Awesome Things Currently Rocking my Fucking Socks Off

Sorry guys, I’ve been away from this blog for a bit but life has been pretty damn hectic as of late.  Working more than 60 hours a week training clients, mentoring, getting ready for the GRE and CSCS exams, and training for powerlifting meets has left little time for writing about how awesome I am.  I have no actual topic I want to talk about so I thought I’d steal Nate Green’s idea and just post an “Awesome Things Currently Rocking my Fucking Socks Off” blog (my title, not his).  So today I’m sitting with Samee at Taki Grill, an awesome Korean BBQ restaurant in South Phoenix.  I’m doing my best to stay focused on this blog but there are Korean boy band music videos playing in the tv in front of us and I can’t help but stare….it’s just hypnotizing and possibly seizure inducing.

POWERLIFTING

After my last photoshoot, my own training and nutrition began dragging a little bit so I decided to give powerlifting a shot again.  Karina and I just competed in a 100% Raw Federation Powerlifting meet and I was really happy with the results.  If you don’t Karina, I’ll do my best to sum her up in a few words; she’s gorgeous, smart, and can out-eat/out-deadlift most guys.  Karina has only been training for powerlifting for three months and she placed 1^st in her weight class.  I managed to cut 19lbs in 24 hours and still got my ass kicked by a tiny African gentleman named Vahana who out pulled me by 100lbs.  I also got to hang out with Bret Contreras!  Bret is one of the top guys in the fitness industry today, the world’s leading expert on the glutes, and if you’re interested you can buy his recently released book here! 

Sidenote: although I cut 19lbs in 24 hours I would never recommend it as it’s probably the equivalent to eating bath salts.  I damn near lost my mind….on the way up to Cottonwood I walked into a QT only wearing compression shorts and a hoodie just to weigh myself in their stall.  

MAN-SCAPING

I just discovered this place called the Art of Shaving; not really sure how to describe it other than a place to go where you get to sit down and a hipster (who has to be nice to you) intricately shaves your face with a straight edge.  Getting an old time shave is probably one of the relaxing things ever.  It’s a bit pricey but when you have Pakistani genetics that make you grow facial hair ridiculously fast it’s worth it, if you go four pubes on your face once a month then I wouldn’t bother.

DREAM JUMPERS
My fraternity brother Vincent Salgado recently released a video game that you can download on any smartphone called Dream Jumpers.  What’s pretty cool about this is I literally watched Vincent put the majority of his time, focus and energy into this game over the last few years and this culmination of it.  Unfortunately many of us get caught up in the hustle of everyday and lose touch with our dreams and goals, we become complacent with our lives.  Vincent on the other hand, is pursuing a dream which is slowly coming into fruition, and I think is the coolest fucking thing ever.  So if you get a chance to check it out, please do so!    

GOOSE EGG!!!!

Goose Eggs!  I’m not huge on the organic/grassfed/free range kick….I eat wild game and grass fed as often as I can but I’m not a nazi about it and I don’t ridicule others for not eating organic produce or eating not grass fed/free range meat.  Goose Eggs are no different, they’re pretty damn costly but for me personally it’s well worth the money!  

Resolutions

Help as many people as possible: I think the best part of my job is being able to help people.  While I love the smell of barbells and sweat as I walk into my office each morning, it’s seeing people improve their health/fitness and feel better about themselves that gives me the fucking warm and fuzzies.  So I’m going to make myself more reachable to others and find more ways to preach the good word of fitness to everyone from soccer moms to UFC fighters in hopes that I can help at least one new person each week.  

Read at least four books per month: one classic literature, one personal development book, one exercise related book, and one business book. (feel free to send me your favorite reads).

Get freakishly strong: As an avid lifter and self-declared meat head I love picking up heavy things and putting them down repeatedly, how this is enjoyable I have no idea but I enjoy the shit out of it.  I’m a pretty strong guy compared to average standards and I move enough weight to get a head nod from other real lifters and scare the shit out of the guys curling in the squat rack (not on my watch goddammit). Unfortunately, I don’t follow a periodized program, record my workouts, or have measurable goals….you know….all the shit I make my clients do; and unless I’m following someone else's program I just go into a gym and tear shit up.  Most of my focus in 2012 was to stop being such a fat ass and I did just that but it also meant putting my strength goals on the back burner.  So I have several realistic goals for myself by July 1^st, 2013: Dead Lift over 500lbs, Push Press 315lbs, Squat 455lbs, Snatch 225lbs, Clean 315lbs.

Only eat out twice a week while prepping, stealing or cooking my food for every other meal.

Become more financially responsible: The more successful I become as a trainer, the more money I make and of course the more money I make, the greater the chance I buy a bunch of useless shit.  As I’ve gotten older, I have become much better about my finances and buying less and less useless shit.  Apparently money can’t make you happy….I’m totally kidding, money is the root of all happiness but debt is the fucking worst.  So for the first half of the year I’ll be paying off debt and saving much much much more money than I have been in the past.  This means less frivolous spending, more effective budgeting, and not buying anymore vintage tees. L

Stop embarrassing Alex by ironing my clothes before we go out.

Stop giving unsolicited advice: As a trainer I’m constantly asked for advice from the typical “how do I lose weight?” to the not so typical “I can’t tell if I’m constipated or I’m dying.”  Regardless of the question, it’s almost become a natural response to try to offer people my advice even if they don’t ask.  Most people are polite; they nod and ask follow up questions but it’s kind of a pet peeve of mine when people come up to me and start telling me shit I should do….no I shouldn’t suck in my belly button when I lift, no I shouldn’t cut the fat off my steak, and no I shouldn’t listen to hip hop albums that should have been released in the last five years.   So no more advice giving unless I’m personally asked intelligent questions.  Side Note: I don’t think I’ve ever refused to offer someone who’s asked for my help but if you all you say is “I need help with my workouts” I’m not going to respond or at the most giving you a blank stare and give you a link to the Zumba website. 

Get rid of the clutter in my house and live a more minimalistic life.

Stop taking life so seriously: I had a conversation with my good friend Anna a few weeks ago in which we both confessed to acting like grandparents and the fact that we need to start acting our age and stop being so goddamn boring.  While my brand of fun usually involves conversing with friends over hookah, rolling on the mat, or breaking a new PR; I do whole heartily believe there are some occasions where a toast of a tasty adult beverage is absolutely necessary.  This past year I focused so much on my training, business and school that I didn’t feel nearly as accomplished as I thought I would.  What’s the point in having a six pack when you can’t enjoy the occasional dinner and drink with your loved ones? What’s point in making money if you can’t spend it on friends and great times?   This year I’m going to make it a point to crawl out of my cave, meet some new people, and act my age while still managing to grow my business, train like an animal, and maintain a sexy level of body fat….because that’s important you know.

Stop being such a control freak and let shit go.   

Be more awesome: Despite how funny, smart, charming, devilishly good looking, and intelligent I think I am I feel there’s always room for improvement.  This is more of a general resolution and one I’ve held onto for the last three New Year’s but it’s worked so far and I seem to be an all-around more useful human being with each passing year.  This year I’ll be focusing on many different aspects of awesome including being a better cook, writer, brother, mentor, trainer, and person.  I’m 26 so I have plenty of time to become better at the few things I’m passionate about.