Savage / Zen Newsletter No. 84
February 2024
Maybe it’s Karma. Maybe “if you build it they will come.” Maybe, like Rumi said, “we’re all just walking each other home.”
A lot of my work here is guided towards helping people develop intrinsic value and skills that are transferable to the external and social worlds as well.
Nevertheless, recognition — external validation — feels good when it is sincere. Recently, I’ve had some unexpected, much appreciated, feedback from a few folks I respect in the fitness world.
The term “friends” seems a bit premature at this point, but the sentiment is characterized by the following response I sent after being asked what I like or appreciate about one such person’s content:
“In recent months I’ve made an effort to be more mindful of who and what I give my attention to.
In the realm of social media, specific to fitness, there is an abundance of nonsense out there. So, I want to find, follow, pay attention to people who train similar to me and have congruent beliefs and objectives; but also challenge the methods, standards, and internal condolences that keep us stagnant.”
I hope that those are the kinds of provisions that this site offers to others as well.
In other news:
I’ve gotten some generous reviews in-person regarding the content on this site. Please consider filling out a short feedback survey, which will henceforth be added to the monthly newsletters.
Energy system definitions have been added to the premium features post.
Recent Articles:
Sleep, Amino Acids, and Recovery
I’m continuing to test several of Animal Pak’s supplements — specifically their “chews” line. This time we’ve got their Recovery Chews on queue which are essentially a combination of amino acids. The task for me was to compare the supplement versus dietary sources of those same amino acids for their relationship to various recovery metrics.
Eminently Qualified Human, Part 2
Most people following this page are interested in fitness and nutrition; but the point, for myself and my work, is to go much beyond that — “training the whole athlete.” This doesn’t just mean the “psychology of fitness”, “fitness of psychology”, “health psychology”, or any number of other trending buzzword topics. It means preparing, developing, and …
Don't Be A Pundit Who Can't Perform
Cheers to you if you’re sticking to your guns and haven’t yet abandoned your New Year’s resolution. What is the difference between compromising your ideals, giving up, pivoting when necessary, and being all enthusiastic bark without actualized bite?
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Training:
Training Week: 2024-01-22 - I’m about half way through NP’s Escape Velocity program. The general structure of my training is, at most, one “hard” session per week, about two “medium” sessions, and four mild / technical sessions. It’s been a really nice flow to put forth a lot of effort and work on something every day, but in a way that doesn’t leave you in a hole “trying hard”, but turning in lackluster results.
Training Week: 2024-01-29 - This week was about finding and exploring limits, challenging and changing limitations and weaknesses. Summary: The early capacity sessions this week were extremely educational for learning how the cadence your body’s “machine” (breathing) pairs with the cadence of an exercise “machine” (RPM / watts).
Training Week: 2024-02-05 - I never thought I’d be happy to do burpees… Summary: This week started with a solid F-You, but was accompanied by several important revelations and recognitions. Hard work is recognized by those who matter; if they don’t notice, the probably matter less than you think.
Training Week: 2024-02-12 - One rest day may be necessary, whether you want it to be or not. Two in a row is probably an excuse for something.
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