No due process… What country do I live in again? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/senate-votes-to-let-military-detain-americans-indefinitely_n_1119473.html

After reading the article above I read this:

‘If you have to threaten me with punishment because I don’t believe it, it’s not worth believing. If you have to offer me a reward for me to [...]]]> These things seem to go together for me:

No due process… What country do I live in again? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/senate-votes-to-let-military-detain-americans-indefinitely_n_1119473.html

After reading the article above I read this:

‘If you have to threaten me with punishment because I don’t believe it, it’s not worth believing. If you have to offer me a reward for me to believe in it, It’s not worth believing. And finally, if you have a dictator, you can call him a king, a lord, a god, a christ, or whatever you want, YOU ARE NOT FREE. Not free of choice, or of thought. If its a belief system that does not value freedom, it’s not worth believing.’ Greydon Square

And finally, in line with the above post:

“Doesn’t matter what the press says. Doesn’t matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn’t matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world – “No, you move.”" ~ Captain America – From Amazing Spider-Man #537

I know I’m a geek, but after all that all I have to say is: “No!”

I consciously took some time off from the blog.

No inspiration to write, a lot of other things on my plate: travel, family commitments, that kind of thing.

Hopefully I am back at it now.

In the next few weeks I am going to be making some changes to [...]]]> Busy, busy, busy… As always…

I consciously took some time off from the blog.

No inspiration to write, a lot of other things on my plate: travel, family commitments, that kind of thing.

Hopefully I am back at it now.

In the next few weeks I am going to be making some changes to the site, as well as updating with new posts.

I hope this quick update finds you all well and doing some good in the world.

Until next time!

Ciao for now!

I posted over 80 pictures from our Hawaiian holiday on my Facebook Page.

Check it out!

“Love, prosperity, peace, light & laughter, in 2010 (now 2011) and beyond.” From Twitter

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This last year (2010) [...]]]> In keeping with past years, I was looking for a “pithy” catchall phrase, or sentence, to capture the spirit of this year’s driving themes… So far, I haven’t found anything better than this, from last year:

“Love, prosperity, peace, light & laughter, in 2010 (now 2011) and beyond.”
From Twitter

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This last year (2010) was a rebuilding year – recovering and repairing our familial and financial foundations after the losses of the last couple of years (deaths and financial dumb-fuckery). And as a family we made some pretty good strides in those directions…

Working as a trainer at Gold’s gym, while it has only barely made me a living wage, has allowed me to reenter the training game, which I love more than I probably should… Helping my clients meet their goals gives me a “warm fuzzy” like few things in the world… The next step is to transition this experience into one of financial viability…

There was still some extraneous stress that we could have done without (my younger brother’s stroke in January of 2010 for example), but we were – in my opinion – able to weather it better.
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As I do every year I went back and reviewed my goals for the previous year… And, with one modification (*read below), I met all of them… In most cases a month earlier than anticipated…

For 2011, it is going to be a refinement of the basics: family, health/training, financial security, personal development, creative development and fun.

To do this, the first thing is I am going to do is: plan my work and then work the plan… It worked so well last year that I am going to do it again…

Family

Refining the basics: spend as much quality time with my wonderful wife Kari and daughter Kyanne as possible. Be as involved with them in their lives as I can be.

This year will also see a little more travel than the past two or three years. We have a trip to Hawaii planned for Kari’s birthday, and in July we are going to Washington DC to see Colonel Daniel Thomas transition out of his base command post at Fort Meade. **I am also hoping to get to at least one or two training (MA/fitness) seminars this year.

**This last bit is not something firmly planned as of yet…

Health/Training

Health

Not much to change in this area overall… I will keep up and improve (where needed) my nutrition/diet, get appropriate sleep, drink plenty of water, see my medical team when needed. Et cetera… In other words tighten up what needs to be tightened and continue on mindfully with the rest.

Training

I am going to keep on with two goals from the last couple of years: “feeling great and feeling infinite energy.”

I will accomplish this through continued training of the various energy systems, staying uninjured, as well as continuing to remove restrictive forces through the judicious use of training tools such as yoga…

Practice

I have two areas here I want to focus on in 2011. The first is to reintegrate my standup, clinch, ground and weapon-based skills as they took a bit of a back seat last year while I worked on my BJJ brown belt…

The second is to continue my Body Flow/Balance Work Practice

These last two areas are for fun/education and to support my Jiu-Jitsu/MMA habit – as well as in my continuing evolutionary quest for self-mastery – which can only aid and expand into all other aspects of my life.

Competition

Any competition done this year will only be with my trusted coaches and teammates during drilling, sparring, rolling and FoF.
Integration

All three areas will be as integrated as they can be… The theme for the year is: Spenser with a twist…

Financial Security

Last year Kari and I tried our hands at a handful of home based business… Like most projects initiated: 80% were a bust… So, this year I am going to simplify my business model by only working on three businesses. Two that have made money in the past and one with some incredible potential…

My Personal Training business
Commodity Trading
And Dark Alley Designs

I have developed a lot of (digital) art for Dark Alley Designs. But so far haven’t taken the time to implement them or the site. I am going to “pull the trigger” on that in 2011.

For commodities trading: be mindful of the trade – i.e. plan my work and then work the plan. As well as remain mindful of the trades I make (keeping stops tight, doing the numbers, et cetera…). My financial goal last year was to bring in at least $10,000 during the year. *I only made $4000, which didn’t meet the goal but was WAY beyond what I’d done during 2008-2009… So, in my mind it was a MAJOR step in the right direction…

Personal Training: In 2010 I spent the year working on trying to be the best PT I could be while in the employ of Gold’s Gym. Meeting or exceeding my clientele’s goals… Getting my feet back on the floor…

This year is going to be all about developing my own practice – setting up my own “shop” out of my home… In doing the math I can make what I make at Gold’s just training two people a day… My goal is four (or five) clients per day – upping the ante…

-Secondarily: I want to finalize and implement a “train the trainers” course. I have been doing a little of this in micro bursts at Gold’s Gym with good success…

-Tertiarily: I would like to increase exposure to my macro-nutrition seminar. I did one last year that was both fun and lucrative…
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In the short term (and maybe long term – we’ll see ) I will work at Gold’s – keeping a few clients, as well as my yoga class and “boot camp” groups…

Personal Development
Continuing to read and write (for learning and expression), along with (more) consistent meditation.

Creative Development
Back to basics: more writing – I am going to shoot for 500 words per day (M-F). Along with that, I am going to continue to devote time to visual arts (drawing, painting, digital art).

Fun
*See family time. Also I am going to add more outdoors activities (when the weather cooperates)… The last thing I would add here is: like the definition of porn: “I’ll know it when I see it.”

Notes:
A reminder to myself (and others): I am the ultimate authority over my life, no one else. I take responsibility for it!
So, that being said… Onwards and upwards!

Two of my friends — that also happen to be two of my coaches — RMAX faculty head coach Ryan Hurst and RMAX head coach Jarlo Ilano (along with CST instructor Andy Fossett) have put out a stellar product for muscle building called Rings One. It uses principles [...]]]>

Gold Medal Bodies - Rings One

Two of my friends — that also happen to be two of my coaches — RMAX faculty head coach Ryan Hurst and RMAX head coach Jarlo Ilano (along with CST instructor Andy Fossett) have put out a stellar product for muscle building called Rings One. It uses principles and tools culled from CST and the gymnastics world to build “real world” strength.

As an experiment, I took their pull up progression and trained a female client using their information. Following Coach Hurst’s suggestions I had her doing 5 good pull-ups in three sessions… Even though she had never done a pull up before!

Please note though that this program won’t teach you to do any cool gymnastic “tricks,” no iron cross, no front or back levers… That kind of thing… But it WILL help build the strength and muscle so you can perform those tricks (once you get instruction) with ease!

Check it out! It has my highest recommendation!

Here are a few that I’ve received recently:

I’ve worked with Chuck since October of 2009. I was looking for a trainer with a great deal of knowledge and experience.  I competed in Athletics at a very high level so training was [...]]]> Trainers live by referrals and testimonials… It is the life-blood of the business.

Here are a few that I’ve received recently:

I’ve worked with Chuck since October of 2009. I was looking for a trainer with a great deal of knowledge and experience.  I competed in Athletics at a very high level so training was not new to me. Chucks knowledge introduced me to new methods and workouts that let me progress towards my goals at a much quicker rate. Along with the workouts, Chucks knowledge in other area’s that helped me were Nutrition, Yoga, and Cross training. It’s not just about weight training, it was more of a complete balance that I was needing.

Working with some trainers can leave a workout pretty dull; thanks to Chuck I can keep my very active lifestyle, be in great shape and have some fun along the way.

Tony Ripsam CFP® , AAMS

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I asked Chuck for a program what would help me with my fitness goals.  These are mainly weight control and moderate weight loss, increased muscle tone, and targeting specific areas for better tone.

I had never followed a fitness program before so I was concerned it might be too complicated to fit into my daily routine.  What Chuck designed for me, though, was very easy to follow.  His directions were clear and concise.  This was a program I could definitely implement into my life.

The exercises themselves are a great combination.  They have kept weight off and helped me with increased muscle strength.  My flexibility is also improved.  Further, certain areas of previous injury are beginning to heal.  For example, I have had chronic pain in my lower back for fifteen years.  Because of the warm-up exercises Chuck recommended this pain has greatly diminished.  I feel strongly that by continuing the work it will eventually abate completely.

Since I began this program a year ago my endurance has increased.   People have commented on the fact that I carry myself better, which I attribute to awareness of core muscles.

I do not consider myself an athlete.  Increased fitness only became a goal of mine in the last two years.  Therefore the progress I made using Chuck’s program has made me much more confident in my potential.

Thank you Chuck!
Dawn Sagar

**********

I used Chuck as my personal trainer for a month and then joined his boot camp class. We met 3 times a week for 3 months. Chuck is very knowledgeable in what he does. He is very up to date on the dos and don’ts of various lifting and workout styles. I have a bad back and had knee surgery; he is very good in working around that and supplying different exercises for your specific need. His circuit training is very well thought out to incorporate groups of muscles. After working out we also stretch and incorporate yoga; which also helped me tremendously.

I highly recommend Chuck. He’s your guy!

Debbie Robbins
**********

My sister had a sign in her house, “The sign of a boring woman is a clean house.” On that subject, my house is a disaster and I am stressed. So I’m cleaning again. I only clean when I’m stressed. I also do a breathing exercise taught to me by my trainer, Chuck at Gold’s Gym. (Best Trainer Ever) Between that and cleaning, I may make it.

One of the very best decisions I made this year was to find a personal trainer. In comes a guardian angel, Chuck Kechter.
As an artist, sitting at the computer, developing my business and website put me out of shape like never before.  He was able to size up every part of my body that was “disturbed” and gave me exercises for my own personal needs.  He put me on the high path of developing good exercise habits again.

I very much appreciate Chuck’s ability to inspire, teach, and explain in layman’s terms what and why a particular place gives me trouble and what to do about that place. Chuck is also very aware of the “mind, body, spirit connection” and often speaks to that.  It has been a delightful and fun journey, full of surprises for me.  The biggest surprise is that I learned my body, at age 68,  is not ready to give up!  Thanks, Chuck

Marybeth Coulter

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your good word mare than you can know!

Ciao for now!

Finally, after some crazy, busy months, I’ve got my website back up and running. It still has some tweaks it needs and in the near [...]]]> “Our life is frittered away by detail… Simplify, simplify, simplify! … Simplicity of life and elevation of purpose.”
Henry David Thoreau (“Where I Lived and What I Lived For” Walden)

Finally, after some crazy, busy months, I’ve got my website back up and running. It still has some tweaks it needs and in the near future I am going to add a whole other page of testimonials I’ve received, but in the main it is in pretty good shape…

My training gig at Gold’s has taken off. I am averaging five clients a day (I’d like six or seven per day — we’ll see what happens). Along with that I have been consulting with several other clients on-line, trying my hand at on-line coaching… And as before, we’ll see how that goes — so far, so good…

In the last several months I have had my hand in a lot of small ventures: web site design, affiliate marketing, network marketing, website hosting, et cetera… Trying bring in a little extra scratch into the household… None of them has really “paid off” like I think they should have (or been told they would by various “authorities”). In fact I made more money off the affiliate sites from my own website than I have from all the external ones put together, by almost 100 percent. Figure that one out…

So, due to the outcome(s) of that experiment, I have decided to cut back my time and (other) investments into these business ventures and concentrate on the things that I am passionate about doing. In no particular order: training, art, writing, design, trading… And bring them back under one site, rather than trying to “keep up” with a bunch of smaller sites…

You’ll (maybe) notice that I have taken down my athletics page. I did so for the same reason. It was rightly pointed out that it was cumbersome and unwieldy to go to a whole other site just to see what I was doing, or researching training wise. It is a (big) part of my life, so why not put it together on the site where I express my life’s interests? Duh…

In other news…

I am also going to kill my Examiner.com column. For two reasons. One: they’ve made a bunch of new “rules” about what I can write about, and how it has to be written, that I think are silly and limiting to both the audience I want to engender as well as how the content is put forth. And two: it isn’t making me any money. So, like the shucked off websites I wrote about above, it is going by the way side. I am instead going to put together some kind of publication on the facts and fallacies of training and being a trainer and put it out through this website instead.

In other — training related — news I am going to start a civilian (not LEO or military) based self-defense class starting in early May. I already have five willing participants (see: victims ) that are interested in taking it… I am putting the finishing touches on my class breakdown as we speak… And I am going to offer a second time slot for group training. My “boot camp” (hate that term) class at Gold’s has gotten great results (and comments from other members), so I thought I’d add another into the mix for folks that can’t meet at 11am M-W-F.

My books are still being reviewed by Damnation Books… I hope to have a (good) answer from them in the near future.

So, a pull back to the things that matter to me most, a sort of “getting back to the basics” as it were… And moving forward from this position of strength, and passion, rather than spreading myself thin across a multitude of options.

I hope you’ll follow along…

Stealing a line from Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny: “The adventure continues.”

Ciao for now!

Coming soon!