Search the Community

Overview / Motivation: By the time this challenge starts I should be getting used to life with our second child and limited sleep. When we had our first child, I ended up going on a 4 month workout hiatus and I REALLY want to avoid that this time around. I want to embrace the change at hand and create as much of a daily structure as possible in order to be the best husband and father I can be while taking care of my health. It won't be easy, but nothing worth while ever is! Main Quest: Maintain my current fitness level while I adjust to life with 2 kids and no sleep Side Quests: Average 3 Heavy Bag-Resistance Band Circuits / Week Points Potential: STA+5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Complete 1 NerdFitness Yoga Sessions / Week Points Potential: DEX+2 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Average 140 grams of Protein / Day Points Potential: STR+3 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Life Quest: Read The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz Points Potential: WIS+5 A= Read > 90% B= Read > 80% C= Read > 70% F= Read < 70%

Overview / Motivation: I'm very excited for this challenge since I may need to do some temporary overhauls to my challenges for a while after this one. My wife and I are expecting baby #2 around April 20th, so I'm anticipating needing to go into maintenance mode for a while during our adjustment period to no sleep and increased craziness. To add to that fun, I am working to launch my blog before the baby comes as well, so likely during this challenge. So in the meantime, let's push some weights around and get after it! Main Quest: Hit the following benchmarks in strength and stamina: Bench Press 250 lbs. Squat 250 lbs. Complete 20 Pull Ups Side Quests: Average 3 Weight Training Sessions & 1 Heavy Bag-Resistance Band Circuit / Week Points Potential: STR+5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Complete 2 NerdFitness Yoga Sessions / Week Points Potential: DEX+3 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Average Running 2 Miles / Week Points Potential: STA+2 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Life Quest: Read Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin Points Potential: WIS+5 A= Read > 90% B= Read > 80% C= Read > 70% F= Read < 70%

Overview / Motivation: Returning to the Rangers following a challenge with the Druids focused on getting my mind right for a high impact 2017. I'm keeping with the same formula of weight training, yoga, and cardio that I used through most of 2016 as I was pleased with the gains. I do need to start building back up my cardio shape, so not super excited to lace up the running shoes again, but it will be worth it. For the non-physical portion of this challenge, I am working through Michael Hyatt's book on building a platform. I am ramping up to create a blog focused on leadership and building your best self, and I've found some great nuggets in this book already as I inch closer to going live. Looking forward to a solid challenge. Main Quest: Hit the following benchmarks in strength and stamina: Bench Press 250 lbs. Squat 250 lbs. Complete 20 Pull Ups Side Quests: Average 3 Weight Training Sessions / Week Points Potential: STR+5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Complete 2 NerdFitness Yoga Sessions / Week Points Potential: DEX+3 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Average Running 3 Miles / Week Points Potential: STA+3 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 60% Life Quest: Read Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt Points Potential: WIS+4 A= Read > 90% B= Read > 80% C= Read > 70% F= Read < 70%

Overview / Motivation: While I normally hang out with the Rangers, I wanted to / needed to take a break from the physical workouts to recover (nagging sickness hit me on New Year's Day that I can't kick), and more importantly dedicate more time to work on my mental and spiritual state. I took the week off between Christmas and New Years thinking it would be a great time to relax and reflect on the past year. While it was relaxing, I actually found myself struggling to see the progress in some areas of my life. This time has left me questioning the path I am on, and I thought starting my year off with the Druids would be a great way to get my mind right and crush 2017! I'm looking forward to digging into Meditation, Journaling, and some physical activity to align myself for the year. Main Quest: Dig into my mental and spiritual self during a break from the Rangers - begin to find a bigger sense of meaning for my life and how I can make a lasting IMPACT. Side Quests: Complete a Guided Meditation Daily Points Potential: CON+3 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Complete 10 Journal Entries (Focused on thinking through a potential future blog/business and entires for various chapters in the WOW Book) Points Potential: WIS+5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Average 4 Workout Activities / Week (Minimum of 2 NerdFitness Yoga Fire Routines, other activities may include cardio or weight training) Points Potential: STA+4 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 70% Life Quest: Read Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks for a Better Life Points Potential: CHA+3 A= Read > 90% B= Read > 80% C= Read > 70% F= Read < 70%

Overview / Motivation: I'm writing this up on my 33rd birthday... I can't believe that I am actually 33 years old, nor can I believe that this year is almost over. Like most years, it's the time I begin to reflect on the past year to appreciate all the good stuff that happened, and begin planning for the next year. For some reason as I approach the end of this year, I am struggling to figure out if I made real meaningful progress since this time last year. Deep down I know I've grown a great deal, but I'm not sure if I am closer to beginning to make a larger impact in my life, and on the world around me. I want to live a life of impact - a life of significance. While I am doing my best to be a great husband, father, and co-worker, I know I want to impact more people. I am not discouraged, but rather hopeful that I make more steps towards understanding the 'how' around making that type of impact. I'm putting a bit more pressure on myself now as my wife and I are expecting our second child in April (another girl, thus my book choice for this challenge). I want to be a source of inspiration for my wife and girls, rather than a wandering lost middle aged dude. I look forward to seeing how I change my personal and professional development over the next year to make bigger strides - these NerdFitness challenges are a large part of that development, and look forward to embracing the grind over the next year to make great things happen. Main Quest: Hit the following benchmarks in strength and stamina: Bench Press 250 lbs. Squat 250 lbs. Complete 20 Pull Ups Side Quests: Average 3 Weight Training Sessions / Week Points Potential: STR +5 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Average 2 Body Beast Cardio Sessions / Week Points Potential: STA +5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Average 2 NerdFitness Yoga Sessions / Week Points Potential: DEX +2 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% D= Average > 60% F= Average < 70% Life Quest: Read & Explore: Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker, M.D. Points Potential: CHA+3 A= Read > 90% B= Read > 80% C= Read > 70% F= Read < 70%

Overview / Motivation: Pumped up for another 4 - week challenge. I enjoyed seeing some of my goal numbers (Bench, Squat & Pull Ups) build back up over the last challenge and hoping to keep that momentum going. I've still struggled with getting up early to knock out some workouts, and therefore want to build more of an Iron Will (mentally and physically) to create a higher level of consistency and discipline. Adding NF Yoga back in since I am still feeling pretty achy each morning and need to be more intentional about combating that since I refuse to believe the way I feel at 32 years old is how I need to feel from now on. I'm also excited for the mental aspect of this challenge - specifically with the book, "Life as Sport". I'm still trying to build out my leadership style, and this books seems like some good content to help marry the athlete's mindset with business or other non-athletic professions. It's a good next step in continuing to build a fortify a winning mindset. Main Quest (revised for 2016): Hit the following benchmarks in strength and stamina: Bench Press 250 lbs. Squat 250 lbs. Complete 20 Pull Ups Side Quests: Average 3 Weight Training Sessions / Week Points Potential: STR +3 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% F= Average < 80% Complete 2 - 2 Mile Runs per week Points Potential: STA +3 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Average 4 Planks / Week - hold for 2:00 Average 2 NerdFitness Yoga Sessions / Week Points Potential: DEX +4 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Life Quest: Read & Explore: Read the Phoenix Project by Gene Kim (WIS) Read Life as Sport: What Top Athletes Can Teach You about How to Win in Life by Jonathan Faver (CHA) Points Potential: WIS +2, CHA+3 Grading Pass / Fail

Overview / Motivation: I feel like I've been turning the corner and rediscovering a level of fitness that I can feel good about again! With that said, I am shifting from surviving the island to escaping the island for this challenge and will be going for all 5 weeks! I'm preparing for my trip with my wife to Nice, France and therefore am kicking it up a notch and working through the Body Beast Lean Beast phase mixed with NerdFitness Yoga and running. On the non-fitness side of the house, I want to work on my mental state more, and dig into Simon Sinek's book, "Start with Why." I've been wandering a bit in my day to day professional life with an unclear 'why,' and I have a growing desire to do something in the health and fitness space - a huge departure from my existence in government contracting thus far. Therefore, I want to better explore my "Why" to start to figure out what drives me and find a path that I can truly be passionate and excited about. While that journey will require more than reading just this book, I feel it will be a good start! Main Quest (revised for 2016): Hit the following benchmarks in strength and stamina: Bench Press 250 lbs. Squat 250 lbs. Complete 20 Pull Ups Reach 180 pounds (Complete!) Side Quests: Average 5 Weight Training Sessions / Week Points Potential: STR +5 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% F= Average < 80% Complete 1 - 2 Mile Runs per week Points Potential: STA +2 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Average 3 NerdFitness Yoga Sessions / Week (Use any video) Points Potential: DEX +3 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Life Quest: Read & Explore Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" Points Potential: WIS +5 Grading Pass / Fail

Overview / Motivation: I finally broke through the mental brick wall (aka My MBA) last week while wrapping up the previous challenge. I walk this coming Sunday which still seems surreal - being done has not really set in yet. It's been a 3.5 year challenge that is now well worth the mental and physical battles of late nights (and the occasional all-nigher), too much caffeine, and lost weekends. I'm excited to check off the MBA Epic Quest after the ceremony on Sunday. MBA fun aside, it is now time to get back to my basement gym which I finished cleaning off at the end of last week, and start to rebuild much of my lost progress over the past few months. I was able to maintain a good level of fitness thanks to a good diet, NF Yoga, some running and intermittent fasting, but lost a good amount of muscle mass. Now it's time to kick it up a notch! I'm also wrapping up my goals development. I'll be building out my mission and longer term goals associated with Adventure, and Impact/Legacy. These will be the most difficult for me to build out personally, but will be well worth it once they are done. Main Quest (revised for 2016): Hit the following benchmarks in strength and stamina: Bench Press 250 lbs. Squat 250 lbs. Complete 20 Pull Ups Reach 180 pounds Side Quests: Average 3 Weight Training Sessions / Week Points Potential: STR +5 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% F= Average < 80% Complete 1 - 2 Mile Runs per week Points Potential: STA +3 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Average 2 NerdFitness Yoga Sessions / Week (Use any video) Points Potential: DEX +3 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Life Quest: Set Final 2 Long Term Goals (Adventure & Impact/Legacy) Points Potential: CHA +4 Grading Pass / Fail

Overview / Motivation: So the island beat me down quite a bit during part 1. The mental challenges of balancing a tough load of school deliverables on top of work and family life got the best of me and I didn't make the progress I hoped to make. I've adjusted my side goals this time around to hopefully build a routine that is more realistic. I'm excited because this 4 week challenge lines up nicely with the remainder of my big school deliverables, so coming out of this challenge I should be as good as done with my MBA. That said, I will have quite a few intense deliverables during this period, so I will get to see if I learned anything from part 1, and if I can better manage the stress through exercise and healthy living. I'm also continuing my goals development. During part 1 I build out a vision and 2-3 long term goals associated with family, professional, and physical health. My ultimate goal on this front is to build out the same vision and long terms goals for all of the '8 Forms of Wealth.' Based on what I've completed so far this leaves me with: Spiritual/Inner Self, Financial, Circle of Genius/Social, Adventure, and Impact/Legacy. I'll pick another 3 and build out my vision and goals. Looking forward to it! Main Quest (revised for 2016): Hit the following benchmarks in strength and stamina: Bench Press 250 lbs. Squat 250 lbs. Complete 20 Pull Ups Reach 180 pounds Side Quests: Average 250 Push-ups & Body Weight Squats per week Points Potential: STR +5 Grading: A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% F= Average < 80% Complete 3 - 2 Mile Runs per week Points Potential: STA +5 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Average 2 NerdFitness Yoga Sessions / Week (Using Star B Workout) Points Potential: DEX +2 Grading A= Average > 90% B= Average > 80% C= Average > 70% F= Average < 70% Life Quest: Set 3 Additional Long Term Goals Points Potential: CHA +3 Grading Pass / Fail