Renegade

In my last post of the current year, and decade for that matter, I wanted to sum up the work on psychological strength that I have put together the last few weeks.

I hope each of you are having a wonderful holiday season in which you can reflect upon the last year and dive deep into your heart and realize that each goal you have set for the upcoming year is within your grasp. You can never be held down and never be stopped. Remember that in the end, we each get knocked down…but how you respond is what is key. Pick yourself up off the canvas and continue to fight…never stop fighting, never give up.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Years and will catch you in 2010…

Are You Ready?

“Every athlete faces enormous challenges everyday…each of these challenges put the athlete to the test, and how he or she responds will determine his or her long-term success”.

“Understand that no one is going to pick you up and get you going again after you take a spill. It’s you and you alone. And that means that what burns inside you is what will push on”.

“So, in the very simplest of terms, take control of your destiny. Seize and crush every limitation you see before you. For buried deep with you is greatness”! John Davies

Jordan Collins
RT professional (Kettlebell specialist)
DMC™ Auburn: Tiger Splashers

Whilst the majority concentrates on solely physical development, one must realize that the base of development comes from not within the body, but within the mind and soul. The body can handle rigors of training beyond imagination, however what halts most is their psychological development. The ability to press on with conviction, lead their life with honour and show passion in life is critical to success. Start from within the soul, focus upon the mental and not just physical… and watch your dreams become a reality.

“Will and desire are the foundation of training, for without the proper psychological development; all physical development will be fruitless. In addition, the following personal attributes are needed to achieve greatness. They are all intertwined and this mutually dependent and reinforcing. These attributes are genderless, ageless, and without racial or economic barriers: John Davies
(As previously discussed)
-Integrity
-Drive
-Commitment
-Discipline
-Conviction

In summation, the blueprint for physical development has, and will further, been laid onto the table. Prior to embarking upon a physical journey, psychological factors determine the ultimate outcome. In the end, qualities such as strength and speed will fade over time…but drive and commitment will last a lifetime. Develop such qualities to improve not only athletics, but a life as well.

Jordan Collins
RT professional (Kettlebell specialist)
DMC™ Auburn: Tiger Splashers

I believe much of people’s anger stems from unhappiness with themselves and their lives. If there is no outlet to work through the anger or a way to burn it off, it festers growing more profound by the day. This turmoil brewing inside, at minimum, results in flared tempers that are projected onto everyone around. It is much easier to blame someone else for the wrongs in one’s life than to take an in-depth look at oneself and determine the root cause. As the saying goes, “misery loves company.”

On the other hand, people who feel good make the world a better place. Instead of conquering up ways to get someone back for a “wrong doing,” time can be spent pondering ways to celebrate and appreciate the presence of others. Positive energy radiates and easily spreads from one to another in the same way negative energy does. In the same manner, you can literally ruin someone’s day; you can also make their day. When you do well unto others, you will feel wonderful. We are a society consumed with reporting evils and negatives, and surely do not focus enough on the positive aspects many individuals offer the world.

In this season of giving, why not spread some good cheer by simply smiling at another, holding a door, saying hello, or by telling others how much you appreciate them. It doesn’t cost a thing but goes further than a tangible gift ever could.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

The only predictable notion an individual should comprehend in life is that simply… existence is unpredictable. Events and plans WILL NOT go as expected, with many twists and turns coming in an instant. Life will knock you down, but the key is picking yourself back up and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of life. Once the realization comes that life is unpredictable, attack it head on the passion and ferocity.

“To be successful in their performance arena, whatever that may be, athletes must have intimate knowledge of how to deal with a chaotic environment and how to react instinctively. This is basically a military theory that I adapted for my training programs a long time ago, and the success of my programs has proven its validity. If you train in chaos, it will become your ally”. John Davies

In the face of adversity, accept the unpredictability not as a foe, but instead a companion through the times when most cannot push forward. Whilst many stand submitted, it was never an option to yield. Instead of succumbing to what deems impossible, control destiny and permit chaos.

Jordan Collins
RT professional (Kettlebell specialist)
DMC™ Auburn: Tiger Splashers

The way to improve upon a skill is through continued repetition. This is the case with exercise. If you don’t give it your all every time your fitness level will not improve. Often times it requires overcoming a mental hurdle rather than a physical one as the mind is what holds you back telling you, “I can’t.” If you believe you can’t you simple won’t be able to progress. Instead, say “I can,” and you will see what you are actually capable of and fitness levels will improve.

For many individuals, the initial push is agony if they can even get to that point. The best way to challenge and motivate oneself is by hiring a personal trainer. It is much easier to continue when someone is with you motivating and challenging you to go beyond what you thought possible.

Move beyond the “I can’t” and into “I can.”

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

The entire premise of eating is to sustain life. Proper nutrients allow the body to run effectively and maintain health. However, somewhere along the way we have forgotten this basic premise and eat anything and everything simply because it tastes good. Of course, everyone wants to enjoy a good meal but how “good” is it if health becomes jeopardized? There are many natural foods that taste good and are good for you. In fact, once you stop consuming manufactured items you will no longer enjoy their taste nor miss them. These items contain too much sodium, sugar and other chemical additives that can severely degrade health and make one feel sluggish. While many individuals possess the “nothing will happen to me” attitude, there are a myriad of diseases known to result from poor eating habits. The chance that disease will result at some point in life, due to improper eating, is enormous. The only way to curb this is to stop consuming manufactured foods and make exercise a regular part of life.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

I not only speak as a Renegade professional, but also an athlete as well. The physical nature of exercise and sport is quite simplistic once complexities are broken down into simple theories and movements. Deep within, I know there is passion…I know there is desire. Push everyday to let that passion and desire run free. Go against the grain and attack weaknesses, the things that cannot be tolerated. Try new things… push beyond what was thought possible each and every day.

“Throughout my career, I’ve proven that this relentless attitude can be fostered among athletes, but first, the will and desire must burn within them. Challenge is something that Renegade athletes are accustomed to. Overcoming adversity is part of their daily training”. John Davies

Each day a challenge awaits, each day is brand a new opportunity laid out for the taking. It must be taken, it must be conquered. Attacking beautiful opportunities is what a Renegade is meant to do…born to do.
Opportunities come in a moment’s notice, but fear of failure and lack of self-confidence halts the follow through. The sad thing is, the very same opportunity that comes in a moment’s notice can disappear just as quickly…. Attack as if there is no tomorrow.

Part 2 Tomorrow…

Jordan Collins
RT professional (Kettlebell specialist)
DMC™ Auburn: Tiger Splashers

Our society considers a fragile and exceptionally thin woman beautiful and highly desirable. Long thin legs, a tiny waist and large chest are the images constantly flashed before our eyes. Yet in reality, there are only a small percentage of the population that poses these attributes. All others are left constantly comparing themselves and trying to measure up to these impossible standards.

The barrage of these images has resulted in a society of women who will do anything to achieve this standard of beauty. From cosmetic surgeries to barely consuming enough calories to sustain life, the pressure is that great that many women will put their lives in danger to achieve “beauty.”

Yet beauty is much more than perfect physical attributes. Beauty is a strong healthy body, an independent mind, sharp intellect, and kind soul.

A woman who makes the world a better place is truly a beautiful person.

Jennifer Calderone
Hordon Health
www.hordonhealth.com

The athlete nobody has faith in, nobody wants to choose…that is the individual I will take under my wing. The athlete with insatiable desire will never quit, never step down and never stop fighting. That kind of human being is not of the norm any longer. Personality that shows dedication to overcome all obstacles is few and far between, but when you find that type of personality…guide and nurture it. The assemblage that show a “never say die” attitude exude passion and dedication long gone in today’s society. Remember…sport is not an end, but a means. Teach hard work, teach passion…and let each person grow into a better individual.

“…Others are raised with a strong work ethic, but that is becoming more and more rate, unfortunately. Thus, training need to take on the additional purpose of developing the “never say die” attitude that’s required to excel. To improve, to be great, you must rise up after a hard fall and force yourself to bust that through the walls”. John Davies

Whilst some criticize of training that is “too hard”, the notion of such preparation enables athletes to form an attitude that will never be broken and can conquer any obstacle in their path. If anything is taken away from sport, the notion of hard work and dedication in the face of adversity reigns supreme.

Jordan Collins
RT professional (Kettlebell specialist)
DMC™ Auburn: Tiger Splashers

In a previous post I discussed a key component of exercise, the fun factor. This is absolutely the case, workouts should be fun. In addition, they should also present a challenge. However, there is a distinct line between challenge and pushing someone to the brink of injury. As a personal trainer, I am there to encourage, motivate, lead and challenge a client through a workout. The challenge, however, is based on a person’s current fitness level which is as varied as each client. I am not going to make an individual, who has never exercised, perform advanced moves. The key point to note; exercise is a progression. An individual MUST begin at point A and continue diligently working through B, C, and D. They cannot skip from A to D. Far too often trainers attempt to progress clients too soon and, as a result, the client is injured.

As a Renegade Trainer, my goal is to establish proper movement patterns by utilizing the beginning phase of the Renegade Program. Once proper movement patterns and communication within the body have been established, the client can then advance to the next stage. Although I use the term “beginning phase”, these exercises are not without challenge. As with all Renegade exercises, they are full body exercises that train proper movement patterns not musculature.

Don’t risk unnecessary injury, train the Renegade way. Contact a Renegade trainer in your area.

Jennifer Calderone
www.hordonhealth.com
Boston, MA