Lift Heavy Run Long Podcast - Inspire. Be Inspired.

Beefcake #16 I don't know why I thought it would end any other way. It had been set up perfectly. The collapse was inevitable. The flow of emotions would fill up like a fire hose, only to find a kink before it's certain explosion. The impending meltdown could have been predicted by any adult who had ever been a child. Kids are that way, especially when tired. You already know this, but allow me to feel like I know something. We were on family vacation, there were nine of us.  We were at the beach, as the kids enjoyed the week off from school for fall break. Five adults and four children had spent the entire day "relaxing", the way that many Americans relax. We cooked breakfast, gathered swimsuits, cleaned up, packed up, forgot chairs, applied lotion, wrestled slippery kids, lost beach toys, found beach toys, rolled in sand, washed off sand, re-applied sand, and don't forget lotion. We watched them build sandcastles, and we watched them be destroyed. We lost kids. We found kids. We sent them to play with oth

Beefcake #15 I have never seen a gluten or a kcal. I don't have a real understanding of what defines the terms organic or processed. I know nothing of glutamine, creatine, or beta-alanine. I have no idea how to calculate metabolic rate, resting heart rate, nor the difference in good and bad cholesterol. Micros and macros are hard for me to digest (see what I did there?), and insulin response is too much for me to comprehend. My protein to carbs, as it pertains to starches and fiber, is anybody's guess. Enzymes, probiotics, and gut flora aid in something, but I'm not sure what. Too much of one is bad for the other. You can't run without meat, but eating it will kill you. Fat gives you heart attacks, and carbs make you fat...or some variation. Everyone is an expert. Fat guys in gym suits will offer up their opinion, and skinny dudes with poor posture will tell you how to get strong. It's so much information, and the opinions so varied. CrossFit will kill you. Too much running will get you injured. You will g

Beefcake#14 What is more important to you, income or acknowledgement? That was the questioned which was recently posed to me. I was asked if I were more driven by praise or money. The answer was simple, praise. I'm an extrovert. For better or worse, I rely on the outside world to provide my sense of worth. It's pretty sad, I know, but it is what I do. Since being asked this question, I have asked it to numerous people. I have been shocked to find that every person with whom I have spoken, has said that praise or acknowledgement is more important to them than money. I don't know what that means, and I don't think that it needs to mean anything. I do, however, believe that it is important to be aware that for a lot of people, a simple compliment or word of praise is more valuable to them than cash itself. Now, keep in mind, I am talking about a survey sample of about five people, but it was unanimous, all the way across the board. Acknowledgement is a currency that is in abundant, even unlimited supply, bu

Beefcake #13 You ever heard of Seth Godin? He has quickly become one of my favorite writers. This weekend, I listened to Mr. Godin as a guest on the Moment Podcast. During this episode he speaks briefly on the subject of "writer's block". He says that writer's block was not termed until the early 1940's. Before this time, there were very few people who wrote for a living. Those who wrote, did so because they loved writing. This caused me to think deeply. The kind of deep thinking where I leave the driveway, heading for Walgreen's, and wake up an hour later in Arkansas. The kind of thinking that would be beneficial if I really used it to solve any problems or acquire any knowledge, but I don't. I usually just go into deep thought, and then forget what in the hell I was thinking about. Fortunately, I text myself whenever I have a thought or an idea. 100% of the time, after each text that I send myself, when the phone dings, I immediately get excited and look back down at my phone to see who has texted me

Beefcake #12 Every holiday, it never fails. At some point, someone has to say it, "everybody gather round, let's get a picture". Soooooooo, everyone gets up from their comfortable position, crams awkwardly up against one another, and waits. "Whoops, we are going to need a camera". After a brief intermission, a family member returns from the bedroom with the camera, which has not been used since the last family gathering. "Oh crappit, the battery is dead. Everyone relax for a second, but don't go anywhere." No one has ever left the scene of the family picture, because we all know that it would mean certain death. "Here we go, everyone get ready. Say cheese....". No flash. No click. I am in a room full of the most intelligent and educated women in west Tennessee, and not one of them can figure out how to work the camera. The same camera that they couldn't work the last holiday, and the one before that, and so on and so forth. My back is sweating. I was frustrated at the act of taking the picture from the wor

Beefcake #11 I'm a cheater. I always have been. I don't actively cheat at this stage of my life, but cheating is definitely inside of me. I have always cut corners and searched for the easy way. I read step one and then step five, if I  understand step five, I continue from there. I behave as if I don't really value education and tend to feel that I won't really have a use for it. It is almost as if the rules don't apply to me. My strategy of not having a plan has not played out according to plan. As it turns out, that dog really does bite. I don't like rules, I never have. I feel confined, intimidated, and frustrated by them. I see rules as authority talking down to me. I don't like being told what to do, and breaking the rules is my way of saying this. Amanda follows the rules. My brother follows the rules. My mom follows the rules. My dad...well, let's move on. My kids follow the rules. And, they seem to make life look easier than I ever did. Recently, Amanda, my mom, and myself were discussing rules and

Beefcake #10 At The Risk of Sounding Cheezy... What is this word, "cheezy"? What does it actually mean? Why must it be inserted to detract from so many meaningful and positive statements of love and compassion? "Not to sound cheezy"..."I don't mean to sound like I care"...."I'm not wanting you think I'm weak".... "I don't want you to get the impression that I give a f**k". It is my belief that the fear of "sounding cheezy" is the number one cause of compliments not given, relationships not being nurtured, and affection not being shown. Von and I talk about this briefly in the Beefcake Podcast #9, and we will be talking about it more in Episode #10. I am as guilty as anyone. Often, as I am paying a compliment or preparing to say something nice, I lead into it with something like, "Not to sound cheezy, but....". This is my insecurity shining through. This is my self-doubt  being thrown right in your direction. This is my being afraid that you are going to think that I am weak, or not tough, or not a man.

Beefcake #9 A friend of mine asked me about my relationship with athletics. He was curious about my involvement in sports as a youngster and my current passion towards the fitness world. It was a valid question, to which I really had no answer. Like most things, it sort of blew right over me, but I have found myself hashing and re-hashing just what it is about sports and fitness that has attracted me for most of my life. Life moves very, very fast for me, and I often feel ill-equipped for this world. I am very indecisive, insecure, and unsure about most everything. The act of learning has always given me anxiety. I feel as if my brain can only hold so much data, and if it's overloaded, it will corrupt the file and I will lose everything (true story). My "final decision" is just the beginning of a very long list of situations, scenarios, and circumstances, in which I have about 500 "final decisions". I cannot start a task until everything in my environment perfectly suits me, which means many tasks don't get

Beefcake #8 I'm fixin to tell you something, and I hope you will listen. If you doubt, for one second, that we live in the greatest country in the world, then two things need to happen: You need your ass kicked, thoroughly. You need to visit Gatlinburg, TN. Amanda and I spent this past week/weekend kickin around Gatlinburg, and I gotta tell you....I never..I didn't..I had no idea. I had absolutely no idea that the heart of the United States beat smack dab in the middle of Gatlinburg, TN. I never really paid much attention in school, and certainly don't know much about history, but I really must have missed a lot. I know that when Christopher Columbus visited the Hard Rock while riding the Wildflower, accompanied by El Nino and the Ave Maria, he was looking for sugar. What I didn't know was that he hopped up on a Mercury bass boat and rode that thing up the Little Pigeon River and found everything he was looking for, and then some. Good God almighty, I have never seen so much...much-ness. Gatlinburg is

Beefcake #7 People can be incredibly stupid. I'm not saying that people are stupid, I am saying they can be incredibly stupid. I wonder how much frustration and bitterness is generated as a result of other peoples' stupidity. How many times would someone need to get frustrated and bitter at another person's stupidity before the question was raised, "Who of you is in fact, being more stupid." Folks get bent outta shape, people are really upset, because humans are being human. With any level of human-ness comes an extraordinary potential for stupidity...Did that sound really stupid? You get the point. I believe that as life goes on, we, as humans, are constantly reaching new PR's in the field of ignorance and stupidity. I am not saying that this is a bad thing, it is just a thing. Some people are capable of laughing at the moments of their life that will most likely be left out of their life's highlight reel, and others spend a great deal of their life trying to get past these moments. We exert a great amount

Getting to know people like Sam Turco is what makes my role at Lift Heavy Run Long a total dream job. I love speaking with good folks who just "get it" when it comes to fitness, running, and strength training. Sam is a friend of mine whom I recently met through the podcast, Ten Junk Miles. Sam is a self-described "average runner"....an average runner who has completed, marathons, 50k's, 50-milers, a 100 miler, and is attempting a 150miler in the upcoming months!! It was nice to listen to Sam's humble approach to running and strength training, as her perspective is inspiring and encouraging to the so-called "average person". Our hope is that Sam will motivate you the way that she did us. She keeps it simple and encourages everyone to just get out and move around- the rest will take care of itself. You can find Sam at www.tenjunkmiles.com.

Beefcake #6 I hate my septic tank. There is something wrong with it. I don't understand it. I don't trust it. Actually, I'm not really sure if anything is going on with it or not, but it's the first place I turn when something is not acting right with my plumbing. I have a toilet that is "burping" whenever I flush it. I have called a plumber and he is coming out tomorrow. I waited to call the plumber because I wanted to worry about it. I wanted to let my mind sift through all of the worst case scenarios and decide which one would be my fate. Chances are, it's probably a plugged vent pipe or clogged drain pipe that can be fixed with minimal expense. I just don't know. I saw a commercial once, it had a backhoe and men working, warning of the tens of thousands of dollars that a bad septic tank could cost you. This is the extent of my knowledge of septic tanks. This is not the first or the tenth time that I have gotten all worked up about a fictional septic tank issue. I have been blaming toilet and drain ir

Sara Hendershot Lifelong athlete and competitor, Sara began rowing at Simsbury High School outside of Hartford, CT. She continued her rowing career at Princeton University where she majored in Psychology. Upon graduation, she earned her way on to the United States Women’s National team and became a two-time World Champion and 2012 Olympian. When Sara hit a frustrating wall of injury in 2014, she knew she had to change the way she trained or her rowing career would be over. She began a journey seeking health and peak performance, but the path that unfolded changed how she understood rowing and body movement. During this time she was able to work and study with some of the world’s best rowing coaches, physiologists, nutritionists, sports psychologists, and strength trainers. Rowfficient was born, and under this new program Sara reached her best personal performances both in and out of the boat. Sara was featured in the August, 2016 edition of Sports Illiustrated. You can read that article HERE.    

Beefcake #5 "I thank Thee first because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my purse they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth because it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed." ~Matthew Henry I received a call from my neighbor of over 13 years. Earlier that morning they found Amanda's handbag laying by the big tree stump at the end of our driveway, along with other personal belongings strewn about. Her car had been broken into the previous evening. I think I had the same checklist of emotions that comes with any instance where personal items are taken from you without consent. Briefly, I was afraid, concerned, angry, quick to point fingers, and vigilant. I experienced these feelings briefly, but ultimately, I was grateful. I am grateful for all of the things that I am, and all of which I am not. I am grateful for all of the possessions that I have, and what I have done to earn them. I am grateful for my situation and the p

Debbie Lindsey On this episode of the LHRL Podcast, we're super excited to have been able to sit down and chat with Debbie Lindsey.  Debbie is a VERY inspiring individual.  People like Debbie are the reason that I wanted to get into the CrossFit business.  When I see people come into the gym, and make progress like she has, it gets me so fired up!  If you want an example of what the LHRL community is all about, and what the Olive Branch CrossFit community is all about, look no further.  This is it right here.  You're going to love this one!   -Von

Beefcake Episode #3 “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ― Maya Angelou I have always been intrigued by Henry Rollins. Ever since I was a fat, cocky teenager with long bangs, a skateboard, and a really bad Jeff Spicoli accent, I knew of Henry Rollins and what he represented...or at least I assumed I did. I really didn't know anything about him, but I made him out to be who and what I wanted him to be. That is what I do, I judge. I wrap people up as quickly as possible and cram them into whatever box I need them to fit, this way I can justify my thoughts and actions. I wanted Henri to be this badass, tough guy, who yells and screams, and jacks people up, so that is what I made him. I molded him from hot-wax, like one of those animal figurines that you buy at the zoo, and I placed him in a pedestal inside of my brain. I just left him sitting there, like most of the people in my head, who I have made u

Beefcake Episode #2 It was time for the both of us to get some rest. My son, Grayson, was probably about 5 years old at the time, and we were wrapping up long evening of father/son bonding, or "boys night". I turned off the television, flipped off the lights, and crawled under the sheets with Grayson, as he would be crashing out in my bed tonight. As is often the case, as soon as the lights go out, Grayson's energy level goes up. He gets inquisitive and chatty. My son is rolling off questions like some sort of auctioneer, each inquiry more difficult than the prior. As I laid there listening to the cogs of my 5 year olds brain, hum and churn, I was unsure whether I was more exhausted, impatient, or interested in his line of questioning. There seemed to be no real end in site, and each question was only opening up another possible rabbit hole, which could take all night to explore. However, these were questions that my son wanted answered, and I cannot fault him for being inquisitive. The Q&A session had

Ironman Stu Schulman Easily, my favorite thing about doing this podcast is just the opportunity to connect with people, who I would otherwise not have the opportunity to meet. This week was no exception. We had the genuine pleasure in speaking with Mr. Stu Schulman, who is as authentic and kind, as he is athletic. We are fortunate that people like Stu will take time from their day and share with us a little bit about their personal journey. Stu enjoys coaching, motivating and helping people. Currently an avid athlete and thrill seeker, Stu was once a model of unhealthy habits and lifestyle choices. Since he made the choice to commit himself to his personal belief system and goals - activities that many people labeled “impossible" or "unrealistic” for him to accomplish - Stu is now a 3-time IronMan Triathlon finisher, marathoner, and nutrition enthusiast. A former business owner in his home town of Philadelphia, PA and successful pharmaceutical executive in Phoenix, Arizona, Stu is currently the Vice Pre

Beefcake Episode #1 Elvis. That's all that I really have to say. I haven't been able to conjure up any more words past that. Just Elvis. I don't know any more than that. I feel compelled to say something, but where do you start? He is Elvis, for goshsake. It's Elvis week in Memphis, TN. and with that comes the Elvis Presley Memorial 5k. Amanda, my dad, and myself hopped on down to Graceland to participate in the race and see the fanfare. Truthfully, I like Elvis music, but I am not just crazy about it. I mean, who doesn't like Elvis music, at least to some degree? I respect Elvis for what he contributed as much as any American, but I discovered this Saturday that there was much more to Elvis, than Elvis. My dad spends the majority of Elvis week at Graceland every year. He loves to listen to the people, watch the impersonators, and mingle with the fans from all over the world. We all think he is crazy (and he is), but he just loves it. The whole Elvis Week thing has not really made much sense to me throu

I was treading water and praying for a sandbar. I don't mean this metaphorically, I needed some shallow water. My family and I were on vacation and had seen some people playing way out in the ocean, in water that was only chest high. Judging by the color change in the ocean, we assumed that we had a sandbar in front of our condo as well...I feel like sandbars should come included in the price of the condo. I swim fairly well, so I was comfortable paddling a fair distance from shore. I would paddle-try to touch-paddle-try to touch-paddle-try to touch. I just couldn't find the sand I was hoping to feel. I stopped and turned around to look towards the shore. Oh dear, I had swam a pretty fair distance away from safety. It wasn't the end for me, and there was not a REAL threat of drowning, but there was a moment. There was a moment of panic, which butted-up painfully with mortality. I didn't see my life flash before my eyes, but I did stop to think about the potential seriousness of my situation. It was truly a g