To an extent, yes. Each rep is reset with a breath in the rack position, so that I’m treating every rep with the same intensity and focus. I think the bigger issue is I tend to cut my extension slightly short when doing a jerk, because I know I have to dip under again to catch the weight. If I’m push pressing, I KNOW if I don’t go into full extension, that weight ain’t getting up — at least with a barbell. I think I also get a little lazy with the kettlebells, because they’re so far below a max weight.
1 Like
20/04/2022
2000hr start
KB Snatch
- 16kg x2x15/hand; no rest between switches
- 16kg x70, 30; 5 min rest
—
21/04/2022
0645hr start
KB Long Cycle
- 2x16kg x10, 55, 20; 60 sec rest, followed by 5 min rest
- 2x16kg x25
—
Been taking care of a sick mama and kiddo, so super abbreviated sessions doing the absolute necessities. Always remember kids: some progress is better than no progress.
4 Likes
Fuckin’ A right it is man. Glad you’re gutting through and hope your other two musketeers are on the mend.
2 Likes
22/04/2022
0635hr start
KB Jerk
- 2x16kg x9x20; 60 sec rest
KB Snatch
- 2x16kg x3x18/hand; 60 sec rest
As someone who’s main weight training is about to become kettlebell work, this makes me happy.
Love to see the work man. I go away for a few weeks, come back and there’s a few weeks worth of work payed into the bank of gains.
1 Like
25/04/2022
0635hr start
KB Long Cycle
- 2x16kg x5x25
That’s all she wrote.
—
25/04/2022
1745hr start
P. Snatch
- 150x5x2
P. C&J
- 135x6x8
This is the biggest change I always make to 5/3/1: 5x5 becomes 3x8, and in this case 10x5 becomes 6x8. Time is such a luxury that any of it saved is good.
Squat
- 220x3x8
Circuit, 45 sec on, 15 sec off, 3 Rounds
- Bradford press, 70
- Barbell curl, 70
- Snatch-grip hypers, 70
If I hit a point where I would need to rest, I instead held the flexed position of the exercises until time ran out, so that I was getting constant tension for the full 45 sec.
2 Likes
Thats a lot of high volume O lifts. Your shoulders are going to get jacked.
1 Like
27/04/2022
2030hr start
Technique
- Cimande silat forms (open/hand and single knife), 10 minutes
KB Snatch
- 16kg x9x18/hand
KB Jerk
- 2x16kg x2x20
Yoga
- 15 minutes
—
This dance of figuring out when I can actually train is getting tiring. But, adversity breeds virtue, and the pursuit of virtue in all its forms is a noble one. Therefore, I choose to view this as a good thing.
3 Likes
28/04/2022
2045hr start
KB Clean
- 2x16kg x3x40
KB Jerk
- 2x16kg x2x30
KB Swing
- 2x16kg x100 total
Diamond Pushups
- 100 total
3 Likes
29/04/2022
2100hr start
KB Jerk
- 2x16kg x100 total
Few pauses in there.
KB Swing
- 2x16kg x100 total
KB Curl
- 16kg x100 total
—
Had very limited time to get this done, so I just blitzed through this. 15 min from start to finish, and boy was I toast. Shoulders, biceps/forearms and glutes/hamstrings were hugely pumped.
2 Likes
30/04/2022
2045hr start
KB Long Cycle
- 2x16kg x100 total
KB Swing
- 2x16kg x100 total
Diamond Pushups
- 100 total
2 Likes
11/05/2022
So, I’m leaving T-Nation.
Normally I despise these social media goodbyes, as they feel like a way to have your ego stroked, but I’ve made enough friends here that a silent disappearance just feels disrespectful.
T-Nation is the last vestige of any social media that I use. Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, plus others, were all progressively deleted because of how addicting they are for someone like me.
Social media is designed for people with my personality type. The potential for a never-ending hit of dopamine means that I always found myself endlessly scrolling looking for something new to consume. T-Nation became something similar, but instead, I endlessly sought to find the next trick to improve my workouts and compare myself to others. This led to an unhealthy obsession wherein training became an end in and of itself, instead of a means to an end — that end simply being a healthier, better human being.
To really make it a kick in the pants, this is one of the reasons my wife and I are separated right now: she felt for a long time that her and our partnership wasn’t a priority, and that my focus and time was on training. Sadly, that’s accurate. My energy and concerns were directed towards having time to train, having food to fuel it, and if plans went awry I became unbearable.
Truthfully, I don’t need T-Nation. I don’t need external motivators, or accountability, or new information. I know how to train and what I like to train, but I got so stuck on trying to do what I thought I should do because of comparing myself to others.
I like endurance work. I like to run and sprint and throw and work towards really high reps and carry heavy things. They make me feel fundamentally human, and I’m motivated to work hard at them.
Stepping back from here, focusing on simple workouts that I enjoy and can be scheduled whenever I have the time will allow me to focus on my family and those around me that I love, instead of building my life to achieve goals that, really, get me nowhere; what’s the honest point in arbitrarily pursuing a better physique? Vanity? Is that a virtuous goal? I think not.
There are many of you that I would still love to keep in touch with, as I value the relationships I’ve built here too much to simply allow them to fade. I’ll swap emails with people in due time.
I may pop in from time to time to see what’s up, and if life hits a point where I’m comfortable to become part of the community again I’d happily dive back in, but for now, so long, T-Nation. May the Iron Gods forever smile upon your PRs.
10 Likes
I feel this post so much.
Good on you for doing the right thing for you and yours.
Nevertheless, you’ll be missed around her. Don’t be a stranger.
3 Likes
I understand your decision, am saddened by your departure and excited for the opportunity it presents. Please keep in touch and reach out if I can ever offer any assistance. I will always be grateful for all the help you have given to me.
4 Likes
Sad to see you go man, but very happy for you to be prioritizing the right things in your life. It was always great bouncing things off of you and (in my head at least) competing against you - it was awesome motivation. I hope for all the best for you and your family and would love to keep in touch from time to time 
1 Like
Sad to see you go, man. I really enjoyed reading your posts regarding your thoughts about your goals and plans to reach them. Totally get why you’re taking a step back but I do hope to see you give us a little update every now and then.
Probably making my way up to Canada this summer, so I’ll ask around for the guy running and doing KB swings, haha.
1 Like
So long, brother.
I’m in the process of planning a hunting trip to the western side of the country next year. If I happen to cross paths with a wolverine while I’m out there, know that I’ll smile and nod.
Nothing to say that hasn’t already been said, but it all bears repeating: I’m sad to see you go, I’m excited for what it will mean for you, and I’m genuinely thankful for the help you’ve given and the voice of reason you’ve been in my own evolution.
Fare thee well, my friend.
Sad to see you go, but totally understand why and I wish you all the best sir.
Well this place has certainly got a bit of a facelift.
6 Likes