Somethings Missing...

I was sitting at a little league all-star game this evening and posted "Little league and youth coaches really need some type of certification and training.  They need to learn how to teach basic fundamentals and sportsmanship," on FaceBook.  I wrote that because at this all-star game, boys and girls were playing together on the same team.  That wasnt the problem.  The problem was that the coaches and even parents were making a bit of mockery of the game and certain plays inparticular where one of the girls made a good play on a guy or one of guys made a good play on a girl.  Example #1:  ground ball to 2nd base.  The boy 2nd baseman tags the female running to 2nd out.  Good play.  But some dumbass Dad yells out "Jeez, you couldnt drop the ball and let on her on 2nd?  Maybe she has an older sister!"  Really Dad?  So your superior slow pitch softball athlete is soooo much better than the girl running to 2nd that he shouldve dropped it?  And then top it off with a slightly even more moronic comment?  Would the older sister have been impressed?   Example #2:  Male batter hits a line drive back to the pitcher and is out.  As they jog into the dugout, the coach jokes "Aw, you just got schooled by a girl!"    A number of things wrong with this one.  A) The female pitcher is going to be 5x the athlete the batter is going to be... trust me  B)  You actually just insulted all the girls on the team you just said that in front of and C)  You're setting a fantastic example that BOYS RULE!  Idiot.  Dear coach and parents, I'm sorry you had a crappy athletic career and you feel a deep desire to re-live it through your kids... but please stop.  Actually, please quit altogether.  Go to the bleachers and cheer appropriately.  Also, I train about 300+ females at any given time... and I havent seen a group of boys yet who could hang with them.  Sorry guys. 

Its funny because this entire situation also has something to do with some other things that have been on my mind.  People in the wrong position and/or people not understanding the value of positions they're in.  Lets start with coaches since I'm already on the subject and Ive been thinking about this the entire drive home.  LITTLE LEAGUE COACHES MATTER!  ITS NOT A POSITION FOR THE BORED DAD OR MOM!  ITS NOT A JOB TO HANG OUT WITH YOUR KIDS AND MAKE SURE THEY MAKE AN ALL-STAR TEAM AND GET VOTES FOR "COOLEST DAD EVER"!  ITS A REAL COACHING JOB!  Yes, it sucks that it doesnt pay, but its still a very important coaching position, if not theeeee most important position.  Obviously I'm not grouping every little league coach in this category.  Example:  I remember I had two tremendous little league coaches when I was 14 or 15 years old... maybe even 16, I'm not sure.  I was one of the better players on the team, I think I played 3rd or 2nd base and maybe some left field and batted anywhere from 3rd to 5th.  Thats irrelevent.  I dont remember one hit.  I dont remember one throw or one game.  I do remember I was an idiot.  I do remember I had a temper especially towards umpires... no clue why.  I just felt they stunk and ruined the games.   I had a big mouth and would challenge the umps authority over the game.... pretty much every game and eventually the umps knew me and disliked me and it eventually cost us a game because I was such an idiot, the coaches benched me.   I remember that.  I remember Coach Bender gave a post game speech to the team and said something about "Throwing your glove wont help win a game... yelling at umpires wont help you win a game... throwing a base into centerfield so the someone rounding 2nd wont help you win a game (which is what happened that got me benched).  Being a mature athlete will."  He was staring at me the entire time.  Like I said, I was 15 or 16 and that stuck with me.  Coach Lefferts pulled me aside after and talked to me about how to behave from this point on out and I dont remember ever having a problem again on that team.  They were actual coaches, not just dads.  They cared about how we behaved and the things we did.  Actually, Im pretty lucky to have all the coaches Ive had. Ive never had a coach turn me off from a sport.  I remember playing for Charlie Farley and his sons in midget football and they would always say something about doing our homework and being nice to our brothers and sisters (we were 5, 6, or 7 years old).  Im pretty sure, every single coach Ive ever played for... I played for.  Make sense?  There was always a connection, thats what good coaches do.  I always said I didnt really love playing football.... I loved playing for my coaches.  They made me want to want more of myself... thats what coaches do.  They didnt let me hot dog and prance around and act like an idiot... because if I did, there was going to be one serious problem when I got to the sidelines and even into the next week.  Trust me, there are some great stories... zero appropriate for this blog :) and I would need some help from some friends, maybe a book one day. 

Example #2:  My current "profession."  I put it in quotes because sometimes I wonder.  To me, it is a profession... to others, its a hobby and its really getting on my nerves.  To me, its right there with coaching.  I always feel awkward talking about it, because I'm uncomfortable talking about myself and this... but it is an important position for some people.  Before anyone gets bent out of shape, this has ZERO to do with the trainers I work with... I've been in a couple other clubs and studios lately and its irritating that theres so many people claiming to do the same things I do and carry similar initials.   I asked a colleague "Doesnt it make you angry that there are so many Joe Blows in this industry?"  He said "Nope, makes me shine brighter."  I laughed and agreed but theres still the other side.  I used to put alot of weight on certifications which is why I have the two I have.  I thought "Jeez, I have 2 of the top 5 certs around... I must be good... and trainers with $200 interent certs must suck."  WRONG!  So wrong and I truly feel like an idiot for ever thinking that and I apologize if I ever insulted you... truly.  The certs mean you took your time to take a test... PERIOD.  Granted some are harder than others with different qualifications.  But just like anything else, the true skills are found in experience and evolution (in my opinion).  I know some guys with $150 internet certifications that are absolutely outstanding... and not just outstanding in their training skills but outstanding, caring people who actually give a shit about their clients results and dont just look at it like a pay check.  And thats the difference.  Yes, we have to put out safe workouts and the education and experience comes into play... but at the end of the day, I want the trainers with heart.... check.  I want the gym owner with heart.... check.  I want the group instructors with heart... check check.  Because "heart," will win... "Heart," doesnt give up.  "Heart," cares to learn and grow and experience and care.  People that care.  People that constantly work at their craft.  I knew people were signing up for this years outdoor fitness camp regardless of what I planned... did it stop from planning and working to make it the best I could?  Hell no!  That actually made me work harder.  (Made my Dad work harder :)   

And No, buying a corporate chain and planting it in the middle of Beachwood doesnt make you the next Billy Blanks (is that his name?).  Having an all-state football player as my son doesnt make me a good coach.  I could buy 5 McDonalds and sell 5,000,000,000 hamburgers next week, it doesnt mean I'm the best chef! 

Where am I going with this?  I went off for a second there...
Certain industries arent about the money.  Coaching, teaching, training... what else?  Im sure theres more but I'm trying to wrap up.  Its not about the money.  Its about the product.  Its about not ripping people off.  Its about not going through the motions.  If youre into real estate, do not buy a gym or some corporate bootcamp and act like your changing the world... just be great at real estate.  Do what you do.  If coaching/teaching/training isnt in your blood, go home. Coach/teacher/trainer, do the job or let someone else.  I always said, if the things I do start to suck, I'll quit.  Hands down.  I know I will quit if I feel flat or this just isnt me anymore.  I'm referring to anything.  If your heart isnt in this 150%, for the right reasons, go home. 

The reason... to serve. This is a service unlike most others.  This isnt getting your tire changed.  This isnt ordering a new cable package.  Things happen in the gym and you could get hurt.  The service is to provide a very high (very high) quality of fitness training.  The service is also to be a role model for kids in the classroom (teacher, is your facebook profile private?)  The service is to teach skills and life lessons to young adults.  Thats what sports are for!  To teach life lessons at every moment you can... because if you dont, its a moment you will never get back.  Eyes are always on you and youre going to be remembered.  These jobs are important.  Kids are paying attention.  Be a role model or go home.   

Could I really do that if this was my hobby?

kid again...

So, as we know, I have a serious love affair with Yoga... and somehow this "blog," has turned more into yoga chat than anything else.  But I had this thought and this tool so I wanted to get it out there and play with it a little more (it being the thought.)
We have these outdoor yoga classes now... Saturdays at 8:30 through the Blue Chip and Sundays at 9 through Jenn.  Somehow, I've become addicted to going through the sessions without a mat.  The first one, someone in class forgot a mat so I gave her mine.... the 2nd one the same thing.  And #2 was on the beach so it was even cooler.  (I posted the pic on facebook and its also in the photo gallery on the schedule page.)  to me, that beach pic looked like yoga art.  It looks like twister and yoga combined.  The feet go here, the hands here... then here and there.  Then this past week, same thing... someone forgot a mat, so I gave up mine.  And i was kind of happy about it.  I didnt really want the mat at all.

We've had rain quite a bit this year and everytime I get texts "Is the workout still on???"  or "its raining!  are we cancelling???" 

So I thought about those two things... remember when we were ok running outside with no shoes on?  and playing in the rain was fun?  when we didnt mind laying down on something other than a bed or couch?  Im starting to wonder if some "kid," isnt whats inspiring me some of the time (aside from the obvious kids:) ) 
Ive always said yoga isnt easy by any stretch o fthe imagination... but in a studio, it is a controlled environment.... what if yoga, outdoors, in an uncontrolled environmont... is really what we need?  maybe thats the perfect, functional training we never knew we needed.  Dont get me wrong, in no way is this a shot at any studio anywhere in the world.  I will be right back at Cleveland Yoga and Harmony as soon as the winter comes.  But I think its soemthing to think about.  High plank on a mat in a studio... or high plank in a field... on the grass... in the sun... both sound amazing but for now, I want dirt on my hands... I want to see my sweat on the ground... I want sand on my clothes...   I want experiences you cant so rare and perfect, you know when they happen that you'll probably never be able to experience them again. 

Again, this isnt a "vs," thing or a sales pitch in anyway.... its just me being in love with being outside right now.  Trust me, when its 40 degress out, I'll change my mind again :)

New Class

From here on out... I don't run BootCamps.  I run Blue Chip Fitness Camps.

What is Blue Chip? 
It's a standard. It's an attitude.  It's a "stamp," of quality.  I've referenced it in the past, I've posted about it on FaceBook (i.e. "Another Blue Chip night of training!")  It's a new branch of the training I'm a part of creating.  Its fitness classes, personal training, yoga, athletic off-season training, supplements and customer service.  I've talked about standards for a long time and working to keep everything in line. When I implement a supplement, a trainer, a workout, it is because I believe they meet the higher standard represented by Blue Chip. Some trainers I work with and support, some I don't.   Some yoga studios I attend, some I don't.  There's a very good reason the Blue Chip yoga instructor is who she is... she was able to bring that standard of Cleveland yoga to the company.  Cleveland yoga has a standard, Jenn has a standard and it all fits.  It's all in line. 

 Why Fitness Camp and not BootCamp?

     You can walk into a coffee shop or smoothie café and see ads for 5 "BootCamps."  Whats the difference?  Every ad still says "get in great shape!" or "workout with your friends!"  You could show up and the workout could stink or be great.  You could be doing a p90x workout at one "Boot," or jogging 5 miles at another.  Nothing really seperates them until you get there.  You might even show up at a "Boot," and the trainer... Isnt even a trainer.
      When you come to a Blue Chip Fitness Camp, you will get the highest standard of training. You will know that these workouts are above the rest.  They are not BootCamp. Blue Chip Fitness Camp is complete... full, fun, sometimes competitive... you'll challenge yourself, you'll challenge your friends... I will challenge you.  This is not some generic "Hey bring your weights, lets do 20 shoulder press!" workout. And its also not going to kill you.  Its going to challenge you.  Its going to challenge everything you think you cant do... and you will do it!  I promise you.   It's a combination of everything but its not chaos.  It's planned out in a very safe, functional, goal oriented manner.

Bottom line:  Blue Chip is settting a new standard in training, fitness and health and I am going to work my ass off for as long as I can to never cut a corner or deliver anything but the best. 

So what exactly is the Blue Chip Fitness Camp?  Imagine throwing p90x, CrossFit, TRX, personal training, bootcamps, speed & agility, strength, power, endurance, tubes, bands, strongman in a big pot and cook it over night... Wake up and sprinkle some yoga on top.  Blue Chip.

Barbell Back Squat

Start with the feet parallel, slightly wider than your hips and toes pointed slightly outward.  Position the bar across your upper back and posterior shoulders.  Set the back by sticking the chest and butt slightly out.  Bending at the hips and knees so that your butt moves backward, lower the hips until the thigh is parallel to the floor (as if reaching for a chair), pause, and return to the standing position.  Keep the head and chest up, knees over the feet (but behind the plane of your toes), and drive the hips forward and up when returning to starting position.
Remember:  It starts with feet.  Head up, chest wide, drop your hips,  reach for a chair and drive through the heels!

It's been awhile...

I havent added anything on here in nearly a month and usually thats a bad thing.  I have a habit of staying away when I'm stressed or too intense about certain things because sometimes I need to be carefeul what I write.  But thats not quite the case this week.  I've had a few on the tip of my tongue but by the time I got around to sitting here and putting it together, the thoughts change a bit or I feel I need to think about it longer.

Here it is:  Adding yoga has been the absolute best thing to happen to BootCamps this year... or ever actually.  Like I said in past blogs and posts, I had a strong feeling that the things I had planned (some of which still havent come out) would take this years training to a new level and it has 110%. 

We're nearly 2 months in and havent duplicated a workout yet, just brought out the TRX type equipment, new equipment/toys are being built within the next week or two, we'll be moving into some new training locations soon and like I said... the yoga has been the highlight of the week and year.  30 minutes or so of some light/moderate cardio followed by yoga.... sounds so simple and it is.... and its perfect.
And thats where Ive been hung up on what to write.  Ive posted probably 20 times about the benefits of yoga and how its helped me in so many ways.  The class we had at Squires 2 weeks ago left me speechless... I was exhausted in everyway. This, in no way was just some "hey show up in the park and run through some yoga moves."  That session was one of the most memorable yoga experiences I've ever had.  Ever.  And the next week was right there but in a totally different way which made it even cooler.  The locations are cool, the set-up is cool, Jen is cool, she's willing to pause the class to teach and improve form which is so so so perfect, all the participants are willing and trusting and they are seeing very early the benefits of everything thats happening.  Again, I love yoga, I love the workouts... I'm in awe. (Plus its one session I actually get to participate in, so thats another reason its great.) 

I've had workouts where I left it thinking "eh... we missed that," or "that shouldve been better, couldve done this instead."  This year, its been "oh crap, how can we top that next time?"  Every workout seems to be different and better in a new way.

I'm very proud of how these are turning out AND everyone thats showing up!  Amazing work everytime.
Tomorrow we'll be back at Squires at 6pm for more suspension (TRX style) training and possibly some cardio.  $10 for drop-ins, the July pass is $65 for 13 workouts which include Saturday Boga.

Also Jenn will running her own Yoga sessions on Sunday mornings from 9-10am.  Drop ins are also $10 and there is also a monthly package you can purchase for a discounted rate.  For more information on the yoga sessions, email jb@jb-cpt.com.   

It's Evolution Baby

"I need to lose 10lbs."
"I need to improve my patience."
"I need to focus more at work."
"I need to gain some energy."
"I need to lose 50lbs!"
"I need to wake up earlier to run."
"I need to eat better."
"I need to see a doctor."
"I need to take care of myself."
"I need to save some money."
"I need to get stronger."
"I need to BE STRONGER."
"I need to clear my head...."
"I need a new job."
"I need some stress relief."
"I need to improve my relationship."
"I need some YOGA!"
"I need to communicate more effectively."
"I need to go back to school."
"I need to see my mom more..."
"I need to workout more."
"I need to do my physical therapy."
"I need to talk more often."
"I need to run..."
"I need to cut some bad habits."
"I need to not be so sloppy."
"I need to know when to chill."
"I need to wash away the anxiety..."

All these thoughts can build up on us.... breathe.

A few of those listed are mine, some are things I've heard, some are general that you may have thought or said.  There's probably something you whispered to yourself while reading.  Sometimes we want to just put our foot down and say "THAT'S IT!  It's all changing now!"  ... and maybe thats worked for you, maybe it hasnt.  I've definitely thought it. 

You have to be ready for it.  Ready to change... alter... and naturally evolve.  Slamming your foot down and demanding a change?  Maybe in certain situations or certain times... maybe one moment...  but I've most "success," with patience... awareness.. and a clear mind. 

It's kind of like riding a motorcycle.  You cant just jerk the wheel left when you want to take a left, you have to slow down a touch and leeeaaaan in real nice and smooth.  Try to take the turn too fast, and it greatly increases your risk of injury.. or worse.

The things we want... or the things we want to improve, to improve the quality of our lives... take time.  You can't find it in a pill... or a fad... or a fashion... you cant buy it... you cant just imagine it and POOF... you cant tattoo it and you cant wash it away.

Take it slow... have a plan... maybe that plan is a book, a class, a BootCamp! some "you time..." a movie... a vacation... a change of scenery... a financial advisor... a school advisor...
"I need a plan."
Take your time...  and breathe it out.

When to Start

"This is my last pack, I'm going to quit after this!"

Why wait?  Do it now! If you really wanted to, if you really, really want to quit smoking, you would make that last cigarette, your last cigarette.  I've never been a  smoker or had any addiction so I cant speak from experience about this, but still, you know you need to quit.  You know it's expensive, you know it's terrible for your health, right?  Same goes with drinking or at least drinking too often.  You have to know that alcohol only hurts in so many ways.  Brain function, safety, and calories just to name 3 quick ones.  If you're doing something that's hurting your health, stop.  Make today that day, not tomorrow.

"I want to lose 30lbs, but I dont have time to run."

If you want to drop some weight, don't procrastinate.  Set a schedule and work it into your day just like you would a trip to the grocery store or cutting the lawn.  You don't put those off, do you?  The longer you sit around and make excuses for not starting the program, the easier it is to forget about and never get around to.  (Even right now, I'm typing as fast as I can because I'm supposed to be out on my bike in 6 minutes:)  Right now, go put on your shoes, grab your music and go get 2 miles in before the day is over.  Win the day!

"I really want to go to Cedar Point this year, but I dont think I'll have the time."

I just had a conversation like this.  I think she told me she worked 9 straight days and has had a mini streak of bad luck/tragedy in the past month.  Fridge is running low, a full schedule ahead of her, laundry isnt done, and grass needs cut.  SCHEDULE THE FREE TIME!  If you are constantly on the go, and setting your calendar two weeks in advance, always helping friends and family, working as many hours as possible, theres a chance your going to wear yourself down and get depressed.  Before that happens, take a break and breathe.  Take a half day and go to a movie.  I come home and my instincts are to clean up or continue work... I have to train myself to just let it go every now and then and chill.  If you havent been to Cedar Poin in 14 years, GO!  Schedule it, and do it.

The hardest part about most things is getting them started.  A diet, a workout, a hobby, a project around the house, etc.  There are always hurdles early on that can set us back or slow us down and make us want to put it off, make excuses or worst of all, quit.  But once we get going and get over those little speed bumps and finish what we start, the journey and the reward are well worth the effort.  Get started on that path today.

Good luck,

J