Holmes Improvements

I dreamt there were 5 messages in my inbox all of the sudden. I must have checked my Dash right before I fell asleep.

Anybody want to help make this dream come true?

Yesterday I set some pretty audacious lifting goals.

Already excited to share progress as it happens.

Just do it.

In my short time working out at Mash Elite I have not only gotten a lot stronger, but I have also learned a lot.

Today I got better- not because of my workout but because of what I learned.

For about a month I have been battling with 200 lbs on my clean (which is 4 or 5 workouts since I only clean on Fridays). Today we did Power Cleans. Once I killed 175 Travis told me to put 5’s and 2.5’s on. 190. Now I’m thinking. I bailed on my first attempt. Then after a pep talk from Travis and some yelling from the other guys I destroyed 190 in what felt like my best power clean ever.

Add another 5 on each side. 200. Now it’s really in my head. Travis said that no matter what, there was no excuse to miss. And I did. 2nd attempt, nearly cleaned it but had to bail. Good fight he said- take a minute and let’s get this. 3rd attempt, good power clean, but as I fought up I wasn’t stable in my core and I stumbled forward and had to drop the weight.

Why explain all this?

Mainly because of the coaching Travis gave me throughout that span of maybe 5 minutes.

All that coaching, all the vocal cues, and some of the conversation I had later taught me something valuable.

If I’m going to achieve a goal a few things need to happen:

1. When I set the goal I should dream big. My body will only think the weight is heavy if my mind says it is. A 650 lb. squat will be heavy, but everything else is light. A 400 lb. clean will be heavy, but once I get over 200 everything will be light up until then. Etc.

2. I should visualize myself achieving my goal. From now on before I approach the bar I will see myself doing the lift first, from chalking up to my set up to whatever comes next. If I want to dunk- I need to visualize myself dunking. This could go for non-athletic goals as well.

3. It always takes heart. If I want to do something I have to set my heart on DOING it. It’s like Yoda said, “Do or do not. There is no try.” So rather than trying to clean 200 or deadlift 455 or whatever- mentally and in my heart I need to decide I’m going to do it.

Just some thoughts.

The battle for the 200 clean rages on. Power cleaned 190 like a boss (after bailing on my first attempt). Tried 200 3 times and almost cleaned it the 2nd time and got it on my 3rd try but was leaning forward when I stood up and ended up having to dump the weight.

Moved on to front squats and tweaked my back somehow. It happens I guess.

After some band stretches and foam/PVC rolling it felt a little better.

Squatted 295 x10 today.

That upped my projected max to 390.

I’m coming to get you 400.

2 days in a row felt awesome.

Got to workout with @forever-athlete.

She showed off her mobility in the dynamic warmup seminar we had before the workout.

And I wasn’t even planning on working out. Travis just asked and I had time so I just went for it. Had my veeb’s on but that worked out great because we didn’t have plyo or running stuff and they’re great for the other stuff.

Good day overall.

Did I mention I slept in a cardboard box last night too?

Went at 2 instead of my normal 9am time. Did some PVC pipe rolling aka no foam rolling. Felt like I’ve been lacking in my quality time with my grid roller.

Then warm up.

Then snatch. Feeling much better. Really explosive at 125 (lbs). Progressing in at least one lift feels good.

With a little inspiration from watching a guy squat 545 for 3 reps, I was able to crush 275 for 10 reps. And as I wrote that I realized that is a tad over half what he did. No lie I am making plans on working up to over 500.

Bench felt good too.

Just wish I could work through the workouts faster and not have time constraints from other areas soil into my training time. But thats on me to work harder get better and be stronger.

Also got destroyed by battle rope jumping jacks. Did one set of 35- and then I died….almost.

Now looking forward to what Friday brings! —— aka just get better at cleans day.

Today I am both grateful for and trusting in God’s provision for my family.

He knows the plans…

How many followers do I have who live in NC?

It is pouring in my part of NC today. The rain is so refreshing but it also makes for one lazy Monday.

Goal for the day- more reading and study than TV watching and sleeping.