Lean Hybrid Muscle Building

A mentor of mine once said, “If you CAN’T, You MUST!

That quote has been so powerful in my life that I had it printed on the wall in my gym.

The fact that most people grasp firmly to their personal stories or excuses about WHY they can’t do a certain thing is the exact reason why they never achieve their loftiest goals.

Most Common Can’ts

“I can’t squat.”

“I can’t lose belly fat.”

“I can’t get a job.”

“I can’t leave my abusive boyfriend.”

“I can’t move out of my parents home.”

“I can’t get off of prescription medication.”

“I can’t focus and concentrate.”

“I can’t start my own business.”

“I can’t find real love.”

“I can’t OVER HEAD PRESS.”

“If You Can’t You Must!”

When we discover the etiology, or root causes, of our problems or seeming inabilities we also discover the thing we can choose to change.

For example, if you can’t find a good girlfriend… and later you realize that you have horrible breath due to bowel constipation, that has allowed days worth of partially digested food to putrefy in your colon, which has become so chronic that the smell is now emitted from your mouth!

BINGO! — you found the cause of your love problems… Take a shit!

Of course I am being facetious, but the point is that when we “can’t” get something right, instead of “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” it may be resourceful to address the reason WHY!

And like my mentor said, “If you can’t do a thing… you MUST find out why and then do something about it.”

Here is an OLD video that I filmed at my gym about 3 years ago.  Please forgive my rambling (which I think I have gotten better at tempering), shouting and the extra 30 pounds of fat I was carrying back then.

Besides all of that… in the video I explain WHY some people have a hard time over head pressing, and what you can do to correct the common muscle imbalances associated with the inability.

Admittedly I am what we call “A Strength Geek”.

I love lifting heavy things, getting stronger… and reading textbooks.  Kinda makes for a cool combination of muscle and brains, I think.

But I usually learn these cool things by studying the work of, well… real geeks like my buddy Rick Kaselj (I call him that with pure love in my heart!)

Rick is a genius when it comes to identifying and correcting muscle imbalances that lead to poor performance, weakness and injury.  To become the strongest version of ourselves it is our responsibility to learn from geniuses like Rick.

Rick has an entire course on Upper Body Muscle Imbalances called Muscle Imbalanced Revealed: Upper Body Edition. that is on sale this week.  I think it normally goes for about $150, but you can get it for less than $99 this week only.

Of course, this is NOT the type of stuff that your average meathead or fitness buff will enjoy reading… but if you’re a strength geek like me, then click here to see why I love what Rick is going.

One of my favorite books of all time is Joesph Campbell’s “The Hero With 1000 Faces”.

In the book he describes how the story of the Hero’s Journey, that has been told since the dawn of mankind, is actually OUR STORY.

Each and every one of us is a “hero” of sorts and as our personal evolution unfolds, weather we know it or not, there is a natural “hero’s journey” which contains steps or levels which we eventually approach and move though.  (IF we develop the awareness and courage to do so)

I thought it would be fun if we took the following “Hero’s Journey” steps and consider where we are, in regards to our strength and fitness, in evolution.

Here is the list as it’s described in his book:

• Departure

1. The Call to Adventure
   The call to adventure is the point in a person’s life when they are first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they know it or not.

2. Refusal of the Call
   Often when the call is given, the future hero refuses to heed it. This may be from a sense of duty or obligation, fear, insecurity, a sense of inadequacy, or any of a range of reasons that work to hold the person in his or her current circumstances.

3. Supernatural Aid
   Once the hero has committed to the quest, consciously or unconsciously, his or her guide and magical helper appears, or becomes known.

4. The Crossing of the First Threshold
   This is the point where the person actually crosses into the field of adventure, leaving the known limits of his or her world and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known.

5. The Belly of the Whale
   The belly of the whale represents the final separation from the hero’s known world and self. It is sometimes described as the person’s lowest point, but it is actually the point when the person is between or transitioning between worlds and selves. The separation has been made, or is being made, or being fully recognized between the old world and old self and the potential for a new world/self. The experiences that will shape the new world and self will begin shortly, or may be beginning with this experience which is often symbolized by something dark, unknown and frightening. By entering this stage, the person shows their willingness to undergo a metamorphosis, to die to him or herself.

• Inititation

1. The Road of Trials
   The road of trials is a series of tests, tasks, or ordeals that the person must undergo to begin the transformation. Often the person fails one or more of these tests, which often occur in threes.

2. The Meeting with the Goddess
   The meeting with the goddess represents the point in the adventure when the person experiences a love that has the power and significance of the all-powerful, all encompassing, unconditional love that a fortunate infant may experience with his or her mother. It is also known as the “hieros gamos”, or sacred marriage, the union of opposites, and may take place entirely within the person. In other words, the person begins to see him or herself in a non-dualistic way. This is a very important step in the process and is often represented by the person finding the other person that he or she loves most completely. Although Campbell symbolizes this step as a meeting with a goddess, unconditional love and /or self unification does not have to be represented by a woman.

3. Woman as the Temptress
   At one level, this step is about those temptations that may lead the hero to abandon or stray from his or her quest, which as with the Meeting with the Goddess does not necessarily have to be represented by a woman. For Campbell, however, this step is about the revulsion that the usually male hero may feel about his own fleshy/earthy nature, and the subsequent attachment or projection of that revulsion to women. Woman is a metaphor for the physical or material temptations of life, since the hero-knight was often tempted by lust from his spiritual journey.

4. Atonement with the Father
   In this step the person must confront and be initiated by whatever holds the ultimate power in his or her life. In many myths and stories this is the father, or a father figure who has life and death power. This is the center point of the journey. All the previous steps have been moving in to this place, all that follow will move out from it. Although this step is most frequently symbolized by an encounter with a male entity, it does not have to be a male; just someone or thing with incredible power. For the transformation to take place, the person as he or she has been must be “killed” so that the new self can come into being. Sometime this killing is literal, and the earthly journey for that character is either over or moves into a different realm.

5. Apotheosis
   To apotheosize is to deify. When someone dies a physical death, or dies to the self to live in spirit, he or she moves beyond the pairs of opposites to a state of divine knowledge, love, compassion and bliss. This is a god-like state; the person is in heaven and beyond all strife. A more mundane way of looking at this step is that it is a period of rest, peace and fulfillment before the hero begins the return.

6. The Ultimate Boon
   The ultimate boon is the achievement of the goal of the quest. It is what the person went on the journey to get. All the previous steps serve to prepare and purify the person for this step, since in many myths the boon is something transcendent like the elixir of life itself, or a plant that supplies immortality, or the holy grail.

• Return

1. Refusal of the Return
   So why, when all has been achieved, the ambrosia has been drunk, and we have conversed with the gods, why come back to normal life with all its cares and woes?

2. The Magic Flight
   Sometimes the hero must escape with the boon, if it is something that the gods have been jealously guarding. It can be just as adventurous and dangerous returning from the journey as it was to go on it.

3. Rescue from Without
   Just as the hero may need guides and assistants to set out on the quest, often times he or she must have powerful guides and rescuers to bring them back to everyday life, especially if the person has been wounded or weakened by the experience. Or perhaps the person doesn’t realize that it is time to return, that they can return, or that others need their boon.

4. The Crossing of the Return Threshold
   The trick in returning is to retain the wisdom gained on the quest, to integrate that wisdom into a human life, and then maybe figure out how to share the wisdom with the rest of the world. This is usually extremely difficult.

5. Master of the Two Worlds
   In myth, this step is usually represented by a transcendental hero like Jesus or Buddha. For a human hero, it may mean achieving a balance between the material and spiritual. The person has become comfortable and competent in both the inner and outer worlds.

6. Freedom to Live
   Mastery leads to freedom from the fear of death, which in turn is the freedom to live. This is sometimes referred to as living in the moment, neither anticipating the future nor regretting the past.

** Pretty interesting stuff, huh? **

Well, I’ve got two invitations for you:

#1. If you can identify where you are in your “Journey of Strength”, or even in your every day life… feel free to join our conversation by posting below.  Let us know where you are, what insights you’ve gleaned and how we can support you

#2.  Our buddy John Romaniello, the creator of our LHM phase 3 program, decided to create a new Super Hero Workout Routine.

I’ve been personally using it for the past three months and LOVE it!

If you want a break from your typical workout routine while building a Super Hero physique, give this a try.

It’s a lot like our hybrid muscle workouts, but with a Super Hero twist

Either way, we’d love to know about your Hero’s Journey… so join our conversation below!

Are you making these common mistakes and sabotaging your workout efforts?

In this free PDF report our colleague Shin Ohtake creator of Max Workouts shares with us the, “Top 10 Strength Training and Fat Loss Myths“.

It’s easy to avoid these pitfalls when you know what they are.  It’s time to burn more fat while increasing your strength starting with your very next workout.  Just give a few of these tips a try and you’ll feel the difference.

Direct Download Link:
http://www.leanhybridmuscle.com/pdf/Fat_Loss_Training_Myths.pdf

About the author: Shin Ohtake is the author of the world-famous fitness program, MAX Workouts. To learn more about how you can get ultra lean and toned with shorter workouts, visit http://www.MaxWorkouts.com

I am totally impressed by our Lean Hybrid Muscle training community.

You guys continue to show me, over and over again, how committed you are to becoming STRONGER in every aspect of your being.

Stronger bodies.

Stronger minds.

Stronger life!

When we train like we do and share inspiration to take action and exceed limitations, we are not only getting healthier and better looking bodies…

We are building, what I like to call, our Strength Temples.

The space we’re each given to strengthen and develop in order to enhance the souls expression!  (to become The All-Around Strongest Version of YOU!)

This week as I shared some of my favorite Emerson quotes, along with my personal commentary, with you I had become overwhelmed with gratitude for my union with you as well as my ability to serve and inspire you with these words.

Okay, so here is the deal…  Next week my new book “17 Laws Of Rugged Self Reliance” , will be complete and ready for you to enjoy and use to become stronger with!

And because I love you so much…
I want to give away 10 FREE copies!

Here Is How The Contest Works…

1. Leave Your Most Inspirational Story, Quote or Video (just put the link) In The Comments Area Below.

2. The Deadline For Entries Is Monday 6/20/11 @ 9am EST.

3. On Monday Evening I Will Announce The Winner Of The Most Inspirational Story, Quote or Video And Send You A Copy Of My New Book.

GOOD NEWS!

Even if you’re entry is not one of the 10 winners… keep an eye out for e mails from “Mike & Elliott” later next week where I will show you how you can also get a copy of “Rugged Self Reliance” for free also

Honestly, I believe that this is one of the most important documents I’ve ever created and it is positioned to change peoples lives BIG TIME!

I’m looking forward to your stories!

“Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
- Emerson

When we were young we looked to our parents as examples for what to, and what not to do.

If mother smiled when father entered the room, we learned that father was a safe person for us.

If father laughed when the dog licked our face, we learned that it was safe for animals to approach us.

As we grew, we began to experiment.

At first our parents encouraged us to navigate our environment.  They helped us to crawl first and then to walk.

Also, they encouraged us to express ourselves.  They helped us to babble first and then to talk.

But as soon as we begun to master these experiments, take them into our own hands and become creative with them, our parents began to panic!

The sentiment moved from, “Come… get up, walk and talk.” to “STOP! – sit down and SHUT UP!”

Just as we looked to them for approval and guidance with our first steps and words, we continued to look to them for how to use these new tools.

But something has changed for them, they’re no longer in control. This loss of control caused them anxiety!

If you move too much, you might break something “valuable”.

If you move towards the many dangerous obstacles in their home you might get hurt.

If you talk too loud or scream, others will look at you.  Your parents will become embarrassed!

If you talk too much or ask too many questions you parents will become confused and frustrated in their answers.

“Sit down and shut up!”

“You’ll get hurt or break something!”

“No running allowed!”

“Don’t touch that, it’s dirty!”

These are the typical instructive demands we first learn as EXPLORERS. — And so you learned to be timid.

No wonder you are squeamish about your actions!  No wonder you are afraid to carve and navigate a new path!

You are too mentally and emotionally bound by your early learning to ever really experiment.

Emerson says, “all of life is an experiment.”

It has ALWAYS been an experiment.

It still is.

DROP THE RULES!  There are NO rules… only experience!

No one has ever been You, they don’t know what will happen.

No one will ever have your DNA or live your exact experience! — Stop following their rules.

This is YOUR experience! — Not your parents, not your teachers, not your boss, not your church, not your government, not your spouse, not the television, not your doctor!

YOUR experiment!

“The more experiments you make, the better.”

Get up, RUN… don’t walk.  Walking is too slow.

You might fall, but who cares… It’s YOUR experience, you learn.

Run and Shout!

Make noise, talk about the things you see.

Talk about YOUR experiences.

Make it an experiment – PLAY!

Talk about things that others are afraid to talk about.  It doesn’t matter if they approve… this is YOUR experiment.

This is all you can take to the grave!

YOUR experiences glitter the stories you will tell your grandchildren! (not the “rules” you so sheepishly followed)

When you show this type of courage towards experiment and experience you not only bring freshness and joy to the world… you also give others, who are waiting for permission, the green light to do the same.

What experiment have you been considering… but have been roadblocked by the fears and limitations of others?

You might not know this, but I named one of my daughters “Emerson”.  After Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I have personally found more strength in the musings of Emerson than in any other book or ideas presented in my life.  So, I have decided to share some of his words here with you.

Over the next few days I’ll be posting parts from a new book that I am writing called “The Laws Of Rugged Self Reliance” in hope that these words will bring motivation, inspiration and strength to your life as well.

If you enjoy these quotes, along with my commentary on them, please leave a comment and insights of your own below.

Enjoy

“Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail.” -Emerson

Paths have been beaten down by the footsteps of others.

Hundred of thousands of people have navigated it for generations.  Therefore, it’s easy to pass through.

There are no obstacles in the way, they have all been removed by the people before you.

Following the path is quick, easy and painless.

Neither your muscle nor your mind will need be harassed when traversing the trodden path.  There is no need for exercise or exhaustion.  You can relax and simply walk.

Consider that before this path was trodden there was a single man who saw it’s value and decided to traverse it.

Consider what type of man this was!

He saw that this particular route may be of value to follow, but no one else had navigated it… there were no guarantees!

This courageous man, who first traveled the road you now so easily walk upon, may have seen large and ominous dangers before him.  He may have been told by others that it would be easier if he were to simply take another path that had already been carved out.

But he still went.

He was so compelled by the promise of taking this uncharted path that he ignored all “intellect” and proceeded.

He left this trail for you.

Consider that he may have faced terrible opposition and challenge along the way.  He may have been hurt, discouraged, damaged and down trodden on his journey.

But he made it.

He completed the journey.

Consider what type of man he had THEN become!

If he was strong in character before the journey, imagine what strength he now exhibited!

There are dangerous, untrodden paths EVERYWHERE… even as we speak there are paths that many have considered but have shrunk away from.

Do you see any paths that that compel you, beyond all common reason, to carve out?

What type of man do you need to BE to embark upon that journey?

What “tools” will you need to gather?

Courage?

Compassion?

Discipline?

Persistence?

What type of man will you BECOME once you’ve carved out the new path?

For whom will you make the path easier to traverse?

WHEN will you begin?

If you’ve been following our blog for a while now you’re well aware that Elliott and I do not think that Bulking and Cutting is the best way to add lean muscle mass. Nutritionist Kyle Leon shares our same point of view but brings up a few interesting points in the video below. You’ll want to pay special attention to the part where he mentions fat cell hyperplasia. According to Kyle these are fat cells that NEVER go away. Just click play button to learn more about the bulking and cutting approach to building muscle.

Kyle seems to think bulking can lead to Puffy Moon Face. We disagree, we think it can lead to Puffy Muscle Syndrome or Male PMS

With all this excitement about our new Hard-Core Hybrid Strongman workouts I was going through some of my YouTube videos and found these I thought you might like.

You know what’s interesting, Video 2 below has the most views on my entire Critical Bench Youtube Channel. People just love seeing Elliott go Berzerk on the weights. Plus you can see the actual show Elliott competed in to win his Pro Card giving him Professional Status as a strongman competitor. Way to BE Coach E!

A 4-Week Strongman Training Template for Sports & Fitness. It combines strongman training with elements of power lifting, bodybuilding and conditioning. Kill it for three weeks followed by a week off. Or you can pick one of the workouts and add one full body strongman training day per week in addition to your current routine.

You’ll also get the exact same 6 Week Strongman Show Prep routine that I used to win my Pro Card. Once you complete our program above you might just get addicted and decide to compete like I did. That’s when this 6-week show prep routine will come into play.

Plus Three Action Packed High Definition Videos on Strongman/Odd Object Training, Assistance Exercises and a how to video on Accessory Exercises.

Deep within the roots of “Orthodox” Hybrid Strength Training you will find a wild, primal and HARDCORE existence.

The contemporary expression of Hybrid Training evolved from the dark, dirty and aggressive lineage of odd object and Strongman Warrior Based workouts. Strongman is the root of Hybrid Training.

Unfortunately the idea of training with odd objects, in a warehouse free from grandmas and pencil necked posers that use the only squat rack for bicep curls was nothing more than a dream for most men. Specialty equipment and hardcore gyms can be very hard to come by so most had no choice but to suffer in silence while they made due with limited space and crappy equipment in typical “chrome and carpet” fitness centers.

Thus we created Lean Hybrid Muscle RELOADED to serve our non-odd object lifting friends. RELOADED offered the same results as the odd object and strongman training of LHM Original, but without the use of hard to get equipment.

Then, a few months later, something amazing happened. We became increasingly approached by long time customers who voiced their rage and frustration with our decision to abandon our hardcore roots in order to serve a greater number of clients.

The fact is that at the center of Hybrid Muscle Training resides a Hard Core WARRIOR… and it’s about time that we release that screaming beast called, HARDCORE: Hybrid Strongman Training!

http://leanhybridmuscle.com/go/hardcore-hybrid-strongman/