60http://blog.kabukiwarrior.comSat, 25 May 2013 19:35:47 GMTSat, 25 May 2013 19:35:47 GMTen christopherduffin@gmail.comnohttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2013/03/25/epidemic-of-excuses.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinWe are being overrun with an epidemic that has become so prominent it is now just a part of everyday life. It’s an epidemic of excuses. I’m not sure where it started but it is being supported by throughout our society. Overprotective parents shielding their kids from every danger and intervening to remove obstacles from their path. A watered down competitive landscape reinforces this ego protecting and fostering mentality. On the field, in the classroom, or any numerous ‘competitive’ drills, everyone is a winner and there are no losers. You don’t ...MotivationStrength TrainingPhilosophyhttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2013/03/25/epidemic-of-excuses.aspx#Commentse75c2927-80e2-4400-86e5-c3eef7fbcadeMon, 25 Mar 2013 18:30:42 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/12/03/never-give-up.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinOver the weekend I competed in a powerlifting meet where I injured myself while squatting. After the injury I decided to continue with the meet even though everyone was arguing with me otherwise. In fact I didn’t have much of a rebuttal as I was lying on floor with a bag of ice over me knowing there was no real point to continuing on. My bench press would suck without any leg drive and my deadlift and total were shot for sure. There was no real evident reason for completing the meet. However ...MotivationStrength TrainingMasculinityLeadershiphttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/12/03/never-give-up.aspx#Comments5fd777f2-9343-48fd-8980-a9bc8ac7b6d2Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:43:59 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/10/29/pec-tear-surgery---rehabilitation.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinIn October of 2010 I tore both the Sternal and Clavicular head of my left pec off their attachment to the humerus. This required surgery and installation of 3 titanium studs followed by rehab. Since that time I have continued to receive multiple emails, Facebook messages, and YouTube questions due to my rapid recovery prompting me to put this piece together. The typical recovery takes 12 months before getting a full release to train heavy, along with the caveat that you will never be 100% again. In the process I’m sharing with you ...Strength TrainingVideo Tutorialhttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/10/29/pec-tear-surgery---rehabilitation.aspx#Comments9fd2ba5c-69eb-4c1e-8105-968182bd3c1dMon, 29 Oct 2012 19:21:16 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/09/25/interview-with-musclelabstv.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinHere is a recent interview I did with MuscleLabsTVFor anyone that would like to peruse my training over the last 3 months, here are the direct links to the detailed writeups and video's: The Microbes Win the MeetRehab Week 2Rehabbing My Torn AdductorPulled Hamstring900lb Deadlift & 1000lb Squat Squat a S#%t-Ton Night Surgery LoomingFull On EpicnessRamping Up the FoodThe Long DeloadCatching UpDeload or Peak?New BeginningsStressed, But Still Training ...MotivationDietStrength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/09/25/interview-with-musclelabstv.aspx#Commentsf050808f-2b36-42fe-a903-47ec88f7d1e8Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:09:01 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/09/11/work-capacity--the-athlete-2.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinI always hear how people want to get “In shape”, and while I have a general fuzzy idea what that could entail it is not something that is in anyway clearly defined, and certainly not measureable. If you are unable to accurately define or measure it then you will not be able to develop a plan to lead you to your goal. Without a clear definition it is hard not only to follow a path, that path could be the wrong one. The first step for me is changing the name. I’ll skip ...Strength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/09/11/work-capacity--the-athlete-2.aspx#Comments630c2576-3ec4-488c-a8d3-628102b19d82Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:17:01 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/09/04/vision-consistency-and-hard-work.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinThere are three things to employ to achieve results that will separate you from the culture of mediocrity that we live in today. While it’s only thee simple steps the majority of the populace are unable to utilize them because it fly’s against the instant gratification and entitlement that is prevalent today. Separate yourself from this mediocrity and enjoy the real gratification of achieving goals that most can only dream of. These three simple steps are to operate with vision, consistency, and hard work in regards to achieving your goals. While I’ve spoken to ...MotivationMasculinityStrength TrainingPhilosophyhttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/09/04/vision-consistency-and-hard-work.aspx#Commentsb2198800-6f46-4222-bb4b-e648dd85df1dTue, 04 Sep 2012 17:59:30 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/14/the-practice-of-overcoming-fear.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinFear is a powerful human response, as it should be. It is our primal risk management tool; it controls our actions, nervous system, and hormone system to keep us safe. Although fear is a risk management tool, it can also hold us back from challenges, opportunities, and success had from overcoming risks. You can only realize your full potential when you take risks and push yourself to your limits. There is no doubt there are differences between people in risk tolerance and ability to overcome fear. One’s individual tolerance level for ...MotivationMasculinityPhilosophyLeadershiphttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/14/the-practice-of-overcoming-fear.aspx#Commentsf11d3477-2229-4674-ba56-294ce32735c4Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:22:06 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/13/the-stallion---kneeling-squat-variation.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinWe have been playing around with The Stallion for a little while at EPC with some great initial results. It is a variation of a squat, particularly the kneeling squat, which forces specific muscle recruitment patterns. I’ve always been a fan of kneeling squats due to the overload on the glutes and hamstrings. However the negative drawback of the excessive pressure on the kneecap and patella has led to limited utilization of this exercise. The Stallion is a kneeling squat done.... Continue reading here ...Strength TrainingVideo Tutorialhttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/13/the-stallion---kneeling-squat-variation.aspx#Commentsb38b0833-d36f-40d4-98a5-2131dea1e5adWed, 13 Jun 2012 20:10:12 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/11/hemorrhoids-and-the-athlete-how-to-keep-training.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinIt is a simple fact that heavy resistance training and even endurance training increases our susceptibility to getting hemorrhoids. If you lift weights, you are in danger of developing hemorrhoids and that risk develops as you age. The age discussion becomes important as today’s athletes and those with active lifestyles are choosing to maintain these activities for a far longer basis, thus increasing your risk. At age fifty about half of us will have hemorrhoids. In addition to age, history of pregnancy and obesity are also primary risk factors. For the purposes of this ...Strength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/11/hemorrhoids-and-the-athlete-how-to-keep-training.aspx#Commentsce1f1514-3bc2-4abc-bb46-0d92c8b0e600Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:54:09 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/08/are-you-training-in-a-void-why-competition-helps.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinAre you training in a void? I am a firm believer in goal setting. Without goals it becomes hard to establish action plans (in this case training plans) to drive improvement. In the world of business and athletics there is no such thing as standing still, there is only moving forwards or falling backwards. For this reason goal setting and action plans are essential in making sure you’re focused on improving yourself or your results and moving forward. The interesting thing about goals is they often seem to get shifted around due to the normal ...MotivationStrength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/08/are-you-training-in-a-void-why-competition-helps.aspx#Comments4f18df79-8dc1-4836-8c2b-5606a18e13dbFri, 08 Jun 2012 15:33:37 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/06/if-by-rudyard-kipling.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinA friend sent this to me today. Not only does it correlate with much of my personal beliefs and writing on this site, it is also highly reflective of the current conditions and choices in my life. This poem speaks for itself so without any more narrative: IF…. IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,But make allowance for their doubting too;If you can wait and not be tired by ...MotivationMasculinityPhilosophyhttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/06/06/if-by-rudyard-kipling.aspx#Comments5de50a32-4e5d-451f-9110-5872440308e4Wed, 06 Jun 2012 22:45:44 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/05/07/newsletter---volume-1.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinRECENT INTERVIEW I was recently interviewed for the Interview for the Manly Excellence website by Jack Donovan the author of The Way of Men. We had a lengthy and engaging conversation on achieving success. Chris has a good story. You can read more about it on his web site. The short version is [summary removed] Say what you want about the state of the American Dream, but this guy has managed to pull it off. For the benefit of men in pursuit of Manly Excellence, I thought I’d ask Chris a few questions about staying ...Newsletterhttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/05/07/newsletter---volume-1.aspx#Comments0117b3b9-aa78-4db2-a550-ed5b020cb147Mon, 07 May 2012 18:32:18 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/04/01/329-meet-results---first-raw-meet.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinBACKGROUND Well its official, I have competed in my first ever Raw Powerlifting meet. With the further deterioration of my right elbow not only have I been dealing with near constant daily pain and inability to perform basic daily tasks, but I have lost all advantages of using a bench press shirt. With my pressing abilities limited by my elbow I decided to squeeze in a Raw Meet (3/31) before my Elbow surgery (4/4) and the due date for our Daughter (4/10). MEET WRITUP APA State Chair Rudy ...Strength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/04/01/329-meet-results---first-raw-meet.aspx#Comments6a1aee14-ad28-47c8-b63a-159f0f1fdd1cSun, 01 Apr 2012 13:47:06 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/03/26/the-way-of-men-by-jack-donovan--as-reviewed-by-chris-duffin.aspx?ref=rssChris Duffin“The Way of Men” by Jack Donovan is being released today. This book pulls together Jack’s research and thought on what it is to be a man and articulates it in a manner that I found to be one of the best reads I’ve had in a long time. I’ll admit I am perhaps a little partial to the subject as it is also a core foundation of my own website and being a better man is core part of my personal philosophy. His book helped me reflect further on not only understanding what it ...MasculinityPhilosophyhttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/03/26/the-way-of-men-by-jack-donovan--as-reviewed-by-chris-duffin.aspx#Commentscb81e731-fcb2-43ff-bbbe-067734de3802Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:10:46 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/03/11/application-of-concentric-only-training---2012-revision.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinWhy use Concentric only? In the world of strength and size the eccentric phase (when the muscle is being stretched during the performance of the lift or “negative”) of the lift and overall ‘time under tension’ are king in regard to stimulating muscle Hypertrophy. From this perspective it would appear that concentric (when the muscle is contracting during the performance of the lift such as when pressing a barbell) ONLY training would have no value to the strength athlete. Although it may appear this way by looking at these simple facts, however training ...DietStrength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/03/11/application-of-concentric-only-training---2012-revision.aspx#Comments51a168fe-5659-4a90-9b61-6573badf8950Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:31:28 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/03/11/conditioning-cycles-for-strength-sports.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinAn athlete recently asked me how to achieve Peak Conditioning and Peak Strength levels simultaneously. To his disappointment I noted that this realistically could not be achieved. It’s not the case that one negates the other however. In fact the correct interplay of both conditioning and strength can maximize your performance in the other. Maximizing performance in your desired objective (either strength or conditioning) doesn’t mean simply incorporating the opposite and hoping for the best. Imagine an endurance runner tossing in a bunch of strength training leading into a running event or a ...Strength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/03/11/conditioning-cycles-for-strength-sports.aspx#Comments502e7dc4-c6d3-4e22-998b-d35f79fc5385Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:28:10 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/03/06/over-reaching-vs-over-training.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinThe term over-training is often overused or misunderstood. This overuse of the term is simply misunderstanding of what over-training is. Pushing yourself to (or beyond) your limits IS NOT over-training as is the common misconception; it is simply over-reaching. Overtraining comes when someone attempts to stay in that over-reaching phase for a CONTINUED state without a ramp down. Once someone achieves that over-trained state their body, nervous system, and even endocrine system begin to down regulate or break down. Although this state is quite negative in terms of the results, it does not mean that ...Strength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/03/06/over-reaching-vs-over-training.aspx#Comments8a8d3ae1-d01e-4fe8-b012-0367e29b8415Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:06:13 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/02/27/humility--confidence-and-the-ability-to-create.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinMastery of “Skills” is of critical importance in the self-identity of man, and indeed a cornerstone of civilization because mastery of skills allows us to create, innovate, and achieve in the rapidly changing society we have today. The creation of both tools and objects of art is one of the differentiating factors between humans and animals. Sure, there are some animals that create limited tools or works of art but there is a clear difference in the human scope of creation. For example, in nature specific ‘tasks’ may be passed down or even the ‘art’ ...PhilosophyLeadershiphttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/02/27/humility--confidence-and-the-ability-to-create.aspx#Comments0ea4f5a7-92f5-4c02-9567-2e74e603df82Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:57:35 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/02/14/4-years-of-different-fasting-methods.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinIntroduction This week I’m going to take a break from writing something purely because I’m passionate about it. I will be writing for selfish reasons - saving myself a little bit of time. It’s not that I’m not passionate about the subject, I happen to be quite passionate about it. However I learned long ago that no amount of passion will break down the stubborn refusal to believe something different than what’s built up by media, folklore, healthcare, and any number of sources that give misinformation. I know ...DietStrength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/02/14/4-years-of-different-fasting-methods.aspx#Comments0758d3aa-2709-4808-b13d-33053fc91bf7Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:43:55 GMThttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/02/07/bench-press-setup.aspx?ref=rssChris DuffinWhere does an effective bench arch come from? The frequent misconception is that it comes from low back spinal flexibility. This can improve one’s arch but it is not an ‘effective’ arch. The best arch builds a structure that is strong and supportive of the weight you will be bearing in your hands, and also reduces the range of motion. With these two points in mind think about the role the low back spinal flexibility plays. It certainly does not support the weight ...Strength Traininghttp://blog.kabukiwarrior.com/2012/02/07/bench-press-setup.aspx#Comments043890e1-9047-437e-903a-8706f07031f7Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:06:00 GMT