AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE

ISSUE 90 - 2/22/2006

1. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"People say that what we're all seeking is a meaning for life. I don't think that's what we're really seeking. I think that what we're seeking is an experience of being alive."
- Joseph Campbell

In a conversation with strength coach Charles Staley some time ago, Charles made an interesting comment about the popularity of reality television. Charles stated that people are so desperate to experience something real that they are turning in large numbers to reality television. Also, reality TV is a safe haven. You can live vicariously through other people instead of dealing with the joys and sorrows of life in the real world. The problem is that reality TV is hardly real and basically just a merge of fiction and a little bit of non-fiction. Moreover, while television can inspire and motivate the viewer to take action in the real world. That is more the exception than the rule. Television is hardly a source of fulfillment and if it is your source of feeling alive then you barely have a pulse.

The lengths that people are willing to go to feel something can be extreme. People will stay in abusive environments because at least they feel something there. People will turn to drugs or violence because at least something is felt. Many people will not admit it, but I see many people that get pleasure out of being miserable, dealing with adversity, and complaining. I have even heard people complain about things going too well. By being miserable, you feel something and have a sense of self importance. By complaining, you matter. As I have stated in a previous newsletter, many people enjoy getting offended. It gives them something to complain about and the fact that they are offended makes them feel important. It does not matter how petty and insignificant the issues are. What matters is that they have an opportunity to be offended and complain about it to realize the end result of feeling important and ultimately feeling alive.

I think that many people do not feel alive because they have bought the bill of goods that was sold to them from day one that a fulfilling life is what everyone else is doing. Yet few people seem to be happy just working 9 to 5 in a job that is not satisfying and then watching four hours of TV every night. Yet many people take this path from societal pressure and from never taking the time to realize other options. What about what you want to do? If you do not have a clear idea of what course you want to take, someone else will be more than happy to steer your life for you and that is relinquishing way too much power to someone else. What you lose in not taking responsibility for you life is everything. Sure there is a level of comfort in handing your life over to someone else. Let others make decisions for you, so you do not have to think at all. Yet, without self empowerment and taking charge of your life, there is no possibility of feeling alive and a journey of quiet desperation is sure to be your path through life.

Part of the live life aggressively philosophy is the necessity to have the courage to take control of your life. No one else is living as you and you are the only one that you can live your life. It is up to you to live and deal with the positives and negatives of carving your own path. Forget about living a generic life in which you just look to others for what you should be doing. What do you want to do? What is stopping you from doing it? Forget about taking refuge in reality TV or some other form of fiction as a substitute for living your own life. Here is a real test. Do you look forward to TV more than your job? Hopefully the answer is not yes.

Live Life Aggressively!

Mike Mahler

Mike Mahler

2. HELP THE KATRINA VICTIMS

My friend and top body worker Dianna Linden recently sent me a list of non-profit organizations for helping out the Katrina Victims. Here is the list:

I encourage you to take a look at the above organizations and make a donation to the one that sits well with you. Also if you want to help out animals, make a donation to http://www.bestfriends.org.

3. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING ARTICLE

Critical Factors For Program Success

Many trainees make the mistake of looking for the perfect program. They go from one program to another hoping to hit the jackpot. The reality is that no one program is perfect and no one program will work forever. In addition to knowing exactly what you are training for, you have to know a great deal about yourself. One of the reasons why many generic programs do not work for individuals is that generic programs cannot take the individual into account. Your stress levels, sleeping patterns, nutrition, physiology, and drive are not part of the equation. Lets talk about goals first.

Following a training regimen without a specific goal in mind is like taking a road trip without a map or directions. You may end up at your destination, but chances are that it will take a lot longer to get there. There is also a good chance that you will never get there. You are leaving far more to chance without having a specific plan. Vague goals such as I want to want to get leaner, build muscle, and get faster are not going to cut it. You have to be far more specific that that. For example, having a goal of losing twenty pounds, getting your bodyfat down to 10%, and doing twenty pull-ups is a specific and measurable goal. You know exactly what the target is and can devise a specific plan to get there. Next you have to pick a deadline to give yourself a sense of urgency. Otherwise, the goal will just go on your procrastination list. To make it a reality, have a target date.

Second, what are you prepared to do? What are you prepared to give up to achieve your goal? No worthy goal is achieved without sacrifice. You may have to give up hanging around negative people that want you to be a loser like them. You may have to give up eating out for several months. You may have to get rid of the TV to ensure that you get eight hours of sleep every night. You cannot have it all, all of the time.

Third, what do you know about yourself? Your physiology plays a significant role in your training progress. Not having information about your physiology is like driving a car without knowing what the gas levels are, air pressure levels, oil levels etc. Hopefully, nothing will break down but why leave it to chance? To avoid car problems, you take your car in for a check up. Your body needs a check up as well. What you do not know about yourself will hurt you eventually. It is not a question of if, but a question of when. For example, if your growth hormone levels are low then forget about body composition goals and intense training. Intense training with low GH levels will just deplete your further. Moreover, your training could be the cause of the low GH levels, which means you need to make a serious mid course correction. Getting stronger and putting on solid muscle will be much more difficult if your testosterone levels are low. If your thyroid levels are low, fat loss will be far more difficult. The only way to know for sure what your levels are is to have your doctor run some blood work. Have your doctor test your testosterone levels (free and total), DHT, estradiol, DHEA, cortisol, IGF-1, and thyroid function. Look for a holistic doctor in your area that can give you some meaningful feedback on what you can do. Here is a directory.

Fourth, it is very important that you keep a training journal to track your progress. Not keeping a training journal is similar to running a business and not keeping records. Money is coming in and it is going out and hopefully you are ahead each month. Does not sound very promising. Moreover, how are you supposed to improve if you do not know where you are? Training journals also keep your accountable. If you had a poor month of training you can look at your journal and see why. In addition to recording each workout, record the sleep quality the night before, what you ate before training, what you ate after training, your energy levels and so forth The more detailed the training journal the better but do not feel the need to turn your training journal into an epic novel. You do not need to include your sexual fantasies in it and if you do, keep it to yourself ;-)

If you want a personalized program, click here for more info.

4. GET THE AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH DVD COMBO PACK TODAY

"Kettlebell Solutions for Speed and Explosive Strength is incredible! All of the exercises are explained and displayed perfectly and leave you with no questions. There is absolutely no filler and it gives so many options to add to your arsenal. Watching it gets me so amped up to train! One of the best things is the Free DVD User guide to set you on the right track. I love all of the exercises and together with Tke Kettlebell Solution For Size and Strength, I will never get bored of training!"
- Chris Pontius of MTV's Wildboyz and Jackass

Kettlebell Solution for Size and Strength

Kettlebell Solution for Size and Strength

If you enjoy lifting light kettlebells and have no desire to be strong with a powerful physique, then this DVD is not for you. However, if you are ready for a new challenge with kettlebells and desire to maximize the benefits of kettlebell training, get this DVD today.

The Kettlebell Solution For Size And Strength will show how to get much stronger with kettlebells and build a muscular physique as well. This detailed DVD is for all levels and covers the basics enough for beginners and offers new challenges for experienced kettlebell lifters.

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Kettlebell Solution for Speed and Explosive Power

Kettlebell Solutions for Speed and Explosive Strength

Super comprehensive kettlebell training DVD that goes over how to build speed and explosive power in four different categories: Full body explosive power, Upper body explosive power, Lower body explosive power, and Rotational explosive power. Translation? You will be one explosive hombre after you practice the exercises on this DVD and follow the programs in the Free Kettlebell Training DVD E-book. I did not leave anything out on this DVD. Even if you do not care about getting faster and more explosive, you will love the wide variety of exercises that this kettlebell training DVD contains.

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5. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH BONUS TIP

Here is a great training tip from Las Vegas Kettlebell Instructor Mike Springer. Make sure you check out Mike's website for more info on his classes and services at SpringerTraining.com

To practice for the SSST (10 minute snatch test) do: snatches daily for 1min, within that minute go balls out, switch as often as needed ( make sure you do no other training within 20 minutes of one of these sets). Do this 1-3 x daily and you will see a significant improvement in not only your SSST but snatches as well. Remember BALLS OUT!

6. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH PERSONALIZED PROGRAM DESIGN SERVICES

"Lost 10 lbs and went down from a size 12 to a size 8 in jeans – that was something I expected not to happen for another 10-15 more lbs! So thanks for your guidelines – they really have helped a lot."
- Michele Milevoi

Tired of trial and error? Want a training program that actually works? Click here for more info!

7. NEW AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

I have just added some great new products to my website including: medicine balls, the ultimate portable gym, and some pull-up straps that allow you to do a pull-ups anywhere! Click here.

8. THE AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH SOLUTION FOR THE ROAD WARRIOR

Tired of terrible hotel gyms and getting out of shape on the road? Tired of doing bodyweight only routines in your hotel room because there are no other options? You need Lifeline's resistance cable products. Not only are they light and portable but they provide enough resistance to humble the strongest athletes around. Click here for more info

9. KETTLEBELL TRAINING INFORMATION PAGE (NEW)

http://www.mikemahler.com/kettlebell_info.html

10. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH MAGAZINE ARCHIVES

http://www.mikemahler.com/newsletter

11. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH ARTICLES

http://www.mikemahler.com/articles.html

12. AGGRESSIVE STRENGTH TRAINING JOURNAL

http://www.mikemahler.com/journal.html

13. RECOMMENDED READING LIST

http://www.mikemahler.com/reading.html

Until next time.

Live Life Aggressively!

Mike Mahler

Feel free to email me with your comments and feedback at mahler25@yahoo.com

Mike Mahler