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How Fundable Are Your Outcomes - Part 2

10/28/2019

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CLICK HERE to DONATE or e-mail brad.mason@justkeeppouring.com or
​call Coach Mason at 407-920-3674 to arrange in-kind donations!
And REMEMBER: No matter how little you have, you ALWAYS have something to give. BE STRONG! GIVE MORE! Thank you!!
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Picking up from yesterday... So WHAT? What has THE GIVE TEAM accomplished?

We’ve been blessed with some amazing young souls. One alumnus is a co-founder of the team, and is a staff member of New Image Youth Center, a personal trainer building his own business while also helping his mother. Another is the youngest member of the PhD program in Computer Science at Auburn University (currently in Nigeria for his studies). Another is a senior on a full academic scholarship at University of Florida. Another is employed full time while taking classes at Valencia College in their Accelerated Skills program. Another graduated high school in 2018 and is enlisting in the Marine Corps. Two graduated high school in 2019, with one employed full time on a track to head back to Florida A&M (his mission is to graduate debt free) and the other enrolled as a freshman on a full academic scholarship at Morehouse College. Yet another has a GED and is working to get things on track after finding himself on the wrong side of right a year ago.

These guys continue to set the bar for those who now follow. •

For THE GIVE TEAM to take credit for the results of alumni would be disingenuous. The strongest common thread is each came through New Image Youth Center. The Give Team is a New Image Youth Center program, and an extension of the hard work done every day at NIYC. The other common thread is they learned to thrive while growing up in a neighborhood once named one of America’s most dangerous.

Before our workout last Saturday, we spent a few minutes talking about the “200 cop cars” out front one of our boys’ homes the night before, responding to repeated gunfire. We talked about how last week there were more shots than normal. Tough to figure why. Tough to sleep with all that action outside your window. That didn’t stop him from waking up ‪Saturday morning‬ to do things that aren’t comfortable. After all, you gotta get up and go get it ‘cuz it ain’t coming to get you. And if it IS coming to get you, best get off your ass and be ready for it.
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How Fundable Are Your Outcomes - Part 1

10/27/2019

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CLICK HERE to DONATE or e-mail brad.mason@justkeeppouring.com or
​call Coach Mason at 407-920-3674 to arrange in-kind donations!
And REMEMBER: No matter how little you have, you ALWAYS have something to give. BE STRONG! GIVE MORE! Thank you!!
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To follow our progress this week as we seek assistance from ANGELS in our community, check us out in Instagram or Facebook - or both. To find out HOW you can donate, CLICK HERE. 

The following was posted earlier this evening on social media:

THEME OF THE WEEK: “How fundable are your outcomes?”

As board members of New Image Youth Center we were being coached by an expert in non-profit fundraising, and that was our challenge. Answer that question.

The reality is, The Give Team needs a little help. The Give Team takes a commitment, and 2019 has been different than 2018. The commitment has been to coaching, and not as much on raising the funds we need to do what we do. The workouts are free, so that’s easy. It’s the events that require $$$. 
To net it out, we need to come up with $960 between now and Thursday in order for The Give Team to participate in The Green Beret Challenge trail run (sorry, Mark – it’ll always be GBC and the White Sox will always play in Comiskey Park).

We’ve found our way to four events in 2019, thanks to incredible efforts from many who follow our team (and most importantly, thanks to the generosity, compassion and understanding nature of Mrs. Andrea Mason). Our original model accounts for two races - one at the end of the spring, and one at the end of the fall as a reward for the hard work put in during each season. If not for Spartan and the people behind that organization, we wouldn’t have run the four races we’ve run (THREE during the spring - one in Jacksonville, one in West Palm Beach and the third in Ft. Bragg). If not for MANY individuals who donated their time, money, gently used footwear, etc., we wouldn’t have had the experiences we’ve had.


Our team was faced with a choice earlier this year, after I saw our challenge with funding. Part of our program involves SATURDAY WORKOUTS followed by SATURDAY BREAKFASTS. As participation increased, breakfasts became more expensive (between $110 - $150 a week, for those keeping track at home). The choice was theirs to make: keep the breakfasts and have less events, or more events and scrap breakfast. It was unanimous. The guys chose the events (more to come on the angels who've helped with our "breakfast issue").

Why? Because each event creates lifelong memories and strengthens relationships with people they wouldn’t otherwise know. After all, life is team sport. Each event creates experiences with people like the men and women of Operation Enduring Warrior who share the same vision as The Give Team – build stronger communities by rallying as a team around those who are traveling a difficult path. If you’ve ever run a race with us, you know these races impact those around us.

How fundable is that? You tell me after you hit this link. That’s simple third grade math, but graduate level psychology.

IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO MIGHT HELP, please forward this along to them.


NEXT POST: What HAS The Give Team accomplished? Put another way, SO WHAT?
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100% Effort

9/1/2019

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The Give Team is proud to announce three of its alumni are moving on to the next chapters of their lives. Jeff is attending Morehouse College. Paul is on a path to pursue a 4-year college degree DEBT FREE. Jean has enlisted in the US Marines, and will learn more about what's next in the weeks ahead.

Jeff wants to stay involved with The Give Team, even though he's six hours away. We've promised to keep him involved via a weekly letter that will be posted on The Give Team blog. The letter will include the mission each week for the fall season.
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REFLECT!
Dear Jeff:

The team gathered Saturday morning at 9am at the Center, as usual. Before picking up Smith and Yovens, I dropped Roger at the Center (for those not on the team, Roger is the 60 pound log we carry on runs).  It was a small crew today with Smith, Yovens, Akim and AJ. Adam joined us for the warmup. Akim and I were trying to remember the last time we ran with Roger, and it was a long time ago. I’m not sure we’ve run with Roger since Ruck for Blue at the beginning of May.  And we felt it. Today we ran about three miles - to Lake Eola and back - with Roger, Cindy (our 50 pound cinder block with chains) and other weight. None of us are “game ready.” The good news? We don't need to be game ready today. Our next race is two weeks away with The Spartan Race City Sprint in Kissimmee, our first "home field race."

Before we put in The Give Team 15 on Saturday, we talked as a team about EFFORT, and the role it plays in achieving greatness. Everyone agreed EFFORT is important, which spurred a follow up question. Is 100% effort critical? Are there times when we don't shouldn't give 100% effort?

The reality? The difference between achieving greatness and failure is rarely between giving 95% effort and 100% effort. Most often, the difference is between giving 0% and ANY EFFORT at all.

​There are times when you want to dial it back and not push yourself to the brink. There are times to just get in the work because MOVING is critical, but pushing 100% could create a problem. When should we focus on less than 100%?

The two situations when we DON’T want to give 100% are (1) we gave 100% the day before and we need to recover. This DOESN’T mean take the day off (consistency is key). It means don’t go as hard. Give SOME effort, but be intentional with that effort; and (2) when you're trying to establish momentum with a new ritual.

Scenario #2 is why we will NOT GO 100% on
THE GIVE TEAM 15 AGAIN this week. As above, our problem over the past two weeks hasn't been between 95% and 100% effort. It's been the difference between 0% effort and making any effort at all. THE GIVE TEAM 15  sucked during this week's workout. Why? NONE of us have established momentum on the path to greatness this fall. BECAUSE VERY FEW OF US DID ANY WORK this past week. Our mission is to BUILD STRENGTH, and building strength requires DISCIPLINE. Discipline is critical to build physical, emotional, mental and spiritual strength. Right now, our focus is on PHYSICAL STRENGTH - understanding the other three will follow. Developing strength in all four of those areas requires first ESTABLISHING MOMENTUM toward being in the best shape we can be.

Put another way, we have ZERO MOMENTUM with doing
THE GIVE TEAM 15 daily because that SOFT, WEAK VOICE in your head has been winning. Everyone’s weak voice is telling them a story; the pillow feels nice, the bed is comfortable, it's ok to hit snooze one more time, you can always do it later, and it’s just too EARLY to get out of bed.

During Saturday's workout everyone responded that 100% effort is important, and 100% effort should be exerted all the time. If EFFORT is important, why hasn’t anyone done what we all agreed we’d do? Over breakfast two weeks ago everyone agreed to do two things: (1) write down FOUR WORDS that best describe the person they want to become; and (2) do The Give Team 15 every day. And nobody has been consistent. Including me. I’ve done my FOUR WORDS, and I’ve done The Give Team 15 MOST mornings, but I've missed a few days.

The good news is today begins A BRAND NEW MONTH. This week, everyone committed to do THREE THINGS:
  1. Get their FOUR WORDS (this is important to align with your goals, your plan, and executing that plan - and so far, Smith, Akim and Yovens have sent theirs);
  2. Do THE GIVE TEAM 15 every day for the month of September (ideally in the morning - and post via Instagram or text); and
  3. Write down your TWO GOALS FOR THE SEASON - (a) a physical goal; and (b) an academic or financial goal.

Mid-week, everyone’s FOUR WORDS and their goals will be online.  
PictureGIVE TEAM MOTTO 05: You gotta get up and go get it, ‘cuz it ain’t coming to get you. And if it IS coming to get you, best get off your ass and be ready for it.
This week convince your missoin is to convince your WEAK VOICE that The Give Team 15 is ONLY fifteen minutes. You won’t be PUSHING HARD. You’ll take it nice and easy. You’ll focus on FORM and IMPECCABLE EXECUTION so you can nail down your mechanics. Keep your core tight, stay balanced, and feel the muscles work that need to be working. Even taking it easy will make you sweat a bit. Since the intent is PERFECTING FORM, there should be NO CHEATING. If you get tired, don’t go to your knees or put your feet on the floor. Just go slower. BUT GET IN THE WORK.

It's still a BRAND NEW SCHOOL YEAR. MOVE UP A LEVEL and commit to doing the work BEFORE CLASS every day. Remember: IT’S ONLY 15 MINUTES! And if you get it done in the morning, it prepares you to take on the entire day. You’ll be more focused in class, you'll align with the person you strive to be, and you’ll PERFORM better. On top of all that, you’ll get STRONGER every day. You’ll feel better about doing the work because it'll get EASIER, and it’ll just be WHAT YOU DO.

Trust me. FIFTEEN MINUTES with CONSISTENCY will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. But these are only words. ACTION is what creates the results you want. Inaction will also create results, but not results you want. That means you have to DO THE WORK. That's on you.

Heading into Week 3, I commit to DOING THE WORK. I’m doing it to get STRONG and SET AN EXAMPLE to the team. Once everyone shares their words and their goals, I’ll share mine too.

Time is passing. Time to get moving.
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Have a great week, bud.

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Who's Watching? EVERYONE!

8/25/2019

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The Give Team is proud to announce three of its alumni are moving on to the next chapters of their lives. Jeff is attending Morehouse College. Paul is on a path to pursue a 4-year college degree DEBT FREE. Jean has enlisted in the US Marines, and will learn more about what's next in the weeks ahead.

Jeff wants to stay involved with The Give Team, even though he's six hours away. We've promised to keep him involved via a weekly letter that will be posted on The Give Team blog. The letter will include the mission each week for the fall season.
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From THE GIVE TEAM WORKOUT performed at Lake Druid Park in Orlando, Florida. The short kid was admiring our work, so we invited him to participate in our team picture. GIVE TEAM MOTTO 23: You never know WHO is watching so act like EVERYONE is watching because SOMEONE is always watching. BE STRONG! GIVE MORE!
Dear Jeff:

It’s week two of the fall season. Not sure how successful you were in getting in your  work this past week. Nobody sent me their four words and Akim was the only one to proactively “check in” on doing The Give Team 15 this past week. You weren’t here when we had breakfast last Saturday. If you were, you would’ve heard us talk about accountability; about the fact we go much farther together than we do alone because we hold each other accountable to a higher standard. We talked about GIVE TEAM MOTTO 17: The most important promises we make are the promises we make to ourselves. The easiest promises to break are the promises we make to ourselves. Your team can help hold you accountable, and motivate you to get the work done when that weak voice in your head tries to convince you to hit snooze ONE MORE TIME because that pillow is so comfortable and there might be a saber toothed tiger waiting outside and doing The Give Team 15 will be good but it can ALWAYS be done later in the day.

We also talked about GIVE TEAM MOTTO 45: We only do what we need to do.  The only reason we do ANYTHING is because it’s something our mind has decided - either consciously or subconsciously - that it needs to be done. ​MOST of what we do is because of HABIT. The Give Team ACHIEVE 

​
GREATNESS Program addresses how to create habits that drive to your goal, establishing and maintaining momentum on the path to doing great things.
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After breakfast, why didn’t anyone send me their four words? Why didn’t anyone post or forward a pic doing the work last week? One reason. It wasn’t important enough. If it was important enough, it would’ve been done. 

I’m guilty too. It wasn’t until Wednesday I realized  my hypocrisy with ACCOUNTABILITY. Up to that point, I hadn't posted ANYTHING about me doing THE GIVE TEAM 15, so I started posting. What did I learn by doing The Give Team 15 every day this past week, nice and slow focusing on form? My fitness level declined following a summer of doing nothing. I told myself a lie for three months, that I was in decent shape. Reality hit this past week with The Give Team 15. Even going slowly, I was sweating.  I added some “hanging” at the end, where I’d do a progression of pull ups, bent arm hangs and dead hangs. At the beginning of the week, I was WEAK.  

The good news? After a week  doing The Give Team 15 every day, I’m seeing results. I’m able to make it through without having to “cheat.” I’m stronger at the bar - both with dips and pull ups. I was able to shut down that whiny voice in my head by realizing IT’S ONLY FIFTEEN MINUTES and I didn’t need to put out maximum effort. 


GIVE TEAM MOTTO 16: Quitting is the second easiest thing to do.

I also didn’t share my four words. Those four words are words defining who we are and who we STRIVE to be. As we do what we do over the fall season through December, we’ll use those words to measure our actions and ensure what we’re doing is consistent with those words. 

COACH’S FOUR DEFINING WORDS:
  1. Disciplined
  2. Reliable
  3. Persistent
  4. Strong

For the week ahead, the focus for each team member will be the same thing. FOUR WORDS and THE GIVE TEAM 15 EVERY DAY. Nice and easy on The Give Team 15, and post it on IG or to the group text. You don’t have to post a pic of yourself doing the exercises. It can be a pic of the area where you’re doing the work - immediately before or after the workout. Whatever. Just do the work, then post something about it.

Next week we’ll get serious about goal setting by putting together our two goals: (1) a physical goal; and (2) and academic or financial goal. 
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Fall Season Kickoff - What You DO is What Defines You

8/17/2019

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The Give Team is proud to announce three of its alumni are moving on to the next chapters of their lives. Jeff is attending Morehouse College. Paul is on a path to pursue a 4-year college degree DEBT FREE. Jean has enlisted in the US Marines, and will learn more about what's next in the weeks ahead.

Jeff wants to stay involved with The Give Team, even though he's six hours away. We've promised to keep him involved via a weekly letter that will be posted on The Give Team blog. The letter will include the mission each week for the fall season.
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Jeff is a freshman at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be participating in The Give Team Program this season remotely.
Dear Jeff:

We kicked off the first day of the fall season today. Smith, Rome and Akim showed up, with Akim riding in on his minibike and Rome waltzing in about 20 minutes late. It was overcast and looked like it wanted to rain, but never did. 

This season will last 22 weeks, with our focus on accomplishing greatness. The next couple weeks will focus on the foundation by (1) setting two goals (a fitness goal and an academic or financial goal); (2) making a plan to accomplish those goals; (3) understanding what it'll take to execute that plan; and (4) trying to project the challenges we'll face along the way. 

This isn't any different from how we've started other seasons, except we hope the results this season will be different. We've started each season strong, but along the way we've lost momentum, outside of the physical focus we've had. I asked why that's been the case. The reason is pretty simple. It hasn't been important enough. 

In the moment, the weak voice in our heads won more often than the strong voice. That weak voice tells you, "The bed is SOOOO comfortable, I think I'll stay here for the next hour instead of doing that Give Team 15 work." If the house was on fire, you'd find a way to get out of bed. That's important enough to get your feet on the floor. But the goals we've set haven't been enough to get us moving consistently toward greatness.

This season will be different.

​Give Team Motto 43: We are only as strong as our mission.

FIRST: FOUR WORDS
Over the next two weeks we'll focus on defining our mission, and that mission will be consistent with the person we see ourselves as being. Who do you need to be to achieve greatness? Where are you strongest when you're at your strongest?

Your mission will be to accomplish the goals you set, but the goals themselves aren't going to pull you to do what needs to be done. This week we'll start by picking four words that define who we are. Imagine I'm going to introduce you to someone you respect and who doesn't know you. What are the four words you'd use to describe who you are? Over the next 22 weeks, we'll measure what we're doing and how we're doing it against those four words. Is it consistent with how you see yourself? If so, great. If not, what needs to change?

The key to remember is we are NOT what we think, or what we say. We are defined by what we DO! And we must do whatever we can to make sure the things we do every moment are aligned with what we want to accomplish. It's not the GOAL that should drive us, but knowing the actions we take are what will define us. It's in EXECUTING your plan that will define you, and make the impression on those around you.

Examples of words to use are at the bottom of this post.


SECOND: THE GIVE TEAM 15
This week we'll build momentum by calming the weak voice that tells you, "But The Give Team 15 huuuuurts, and makes me all sweaty." We're going to ease into it and establish our new habits, understanding what gets in the way. We're going to make accomplishing greatness very simple. Just do the work. 

That doesn't make it easy. Someone smarter than I am once said, "If it were easy, we'd all be millionaires with six pack abs." Our mind will continually find ways to drive us to comfort, and away from discomfort. That whiny, weak voice wins more than it should. So this week, we'll fake it out. This week isn't about pushing yourself hard. It's about JUST DOING THE WORK.

The objective this week is to do THE GIVE TEAM 15 EVERY DAY. But don't push yourself hard. Focus on the form you use. Take it nice and easy. Pat yourself on the back for getting it done. We'll gradually build up to pushing yourself hard. But this week, be strong enough to lay off and take it easy. Nice and slow, with the objective being to have the BEST FORM for each exercise (for a reminder of the exercises, do the exercise for 45 seconds and rest for 15 seconds - with the exercises on THE GIVE TEAM 15 link).

Remember - the thing that makes you awesome is whatever you DO that's different from everyone around you. In order to be different, you have to do different things - things those around you aren't doing. How many people do you know who spend their weekends running with a chain-wrapped cinder block and a 70 pound log? You're around some great people up there in Atlanta, but you don't want to be just like them. You want to set yourself apart. You want to be a leader. That doesn't mean being arrogant. That means doing things you know you need to do to get strong, and surround yourself with people who have a hunger for the same thing as you.

THIRD: ACCOUNTABILITY
Each team member is here to help accomplish our goals. We'll use Instagram messages to post what we do and when we do it. POST your FOUR WORDS on Instagram before Saturday, and post your Give Team 15 workout every day. Push yourself and do it in the morning. No better way to start your day than to move around a bit.

Have a great first week of college. You'll get an e-mail on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with reminders on what to do, and why we're doing it.

FOUR WORDS - EXAMPLES

Ambitious
Flexible
Open Minded
Authentic
Honest
Persistent
Caring
Integrity
Responsible
Creative
Logical
Strong
Clever
Courageous
Considerate
Compassionate
Ambitious
Empathetic
Friendly
Hard Working
Neat
Polite


Funny
Loving
Gregarious
Quiet
​Passionate
Self-Controlled

Dedicated
Motivated
Trustworthy
Enthusiastic
Optimistic
Versatile
Team Player
Motivational
Great Communication
Effective Listener
Leader
Organized
Analytical
Great Planner
Detail Oriented
Problem Solver
Persistent
Reliable
​Team Player
Motivational
Great Communication
Effective Listener
Leadership Experience
Negotiation Skills
Writing Skills
Excellent Presenter
Follows Directions Well
Well Organized
Analytical
Computer Skills
Great Planner
Time Management
Able to Delegate
Client Relations
Detail Oriented
Problem Solving
Interpersonal Skills
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SECOND ANNUAL #THEGIVETEAM15 CHALLENGE

6/10/2019

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What Is #THEGIVETEAM15 CHALLENGE?

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It's YOUR opportunity to be part of The Give Team for FIFTEEN DAYS by doing what we do. It's fifteen exercises over fifteen minutes every day for fifteen days starting on June 15th. And in 2019 YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN PRIZES! All we're asking is for FIFTEEN MINUTES of your time over FIFTEEN DAYS (and if you want to give, hit DONATE here or in the menu at the top). EVERYONE has fifteen minutes to get a little stronger, and to strengthen those around them. Right?

Why Should I Do #THEGIVETEAM15 CHALLENGE?

Why SHOULDN’T you do #THEGIVETEAM15 CHALLENGE?

Ok. Let’s try a different approach. It'll make YOU stronger and it'll strengthen THE GIVE TEAM. First, this is YOUR opportunity to participate as a REMOTE GIVE TEAM MEMBER for a couple weeks. You’ll show each team member they’re not alone in their mission to get stronger. Second, it'll force a conversation with that voice between your ears telling you, "I don't think you can do this." Then you'll smile and keep going. That's how we do it on The Give Team, because that's how you get stronger. You'll take a picture or video of yourself before, during or after then post it on Instagram tagging #thegiveteam15. You’ll feel better.

What is The Give Team 15?

The Give Team 15 is the team warm up before Saturday workouts. It consists of fifteen body weight exercises, one per minute. The goal is to do as many reps of that exercise over 45 seconds, take 15 seconds to recover, then move on to the next exercise. You can use the timer on your phone, or program it into an app (we use the app Seconds which works well). The exercises are detailed below,
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So What Do I Do?

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  1. Do The Give Team 15 every day for 15 days, beginning June 15th.
  2. Take a pic or video either before, during or after your workout. Post it to Instagram (you MUST HAVE Instagram to get "credit"). Tag #thegiveteam15. Then either move on to your regular workout or go take a shower. If you do it right, you'll be a little sweaty.
  3. EVERY TIME YOU DO IT, YOUR NAME WILL BE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR PRIZES TO BE HELD JUNE 30th.
  4. Prizes include: (a) 1 Android tablet (courtesy of Kika Enterprises); (b) 1 pair Boomphones, over-the-ear headphones that double as speakers (courtesy of Kika Enterprises); (c) 1 Fitbit Charge 3 (courtesy of Cameron Schmidt); and (d) other prizes gathered between here and there.
  5. If you’re thinking, “#THEGIVETEAM15 CHALLENGE sounds really cool, but I’m not all that interested in the prizes,” then I have a list of young men and women who would be VERY interested in receiving a gift from an extended teammate.

Ok, But __(insert lame excuse for not participating here)___.

GIVE TEAM MOTTO 51: It’s either an excuse or a challenge. You choose.

Last season we had someone participate who recently had knee surgery (shout out to HEATHER). She reached out to me with questions. Not excuses. We came up with an alternative plan to accommodate her challenge. We can do the same for you. JUST. DO. THE. WORK.

How Much Does it Cost to Participate?

Fifteen minutes of your time. And a little effort. Zero dollars (but again, if you WANT to support the program, you can hit the link HERE). We don’t care about any excuses you might have. Just put in the work. It’s only fifteen minutes. If you do it right, you’ll sweat. Then you’ll keep going. Because you’re setting an example. You’re setting an example for those here in Orlando, but more importantly you’re setting an example for yourself. GIVE TEAM MOTTO 11: Every moment presents a choice between strength and weakness; a strong choice or a weak choice. ALWAYS. CHOOSE. STRENGTH.
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ENOUGH ALREADY! What Are the 15  Exercises?

Here’s the list. If you're not sweating, you haven't pushed yourself hard enough. If you struggle, slow down. Go to the next alternative. BUT DON'T STOP, and keep telling yourself "IT'S ONLY 15 MINUTES. IT'S ONLY 15 MINUTES. IT'S ONLY 15 MINUTES." Don’t know what the exercise is? CLICK THE NAME - it’ll take you to a video showing how to do it.
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  1. Deep Squat: Stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart, toes pointing forward. Throw your hips back while you lower yourself down, engaging your core, bending your knees, keeping your weight on your heels (don't raise up on your toes), extending hands forward if you'd like for balance. Then explode up from your heels, tightening your glutes at the top. Make sure you keep weight on your heels and your knees don't extend over your toes. DROP DEEP.
  2. Skater Lunges: From a standing position with feet shoulder-width apart, slowly step your left leg back diagonally behind your right leg. Lower into a lunge until your knee almost touches the floor. Launch / hop onto the left leg, stepping the right leg behind your left and lowering into the lunge. ALTERNATIVE: If you get tired, ​​​don't HOP, just step back and forth.
  3. Lunge Jumps: From a standing position, step forward with your left leg keeping weight on your heel while you lower down until your right knee nearly touches the ground, then HOP UP and switch legs with your right leg stepping forward. ALTERNATIVE: Regular lunges.
  4. 1-Leg Bridge Kicks: Sitting on the ground, raise yourself so you're in a table position, with arms straight, feet flat on the ground, and core tight. Kick your left leg straight out, then push off with your right leg kicking the right foot out. Try to keep your butt high. ALTERNATIVE: Hold a crab plank where you tighten core with both feet on the ground, and squeeeeeeeze glutes.
  5. Squat Jumps: Same as Deep Squat, except push off your heels and launch into the air, reaching high. Keep weight on heels as you lower. ALTERNATIVE: Regular squat.
  6. Arm Extender / Chain Breaker: Bend arms 90 degrees and hold parallel to ground. Keeping arms bent, reach back with elbows as if you're trying to touch elbows behind your back and feel the squeeze, then extend in front so hands touch, then repeat.
  7. Dips: Use a bench or chair or coffee table. Or a dip bar, if you have access to one. Hold your body up with straightened arms, hands on bench. Lower body with arms bending elbows so they're close to you're body until they're bent 90 degrees, then straighten arms. Make it more difficult by EXPLODING up.
  8. Push Ups: Hands under shoulders, keep core tight and elbows close to body, lowering until chin touches the ground. If chin or chest don't touch, it doesn't count. Then raise body. KEEP BACK FLAT - don't dip hips or raise hips. ALTERNATIVE: Go to knees. DO NOT QUIT. Worst case would be to hold a plank position.
  9. Pike Push Ups: Same as push ups, except bring hands closer to feet, hips raised in the air. Lower head between hands. Hold shoulders solid. ALTERNATIVE: Hold firmly as an A-frame plank. Squeeze shoulders.
  10. Standing Bicycle Crunch: Standing with hands behind head, raise left knee while lowering head to touch right elbow to the knee. Keep core tight, including the glute of your planted foot. Lower leg and stand straight, raising opposite leg to opposite elbow. KEEP CORE TIGHT.
  11. 1-Arm V-Ups: Laying flat on the ground with hands over head, hold feet 6 inches off the ground, raise your upper body off the ground reaching with your right arm straight while you raise your left leg, and touch your left toes, lower (don't let foot touch the ground), then repeat with the opposite leg and hand. KEEP CORE TIGHT. (video example shows both arms). ALTERNATIVE: Lay back with leg extended, back flat on ground and feet 6" off the ground. THE GROUND IS LAVA - feet don't touch.
  12. Russian Twist: Sit on the ground with feet flat on the ground, then raise feet 6" off the ground, keeping core tight, holding hands together, twist core until your right hand touches the ground next to your left hip, then rotate to the other side touching your left hand next to your right hip. THE GROUND IS LAVA - feet don't touch. ALTERNATIVE: Sit with feet off ground.
  13. Mountain Climber: Plank position on your hands, back flat and core tight, pull left knee toward your chest (do not touch left foot to ground), then replace left foot, pulling right knee toward chest, and alternate.
  14. Ranger Crawl / Spiderman Plank: Plank position on hands (or you can hold on elbows, as on video), with hands under shoulders, core contracted, raise right knee laterally and bring it to right elbow, then replace leg on ground. Repeat with the left knee to the left elbow.
  15. Burpees: Yeah. That's right. The only time you're happy to do burpees is during #thegiveteam15 because IT'S THE LAST EXERCISE. Standing, drop to the ground touching chest, then push up with hands, use core to bring feet close to the hands, and jump from heels with hands in air, and repeat.
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10 Weeks to GBC Commando

9/9/2018

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Jeff, Akim, OD and Ted putting in work at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando
The weekly workout was better this week than last. Not that the effort between workouts was that phenomenal, but it was a better showing and another wake up call.

We're ten weeks away from The Green Beret Challenge, and I'm not ready and neither is the rest of the team. I haven't had confidence in our plan to get us where we need to go, and now I realize why. It's been focused on distance for the Beast in December, and that won't get us where we need to be with the 8-hour Commando event. The epiphany of the week? We need to train to be active for eight hours, not just 13 miles. Our workout will adjust accordingly.

Saturday was another phenomenal day with weather. It was hotter than hell, but manageable. We had a light showing, but Jeff made it despite the fact he had a football game the night before. He took it easy on The Give Team 15, but I was happy he was there at all. OD was also there, along with
his friend Ted. Akim surprised us by joining after we almost completed The Give Team 15. We ran Lake Eola Park with Cindy, stopping every half mile to do calisthenics, with the last guy carrying The Give Team flag.Jeff started us off since he hadn't joined us in awhile. At the first stop, once again there were a couple homeless guys who joined in, doing push ups with us. One guy did Superman push-ups. He was rail thin and missing teeth, but cranked out several push ups with his arms extended over his head. Each of our guys bumped fists with him as we wrapped up our push ups and continued on our path with Cindy. 

A "Walk for Muscular Dystrophy" started with a marching band and over 100 people walking. Several people compliment us as we wormed our way through the crowd, stopping every half mile to do our exercises. While in the crowd, I introduced people to Cindy, sharing that she represents the burden we all carry in life. We each choose whether we pick up that burden to strengthen ourselves, or we let it break us. That we all have teammates to rely on to help strengthen us, and help us when we need help.

After our workout, I offered to buy lunch to celebrate OD's twenty third birthday. We brought Cindy and the flag to the restaurant on the path. While eating, we all set our goals for the season and the rituals for the first month. One new thing we're doing this season is each month, each teammate picked ONE WAY they'll give back over the month. 

Each teammate's goals will be posted on the website when I get the rest of them turned in. In the meantime, we'll focus on the UPDATED workout for the next two weeks.

Monday, September 10
  1. Give Team 15
  2. 30 Minutes Easy Hiking

Tuesday, September 11
  1. Give Team 15
  2. Stair Interval Training - 50 Minutes (2:00 hard / 1:00 recovery)

Wednesday, September 12
  1. Give Team 15
  2. Lower Body Strength (Squat, Deadlift, Lunges, Step Up) x 3

Thursday, September 13
  1. Give Team 15
  2. Strength Circuit x3 - 40 Seconds on, 20 Seconds rest (Standing Bicycle, Push Up, Squat, Lunge, Plank, Jump Rope, Mountain Climber, Side Lunge)

Friday, September 14
  1. Give Team 15
  2. Upper Body Strength (Seated Row, Bench, Pull Ups, Dips, Military Press, Dumbbell Curl) x 3

Saturday, September 15
  1. Give Team 15
  2. 6 Miles with Cindy (every 1/2 mile, 20 Calisthenics - Burpees, Push Ups, Sit Ups)

Sunday, September 16
  1. Give Team 15
  2. 3 Hour Ruck - Run 1:00 / Walk 3:00

Monday, September 17
  1. Give Team 15
  2. 30 Minutes Easy Hiking

Tuesday, September 18
  1. Give Team 15
  2. Stair Interval Training - 60 Minutes (2:00 hard, 1:00 recovery)

Wednesday, September 19
  1. Give Team 15
  2. Lower Body Strength (Squat, Deadlift, Lunges, Step Up) x 3

Thursday, September 20
  1. Give Team 15
  2. Strength Circuit x4 - 40 Seconds on, 20 Seconds rest (Standing Bicycle, Push Up, Squat, Lunge, Plank, Jump Rope, Mountain Climber, Side Lunge)

Friday, September 21
  1. Give Team 15
  2. Upper Body Strength (Seated Row, Bench, Pull Ups, Dips, Military Press, Dumbbell Curl) x 3

Saturday, September 22
  1. Give Team 15
  2. 6 Miles with Cindy (every 1/2 mile, 20 Calisthenics - Burpees, Push Ups, Sit Ups)

Sunday, September 16
  1. Give Team 15
  2. 3 Hour Ruck - 25 Pounds, Run 1:00 / Walk 3:00
  1. Upper Body Strength (Seated Row, Bench, Pull Ups, Dips, Military Press, Dumbbell Curl) x 3
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Never Again Moments

9/2/2018

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Ted, after learning an important lesson. Take good care of Cindy. If she gets slammed on the grass, that'll be another 1/2 mile with her.
Never Again Moments. Specific points in time when something hasn't gone your way because of something you have or haven't done. I had a Never Again Moment yesterday. We ran our weekly workout at 0900 here in Orlando at Lake Eola Park. Easy work. We planned The Give Team 15 as a warm up and then getting in a FIVE MILE run. Yes, "FIVE MILE" is capitalized. It's not just running for five miles. We have Cindy, our 40 pound cinder block. The team lines up single file, and the first person sets the pace and carries Cindy. He or she runs a half mile then we stop and get in calisthenics. The first stop, we get 20 burpees. The second stop, we get 20 push ups. The third stop, we get 20 butterfly sit ups. Then we repeat. Remember, we've already done the fifteen minute warm up which is an ass kicker.
​Saturday morning started out of sync" because I couldn't find my keys. OD had a full car since he was picking up Love, Akim and bringing his friend Ted for the first time. I also needed OD to pick up Smith since I wasn’t driving. Fortunately, Adam was joining us for a fourth time from the other side of the county and was able to pick me up with all the gear.

We all showed up on time, including J and Laura. They participated as guest coaches. We were introduced to J through Instagram and his lively fitness page @thejpesoshow. J is FIT, and his engine runs hot. Laura is his partner in Fitness and life as his wife and together they shine with an edge. Unfortunately the workout ran long and we didn't get to hear J's story of overcoming challenges. I'm confident we'll get another chance at one of our workouts.

We started with introductions, The Give Team story, Earl Granville's story of Cindy and how Cindy became part of our team in Miami last February. The Give Team 15 left us drenched as we made our way to the trail around Lake Eola, and I knew I wasn't in a good place. I run these workouts fasted - without breakfast - which might be ok if you're in good shape. To be honest, even if I ate before working out I'd still have trouble. It’d just give me something more to throw up. A wasted meal.

The big problem? Ever since the Bring the Ruckus event at NinjaFit Gym two weeks ago, I committed to myself and on here that I'd put in work every morning. That event was a sign NOBODY on our team is as ready as we need to be. Especially me. How did I respond? I did nothing that week. I made it "ok" with myself because I was busy with work, and concerned about OD's teeth (he took a 125 pound sand bag to the mouth and will end up losing three teeth) and school started for my daughter. The following Saturday, I suffered through the workout. Another wake up call. I got “ok” with it last week because I convinced myself I'd put in work every day the following week. I did some movement work to strengthen my wrists and forearms, but I didn't get out and get after it in a meaningful way. It was end of month at work and I was busy. Then this weekend’s workout happened.

After The Give Team 15, my legs felt like concrete. My gut wasn't good. My head wasn't right. We had three new people working with us. The first stop, I took pictures and videos. I always do that, but then I typically put in my work. But not this week. I ran and took my turn with Cindy, but the entire morning was slow and painful.

The Give Team is not about me. It's about the guys on the team. The posts and pictures rarely have pictures of me. But I take pride in one thing that sets this team apart from others: COACHES PARTICIPATE. No barking orders from the sidelines. Coaches aren’t relegated to merely strategy and jumping around with a cheerleading skirt and Pom Poms. We suffer together. We grow together. We celebrate together. Coaches LEAD BY EXAMPLE! The morning continued, and I captured a lot of good footage. But I was in my head the entire time, frustrated and angry. It's very simple. EXTREMELY simple. Put in the work, you get the results. If you didn't do the work, it just wasn't important enough. That's what I tell the team. But it IS important enough. I didn't align the importance of doing that work with the purpose at the moments when the work needed to be done. Simple. I let the team down. That's how it works. Simple.

During the run several people noticed us. More people than usual. An 18-month old boy saw us doing burpees and joined in. A gentleman who was missing teeth and difficult to understand yelled something about how what we were doing reminded him of when he was in the military and started cranking out push ups with great form. Relevant to the overall message, we need to act like people are watching. Because they are. You choose how people see you, and the choices you make are what they see - a hero, a has-been or a half-assed effort. The most beautiful part about life is you get to choose what they see.

We finished the run and I confessed to the team. I let them down. I reminded them of Give Team Motto 17: "The most important promises you make are the promises you make to yourself. The easiest promises to break are the promises you make to yourself." The promise of being STRONG enough to carry this team is a promise I make to myself and the team. Never again.

I have some making up to do, so the work I do will vary slightly from what's on the calendar. At a minimum, I’ll do what’s listed below.

Week 6 / Day 36: Monday, September 3
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 6 / Day 37: Tuesday, September 4
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Sprints / Crawlbacks: 8 x 80 Yards; 6 x 60 Yards - Sprint 80/60 yards, return with crawl (alternate bear crawl, crab walk, inchworm, lizard walk, lunge)

Week 6 / Day 38: Wednesday, September 5
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Ruck 5 Miles - 25 Pounds
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 6 / Day 39: Thursday, September 6
  1. Strength Routine x2 - Two sets of the following exercises, :40 on, :20 rest: push ups, dips, pull ups (or dead hang ENGAGING SHOULDERS AND CORE), pistol squats (5 each leg, then switch legs), lateral lunges, step ups, squat / overhead press with sand bag (comfortable weight), hollow man hold, butterfly sit ups, L-sit
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15

Week 6 / Day 40: Friday, September 7
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles

Week 6 / Day 41: Saturday, September 8
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. 6 Mile Team Cindy Carry: Every 1/2 mile stop for 20 burpees, 20 push ups, 20 butterfly sit ups, and next teammate carries Cindy

Week 6 / Day 42: Sunday, September 9
  1. 6 Mile Long Run: Every 1/2 mile stop for alternating 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15
  3. Finisher: 100 Table Pull Ups (10 Table Pull Ups every 1:00)*
*Table Pull Ups: lay under table holding body in a tight plank and pull so chest touches table edge and squeeze, then lower body by straightening arms.

Week 7 / Day 43: Monday, September 10
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 7/ Day 44: Tuesday, September 11
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Sprints / Crawlbacks: 10 x 100 Yards; 4 x 40 Yards - Sprint 100/40 yards, return with crawl (alternate bear crawl, crab walk, inchworm, lizard walk, lunge)

Week 7 / Day 45: Wednesday, September 12
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Ruck 5 Miles - 25 Pounds
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 7 / Day 46: Thursday, September 13
  1. Strength Routine x3 - Two sets of the following exercises, :40 on, :20 rest: push ups, dips, pull ups (or dead hang ENGAGING SHOULDERS AND CORE), pistol squats (5 each leg, then switch legs), lateral lunges, step ups, squat / overhead press with sand bag (comfortable weight), hollow man hold, butterfly sit ups, L-sit
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15

Week 7 / Day 47: Friday, September 14
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles
  3. Finisher: 100 Table Pull Ups (10 every 1:00)

Week 7 / Day 48: Saturday, September 15
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. 6 Mile Team Cindy Carry: Every 1/2 mile stop for 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees, and next teammate carries Cindy

Week 7 / Day 49: Sunday, September 17
  1. 7 Mile Long Run: Every 1/2 mile stop for alternating 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15
  3. Finisher: 100 Table Pull Ups (10 Table Pull Ups every 1:00)*
​​*Table Pull Ups: lay under table holding body in a tight plank and pull so chest touches table edge and squeeze, then lower body by straightening arms.



**If you want to know what comprises The Give Team 15, hit the link and it'll take you to the blog post that lists the exercises. 

ANY QUESTIONS, leave them in the comments below, or you can e-mail me at brad.mason@justkeeppouring.com
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GetTiNG iNTo RhYThm

8/26/2018

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Picture
Lou Lou, the youngest member of The Give Team, joins a workout for the first time in a LONG time.
We knew fall was going to be a challenge. Today lived up to the challenge. OD missed for the first time I can remember, but Akim was there. Having one of them holds the team together. Jeff had films to watch with his football team. Jean wasn't in town. Rome wasn't in his right mind. Paul had a game on Friday, and was unplugged. Love had church so couldn't attend. Chris and Smith joined us. When I picked up Chris, Lou Lou was sitting on the stairs and I asked if he wanted to come, so he also joined us. 

To net it out, The Give Team wrapped up August rather softly. Things will turn around next weekend. Jean will start his classes at the local community college, OD will be back, we'll have Love again since we won't be running on Sunday, and we should have Smith and Chris again. All will be right in the world, or "righter" in the world. Still likely won't have Jeff or Paul, but we'll have more. We'll see about Rome . . . 

The workout was strong with beautiful weather. The sun was hot, but not as brutal as it has been. 
There was occasional cloud cover, and there is shade in spots along the path at Lake Eola. Akim, Chris, Smith and Lou Lou all showed well. We did the standard workout - The Give Team 15 as a warm up and a lap and a half with Cindy around Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. Every quarter mile we did 20 calisthenics - burpees, push ups and sit ups. We didn't have much time since we needed to wrap up by 11.

Lou Lou was particularly impressive. He weighs a little more than Cindy, and insisted on taking his turn carrying the block. He had two turns with the block and walked some of the way, but ran strong longer than anyone expected. He started sixth grade a few weeks ago, and is the same age as when Chris started working out with me and Akim a few years ago.

Nobody seemed to hit their stride in August. I'm no exception. I missed the blog post last week due to a bit more chaos than usual. OD hit his mouth during the Bring the Ruckus event we attended and loosened three of his teeth. Other than that, it was a great event and we learned our team isn't as fit as we need to be. On Sunday we ran again with Adam. He brought Heather, a client of his, who did incredibly well considering she's soo

I rarely got into rhythm and had difficulty with workouts every weekend as a result. That changes this week. Every single day there needs to be movement, and THROUGHOUT the day. Put in the work, and get the results. Don't put in the work, and the results are out of your control. 
​


Week 5 / Day 29: Monday, August 27
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week  5/ Day 30: Tuesday, August 28
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Sprints / Crawlbacks: 8 x 80 Yards; 4 x 40 Yards - Sprint 80/40 yards, return with crawl (alternate bear crawl, crab walk, inchworm, lizard walk, lunge)

Week 5 / Day 31: Wednesday, August 29
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Ruck 5 Miles - 25 Pounds
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 5 / Day 32: Thursday, August 30
  1. Strength Routine x2 - Two sets of the following exercises, :40 on, :20 rest: push ups, dips, pull ups (or dead hang ENGAGING SHOULDERS AND CORE), pistol squats (5 each leg, then switch legs), lateral lunges, step ups, squat / overhead press with sand bag (comfortable weight), hollow man hold, butterfly sit ups, L-sit
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15

Week 5 / Day 33: Friday, August 31
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles

Week 5 / Day 34: Saturday, September 1
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. 4 Mile Team Cindy Carry: Every 1/2 mile stop for 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees, and next teammate carries Cindy

Week 5 / Day 35: Sunday, September 2
  1. 7 Mile Long Run: Every 1/2 mile stop for alternating 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15
  3. Finisher: 100 Table Pull Ups (10 Table Pull Ups every 1:00)*
​​*Table Pull Ups: lay under table holding body in a tight plank and pull so chest touches table edge and squeeze, then lower body by straightening arms.

Week 6 / Day 36: Monday, September 3
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 6 / Day 37: Tuesday, September 4
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Sprints / Crawlbacks: 8 x 80 Yards; 6 x 60 Yards - Sprint 80/60 yards, return with crawl (alternate bear crawl, crab walk, inchworm, lizard walk, lunge)

Week 6 / Day 38: Wednesday, September 5
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Ruck 5 Miles - 25 Pounds
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 6 / Day 39: Thursday, September 6
  1. Strength Routine x2 - Two sets of the following exercises, :40 on, :20 rest: push ups, dips, pull ups (or dead hang ENGAGING SHOULDERS AND CORE), pistol squats (5 each leg, then switch legs), lateral lunges, step ups, squat / overhead press with sand bag (comfortable weight), hollow man hold, butterfly sit ups, L-sit
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15

Week 6 / Day 40: Friday, September 7
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles

Week 6 / Day 41: Saturday, September 8
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. 3 Mile Team Cindy Carry: Every 1/2 mile stop for 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees, and next teammate carries Cindy

Week 6 / Day 42: Sunday, September 9
  1. 6 Mile Long Run: Every 1/2 mile stop for alternating 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15
  3. Finisher: 100 Table Pull Ups (10 Table Pull Ups every 1:00)*
*Table Pull Ups: lay under table holding body in a tight plank and pull so chest touches table edge and squeeze, then lower body by straightening arms.


**If you want to know what comprises The Give Team 15, hit the link and it'll take you to the blog post that lists the exercises. 

ANY QUESTIONS, leave them in the comments below, or you can e-mail me at brad.mason@justkeeppouring.com
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Fall 03 -ENGAGE

8/12/2018

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Picture
Marine Corps Infantryman and Vietnam War Veteran George, with Give Team Members Rome, Smith and Adam Taylor
I walk my dogs every day. At least three times a day. Every now and then I see George. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we don't. Then last Wednesday happened.

Nothing magic about last Wednesday except I asked him one question. "Can you tell me about your tattoos?" The one on top of his right forearm appeared to be of military ribbons. We talked for about a half hour in the hot Florida summer sun, and agreed to meet on Saturday morning for The Give Team workout. 

George showed up and watched us do The Give Team 15 as our warm up, then saw us do three laps around Lake Eola with Cindy the Cinder Block, stopping every 1/4 mile to alternate doing 20 Burpees, 20 Push Ups, 20 Sit Ups. Then we discussed the topic of the week, Best Practices for Creating an Unfair Advantage. Then George had the floor to tell his story of overcoming challenges.
George grew up in poverty, in an abusive environment. George joined the Marine Corps and fought in Vietnam. George fought in the Battle of Khe Sanh, the longest and deadliest battle of a brutal war. George was injured in battle and awarded a Purple Heart. George fought other battles associated with anxiety and PTSD when he came home from Vietnam. George is a badass.

The workout started at 9:00am and wrapped up at 11. I had a few things I wanted to address with Rome and Smith, so I offered to discuss over breakfast. George asked, "Mind if I join?" When we agreed where to meet, I passed George running to his car. Running pretty hard.

At 1:30pm, we went our separate ways. That's four and a half hours. The guys on the team are stronger as a result of yesterday. George didn't tell me this, but I guaranty you he'd agree he is too. I know I am. George is now a member of The Give Team. Give Team Motto 02: Life is a team sport. DRAFT ACCORDINGLY!

Two points to all this: (1) TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, to those around you. ENGAGE! I'm guilty of going out to just "walk the dogs" every day. (2) if you or anyone you know might be interested in joining The Give Team as a GUEST COACH for one of our workouts, SEND US A MESSAGE. The ONLY requirement is sharing a story overcoming a challenge .You can participate in the workout if you'd like. If you're qualified you can even LEAD the workout. But we really just want to ENGAGE. It'll be a chance to change the lives of those on the team, and I guaranty it'll change yours.

Put another way, we can all sit back and complain or be concerned over what's happening in the world, how the kids are this or that, or how certain things need to be done by certain people to fix certain problems. Whatever. It's time we all stop "outsourcing" the solutions to other people who "have more" (time, money, etc.) or god forbid outsource to the government. Here's your opportunity. 

Our team motto, quoting New Image Youth Center founder and Executive Director Shanta Barton-Stubbs, "No matter how little you have, you always have something to give." My variation: "No matter how little you THINK you have, you always have MORE to give. BE STRONG! GIVE MORE!" It helps our community, our country, and ourselves.

The workout for the next two weeks training for The Spartan Beast in December are as follows:

Week 3 / Day 15: Monday, August 13
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 3 / Day 16: Tuesday, August 14
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Sprints / Crawlbacks: 5 x 60 Yards - Sprint 60 yards, return with crawl (alternate bear crawl, crab walk, inchworm, lizard walk, lunge)

Week 3 / Day 17: Wednesday, August 15
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Ruck 4 Miles - 25 Pounds
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 3 / Day 18: Thursday, August 16​
  1. Strength Routine x2 - Two sets of the following exercises, :40 on, :20 rest: push ups, dips, pull ups (or dead hang ENGAGING SHOULDERS AND CORE), pistol squats (5 each leg, then switch legs), lateral lunges, step ups, squat / overhead press with sand bag (comfortable weight), hollow man hold, butterfly sit ups, L-sit
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15

Week 3 / Day 19: Friday, August 17
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles

Week 3 / Day 20: Saturday, August 18
  1. NINJAFIT BRING THE RUCKUS!
  2. 7 Mile Long Run: Every 1/2 mile stop for alternating 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees
  3. Finisher: The Give Team 15
  4. Finisher: 100 Table Pull Ups (10 Table Pull Ups every 1:00)
​*Table Pull Ups: lay under table holding body in a tight plank and pull so chest touches table edge and squeeze, then lower body by straightening arms.

Week 3 / Day 21: Sunday, August 19
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. 4 Mile Team Cindy Carry: Every 1/2 mile stop for 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees, and next teammate carries Cindy

Week 4 / Day 22: Monday, August 20
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 4 / Day 23: Tuesday, August 21
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Sprints / Crawlbacks: 10 x 60 Yards - Sprint 60 yards, return with crawl (alternate bear crawl, crab walk, inchworm, lizard walk, lunge)

Week 4 / Day 24: Wednesday, August 22
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Ruck 4 Miles - 25 Pounds
  3. Finisher: 100 yards of lunges

Week 4 / Day 25: Thursday, August 23
  1. Strength Routine x2 - Two sets of the following exercises, :40 on, :20 rest: push ups, dips, pull ups (or dead hang ENGAGING SHOULDERS AND CORE), pistol squats (5 each leg, then switch legs), lateral lunges, step ups, squat / overhead press with sand bag (comfortable weight), hollow man hold, butterfly sit ups, L-sit
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15

Week 4 / Day 26: Friday, August 24
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. Walk 3 Miles

Week 4 / Day 27: Saturday, August 25
  1. 8 Mile Long Run: Every 1/2 mile stop for alternating 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees
  2. Finisher: The Give Team 15
  3. Finisher: 100 Table Pull Ups (10 Table Pull Ups every 1:00)
  4. *Table Pull Ups: lay under table holding body in a tight plank and pull so chest touches table edge and squeeze, then lower body by straightening arms.

Week 4 / Day 28: Sunday, August 26
  1. Warm Up: The Give Team 15
  2. 3 Mile Team Cindy Carry: Every 1/2 mile stop for 20 lunges, 20 bear crawls (ea. leg), 20 inchworms, 20 burpees, and next teammate carries Cindy

**If you want to know what comprises The Give Team 15, hit the link and it'll take you to the blog post that lists the exercises. 

ANY QUESTIONS, leave them in the comments below, or you can e-mail me at brad.mason@justkeeppouring.com
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    Brad Mason is head coach of The Give Team, and a firm believer that no matter how little you think you have, you ALWAYS have something to give. So give more. Give more smiles, more compliments, more focus, and more effort.

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