The other day I read an Instagram post about the power of speech. It revolved around the word "Abracadabra", which, the writer implied was a Hebrew word that translates roughly to "I create as I speak."
 
 The actual etymology and translation is tricky, and probably doesn't have it's origin or meaning in what those involved in arcane practices believe, but so what?

 If the belief and intent is there, that's kind of all that matters, at least to one working in magic.

 In fact, a word, phrase, or even object used with magical intent is simply a trigger to focus the mind.

 Is this any different than a person having a mantra - a word or phrase said aloud or internally before or during a performance of any sort?

 Are we to believe that words - or objects, for that matter, can have actual, physical power?

 Or is the power one of self belief that is only focused and enhanced by said word or object?

 How does this relate to us, though?

 The power of the mind - the will is an amazing thing.

 At our fingertips lie the stories of soldiers, special forces candidates, and athletes who have done amazing things in the face of enormous odds simply because they had set their minds on no other outcome but the positive one.

 There is a story of a man who fully  recovered from a massive stroke , suffered at 65, to go on to live a full and active life after only one year of highly irregular therapy given him by his sons.

 All around us, if we pay attention, we can see everyday people who rise above circumstances, environment, and expectations to create a better life, which translates to a better world, for themselves.

 We have ample proof that the mind is the key to our success - or failure.

 Yes, life is hard. Circumstances make things more difficult for one person while easier for another. Environment is a heavy influence on how you see the world.

 However, we all possess the ability to choose how we let these circumstances and our environment shape our belief systems.

 We can choose to view our lives as effected and directed by outside factors working against us - our parents, the government, the economy, our age, etc.

 Or, we can choose to recognize that we actually have control over the majority of our life, and a large part of our current outcome is the direct result of our efforts, or lack thereof, to get us where we are today.

 This is responsibility, folks. It is also freedom. It is most definitely power.

 But can you wield it?

 By accepting this reality, you acknowledge your role in what happens next. You get to decide where you're going to go, what you're going to do, and who you will be.

 It all rides on you and what you're willing to do.

 Can you change your thought process?

 Can you change how you view yourself?

 Can you create a purpose, a new reality to push yourself toward?

 Can you keep yourself focused and on the path, holding yourself accountable?

 The more I study and train, the more I realize (at 44) how much of my adult life I spent responding to life like a child - allowing instant gratification, letting myself off the hook when things got tough, rarely holding myself accountable to do things I committed myself to do.

 Yesterday I was reading something by Travis Mash, a highly successful strength coach down in the Raleigh area of North Carolina. He was talking about one of the athletes he's been training, a Wake Forest freshman who not only made the football team, but started his freshman year, which is not a light thing.

 Travis was talking about the reality this young athlete had created. He and his parents talked about getting into a D1 football program, and what it would take to get there, from an early age. He set small goals to work on improving all his physical skills, building his confidence. He chose the right people to hang around - positive people, creating an environment for success for himself. He and Travis talked about having the right mindset to walk in on day one and start, as opposed to expectations of being benched for his first year.

 I use this example because, if you look at it the right way, it's a real world example of a formula for success.

 1.) Decide what you want, and work backward. What is it going to take to get
      there?

 2.) Set up small goals to knock down leading up to and preparing you for the   
      big one. Too often people go for broke when they aren't prepared physically
      or mentally yet. Build yourself up. Build your confidence and self belief up.
     You will literally be experiencing your reality changing - by your hand.

 3.) Create an environment consistent with where and who you want to be.
      Thoughts, habits, people, and places that detract from that will tank your
      efforts.

 4.) Believe in yourself and the work you've put in.

 As much as I hate math, I often talk of how training is like math. There is science behind why it works. From there, all I have to do is show up, put in focused, determined effort, follow a lifestyle that's congruent with what I'm doing, and I will get the outcome I'm looking for.

 The thing is - everything's kind of like that. Once you realize that you choose your outcome, you control in a very large part where you go and what happens to you, everything simply becomes a matter of making better choices.

 Stop hanging out on the bench. It's getting crowded there.

 
 To Victory
 - Eric

 Yesterday I was talking with Sheena Potts, the owner of Pure Performance24. We were talking about what keeps some people from being consistent in class.

 I had brought up an incident from a few nights ago where a client had texted me about being too tired to come to class that night. For the record, she's an accountant who runs her own small office, so this time of year is hell for her.

 I knew she would be better off just coming in - even if only mentally, and I also figured she was looking for someone to give her a nudge - so I told her she should come and at least do a scaled down program.

 This led to Sheena talking about a concept she called the Alter Ego. The guy she pulled it from wears fake glasses because he always associated wearing glasses with being smart, so his wearing glasses is his smart Alter Ego.

 Laugh, or roll your eyes, but the brain, perception, and association are powerful things.

 So, anyway, she was talking about helping others find their Alter Ego. When they're too tired, too sore, too disinterested, too whatever to show up and train - they step into their Alter Ego and show up, put in the work, and build a better version of themselves.

 It may seem weird, but if you think about it, it's kind of a cool idea.

 There's a duality in everyone - the part of you that has dreams, plans, visions, and goals, and the part of you that wants to dash it all on the rocks, set fire to it, and walk away.

 What happens when apathetic you wants to call the shots? How do you fight that desire to push off commitment?

 You need to summon that part of you that wants to fight, struggle, and prevail against the gravitational pull of resistance to self improvement.

 This is the side that doesn't want to settle into comfort, convenience, and slack, but would rather rise above your current state, rise above the status quo, and accept the challenge to be the best you can be.

 As I'm sounding off here, I'll let you in on a secret, and maybe a little insight.

 My Alter Ego wants to drink too much, hang out late at night listening to bands in dive bars, waste the day chasing entertainment, and generally kick back.

 I could, and have in the past, drink every night. I could spend my nights on the couch or hanging with friends.

 While any and all of these are enjoyable in the short term, where is it going to get me?

 Even if I changed my training - decided to shrug off the onerous mantle of progressive strength and conditioning - where I have to put in time, effort, and planning - with the expectation of doing a set amount of work each session - in exchange for something less structured that would let me get away with a varying level of commitment, and a lifestyle that called for less discipline   - what then?

 Maybe I could stay in relatively good shape - whatever that means.

 Maybe I could still make some progress and get stronger.

 Would I be able to coach others to better things - coach them through the difficulties of lifting and share with them the value of strength and the lessons learned in the training room?

 Would I be able to keep young athletes from injuries that could effect the rest of their lives while helping them perform their best?

 What could I teach or share about hard work or being committed to excellence?

 Would I have any passion or purpose in what I was doing?

 Perhaps I'd be just another guy selling BS with a cool job.

 Here's the deal, O, gentle reader...

 We don't need any more mediocrity.

 We don't need any more weakness.

 What we need are more people who are willing to drag themselves from the morass to become something better.

 We need people courageous enough to fight for greatness.

 We need people who will take control of their lives and refuse to be told "it's all downhill from here, or whatever other BS gets jammed between their ears about their health, strength, and fitness.

 It is not over. You're not too old. You're not too weak. You're not too uncoordinated. You're not too fat. you're not too out of shape. You're not too injured. And, Good Lord - You are not broken.

 We need bold souls who will stand against the ever encroaching darkness of ease, comfort, and convenience - leading to apathy which bleeds the strength and self sufficiency from our hearts, minds, and bodies, and replaces them with fear, weakness, and dependency.

 We need people who will refuse this downward spiral, rise to the challenge of pursuing excellence and become examples to themselves and those around them that there is a better way.

 Your Alter Ego is waiting, anxious and restless, ready to take you into a glorious new territory.


 To Victory
 - Eric