoka (Doug Rogers) who traveled to Japan to train with the legendary Masahiko Kimura.  Rogers eventually won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.

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Fall seven times, stand up eight. – Japanese Proverb

Below is a short video about training with the legendary Masahiko Kimura.  Kimura is widely regarded as one of the greatest judoka of all time.

The video is quite brief but the narration includes a few valuable lessons about training as a fighter.  For example, in response to some of the daily requirements, the narrator offers the following:

This is unreasonable, we know that, but it pushes us beyond a physical limit, to another place, way outside or way inside. I don’t know where exactly, but I’ve been there.

In today’s world, such an approach would be considered excessive and unnecessary.  I’m not here to argue one way or another, but what I can say is that there are times when the best work makes the least sense.  I’ve done things both personally and with my fighters that wouldn’t make sense on paper.  The illogical approach was necessary at the time however to reach that place discussed by the narrator.

Masahiko Kimura is a legend.  He didn’t become who he was by training like everyone else.  He took himself to another place and stayed there throughout much of his life.

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Well done is better than well said. – Benjamin Franklin

Below is the official 2011 show reel from former gymnast and current parkour/freerunning enthusiast Damien Walters.

Damien’s videos are some of the most popular on the Internet (for good reason).  His athleticism is incredible.  Many of the movements that he performs with ease would be considered impossible by most.  In many ways, he has defied what logical thinkers believe is possible by the human body.

And while I don’t personally have interest in freerunning or parkour, I enjoy watching athletic displays that I have never tried or cannot perform.  It serves as a valuable reminder that we are all much more capable than we will ever realize.

Additional videos from Damien Walters can be found within his Youtube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/damienwalters

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Some of the world’s greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible. – Doug Larson

Below is a brief video of Hall of Fame boxer Kostya Tszyu demonstrating a few exercises to improve reflexes and balance.

For those unfamiliar with Kostya, he was first an amateur world champion (1991) and eventually became a professional world champion as well.

Perhaps his most memorable highlight as a pro was his knockout victory over Zab Judah in 2001.  Footage from that fight can be seen below:

Following his retirement, Kostya was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and now trains fighters as well.  He has been working with cruiserweight Denis Lebedev for several months now.  Kostya is certainly someone who others can learn from.