Let’s start with my conception. My timing was a failure even before I was conscious. I was a rude surprise, especially to my eighteen year old mother. From the beginning, I was behind the eight ball.

In second grade, I had a huge crush on Jamie Steiner. Kid never noticed me. WHATEVER JAMIE STEINER.

In catholic school, in general, I was a f*ck up. I was always getting in trouble; the nuns were on me about everything. My grades were shitty. And I had one nun literally tell me, “When we go to mass today, we don’t need you hanging from the chandeliers.”

In high school, I tanked my grades in my senior year because I ditched school so often to play basketball at Memorial Park.

Though I was MVP of your very mediocre Santa Monica High School Vikings, only one college came to see me, Northridge. They hinted at a partial scholarship, and I had no tools on how to follow that up.

I didn’t go to college.

I pined hard about going to college. Then did nothing about that.

I once landed an interview for a job I really wanted, then marked down the wrong day and showed up to the interview a day late. What a heel!

I was hired to be a salsa dancer for the movie Mambo Kings, but I failed to take the offer. I was too scared to leave any of my three jobs at the time for something that seemed frivolous. Sigh.

When I was a broker, and as soon as I started to make real money — money I had never seen before  — I blew most of it like a total idiot. And I ruined my credit. 

I once fell on the dance floor during a salsa exhibition when my partner stepped on my shoe. I don’t even need a metaphor for failing and getting back up — this one is literal!

I have failed at my share of relationships and friendships.

I failed at owning a business.

I should have written three books by now.

I haven’t PR’ed a lift in years, and I’ve tried hard on cleans especially.

I’ve messed up this parenting thing a few times even when it’s the thing I work hardest at.

For the first 40 years of my life, I failed to realize that I alone am responsible for my happiness. Sometimes I still forget.

In blogs and coaching, I talk a lot about failure and not shying away from it. And it occurred to me to point out some of the times I’ve done it myself. There are still so many things I didn’t list. If you know me from the gym and/or from Instagram or FB, my life looks pretty spectacular. That’s because it is, but it doesn’t mean I haven’t gone through a lot to get here.

I still constantly wonder if I’ve done enough, if I’ve tried hard enough. Possibly not, but I’m just going to keep going. I’ll dust myself off, and try again harder at the things I’m passionate about even if they’ve eluded me before. What else am I gonna do? Without the constant getting back up, my life would not be anywhere near as spectacular as it seems – and is.

Friday’s Workout
Practice

A) Power Cleans
Find a heavy 2-rep Power Clean

B) 4 Rounds on the 3:00
Run 200m
Max reps of Pull-ups or Chin-ups (Strict)
(Work capped at 1:30)

Saturday

3Rounds for Time
400m Run
9 Front Squats (295/185)

Don’t forget to check out Nick’s Barbell Bodybuilding class at 11am

Sunday

24 mins Total (alternating between iso, strength, and conditioning)

Iso 8x, Strength 8x, Conditioning 8x

1: Iso (30-45 seconds)

           Wall Sit

            Hollow Body

            Superman

            Bottom of the Lunge

            Side Plank

            Bottom of the Pushup

2: Strength (3-5 Reps)

            Sumo Deadlift

            Weighted Chin Up

            Strict Press

            Bench/Floor Press

            Back/Front Rack Reverse Lunges

            SA Bent Over Rotational Row

                *Can pick two                

3: Conditioning (30-45 seconds)

            Assault Bike

            Ski Erg

            Row

            Step Ups

            Rotational Med Ball Slams

            Sit to stands

                * Can pick two

Monday’s Workout
Competition

For time:
Row 10,000 meters
(50-minute cap)
***LEADERBOARD WORKOUT***