At the Mighty Mix Blog

Bodydrive Fitness LLC, Boxing for Fitness

2015-10-05T09:12:00.001-07:00

Meet me on Facebook at the Bodydrive Fitness page. This is what we do.

The Mighty Microgym

2015-10-05T09:00:00.001-07:00

My scale-model project.

Boxing Christmas Tree

2013-12-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

Bill Meartz Handwrapping Technique

2013-12-15T16:55:00.001-08:00

2014 Strength Visions calendar

2013-11-24T16:55:00.002-08:00

World champ boxer Kaliesha West goes off about equality in pro boxing

2013-09-27T09:53:00.001-07:00

This is an articulate, impassioned speech by an accomplished boxer it's likely you don't recognize, and that's not her fault. The $40 million that Floyd Mayweather pulled for his last excellent fight set her off. She makes great points. It's a quick four minutes to expose yourself to a bastion of legitimate gender inequality.

Bill & me

2013-08-26T08:15:00.005-07:00

Here's some mitt work with the great Bill Meartz. Third 3-minute round. I'm extremely fortunate that Bill gives me some of his time and attention.

35 years of USA Weightlifting logos

2013-08-21T11:35:00.002-07:00

at the feet of the master

2013-08-21T08:59:00.001-07:00

Sitting at the feet of the USA Olympic weightlifting master, Tommy Kono. One of the most important things you must do to create your own success is assemble the right team to support your efforts. You are only as good as your learning. I am extremely fortunate and gratified to count some of the best of the best on mine.

Tommy Kono annual lecture hosted by Bodytribe Fitness at NorCal Healthworks in Sacramento.

Photos by commercial photog Laszlo Bencze, part of the Stark Center for Strength archives

Great wrap-up to 2013 season

2013-08-20T09:12:00.001-07:00

I finished the season in Northern California with two significant meets on consecutive weekends. I opened with my two highest lifts from one year ago and added five kilos to my total for 110KG, with a milestone 50KG snatch PR, and highest-ever C&J opener at my PR of 60KG. Technique inching ever upwards, being healthy and strong. Progress is always the goal, monitor and reward.

50KG Snatch at the Tommy Kono Open 8

Sacramento High School

Aug. 18, 2013

80 lifters total, 30 in flight

Tommy Kono in attendance

Photo by Chip Conrad, Bodytribe Fitness

60KG Clean and Jerk at Redwood Empire Open Championships

Rohnert Park in Cotati, California

Aug. 10, 2013

Photo by Jim Schmitz, Sports Palace in SF

Health

2013-08-06T10:53:00.001-07:00

Mental Meatheads interview

2013-06-19T08:14:00.003-07:00

For some reason, and all to my honor, Dave Hall of the awesome Mental Meatheads project turned his skilled interview antenna to me. So if you'd like to hear me prattle on about training, weightlifting, boxing, books and see my boy Tiger in his relaxed state, check it out on his website Agoge Fitness.

Audio only - Listen here.

or watch on YouTube.

Thanks, Dave! It was a pleasure getting to know you.

Blogging Off

2013-06-05T13:55:00.002-07:00

As the nature of activity on the Internet has changed, so has my usage. I have posted on this blog less and less, to the point that I have decided to officially suspend it indefinitely. Like a lot of other folks I know, most of my activity has gone into social media. I also plain old don't put as much stuff out on the Internet as I did when the world of independent cyberpublishing was new. I find myself putting most of my creative energies into living in "real life" instead of discussion boards and the Blogosphere. Ironically, as a widely published writer, over the last few years, I have increasingly turned to writing privately rather than publicly. Perhaps some of this will amount to public product; perhaps not. It's part of not only our cultural evolution in communication and technology, but also a balance against the saturated public spheres of informational and creative content, and finally, it's simply me evolving as a person as well. I like the idea that I have been working on a writing project for the past few years with no idea whether I will ever do anything publicly with it; it feels more genuine and pure that way. There are many shades of creative, artistic, and writing production. Let the many fine folks who are writing publicly at the moment keep the information highways paved and marked. I'll leave my public stuff up so it's accessible, and post now and then, but I'm going to follow the road which is calling to me now, all dirt and grass and peacefully less traveled. Thank you, all who have taken the time to read or view my stuff. I'm still around and will respond to comments.

POW at 2013 Oregon LWC State Championships

2013-06-05T13:39:00.002-07:00

Here are the lifts from state this year for POW. I did two meets in two days, but not by design; somehow I'd gotten the date wrong for state, and thought it was another week out. So in between clean and jerks at the Freak Show in Aberdeen, WA, on Sat., June 1, someone brought up that state for Oregon was tomorrow. I'd already mailed in my entry form and I had a lifter debuting in it, so I had to go, anyway. Aberdeen was a three-hours drive and an all-day affair, and I used more of my energy to help out loading during the men's snatches. My lifts were just ok; I got my minimally acceptable 100KG total with 42/58. So I got home close to 10 p.m. hit the bricks and turned around and drove two hours south early Sunday morning. At the weigh-in, my hair wasn't even combed. It turned out to be one of my best meets ever. I hit 5 out of 6 lifts, getting all three of my snatches including a meet PR or 47.5 (yes, in Oregon we have .5s, although USAW doesn't count them in the records, so it's basically wasted effort). I tied my clean and jerk PR of 60 and powercleaned 62 for what was my first attempt at it ever. I missed the jerk but that's okay. Moreover, I can see and could feel progress in my form and technique. Sure, I have a ways to go, but I know who I am as a lifter, and this was a great marker for where I'm at. Liz Majdecki, whom I coach, debuted at state with an admirable performance. She looked good and was well-prepared; in fact, Tom Hirtz said to the crowd that it was hard to believe it was her first meet. We did dry runs the last month of weekends, complete with flags, and it paid off. Liz is a natural, talented athlete. Now that she's turned her talents to Olympic-style weightlifting, she's one to watch.

2012 Ironmind Meet

2012-12-27T15:18:00.002-08:00

at Ironworks Gym in Creswell, OR

2013 Strength Visions Calendar

2012-12-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

Got yours?

"Outstanding work of art... The photos used are great and the arrangement of them makes it more unique... I hope all those who train with weights appreciate the effort you put into producing this special calendar."
- Tommy Kono, Olympic U.S. World Champion Weightlifter

"It's beautiful and fantastic. You have a great eye for capturing the essence of strength and power."
- Jim Schmitz, USA Weightlifting Coach

Xmas Play 2012

2012-12-25T13:38:00.001-08:00

2013 will be lucky...

2012-12-24T09:16:00.002-08:00

The Why We Love Weightlifting Video Project

2012-11-22T13:14:00.000-08:00

Attention weightlifting enthusiasts everywhere: I am launching a video project about YOU. Check out the starter. I've been working on this for a couple of years. I invite voices from all levels in the sport. Contact me to arrange an interview or for details on how to submit your own raw clips. Let's see just how big we can help this love grow.

Strength Rituals - call to support an important project

2012-11-16T09:31:00.001-08:00

Exciting news! Strength Rituals is a new website from Chip Conrad featuring his new online show - Strength Rituals. This show will interview physical culturists and spread their word to the world. Check out the video and please consider throwing a few shekels to this admirable project. Goal is to raise $10,000 in 43 days.

Zen Funnies

2012-09-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

Starting to collect these...

Tommy Kono's home gym

2012-08-11T16:50:00.004-07:00

This is Tommy Kono with a photo of his old humble home gym, where he made himself into a world champion Olympic weightlifter and bodybuilder with records unrivaled to this day. So, does your 24-Hour Fitness have towel service?

Taken at Bodytribe Fitness in Sacramento Aug. 2012

Strength

2012-07-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

There is nothing so sure
as feeling your own strength.

There is nothing as thrilling
as seeing strength grow -
either your own or
that of one you love.

Strength is overcoming obstacles.
Defeating yourself before you begin -
That is weakness.

Victory at Redwood Empire Championships

2012-07-09T08:18:00.002-07:00

The long-sought 60KG clean and jerk! First place in masters women! Competed alongside Jim Schmitz and Chip Conrad. Hung with Butch Curry and still more awesome Bodytribers. Hit the beach after and saw the Golden Gate bridge for the first time. A great experience all the way around!

Kat Ricker takes First Place in Masters Women on July 7, 2012 at Plaza Park in Cotati, California

2012 Oregon State WL Championships

2012-06-28T09:21:00.001-07:00

It was a good meet.