[JediNickD] Gone Turbo: World 6 Level 2: "Confidence, Community, and Right"

[JediNickD]

GONE TURBO

This is my second challenge in my return to NF.  I decided to take a break from NF while I sorted through the pandemic, teleworking, and virtual relationships.  It was a good plan, because each day presented new obstacles and challenges while navigating to best ways for finding time and space for fitness and karate training, adjusting to maintaining healthy meals at home, and staying productive at work and in my different self-development programs with the myriad of distractions.  Planning a 4 week challenge would have been impossible, because I would be course correcting daily.  I took my time and built new routines understanding that they may be temporary.   Over time, I developed my new normal with virtual and hybrid Toastmasters meetings, virtual gaming with friends, moved to a new gym, and working a hybrid schedule for work with some telework built in.  Some things have been able to return to normal such as karate training, DnD, visiting family and friends, and working on-site but with known risk.  The biggest change came in July when I launched my own website:  Journey2U.org .  I started a blog and coaching business to help others.  It is in it's infancy, but it is a project I have been dreaming of launching for a very long time.    Having it out there, I am living that part of the dream and building a new future for myself and others. 

 

With all these changes, it feels like I am not just in a new world, but like I am playing a whole new game.  I'm taking a page from the movie "Wreck-It Ralph".  I've Gone Turbo jumping games.  

 

So now, here we go with another episode of The Exciting Adventures of JediNickD! It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away that I joined this site and started my first challenge.  As a Ranger, I tried to Do All The Things in World 1, my first extended stay at NF through 22 challenges where I learned how to develop and pursue health and fitness goals utilizing daily, weekly, and monthly routines.  I took a hiatus from NF and came back with a better focus for my goals where I warped to World 2, which I defeated in an Epic Boss Fight slaying some mighty big life goals. In World 3, I hopped over to the Assassins and continued to develop my fitness, getting my body in the best shape of my life, even with the Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis, Disc Fissures, and more.  Through physical therapy exercises and karate, I have maintained my core and back muscles to ease the pressure off my spine, but in the end I defeated World 3 by transforming my life into a new form.  With chiropractic care healing my spine, reaching the high ranks at karate, blazing through the new Toastmasters education program called Pathways, and working to complete Novice rank at IJRS, World 4 was something new everyday.  I have moved over to the Monks to reach for more diversity in my workouts and culture as my physical and mental training focus has been more on my karate training.  As I actively took on more responsibility of coaching, mentoring, and teaching in all aspects of my life, I formed a different me on World 5.  Now, I have Gone Turbo into World 6.

 

Every day, I just keep on L-I-V-I-N: fighting the good fight, lighting it up, and leveling up my life! 

 

Challenge Lesson:  "Confidence, Community, and Right"  

 

I like themes so I'm going to continue with my karate dojo's creeds.  The next one is for our Yellow belt rank.  The creed is below:

  Quote

To build true confidence through knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart, and strength in the body.

To keep friendship with one another and to build a strong and happy community.

Never fight to achieve selfish ends, but to develop might for right.

- Jhoon Rhee

Since each line stands on its own, I feel each should get its own write up.  As kind of a continuation from the White Belt creed, we get a breakdown of the three tiers of life: mind. body, and spirit with what actions for each is need to build true confidence.  First, your mind must be a sponge, soaking up all it can and find way to regurgitate it to others in a meaningful way.  When you speak about what you have learned, you find out how closely you believe it with how much confidence you can put behind it.  Repeating something out loud is a good way to imprint it or relearn it (we'll come back to this in a few creeds).  Next, with honesty in the heart, you have to be true to yourself to be confident in your abilities.  You cannot talk yourself into bad habits of missing training or practicing with weak effort.  You have to come in with a CAN DO attitude and a commitment to being the best you can be.  Last, confidence is evident in your body language.  A strong posture is a confident one, regardless of how you initially feel on the inside.  A strong strike and a tight fist will feed into your effort and help your training make an impact on your skill development.  Put it all together and you can build energy and enthusiasm through your confident body language.  

 

The second line is about how the dojo is a community where we help each other grow.  As the saying goes, "it takes a village," it takes a community of martial artists to raise one white belt to the rank of black.  And there is no waiting until black to give back to that community.  It starts on day one when you commit to being a good student.    A good student is a role model for others.  A good student supports the teacher's lesson allowing them to build on a lesson or move ahead to the next lesson.  A good student will build trust with the teacher.  Each of these is a building block for the student becoming a teacher.

 

The last line is a call back to the White Belt creed last line, "Remember, it is not who is right, but what is right".   Karate is for self defense and self discipline.   It is not a weapon to wield or a tool for construction.  The skills, strength, and confidence is to be used for "what is right".   Of course, we are back to "what is right" being subjective and hard to define, but I find that most people can agree that honesty, fairness, and equality are right.  

  

 

 

My Main Quest and Mission:

My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me.  As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one.  There is no end in Jedi training for every light cast a shadow somewhere.  Instead, it is a journey of self-discovery and compassion for others.

 

 

World 6 Level 2 Challenge:

FITNESS:

Cardio: Speed and Stamina - Run twice a week.  Include sprints and distance.  The goal is to get faster and build stamina, but I have to set a starting block to decide where the finish is.  First step will be to measure where I am for my 40 and 100 yard dash, 1 and 2 mile jogs.

STA +1, DEX +1
 

Walking: Fortify the Spine - 10+ min outside with good posture, daily.
CON +1
 

Exercise: HIIT Lifting and Bodyweight -  20+ min twice a week. 

STR +1, STA +1
 

Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - Daily exercises.  Focus on hips, hams, and splits.

DEX +1
 

Karate: Training and Practice - Two classes a week, practice for 20+ min twice a week.  
DEX +1, STR +1
 

DIET:

Lean Body - I need to lose some weight, which starts with what I eat.  5+ cups of fruits and veggies.  Cut down flour and corn based carbs at lunch and snack time.  Fill up on spring mix.
CON +1

 

LIFE:

Write for Journey2U.org website, Facebook, and blog every day.

WIS +1, CHA +1
 

Epic Quest - Complete something EPIC!  I want to be able to look back at my four week challenge and say, "that was the challenge I did X".  My challenges tend to be a lot of the same old.  I've given myself plenty to improve in small steps, but I also want to see big strides in the things I've been working on.  What box can I check?  What have I been procrastinating?  What am I focusing on?

WIS +2, CHA +2

 

 

INCENTIVES!?  No incentives this round.  I need to come up with something new.  

[Manarelle]

I missed the first one, but welcome back to round 2 of the new world! You've got a lot going on here, but I like how it all ties into the karate creed. Anything in particular planned for the "epic" bit? 

[JediNickD]

11 hours ago, Manarelle said:

I missed the first one, but welcome back to round 2 of the new world! You've got a lot going on here, but I like how it all ties into the karate creed. Anything in particular planned for the "epic" bit? 

 

Well, it's funny that you asked... October 8-12 is EPIC NERD CAMP!   There is a link in my signature.  A geeky adult "summer" camp with all sort of fun nerdy activities is going to happen in just a few weeks.  I'll be running some Archery Combat games as a counselor, but I've planned a very active schedule this year.   

 

I'll be playing two sessions of Artemis, which is a space ship bridge simulator where we setup a LAN for 5 computers, each for a different station on the space ship.  There is Helm, Engineering, Science (Sensors), Communications, and Weapons with the Captain with just a display controlled by the other positions.  A team of 6 operate the stations to navigate and explore between star systems and deep space stations to defend friendly ships and stations from hostile ships and space creatures.  

 

I have a few sword classes: Fencing, Long Sword, and Light Saber.  I signed up for two sessions of Boffer Games, which is games with the LARP foam weapons.  I'm also doing an Escape Room with a group of 6.  I'm not doing any of the crafts or RPGs this year, since they are multi day or double sessions.  It was just hard to fit those into my schedule with my counselor duties and being able to do Artemis and Long Sword, which are my favorites.  

 

In the evenings, there are a bunch of big events: Nerd Trivia Night, Cosplay Karaoke, Hogwarts House Cup, Haunted House Tour Murder Mystery... I'm sure I am missing another thing or two.  Plus there is a game room of over 300 board games to check out and play with whoever whenever.

 

I'd say it is pretty Epic.  I'm also gearing up for Extra Life Game Day in November.  I need to run some practice stream events and record some new content.  I haven't posted anything new in a long time.  But first I have to re-dye my hair.  The green has almost all grown out.  

[JediNickD]

Week 1 Report

 

Monday

Full Stretch, Karate Practice (kicks, combos, footwork)

Apple, Carrots, OJ, Peppers and Tomatoes (chili)

Walked 30 min

Wrote a speech for Toastmasters
Quality time with Wife

 

Tuesday

Leg stretch, Run 2.5 miles in 27 min (left knee and right heel are sore.  not sure about the knee, but the heel I may have bruised in Spar Class last week.  i thought it was better, but it didn't feel great during the run.  the knee slowed me down more)

Delivered Toastmaster speech "Do It For You" (again tomorrow)

Apple, Carrots, Peppers and Tomatoes (chili), Romaine Lettuce, Tomato Slices, Onions

Walked 30 min

Worked on Blog write-up

Edited church worship videos (all caught up after my vacation time)

Revised and practiced "Do It For You" speech

 

Wednesday

Leg stretch, Run 2.6 miles in 27 min (hit 2.5 at 25 min, which is 2 minutes faster!, right heel same, right hip sore, left knee is fine)

Delivered Toastmaster speech "Do It For You", better performance and content this time.  Singing Man in the Mirror off-key in front of people zaps my confidence.  I got to get better at singing or I need a different song for this speech.  The idea is to get the audience energized with the song and interested in the topic, but it had the opposite effect both times.  The content is similar in my "Priority with a Capital WHY" speech, so I should utilize that one while I work on my singing.  I'll get there.  I just need to get back in to doing karaoke and playing Rock Band.  

Apple, Carrots, Peppers and Tomatoes (chili), Romaine Lettuce, Tomato Slices, Spring Mix

Walked 30 min

Worked on Blog write-up

Burned DVDs of funeral and memorial slide show for the bereaved.  I've been working on my audio/video editing skills for church videos and my game streaming.  This is something new.  Being able to create these DVDs for them is pretty awesome.  There might be something wonky with the burning software as the disc doesn't load the menus right on the X-Box, but worked fine on the PC.  I need to test on other players before delivering.  

 

Thursday

Woke up late, so I had to skip the morning workout.  Rain kept me from fitting in a run.

Apple; Raw Peppers; Onions, Chilis, and Tomato (Flying Jacob minus bananas/mushrooms); Carrots; Green Beans; OJ

Worked on Blog write-up

Published "Only What You Take With You" blog article (https://www.journey2u.org/post/only-what-you-take-with-you)

Karate Class (pressure points review)

 

Friday

Stretch; Karate practice with punch speed drill, spar combo reps, and heavy bag work

Apple; Raw Peppers; Spring Mix; OJ; Carrots and Onion; 

 

Saturday

Stretch; Karate practice with speed kicks and footwork

Apple; Raw Peppers; OJ; Carrots; Salsa; Romaine Lettuce; Tomato

Karate Class (pressure point review and meridian KOs)

 

Sunday

Leg stretch; Karate Kata review

Peppers and Onion; Tomato; Sweet Potato and Red Onion; Peppers and Tomatoes (chili); OJ

 

 

Just as a precaution, I'll probably be running outside until my daughter's COVID test comes back.  She was sent home due to a close contact and is on a 10 day quarantine.  No symptoms now, but the exposure was only Monday.  Since masks are a rarity at the gym and the dojo, it is best to stay away while we wait.  

 

[Manarelle]

10 hours ago, JediNickD said:

I'll be playing two sessions of Artemis, which is a space ship bridge simulator where we setup a LAN for 5 computers, each for a different station on the space ship.  There is Helm, Engineering, Science (Sensors), Communications, and Weapons with the Captain with just a display controlled by the other positions.  A team of 6 operate the stations to navigate and explore between star systems and deep space stations to defend friendly ships and stations from hostile ships and space creatures. 

 

Ooh, I think I remember you posting about setting this up a few years ago on an actual ship? Sounds like fun!

 

10 hours ago, JediNickD said:

I'd say it is pretty Epic.  I'm also gearing up for Extra Life Game Day in November.  I need to run some practice stream events and record some new content.  I haven't posted anything new in a long time.  But first I have to re-dye my hair.  The green has almost all grown out.  

 

SO MUCH EPICNESS! And heck yeah to greenery!

[JediNickD]

Week 2 Report 

 

Monday

Leg Stretch; Run 2.5 miles in 24 min

Apple; OJ; Onion and Carrots; Baby Carrots; Spring Mix

Walked 30 min

Worked with TM District Leader for Club Coach Assignment

 

Tuesday

Stretch; Ab workout, air squats (one leg); Bench press 

OJ; Carrots and Onion; Baby Carrots; Tomatoes, Lettuce, Onion, Chili Peppers

Walked 30 min

Toastmasters Meeting as emcee

 

Wednesday

Stretch; Karate Practice (kata, kicks, footwork, cardinals, and points)

Tomatoes, Onion, and Chili Sauce; Baby Carrots; Spring Mix; Sweet Potatoes

Walked 30 min

Company Mentoring Mixer

 

Thursday

Stretch; Squat Thrust Workout

Baby Carrots; Spring Mix; Tomatoes, Onion; 

Walked 30 min

Posted new blog article

Karate Class: knife defense

 

Friday

Stretch; Glute and Hip exercises; Karate practice (kata review)

Baby Carrots; Spring Mix; Sweet Potatoes; 

Walked 30 min

 

Saturday

Leg Stretch; Karate practice (combos and bag work)

Karate Class

Yard Work (cutting down trees, branches, vines)

 

Sunday
Leg Stretch

At-Home Renn Faire with Axe Throwing, Archery, and Swords

Church Sound and Video Support

 

 

 

[JediNickD]

Posted my Extra Life Fundraiser to Facebook and its already up to $400+.  I'll hit my first milestone of $500 soon, then I'll have to record a video of me eating something with chop sticks.  I'm thinking about chicken wings, quesadilla, or something else which seems difficult.  Let me know if you have any suggestions.  

[JediNickD]

Just posted my next article:  https://www.journey2u.org/post/dominate-phase-2

 

I drew a little inspiration from an age old Steve Kamb blog for a Toastmasters speech back in 2013.  This is an updated version of the speech as blog post.  Full circle for the content?  

[JediNickD]

Week 3 Report

 

Monday

Full Stretch; Leg exercises; Karate practice (kata, cardinals, combos)

Chiropractor

Hydro-massage

Walking 30 min

Green Beans, Apple, Spring Mix, OJ, Carrots

Karate Class (knife defense)

Reviewed Funeral DVDs for quality (missing the mark, so I need to redo them, not sure why the quality was poor, because the digital file is acceptable)

 

Tuesday

Leg Stretch; Sprints (6 intervals, 40 yards, 2 reps); I thought I would be done after 5 and then take a jog, but my legs and lungs are better than I anticipated.  I didn't go all out to avoid pulling something, but I was sprinting hard.  I felt fast and kept my pace, at least until the last two when I started to gas out.  

Walking 30 min

Toastmasters Meeting

Apple, Spring Mix, OJ, Carrots, Cranberry

 

Wednesday

Full Stretch; 3 HIIT (5 min each)  Ab, Squat/Lunge, Ab

Walking 30 min

Apple, Spring Mix, OJ, Carrots, Onions, Green Peppers

Wrote Blog Post ( draft wasn't working for me, so tabled the subject for another time)

Phone Interview for possible new job (current one has an end of life I am prepping for.  I actually turned down an offer two weeks ago, because I wasn't ready to make that move.)

Karate Class (knife defense and knife throwing)

 

Thursday

Full Stretch; Karate practice (kata, spar combos, cardinals) 

Walking 30 min

Apple, Spring Mix, OJ, Carrots, Onions, Green Peppers, Tomatoes

Wrote Blog Post (going to be delayed this week... 😛

 

Friday

Full Stretch; Bench Press (140 lbs max, 5 reps), Barbell Curls, Squats and Lunges

Walking 30 min

Apple, Spring Mix, OJ, Carrots, Onions, Green Peppers, Tomatoes

Wrote Blog Post

[Manarelle]

Looks like you're making solid progress on the challenge and the website. How'd the weekend treat you? 

[JediNickD]

World 6 Level 2 Challenge GRADES:

FITNESS:  

Cardio: Speed and Stamina - Run twice a week.  Include sprints and distance.  The goal is to get faster and build stamina, but I have to set a starting block to decide where the finish is.  First step will be to measure where I am for my 40 and 100 yard dash, 1 and 2 mile jogs.

STA +1, DEX +1     A = I got plenty of runs and sprints in this round.  I didn't time anything, but the running got me in shape for running around at Epic Nerd Camp with Sword classes, Combat Archery, and LARP stuff.  
 

Walking: Fortify the Spine - 10+ min outside with good posture, daily.
CON +1     A = Plenty of daily walks.  Did some stairs too.  
 

Exercise: HIIT Lifting and Bodyweight -  20+ min twice a week. 

STR +1, STA +1     A = Kicked ass.
 

Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - Daily exercises.  Focus on hips, hams, and splits.

DEX +1     A = Splits are getting closer to the ground.

 

Karate: Training and Practice - Two classes a week, practice for 20+ min twice a week.  
DEX +1, STR +1     A = Made some great progress.
 

DIET:

Lean Body - I need to lose some weight, which starts with what I eat.  5+ cups of fruits and veggies.  Cut down flour and corn based carbs at lunch and snack time.  Fill up on spring mix.
CON +1      A = I did well with fruits and veggies.  Not perfect on the other carbs, but I'm losing weight slowly.

 

LIFE:

Write for Journey2U.org website, Facebook, and blog every day.

WIS +1, CHA +1     A = Did the writing and posts.  

 

Epic Quest - Complete something EPIC!  I want to be able to look back at my four week challenge and say, "that was the challenge I did X".  My challenges tend to be a lot of the same old.  I've given myself plenty to improve in small steps, but I also want to see big strides in the things I've been working on.  What box can I check?  What have I been procrastinating?  What am I focusing on?

WIS +2, CHA +2    A = EPIC NERD CAMP!  I ran 3 sessions of Combat Archery, teaching basics, monitoring safety, and ensuring fun.  At-Home Renn Faire!  Had a blast role-playing and axe throwing, plus watching the kids put on shows.