Self – Disclosure

“If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people.”

Has it become human nature to think we know another individual so well that we can size them up to something they are not?  Or, believe that we are superior to them because of status, hierarchy, position in life, or just out of plain ignorance?

I’ve come across some extremely critical people this week.  Some of them didn’t know the other individual from a hole in the wall yet felt compelled to regurgitate a dissertation on their life.  For those who did know each other; one individual suddenly became a new age Harry Potter and thought they could read the others thoughts, actions and intentions even when they were not in plain sight of them (isn’t that some ISH).

In fitness, we have a mind set of knowing that everyone is not in the same book, let alone the same page.  We work hard for results at our own pace.  No one is a guru.  We are all constantly learning and picking up new and sometimes better concepts along the way.  Once we have mastered those concepts it is then that we can teach orconstructively criticize another….even still, we are all constantly learning.

“I know what I do well and what I don’t do well.  I know the mistakes I’ve made in the past and the successes I’ve had.  I don’t need to paint a false picture to others.  I can tell my story just as it is!”

Rob

KEEP YOUR PEACE

Talk is cheap! Your actions are screaming so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying.

Even at the pressure points of life I try to keep my peace.  Everyday is a test (that would be my yesterday); an obstacle course of people trying to knock you down, get under your skin, pull you back, open the door to discrimination, force you out the door of opportunity and take that little bit of  "YOU" you have left.

My strength...

Things may not be perfect in life but for all it's worth.... I go to the gym to keep my peace!

I step through the doors, inhale, and BAM; I am immediately transported to another world.  A world that is mine where there is no judgement, criticism, obstacles or pressures.

I select my music, pop in my earbuds, grab my weights and just like that I'm IN THE ZONE with all the emotional and mental mind numbing anxiety of stress melting away.

My pulse quickens, temperature rises...my movements are aggressive.... but I'm in control.  I think of nothing but me; who I am and what I want.
I feel a transformation give rise...blood pumping, muscles tearing...the feel good pain.

I move through the workout like a beast...I'm empowered moving faster, stronger, harder.
Like always, my pulse finds itself in sync with the bass.  It floods my ears, passes though my body and straps itself to nerves that play and pull me like a puppet.

I'm focused, pushing myself forward, raising the bar, defeating my enemies....
Last rep...
I inhale, one breath away from death, one step closer to heaven....
I exhale, open my eyes, and plumit back to earth...

Still Keeping My Peace

When you find joy in the midst of your difficulties, you're giving the enemy a black eye!

Rob

DEVINE INTERVENTION: PROGRESSION & CONTROL

Do not be tempted beyond what you can bear; for temptation is the road to destruction!

It is very important for me, as a coach, to intervene when I believe someone is on the path of potentially injuring themselves; for my clients (obviously) but also for those that I come across by way of circumstance.

Recently, some of you have become very creative by forwarding your video work outs in hopes to receive advise or bragging rights (yup, I'm paying attention to all the swagger out there).

I'm down with that, however, I've come across videos where the weight was much to heavy (scared the hell out of me); the lifter lacked form and exuded no control.  Lifting weights that are too heavy can lead to temporary if not permanent injuries.

The man of integrity takes the long path but he who takes short cuts will always be found out!

Moving forward...

When attempting to lift weights position your body for the specific strength movement. Be sure to set yourself up using good form and body mechanics.  If you are performing an exercise standing up be sure to keep your back straight, and most of the weight on the back of your heels.

Attempt a full range repetition without assistance. Check your body mechanic's and make sure that you did not swing your body, arch your back, or sway.  You should be able to execute the lift primarily with total control.

A good indicator that the weight is too heavy is when you are unable to perform a full range repetition without maintaining proper form.  If your body sways or struggles to compensate swap for a lighter weight.

Everything comes with progression....take your time, work your way up to your fitness goals, and most importantly control each step along the way.  Before you know it, you will have arrived at your destination not only with results but also with the blueprints of how you got there.

Rob

NO COMPROMISING

I strive for excellence and always try to keep my conscience clear and honest.

When you have an excellent attitude it shows up in all that you do...giving 100% with no compromising and no short cuts.

This holds true in fitness....recently I've had a few people send me emails with questions such as:

• Can you build a work out routine that will get me to loose weight fast?
• Is there something at GNC that will help me shed fat and tone muscle?
• If I come to your facility could you get me to look like this (note: this is where they have a picture attached of a celebrity or athlete ---not judging) by next month?

Why do some of us seek to take short cuts or side steps?
Every time you compromise you loose some of your integrity, are less honest with yourself, and cause slight cracks in the foundation; whether it be nutrition, fitness regimen, or meeting reasonable goals.  If you continue compromising, the foundation you need won't be able to hold what you want to build.

Would you live in a house that was built on quicksand for a cheaper rate than a house that wasn't?  I hope your answer is NO


Work for what you want, be consistent, be patient, give 100%, and don't take short cuts.  Most importantly get the wisdom, discipline and understanding that will help you meet your goals without compromise.

Let me know if you need help meeting your goals...hit me up.
Many of you email me but I would like to have some of you post your questions under comments.
Believe it or not some of you have the same questions and/or concerns.  If you don't want anyone to know who you are post anonymous.


Rob

BE INSPIRED!

The pressures, tensions, and stresses of modern life constantly threaten to take a toll on our enthusiasm...

I see it everyday...in my wife, the people around me and even sometimes in myself.  In this day and age we have a tendency to forget.  Forget what makes us unbiasedly, open-mindedly happy.  We forget what makes us excited, what draws out our creativity, our enthusiasm, our willingness to do just because we can and love it!

Can you remember the last time you felt this way?
Perhaps it was in high school before a football game or maybe college bringing new ideas or concepts to a class discussion...

The last time I felt this way was about two weeks ago....I asked myself, "why did I leave my secure job and start Krank Systems?"

After a little bit of digging deep, the answer was simple.  I was inspired!

Inspired by the individuals that struggled to find a remedy unlike a conventional gym. Inspired by my clients that met or exceeded their goals in weight loss or mass gain and was ecstatic because after trying for years they have finally found a solution that works.  Inspired by mentors such as Randy Gruezo, Zach Even-Esh, Joe De Franco, Juan Carlos Santa, and Alwyn Cosgrove; without some of these individuals I may have never found the right footing.  Most importantly, I was inspired by myself and my own story...without my history I wouldn't be the person I am today.

Hold tight, dig deep and pay attention to your inspirations no matter how hard life may be knocking you around or pushing you down.  Our inspirations keep us enthused and excited about life.  It's a guiding mechanism that leads us straight to our passion!  Without passion we conform to mediocrity.

What has inspired you lately?  I want to know....hit me up.

Rob

STARTING FRESH: BONES TO BEAST DEFINED

In my last two posts I wrote about new beginnings and another chance to get it right.

Today I will get it right with a new beginning in defining Bones To Beast...should have been my very first post but better late than never :)  :)


BONES TO BEAST:  An individual that is skeletal in nature but grows in mass through consistency of a structured diet, unconventional strength training, rigorous weight regime, dedication and lots of time.


I was this individual (ha, ha...see picture below)

From my experience most people had a problem losing weight, my issue was putting on weight and keeping it there!

In my younger years, I was bullied on a daily basis.  As you can see from the picture above I was no competition for my peers.  It was embarrassing get pushed around all the time.  I hated going home for fear it would break my mother's heart to find out the truth about the streets, and what they held for me everyday...a black eye here, a bloody nose there and busted lip every so often.  I was tired of it!  My attitude, character and demeanor slowly morphed into an unhappy, distant and unpleasant individual.  My aggravation and frustrations were directly unloaded on my family which caused unnecessary arguments and tension in my own home.

I needed an outlet...
After stirring the pot in my house with negativity I needed a place of refuge.  A place without judgement where I could unload everything going on inside of me...resentment, loneliness, anger, frustration...etc
Don't ask me why (I can't even explain it) but I walked up to a gym and signed up for a year...my new home.

For the first time in a long time I started to feel good about myself and it wasn't because I had goals or expectations of what the gym could do for me (seriously, at that time I had no idea what I was doing...I was just doing something and discovered it was changing me in a good way.)  For an entire year all I did was wake up, go to work, gym, home, and eat.  After a few months into this regime I noticed changes in my appearance, appetite, mood, tolerance, and overall self.  I actually woke up one morning, stood in front of a mirror and said, "Damn, you look good!"...who are you?
I found myself searching my reflection looking for pieces of the wimpy weakling I once thought myself to be...nope, no sign of him and I loved it.

From that moment on I never turned back.  Somewhere along the path to looking and feeling good (ha,ha) I developed a passion, better understanding and appreciation for fitness and the elements of physics behind going from Bones To Beast.  A love for the business that is still indescribable to me to this day.

Rob

NEW BEGINNINGS

Happy 2011...
Cheers to new beginnings, and another chance to get it right!

Perhaps like me, 2010 brought trials and tribulations. Perhaps you had more than your share of set backs and heartaches. But today is a brand new day; a new beginning!

For me...
Last year was about learning...crawling before walking, walking before running.  It was tough...I started a new business with a partner (www.kranksystems.com - yeah, yeah); sorted out a work - life balance;  kept on top of my clients (they too are an extension to my family) and some how remembered myself (it was important to remember the foundation so that all the other pillars in my life didn't come crashing down on me.)  These were things that I didn't have to worry about in 2009 but became the central arteries to my heart that kept me alive 2010.....NO HEART ATTACKS HERE...Whew!

In 2011,  I will stride with leaps and bounds.  Carrying myself across barriers and walls that in 2010 seemed impossible to scale.  For starters, opening another branch of Krank Systems (Jersey City here I come!) 


I have so much I want to do, so much I will accomplish, a lot I want to give back...I hope you follow me on this journey so that together we can learn and have another chance to make things right!  

Can you see?
I'm starting new...setting my goals, paving my path...

What are your goals? How will you make it right for 2011?  Hit me up....we can walk this walk together.

Rob