Yesterday I supervised the Poundstone Performance Training Center. I was given a key to lock up, a list of tasks, and full control over the stereo. If you would have asked me 6 months ago if this is where I thought I’d be. I’d have smirked at you and said, “Not likely.” If you then would have asked if I thought that less than a week after moving halfway across the country, I would be watching over Derek Poundstone’s gym, with his complete trust and permission, I would have laughed in your face. Life has a peculiar way about how it pans out, doesn’t it?

Increasingly it’s become apparent to me that there’s an awful lot of truth in the statement “It’s not who you are. It’s who you know.” Now obviously, if I was an irresponsible, thieving, mooch, I wouldn’t know the people I know, but still, I owe everything to the generosity and kindness of others. This move has challenged me mentally and emotionally (physical challenges are near on the horizon), but it has shown me a side of humanity that’s been hard for me to see in the recent past. Ever since the planning for this move began, people in my life have been nothing but supportive and encouraging. Whenever I’ve encountered a roadblock, someone’s there with a solution. I have been absolutely awestruck at the capacity for compassion that I and my girlfriend have received from those around us.

Roadblock.

My first time training at PPTC since I got out here was a pretty funny experience. I was told to go down before 3pm and talk with the gym manager before I trained. Well I went down there and nobody was there; except one of the trainers. It was about 90 degrees with high humidity (probably why no one was there) and after I explained who I was and why I was there, I was allowed to train. I’m not sure if it was the heat, or lack of sleep, stress of moving, lack of music, or just me being plain weak, but I. SUCKED. I could barely squat 275 for a clean rep! It was disheartening to say the least. I fought my way through the workout and left feeling utterly defeated by the iron that day.

I am determined to keep trying to simply miss the ground.

Two days later, I went back feeling energized and determined to have a good training session. I was finally able to meet with Tom , the Gym Manager/Trainer with a wealth of training knowledge, as well as being a former Strongman, and his wife April, a former Strongwoman competitor who ranked 2nd in the nation in 2008. They were very welcoming and interesting to talk with. I look forward to getting to know them more. After a long chat, I decided that I should try to train. I’ll admit I have a bit of anxiety training in the presence of such experienced and accomplished athletes, but I’ll never get any better if I don’t just dive in, right?

It was Day 2 of Week One in my 5/3/1 cycle. This meant I was supposed to do some Cleans, Deadlifts, and accessory work. I openly admit to knowing next to nothing about executing a proper Clean. And after my first set, as Tom walked over in my direction, it was confirmed that I actually knew nothing :). This is what I was most excited for when I thought about training here: the access to those who actually know what they’re talking about with regards to lifting. No more am I surrounded by Bench/Curl bros who try to offer me advice from their Bible of Broscience. As Tom explained the proper positioning for the start of a Clean, and the trajectory of the bar throughout the movement, I knew that this was where I needed to be. I had chosen well. I showed him the starting position of my Deadlift and he tweaked that as well. I ended up only putting up OK numbers for the day, but I felt empowered by the knowledge I had picked up, just in a few short minutes. The most important of which was confirming that my hamstrings are too tight and are preventing me from comfortably getting into proper position. So much work to be done……I love it.

That evening, after my training, I came back to the gym when Derek was training. You know the phrase, “If I were a fly on the wall when….” Well, that was me. Except instead of just watching, I was actively participating in conversations and assisting with loading/unloading weight. Derek was training on the Log and hit some really impressive lifts for doubles and triples. I’ve watched Log Pressing on Youtube and on a stage, but to see a master in action, is indescribable. It’s like watching any great craftsman or artist create their work. Inspiring doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Today I’m supposed to be doing Front Squats and Overhead Pressing. Hopefully I can learn to press with a Log. I’ve never had access to one before and I’m eager to learn the mechanics behind the movement. I’ve heard that I’ll likely be hitting myself in the face a few times when I first try it. Good thing I have a beard to cover the wounds ;). I’ll let you know how things go.

-Tarzan out.