The above photo is of Tokyo From Atajo-Yama, Japan during the rebuilding period after the 1923 earthquake that resulted in massive fires that destroyed the city. You can read more about it at Flicker, where I got the picture from the Oregon State University archives. Zen Quote of the Week: “Achievement has everything to do… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Weightlifting
The Death of Heavy Days: How To Do More Work with Less Obsession
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated” – Confucius Americans are obsessed with diet and exercise. Everywhere we look, there are new diets and exercise routines being pushed by overly-skinny celebrities, the Biggest Loser is still one of the hottest shows on TV, and we all seem to have that same… Continue Reading
Your Monday Moment of Zen #15
Zen quote of the week: “The word “Dinner” actually comes from the Latin disjejunare, meaning "to un-fast” or break the fast of the evening. Remarkably, the word was contracted in the Romance languages to ‘disnare’ or ‘disner’ in Olde French, or dinner in English. Thus the word dinner actually means ‘breakfast’.” – Brad Pillon This… Continue Reading
Harbinger Product Review: Weightlifting Belt, Straps, Wraps
I was approached recently by a representative of the company Harbinger, the one that makes workout gear, about doing a review of some of their products. She asked me if I’d like to grab a cup of coffee so we could talk about it, and so that she could “pick my brain” about this weirdo… Continue Reading
Your Monday Moment of Zen #14: National Pi Day!
Zen quote of the Week: “It’s hard, it’s hard as hell. I like that it’s hard … It makes football a joke.” – John North, on the training he does for Olympic Weightlifting. This week in the world of weightlifting: Tamara “T-Bone” has a great write up of her experience watching this years 2011 Arnold… Continue Reading
PDX Weightlifter Spotlight: Riley Charlish
(Riley’s the kid with the ball … and the guns.) PDX Weightlifting member, Riley Charlish, helped take his high school Basketball team to the final-four with a stellar performance (among many this season!) that went into double overtime. Riley ended up with 12 points and three 3 pointers. See the game report here, and the… Continue Reading
The Split, Power, and Squat Jerk: Evolution at Work
A little while ago, Strength Plus magazine posted a question asking whether you would ever try, or coach someone on, the squat jerk. The question is likely to be raised again given that at the resent 2011 Arnold Classic, during the “Island vs Mainland” competition, Kedrick Ferris bombed out using the squat jerk and Pat… Continue Reading
Your Monday Moment of Zen #13
Sorry, I know I’m putting this out on a Tuesday! … oops! Zen quote of the Week: “Those who are special … are specific” – Ivan Abadjiev This week in the world of weightlifting: Doctor Hartman discusses the “Transfer Effect” in weightlifting: When selecting exercises it is necessary to choose those that have the… Continue Reading
Happy Birthday to Me: Reflections on Lifting, Coaching, and the Pre-Masters Class
Today’s my Birthday, I just turned 33. And as we are all wont to do, it got me thinkin’ on things. In my case, those things that are related to lifting and coaching. (I really could have split this into two parts, easily … but what the hell!) I’ll start with the lifting. One of… Continue Reading
February Contest Videos
We just got back from a local contest here in Oregon. It was all kinds of fun. Lot’s of PR’s set, had some funny misses, and laughed our asses off. Basically, that’s what it’s all about for me. (Video’s are below, but first, the talkin’). A couple friends I hadn’t seen in a long while… Continue Reading
