Before we get into the good stuff, I want to go over what will make your program a success. There are many ways to train your body and there are many ways that work. The consistencies in the success stories deal with habit and structure. Without habitual behavior, it is going to be hard to reach your goals. Just like brushing your teeth has been ingrained in your daily routine. You want to create that same kind of habit with your lifting routine. In order to do that, create structure in your day and in your training schedule. You should always have a plan and have a purpose each time you enter the weight room. Execute your daily routine without deviation and the accountability for your actions will be improved. Now on to the training stuff!
There is a natural evolution of training. The first level is what I will call training freestyle. These people just show up to the gym, do whatever they want, and leave. Some training is always better than no training but when you aren't maximizing your time when you have no plan, no progression, and no record keeping. The second level of training is chop-shop programming. These individuals mix and match a bunch of different ideas they've read or got from their "mentors" and call that a program. The issue with this is that by doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that, you aren't really following a program. Programs are created for a reason. If you are going to follow one then do just that. Don't substitute this for that and think you are still doing the program. You're not! The third level is what I'll call exact recipe programming. This is the individual who religiously monitors their tempo, makes sure everything is working right, following someone's plan to a T, but put so much effort and energy into everything being perfect that they forget to train hard. The fourth level is template programming. This is the individual who has a plan and a rough idea on periodization. They are experienced enough to have a little flexibility and understand that some days you just might not have it. This individual is in it for the long haul.
For somebody that is looking to get to level four, I will give you some basic guidelines for how to start building your very own template. These workouts should be full body workouts done three days a week. A basic template is listed is as follows: upper body push, upper body pull, any type of squat, something that involves a hip hinge (Deadlift, KB Swing, Romanian Deadlift, etc), an exercise that is core/trunk related, and a loaded carry. The carry is often neglected but if you have an opportunity to push a sled or carry some heavy weights around, DO IT! They are a game changer and extremely taxing on your body. Every day you lift, you can change the exercises up a little so you aren't constantly doing the same stuff. So for the upper body push, bench one day, military press another, use dumbbells, press only one arm at a time, etc. Use the same variations with the other exercises as well. A simple rep scheme to follow in the beginning is a 10/8/6 program. There are many ways to do it but the 10/8/6 program is a good place to start. Each week you try to beat your previous weeks best lift. Lastly, never miss a rep (if it calls for 6 reps make sure you get 6) and never sacrifice quality for quantity. Take some time this weekend to put some ideas on paper and create your plan for the upcoming week. Keep me posted on how you're progressing!
Chris Fluck
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Whatever happened to that kid?
This past weekend I had an opportunity to be around some coaching peers in Easton's wrestling room as we were there for a scrimmage. The topic of conversation quickly turned to long term athletic development with our wrestlers. We talked about those kids who dominated youth sports and then never heard of them again as they moved up in class or just stopped competing (70% of young athletes quit before the age of 13. The top three reasons: adults, coaches and parents). This isn't just a wrestling issue, it is a youth sports issue.
This is caused by the win-at-all costs youth sports environment (the same can be said for the AAU culture in basketball). The coaches at the lower levels are not talent identifiers, they are talent selectors. They choose the most physically developed kids for their team and cut the smaller, less athletic players because they can not help them win now. The cut players get put on lesser teams with lesser coaches and in weaker leagues. Some of these kids persevere, the others wither away. The "elite" kids train, get good coaching, but often rely on what has worked for them in the past when they had a physical advantage over their competition and are not as open to learn. This I have seen on many levels with wrestling. There are moves that work in the youth league that do not work in Junior High. There are moves that work in Junior High but not work well at the High School level. Same for High School to College to International competition. The kids who are able to adapt, display a work ethic, and are excited to learn will continue to improve. But the "elite" kids who aren't open to change and learning are the ones who fall off the map. As their physical advantages mitigate, they are supplanted by the kids who develop a little late, are more technical, coachable and have the grit to persevere because they had to do it the hard way.
How do we fix it? I believe there are two ways to develop our youth. The first is participation. The number one determinant when choosing a team to play for is actually getting on the field. Getting mat time, field time, track time, etc is a great learning tool. Sitting on the bench, not so much. Choose a team that will allow you to learn through competition. The second, shift the focus from wins and losses and put a focus on improving the root of your game. Continual, daily progress is the only way to sustain long term athletic development. Late bloomers are common in athletics and it important to not rush development. Stop cutting players at such a young age and focus on developing these players (and not just the elite ones). We need to focus on the root of sport. There is too much of a focus on competition without attention to individual detail.
Chris Fluck, CSCS
This is caused by the win-at-all costs youth sports environment (the same can be said for the AAU culture in basketball). The coaches at the lower levels are not talent identifiers, they are talent selectors. They choose the most physically developed kids for their team and cut the smaller, less athletic players because they can not help them win now. The cut players get put on lesser teams with lesser coaches and in weaker leagues. Some of these kids persevere, the others wither away. The "elite" kids train, get good coaching, but often rely on what has worked for them in the past when they had a physical advantage over their competition and are not as open to learn. This I have seen on many levels with wrestling. There are moves that work in the youth league that do not work in Junior High. There are moves that work in Junior High but not work well at the High School level. Same for High School to College to International competition. The kids who are able to adapt, display a work ethic, and are excited to learn will continue to improve. But the "elite" kids who aren't open to change and learning are the ones who fall off the map. As their physical advantages mitigate, they are supplanted by the kids who develop a little late, are more technical, coachable and have the grit to persevere because they had to do it the hard way.
How do we fix it? I believe there are two ways to develop our youth. The first is participation. The number one determinant when choosing a team to play for is actually getting on the field. Getting mat time, field time, track time, etc is a great learning tool. Sitting on the bench, not so much. Choose a team that will allow you to learn through competition. The second, shift the focus from wins and losses and put a focus on improving the root of your game. Continual, daily progress is the only way to sustain long term athletic development. Late bloomers are common in athletics and it important to not rush development. Stop cutting players at such a young age and focus on developing these players (and not just the elite ones). We need to focus on the root of sport. There is too much of a focus on competition without attention to individual detail.
Chris Fluck, CSCS
Saturday, January 25, 2014
New Year, New Opportunities
Thomas Edison once said that "opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work". There are many reasons that some seize opportunities and an even longer list of why people do not. Maybe you are worried about doing something wrong, not being totally prepared, feel unqualified, not willing to fail, or like Edison said, not willing to to put in the work. Opportunities do not come on our time. When they present themselves, we need to be ready!
This new year will bring on many new opportunities. In the book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell states: "as psychologists look at the careers of the gifted, the smaller the role innate talent plays and the bigger the role preparation plays". To discover what is possible, you need to have an idea where you want to go and how you are going to get there. This comes with preparation. If you aren't happy in your current state, do something about it. Create goals. Write it out on paper. And begin exploring new possibilities. Yes, this is going to take some work. But if you are willing to put in the work, and portray persistence and doggedness toward achieving your goals, the opportunities will eventually come in. And when that perfect opportunity knocks, you will have the presence of mind to seize it. If you don't, someone else will.
These past few months, that Edison quote couldn't be more true for me (which is why I have been slacking with these blog posts). I have been fortunate enough to be offered a few opportunities that I couldn't pass up: the first, Junior High wrestling coach, the second, a job offer at Steel Fitness Premier in Allentown. Combine that with previous work commitments and I watched my free time slowly disappear. Over this process I have learned a few things: never become content in your current state, make yourself available for new challenges, and don't stop pursuing what you want. Three months ago I interviewed at Steel Fitness Premier. After three interviews I never heard back from them. This was after striking out at another company. I was pretty bummed. Until a month ago I saw they had another job posting. I decided to apply once again and see what happens. As it turns out, management changed (I had no clue) and they were looking for new people and offered me a job. Not getting the offer the first time was a tough blow (sorry for the lack of a better word) but after I stopped pouting, I got over it. Opportunities aren't a thing of luck. Luck is winning the lottery. Opportunities come to those who go after them and explore the possibilities. And just like Edison said, it may take a little work but in the end, you can obtain anything you want if you stay persistent!
Hope you're staying warm and enjoying this winter weather!
Chris Fluck
This new year will bring on many new opportunities. In the book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell states: "as psychologists look at the careers of the gifted, the smaller the role innate talent plays and the bigger the role preparation plays". To discover what is possible, you need to have an idea where you want to go and how you are going to get there. This comes with preparation. If you aren't happy in your current state, do something about it. Create goals. Write it out on paper. And begin exploring new possibilities. Yes, this is going to take some work. But if you are willing to put in the work, and portray persistence and doggedness toward achieving your goals, the opportunities will eventually come in. And when that perfect opportunity knocks, you will have the presence of mind to seize it. If you don't, someone else will.
These past few months, that Edison quote couldn't be more true for me (which is why I have been slacking with these blog posts). I have been fortunate enough to be offered a few opportunities that I couldn't pass up: the first, Junior High wrestling coach, the second, a job offer at Steel Fitness Premier in Allentown. Combine that with previous work commitments and I watched my free time slowly disappear. Over this process I have learned a few things: never become content in your current state, make yourself available for new challenges, and don't stop pursuing what you want. Three months ago I interviewed at Steel Fitness Premier. After three interviews I never heard back from them. This was after striking out at another company. I was pretty bummed. Until a month ago I saw they had another job posting. I decided to apply once again and see what happens. As it turns out, management changed (I had no clue) and they were looking for new people and offered me a job. Not getting the offer the first time was a tough blow (sorry for the lack of a better word) but after I stopped pouting, I got over it. Opportunities aren't a thing of luck. Luck is winning the lottery. Opportunities come to those who go after them and explore the possibilities. And just like Edison said, it may take a little work but in the end, you can obtain anything you want if you stay persistent!
Hope you're staying warm and enjoying this winter weather!
Chris Fluck
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Top Posts from 2013!
Below I have attached the seven most popular blog posts that I have written this past year. My posts have had over 2,000 views and I want to take the time to thank those who have read my work and wish you all a happy New Year!
7. The 40 Day Program. This was the first time I experimented with a training program that I was not so sure about. I was able to see gains in strength during this program and is a nice way to get your strength back up to previous levels if you have taken a hiatus from strength training.
6. Sleep: Are you getting enough? Nutrition, training and recovery are the three keys to a successful training program. Often times, sleep is neglected.
5. My Take on Crossfit. This is a hot topic and I will leave it at that. Read the post if you'd like to read my opinion (if you don't already know my feelings)
4. Why am I not Getting Faster. This post takes a look at some different ways to boost performance if you are an endurance athlete. I can almost guarantee faster times if you understand this piece and how the body works.
3. The Power of No! This post was inspired by the book "Toughness" written by Jay Bilas. In that book, he quotes Bobby Knight "No, is the most important word in the English language. No is used by tough people...Yes causes a heck of a lot of more trouble than No. In saying No, you may miss an opportunity, but you won't get yourself into trouble. Trouble follows yes, now no". I am sure we can all relate to this quote at some point in your life.
2. Back to the Basics. Every parent who has their child involved in youth sports should take a look at this article. You may think you are doing your child a favor by specializing on a sport at a young age but you may be putting their long term athletic development at risk.
1. The most popular blog of 2013 was titled Say Bye Bye to Bodybuilding. This post breaks down common problems that occur from following a workout routine out of a bodybuilding magazine and offers a nice template to follow if you decide to build your own workouts.
I wish you all a healthful and happy New Year!
Chris Fluck
7. The 40 Day Program. This was the first time I experimented with a training program that I was not so sure about. I was able to see gains in strength during this program and is a nice way to get your strength back up to previous levels if you have taken a hiatus from strength training.
6. Sleep: Are you getting enough? Nutrition, training and recovery are the three keys to a successful training program. Often times, sleep is neglected.
5. My Take on Crossfit. This is a hot topic and I will leave it at that. Read the post if you'd like to read my opinion (if you don't already know my feelings)
4. Why am I not Getting Faster. This post takes a look at some different ways to boost performance if you are an endurance athlete. I can almost guarantee faster times if you understand this piece and how the body works.
3. The Power of No! This post was inspired by the book "Toughness" written by Jay Bilas. In that book, he quotes Bobby Knight "No, is the most important word in the English language. No is used by tough people...Yes causes a heck of a lot of more trouble than No. In saying No, you may miss an opportunity, but you won't get yourself into trouble. Trouble follows yes, now no". I am sure we can all relate to this quote at some point in your life.
2. Back to the Basics. Every parent who has their child involved in youth sports should take a look at this article. You may think you are doing your child a favor by specializing on a sport at a young age but you may be putting their long term athletic development at risk.
1. The most popular blog of 2013 was titled Say Bye Bye to Bodybuilding. This post breaks down common problems that occur from following a workout routine out of a bodybuilding magazine and offers a nice template to follow if you decide to build your own workouts.
I wish you all a healthful and happy New Year!
Chris Fluck
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Twas the Night Before Christmas
’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the gym
Men and women worked out, looking healthy and slim.
Kettlebells were swinging, shiny ones at that,
Strong hips were snapping, getting rid of some fat.
Butts squeezing tight, abdominals braced,
Cement your heels to the floor, and relax your face!
Keep your chest open, it’s a hinge, not a squat.
Sit your hips back, is that all you’ve got?
Chris in his hoodie, Sam in her fleece,
Kept the morning class going, while thinking,
“Damn, it’s warm on the beach.”
Melissa on the turf, hopping and skipping,
No morning coffee for her, we don't want him tripping.
Bear crawls and pushups, TRX rows, squats and swings,
Michelle loves burpees, among other things.
Ball slams and pull-aparts all get the job done,
Keep working hard, don’t forget to have fun!
The prowler it sat, with weight plates abound,
In hopes someone strong would push it around.
The finisher was coming, the end was so near,
Chris got the ropes out, before they all disappeared.
He set the timer, with rest time included.
Huffing and puffing, they didn’t dispute it.
The music was loud, the atmosphere energetic,
He whistled a tune, unapologetic.
A quote on the whiteboard inspired them all,
“No B.S. here, once and for all.”
Hard work, determination, perseverance and sweat,
Tom exclaimed, “Don’t you dare give up yet!”
“My message is simple, but bold and to the point,
Build strength in small increments and save all your joints.
Evolution is the solution - plan your New Year’s resolution.
Get strong, then get stronger, there’s no substitution.”
“Strength is a skill, it takes care of all things,
Embrace it and practice it, see what it brings.”
He shouted this to all, then stayed awhile longer,
And left saying, “Have a very Merry Christmas,
and try to get stronger!”
Monday, December 16, 2013
What I've Been Reading
The Miracle of St. Anthony by Adrian Wojnarowski
The story of St. Anthony basketball is an incredible tale that covers so many different layers. St. Anthony's in New Jersey is a school on the brink of financial ruin in a neighborhood mired by decay and crime. Upon entering there is a that reads "You are entering a special and safe place. The streets stop here". Unfortunately for some, these students needed a little assistance. Enter Bob Hurley. Coach Hurley works miracles in this little brick school house. His endless work to keep the school from closing and coaching a national basketball power is profiled in this book.
This book follows the St. Anthony's basketball season for a season with Coach Hurley's most dysfunctional team. I didn't know much about him but one thing I did know was that he was a bit of a hard ass. One of his former players said, "I know if I can get through St. Anthony with Coach Hurley, I can get through anything". His response for riding his players so hard, "If a coach doesn't yell at you, he probably doesn't care about you". On top of the 30+ basketball games his team played, his biggest challenge was to get these boys to understand how important it is to amount to something in life. To separate yourself from the crowd and to be special. It is what every coach wants for his players: to turn them into champions on and off the court. This is a good read for anyone (especially those in the coaching profession).
Coaching Wrestling Successfully by Dan Gable.
Dan Gable is the greatest coach off all-time...in any sport! His record speaks for itself: 15 NCAA Championships, 21 Big Ten Championships, an overall record of 355-21-5 (That is winning 93% of the time), and coached numerous Olympic Gold Medalist. Anytime you get an opportunity to read something by someone who is the best in their profession, you do it. Many coaches tried to study his methods and find out his secret's. Gable's training method has been the secret to his success- outwork them all. Talent is everywhere in this world but a winning attitude is not. Coach Gable strives to teach his wrestlers how to work hard.
If you aren't a wrestling coach I would not buy this book. But if you are interested in the man, read this article.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
This was the most interesting book of the bunch. It is a story of modern medicine meets ethics. The year is 1951 and the story involves a tobacco farmer named Henrietta Lacks. After a visit to the doctor and Johns Hopkins Hospital, she learned that she had malignant cancer in her cervix. Treatment was started and cell tissues were taken...without her knowledge. The samples were labeled HeLa (abbreviated from Henrietta Lacks). From there these cells were cultured and they became the first tissue sample that continued to grow on their own. Before this, tissue was used from healthy cells and the cells would die shortly after. HeLa cells continued to grow and demand for them went soaring. Scientists were interested in running tests on these mass produced HeLa cells and were willing to pay a price. All the while her family had no clue that all this was going on. They had no idea her cells were used to find a polio vaccine or used in cancer research. Henrietta's cells were being sold and yet her family could not even afford doctor visits. Great book, add it to your holiday wish list!
We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of Iraqi People by Peter Van Buren
Sun Tzu: Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
Peter Van Buren was part of a reconstruction team in Iraq set to improve the quality of life in Iraq. He loved the warrior but hated the war that we were in. His mission was to use his team to create ways to improve Iraq. The problem was this: just because something worked in America, doesn't mean it would work elsewhere. Van Buren discusses various projects that his team attempted to improve and the vaste amounts of money spent on these projects. The major decisions were made by individuals sitting in an office and not out in the desert sweating with the locals. It was a so so book, had to take a break from it because it got to be a bit excessive.
Relax Into Stretch by Pavel Tsatsouline
Another informative read by my favorite Russian author. This book gives great explanations on the benefits of stretching, better techniques to use while stretching and how to maximize each and every stretch. The basic premise: the most obvious way to control muscle tension is to relax. Next time you perform a stretch remember this and enjoy the outcome. This book offers great stretches and a few techniques to "trick" your muscles into a new muscle length. If flexibility is an issue, this book could be an eye-opener.
Chris Fluck, CSCS
The story of St. Anthony basketball is an incredible tale that covers so many different layers. St. Anthony's in New Jersey is a school on the brink of financial ruin in a neighborhood mired by decay and crime. Upon entering there is a that reads "You are entering a special and safe place. The streets stop here". Unfortunately for some, these students needed a little assistance. Enter Bob Hurley. Coach Hurley works miracles in this little brick school house. His endless work to keep the school from closing and coaching a national basketball power is profiled in this book.
This book follows the St. Anthony's basketball season for a season with Coach Hurley's most dysfunctional team. I didn't know much about him but one thing I did know was that he was a bit of a hard ass. One of his former players said, "I know if I can get through St. Anthony with Coach Hurley, I can get through anything". His response for riding his players so hard, "If a coach doesn't yell at you, he probably doesn't care about you". On top of the 30+ basketball games his team played, his biggest challenge was to get these boys to understand how important it is to amount to something in life. To separate yourself from the crowd and to be special. It is what every coach wants for his players: to turn them into champions on and off the court. This is a good read for anyone (especially those in the coaching profession).
Coaching Wrestling Successfully by Dan Gable.
Dan Gable is the greatest coach off all-time...in any sport! His record speaks for itself: 15 NCAA Championships, 21 Big Ten Championships, an overall record of 355-21-5 (That is winning 93% of the time), and coached numerous Olympic Gold Medalist. Anytime you get an opportunity to read something by someone who is the best in their profession, you do it. Many coaches tried to study his methods and find out his secret's. Gable's training method has been the secret to his success- outwork them all. Talent is everywhere in this world but a winning attitude is not. Coach Gable strives to teach his wrestlers how to work hard.
If you aren't a wrestling coach I would not buy this book. But if you are interested in the man, read this article.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
This was the most interesting book of the bunch. It is a story of modern medicine meets ethics. The year is 1951 and the story involves a tobacco farmer named Henrietta Lacks. After a visit to the doctor and Johns Hopkins Hospital, she learned that she had malignant cancer in her cervix. Treatment was started and cell tissues were taken...without her knowledge. The samples were labeled HeLa (abbreviated from Henrietta Lacks). From there these cells were cultured and they became the first tissue sample that continued to grow on their own. Before this, tissue was used from healthy cells and the cells would die shortly after. HeLa cells continued to grow and demand for them went soaring. Scientists were interested in running tests on these mass produced HeLa cells and were willing to pay a price. All the while her family had no clue that all this was going on. They had no idea her cells were used to find a polio vaccine or used in cancer research. Henrietta's cells were being sold and yet her family could not even afford doctor visits. Great book, add it to your holiday wish list!
We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of Iraqi People by Peter Van Buren
Sun Tzu: Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
Peter Van Buren was part of a reconstruction team in Iraq set to improve the quality of life in Iraq. He loved the warrior but hated the war that we were in. His mission was to use his team to create ways to improve Iraq. The problem was this: just because something worked in America, doesn't mean it would work elsewhere. Van Buren discusses various projects that his team attempted to improve and the vaste amounts of money spent on these projects. The major decisions were made by individuals sitting in an office and not out in the desert sweating with the locals. It was a so so book, had to take a break from it because it got to be a bit excessive.
Relax Into Stretch by Pavel Tsatsouline
Another informative read by my favorite Russian author. This book gives great explanations on the benefits of stretching, better techniques to use while stretching and how to maximize each and every stretch. The basic premise: the most obvious way to control muscle tension is to relax. Next time you perform a stretch remember this and enjoy the outcome. This book offers great stretches and a few techniques to "trick" your muscles into a new muscle length. If flexibility is an issue, this book could be an eye-opener.
Chris Fluck, CSCS
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Attack the Obstacle
Archimedes: If you give me a large enough lever and a fulcrum on which to place it, I shall move the world
There was once a man born in 1918. His entire world was divided by race. His father died at a young age and all throughout his childhood he heard stories of his ancestors valor during wars of resistance and dreamed of leaving his own mark on the world. As he grew up, he vowed to be the first in his family to go to school. Often times, he was the only native in his class and was tormented for it and even faced expulsion. Still, he yearned to overcome these obstacles and make a difference for his country. After his schooling was complete, he began to leave his mark. Activism that led to change in his racially divided country was his mission. This led to multiple arrests and eventually he was convicted of conspiring against the government. Avoiding a death sentence, his 1964 conviction led to life in a 8 foot x 7 foot jail cell. After 27 years and 8 months in prison, he was released. This man was Nelson Mandela. He went on to win the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for putting an end to apartheid and became South Africa's first democratically elected President in 1994. He became one of the worlds greatest humanitarians up until his death last week.
Like many stories, great obstacles can lead to bigger opportunities. Taking the easy way out is never the answer. If Mandela would have chosen the easy route, the same issues South Africa faced since the 1800's could still be going on today. You might think that with less problems in your life, everything would be easier. That may be true but will your life be better? The answer to that is No! Without challenges, obstacles, tragedies, and failures, our lives would be less, not more. If you want to be more (fill in the blank) you have to overcome the obstacle that is standing in your way. Embracing this will give you the courage to move forward when difficulty eventually knocks on your door! So my challenge to you is this: think of the biggest obstacle holding you back. Pick it, attack it, and pass it. Keep this process up and you will live a fulfilled life! I will leave you with this question: How far are you willing to go to get there?
Chris Fluck
There was once a man born in 1918. His entire world was divided by race. His father died at a young age and all throughout his childhood he heard stories of his ancestors valor during wars of resistance and dreamed of leaving his own mark on the world. As he grew up, he vowed to be the first in his family to go to school. Often times, he was the only native in his class and was tormented for it and even faced expulsion. Still, he yearned to overcome these obstacles and make a difference for his country. After his schooling was complete, he began to leave his mark. Activism that led to change in his racially divided country was his mission. This led to multiple arrests and eventually he was convicted of conspiring against the government. Avoiding a death sentence, his 1964 conviction led to life in a 8 foot x 7 foot jail cell. After 27 years and 8 months in prison, he was released. This man was Nelson Mandela. He went on to win the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for putting an end to apartheid and became South Africa's first democratically elected President in 1994. He became one of the worlds greatest humanitarians up until his death last week.
Like many stories, great obstacles can lead to bigger opportunities. Taking the easy way out is never the answer. If Mandela would have chosen the easy route, the same issues South Africa faced since the 1800's could still be going on today. You might think that with less problems in your life, everything would be easier. That may be true but will your life be better? The answer to that is No! Without challenges, obstacles, tragedies, and failures, our lives would be less, not more. If you want to be more (fill in the blank) you have to overcome the obstacle that is standing in your way. Embracing this will give you the courage to move forward when difficulty eventually knocks on your door! So my challenge to you is this: think of the biggest obstacle holding you back. Pick it, attack it, and pass it. Keep this process up and you will live a fulfilled life! I will leave you with this question: How far are you willing to go to get there?
Chris Fluck
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