From External to Internal

For years I have been an 'athlete' competing in a number of sports and events as well doing all the training behind what it takes to maximize my physical human performance. Through those years I have 'accomplished' many awesome personal and team oriented feats, here is a small sample

Squat 440
Deadlift 550
Bench Press 385 (425 on Smith bench)
Beast Press, Pistol, Snatch, TGU, Pull-up
Scored touchdowns, tries, baskets, runs and even one games with my performance
Ran a 4.5 40
Ran a 10.7 100
Ran a half marathon in 1:39
Spent 5 seasons as a competitive adventure racer, winning a race in our category and coming in 2nd for the season
Won a league championship

So I think you get the point, I have had a lot of really cool experiences in the world of sport and physical fitness. During this time I studied, observed, practiced the art and science of living, human performance, human movement, philosophy, psychology, etc. and through it all I found myself looking for more.

In the recent years in an effort to build and extend my ability to reach a larger community I started practicing yoga in addition to all my other activities. When I first started yoga I did not understand what yoga was and what and how influencial it would be on my physical progression. As my practice grew and became more regular I noticed I recovered faster, moved better, felt better and became stronger. And I was asking myself how I am I doing less in the weight room, out in nature but still performing beyond where I was, setting more PR's?

The obvious answer was my deeper understanding of training principles, program design and just years of building up. And these are true indeed. But what I began to understand sometime ago (within the last year) that my yoga practice and more important my meditation practice was really changing the course of my life and more than just physically. Because of this awareness I began to spend more time studying and more importantly practicing, to the point where my main and daily practice of my art and science of living became my yoga and meditation practice. And what I also observed was that the 'yogi's' I was meeting who had a simliar approach were people that seemed to be in a place closer to what I was seeking, that 'something more' place.

So, I just went and spent 2 weeks teaching, practicing and truly observing and reflecting/meditating on 'Yoga' During this time I lifted no weights, did no running, etc. and I went with intention of doing push-ups, bodyweight squats, pull-ups and some running. But, I decided I would just 'give my body a break' and just focus on yoga.

Now, I am back and finding that my body, my yoga meditation and breathing practice and my state of being have evolved, transformed, changed. My yoga postures (asanas) are deeper, more open and that has created a gateway for my lungs to open therefore deepening my breathing practice and making the poses 'easier' and my strength in the poses stronger and therefore the chitta, which is the mind distracting thoughts, are quiet and if anything I am more present in my pose/practice.

What I realize is that I am shifting from a focus on the external strength and demonstration of stuff and moving within, to the inside and strength that comes from that 'place'. The thing is by doing this my body is opening, my mind is free, my heart beats smoothly and with gentle ease, and spirit is grounded and my soul has found its true mate, the love that is me for I am love and you are as well.

Strength, which is a broad based term is from the inside and it will manifest in expression which is what people see and that comes in the form of external expression but when people are present and conscious with you they see it is coming from the inside, out.

Now, when I do movements like kettlebells and bodyweight 'strength' stuff I do so because I am exploring the human body, the internal art of the movement associated with these actions/devices. However, I have no attachment to the outcomes, the numbers, the weight used, the this that or another. What I am curious of is how this is developing me and enabling me to be a better student, coach, teacher, human.

The Art of Living in Peace

In times like these, where we are working 60 hours a week, watching prices increase in gas, values of our homes and land fall, the availability of material goods increasing and thus our desires for more mass consumption, and having homes where both parents work full time jobs and the kids being raised by the nanny, one must sit back and question what is it that defines me and my legacy.

Is our legacy defined by he or she who dies with the most toys; is it defined by our career or job title; is it defined by where we live and how many square feet our home is; is it defined by the car we drive or the clothes we wear; is it defined by our relationships, our ability to be good role models for our children and others?

Reading a piece today by Dr Wayne Dyer, he speaks of the Tao and Lao Tzu’s perspective on what it means to live peacefully. And according to Tzu, the Tao and Dyer living peacefully is not about acquisition of more material good, how many hours a week you work, the size of your house, etc. it is about contentment and realizing that life is about your relationships, your experiences and the unconditional love you bring into each and every person and situation.

Who am I or is anyone for that matter too say what is right and what is wrong for another. But, through personal experience I have lived so called both sides of the coin and I find living in unconditional love, living without attachment to possessions, titles, $$, and instead living by building relationships, experiencing life and giving of myself freely, without condition, and bringing love (which is what we all are inside) with me everywhere I go is the true art of living peacefully. This is my truth, this is my authenticity, this is my ‘reality’, this is for me what is in life.

Peaceful Living and The Art of Living in Peace too you and yours

Life is in Constant Motion

Life is in constant motion, ever changing. We must learn how to live with this fact. Understanding that change is a fundamental element of life is essential to our success. Why? Simply put I often hear people say how difficult change is and/or impossible. Well, change takes work, it takes a willingness and openness to all possibilities. It takes a curious mind, one that is willing to explore and learn the how, what, why’s necessary to make and implement the change.

Life is simple, just not easy. We constantly construct stories, dramas, theories, etc. that have little to no validity except that they prevent us from living our best life and interfere with the things that matter most, like reality.

Life is about relationships and relating. Not only too people but to things such as nature, matter and truth. You cannot ignore this fact, so learn how to improve your ability to relate and your relationships.

Stop judging yourself and others. What good does it serve? People are just like you, doing the best they can with what knowledge they have and in context of their experiences, which form their perspectives.

We were not born with the skills, abilities, tools and techniques necessary to succeed in this life. We have to learn these things and that never stops. Just because you are out of high school, college, or a millionaire does not mean you stop learning, growing and improving.

For the most part you are where you are due to the choices you made and actions you have taken. So, you are the master of your domain, the controller of your life path and journey. The wisdom lies within, so open up and listen and act accordingly.

Some things are just plain and simple out of your control, so let go and manage the things you can, yourself, your thoughts, your actions. Use your wisdom and intelligence and if you are not certain, then seek someone who has done it and learn what you need.

We all are a grain of sand and each grain is essential to the success of each other. Therefore, you are a member of a larger community, known as planet earth. Remember that your actions, choices impact others on a multitude of levels. Do your part!

Life is about what is, not what if, especially if the what ‘ifs’ are impossible ideas, etc. like being 6 feet when your 5 feet, or never having had your heart broken.

So I am headed to Costa Rica to be the assistant at Marianne Wells 200 hour yoga teacher certification program. What an honor, I am so humbled and grateful. This is an amazing opp/experience.

I am digging teach yoga and learning about the internal process/journey and deepening the layers of the mind, body, soul and spirit. I feel an amazing peace on this journey and so blessed.

I apologize for not posting more stuff here, I have been using Facebook due to the simple fact it seems everyone is there these days and it is so easy to share. I will update in Costa Rica

Peace and Gratitude to each of you
joe

What Is, Is!

Nothing is perfect or imperfect, it truly is. One must deal with truth, act in authenticity and be in peace with the reality of existence! Things are as try appear, there is no masking what is with inorganic notions of what maybe.

To dream of and wish for something is a wonderful concept but it should come
From what is possible not a what if that is hypothetical in nature with no essence of truth. For example if u are an adult and short in stature but wish u could be tall, well that is not real, not plausible. But if u wish for peace, happiness, a material good, something that u can create and make happen, that is potentially available then that is a what is not a what if.

All too often we do not like our reality and wish it could be different and in many if not most cases it is possible. For the most part it is our choices that have us where we be, in our what is state, and it is our choices and our acting on these choices that can help us to create the state of being in which we wish to be.

If ur reading this it is because u have the power and ability to choose, u like me are fortunate to be in this position. For that reason alone we must with compassion, gratitude, grace, humbleness, humility, respect and non ego/ non attachment make the most of this ability and freedom to choose to live our best life.


Gratitude,
Joe

Squat PR of 440 Video

My Journey to 440

So, it started in February at 185lbs and culminated with a PR of 365 in late March with my good friend Johannes spotting me on his visit from Germany. Not bad for 6 weeks. Now, previously, in 2007 I did a 4 week cycle with Mark Reifkind when we were training and I was able to do 307 for 3 sets of 3. So, I was not surprised by this March PR.

I took all of April, May and the first half of June off of squatting due to mainly traveling and teaching abroad. I was able to workout but nothing like when I am home at the gym in terms of weight, etc. Instead it was bodyweight squats, pull-ups push-ups, core work, running and some yoga.

Come middle June Kai and I enter an 8 week training cycle, squatting using the Westside principles (to some extent with respect to Westside) we tried to imitate the best we could using the box, dynamic method with bands and a 3 near max workouts over the 8 week period one in which Kai and I both hit 405 for 2 singles.

So, today, 8 weeks later I came in and did the full below parallel squat of 405, 425 and 440 leading to 2 PR's. There is much too attribute to the numbers and the most important is to exploration of the body, movement and training regimen. Always, studying learning and listening to whats going on, it all came together, like it should (in my opinion).

So, for not having a lot of actual squatting experience I am stoked and I thank people like Louie Simmons of Westside, Mark Reifkind for helping me back in 2007 and Kai and the rest of the Lab crew for working with me to explore how we can get smarter, stronger, more technical and skilled and thus establish PR's on a consistent basis...the journey continues and truly the number is irrelevant.

For me it is the journey and the learning, sharing, experiencing, challenging, practicing, playing, exploring, and the fact that I can, we can do this and we are taking advantage and working together to achieve and improve day in and day out.

PS: please check out Facebook where I post many of my articles these days, including "the lab, exploring human potential" fan page and "Joga, Yoga with Joe Sarti" fan page and of course my josephsarti profile.

Thank you for your support and interest!

Simplicity

Bruce Lee's take on Simplicity

In JKD, one does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.
Before I studied the art, a punch to me was just like a punch, a kick just like a kick. After I learned the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick no longer a kick. Now that I've understood the art, a punch is just like a punch, a kick just like a kick. The height of cultivation is really nothing special. It is merely simplicity; the ability to express the utmost with the minimum. It is the halfway cultivation that leads to ornamentation. Jeet Kune-Do is basically a sophisticated fighting style stripped to its essentials.
Art is the expression of the self. The more complicated and restricted the method, the less the opportunity for expression of one's original sense of freedom. Though they play an important role in the early stage, the techniques should not be too mechanical, complex or restrictive. If we cling blindly to them, we shall eventually become bound by their limitations. Remember, you are expressing the techniques and not doing the techniques. If somebody attacks you, your response is not Technique No.1, Stance No. 2, Section 4, Paragraph 5. Instead you simply move in like sound and echo, without any deliberation. It is as though when I call you, you answer me, or when I throw you something, you catch it. It's as simple as that - no fuss, no mess. In other words, when someone grabs you, punch him. To me a lot of this fancy stuff is not functional.
A martial artist who drills exclusively to a set pattern of combat is losing his freedom. He is actually becoming a slave to a choice pattern and feels that the pattern is the real thing. It leads to stagnation because the way of combat is never based on personal choice and fancies, but constantly changes from moment to moment, and the disappointed combatant will soon find out that his 'choice routine' lacks pliability. There must be a 'being' instead of a 'doing' in training. One must be free. Instead of complexity of form, there should be simplicity of expression.
To me, the extraordinary aspect of martial arts lies in its simplicity. The easy way is also the right way, and martial arts is nothing at all special; the closer to the true way of martial arts, the less wastage of expression there is.
In building a statue, a sculptor doesn't keep adding clay to his subject. Actually, he keeps chiselling away at the inessentials until the truth of its creation is revealed without obstructions. Thus, contrary to other styles, being wise in Jeet Kune-Do doesn't mean adding more; it means to minimize, in other words to hack away the unessential.
It is not daily increase but daily decrease; hack away the unessential.

Train smart, work smart

It is all in the brain and the mind, this is the leader of the body. The stronger the neural pathways and the better/clearer they communicate with the muscles and systems of the body the better the integration and subsequent movement/coordination of your body and the 'stronger' and more efficient and effective you will move.

This being said it is essential that when you train/practice/move you do so at the highest quality and with the most perfect state possible. This means operating in a state of fatigue, while good for certain things at certain time is NOT and I say NOT!!! the best or most optimal state to strengthen the neural pathways that truly help determine your success in movement! This means training/practicing/moving smart with awareness and learning how to move at the most optimal level, this means ramping up slowly and remembering that it is a journey. So, take the time to learn and study of the moves and how in particular your body performs and responds to the movement patterns.

Training is not all about effort, kicking your ass, burning calories, being lean, how fast, how much, how often, how, what when, why it is truly about attention to detail, preparation, a deep understanding of the intricate nature of the combination of systems that work together and how they work together to make things happen. This is why people like myself exist. I am not training your body, I am training your intellect, your intelligence, your mind and if you pay attention and give feedback combined with proper rest and nourishment and with that will power, the sky is the limit!

Train smart, work smart...

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

As I practice, explore, observe, move, train, and learn in my daily life I find myself looking inward through my outward actions and expressions. I continue to expand and progress in all areas of my life as I put intention, attention and compliment that with application. And as a student who explores for the purpose of being a better teacher and coach amongst many other reasons I find myself stepping each day into a new level of understanding and contemplation related to what I do.

I have been reflecting specifically on something Gandhi said, “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” And as I stepped under the bar the other day I took time to meditate on this concept knowing that I have ‘strength’ and I have ‘physical capacity’ but it is truly my will that is going to take all that practice and preparation and help me to go beyond any perceived limitation that I may have or anyone else may have for that matter.

This brought me back to a particular day when I was going for a PR, the first of its kind and with only 3 weeks preparation. And I remember my coach and others saying that did not believe I could do what I said I could. Based on what I had done up to that point and with the limited training I had I understand why they would think this way. But what they did not know and what I and maybe a few others actually knew is what was/is inside, what my will is, what my real strength is. Because strength is not only a measurement of numbers which will give you tangible feedback but like Gandhi says strength is something truly deeper, beyond the minds eye.

So, as I stepped up that day back then and again the other day and I did what I knew I was capable of and successfully completed my PR attempt. For me it was not about the number but more about the internal make up of my being and how all the deeper mental, emotional, spiritual and physical training has made me feel capable of doing anything that I put my mind and intention into! This moment, these moments are affirmations behind my practice and approach and truly that of the masters whom I learn from.

There are probably many reasons I am at this point and have come to this point in my life to have this deep inside believe that anything is possible, that there no limitations, only the ones we and society place on ourselves…and here is what I say to society, thank you but I do not accept your limitations so please just know that you can keep your gifts and share them with yourself or better yet join me in believing anything is possible!

I give thanks to meditation and yoga practices for helping me to solidify these neural pathways that I am developing in my mental, emotional, spiritual and physical make-up along with the spirit of the breathe of life and certain people who have inspired me along my path. I have made a choice and so can you! I choose to live a life without limits, borders and boundaries, to go beyond the minds eye to set/establish new paradigms!

Yoga will make you a better athlete period!

*Yoga is about breathing, that is the critical element. More importantly it is about breathe connected to movement. And as an athlete learning how to breathe, learning how to control respiration, learning how to deepen the breathe providing the body with more oxygen per breathe, slowing the heart rate, controlling the stroke volume, etc. Linking breathe and movement, saturating your body with O2 will only help you perform better, longer, and stronger.

*Yoga is about union and for the purpose of this topic it is the union of mind and body, breathe and movement. It is the ability to connect all systems of the body and help them to operate and the highest levels of efficiency and therefore effectiveness leading to a more integrated and fused approach to movement and a more relaxed state of mind within the movement. Yoga will make your mind and body move with more grace, more steadiness, more fluidity, more control, balance, power, speed, endurance, agility, flexibility and stability.

*Yoga will strengthen your body, your connective tissue, your structure and integration, your muscles, your breathe and your mind

*Yoga will increase your range of motion, your flexibility, your stability and your natural anatomical posture increasing your bodies ability to function at the highest level.

*Yoga will help you learn how to meditate for the purposes of relaxing your mind and slowing down all things going on around you. It will ground you admist chaos and in all sports there is chaos at all times, but it is the athlete who can slow things down and act ahead of and according to what is going to and what is in fact happening at the same time. Calming the mind, creating a stillness and understanding of the fluctuations of the mind is integral to all aspects of life and athletics is just one example arena.

*Yoga is an athletic form of movement and stillness. It teaches one how the body functions and how to address its own personal needs. There is not a person out there who could not benefit from this and athletes who know more about their body and their needs related to sport and life thereafter are in a much better position to be health and fit to perform.

*Yoga is a way to stretch and enhance flexibility, open the deep aspects of the bodies connective tissue, enhance range of motion and a part of the prehab, rehab, restorative, regenerative and recovery process. The difference is it is an complete integrative system of health and wellness that is far beyond what most people do and think when it comes to stretching. After all, flexibility and creating the openness and range of motion in the body is far more than just about folding forward in a standing or seated position to stretch the hammies.

This is just the basics, a little stream of consciousness related to some of what I have observed due to yoga in myself and others. I am not the only athlete or coach encouraging athletes to take into consideration the addition of a yoga practice. It does not have to be a 90 minute practice but it is one you should learn from a teacher such as myself who can analyze your body, your sport and see how it fits.

I do know this, it is my most important practice and it is the difference in my practice and ability. My mind and body function at a much higher level and this integration means I operate at a higher level of sequencing, fusion, function and action making it much easier for me to move and to do so with precision, coordination, strength, power, speed, endurance, agility, balance and other factors that define the athlete.

Do not take my word for it, try it and find out yourself!

System Principles and Adaptation

The Keys to any successful system is a strong and grounded set of principles and concepts and it is ability to be adapted to a given set of situations and circumstances.

As a student of systems, including Iyengar and Astanga Yoga; RKC and GS Kettlebells, Bodybuilding, Athletic Training, Westside barbell Powerlifting, Olympic Lifting (newest), Crossfit, Paul Chek, multiple nutrition systems (including Warrior Diet, Zone, South Beach, Mediterranean, etc.) and so much more it is my understanding of the roots principles and concepts of these systems and the ability to take them and apply them to the individual and put them into a progressive program that allows for success physiological, psychological adaptation all while keeping the goal(s) in mind and the present moment. (My opinion based on 14 years of study and practice/experience).

What I often see is people being beholden to a particular system and not truly understanding what it is about the system that makes it tick. The challenge is these often are the people teaching the system not just the people practicing it (i.e. the students). The dissemination of information is critical to the understanding and progression of any system and the people operating within the system.

Therefore it is essential to understand/learn the key principles/concepts of the system and then how to apply them across a large bandwidth keeping in mind that versatility/adaptability is a neccesity because in order to progress we need to understand all the variables present in the moment and keep in mind that a system with strong principles will stand the test of time and the present because it is able to adjust accordingly and still be in a constant state of progression versus digression.

What also must be kept in mind is simple logic and science that up until now has not proven to be anything but truth (absolute I am not sure, but as it stands, truth). For example concepts in physics, geometry, algebra, and even more specific to the world of training and athletics things such as General Adaptation Syndrome, Law of Specificity, F= MxA, and so on.

We operate in a world filled with information, ideas, thoughts, theories, systems and interpretations/perspective/points of view but often we forget there is a foundation, a platform for which any thing constructed is built upon. There is room for adaptability, just look at the human species throughout time and this obvious. But we must not forget the basics principles and concepts in which a given system is built upon and we must learn how to implement with as little as bias as possible, as little ego and attachment as possible and keep in mind that we have to be able to adapt to the given moment with the basic principles in mind/action.

The Hero Figure & moving beyond

What began as a way to ‘help’ a friend turned out to be so much more. Yes, lets play with this idea of help. That is what I do, I ‘help’ people through teaching, coaching, educating, motivating, supporting, listening, advising, and so on. I am a Hero, yep you heard it right, I have through the process of helping my friend ‘edit’ her amazing book, which is soon to be published, discovered through this process my role play in life.

The Hero, I will not give it away because I cannot even do the justice my friend Aimee does in her description of and explanation of the Hero but it is safe for me to say and Aimee verified that I indeed am the Hero.

Now, in the book Aimee refers to the Hero in terms of the roles we play in our ‘romantic’ relationships. And, yes, I have indeed been this person in all my relationships and what to me by bigger surprise is that I not only play this in my romantic relationships but also my life on the whole, just look at my profession.

My process of transformation out of this role begun long ago and is still in process. Through my self study of eastern philosophy, my personal experiences and the lessons they have taught (a big debt of gratitude to all my romantic partners for helping me in this), the coaching program at ITP and the introduction of meditation and yoga I have truly seen my transcendence of the Hero role.

This is not too say it does not appear here and there, but it is too say that I am aware (because of Aimee’s writing/book) what I have been in the past and what and how I have conducted myself and I have been able to ‘label’ or at least identify in words exactly what it is, the Hero.

I knew I was doing things that were not conducive to living my best life and I knew I wanted to change, evolve, shift, transform these. Now that I am armed with more information I have a great understanding and can take it too the next level. I know that Aimee’s book will help many people and I am one of the fortunate souls to be blessed to have read the book and be able to directly interact with the author!!!, how awesome is that!

Awareness is one thing, action is another and developing practices that help one to take action are essential. My meditation and yoga practice have truly begun to transform me on levels that I knew were possible but was not yet able to reach. These two practices have helped to me to put the pieces together and take myself to new heights, new boundaries, borders, and push beyond my self imposed limits conscious or unconscious, patterns and/or complexes.

The process is a journey, a lifelong one. I continue to move on the continuim and flow in the direction that my paths take me. Understanding who I am, what I am, how I am, how I be, etc. has been a catalyst putting me in the position I reside currently and will move toward in the future. My curiosity, exploratory nature and adventurous spirit puts me out in the world and gives me the opportunities to challenge myself to go beyond fear, to go beyond ego, to go beyond the false façade and inspire and motivate myself to be what I be!

I am grateful for people like Aimee, who are taking and sharing their life experiences, their educated opinions and bringing them to the people with the intention of helping people evolve and grow beyond their current status and in the process help evolve the consciousness of all society. I am in training myself, working on developing the ability, skills, to share and exchange with people in a way to help evolve the consciousness of all society.

The reason I am here today is that I am transcending the Hero and it is through all my experiences and my curious nature that I am in a position to do so. I am approaching my role with humility, humbleness, compassion, gratitude, unconditional love and as a person who knows a way or 2 to transform ones self. I am a living example of this and that definitely enables me to be in a place to share these ways.

I used to think I could change people, that I could be the difference, the reason, the purpose behind their desire and execution of their transformation. I used to want to be the ‘hero’, the one who healed people. Well, the fact is you are the only one who can help, heal, transform, etc. yourself. I can give you information, support, motivate, inspire, educate, teach, and coach you but it is you who takes and makes the conscious choice action to push/explore/establish boundaries, borders, and limits.

This awareness helped me too understand on a deeper level what it meant to be in my position, to serve my role in life. It is not to be the hero, it is to be a leader by example, transforming myself and doing all the things I offer in my services for myself. Of course, the other side that I do is I take/make the conscious choice action for myself and show myself the way I feel best suits me.

I am no healer, I am no hero, I am just like you a human being doing my best to live this life to my full potential and beyond. I am here to lead by example and challenge conventional wisdom, traditions and test the limits, borders and boundaries that we understand to exist. And through this I am here to inspire, motivate, coach, share, teach, educate, support, listen, love and serve all the people whom I encounter as they wish and within my essence.

The answer is there, it is within you! It is up too you to discover this answer and I encourage you to do what you need. And, I want to extend my gratitude and love to Aimee for inspiring, motivating, coaching, teaching, educating, supporting, sharing with me! You are a leader and you are doing so by example and I must have learned something in life, to surround myself with great people doing great things (and if you are reading this that includes you).

My gratitude to all whom have and continue to touch my soul, spirit, life and challenge, inspire, motivate, coach, teach, educate, share, support, love me!

Where has the Science and Art of Training Gone???

Seriously I am looking around taking it all in and wondering what has happened to the science behind performance. We have for the most part sold out as usual in hopes of a magic pill and fulfillment of our egoistic desires. We are bombarded with a multitude of magazines, commercials and so-called experts all trying to sell you something in which they make big $$$, often claiming scientific prove which is the quote of one source and truly the manipulation of the words in many cases all in search of the instant gratification.

This is not to say one system, one this or that is better than another. In many cases things out in the world of health, wellness, fitness, training, etc. have some merit. But, often it is the case that I hear of people spending inordinate amounts of money on Chiropractic work, physical therapy and supplements in an effort to get and stay healthy. I am not certain that is the model we want. And, with all the information available, why are we still so f**king fat not only here in the US but worldwide.

Somewhere along the line, sound science and application through art has been lost and the valuation of people like myself has been diminished to the point where one weekend or an at home test makes you an expert in this field.

I know many whom have slaved hours and hours through experience, research, education, discussion, etc. to learn and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to be healthy, well and fit. It seems that these people are often overlooked due to the hype, marketing and advertising of other things.

So, that is my rant and my point is that we as a society seem to be chasing our tail and in the process I do not see us getting smarter, better, fitter, healthier, more well or wiser. Being skinny does not make you healthy, lifting lots of weight and/or being able to wrap your legs around your head do not either.

Enough of this diet book, this supplement, this WOD, this chiro, this bullshit it is time to take a step back and realize that it is far easier than the latest fad, the hardest workout, the best supplement, the best diet, etc. Are we really that ignorant as a society.

We need to slow down and stop for a moment and think, really think without our ego and attachment to things and realize what is the makes of a healthy, fit, well, happy person and society and I would say that it is not what a majority of us are doing. Shoot, I hope I am 'wrong' but.....

You will be the judge of yourself and that is what matters.
You will make the choices you need to and that is what matters.
You will inform yourself however you need to, through whatever means you need to and that is what matters
You will be whom you wish to be because of your actions and choices and that is what matters.

It is not for me to tell you what to do but it is for me as a professional to share with you my observations of some of the absurdities that I see in the world of health and wellness. Now, here we are trying to reform healthcare in this nation and it is absolutely f**ked up.

We need to take a look at the food companies, the rules and standards set out by the FDA and USDA, and the $$$ behind all this crap, the insurance companies, Doctors, etc. Sh*t would should need very little healthcare because we have all the tools, etc we need already to be as healthy, well and fit as we want...we do not need a government healthcare system to take care of us, in truth. But in reality with the disillusion that exists maybe we do....

Awareness is huge, and I hope this 'rant' of sorts or reflection opens some thoughts and please feel free to offer your opinion.

In good health!

As the old saying goes, I have a lot to learn

No matter what there is always a check and a balance, a yin and a yang, a high tide followed by a low tide. For this reason I like to stay balanced and have an even flow. But, sometimes it is a challenge to advert from the highs of life and when I get caught up within them inevitably a low follows. This is the ebb and flow of life and this is the great equalizer offering us the opportunity to learn and grow, evolve and progress, appreciate all that life has to offer and humble us.

It is times like these that I simply slow down and take a moment to evaluate and take time to gain perspective so I can learn from and grow beyond these points. It is times like this that I am humbled and reminded that I am human, not superman, not a superstar, not the best, just a human like all others who walk this earth.

There is no best or worst, right or wrong, good or bad. There is only perspective and point of view as represented by my prior statement, this is my perspective. And, in my experiences life offers many opportunities to learn and/or embrace this. Some of these are learned harder than others and up till a few years ago I seemed to learn harder than I do at this stage of life. But, this does not make me exempt.

I am grateful for moments like these and you may ask why and simply put it allows me the opportunity to learn and share in my experiences. Sometimes people ask if I am always positive, or always in a good mood and truth be told I would say 95% of the time that is the case, it has not always been so but because of lives lessons I now can humbled say so. This being said I have those other moments and it is because of these that I am able to stay in the 95% category. Far from perfection but perfect for what is and what is meant to be in life.

I am accepting of the gracious gifts that life offers even when they are more challenging than one wants, wishes for or desires, even when the do humble, humiliate, and ground. For this I humble bow my head in the offering of Namaste and Om Shanti as we say in yoga and simply say thank you to life and all the wonderful people and things that bless me on a daily basis.

As the old saying goes, I have a lot to learn and the more I learn the more I realize how ignorant I am and therefore humbled, grounded, compassion, open and grateful!

Stopping to smell the Roses, How fragrant/beautiful they Be!

So many interesting opportunities lie in front of me. It seems daily I am receiving offers from people to do some cool projects. And I have to say I am speechless and truly do not have a clue as what to do. I know this I am grateful and appreciative and that I really want to do them all. But as my fortune cookie said the other day while in Germany, do not accept what you do not want to do.

So, I sit in peace, stopping to smell the roses, contemplating and reflecting on life past, present and future. I consider the unlimited potential and possibilities and I ponder. I know the world is my oyster, my pearl, my gem and I get to choose how I wish to spend my fortune.

Today I sit at a crossroads with many paths to choose and many directions in which I may travel. I realize that I must keep on walking, keep on singing, keep on moving and grooving and doing what I do regardless. And, this I do today and everyday, I awake and take charge of the day and explore life and my relationship to all.

It is an amazing and wonderful position to be in, one where people are seeking to join in with you, share with you, play with you, etc. I am honored to have built myself and positioned myself in a way where things exist as they are. I realize there is so much, so many journeys and paths worthy of following.

I am not worried, nor concerned about the outcome or decisions. I am flowing with it all and taking time to appreciate the place where I stand in the present moment and because of this I have no worries about the future. Everything has and does work out just as it is supposed too, not always how you 'think' but exactly as it is to be.

Therefore, sit back, listen and observe, be humble and grateful, believe in yourself, trust in the process, have faith in all things and surf the waves of life and keep on climbing open to all the possibly routes, possibly paths to get yourself to your peak!

When its all said.....

When it is all said, when it is all done how are you, how do you want to look upon your life? Yeah, this is an important question I continue to ask myself as I set out to live my life to the maximum, to its peak potential and beyond.

I take time to observe what is happening around me, how things are happening, how people are doing life, their life and I observe with an open mind, an empty cup and place myself in their shoes. Why? Because everyone and every moment provides an opportunity to learn and I believe we all are teachers as well as students.

At the core of it, the core of life I feel grounded, peaceful and grateful, compassionate and love unconditional. Also, an integral part of my core is desire to explore, be adventurous, challenge myself, take calculated risks and really explore the depths of my core and all that is around me. Therefore, I am in a constant state of motion finding myself being grounded in the flow of life and living. I find myself being still, taking time to reflect and observe what has and is happening in and around me and this world, exploring the unlimited potential, unlimited possibilities of life and that this planet offers us.

I know this, when it is all said and done I want to have lived my life without self erected limits, borders and boundaries. I want to know that I went out everyday, every moment and did the absolute best I could and carried myself in unconditional love, gratitude, peace, compassion, with an open mind, eye, ear, and surrounded by amazing people and the beauty that relationships provide.

I look forward to having an amazing partner to share in these experiences, amazing friends and family to laugh, smile, and cheer life with, and a life that inspires others to achieve their own personal greatness, to live their own life without self erected limits, borders, and boundaries.

The way is clear, the path is open, the journey is happening and how to do it and how you want to see it, feel it, experience it is up to you. I will just say this I am here and you can always find me if you ever need a friend to share in this beautiful life with.

See you along the way of your path on this journey of a life with unlimited possibilities. Now the peak awaits me so I off to set out on my adventure to explore how I am going to get there and I will be doing so with smiles, laughs, love and gratitude open to the way that I flow with.

Another Trip is complete

Yet another trip, yet another amazing experience full of wonderful, funny and inspiring moments. Nothings too far, nothing out of reach, all within our grasp if we put our hands out a reach for ‘it’ So, I put on my flip flops, slap my hat on backwards, board shorts, t-shirt and backpack slung over my shoulders and I reach out and grasp the world with my own 2 hands.

As I walk this land, traveling about, meeting people of all kinds I tread lightly leaving no trace but a smile on the face. A smile that reflects all the while the gratitude that fills my spirit with peace.

I cannot help but open my eyes and take a look around me and see how much, the unlimited amount of love that fills my space. Along this journey I have been blessed, touched, gazed upon the people of this world with open arms and a willingness to explore with me all that this world has too offer and more.

My experiences have taught me a vast and limitless number of lessons, so much so that I keep learning from them far after they have been ‘experienced’ in the moment. One lesson that I continue to learn but maybe truly have only begun to grasp is the beauty of each person, each experience, each exchange, each engagement, each perspective of all those whom I encounter and beyond.

We all are human, a simple but often forgotten fact. We all have basic wants, needs, etc. No matter where I roam I experience this and these experiences remind of this point. What I understand is that little fact is so important to getting the ‘maximum’ out of the experience. I am aware that when I remove my judgment, empty my cup and open my mind, body, soul, spirit, heart, eyes, ears then I am far more able to truly see the beauty and enjoy the experience.

It is a wild, crazy world and there is chaos everywhere but people function, people work together to make it work, to make it happen. We find are flow, our rhythm, our ability to mix, mash and blend into a beautiful fusion.

We are relationship oriented and it is our relationships that truly help us to define ourselves. These relationships extend beyond human interaction and include our relationship to nature, space, perception, perspective and probably the most important relationship, the one with our own being. Traveling really helps me to understand the importance of relationships and how in principal there are core concepts with all relationships but each one is so amazing and unique to itself.

My relationships are beyond value, they bring life to life and make it so much more fun and amazing day in and day out and I am just truly grateful for all the people who are, who have and who have yet to bless me with the opportunity to form some sort of relationship with them. Many of them have no name that I know but I realize they like me walk this earth and share in many experiences even if from their own point of view. For instance the guy sleeping next to me on the train as we travel in the same direction toward a destination, his name unknown but I am aware of his presence and I realize he has a story just like, a life he is living just like me.

Life is, what life is and for me that is a big playground full of tons of amazing things for me to explore, encounter, exchange, share, touch, feel, look, smell, taste, etc so I can live it to my fullest potential and beyond! I just ask everyone to join me and lets play and have a kick ass time living the best life possible and making sh*t happen!

See you on the playground!

Are you settling in life?

Whenever I spend time on the road I always find moments of solitude where I take the time to reflect on my life. Sometimes I ask myself questions and today is one of those days.

Being blessed with great fortune in life I felt it time to contemplate whether or not I am a settler or better yet settling in my life?

One reason is traveling I often see/meet people who are content with the life they live and just settle into existence. For these people it truly is as good as it gets and most of them are very content and happy with said existence and for them I applaud them for finding a form of personal peace that they can live in/with.

But, this is not me, this is not for me. I am an adventurer, explorer, one who enjoys extending and expanding myself, challenging and test my being. This I truly know and embrace, it is ingrained in my nature and being.

So, here are some questions I asked myself

*Are you settling in your relationship or willing to do so? Heck no, since I am single this is more a forward looking than something I am experiencing.

Are you settling in your job? Again no, I am constantly striving to better myself and what I offer, etc.

Are you settling/settled in your ways? Nope, I believe I have core values, principles, etc. but I am open to bettering myself...this is the nature of my beast. Note, this was not always the case as I often fought change out of truly a lack of understanding of the knowledge, info, wisdom I have currently.

What are you willing to do to get what you want?

Do you want the easy way or the more challenging way(s)?

Do you aspire to 'greatness' in life or are you willing to accept less?

If you know me then you understand that I truly believe their is no right nor no wrong. Who am I or is anyone else to say this is the right way, only way, etc. No judgment passed for whatever one chooses, I am empowered to make choices and I hope you feel, understand and know that you are as well.

Germany Part 1

WOW! Teaching abroad in a foreign land, specifically Germany is such an amazing experience. Anytime I cross borders I find myself in just a complete state of wonder and appreciation as I am so curious and open to see firsthand, experience firsthand what the people and land has to offer.

What I did not truly understand was the difficulty I would have presenting the material I speak on. To my surprise the language barrier is not the challenge it is the fact that many whom I have spoken with tell me their country is resistant if not hesitant to change or the innovation of new ideas.

This all being said I have found those whom have attended the seminars-workshops to be more than open and willing participants helping me to learn and grow immensley in my ability to teach, understand, translate and share what it is I offer.

There are definitely different standards and approaches her to fitness and training. The one that standouts to me is how after training or even a game-match the players sit around smoking cigarettes and drinking beers and not just one, LOL. The culture is definitely different but I really appreciate that this is their approach and their way of doing things. As I told them, I would not advise this behavior on a regular or daily basis but I understand that we all have our way of doing things and in Germany this more than norm than the exception.

Nonetheless, this experience has been nothing but an amazing life enhancing and enriching opportunity and I know I will be back as I have already been invited because those who step beyond their boundaries realize what I bring and it is far beyond the norm.

As I say I do not teach just exercise I teach physics, geometry, alegbra, art, philosophy and psychology and I translate it in multiple languages and across all borders and boundaries. It is so cool to have such a captive audience in to do so outside of the US!!!

So much more to come!!

Meditation

Meditation can be done anywhere, anytime, in any given moment! It is not something that requires one to go to yoga class, sit in a group meditation, find a comfortable, quiet setting, etc. In fact those are great examples of places where one can meditate but meditation is far more.

In fact, meditating while doing an activity is an amazing experience that will truly heighten the moment and activity. A great example is running where people will often feel a sense of freedom and just allow themselves to let go of everything and enjoy the surroundings, the air, the feeling and sensations from their breathe and their body moving.

The key is we can meditate in everything we do! It is a matter of where letting go of attachment to what is happening even though we may indeed be aware of our breath, our surroundings, etc. Awareness or consciousness is one thing, being attached is another.

For instance when meditating it is amazing to come to a place where all thought, all existence, all everything is suddenly nothing and you feel nothing, you are nothing, life is truly what it is and you are as you are. This state is achievable and there are those who can get there and stay there for extended periods of time. One may argue this is the goal of meditation and I would have a hard time disagreeing. However, I will say that goal only comes through a consistent practice and even the practice does not guarantee the outcome. So, this being said I encourage all people whether in a seated meditation, active, etc. to just allow what is too be. Do not judge, do not get caught up in the experience but rather just enjoy the experience for what it is. Allow yourself to be with ‘it’ and allow it to be with you.

If you are in a seated meditation, in a place where you are meditation with yourself or others such as a yoga class focus on your breath and maintain a strong and solid posture (seated or kneeling position which are most common). And if you fall out of or lose your breath, etc. do not fret, take this as an opportunity and bring yourself back to meditation.

Every time you meditate you will find a different and unique experience. This is the beauty of the practice and through consistency you will find a place where you can sit comfortably and release all that resides in you and completely relax yourself and come to a peaceful state of being.

There is no wrong there is no right! This is true in life and meditation. There are only experiences and our perspectives on them. No judgment, no attachment, just freedom to share, explore, exchange, experience life in its purest form, how you wish and no one else.

Opening Doors, an act of kindness!

Opening doors is an act of kindness practiced for the simple sake of recognizing anothers presence and showing your gratitude.

Often in the past I used to notice peoples response and wonder what made people acknowledge or not, your act of kindness.

Nowadays, I am conscious of the reasons why I open doors and through this I have learned it has nothing to do with acknowledgement but everything to do with acting in my essence and just being a thoughtful and grateful being.

I am honored to be able to open doors for people so they can enter into whatever it is they seek to find behind/through that door.

With my own 2 Hands

Changing Your Life

Is it time to take the bull by the horns and create the life you envision? If so, you need to create the environment that helps you create your vision. This requires a clear picture of what you envision and requires skills that will help you to bring the vision to life.

Your first step is to spend time visualizing what you want in your life. Here, it is important to create a place and environment where you can take the time to visualize what you desire. Make sure you have objects/things in your space that help bring you a sense of peacefulness, a sense of calm and soothing, a sense that this is your time and you have what you need to bring about your vision.

Some objects/things that may help you are candles, music, incense, a comfortable pillow or chair to rest on, being at the or near water or in the mountains, taking a long hike or walk, doing yoga, etc. The key to the success of this process is identifying what you would like in your environment, and being aware of how that changes over time during your visualization process.

Keep in mind, it is not necessary to use visualization practice in any particular ‘way’ but instead create a way that brings you to the place and vision you are creating. Most important is to put your vision in a form that works as a daily reminder of why you are doing what you choose to do each day and how your daily actions bring you to the place you want to go, the place you will be.

One possible way to foster your vision is through the use of written affirmations. Written affirmations are a great way to see in your writings and speak in your voice the vision you are creating. They serve to center us and remind us of where we are and where we will be. The focus brought upon us through affirmation helps to bring us closer to our vision.

Affirmations are typically short in words and have a rhyme which helps serve as a simple and effective way to make them part of our everyday life. Below is an example I use,

‘Today is my day! This is my day to be the best I can be to live and represent the values, attitudes, morals that I aspire to live my life by. Today I am a champion of these attitudes and I will lead be example. Today I evolve myself to a higher level of being, today I make and be the difference.’

Another possible way is through the development of a montage of images and words that resemble and express your creative vision. This artistic process helps to put your vision into real terms with more than just words by including images that serve to help you visualize the picture with greater clarity.

Keep in mind, that your vision must be one you belief in and that is representative of you (i.e. who, where, how, what, when, & why). There is a big difference between creation of a vision and bringing it to life. Therefore, once you have your vision design, it is important that each day you create a practice that serves to bring your vision to life.

Once this vision is created, the visualization process through the use of your affirmations and/or montage help to remind you and strengthen your belief that your everyday practice, your everyday actions, are leading you along the path that ultimately is you and your vision coming together in harmony.

Anything is possible! You must believe, have faith, trust and do the daily practice, the daily actions and create the space and environment to bring it to life. You must be the exception to the rule and be the one who inspires others without even knowingly doing so but just by being and walking the path you wish to walk.

This truly is your life and you can be, do, think, feel, act, speak, and create anything you please. And once you define this vision, let go and detach from it and allow it to come to life by living the vision day in and day out through your practice. Allow it to flow and be, close your eyes and trust in the process, trust in yourself.

The Steps Defined (in no particular order)
1. Create space to develop
2. Define your Vision
3. Learn, acquire the skills, tools, and objects you need to create and bring your vision to life.
4. Practice Visualization.
5. Create Affirmations
6. Practice Daily
7. Be The Exception
8. Have faith, trust and full belief in your vision and the creative process
9. Let go and follow the flow.
10. Enjoy the journey, the process, the path.

U R as U R, & U R perfectly good as is! Accept URSELF!

So why do you compete, or do you? I sure do and I do so with myself. I am not certain I would call it competition but more like a constant exploration and curiosity. But, not because I believe I am inadequate or have achieved a state of perfection but more so because I like going beyond perceived limitations, boundaries, borders and fears, I enjoy challenging myself so I can learn, grow, evolve and as a professional who works in this realm be one who speaks from experience and therefore when sharing, speaking, discussing, exchanging with others, they understand that I live my word.

Yes, I do believe in the moment, as we are right now we are perfect, not perfection but perfect. Why? Because we are a summation of our experiences, our perspectives based on these experiences, judgments, observations, encounters, exchanges and so on. As a human being walking this planet I do feel a duty to be the best I can be, to be open and willing to see things from other perspectives and then if compelled go out and see firsthand. Does this mean I am going to go bungee jump, heck no, not something I want to do but I sure respect others who do it or have done so. In fact I have admiration for them facing their fears, etc. or whatever the motive, drive, determination, reason behind THEIR CHOICE!

In life many of us are fortunate to be in a position to make choices and therefore determine the direction, path, journey we wish and will travel. This being said, you who are reading this probably have chosen your path and thus created your state of perfectness in the moment. The best part is, if you understand this and go through the process of realization and then turn to a process of actualization you will understand that if you like what you are doing then you can chose to stay the course but if you do not then you can change it!

Is it that easy? Well, truth be told I do believe so but I also understand that our society says no and puts out filters to support the fact that change is hard, fear is a factor, and that we need to follow such and such rules. Well, I am not a rule maker nor follower, instead I chart my course and allow for the currents, winds, etc. to play their role and make adjustments through calculated choices and with a bit of adventure and risk to help me create the path and journey I wish to follow.

So, I am working on living my life without limits, borders, boundaries and working on mastering the principles of human performance in all aspects of living through a state of constant exploration and in the process being unconditional in my love for self and all things, being compassionate and grateful as well. Yes, I am leading, charting, plotting, exploring the adventurous life that is Joe Sarti everyday and through my experiences I learn, grow, evolve and share with you all. And, I understand this, as I am right here and now I am perfect, I accept this and embrace it and am humbled by such a thing and that I have the ability to recognize but not be complacent but rather take it as an opportunity. Also, I realize this has nothing to do with competing against another, in fact I would love for us all to be playing, plotting, charting our courses of life together and sharing in the experience in an effort to help the human consciousness evolve throughout the world community, for the betterment of the world community!

Crossfit Level 1 Certification

Life is about choices and I am in a position where I can choose the directions I wish to travel. Being open and curious brings with the opportunity to learn and experience a wide variety of opportunities and I am a person who loves doing many things. I am only limited by my creativity, imagination and my ego.

Along the path of I life I have learned and experienced many things and it is those things that I have experienced that I truly feel I learned the most from, especially in the sense of the essence of the experience and gaining firsthand knowledge/information. In the past I have taken others words or experiences and allowed them, by my own choice to influence me and often times I have found that was not in my best interests. So, today I like to go out and give it the ole' college try myself and see, feel, taste, touch, experience things. Of course with all things in life, this is relative ( I do not plan to jump of a bridge anytime soon attached to a bungy cord :-).

This weekend is a great example as I attended the Crossfit Level 1 Certification. Impressed?? very much so and I am grateful for the opportunity and experience for a variety of reasons and if I had listened or allowed the influence of others to affect my observations/thoughts/feelings, etc. about Crossfit I would tell that I would have missed out on a wonderful opportunity to learn about a great system of fitness/training.

Crossfit lives up to its word and it does as it says and says as it does. I like the foundation, principles, elements, and fusion of these things. In reality it did not reinvent the wheel but took a ton of great parts and put them into an awesome package that delivers results. If your goals are to be fit across the board and be able to play with your kids, run with your friends, do some cool gymnastic moves like pull-ups or handstands, lift some heavy weights and you love variety, community and self competition then you have found a great system.

Being a jack of all trades, one who powerlifts, kettlebells, trail runs, mountain bikes, snowboards, martial arts, kayak, play rugby and of course a YOGA practice I am a living example of what Crossfit is all about just not completely within their parameters but pretty darn close. Now, the system gives me a way to play around and get some more structured play sessions so I can continue to be a jack of all trades.

Plus, I believe as a coach, for myself, I need to be learning and experimenting with various systems so I can see how they work, effectively teach, coach and explain them to my clients and continue to satisfy their needs/requests. In the process I get to play, learn, experience, and meet new people, things, concepts, and enhance myself and those whom I encounter, nothing wrong with that.

Will I do Crossfit? YES! Did I drink the kool aid? No but I get it and I have to say thumbs up to a great system that backs it up!

I have been very blessed in my life to experience many things and have many good to great coaches and this has helped me specialize and enhance my bag of tools, skills and abilities and Crossfit gives me a place to put them all into one bag and pull from that bag and play around in sound way.

I give a big applause to the Coaches who ran the show this weekend, they do an excellent job of explaining and representing the system and Crossfit should be proud of them as I know they are. I look forward to contributing to them and the community at large and continuing to enhance, evolve, develop the system much like with Kettlebells and Yoga amongst other communities.

You know, if I was not on the path I am and living the word I preach then I would have never had this experience. Freeing myself from ego, judgment, attachment and hard ass opinions has and did not serve me in that moment, the only way it served me was to learn that it does not serve me! I am thankful that I am embracing these concepts and principles and the main one of living without limits, borders, and boundaries, being open, compassionate, grateful, and respectful of all things! I am thankful for all that has happened to put me on this path, I am sure there were easier ways to get here but I am here and now and for that I had a wonderful experience and I have the great honor and pleasure of joining in another amazing community and have another outlet, place, way, to share the goodness, unconditional love, gratitude and ass kickingness of life with amazing people!

3, 2, 1, GO! and do not leave the hips behind ;-)

Namaste and Om Shanti

Upcoming Seminars/Workshops

Below is my upcoming International and Local Teaching/Training. Please feel free to email me with questions and more details, etc. joe@fitnessjoe.com

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3 Pillars Personal Training Studio, Menlo Park, CA

http://3pillarstraining.com/

Kettlebell Seminar

*Monday May 18th
*Monday May 25th
*Monday June 1st

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Germany: Cologne, Berlin, Frankfurt and others

June 5th-14th

Holistic Health and Wellness for Athletes/Strength & Conditioning Seminar

I will be teaching at various Mixed Martial Arts gyms and other gyms as well for the dates listed below. The seminar/workshops will include teaching movement with Kettlebells, Powerlifting, Olympic Lifting, Bodyweight, Odd lifts & Yoga. In addition the workshops will discuss how to integrate and maximize performance in sport and life through proper nutrition, recovery, rest and meditation.

For more information please send me an email at joe@fitnessjoe.com

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Samasati Nature and Yoga Retreat Center, Costa Rica

http://www.samasati.com
http://www.mariannewells.com

August 15th-August 30th

Yoga 200 Hour Teacher Certification Program (Yoga Alliance Approved)

I will be assisting Marianne Wells for the August 15th- August 30th program. For more info please visit either site and feel free to contact myself, Marianne or Samasati.

Crossfit Certification

Yep, that is correct I am heading to San Diego this weekend for Crossfit Level 1 certification. This may surprise many of you and for good reason, let me explain....

So, I have been critical if not to say a non believer in the Crossfit system as well as others, it is not standalone in this case. But, as I mature and gain practical information through study and application I begin to see the merit of all systems, all things in life...ALL!!! I have to say my ego, which is a bunch of BULLSHIT! has hindered me in the past and I have allowed others opinions to do so without seeking and learning through firsthand experience. One lesson I have learned is that nothing mimics first hand experience like firsthand experience, no disrespect to any others.

So as I grow as a human being, which is most important for me, evolving as a complete being not just a coach/teacher/athlete I have learned to set aside EGO and be open, compassionate, grateful for others opinions and experiences and go out learn firsthand before passing judgment. This is truly opening doors for me rather than closing doors and I would rather have my doors open to the unlimited possibility rather than closing of a door/path because I have passed an egotistical judgment that really only holds me back.

My criticism is truly unjust in a general term. Crossfit does have its limitation and is by no means the one and only answer. However, it has many wonderful elements that make it a system that is worthy to learn, teach and implement on some level. Therefore I am heading to get certified.

As a seasoned professional I see ways that I can train the system implementing all that I already know and see how it can benefit me and how I can in turn more importantly teach the system to others, which is the primary purpose of the certification. Personally I am a playful person who loves to do many things. I truly am an athlete who dabbles in many different types of training systems and methodologies much like Crossfit. However, I am less concerned about how fast I can do something, or my time and more interested in having a well rounded program that compliments my personality and playfulness and that will enhance my abilities to teach and reach a larger community in this sense all while increasing my general knowledge of training! Afterall I am in the business of coaching and teaching and it is my job to learn, study, explore so I can help my clientle.

No kool-aid here, just the fact that all things have merit especially if people are taking part in them. All things are not 'perfection' and some are indeed better and more complete than others and all serve a different purpose for different people and this I understand and respect.

So, I am putting aside false pretense and judgement, opening my mind and soul to the experience and what these people whom have invested time and energy to come and share in their passion....and hey, I love to challenge myself and learn so start the clock, cause here I come "Fran" and "Diane", as Jimmy says I coming to get ya!

A letter to my Essence, my essential self!

In the search for understanding of self, discovering and uncovering my essence and my essential self I have traveled far and wide, to 23 countries, hundreds of cities, towns; many mountains, beaches, rivers; had countless conversations with countless number of people all in the effort of exploration and definition.

The number of lessons learned is infinite and growing as is the number of places traveled or yet to be traveled too, conversations had or have yet to be had, etc. Through it all this is really a big part of it and in its own way/words describes my essence or essential self....

I am what I be, what I am and in this moment or in this life what it appears to me is that I am an adventure seeker, an explorer who is curious and wants to learn, share, exchange, see, experience, feel, taste, be part of, live the life of, etc. And, as it becomes even more clear I find that in doing so I am better able to lead by example, speak from my truth, my essence and truly share with people my experiences and share in theirs all in the name of living life to the fullest, living without limits, borders, boundaries, fears and truly challenging and pushing myself to new frontiers.

The lifestyle of a person on the road, out and about, engaging, being a part of the world community! This is an amazing realization and truthfully more of an acceptance and embrace of my essence that a real discovery. Honestly I have known for years that I was like this, I just was not and am still not with 100% certainty how it all is going to show up or play out and part of the adventure and exploration is not knowing and being open to the moment, to the present, to the experience and allowing the present moment to move you in the direction you move.

I fought this for years, fought living my truth, my essence out of fear, out of influences that were not my own but allowing others to direct me, out of what I thought was the "RIGHT" way to do things, out of fear of loss of control, loss of partnerships (intimate partners), out of many factors that were not truths but things I made up due to my choices.

So, it has been a journey and continues to be one, but through time and by traveling down the paths I have and awakening to present moment, becoming conscious, becoming grateful, and finding uncondtional love, understanding and embracing non-attachment, embracing the compassionate way for self and others, and so many more factors (practically endless things, lets just chalk it up to an accumulation of the collective of all my experiences) I have come to my essence.

I stare it right in the face every time I look in the mirror, or engage with people, etc. I am not afraid of it and nor am I attached to it but I am embracing it and flowing through life with this understanding and an appreciation of my past, present and future.

I realize that living this way is not for everybody, and in fact may be for only 1% of the population. Many may not understand or even want to and many may be curious and some may even wish to do what I do in some way or another. None of this is important, it is part of life and the experiences we have. I am just grateful to have found my essence and embrace it in the present moment.

This chapter is in the beginning stages with so many potential pages to be written and many chapters to follow, stay tuned it is growing in adventure which means many stories, reflections, and excitement to come through the many varied expereinces and opportunities.

I say all this as a reminder to myself, as a letter to myself and my inner essence. Thank you for sharing in this with me and making it what it is!

Slowing Down

Yep, thats right, time to slow down! Seems odd for a person such as myself to say slow down or even promote such a concept. But, I have found that this is crucial, especially in this day and age, to take time to slow yourself down, to stop what your doing and just sit, be, and I am not talking about watching TV.

Through the implementation of yoga but even more importantly the practice of meditation, sitting in one place, quietly breathing and just allowing myself to be in the here and now, thoughts to flow in and out of me like a river has truly slowed me down and made my life so much more peaceful and more important helped me to learn how to appreciate everything I do, every moment, every conversation, everything and to see it for what it is. The big thing is I started to see, observe things I was not because I never slowed myself. Instead of running I have found myself stepping slowly and consciously in whatever direction I move and with a curiosity and appreciate/gratitude I have never before.

The funny thing is I found that by moving slower I moved faster, by doing less I was doing more. This was not my intention nor an expectation but more a by-product of slowing down. I realized just how amazing and full of experience/opportunity my life really is. I have found that instead of having to do this and that because it is good for me, or necessary, or this or that I am doing it because I see the joy, the beauty, the experience, the excitement, the opportunity, and recognizing that i have been blessed with all these amazing senses and abilities to do in life and that I must do just because I feel like a kid in the playground, innocent and free, gleeful and playful, open and exploring, and just being with whatever I am doing in that moment, no attachment.

All the sudden I found more space, more freedom from my yoga and meditation practice and this gave me the ability to move in ways I had only imagined. I feel stronger, fitter, more flexible, more aware, more conscious, more open and free of hard opinions and judgments, less fearful and more understanding of fear in general, more accepting of life and the things being presented, more ability to say no or yes and realize if it was the appropriate path or direction at that point in time and so, so much more.....

All this has come about by slowing down and the practice or awareness came through yoga and meditation. I realize that this is not everyones way but it is one that drastically changed my life and allowed/enabled me to come into my essence, my essential being and be my authentic self. Because of this my life is full of life and at the same time I am able to approach life like a kid, curious or as in Zen, with a beginners mind and realize that each moment is a moment unto itself but it plays a role in each and every moment thereafter and all of life is a series of experiences and moments that lead you to where you be in that moment.

So as a friend asked me the other day, do I get down or depressed or bummed. The reality is no, I do not. I feel still but I act on gratitude and compassion, I am able to reflect and see things for what they are. Now, I am not saying never or I will never but I find that it is not happening. Is my life perfection, by no means but it is perfect here and now for what it is but this does not prevent me from wanting to learn, grow, experience, share, exchange, listen, hear, be free of attachment, etc. I am a beginner and as Bruce Lee says, when they close the casket, then you can call me a Master (if that is to be so, if not, so be it). The reality is I am living and enjoying life to the fullest, exploring the endless and boundless possibilities that exist.

I find I am so blessed in life with great people, unlimited amounts of love and affection, opportunities that are just amazing and full of experiences and memories that seep deep into my soul and spirit and add to the culmination of all the beauty that touches the depths of my being.

PS: I thank you!

What are we waiting for???

Really, you ask yourself what you are waiting for in life? Often I hear people say they are waiting for the 'right' time but what is the right time, when is the right, is there a who with that right time?

I wonder aloud and I ask myself this question and now it seems that all I am waiting for is the funds and the appropriate event or weather to take advantage of what it is I want to do.

2 examples
World Cup Soccer only comes ever 4 years, so I am waiting for the 2010 event in Africa. Now, I have some other things I want to do as well that my overlap or sap funds from this and that is ok, but I have it in my sites and if it is meant to be it will...I am not waiting though

The other is too go to Nepal, Mt Everest and Tibet. Research has shown that there are optimal times and April/May is the best. So, I am planning this, now the 2 of these events potentially conflict $$$ wise but I am certain to do them at some point if not next year.

These are just examples of things in my life that I can make excuses as to why to wait, etc. but the truth is I am ready, I am able and I am willing so I am working toward them both as things to do. For me I have so many travel ideas, places I want to see, things I want to do whether I do these next year or not is not as important, AS LONG AS I am doing other travel things ;-).

I guess I am curious why we reason ourselves out of things, why we wait for the perfect confluence of events to conspire, etc. Does this approach serve us? Are we limiting ourselves from living in our essence? Are we cheating ourselves out of the things we want in life?

This weekend a number of people approached me (family and friends) telling me how awesome it is that I am doing all this travel and how they wish they would have done the same thing when they were younger. Many of them reasoned that as you get "older" you are able to do less and traveling abroad, living on the road, etc is just not something that older people do, so "do it while your young and you can" was the commonly shared feedback.

I understand this thought process and why they feel this way but I choose not to accept that as my truth, I choose to take life by the horns and do my best to live life to the fullest, to live to my human potential. I do not want to be limited by society, tradition, prevailing wisdom, money, time, etc. This is my F*&KING life and I have no time to wait to live my life the way I want.

Dam it is no wonder I love Frank Sinatra and that he also is Italian. Must run in the blood of us passionate beings!

The time is now, so what are you waiting for???

To be Chillin

You know and some of you do indeed, I used to be so super passionate that I was often defensive, unable to laugh at myself, would get frustrated, anger, jealous, resentful, and just a plain old ass at times, not often but to often at the same time. But throughout these experiences I was fortunate to have the ability to look back and learn from this and from people who were kind enough to let me know I was being a pain in the ass.

The journey or this particular journey did not happen over night, in fact I would say it took 34 years to get to where I am today, which really is a place where I feel chill, peaceful, where I can laugh, poke fun and just be free and open to life. I can say this for certain, I am in a far better place where I am today than ever before. the road was not always smooth and some great people were part of the carnage along the way but it was not personal or at least now I can say that.

I have kept working and working on myself and thank goodness for people and experiences that have led to opportunities combined with other factors all that work is paying off and the neural pathways are being set for a place of peace, gratitude, love, compassion, humor, humility, openness, etc.

The journey is an amazing one, one I look back and have so much compassion and gratitude for everything. Because of this, missing out on 2 awesome adventures, 10 days in Norway for national geographic magazine (cause i was too short) and the Rickshaw Run in January has no affect because I am just grateful to have the chance and I know that many more opportunities will come about and these 2 helped me to gain more insight into my essence, so I have learned and I am excited to create more things to do.

Rickshaw Run, 3500 miles through India in a 3 wheel scooter!

The adventures keep on coming! So, after 25 days hanging out in Australia and New Zealand I have come back with a BIG burning desire to continue my travels and extensively. Definitely I am looking forward to doing this traveling around and teaching which is already in the works for June in Germany and August in Costa Rica but even beyond this....so much is being discussed and planned and life truly is full of unlimited potential of possibility.

This is one of the things that always comes about when I travel, the unlimited potential and unlimited number of possibilities that exist. The experiences and opportunities that arise out of these is amazing, I know I am not at a loss of things to do, see, experience...I only would hope that I can accomplish it all or at least live in such a way that I am always out experiencing life to the fullest.

So, next up Germany in June, 3 (Strength and Conditioning) seminars scheduled and more in the works, then Costa Rica teaching Yoga. After that in talks with a good friend about co-hosting a holistic health and wellness retreat in Bali and so much more....

But here is the one I am eager to experience and in search of a good partner to join me on. I have had initial discussions with a great friend whom I hope will say yes, you know who you are!!! This next adventure will truly test on many levels and will be one to remember and tell the grandkids about. I am talking documentary, pics, twitter, facebook, etc. all in an effort to practice what I am all about, being free to live life without limits, exploring the goodness of humanity, the culture of a foreign land and the history all in the name of unlimited potential, great fun, memories, etc.

The event is known as the Rickshaw Run and goes through a 3500 mile odyessy through India in a 3 wheel, 1500cc Rickshaw. The things are known for breaking down and being totally unreliable, the race route is known as the un-route because well there is no direct way and nothing is guarenteed, not even finishing. Now this is done tri-annually and each time takes a different route. 64 teams will 'compete' over 2+ weeks. To me, this is the essence of what my philosophy of life is all about and truly is an opportunity to live my life without limits. Wish me luck as I go for my spot, no committed teammate as of yet on Thursday

http://rickshawrun.theadventurists.com/

http://rickshawrun.theadventurists.com/

The End of Journey that is never ending!

Another Journey around the world has come to a completion, but in reality it is never over. I am still learning from Europe which was 10 years ago, it seems that these experiences live with you forever as they truly are great teachers of life.

Some things I learned on this trip
* People are people no matter where you travel, we are simply humans doing our best to live our lifes to the fullest and with happiness, love, family, friends, and a bit of fun.

*I cannot change things that I have done in the past but I can learn and in the process be humbled and thus evolve beyond where I was to become a better person, more loving, kind, compassionate, free, open, understanding, respectful, grateful, appreciative, curious, living with a greater sense of wonder and humor, more chilled, more relaxed, more peaceful, and on and on!!!

The simple fact is that I have done things in my past, acted certain ways, said things, etc. that I would never do today. I cannot take those things back, cannot change the past but I can learn from those experiences, humble myself, have compassion for myself and others who may have been affected due to my actions, and can choose to not repeat those expereinces and have gratitude that I am conscious enough to admit that I can do things better and willing to suffer the humility and make the changes.

We only know what we know and in time we learn, grow, evolve, change and therefore the way we act, respond, chose, be changes and everything in hindsight is clearer. The thing is to be open, present, conscious, humble and have that child like beginners mind where you are curious and willing to explore others, yourself, life, etc.!

Life is AMAZING, people are amazing, we are all HUMAN doing our best, lets appreciate everyone and every experience for what it is and if you do not like then be the difference, act the part by being that change you wish too see, these are the words I tell myself and thank you, all of you for making me who I am and to be able to learn and realize what I have shared!

Gratitude and Love

Reflection

I have had the great fortune to visit many a beautiful places and do many amazing things in my life. Yesterday was definitely one of the HIGHLIGHTS of my life! Kayaking the Milford Sound in New Zealand playing with Dolphins, Seals, big beautiful waterfalls cascading 1000-2000 meters off of sheer granite walls with majestic peaks, glaciers and the most tasty, calm pristine water one could imagine for being in an ocean.

Now, pictures are indeed worth a thousands words but experiences are priceless! Truly pictures did and do not do this place justice.

I suppose if there is one word of advice I can give to people is that if you have the chance, the time get out and see the world, travel to foreign lands and not just the cities but the places that mother earth has blessed us with. And when traveling make sure to take time to interact with the local folks, this is some of the richest experiences you will have in your travels.

Often when talking with folks they tell me that many Americans do not take time to talk and share with them. The locals tell me how much they appreciate when foreigners take time to interact, engage and explore with them.

As I travel I truly realize that this world is full of amazing, beautiful people, places and opportunities. The world is sure bigger than the white picket fence, BMW and designer label clothes, not that there is anything wrong with this...to each their own and it does truly take all kinds and that is what makes the world so amazing.

When you travel you meet all kinds and you realize that a friendly smile and as Ernie, a South African man said too me, it is how you say things that makes the difference, and the reason I can quote this man is because we both stepped out of our box, had a beer and chatted about life, our lives, the similarities and the differences and how we came to meet up in a foreign land 'by chance'

I am grateful for my curious mind, my willingness to explore and in this experience the lessons I am learning and my realization that I have a responsibility to this world, to the people of the world community and it is imperative that I get out and do this work! Yes, I do believe we all have this in our unique way and it is up to each of us to figure it out.

What it is for me, well I am already doing bits and pieces of it and more keep coming. I am young and so much is in my presence and present and so much more in my future! Time will tell the story of what it is for me, I do have a vision, a intention but I am open to the present, to the opporutinities and experiences that life puts in front of me! So to say this is the exact way would not be possible, I just know that when it is all said and done I will fulfill my responsibility, my role and leave this world a better place.

I hope you all join me in walking this world, engaging with the people and places of this world and experience firsthand life in this world outside of your comfort zone or box and in the process discover your journey, what your responsibility is!

You truly can have it anyway you wish!!!

Perfect Day...and things that make it perfect for me

You ever been so fortunate to have the perfect day? Well, I have and the funny thing is since I really began to tune in and open my consciousness I have found that everyday is perfect. Why not, I am alive, living, breathing, experience, embracing, feeling, being, sensing, learning, growing, loving, showing and being grateful, healthy, peaceful, and on and on!

So let me give you an idea of the past 2 days and what I have been experiencing in these 2 perfect days.

*Coffee at a great little spots where I can sit and sip watching time slowly pass and people cruise by doing there thing.

*A good book while sitting and sipping.

*A journal to record my thoughts and observations of life as I sit and sip coffee.

*Good music to listen to while sitting and sipping coffee, and while running, and doing yoga on the beach and while sitting on the beach watching the waves crash gently on the warm and soft sands of time!

*A good beach to swim in, too watch people, too watch the ocean, to run along, to do yoga on.

*Yoga on the beach

*running on the beach

*Sitting on the sand of the beach enjoying the views of life

*Peace and quiet and stillness that comes from living the moment and being in pure beauty and presence

*A good sweat!

*Silence

*Beauty

*Peace

*harmony

*grace

*Gratitude

*A being present, conscious, and aware that this is all happening here and now!

Feel blessed to be forutnate to walk in my shoes and be able to experience and share this with you all.

A reflection on my travel experience

LIfe on the road, traveling such as I am is just one of the most important must do's in life. What one learns, sees, experiences, etc. is just mind bending, mind numbing and totally life changing! What you thought you knew, what you thought was this and that truly comes right in front of you and will challenge every aspect of your being.

this is not to say that this not part of normal life if one is open, aware and present but this is too say it is truly a unique experience unto its own. I mean truly this is something that should be mandatory or at least exist as an encouraged option in the US and everywhere. I know that some countries have this built in as an option and encourage their people to experience the amazing opportunities that traveling out of your realm, to a new land, new culture, new places, offers.

yes, I miss home, I miss my family, friends, clients, and some of the wonderus daily activities and lifestyle I lead but times like these make me appreciate and have that much more gratitude for all I have in my life, all the possibilities that exist! Plus, my level of compassion increases and I truly see much more clearly the realities of life and what can be done to shift, transform, change, improve some of the things that are less than appealing.

Also, one of the main things I see is the Basic Goodness in all mankind, all people. Even those whom I do not choose to mimic, follow, etc. they all serve as teachers and great reminders that we all are doing our best given what we know, what we understand, what we have at our disposal.

I am fortunate to have to opportunity and curious mind to explore and be open to all that is available, for this I am humbled, compassionate and grateful. But also this spurs me onto make a bigger difference, to share and exchange with all of the people of this world. This makes me want to continue to serve all mankind and explore and learn more ways that I can spread this awareness of the basic goodness and help others to open their eyes and perspectives to the unlimited potential of mankind!

I ask myself each day what can I do to make this and those I encounter shine and help their inner essence glow so they can explore their unlimited human potential. this means I have to do the same and holds me to a high standard, not others but me to be a leader by example and to show a possible or number of possible ways to go beyond our boundaries, borders, etc.

Blessed, honored, humbled, compassionate, grateful and full of life and love!

Dont Slip, Slick

Went on a beautiful kayak trip today out of Airlie Beach which this area is comprised of 74 Islands the most famous is WhitSundays and Whitehaven (which is 95% silicon beach). We did not actually tour these as they are a bit far for a day trip but we did check out 2 other islands.

We were able to catch sea turtles and big eagles which was super cool and just floating and paddling through the beautiful waters is breathtaking especially when looking around you all you see is mountain filled with trees (tropical area) which makes up many of the islands

So, we snorkeled around and then there was the cool rock climb to a lookout. I could not resist and the views were indeed nice...but I thought what the heck why not go higher up and as I reached doing the splits, barefoot and hoping to pull myself and jump up to the next big rock, OOOOPS I slipped falling 10 feet down on my back scraping myself as I slide between the big rocks. Fitting for our trip that this would happen but I would have thought to Tully not me. Luckily I just have some big scraps and nothing more! I walked out ok but definitely with some big red marks.

So, off to snorkel the reef tomorrow on a big Catamaran and then flying to Byron Bay to Surf and Catch the blues festival and Michael Franti and Spearhead

Update

Ok, so I sure could add more to the stories but with limited time I have not been able to do justice...I wish I could add pics to support this whole adventure but upon my return

Quick follow-up from the Spaceship fiasco. Instead of the sleeping in a minivan, we are relegated to an Ocean View 1 Bdr Apartment...pretty sweet upgrade, the cost was a 30 hour trip of 1200 km, a sleep in a parking lot of the mechanics place, and a half day in Gin Gin, which is equivalent to a small town in the midwest or bum fu*k egypt!

At the Great Barrier Reef and loving it!

Houston, we have a problem!

The Spaceship has officially crapped out! SO the van we rented, AKA the Spaceship named Sprocket broke down out in "middle of nowhere" in Queensland. After a 2 hour ordeal, a movie called In Search of America which we watched in the Van awaiting the tow truck we finally made our way to the small town of Gin Gin.

Yes, it is hard to believe that so many goofy things could happen in a short period of time, like cars breaking down, missing connections, baggage handler strike, driving the wrong road, etc. but this is the case.

Talk about a test of your sense of humor, patience, friendship, and my personal life philosophies, this has truly been a great way to challenge my being and my way! All this being said, I have stayed true to my essence and am truly grateful and enjoying this whole experience. Yes we lost a day due to the SPaceship breakdown, in turn the company is arranging alternate transport and setting us up with accomodations which are far better than sleeping in a small caravan for 4 days.

So here we are, here I am living the adventure of life, truly exploring myself, Australia, my philosophy or way of being, and so much more! How can I not be enjyoign myself!

Do not trust the GPS, Australia Part 2

So goof balls like me love to backpack, free wheeling around and just letting things happen and come as they may. You have an idea where you want to go, what you want to do but you are open for anything and everything because that is the point. So, sometimes you head to a place with the intention of staying for a night or two and then moving on but things arise and all of the sudden you change your direction.

So we are at Noosa Heads which is this most amazing a beautiful place on the Eastern shore of Australia, abouot 2 hours south of Brisbane on the way toward the barrier reef. Of course we have no accomodations and just plan to find something when we arrive. Now, my mate Tully is a planner so this is a bit unlike him but he is open to trying things my way, and being a backpacker himself who has traveled extensively this is not much of a stretch, he just has to remember the good ole days :-)

So, of course we decide to change directions. We are scheduled for a tour of Fraser Island (a must see/do) the next morning at 740 am and our pickup point is about 45 minutes from Noosa at Rainbow Beach.

So after a look on the internet for possible accomodations, an email inquiry and confirmation, a check in with Tully's wife we are on our way. It is night out and Tully cues up the GPS (TomTom) to lead the way. Tully has a sweet ride, an new Audi Quattro hatchback sporty car so we are traveling in style, although I am sitting on the left, which in Australia is the passenger seat...weird cause I want to drive, LOL

The GPS picks our coordinates and lines us up to go what appears through this really beautiful tropical forest versus the long way which would take us out towards the mainland and then back toward the coast which appeared to be the long way any who.

So off we go and Tully's wife Rachel was warned from our destination hotel to be careful of the GPS because it brings you along a dirt road which is 40+K. As you can imagine we ended up on the dirt road, failing to listen to the wife and Hotel owner and what a freakin crazy off-road, YES off road in the wilderness at night ride, big rocks, pot holes, bumps, ruts, you name it all in this Audi.

Poor Tully was going nuts and could not believe what we were doing. Now, failing to trust his own intuition we stuck it out even though a number of times he spoke of turning back because he thought we were going the wrong way (which we were not) and it was brutal on the car!

Now, I was laughing and keeping my cool just supporting and encouraging him to follow his intuition...too me we were well beyond the turnaround point once we reached half way, the worst that could happen is we would have to pullover and spend the night in the forest, which was beautiful with gorgeous skies filled with sparkling stars everywhere we looked and a sliver of a moon.

Of course, we made it and a 45 minute ride took over 3 hours and a few scratches on the cars underside, thank goodness that is all!

A few good laughs, on my part not necessarily Tullys, a great journey that is typical of these kind of adventures, a GPS that was right in its course, but truly did not understnad the type of road it chose, and the fact that we must trust our instincts and intuition which for me was to avoid this road and take 'the long way' which in fact we did on the way home and it took only, you guessed it 45 minutes to get back to Noosa.

Life is truly about the experience, the journey and just enjoying these moments and being free and open to all possibilities and doing so with great people!