Words that will follow, will be your guiding star to preserve work you've done on your body, showing many paths how to continue improving, even when you are taken away from your life set up.
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Tonight, I present experts advice how to stay active, fit,
and grow on the move.
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There have been moments where I had to relocate be that for new job,
go on business meeting, or period of traveling.
Because of that and later on, constant need from my people to train at their own places, I have compiled ways, and tools that can be used to do that.
Wanderers who want to be fit, this is the way.
What kind of tools we have at our disposal when traveling ?
Tools are plenty, imagination is your friend.
-Bands- Resistance bands, different colors mean different force level required to stretch given band.
-Dumbbells- Timeless classic piece of metal, that you can grip and rip for glory of shaping your vessel.
-Hotels/Facilities- Gyms, spa zones, pools, I'll show you how to use them in ways above designed purpose.
-Kids Playgrounds- Now those are gold mine of holistic training, calisthenics, strength, functionality, speed training. (Same with Calisthenics workout zones)
-City's Infrastructure- Construction materials laying around,
log in the park/forest, stones near main road, iron bars, parking spots for bikes, fenced barriers, benches - I think you get the idea.
Train like a traveler - World is Your Gym.
Alright alright alright,
We know that we can use virtually everything to make ourselves healthier, stronger, better.
Beside imagination your limiting factor will be your confidence.
But why I hear you say you fine fit machine ?
You see when you will go in the city, and start doing exercises on items, fences, barriers designed to be used one way, you will get eyeballs of those who do not share our enthusiasm towards training.
Some of you will say,
J - I will stay in my hotel room, and train with resistance bands + dumbbells,
go to the gym in facility.
Sure, that is one way to do it but, where is your sense of adventure ?
There is nothing better than training in nature/city and absorbing energy of given place.
Now I want to show you few ways, to train in the city.
You are in new environment, don't know the place, what does it contain.
Take a walk, longer one, walk around city, parks, vistas, skate parks,
kids playgrounds, open calisthenic gyms, parking lots and so on.
Think what you want to do, freestyle strength, and endurance/stamina training.
Let your eyes, be your guide.
Work on your social calibration, ask people on street where you can train nearby,
people's skills level up, new connections, better understanding of culture and given place.
Ok, so we found out there is a place where people work out on iron bars -
go there.
Check it, greet people, ask them about favorite exercises, places to train,
watch for social ques, eyes, body language, learn how to interact with others.
Those parking lot spaces for bikes, can be used for french behind back pushups.
That stone-wood benches in park, can be excellent height for one leg step-ups.
That branch in green patch of nature, can be great for pull-ups, overlooking beautiful lake.
I could go on and on, about possibilities, we have.
…
World is our Canvas.
Imagination is our Palette.
So do take that brush, be in rush,
to take care of your vessel Ash.
Story time
Twenty years ago I moved away from my home city.
I traveled to learn life, it's opportunities, looking for growth.
My first life/spiritual/physical awakening, took place under immense amount of self inflicted - daily - pain.
I have build 20 kg of muscles in 1 year - with no equipment.
Going from 75 kg to 95 kg, for the first time in my life.
How ?
Volume, a lot of it, body weight exercises and running.
Recipe for greatness was this -
3000 pushups, 3000 situps, 3000 squats - done in my room.
+ 10-20 km of running in the city
-Every-Day-For Whole Year-
Did I started with those numbers ?
No, I've started with 0.5-1 k pushups, situps, squats, and 5 km of running per day.
Gradually, I was increasing amount from that point every week/two weeks.
Reason for all this work was awareness I want to be strong,
I was in foreign land, everything on my shoulders..
I couldn't allow myself to be weak.
That was first moment of not only safety detachment but, also detaching myself from wanting to be better than others.
Ego development, while many want to break, remove, and find ego appalling,
I know it is Man's strength, armor, weapon and shield for others.
Some of you will understand one day, that humility is a curse/shackles.
Not all - Few chosen ones.
When my other flat mates were drinking, partying, bringing girls,
living from weekend to weekend,
I was putting same hoodie, boots, eyes set in on daily mission.
At this point I want to share one story that made me awake, and present.
Shaken by nature of given reality, by one episode,
that made me go far above my supposed limits.
Even when I was doing more work than 90% of mortals, inside me was unsatisfied fire, thought that I am not doing enough, that I am still weak, physically and mentally.
At that point I was doing 500 reps of the big three, until one night arrived.
For you see, I was always running after doing those exercises in my room,
I preferred to run around city at evening/night, sometime going outside to more rural zones.
This is where I found out truth about myself..
At that point I was increasing running distance from 7 km → 12 km.
Being tired from daily grind, I wanted peace, so I've run away from lights of main city.
On semi daily basis, pack of wild dogs, tried to catch up with me, later on became my running company,
treating me like a part of the pack, having fun when we meet.
I went beyond city limits, left lights behind me.
I saw in the distance, new sector of living apartments is being build.
Distance till next line of light around 2 km, where this building site was placed.
On each side, I had hills, I could see very well in dark,
lights in distance made it even easier.
I've decided that I want to run more that day, go to that building site,
work out, look around, appreciating new creation, and go back to my usual course leading home.
Echo of my feet on asphalt, silence disturbed by my breathing and occasional car once in a while.
After arriving at construction site, I've noticed in one of the buildings,
light coming from apartment.
Some woman was already living in finished place.
I've looked around the site, used few materials laying around to exercise, bringing that woman's attention to me.
At first glance, she thought I'm here to steal or cause some problems,
after few seconds she relaxed seeing that I use it to train.
Time to go back, and so back my feet took me.
Going through that dark part before going to city again, I've got weird feeling..
Something told me things are not right, for the first time in my life.
Eyes focused on light in distance, ears sharper now, looking for different smell..
Light pace of run, listening, scanning..
I was looking without moving my head,
eyes to the left - nothing
eyes to the right - nothing
I pretended to look slightly up, towards the sky but, used my eyes to catch a glimpse behind me..
And there it was - reason for my sensory warning.
There was a '' Man '' if you can call him that..
He made sure to move, exactly in my pace, same foot technique,
even same tempo, just to not be heard..
Each time car was passing, he was cutting the distance between us, only changing length of step.
I've noticed all that in just two glances behind.
At this point I want you to understand where I grew up,
company of prisoners, hooligans, gangsters, miners and fighters.
I knew rules of the street, honor, hierarchy.
For the first time in my life my instinct told me - RUN -
I was shaped by fire of thousand fights, and grueling mind bending,
painful exercises, and yet, inner voice told me to - RUN -
Why ? Because all systems in me knew -
I am not strong enough on this point to survive.
That made me really angry, all life's work for nothing ?
All those fights, sacrifice, so I'll run with tail between legs ?
Moment of clarity came,
when car's light allowed me to see his ''face''..
..Eyes
That was not normal human, that was connoisseur of flesh.
His eyes told me what he is going to do to me,
he was not yet decided on order between ending my life, rape, devouring me.
In fraction of a second, I knew what must be done,
I am not able to win here - Yet.
Even though, running away put me in disadvantage for future encounter with him,
this is what have to be done - Now.
Your first mistake was thinking that I am a normal human as well..
Victim.. meal.. nourishment
You didn't see work I have done through years.. I thought.
I took deep, calm breath, contracted my leg into steel,
and hit road hard with impact he was not expecting.
I took a glimpse once every few seconds to check situation.
He dropped his sneak now, trying his best to catch up with me,
surprised look on his face seeing my speed, after few hundreds meters -
He was done, stopping on dark hills, catching breath,
while I was deep in city now, leaving him as small dot in the distance,
making sure that I am not followed to my place.
As I entered my place, I was greeted by mates,
girls and boys, asking me where have I've been ?
You went away for much longer today J, did something happen ?
…No
All is well.
Stone faced, angry, with dark aura around me, I went to my room.
Sitting in darkness, thinking -
Never again, never run again.
What if I would be on a walk with my woman, and children in future ?
They will not be able to run this fast.. Meaning..
I would have to be their shield.. stay and fight.
Many of you would say, to not risk it, do what trash with shiv tells you,
to get a chance to go away in one piece -
This is where you die, and your close ones,
woman and kids are devoured, defiled by monsters.
Even if you will give your items, coin, and somehow will be let go..
Your woman will change how she looks at you forever.
Respect - Desire - Yield to You is gone.
Strong take from Weak
Strong devour Weak
Women respect Strong
Desire Strong
Evolution
…
Don't fool Yourself with soft lies of today.
From that point onward, I was training like a demon.
New fire went into my bones, understanding -
Man cannot allow himself to be weak.
That was the point that made me go from 500 reps, and 5 km of run to -
3000 reps of exercises, and 10-20 km run per day - whole year.
Insanity in my eyes - Insanity of Truth - Rules of Nature.
Society lives in a lie of safety, build on potential of violence.
I was locked in, sleep 10-12 h, buying food, preparing food for later,
training, eating, shower - sleep.
I was living from my savings.
I want to tell you what happened one year later.
You see, I was so focused on my craft, strength, efficiency, power,
I didn't care for anything at all.
Maybe once per week, I've exchanged words with my mates,
preparing food in the kitchen.
They insisted one day, for me to come with them on a walk around city,
maybe visit some club or restaurant.
I didn't like that idea, waste of time - I need to work, become stronger.
They really wanted me to come with them, I agreed after deeper thought.
Maybe going out once per year will not be inappropriate..
How weird clothes are.. nice clothes.. those are not fit for free move.. battle.
I didn't visited any barber for a year, I had longer beard,
longer hair, almost to my shoulders.
I really don't give a fuck about what people will say,
I know I look like caveman but, honest and strong.
We went into the city, I was in middle of our group, all wearing nice clothes.
I didn't spoke - almost at all, I just tried to enjoy this moment with friends,
warm night, hum of people in city square having a good time.
I was scanning my surroundings, looking at stars.
I've noticed that a lot of people are looking in our direction..
No..
In my direction.
Hmm, is it my shirt ? Does it have stains ?
Maybe my hair, and beard ? - Unruly after whole year.
No..
They felt on cellular level - strength - wildness - killer instinct.
It took me a moment to understand how I looked.. or rather,
How my movement made people feel in city square.
You see, when you fight, train very hard for thousands of reps daily, whole year,
your body get on such high level, shape, movement, that you move like predator/beast.
Your skin, muscles, understand movement on much deeper level,
than normal folk ever will.
You move like cat, graceful steps, stretching and contracting muscles in harmony, sharp, wild, honest eyes, that tells the story of your choices.
I've noticed, how women reacted to my visage, looks, blushing,
inappropriate long stares even accompanied by their Men,
laughing looking down.
Men, looking hypnotized, for a second because if our eyes meet, they melt,
understanding difference in our power.
So they looked away quickly.
That scene made me a bit uncomfortable,
I felt like beast, being looked at, and locked in cage.
I calmed down that thought, continued to look around,
making sure not to meet eyes of others, except my friends.
People could sense strength, wildness, control of emotions,
sacrifice just from the way I moved.
All this have hit me.. ohh alright,
now I understand why they kept looking at me this way.
Still..
You don't know of the shadows, darkness.
You don't know what lives there, I do.
Now I am ready, far more dangerous than 'he' was 'that' night.
The Word After
If you need any help, have questions, need knowledge,
got doubts - I am here.
I will not betray you, you are not alone.
When you will meet bullies, mean folk, remember -
There are far greater monsters in the shadows.
Also, there are greater beings in there as well..
Winks
Aspire to Inspire before you Expire
Elliott Hulse
I've learned from him, training on the move, rehabilitating people,
strength training and many more.
→ Strength Camp on YT
<>
Pavel Tsatsouline
Learn from him about health, strength.
You will not regret it.
Health Corner
Eggs
Reason - Yes, many indeed.
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Eating eggs daily might be one of the best habits for your health,
if you choose the right kind.
Packed with nutrients like choline, K2, and omega-3s, eggs support your brain, heart, and more. — Dr Berg
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Personal note on this point, my mother had liver and hormonal issues.
She meet real doctor, not a pill seller.
Result - He told her to eat a bit of meat and 2-4 eggs per day in form of scrambled meal.
Three months later, hormones are good, and liver healed in significant way.
She reduced a lot of fat around her body, energy levels through the roof.
Choose as natural eggs as possible, don't pick cheapest.
You eat them yes ?
Good
Movement
You've got whole post about exercising, and you still look for this section ?!
.. I like your style hombre, here it is.
Bear Walks / Stance
Beneficial for your strength, health, mobility.
You can do walks, stretching your whole back chain or, hold that position with slightly bent elbows,
and knees to improve strength of all layers of muscles, most importantly deep structural ones, protecting your organs and spine.
Research it, you will not regret it.
Paw promise !
Leave a mark,
Appreciate by interacting with my work in valuable ways.
I work bear crawls into so many of my functional fitness classes. Great stuff J
💎