1. I’m in Florida as I write this – Jensen Beach/Stuart area in fact – and since my girlfriend and her mom decided to have a little mother-daughter “lets shop till we drop” marathon today, which I absolutely wanted no part of, I’ve had a nice, relaxing day to myself where I went to a local commercial gym to get a lift in, and now I’m sitting here in the outdoors area of a Panera in 80 degree weather loving life.

As it happened, I wore my Cressey Performance t-shirt to train this morning and was approached by a random woman who had nothing but great things to say about us.  I had just completed a set of squats and happened to make eye-contact with her when she looked at me and gave me a hearty thumbs up.

Acting all cool, at first I thought she was giving me some kudos on my squat technique, which would have been awesome, and a boost to my ego. But really it was the shirt she was impressed with.

I should have known better.

We chatted for about five or so minutes and she mentioned how she always tells people to read our stuff and that, despite being a regular ol’ kick-ass general fitness enthusiast and someone who just enjoys to train (ie: not a trainer), she really appreciated all of the content we provide.

It was just a really nice experience and simultaneously surreal.  It always amazes me how much of a reach we have at CP that a random person in Florida knew who I was.

2. And, for those who are reading and inevitably going to give me flack (maybe rightfully so) for doing some work while on my vacation, yesterday, per Lisa’s request, we spent the ENTIRE day out on the open ocean on our friend’s boat doing some serious fishing.

As you can see from the picture above (the one where I felt compelled to do my best Zoolander impersonation, and failed miserably) I wore what I felt was the most appropriate fishing shirt ever.  Who says guys never accessorize!?!?!

The game plan was to catch a great white shark, and get myself on the local news, but all I caught were a few measly Spanish mackerel.

Not quite Jaws, but close enough.

All wasn’t lost, though.  We caught so many (20), that we all went back, cleaned those bad boys out and ate them for dinner.

So today has been a “lay-low” day.  Like I said, Lisa and her mom are off shopping somewhere and doing whatever it is that women do when they shop, and I’m just sitting here outside getting some writing done and taking care of some email correspondance.

Tomorrow we’re heading to Port St. Lucie to check out the Mets spring training complex and to hopefully check out some of our CP guys in action.  Then, we’re off to Miami to visit some if Lisa’s friends and to REALLY get the party started.

Speaking of which:  this will be my first trip to Miami since I was a sophomore in college playing baseball.  I’ve never really had an opportunity to explore the city itself and know both Lisa and I will want to check out some sights and sounds, as well as eat at some fancy schmancy restaurants.

For those in the Miami area – any suggestions???

3.  As a quick reminder, I’m going to be speaking at my alma mater, SUNY Cortland, on April 1st.  I’m really excited to head back to my old stomping grounds and speak to the student body.  It’s a huge honor to be asked to come speak, and it’s my hope that those who attend will remember my name walk away with some newfound insight on assessment, anatomy, and program design.

While the talk with be geared towards undergrad and graduate students, it is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!  And it’s FREE.

For those looking for more information whether it’s directions to Cortland, where on campus it will be held, or taking bets as to what my walk out music will be, please contact Justin Kompf at [email protected] for more details.

4.  Looking a bit further down the yell0w-brick road, I’m happy to note that Cressey Performance will be hosting the next Elite Training Workshop on Sunday, April 21st.

This is undoubtedly going to be a huge event as the following people will be speaking:

Eric Cressey
Mike Robertson
Mike Reinold
Dave Schmitz
Steve Long
Jared Woolever
And some joker with the last name Gentilcore.

Additionally, there will be a bonus “business day” hosted by Pat Rigsby and Nick Berry on Saturday, April 20th.

===> Click here for more information and to register <===

5.  I’ve been very grateful in my career to get to the point where I’m now featured in the likes of Men’s Health Magazine on an almost monthly basis.  But in this month’s issue (April 2013) I’ve finally weaseled my way into an actual full-length, semi-feature article.

What’s it about you ask?  How to Get Tank-Top Arms:  13 Top-Level Moves on the BOSU Ball.

LOL – just kidding.

It’s actually on the one part of a program that most guys dismiss but can arguably be considered the most important:

The Warm-Up

Check out pg. 114-116 for more of the deets.  And yes, I’ll be more than happy to sign your issue if we ever cross paths.

5.  And finally, I’m really good friends with Ben Bruno, and since he also lives in the Boston area, it’s not uncommon for he and I to get together and train or just go out for some burgers* on occasion.

Of course, like everyone else, I read his stuff and love it.  Unfortunately I’m not one of those creative types that can sit in his evil strength coach lair and conjure up sadistic exercises that will make people hate life.

Ben, though, is a pro at it.

He can be a real a-hole sometimes.  Check out this single leg variations he posted up on his Youtube Channel today:

BRUTAL.  “Might have to give those a try sometime.”

Said no one, ever.

 

*  = and ice cream.**

** = okay, and pizza.  What?  Don’t judge us.  The ice cream is gluten free…..;O)