Applying the Pareto Principle to Fitness
The Pareto Principle is also known as the 80/20 Rule, a principle which has applications in business, productivity and economics. It has been used to explain a number of phenomena and to help leaders prioritize their efforts. Simply put, the Pareto Principle states that 80% of the outcome is dependent on 20% of the efforts. In companies, 80% of the business comes from 20% of the clients, while 80% of the output often comes from 20% of the employees. Similar distributions are
Mobility Monday Episode 23: Frank Medrano
Today's post features calisthenics guru Fran Medrano. His videos have circulated YouTube, inspiring millions to work on their bodyweight movements. This is a short video, but a good indicator of the progressive approach Frank has taken. He regularly performs simple bodyweight movements like pushups and pullups, but he is able to scale his intensity up and do planches and levers of all sorts. I'd recommend checking out his other videos. #motivation #bodyweight #calisthenics
Intensity with CT Fletcher
Today, I'll let CT Fletcher do the talking. Former powerlifting champion, CT went through a tough childhood and some serious health issues, both of which fuel the intensity he applies to his training. His training style involves pure intensity, overloading volume and developing mental toughness. There is little regard here for overtraining, which has become a very common word in the vocabulary of many fitness enthusiasts. In CT's words, you have to command your body to grow.


Greasing the Groove
Pavel Tsatsouline is a renowned strength coach, author of Power to the People and the man responsible for making Kettlebell training popular in the United States. His methods dive deeper into strength than conventional weight training principles do, exploring the nervous system and pushing the boundaries on what is possible. Strength supersedes muscle mass and needs to be addressed as such. In Power to the People, Pavel introduces the idea of “Greasing the Groove”. This is th
Mobility Monday Episode 22: B-boy Stance
Mix together a bit of gymnastics, acrobatics, martial arts, and stalls with hip-hop and funk beats and you have a break culture, where creativity is king and swagger is based on style, finesse and power moves. You'll see in this video some highlights from around the world. B-boys in different countries creating their own signatures. Some of the moves these guys perform are extremely difficult, but they always seem to remain loose and fluid (unless they are popping that is). #


Friday Challenge: Alcohol free, Mantras and Fermented Foods
Patio season, barbeques, and outdoor activities call for alcohol and all sorts of other fun. Before this all starts, let's prime our bodies and improve our gut biomes. Here's the challenge. 1. Alcohol free. Simple enough. No alcohol for one week. Try drinking tea and various sugar free drinks. Soda water, lemon slices and cucumbers are excellent together. 2. Mantras. Keeping a daily or weekly focus will help you prioritize and eliminate distractions. Download the Momentum ext
Five Compelling Arguments for Cross-Training
The fitness journey involves a lot of experimentation, a development of self-awareness and and an ongoing battle to stay motivated. When we find the right fit and program, we are more likely to forge down that path, improving our skills and fitness and ultimately feeding our motivation. I encourage you to seek the path of mastery and reap the rewards of following a program for a long period or training cycle. There is much to be learned from the ups and downs, from the platea
Mobility Monday Episode 21: Tiger Woods
As we get deeper into spring, I decided to post a video of Tiger Woods' swing in slow motion. In golf, the talk of hip rotation for power is always a focal point. Rotation or torque in any sport where throwing or shooting or hitting is involved is always grounded through the stability of the hips and expressed in the upper body through a rotational thoracic spine. That's why your focus should be on hip and spine mobility, as it translates to better functionality in life. Thin
Friday Challenge: Spinal Decompression, Ice Baths and Fermented Foods
This week we'll tap into some more obscure yet equally effective health hacks. To add these habits into your lifestyle, you'll need to sacrifice some time and energy, but it will be worth it. 1. Spinal decompression. It's best to consult an expert on this, but the idea is to deload your spine. The effect of gravity on your vetebrae while standing all day is noticeable and compressed disks are stressed easily. An easy way to decompress is to hang from a pull-up bar or playgrou

The Bike-Shed Effect
image source: http://phk.freebsd.dk/sagas/bikeshed.html We all know what bike-sheds are, but most people will not recognize the name Cyril Northcote Parkinson, unless you're really into naval history or public administration. However, you probably are familiar with Parkinson's Law which states that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion”. This law is ever so true. Centuries earlier, the French scholar Blaise Pascal addressed this very notion that