Miscellaneous Miscellany Monday: No Easy Day, Organic Debate, and Other “Stuff”
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done one of these, and I figured it was appropriate given that, you know, it’s Monday.
Lets get to it:
1. Just a reminder that the Greatist Workout of the Day (GWODs for those who are uninitiated), are kicking into high gear. Both Dan Trink and I are the two coaches behind the (current) programming, and word on the street is that people are LOVING the results they’re getting.
As I discussed in the past, the premise behind GWOD is to provide high-quality programming for those individuals looking for a more “structured,” scientifically (and REAL WORLD) based, progressive, and safe routine that any fitness enthusiast – whether a newbie or seasoned veteran – can follow.
And, of course, GWODs are designed to increase one’s level of awesome by roughly 549%. Give or take a couple percentage points.
The best part: it’s completely FREE.
2. Also as a reminder: registration is still open for the 1st Annual Cressey Performance Fall Seminar.
According to the latest numbers, well over 100+ people have signed up, and we’re still six weeks away from the actual event!
Needless to say, we’re expecting a huge turn-out, and it’s looking as if this is going to be an event where not only are people going to get knowledge bombs thrown at them left and right, but the networking opportunities are going to be off the hook.
Spots are filling up fast, and we will have to cap the space at some point, sooooooooo…………
What are you waiting for?
3. I absolutely LOVE articles or posts where people go off on rants. A recent one I read titled, Comparing To Apples To Apples: A Rant was an absolute PWN-fest on the debate between organic vs. conventional food.
Just to give you an idea of the pwnage that’s involved, here’s a little taste:
Now, unless you’re the kind of person who goes to Whole Foods and buys a bag of “Organic Gummy Bears” because he/she honestly thinks that she’s getting a “health benefit” from consuming these “organic” sugar bombs, you already know that organic food isn’t “healthier” than conventional. You don’t eat organic because you think that the health fairies have blessed your apples with magical nutrients; you eat organic because you don’t want the anti-health fairies (i.e. conventional farmers) to poison you with pesticides, hormones, or genetically modified bullsh*t (literally or figuratively).
AWESOME!
4. Okay I need a small favor from all of you. Lisa and I are already in “Lets-Get-The-Hell-Out-Of-Dodge-Why-Do-We-Live-In-The-Northeast-I-Hate-Winter-Please-Kill-Me” mode, and planning our end of March vacation.
And we haven’t even seen the first snow flake yet!
I’ve never been on an all inclusive vacation, and that’s the route we’re leaning towards the more we think about it. I really like the idea of showing up at the resort and just tossing my wallet in the safe and not thinking about it the rest of the time there.
Well that, and Lisa feeding me grapes……;o)
Having said that, we’re still up in air as far as WHERE to go. Should we shoot for Mexico? The Dominican Republic? Pandora (you know, from Avatar?).
I’d be stoked to hear any and all suggestions. All I know is that we want clear blue water, lots of beach, and an all-you-can-eat omelet station.
That’s not too much to ask, right?
5. A client of mine sent this spoof video to me the other day, and I thought it was hysterical.
For those who train at commercial gyms, you’ll definitely appreciate this one. Classic.
6. I just finished the book No Easy Day last week, and all I have to say is I’m a raging pussy.
Here I was complaining about a headache last week and how it affected my workout, and this guy is out on deployment for ten straight years kicking ass and taking names.
Note: for those living under a rock, I’m referring to the book written by one of the Navy SEALs involved in the raid that killed a certain terrorist who’s name starts with O and ends with “is now dead.”
I know there’s a lot of debate over whether or not the book should have been written in the first place, and the author – Mark Owen (not his real name) – is under a lot of heat as to what his intentions were for even doing so.
I don’t want to get into that.
All I’ll add is that it’s a phenomenal read, makes you appreciate the sacrifices that so many people make to fight for our freedoms, and that a large portion of the proceeds of the book goes towards charities that help wounded soldiers.
For what it’s worth, I give this one two solid thumbs up and can’t recommend it enough.
7. Ever get pissed at those people who curl in the squat rack? Well, here’s the perfect response:
8. And finally, my boy Dean Somerset is turning 31 today (which is 43 in Canadian years), and in celebration of this epic event he’s placing his best selling product, Post Rehab Essentials, on sale for $31 off the regular price.
I think it goes without saying that Dean knows his stuff, and he’s someone whom I trust immensely. What’s more, PRE is a resource that I constantly refer back to with regards to assessment and program design (especially when working with injured athletes/clients), and I think it’s an invaluable tool for any trainer or coach to have at their disposal.
Plus, Dean is a handsome man, so there’s that too.
Comments for This Entry
James Weise
I'm liking the GWOD. I get a great workout in and I'm at the gym for about 1 hr. NICE!September 17, 2012 at 10:22 am |
TonyGentilcore
Glad you're enjoying them James! Thanks for the feedbackSeptember 18, 2012 at 10:31 am |
Adam Weiland
You should check out Fearless - it's the story of Adam Brown and his journey from junkie to DEVGRU SEAL. He was an absolute badass and the country is unfortunate to have lost him.September 17, 2012 at 11:46 am |
deansomerset
I'm more dashing than handsome, but thanks nonetheless. Plus, with the Canadian dollar currently worth more than the greenback, I would say I'm probably 29.3 in American years. Thanks for the plug budday!!!September 17, 2012 at 12:13 pm |
PJ Striet
Tony: i'd recommend the Mayan Riviera (Mexico). I did an all inclusive there at a place called "Secrets", and we had a really great time. Pretty darn affordable too.September 17, 2012 at 1:57 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Nice - thanks for the recommendation PJ!September 18, 2012 at 10:29 am |
Jay
Tony, Puerto Rico can be cool and there are som baller all inclusive resort packages. Jamaica is pretty cool too.September 17, 2012 at 1:58 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Lisa and I actually visited Puerto Rico two years ago for a friend's wedding. We stayed in San Juan at the San Juan hotel and LOVED it.September 18, 2012 at 10:32 am |
Pat
Oh behalf of myself and my GF, I just wanted to say thanks to yourself and Mr. Trink for the GWODs. They are a greatly appreciated resource.September 17, 2012 at 2:21 pm |
TonyGentilcore
NICE!!!! Really glad to hear that Pat, and thanks for the feedback. I'll be sure to pass that long to the peeps over at Greatist.September 18, 2012 at 10:33 am |
Lars Krogstad
To play devils advocate here, about the whole organic rant: This woman basically discards this study because she already knows in advance that conventional apples will kill you "in the long run", because conventional farmers "poison you with pesticides, hormones, or genetically modified bullsh*t". She is missing a couple of very important points here: a) Organic does not mean pesticide free. Organic means only organic pesticides have been used, which in a lot of cases will be more toxic than synthetic pesticides. b) genetically modified does not mean it will harm you. At all. It will not alter your genes or sh*t like that. the only difference between genetic modification, breed and natural evolution, is the time involved. Evolution takes a lot of time, breed takes some time, modification takes no time at all. There is no other difference between the three. c)She assumes the superiority of organic food because she just knows synthetic pesticides will kill you, despite the fact that no quality studies have shown the proclaimed health benefits of organic food even in the long run. Correct me if I'm wrong hereSeptember 17, 2012 at 2:28 pm |
Kay Prins
I'm not assuming superiority--just lessened risk. As much as I'd love to give all conventional farmers the benefit of the doubt, I know better than to assume that everyone's practicing safe farming. That being said, there are ton of great local farms that can't afford the "organic" label, yet are 100% pesticide-free, etc. I just think that the organic label gives you a better chance to get the best possible health out of the produce and meats you will consume. And when it comes to GMO, I'm not willing to take the chance with my own body, and I'd like to be forewarned before I do (and the fact that GMO labeling is still in its infancy scares the heck out of me). I do believe that there is a lot we still have to learn about GMO before we can declare it safe. And, again, I'm NOT trying to argue that organic food is more nutritious. I get that. That's the WHOLE POINT of the rant. I'm sick of people conflating "nutritious" and "healthy." No, organic food is not more nutritious (although I've read some articles arguing that the soil's nitrogen content often differs between organic and conventional farms, but, again, I'm not gonna go there, 'cause it's nitpicky and not well-studied). But when it comes to the farming practices, there is a definite difference in promotion of HEALTH--and here I mean fewer manmade, scary things getting into our food supply and potentially disrupting our immune systems, gut flora, hormones etc. etc. That's all.September 17, 2012 at 3:06 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Solid points on both accounts. If I had to take sides, I'd have to go with Kay here.September 18, 2012 at 10:36 am |
Lars Krogstad
That means no check for you this month!! Haha, no seriously, you'll have it soonSeptember 18, 2012 at 10:59 am |
Barath
I currently live in Tucson, AZ. It is hot as the devil's anus, and I'd love me some snow. All I want to say is I don't give a shit where you go for vacation. I am way too jealous to care.September 17, 2012 at 2:57 pm |
Barath
errrr, there's no way to delete comments, so sorry for yelling at you :) I ordered my first vibrams shoes today, so I feel a little better!September 17, 2012 at 8:12 pm |
TonyGentilcore
hahahaha. No worries BarathSeptember 18, 2012 at 10:37 am |
Kay Prins
Thanks so much for the re-post! I've been a long-time reader, but I'm a terrible lurker...so thanks for outing me! (And thanks for all of the amazing info you've been providing here!)September 17, 2012 at 3:07 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Well, thanks! It was an amazing "rant," on your part, and I hope more people read it. Keep it up.September 18, 2012 at 10:37 am |
Rachael
If that book made you want to read more about SEALs two great books from Marcus Luttrell "Lone Survivor" and "Service"September 17, 2012 at 4:52 pm |
TonyGentilcore
I read Lone Survivor last year and loved it. Another one to consider is "The Heart and the Fist" by Eric Greitens.September 18, 2012 at 10:39 am |
Matthew Bernal
you definitely want to go to Japan seeing as you want to go in the spring time the sakura, Japanese cherry blossoms, will be out :DSeptember 17, 2012 at 5:24 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Can I stay with your parents????.....;O)September 18, 2012 at 10:39 am |
Michael Richards
I am already signed up for the seminar at cressey performance! Can't wait!September 17, 2012 at 6:04 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Great! Looking forward to seeing you there Michael.September 18, 2012 at 10:39 am |
Simon
Tony, I have heard great things about the Couples Swept Away resort in Jamaica. All inclusive, a lot of activities, nice sports facilities and great food, although I believe it's not cheap. I know people going there every year for the last 5+.September 17, 2012 at 8:06 pm |
TonyGentilcore
I'm intrigued by the "couple's only" places. The idea of going on vacation and having a bunch of kids running around doesn't sit well with me. I think Lisa mentioned something about this company called Sandals (?) that caters to couples. We'll have to look more into it - thanks for the suggestion!September 18, 2012 at 10:41 am |
deansomerset
...Also, check out Sandals Resorts in Jamaica. I have a client who is a travel VP for AMA, and he absolutely loves it. It's worth the cost.September 17, 2012 at 9:29 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Ah, there it is: Sandals! Yeah, I heard some good things about them. We will definitely look into seeing what they have to offer.September 18, 2012 at 10:42 am |
Kennet Waale
Mate, come to Oz bro and we'll go surfing and stuff :)September 18, 2012 at 7:03 am |
TonyGentilcore
Well, I may be coming to Australia next fall (2013).......stay tuned......;o)September 18, 2012 at 10:42 am |
Chris Pers
My previous comment seemed to get lost - anyway, was suggesting you learn to surf, maybe in Costa Rica (suggest http://surfsimply.com/ - no kids, organic, massages, in the jungle etc; although there are plenty of other places). I can't imagine you are going to someone who can sit in a deck chair for 7 days in a row, so this is the perfect mix. You will never regret learning to surf (except when you are miles from the beach and can't do it). However, its quite humbling.September 18, 2012 at 6:31 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks for the suggestion Chris. As is happens, I have a client who owns a house in Costa Rica and it's definitely on my "to go" list. It sounds amazing!September 21, 2012 at 6:50 am |
Barb
Thanks. BTW, I also don't want farmers to get poisoned while growing food for me.September 19, 2012 at 3:47 pm |
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