DG the Mad Scientist/Wanna be Philosopher

I like to think of myself as a scientist and test subject all rolled up in one.

I study the greats Alwyn Cosgrove, Craig Ballantyne, Chris Shugart, Chad Waterbury etc..

I not only study the greats, I also do their programs, buy their products and test it out on my own body.

This is what gets me psyched up when I hit the gym. Currently I'm doing a Waterbury program. Here is what day one looks like:

Loading: Use the heaviest load you can manage with perfect form for all sets.

Tempo: Perform the lifting and lowering phases as fast as possible while maintaining perfect form.

Monday

A1 Wide-grip pull-up for 3 reps
Rest 30 seconds

A2 Overhead squat for 3 reps
Rest 30 seconds

A3 Dip for 3 reps
Rest 30 seconds and repeat A1-A3 six more times

Two sets of side plank hold for 60 seconds on each side

Note: As an advanced gym goer, you probably know this, but here's a quick review. Those A1, A2, A3 designations mean that you perform one set of the A1 exercise, then one set of the A2 exercise after resting, and finally the A3 exercise. After one more rest, you perform all three exercises again for the required number of sets.

In the Monday workout above, you do a set of pull-ups, rest 30 seconds, a set of overhead squats, rest 30 seconds, then a set of dips. After another 30 second rest you repeat those exercises six times. At the end of the workout, you perform the side plank holds.

If you see B1, B2, B3 etc. that means you perform that circuit of exercises after you're completely finished with the "A" movements.

Crazy shit eh?

In the very beginning I was guilty of coming up with my own training programs, using them on myself and my clients with limited progress. I thought I was making progress with my body. I saw my clients achieve progress with their own physiques. I thought I was a BIG TIME expert....

WRONG.

The funny thing is the more I study and the more I apply, the more I realize that I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

I used to think that I knew everything when I was younger. Now a few years older and a few years of studying I feel that I know less and less.

My training methods have no doubt become better. My results with my own physique have gotten better. My results with my clients physiques have gotten better but I know less. Ain't that a bitch?

"The dumbest people I know are those who know it all." - Malcolm Forbes

As of now my approach to things is to have no approach at all. A lot of times we can get caught up in our own egos and automatically have built in responses before we even hear information.

Right now my initial response to anything new I learn is: "I'm an idiot. Can you please explain this to me?" I'm not being negative. I'm putting myself in a position where I can learn the most.

They call it a "Beginners Mind". Approach everything (I mean everything) with a beginners mind and you will be able to come away with at least one piece of information that will help you grow.

Learn one new thing a day without attaching your ego to it. After 365 days you will have learned 365 new things. Will you grow and become smarter with 365 new things in your arsenal? Oh hell yes.

The by-product of growing is the knowledge that you are in actuality an idiot.....but in a totally good way ;)

DG