Workin’ for the Weekend?

To be a successful ruler in the Roman Empire, a surefire way to be successful was to maintain what’s called “bread and circuses.” From this concept we can derive the phrase “fat and happy.” The idea here is that as long as the people didn’t go hungry and they were entertained, most social upheaval could be controlled and the masses could be content. In my opinion, this superficial solace is a tried and true indicator of a struggling common population.

The richness of Mel & Kevin’s experience is much deeper than football. Though, both are HUGE fans!

As NFL season gets underway, I think it’s a great opportunity to look for modern application of this concept. I want to be very careful not to connect sports fans to simpleton commoners in any way. That’s not what I am saying. But, I’d urge you to evaluate your tendency to be stimulated only by entertainment. If Monday through Friday is tolerated largely because the weekend is enough relief to do it all over again week in and week out, it may be time to challenge your habits. In other words, even if it’s “your year” (aka the Packers’ year), I’d encourage you to make sure it’s also your year in the most literal sense.

For me, I take a big chunk of Sunday off. And, relative to the regular nine to five crowd, most of my Sunday is my “weekend.” I am constantly evaluating my week, then, to see whether or not I’m just living for Sunday. If I am, that’s a huge red flag for me.

Beating your head against the wall Monday through Friday to “earn” Saturday and Sunday need not be the model. As a “grinder” myself, I am, by all means, not telling you not work your ass off. I’m telling you that you’re a much more gifted, capable creature than one that has to succumb to the mindless grind Monday through Friday to celebrate with mindless weekend entertainment.

Not all of you may be in position to make drastic lifestyle changes right away, but I’d start planning right now if you find yourself really living just two days a week and slaving the other five. Life’s too short to permanently look forward to the weekend.

We’ve all got 365 days a year to grow, be challenged, and experience our world. One could agree, then, that choosing to reserve such pursuits to 52 weekends a year isn’t maximizing your time here. Challenge your workweek. Challenge your career. Challenge your leisure time. Who’s to say that time for leisure, education, and physical pursuits need to be blocked between Friday night and Sunday evening?

So, by all means throw on your Chargers jersey this NFL season. But, please find a way to look forward to Tuesdays and Wednesdays like you look forward to weekends. Your hopes and dreams will thank you for it.

Logan Gelbrich

———————

Friday’s Workout:

Battery Work

 

EMOM 10

Odd: 3 Tall Cleans (115/75)

Even: 7 Squat Jumps (from bottom)

 

Then complete the following for time:

21-15-9

Med Ball Cleans

V-Ups

The Moment

After class I went home to have my normal amazing breakfast of coffee bacon and eggs, with my coffee and sat in the sun with Diesel by my side.  I am not a skilled writer, nor do I like it but I found myself in a moment that I had to scribble about.

I had an experience this morning that some of you shared, which I am forever thankful.  At our 7 AM class we had a new friend come all the way across the proverbial “pond” to join us for a workout.  A Frenchman named Tonino  came to participate in this letter jumble we all know so well as FFOTB.  Tonino is doing a film all over the globe about what makes people happy. I think it’s an amazing idea, and I am so excited to see the finished product.  I also feel so fortunate that he chose to have us in the project.

Of course, we all got a great workout in and we all are better for putting in the time.  The point of this post is not about the workout, human movement, sweating, or the coaching.  This post is all about what happens here on the bluffs every day.  It’s about what Tonino recognized about our group from Paris, no less.

The Happy Gym

I arrive on the bluff every day at 6:30 AM, and there are definitely people exercising, mostly running and walking, but definitely exercising.  The mood is somber, almost emotionless.  I would go as far as to say at 7 AM this bluff absolutely transforms.. I mean the energy, the air, the people, everything. I hear laughing, I see hugging, I hear jokes, and I see smiles. I swear to you it gets warmer, the sun even seems brighter, so much so, that regularly patrons will stop and just watch.  Our “Un-Gym” gym takes shape, each day it is a little different, but each day is continually bliss.

You see this is the thing that I believe Tonino is trying to capture in this video.  Why are certain people here so happy? I believe that we should all take it as a giant compliment that he looked to our group to capture this.  I believe that we have this in the Nation, and this is what makes it special.  It is all of you happy humans. YOU make it!

I absolutely love my life and the people in it.  I can’t say that I have a lot of money, or that I have everything figured out.  But I can tell you one thing, I am so thankful in this moment for the things God has given me.

We had a conversation after the workout over coffee at Peet’s about this very thing.  Why people seem to be so happy here as opposed to other places.  I believe that happiness is a choice.  Everyone has the opportunity to be happy, or the opportunity to be worried, or sad, or down.

In this moment I choose to be happy, and I am so thankful for the people around me because they choose the same.  Tonino, I am in awe of you for searching the globe to find people that share this same vision.  Travel safe my friend.

What are you going to do in this MOMENT?

Danny Lesslie

——————–

Saturday’s Workout:

Dynamic Duo PR Challenge Prelims

With a partner, complete 3 rounds for time of:

15 Front Squats (135/95)

300 Yard Shuttle

-Switch-