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Good Morning, I stumbled on to Nerd Fitness while listening to the Art of Manliness podcast and really connected with the concept of gamifying your life. I use gamification techniques in my sixth grade classroom and my students thoroughly enjoy it, so why not give it a shot in my personal life. I am 32, married, love my job teaching sixth graders, but have felt like there has been a part of me missing since an injury forced me to stop playing football in college. Up until that point motivation was directly connected to my sport and was never a problem. Now endless football watching binges, television, and any other excuse to do nothing and consume copious amounts of calories makes up my weeks. I did do crossfit the past two years and lost 50 pds, but I have always been strong and don't need to improve things like squats, clean & jerk, or bench press, since they are already very high. Additionally, years of doing them have taken a toll on my body. I love the outdoors and enjoy fitness through exploring rather than pounding weights. I am not downgrading CrossFit, because it was awesome, especially the team aspect, but the money was too much for me. I currently lack like minded men (not putting down the ladies) who share similar passions. When playing sports you always have a pack, battle buddy, or what ever you want to call it. These relationships for me always helped and provided me the means to grow, kept me on the right track, and forced me to constantly analyze my status. Without them complacency has taken over. I hope the community will help me gain this sense of being part of a pack back, which in return will make me a better me.

I've been recently inspired by Disney's Mulan, particularly Captain Lee Shang's number "To Be a Man", so my challenge goals will center around the three virtues mentioned in the song: Swift as a Coursing River (2 DEX, 2 STA, 1 STR) - Warm-Up: 5 - 10 minute jog - Intervals: 60 seconds of hard burn (in honor of Rudyard Kipling's If), 60 seconds recovery. Repeat for 10 minutes - Burpees: 30 seconds of hard burn, 60 seconds recovery. Repeat for 10 minues - Cool-Down: 5 - 10 miniute jog, stretch All the Force of a Great Typhoon (2 STR, 1 STA) - Warm-Up: 5 minute jog, 3 sets 10 Burpees (60 seconds recovery) - Feet Elevated Push-Ups: 60 seconds - Walking Lunges: 30 yards out - Bear-Crawl Push-Ups: 30 yards back - Plyometric Box jumps (Starting on top of the box): 10 reps *with good form* - Drink lots of water, rinse, repeat. - Cool-Down: 5 - 10 miniute jog, stretch All the Strength of a Raging Fire (3 CON) - You need to feed a fire to keep it going, so this goal involves eating well: protien before and after the workout and carbs throughout the day, post-workout (I'm an Ectomorph, so I need extra carbs). Mysterious as the Dark Side of the Moon (2 WIS, 2 CHA) - Learn from the Greats. This is going to be an ongoing goal, extenting into and beyond current and future challenges. - Read The Illiad. Six weeks should be enough time, and I'm a fast reader. I'm working at a call center (Level One/Realpage in Greer, SC if you're wondering) so I have Sundays and Thursdays off. I'm going to make those my Typhoon (Strenghth/Plyo) workout days and I'll run the River (Interval) workout on Tuesdays since it's mid-week. On the 4th week of the challenge, I'll add another round to Typhoon, bringing it up to 3 full circuits for an epic finish. Recap: Grading: If I stay the course and make it to 3 full circuits of the Typhoon workout, I level up. Otherwise, Dishonor.

The Art of Manliness Podcast #42: Level Up Your Life With Nerd Fitness & Steve KambI wish I caught this before I left this morning. Will have to wait till I get home to listen to it. - Daniel