Training and Motivation

This article was first posted on the Hive Health Media Site. I am posting it here for ease of reference and in case they decide to delete it there.

The gym is a great place to get stories for motivational speaking. The members who are serious about training are always revved up and talk about goals, better ways of training, progress made and of course new supplements. You can learn a lot by just listening to the guys around you.

I recently overheard another such conversation where a member said to the gym owner; “Hey, I’ve just heard about a great new supplement. Perhaps you can help me get it, because no-one seems to have it in stock.” Chris, as helpful and interested in new developments as always, said; “Sure, what’s the name? I’ll find out who supplies it and see if I can get you some.”  We both smiled as the member replied; “It’s called motivation.”

You can learn a lot by just listening to the guys around you.

The Human Machine

* This article was first posted on the "Katoptron" Site. Since it is no longer available there, I'm posting it here for those who might be interested.

Knowing yourself must surely start with how the psyche develops. Speculation about biological psychiatry as opposed by theories proposing a more spiritual approach aside, there is much to be said which is not subject to the confusion or controversy of these subjects. At the same time, not enough is usually made of the development of the human machine, and I am of the opinion that most answers to behaviour in general can be found here.

The psyche is at its formation much like a blank page, although the basis for it being a self-organising system is already present.

Move, Rest, Eat, Sleep…

A few days ago while doing a heavy set of Incline Bench Presses, I asked one of the guys standing around to spot me during the last set. I was already tired and stopped somewhat short when bringing the weights down. After the set, the spotter advised me to drop the weights and rather bring it all the way down to my chest. Nothing wrong with the advice, so I just said; “OK, thanks for the help” and moved on. But I immediately realised that I was looking at this young man who was badly overweight, could not push half the weights that I did, and thinking; “who is he to even think of giving me advice?”

Even good advice from those who have obviously not achieved is often spurned.

The truth is that we happily take advice from people who have already achieved a level of excellence to which we aspire. Even good advice from those who have obviously not achieved is often spurned. So, I have decided to spend more time writing articles related to the area where I can show demonstrable results. Health and fitness is a strong suit, and I post a recent picture to show this (Note: I am NOT a body builder, and looking like one is not a goal – I gym for fitness, health and keeping in shape).

Living a Purpose Driven Life

When he walks he casts a shadow of purpose.  ~Terri Guillemets

I realised yesterday that I haven’t done a very good job of explaining what it means to lead a purpose driven life. This came about when someone asked me about it, and after repeating what I had said so far, I realised that he had not really grasped the concept. This is what I had said to date -