Exactly! Also the reason I am much more into heavy weight boxing than light weight. I watched a lot of fights with my dad growing up and I appreciate heavyweight boxing for it’s tactics, although lighter weight class fights are much more action packed.
Tyson ruined heavyweight boxing for me, haha. Growing up with him as the champ, I just can’t bring myself to care about the current heavy division.
Although I’ve ALSO heard the idea stateside that the heavyweight division tends to be pretty weak because, if you’re a big athletic dude, you’re better off playing for the NFL than being a professional boxer. One of those that boxing rewards those that are lighter vs heavier. Similar to the discussion on powerlifters vs weightlifters/strongman.
Viable for the US scene. In Europe there is no NFL and it’s rather rare that an European athlete makes his way there. The Klitschkos are undoubtedly an exception of the rule but they did pretty great with heavy weight boxing.
1 Like
I would argue that on the whole there is far more action in soccer, as the ball is in play for only a tiny fraction of the time in American football. Its rules are more complicated, but from what I’ve experienced, Americans who at least somewhat regularly watch NFL and college football don’t care that much about rule complexity.
I think there’s something about Americans wanting the snippet of drama that unfolds on the second rather than minute scale. That’s not to say that there aren’t brief moments of magic in a soccer game, but the sport demands appreciation for a five-minute buildup where nothing turns into something. It’s far more than any individual player’s fancy footwork, as much as Americans like to point that out or people like to upload compilations of that aspect on YouTube. I’d say it’s easiest to appreciate skill. It’s why freestyle football is so captivating.
There’s a lot of tribalism in sport regardless of the game, but I also get the impression that Americans like it so much because it provides a sphere to distinguish the USA from pretty much any other country – the whole 'Murica thing.
Oh boy, do you really want to go down this rabbit hole?
3 Likes
I’ve noticed this too
American exceptionalism?
no…
2 Likes
I’m sorry you’re an Arsenal fan, my masochistic side runs deep but not quite that far 
I lived in Stockholm from 2011-2014, went to a friendly between Hammarby and PSG (where Zlatan was at the time) but no other games, regrettably. Joys of being a broke student and all of that
I get that reaction a lot, haha. Maybe it’s why I never got into much TV in high school – the EPL and even the drama within the club itself were and still are soap operas themselves.
Oh right, I think you mentioned that before. That must have been an incredible experience despite being broke.
1 Like
I’ve have friend who is from the UK but has spent most of his life here who is a huge Arsenal fan, he seems to be resigned to a fate of unhappiness. I was actually in Berlin at a bar when Germany beat Argentina in the World Cup final, definitely one of the coolest sport experiences of my life. Streets were packed with people for hours before and after the match. I watched the opening games to that WC in Croatia where Croatia lost, somewhat unjustly (according to the Croats) to Brazil. Hard not to love the sport when you’re in those atmospheres.
Sweden was a mixed bag for me, I moved there because I was dating a Swede. I hadn’t really figured out who I was (still working on that), was doing a (free) Master’s that I didn’t really care about, and working at a Subway. I have absolutely no regrets, I learned a lot about myself and got to see a ton of Europe but I think I’d appreciate it more at this stage of life but I guess that’s always the rub that is life.
In other less fun news, my stress levels are still through the roof. My gf had a coworker commit suicide early last week, which obviously was devastating for her. She’s talking about going to therapy online which I’m 100% behind, I think I’m going to try and find another therapist when I move to Ithaca.
I got diagnosed as bipolar a few years back, took one med that sent me to the ER, another that had my moods flipping every 4 hours from extreme joy to crying at my desk for no discernible reason. Haven’t taken anything since Nov 2019 but I’m currently in some hypomanic state, been sleeping very little, drank myself to the point of having scabs on like 6 parts of my body and losing my wallet/phone (friend was aware, luckily) last night. I’m definitely an alcoholic and honestly need help that I don’t know how to give myself at this point, it’s hard to admit/know what to do next but I am in an unsustainable pattern.
Really sorry to hear about your struggles dude. I have no experience with bipolar disorders but as far as psychopharmaceuticals go, it takes a lot of trial and error.
It’s really strong of you to admit your problems and seek out help. All the best for you and your partner mate.
The most important part is actually taking the step and getting help. Always sooner than later.
1 Like
Seriously, I think I’ve been on 7 different medications for mood and still haven’t figured it out.
As bad as last night turned out to be, it was at least useful. I have a hard time diagnosing my behavior as harmful unless something dramatic happens. There have been a number of similar occurrences similar to this one and in the best case they serve as forcing functions, which I absolutely need right now.
1 Like
It makes the good moments that much sweeter at least. It’s tough when a team with that kind of recent history resonates most with you though.
Definitely, and it’s something unmatched in largely American sports, even compared to when an NFL diehard’s team wins the Super Bowl. I’m a little biased though…
Those types of experiences are some of the best!
Counting down the days to when international travel is feasible again. I’m not very optimistic but still counting.
That’s devastating, so sorry for her loss.
I agree with @Koestrizer that it’s strong of you to acknowledge this. I hope you can get the help you need – something that works for you (maybe third time’s the charm?) – and that things improve for you and your girlfriend.
1 Like
Spent the last few days recovering, been working a lot, round 2 of the interview is almost done, not my best work but I don’t really care at this point. Dog is going off chemo, onco doesn’t think it’s helping anymore and he isn’t feeling great. Hopefully get a few more happy months for him.
Shoulders
OHP: 120 1x5, 140 2x5, 170 2x5, 190 1x5, 120 x 15
Lateral/front band raises: 3x10
High pulls: 135 4x10
Upright cable row: 50 3x10
Band tricep push down: 3x10
Rope push down: 50 3x10
Assisted Pull-ups: 1x5
Fatigued and weak, stomach is a mess, slept poorly and was underfed. Glad I got something in though.
Got my second dose of Pfizer 5 hours ago, hoping the sides are manageable and I can get back into a better rotation again.
5 Likes
Trap DL: 310 3x5
Axle curl: 50 3x15, 80 2x8
Rope row: 105 3x10
DB row: 52.5 3x10
DB hammer curl: 20 2x10, 30 x 10
Not much work done but much better than nothing. Still fatigued for sure, at least the guns will grow lol
2 Likes
Made an early Costco run, then got in a bench session that kicked my ass. Allergies are killing me when I forget to take a pill, which I almost always forget to do lol
Shoulder warmup
Bench: 135 x10, x5, 185 x 5, 225 x 5, 275 x 3, 315 3x3, 1x9 (slingshot), 235 x 10
In between sets: face pulls, chest flies, tri kickback
Tri pulldown: 35 3x15
Assisted pull-ups: 2x8, 2x5
Still a bit fatigued and my stomach is off but this session was much harder than expected. To be fair, I have been doing low intensity stuff for a while so it makes sense. I also set my bench hooks a bit lower than normal in an effort to get tighter, not sure it worked but it made it harder to lift off, obviously. Think I’ll push intensity here for the next little bit, see if I can get close to 400 before July and the move hit.
3 Likes
Maybe I’m missing something, but are you training intuitively?
Yep, no desire to go on a program right now, prefer having flexibility during stressful times. Essentially trying to hit the big 4 once a week with ideally another day in there but that hasn’t been happening. Doing a decent amount of assistance work but generally very little supplemental. Have been low intensity and relatively high volume (much lower than the standard definition) but have started upping the intensity. Going to keep up the intensity until I hate it, which will probably only be a few weeks, knowing me.
makes sense, hope things are at the least not getting any worse!
1 Like
Shoulder warmup
Super set of bss, sl rdl, banded good morning
BS: 135 x 5, 225 x 5, 275 x 3, 315 x 3, 365 x 3, 375 x 3, 385 x 3, 275 x 10
RDL: 225 3 x 10
Set of ten for 3 exercises above
Banded Lateral/front raises 3x10
Upright rope row: 45 3x10
Pull-ups: 1x5 no assist, 1x10 green band
Felt good going in, legs didn’t feel like they had it in them today, everything was very hard, probably didn’t have enough warmup sets but tomorrow is an off day. Unassisted pull-ups weren’t bad, seems like the assisted ones have been helping
4 Likes
I think that 385 x 3 is a actually a PR for a triple, could’ve likely done it previously but haven’t so I’m counting it. Will back off a bit next week and do some sets of 5 at 345 or so depending on how I’m feeling. Will probably drop the amrapish set at the end to a lower weight, as well. 275 x 10 was brutal, I know on a good day I can hit that for at least 15 but no such luck today. Will move the weight down to 245ish and attempt to hit 15-20 after my heavier sets.
2 Likes