The Effect of Trauma on Training

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.

I have recently had two incidents occur that reminded me of the physical effects that trauma can have on your training objectives. The first was a small medical procedure which involved general anaesthesia. The procedure itself should not have had any effect on my physical performance, as it did not involve surgery, just the placement of a JJ Stent. I asked the surgeon beforehand if I could return to training afterwards, just to be safe, and he confirmed that I could. However, during the week after, I struggled in gym as I lacked energy, felt exhausted and once gave up halfway through my programme

Asynchronous movement is the most common cause of injury.

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).

Why I Hate Sport

I am not a sports fan, I do not follow or support any sports teams or individuals, I am hardly even interested in the results of our national teams. This is especially strange considering that I stay in South Africa; arguably the second most sport mad country in the world and second only to Australia in worshiping sport accomplishments and idols. When everyone else is discussing the previous day’s game, I make vomiting motions (sacrilege!)