FLAG FAST BAS - High Octane Training
Transcription
FLAG FAST BAS - High Octane Training
UNCONVENTIONAL TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT JUNE - JULY 2015 BECOME A NEW BREED OF ATHLETE WITH MASS SUIT INTERVIEW WITH THE CEO OF MASS SUIT JESSE NICASSIO HOME INVASION TRAINING TO ENSURE SURVIVAL! INTERVIEW WITH BAS RUTTEN THE O2 TRAINER, BREATH RIGHT BREATH EASY! FRONT LEVER ITS NOT ALL CORE! GET YOUR HUMAN MAKE YOUR OWN UNCONVENTIONAL EQUIPMENT! FLAG FAST STAYING ON TOP, THE BASICS, FROM A SPECIAL FORCES POINT OF VIEW CONTENTS 10 12 14 18 20 22 24 27 31 33 35 HENKULES STRENGTH TRAINING DO YOU WANT THE EDGE IN STRENGTH TRAINING? WILL DE LEON, THE HUMAN FLAG A PRACTICAL APPROACH! JESSE NICASSIO AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MASS SUIT MAN CEO PREPARATION OF THE MIND AND BODY FOR REAL LIFE COMBAT BY LLOYD W SEAWRIGHT II GETTING THE PERFECT FRONT LEVER FAST!!! BY NIGEL JOHN JAMES SMITH GETTING TO GRIPS WITH KETTLE BELL TRAINING UNCONVENTIONAL FOR FUNCTIONAL BAS RUTTEN, THE O2 TRAINER DO YOU WANT A STRONGER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM? A PURE APPROACH TO TRAINING JUST DO IT WHY CLUBWORK? BOOST YOUR TRAINING WITH THESE HARDCORE BASICS HENKULES UNCONVENTIONAL TRAINING EQUIPMENT HOW TO CONSTRUCT YOUR LOG BELL! BASICS THE ALL SEEING EYE TACTICAL VISION PART 1, 2, 3 INTRODUCTION ISSUE 1 UNCONVENTIONAL ATHLETES MAGAZINE Published by Unconventionalathletes.com Magazine Editor Nigel John Assistant Editor Henk Bakker Contributors: Jesse Nicassio Lloyd W Seawright ii James Smith Will De Leon Don Giafardino Cover photo: Functional Calisthenics Athlete Will de Leon’ Phil Clark Henk Bakker Bas Rutten Stephen Santiago Nigel John Welcome to the very first edition of unconventional athletes.com. Hey guys now your probably thinking unconventional athletes, what the heck is this mag, well The mag is designed for athletes and people who think outside the box when it comes to fitness training I mean times change we evolve for example at one point everybody believed the earth was flat not round and any body that objected was belittled, turns out the minority were right! So I invite you to have an open mind, ‘conventional ‘is not always practical, this is the movement forward for evolving your fitness and skills to a level that is going to suit the future you’ll learn some very cool skills and training methods you will have never heard of, on the flip side the world is becoming a more volatile place and walking the streets in a confident with a positive mind-set makes a predator less likely to be drawn to your negativity, due to your posture, body language, pheromones from your sweat. They can smell your fear! Do you want quick results and the edge in your game this is the place to come, evolve yourself to be confident in the natural way. The magazine is dedicated to bring you many years of practical experience from experts in the unconventional training community, the guys who write for the mag are the backbone of knowledge, they have not done a week long course in ‘unconventional’ training they have lived it breathed it practiced and perfected its art for many years as Albert Einstein would say ‘All knowledge is experience’ lets be honest Albert knew his stuff. Now you’ve probably come here because your bored of the gym, lifting weights paying lots of money to get a body that is simply not functional, sculpted, bad mind-set, your seeing dudes on You Disclaimer: Unconventional Athletes.com as an online publication/magazine and makes no representation, endorsement, portrayal, warranty or guarantee with regards to safety or the efficacy of the products or the techniques of training methods that are spoken about, debated, or or are conversed either by writing or pictures/videos that represent the articles or any adverts present in this magazine. Unconventional Athletes.com makes no warranty, guarantee representation regarding the use of the techniques, equipment/products, purchase of services that are in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. It is mandatory that you discuss with a health care professional your physical health before or if you decide to try the techniques/exercises and equipment featured and discussed both literally and visually in this magazine. Unconventional Athletes.com takes no liability in your participation from the information received in the magazine and thus any participation is considered voluntary thus cannot hold responsible either Unconventional Athletes.com or its partners, contributors or anybody or products featured in this online publication from any harm or injury that may result from participation. tube doing crazy but cool stuff YOU WANT TO DO THAT! You want something different, something exceptional that is not only going to get your body in good shape but your mind as well. We will teach you to use nature, make your own equipment explore alternative equipment that will enhance yourself to a level you thought was impossible, train in all weathers, nature is an unconventional athletes greatest tool! If you are an unconventional newbie, don’t worry we are here to help! Yes we don’t do things the ‘conventional’ way (that wouldn’t be practical or fun!), we don’t spend hours down the gym, home and nature is where its at, no grunts from the big guys down the gym, no judgement just you your bodyweight and unconventional training equipment to give YOU the edge! The world is changing fast and I for one know that being fit enough to protect ones family is now not an option, it SHOULD be part of your routine! Learn from the best in the Industry, add to your existing skillset, and reap our knowledge to improve YOU! Unconventional Athletes is growing fast, if you feel you need advice or want to offer your knowledge and fit the criteria for writing in the magazine please contact us at unconventionalfit@outlook.com, we will always be happy to help, if you want to plug your unconventional training gym let us know, we are here to further you not turn our backs on you or give you incorrect training methods, I expect those words ring true to quite a few unconventional trainers, remember a leopard never changes its spots! Have a rad day folks and enjoy the read and REMEMBER every days a white belt day! NIGEL JOHN Founder and creator of Unconventional Athletes.com Nigel has created this magazine to educate and help people change the way they think about fitness with a more pragmatic approach MAKING UNCONVENTIONAL=FUNCTIONAL, with the hope to make fitness a functional part of life not a chore, he strongly believes in experience, everyone who features in the magazine has been vetted for their skill set, bringing together former Special forces, calisthenics experts, Strength experts, Fighters, Policemen, military vets all with their adapted unconventional fitness training knowledge from many years of experience not just a week long course or paperwork, Unconventional Athletes gives you the real deal. He has created his own system called high octane training, which has developed over a number of years designed to evolve your fitness levels in a very short space of time on an elite level with multiple applications. Nigel is very well known and respected amongst the unconventional training community all around the world, he has had publications in My mad Methods Magazine and Onnit Academy, he is also sponsored by Mass suit. Nigel runs the Facebook page Unconventional Fitness Athletes, bringing unconventional athletes all over the world together giving their knowledge to those who want to get involved in the community and for unconventional athletes to get recognition for what they do. The magazine is also dedicated to letting people understand and gain an insight into unconventional training equipment that works so you don’t get ripped off or overcharged with gimmicks that your PT wants to sell you! Don’t stay in the box, read on and reap the knowledge, EVOLVE, the one eyed man is king in the valley of the blind! Anyone wishing to add ideas to the magazine writes articles or advertises please contact Nigel at unconventionalfit@outlook.com CONTRIBUTORS JESSE NICASSIO Nationality: United States of America Jesse Nicassio played football at Washington state university and then transferred over to eastern Washington University where he had a very successful career in football as a punter. Jesse was NCAA punter of the week, special teams player of the year and held 2 punting records for 11 years. After college the St. Louis Rams signed him. He bounced around in the NFL from 20042007 also playing with the Indianapolis colts. Jesse is the inventor and CEO of the MAXIMUM ATHLETIC SPORTS SUIT the MASS SUIT a full body resistance-training device. Website: http://www.masssuit.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mass-Suit/112271788823298?fref=ts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mass.suit Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassSuit PHIL CLARK Nationality: United States of America Phil Clark is United States Marine Corps Veteran who currently serves the country as a Federal Police Officer. In spite of keeping to himself for most of his life, Phil began to reach out and pour some of his overflowing passion for physical fitness into running a couple of large online communities dedicated to specialized strength training. He resides in the frozen wastelands of Minnesota with his loving wife and five wild, beautiful children. https://www.facebook.com/groups/convict.conditioning https://www.facebook.com/groups/grip.strength HENK BAKKER Nationality: Dutch Henk also known as Henkules to his many fans and friends. Henk is sponsored by Schmitt Anchors & Chain cables and is known to most as the king of unconventional object lifting and strength training applying over 20 years of experience to his methods he is very well respected in the unconventional training community. He works at the Department of Justice in a Special Response Team to ensure safety against dangerous detainees. Throughout his career he has had different forms of training such as combat, endurance, and strength training. Henk’s job now is group leader/mentor preparing detainees for their return to society. ‘I have over 20 years experience in strength training. I try to motivate and inspire people who want to train in an unconventional way.’ His sponsor Schmitt Anchors & Chaincables facilitates all of Henks unconventional training tools Facebook: Henkules home2gym https://www.facebook.com/groups/553936311344546/?fref=ts www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 6 CONTRIBUTORS WILL DE LEON Nationality: Dominican Republic A former Skateboarder, former BMX freestyle rider, former Inline skater, former short distance 5k to long distance runner up to the Marathon (26.2miles) and a former Weight lifter. Presently and since 2013 he has practiced Calisthenics with a touch of Gymnastics called a “Street Work out.” Will got his inspiration for calisthenics from athletes like Frank Medrano, Barstarzz NYC and Hannibal for King ‘They were using their own bodyweight and I was immediately intrigued and hooked to the sport.’ I said to myself “That’s what I want to do!” and here I am!’ Wills progression speak for itself in 8 weeks he was and still can execute a straddle planche and is progressing at a rapid rate within the calisthenics community using his unconventional training methods. Check Wills tutorials at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9iXMBLe0e1Ty_N1Cxb-0w https://www.facebook.com/bboywillnyc?fref=ts JAMES (JIM) SMITH Nationality: Hawaiian Born in Virginia, USA., Trainer since 1984, Dialysis Technician, Health food storeowner, Author Founder of the Animal Ability method, an ever-evolving way to train and eat for optimum results. Animal Ability method is using primitive, ancient and modern natural ways to enhance health and fitness in contemporary times. James is a foundation of knowledge both Spiritually and Physically, years of pragmatism have forged this mans unconventional training methods to another level. Facebook group: Animal Ability https://www.facebook.com/groups/107331742747208/?fref=ts Facebook page: Animal ability https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAbility Don Giafardino Nationality: American Author Donnie Giafardino is an avid fitness enthusiast. After years of living with pain due to a shoulder injury, he developed the Adex Adjustable Exercise Club, the first of it’s kind. Donnie is ISSA S&C certified and has had many job experiences, which include crane operator, cell phone tower climber, restauranteur, fitness storeowner, and magazine columnist. Website: http://www.Adexclub.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.giafardino?fref=ts www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 7 CONTRIBUTORS Stephen R Santangelo Nationality: United States of America Stephen has been involved with the fitness industry since 1979 and eventually created his specialty exercises & programs, which are based upon the anthropological movement of the human body. Protocols for physiological development are based upon energy systems, chemical & structural changes and time/duration effectiveness to ignite specific neurological pathways. His business involves nutritional guidance along with fitness development on several levels. He has trained Olympic qualifiers, elite athletes, military Special Forces, SWAT & first responders. In recent years he has taken his training programs to the general public. Through the years of development, Stephen has created a Survival Fitness Program which is based upon body chemistry, reaction development, neurological stimuli and the psychological response to emergency scenarios which has been embraced by the military, first responders and with home defence seminars and fitness camps. Stephen participates in Masters/Senior track & field in running, throwing and jumping events during the spring & summer. During the winter months snowshoe racing pre-occupies his training and throughout the year participates in Old Time Strongman lifts where he currently holds 7 national records in the Unites States All-round Strength Association. Facebook http://www.facebook.com/stephen.santangelo.75 Lloyd Seawright II Special Task Force TEMS Nationality: American Rescue Task Force/TEMS Tactical EMT/PHTLS SYSTEMA Kempo Goju Special Operations Mentoring Program Operator with Advance Defense Concepts/MVM/SOC Frontline Defense LTD. Weapons STARK ARMOURMENT http://www.starkarmamentcompany.com/firearms/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lloyd.seawright?fref=ts www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 8 CONTRIBUTORS BAS RUTTEN Nationality: DUTCH Bas Rutten was born February 24th 1965 Tilburg, Netherlands, now residing in California, USA. His tale of the tape: height 6’1” [186 cm]; weight 205 pounds [93 kg]. Fight record: 28 wins - 4 losses - 1 draw. 12 wins by KO, 13 by submission only 3 by DEC. didn’t lose in his last 22 fights Top wins against Frank Shamrock (on two occasions), Kevin Randleman, Maurice Smith, Masakatsu Funaki, and Guy Metzger. Titles taken: 3 times King of Pancrase, UFC heavyweight champion. Martial arts ranks: 5th degree black belt Kyokushin karate awarded Master Jon Bluming, second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, 2nd degree in Shin Tai Karate. His hybrid style incorporates equally stand up and grappling aspects and the make up of his stand-up system could be described as a combination of Karate, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo. Noted techniques: strikes and kicks to the liver and for his leaping split kicks as part of his post winning show of victory. Inventor of the O2 TRAINER Nickname: El Guapo (The Handsome One). O2 Trainer website: http://www.o2trainer.com Main Website: http://www.basrutten.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BasRuttenO2Trainer Twitter: https://twitter.com/O2Trainer NIGEL JOHN Nationality: United Kingdom Nigel John has developed his own training system through years of experience and applying science to his methodology, which would prove to save his life in a 4+ v’s 1 altercation. He is the founder of High Octane Training extreme unconventional bodyweight training system, which would later develop Extreme Restriction Training .ERT. Nigel John’s time in the Elite Royal Marines Commandos prepared him for real life engagement and was a start to a very physical and practical approach to unconventional training. Doing the hardest basic infantry training in the world Nigel John would earn the green beret and be operational in Iraq optelic 2003.’The corps has certainly had a positive impact on my life and has helped me to have a pragmatic approach to training’ Nigel Johns aim is to turn conditioning into a martial art in its own right, make a mold and sculpt your body and mind to achieve physical superiority. Nigel John is a former Muay Thai boxing instructor, a Fitness Trainer, holds a National Diploma in Science and Mathematics and is a sponsored athlete by Mass suit. Using extreme conditioning, elements of eastern and western arts and combining it with elements of Royal Marines Commando physical training, science and pragmatism, created High octane training a combat effective and universal art, universal in the sense it can be used in other non contact recreational sports AND MILITARY TRAINING. Website: http://www.highoctanetraining.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highoctaneuk? Twitter: https://twitter.com/highoctaneuk www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 9 In earlier times more physical activities were carried out on the farms, which required more physical strength and endurance HENKULES STRENGTH TRAINING Do you want the edge in strength training? Maybe your ambition is to compete in strongman competition? Can’t afford to go to a gym? Look no further the legend himself Henk Bakker from Holland also known to his fans as Henkules the king of unconventional strength training methods! The man who forges strength from Iron and nature! The farmer’s workout! The Practical origin of strength training This outdoor workout is mostly based on training with farmer’s equipment. This equipment is actually designed to work with it outdoor, but you can also use them for a great outdoor workout (a nice pun). On most farms there is still alot of heavy physical work, but alot of heavy work has been replaced by agricultural machinery. In earlier times more physical activities were carried out on the farms, which required more physical strength and endurance. I found it a challenge to transform these physical activities into heavy exercises and do a full body workout with it! I used equipment that main- ly is replaced by machinery such as, the yoke and the milk-keg. The tractor-tire is a part of a vehicle, which has been specially developed for use in agriculture. The Tractor mainly has taken over the heavy farm work. I will use this tire for my sledgehammer workout. The Yoke Walk In this exercise I use a really old wooden yoke, that’s specially designed for heavyduty work. I have chains mounted to the yoke that must bear the heavy weight of the milk-kegs. I really want to have the farmer’s sensation during this workout. These farmers workout contains the following components. For the first three exercises I use milkkegs, weighing 132 pounds each! »» The Yoke Walk »» The farmer’s walk »» Milk-keg lifting »» Sledgehammer tractor-tire workout You don’t see many people in the gym doing the yoke walk, mostly it is because of lack of space or because the gym has no yoke available. The yoke walk requires enough space to make a certain distance; therefor this exercise is often done outside. Walking with a heavy weight on your shoulders is difficult, www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 10 if the weight then also goes back and forth, then your spine has to work harder by the extreme load of the yoke. Also the core muscles and hips have to work hard to stabilize the weight. Starting with the yoke walk. You are going to be under the yoke, the yoke is resting on the shoulders, and your legs are slightly bent and your back is straight. You lift the weight with your legs until you are standing upright. Then if the weight is balanced, you start walking. While walking, keep your hands against the weights so that the weights remain stable. This exercise requires a lot of your strength and endurance. While you’re walking, all your muscles have to work hard to stabilize your whole body. I only use this exercise to walk a certain distance, unlike the strongest man contest, where you have to walk a certain distance in a very sharp time to beat your opponents. The farmers walk. The farmer’s walk is able to challenge your grip, back and all the primary muscles of your lower body. Just like the yoke walk requires the farmers walk enough space to make a certain distance, therefor this exercise is often done outside. I hold a heavy Milk-keg (132 pounds) in each hand and stand with perfect posture, then I just walk a distance until my forearms burning and I am no longer able to hold the weights. This is especially hard on the grip strength, trapezius and endurance. Farmers have traditionally done this exercise, if you’ve done this exercise a few times; you get a lot of respect for these farmers. Milk-keg lifting. A milk-keg is a training tool whose centre of gravity is unpredictable and lying away from the athlete. The sand-filled MilkKeg is a lot of weight and controlling it, is one of the main challenges during lifting. This unconventional object and odd shape, force you to respond to the unpredictable gravity of the milk-keg. Start with the Milk-keg lift. Before you start, make sure you are standing on a solid surface. You stand shoulder width, with your feet towards the Milk-keg. You sink into the squat position with straight arms, with one hand you grab a handle and with your other hand to grab the bottom of the milk-keg. Then pull the milk-keg toward your chest, you’re bent over and your back is straight. Then you let the milkkeg resting on your thighs, you pull the milk-keg, while you’re going to stand up straight, to your chest. From your chest, you push-press the milk-keg above your head, hold on for a second. From this position you are going in reverse order back until the milk-keg is back on the ground. This is one repetition; in total you do four sets of four reps. Sledgehammer tractor-tire workout. To start these exercise, you need a solid sledgehammer with a long handle, myself I use a sledgehammer of 12 pounds, for people who are not yet accustomed to this kind exercises, I recommend a lighter sledgehammer. It is not recommended, with these exercises, to strike with your hammer on surfaces such as concrete. Surfaces such as grass or sand could, but that is not common. The most common is a tire or a smaller size tractor tire, a tire is made of rubber and therefore very durable and strong material. I myself have gotten this small tractor tire from someone who works with this type of component. But you can usually turn to garages or at a junkyard, they’re mostly glad you take them, so they don’t have to pay removal costs. The Diagonal Swing This is the diagonal sledgehammer swing. You stand with your feet towards the tire, about a half-meter away from it. If you’re swinging from your right side, your left foot should be closer to the tire. How to hold the sledgehammer. Your left hand should be at the bottom of the handle, and your right hand should be choking up closer to the head. As you bring the sledge up, your right hand slides toward the head; as you swing down, your right hand will slide down to join your left hand. Slam it down as hard as you can against the tire. It will bounce upon impact, but you have to control this, controlling the bounce is half the workout. The Overhead Swing You’ve just done the diagonal swing, if you do the overhead swing; you have a complete sledgehammer workout. You move yourself to the other side of the tire, grip the sledgehammer with both hands at the bottom of the shaft and stand a bit further back from the tire. Centre yourself and bring the sledge directly over head and then slam it down. I like to do this exercise at the end of my workout for about five to ten minutes. You go up to your maximum, until you feel your strength and energy flowing out of your body. Stop if you don’t control the exercise anymore, to avoid injuries. If you want to learn more about the king of unconventional Strength Training you can find Henk on his facebook page Henkules Home2Gym https://www.facebook.com/groups/553936311344546/?fref=ts www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 11 WILL DE LEON, THE HUMAN FLAG A PRACTICAL APPROACH! The Human Flag Getting down to the basics Muscles used in the Human Flag include the back, shoulders, triceps, biceps, forearms, wrists, abdominals, glute’s and legs. Progressive exercises that help build the strength to perform a Human Flag are Pull-ups, Handstands and Handstand Pushups. Visualizing the pictures featured, you can see how a good solid Handstand correlates to a good solid Human Flag. THE CORRECT EXECUTION OF THE ‘H’ FLAG!! 1) Stand by the side of the pole and inline with the pole. Bend your body as far as you can to the side and place your lower arm straight into position with fingers pointing down, palm on the pole and fingers around the pole but the pole should wedge into the middle of the bottom of your palm and remain there for support. Lock your elbow, as this will be your anchor and support. 2) Next, while still bent over to the side, place your upper arm straight onto the pole and at a good comfortable wide distance from the lower arm. A wide shoulder grip is an example. (Keep the upper arm straight just like the lower arm but you will fully grip the bar tight with thumbs around the bar for the best grip and palms facing away from you to avoid a bend in the upper arm because of the bicep’s supination position and its instinct to pull the bar instead of push away) 3) Pop your chest out a little as to get a slight arch in the back, check that your body is in line with the pole, and now use your core muscles/oblique’s and leg strength and kick your feet up one at a time. First kick with the leg furthest from the pole and follow through with the other leg, but quickly bring them together and raise them slightly above parallel from the ground. It will be easier to hold this above parallel position as you are learning it, but eventually you will begin to slowly lower them and involve most of your core to hold them parallel to the ground. Also it’s important to remember to keep your neck and head parallel and look at your feet and check your body position to ensure it is straight and not piked. If it is piked, then you need to consciously arch a little more and squeeze your butt in, and use your lower back extensor muscles in order to bring your piked body into a straight line with the pole. 4) Keep Pushing away from the pole very hard (think of bringing your www.unconventionalathletes.com shoulders to your ears) Extend your arms and shoulders as much as possible and keep your arms, wrists, shoulders, and lats tight. Do not pull with the upper arm nor use your bicep in order to keep your body up because if you pull with your upper arm it will bend and you will not achieve a straight-arm flag. 5) Slowly lower the legs using your core, Focus on keeping the feet together, toes pointed, tighten up your glutes and legs. Tighten your shoulders, lats, rhomboids, triceps, forearms and grip strength to keep your form straight and parallel off the ground. Keep Pushing Hard away and keep that tension in your body while breathing as calmly as you can. Keep practicing. If you can visualize it and understand it, then you can achieve it! Page 12 WILL DE LEON times, elbows bent inwards (not chicken winging) head leading slightly forwards. Train this on the same days as the Handstand hold. Exercise: Pull-ups Execution: Hands shoulder width apart, full lock on the arms, chin must go above the bar, overhand grip. Moderate speed up and on the negative decent, this will ensure a full range of motion! Pull Ups Sets: 6-10 Reps: 10-12 Rest: 2.5-3 minutes Method 1 Sets: 4-6 Reps: 8-12 Rest: 2.5-3 minutes A QUICK GUIDE ON HOW TO ROCK THE HUMAN FLAG 2nd Method Pull-ups Sets: 14-16 Reps: 10-12 Rest: 4 minutes 3rd Method for cardio Sets 6-10 or 14-16 Reps: 10-12 Rest: 2 minutes Exercise 2: Handstand Push-ups against a wall Execution: Hands in a wide stance, handstand to the wall hold the position then begin your decent slowly, the wide stance is to engage the chest and back more so, not limiting to the triceps and shoulder. The engagement of the triceps becomes more apparent on the push back up. Legs full extension at all Exercise 3: Handstand hold Execution: Once in the handstand position, Use your wrists to counter balance, head slightly forward, elbows in, hands shoulder width apart, feet pointed, straighten the back engage the core, hold. Train this 5 times per week to begin with. Sets: 5-6 Reps: Maximum hold Rest: 1 minute between sets Don’t hang about, If you want to delve into the world of calisthenics Will can help, hit him up at, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9iXMBLe0e1Ty_N1Cxb-0w www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 13 THE ULTIMATE UNCONVENTIONAL TRAINING TOOL, INTRODUCING THE MASS SUIT INTERVIEW WITH THE MASS SUIT MAN CEO JESSE NICASSIO What drives you? As an athlete I always wanted more. I wanted to be the best, to be the fastest, to be at the top. In order to achieve such great success you have to work hard and that’s what I did. I might not have been the fastest or the best but I out worked a lot of the athletes. I was always looking for the newest training product or routine out there that would give me an advantage. Tell us about your professional experience, background? I was an athlete my whole life. Played football at Washington State University and then transferred over to Eastern Washington University where I had a very successful career in football as a punter. I was NCAA punter of the week, Special Teams player of the year and held 2 punting records for 11 years. After college I was signed by the St. Louis Rams. I bounced around in the NFL from 2004-2007 also playing with the Indianapolis Colts. Wow! So being an athlete and professional football player, one would assume, would give you a multitude of experience’s of which you can apply to unconventional methods/ equipment? Playing football for that long is one of the most amazing experiences one could ever have. You learn a great deal about yourself and the human body and what it can endure. With my own training knowledge, and being around professional athletes and trainers I knew what it took to get the edge in your game. What made you come up with the idea of the Mass Suit? During the end of my career I started to create this resistancetraining tool that helped aid my hip flexor. As a punter your hip flexors get very sore and tired and become very painful every time you swing your leg. So I wanted to create a device that helped take the pressure off my leg as you kicked away. The next thing I know it became a full blown suit. Now known as, MASS Suit. My imagination ran wild with what it can do but it didn’t just start with the MASS Suit. One of the first fitness training tools I created to hit the athletic market was the, EZ Kicker. It was made for punters and kickers to practice. Their skills and technique in their own backyard. EZ Kicker was a football with a 16 foot elastic cord and when you kicked the ball it came right back to you. After that I introduced the MASS Suit to the world. www.unconventionalathletes.com ATHLETES ALWAYS WANT THE EDGE AND THE MASS SUIT WAS HERE TO GIVE IT TO THEM Page 14 ‘YEAR’S LATER, FIGHTERS FROM ALL OF THE WORLD USE MASS SUIT THE LIKES OF THIAGO ALVES, BIGFOOT, ANDERSON SILVA ARE USING IT. MASS SUIT IS NOW BEING UTILIZED IN EVERY SPORT’ What is MASS SUIT? Maximum Athletic Sports Suit So what was your motivation? Helping others become better, I knew the MASS Suit would give athletes an advantage. Athletes always want the edge and the MASS Suit was here to give it to them. The first market we hit was the MMA scene. I saw how fighters were still training old school and not smart. I was blown away because I come from a new generation of training where we utilized everything that is new to the market. I was also shocked there wasn’t anything out there that helped increase leg speed and power. With the lack of training tools and education in the fight scene and the UFC was pushing its marketing so much we decided that MMA is the first market to hit. So how’s the Mass suit doing now? Year’s later, fighters from all of the world use MASS Suit the likes of Thiago Alves, Bigfoot, Anderson Silva are using it. MASS Suit is now being utilized in every sport; it is reaching a new level in therapy/rehabilitation and fitness. I also work with people with autism, cancer, and spinal cord injuries. The MASS Suit has gone far beyond where I imagined it. What makes you BUZZ about your creation? The best part for me is giving people the edge in their sport. Helping them improve in performance levels where they have struggled. Giving people who struggle with autism and cancer a second chance or a prolonged life makes me very excited to wake up and create more. The success stories that come back to me are what drive me to create more products. I see how the MASS Suit just doesn’t help enhance muscles but it also empowers the mind. You see the look in the athlete’s eyes when he puts it on to go beast mode in his training. When you put the MASS Suit on you want to be active. “Wearing is believing”, to see results all you have to do is just put the MASS Suit on. I will keep creating more products and exercises to help athletes, the fitness market and people who have disabilities. We are the new generation of fitness. Great interview with Jesse humble as ever! If you would like to learn more about the Mass suit and its application in unconventional training methods check out, www.masssuit.com | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mass-Suit/112271788823298?fref=ts | www.twitter.com/MassSuit www.facebook.com/pages/Mass-Suit/112271788823298?fref=ts www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 15 PREPARATION OF THE MIND AND BODY FOR REAL LIFE COMBAT, Lloyd W Seawright ii explains the importance of applying his unconventional methods to prepare himself for ‘operations’ in its most basic form. The Mission...The Task, Whether it is an operational mission or the task of just getting yourself prepared to compete in some level of fitness, there MUST be a plan in the offset. The basics of becoming an effective operator I believe “operational/functional “fitness are the gold standard in developing a plan that will get you closer to succeeding in your endeavor. Starting with a plan that is suited to your objective is essential. We will refer to an old adage the 7Ps of you: ‘Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance!’ Those being said know your mission/operation and what is expected and plan accordingly. Knowing yourself your team; A realistic assessment of yourself and your team is essential. This would be mental and physical in nature to set a baseline. Once a plan and assessment are in place we will start developing the mindset and fitness protocol to execute an effective plan. Enter K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple Stupid! There is no need to add a lot of glitz and glamour! Don’t detour from the TRUE essentials of planning, training and directives. Sharpen the mind to work in uniform with the body! You want your mind and body laser sharp so we will keep non-essentials out of the plan. There already exist enough brainwork in an operation or fitness task to keep the mind spinning. Fitness first! One of the primary tools in an operational environment is fitness and I believe the Operational/Functional fitness model is the best suited at these levels. Operational fitness is more organic, it is alive! It mirrors what you www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 18 PROPER PLANNING AND PREPARATION PREVENTS PISS POOR PERFORMANCE! will be tasked with in actuality. Adapt to your environment! Your environment should be your gym, no borders; anything is fair game to use to achieve success in these endeavors. Don’t limit or block your mind in to a corner, let it run free so you can adapt to the dynamics of a operational environment. FITNESS I believe the simplicity of the bodyweight exercise platform to be very effective, especially with the addition of some adjuncts. 1) Primary movements, push-ups, pullups, air squats, burpees, dips, flutter kicks, planking and the sit-up in many variations. 2) Supplemental adjuncts to fortify these platforms can be rucksacks, sand bags, kettle bells and suspension line apparatus. By combining the two disciplines you have an almost limitless range of exercises to insure variety and muscle stimuli. You will want to build up to and challenge yourself leading up to the operation/task. Approach the training in phases to insure a healthy progression and good recovery before the actual operation/event. You will need that drive for GAME DAY!! The use of nature and everyday obstacles! Hills and stairwells are killer add on’s. The combination of all these tools and implements can effectively simulate real world operation/task. Mindset Keep a positive mindset, a “Warrior” mindset. This is a mindset void of ego, fear and self-pity. Use visualization of winning and accomplishing your operation/task. Seeing in your minds eye will further your ability to achieve the goal. Breathing BREATH! Cleansing energizing breaths throughout you training and while actually engaging in the operation/task will maintain a focused sharp mindset. Breathing will also help manage pain and fatigue. Sleep must be managed rigidly. Rest During the training phase sleep is essential for strength and physical advancement. During the operational phase sleep may not be readily available so resting the mind will help. Nutrition A good base of nutrition and hydration, pre and post Ops will help with recovery. Good luck! Train hard!...PAYS TO BE A WINNER. Article by LLOYD W SEAWRIGHT II Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lloyd.seawright?fref=ts www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 19 GETTING THE PERFECT FRONT LEVER FAST!!! NIGEL JOHN TAKES US THROUGH HIS METHODOLOGY TO GET THAT LEVER! Man when I first started the front lever it was freakin hard, I experimented with many different techniques to ensure that my goal would be attainable, the first one I tried was dropping in with two legs, fail, then one leg tucked, yep failed, I found that I had to go back to basics, because the little gaps in strength were not there I would use the wrong muscle group to compensate i.e. my Bicep more so then my Triceps, this error would prevent me from fully pronating my shoulder blades and give me that sunk bum lever, my core was not engaging and aliening correctly! Having figured out myself what was going wrong I devised a strategic method and guess what it worked! It took me little over 4 weeks to get the front lever using the method that I am about to show you! The first area that needed to be addressed was the triceps; my method for this is simply a weighted overhand leaning pull up! Now your probably thinking, the dude just mentioned he was using his bicep more so then his triceps? Why not do dips? The pull up will yes work your bicep on the pull, consider that a bonus! However on the leaning back return slow down the negative rep and pronate the shoulders! Training the Triceps dip will not train your motor unit (the part that remembers often referred to as muscle memory!) it’s the wrong position for the body with regards to a front lever. I also add weight for this starting at 22lbs then up to 32lbs, if I find my technique/form is suffering I drop back down to 22lbs, my reasons for this are simply to shock my body to adapt quickly recruiting correct muscle groups rapidly! Equipment: Pull up bar, weighted vest. Method for Triceps: 1.Strap the weight to your body, ensure it is aligned and packed so the weight is distributed evenly. Grab the pull up bar and place your hands shoulder width apart, pull up fast, your chin must be above the bar. 2.On your negative rep re-align your head so it is in line with your spine not looking/tilting up, slowly lean back as far as you can go (it won’t be much at the moment) then begin your decent a 1/3 of the speed of the pull up, push gently away from the bar (not down), when you reach near full extension start pronating the shoulders, to finish lock out your shoulders fully and keep the arms straight, lean back. www.unconventionalathletes.com 3.Repeat steps 1 and 2, do this until you max out, repeat for 6 sets. 4.Rest for at least 2 minutes between sets. The next stage for you to concentrate on is what I call the Drop Tuck. This will work your Core, Trapezius Shoulder blades and assisting little muscle groups that complete some of the gap. Equipment: Pull up bar Method: 1.Hands shoulder width apart, grab the bar firmly with both hands 2.Keep your arms fully locked out, turn upside down so your head is now facing the floor lock your body and legs out 3.From this position bring your knees up to your chest, now extend your legs out so your knees are in line with your hips. 4.Slowly lean back arms straight, head in line with the spine, push down and away from the bar, protract your shoulder blades your core will engage naturally, drop down and stop just before your limit (experiment a few times to find this), your arms should be angled from the lean back but straight. Page 20 5.Now make your way back up to the start point, keep your arms straight, back straight, head and Knees in the same position, now pull the bar down and towards you keeping the arms fully locked out, if your form goes i.e. your back starts arching upwards, you have dropped in to far from your start point, remember get your basics first, it will come!! 6.Do this at least 4-6 sets with at least 4-5 reps. rest at least 1-2 minutes between sets 7.When you become more advanced in this position i.e. can hold this with your arms at a 45 degree angle with your torso flat for say 10 seconds you can then start kicking both legs out slowly or one leg at a time Do this at least 5-6 reps (form permitting), 4-6 sets with 1-2 minutes rest The Third part to mastering the front lever is the front lever raise, this is to train the motor unit and the core, and so your body remembers the position Equipment Pull up bar Method: 1.Start in the overhand pull up position, hands shoulder width apart, grab the bar, lock the arms out. 2.Lean back, head in line with the spine and pull down on the bar, tense the whole body up especially the core and the legs, you’ll find as you lean back and pull down on the bar your core and legs will naturally lift up! Lever yourself up as far as you can go, meaning if your form goes your aiming to high. 3.On the return slowly lower yourself maintaining the same position, keep the arms locked out! 4.Do as many reps as possible whilst maintaining your form, rest at least 1-2 minutes between sets. 5.Aim for 4-5 sets The last part of the Front lever progression is the tuck planche (this is an advanced exercise and optional) this is a great way of training protraction in the shoulder blades and strengthening both the core and arms it will help maintain a good front lever. The tuck planche is the mirror image of the Tuck Front Lever, if you visualize it upside down. For best results use a pair of paralettes 1.Keeping the arms straight slightly over shoulder width apart tightly grip the paralettes firmly, face your head forward, bring your knees up to your chest 2.Keep your back straight head facing forward but in line with your spine, lift the legs off the floor in the tuck position, rock gently forward, keeping the arms straight, 3.Use the momentum to bring your glutes back in line with your shoulders, as you do this lean forward and push down real hard on the paralettes keeping the arms straight, you should now be in the horizontal position and your shoulders should naturally pronate, tense up your core and hold for as long as you can, look down on the floor but keep the head in line with the spine. 4.Swing back to the front neutral position without touching the floor and repeat steps 1 and 2 this time do not hold as long, this is simply for your body to remember the position (motor unit), do 3-4 reps. 5.Rest for at least 2 minutes this is a very demanding exercise; repeat for at least 4-5 sets. There you have it, you’ll be smashing that lever in no time but remember the basics: neutral spine, straight arms, Breath, head and neck always in the neutral position, pull down and away on the bar to lift, push down and away to drop in. You should aim to do this at least 3-4 times per week in the first month, then drop this down to 1-2 times per week. Methods 1-3 can be trained together but do step 3 last, this is more about strength than lever form. I would suggest training the Tuck planche separately say for the afternoon. Most importantly Rest between sets, this will ensure that your form stays correct and you will not fatigue as quickly or blow your arms out, QUALITY over Quantity! Listen to your body if your tendons start hurting in your arms or wrist REST, there’s always next week! BABYSTEPS ensure quicker progress! You can find Nigel John on for any advice or motivation on http://www.highoctanetraining.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highoctaneuk | Twitter: https://twitter.com/highoctaneuk www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 21 JAMES SMITH GETTING TO GRIPS WITH KETTLE BELL TRAINING UNCONVENTIONAL for FUNCTIONAL Yep we see guys and Gals lifting these glorious Hunks of Oddly shaped metal, yep the pictures look cool the model looks great; does the wrapper collaborate with the INTERNAL MECHANISUM? Both would be great right? SCULPTED WITH BULLET PROOF STRENGTH AND A SUPERIOR CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY AT ITS FINEST! KET TLE BELL CARRY COMPLEX AIM: If you want to get highly conditioned and really have that bulletproof strength then you will want to add in some loaded carries to your routine. EQUIPMENT: Today I’m going to focus on using kettle bells, but don’t worry you can substitute with dumbbells; kettle bells are less awkward on your wrists. Believe me when I say, you want to focus on the different carries and not on wrist pain. THE BASICS; I will describe a session that uses four (4) rounds for the bulk of the training. Note you can just use one (1) round as a finisher if you wish. REMEMBER USE A FUNCTIONAL WARMUP! After a general warm-up of basic movement patterns I like to follow up with a specific warm-up. A general warm-up simulates the basic movement patterns that people SHOULD use while a specific warm-up uses “lighter” versions of a few of the first drills for that session. Remember the point of a warm-up is to warm-up, NOT WEAR OUT! UNDUE HASTE MAKES WASTE! What I will describe is a workout unto itself, you can chose to do a FEW other things, but make sure it is a FEW! Using two pairs of kettle bells a fairly heavy pair and a medium pair allows you to use a wave loading to modulate your fatigue. This trains your body to find parts of the movement or positions where you can get some ACTIVE REST. I have to carry kettle bells from my backyard to the street where I have some distance lines marked. It is a touch over 30 yards. GETTING DOWN WITH THE PROGRAMME! REMEMBER ACTIVE REST! Start with the Farmers Walk and smash your way through the exercises BACK TO BACK! www.unconventionalathletes.com THERE ARE SPOTS WITHIN THE COMPLEX WHERE YOU CAN REST, BUT IF YOU DO NOT SIT THE KETTLEBELLS DOWN IT IS DEFINITELY A VERY ACTIVE REST Page 22 THE COMPLEX CONSISTS OF FOUR ROUNDS. 1.FARMERS WALK x30 yards 2.OVERHEAD Carry 25 yards 3.RACK WALK/CARRY x 25 yards 4.FARMER’S WALK x 25 yards 5.CROSS CARRY 1-KB RACK AND 1-KB OVERHEAD x 25 yards each = one KB in rack position & the other overhead. 6.CROSS CARRY 1-KB SUITCASE AND 1-KB RACK x 25 yards each = overhead KB comes to rack position & rack KB drops to side aka suitcase 7.CROSS CARRY 1-KB OVERHEAD AND 1-KB SUITCASE x 25 yards each = KB in suitcase goes overhead & rack KB moves to suitcase position 8.WAITER’S WALK x 25 yards each = just one KB overhead while other arm is resting. 9.RACK WALK/CARRY x 25 yards each = single KB in rack position while other arm rests. 10.SUITCASE CARRY x 25 yards each = carrying a single KB like a suitcase. 11. FARMER’S WALK x 25 THEN back = grab other KB & take to the other set of KBs Shake out my arms and repeat the whole process for a second (2nd) round with the medium weight kettle bells. This allows enough time for me to recover actively so that I am able to use the heavy kettle bells for the third (3rd) round. My forth (4th) round is performed with the medium kettle bells which don’t feel medium anymore by this time my whole body is feeling it from head to toe. By no means do you have to follow my exact protocol; it is just the one that has worked well for me. There are spots within the complex where you can rest, but if you do not sit the kettle bells down it is definitely a very active rest. There you have it a simple, but far from easy Kettle bell Carry Complex. Article by JAMES SMITH Facebook: Animal Ability https://www.facebook.com/groups/107331742747208/?fref=ts A GENERAL WARM-UP SIMULATES THE BASIC MOVEMENT PATTERNS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD USE WHILE A SPECIFIC WARM-UP USES “LIGHTER” VERSIONS OF A FEW OF THE FIRST DRILLS FOR THAT SESSION. REMEMBER THE POINT OF A WARM-UP IS TO WARM-UP, NOT WEAR OUT!’ www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 23 BAS RUTTEN THE O2 TRAINER DO YOU WANT A STRONGER RESPIRATORY SYSTEM? RAPID ENHANCEMENT IN YOUR FUNCTIONAL FITNESS WHEATHER YOU ARE A NOVICE OR PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE? IF YOUR NOT AN ATHLETE BUT WANT STRONGER MORE EFFCIENT LUNGS, READ ON! ENTER BAS RUTTEN, THE O2 TRAINER, a respiratory fitness tool with very practical applications. Bas what made you invent the o2 Trainer, how did you come up with the idea? As a kid I had severe asthma attacks and a horrible skin disease, eczema, all over my arms, hands, neck and face. An asthma attack would be a week in bed, not able to eat since I couldn’t breathe. Anyway, I also did track and field and every time after an asthma attack when I would resume my track and field, I always broke my running times, I it felt like I had more air? It really intrigued me, why was this? Was it the medication I took? What? I had no clue until I paid a visit at my Doctor’s office (I was about 14 years old) where I saw a drawing of a pair of lungs on the wall. It was there that I realized that a lung infection is not in the lungs itself, but in the air pipe TO the lungs, and BOOM, the “light bulb” went on in my head. “Wait a minute, my lungs have to pull air through that infected area for a week, so I am actually training my lungs to become stronger. Then with the infection gone they are better than they were before so why don’t I come up with something that controls the air intake? And the idea was born. I told all my buddies about the idea, everybody liked it, I moved to America many years later and that same conversation came up many times here as well, everybody liked the idea. One night I received about 7 calls from my buddies; they were watching a TV show called “The Ultimate Fighter” and the fighters coach Wanderlei Silva was training his students with snorkels. They all told me “You gottta start making “The Ruttenizer” (The original idea for a name) because otherwise somebody else is going to do it. What separates the O2 Trainer from other, breathing devices on the market? So I started doing a patent search and found out it was free since the o2trainer only controls the air IN-take, other devices out there control both ways (air IN and OUT), which now is proven to have almost no effect. (Don’t blame me, blame the tests they did, more on that later) The trick is to make sure you can completely exhale before inhaling with resistance, this way you use a much larger part of you inspiratowww.unconventionalathletes.com Page 24 ry system than when you control the air OUT as well, since you can’t completely exhale, especially when you are getting tired and need air fast. Bas, Asthma has payed a big part in your life can you tell us has the O2 Trainer helped in anyway? I have used an inhaler for my asthma even in the dressing room before all my fights, or when I would sneeze three times hard, I needed an inhaler to open my lungs; every asthma patient will have this as well. Now I am proud to say that I don’t even carry an inhaler with me anymore for almost two years. I can start working out at full speed right from the start and do not have to use an inhaler anymore. My friends who had asthma, do not have asthma anymore, same as with me, can I medically claim this? Nope, not yet, but once it gets bigger you better believe that I will do those tests as well since they cost a lot of money, money that now goes into promotion etc. How do you use the O2 Trainer? It’s simple but you need to listen to your body/brain! When you exhale you do that through both sides so you have almost no resistance. So how do you calibrate yourself to get the best results? Now, imagine you are a runner and run 5K 4 times a week, the only thing you need to do is put the o2trainer in your mouth with the cap that has a hole of 15mm and start doing your runs. Some people can start with cap number 4 right away, others with 3, etc. You just have to find out what your “beginners cap” will be. But lets say it’s cap number 1, you start doing your 5K runs with it and ONLY when you feel that you are getting the same air as you did when you were NOT training with the o2trainer, only than, it’s time for you to go to cap number 2. Because once you feel you get the same air that means that your lungs are stronger now and can pull the same amount of air in as they did before the o2trainer. So then you start training with cap number 2, and only when you feel it becomes fairly easy again, it’s time to go to cap umber 3, etc, etc. It works very simple; when you inhale one side will close off so that forces you to breathe in through the other side. That other side come with 15 different “caps”, those caps have holes in them going from 15mm all the way down to 1mm. www.unconventionalathletes.com So it’s a progressive approach? Baby steps is important, you want to give your brain and body all the air it needs, I understand that some off us are crazy and want to push ourselves all the time, but it’s really not nessacary, trust me, “slowly and steady” wins the race here. That’s why many Olympic athletes don’t train at high altitude anymore because it gives less productive workouts since the body and brain are slowing down. Many of them train at “sea level” but are living in a “high altitude home” which is build at sea level and that way they try to spark the red blood cell count. When you just jog, you can probably use cap number 5, 6 or 7, but when you do hill sprints it’s going to be cap number 2 or 3. It’s different for every sport/workout. Have you ever had any comments from people who don’t really understand the dynamics of the O2 Trainer and their own basic biology?? I always hear is this one: “But Bas, I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, and the o2trainer only goes through my mouth, that’s not good”. Really? OK, let me give you three, no wait, just two 45 second hill sprints on full incline on the treadmill machine at 9 Mph, lets see if you breathe in only through your nose after that. Meaning, EVERY person when they are getting tired will breathe in through Page 25 their mouth. Now when you are jogging or biking at the same speed, yes, you can get away with breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, but once you start taking sprints, you will open your mouth as well. STILL, do you really believe that training 4 times a week for 30 minutes is going to make you forget how to breathe? Something you have been doing your entire life for about 17,000 till 23,000 times a day? Man, that would suck for all those athletes like a George St-Pierre who swims 4 days a week an hour for his conditioning, so you think that he doesn’t know to breathe in through his nose anymore? See what I mean? Any fighter, once they start brawling for about 2 minutes straight, their mouths will open as well. So no worries there, you will be fine! Can you just explain the very basics of respiratory mechanics? Breathing is done with your diaphragm and intercostal muscles (muscles between your ribs). When you are in rest, your lungs move the air in and out, but once you start training, your diaphragm and intercostal muscles start doing it for the lungs. There is space between the body and the lungs, and when you inhale it creates a vacuum between the body and the lungs and that rips the lungs open, the O2 Trainer makes this a lot more efficient, delivery of air to the lungs becomes so much faster, you have now created a very efficient vaccum. My friend works at LAPD SWAT, he ran with the o2trainer and the next day without. He wrote to me: “I know this is impossible, but I felt much better the next day when I did my run, I KNEW it couldn’t be from training with the o2trainer only one time but than I realized that they o2trainer made me breathe the correct way, it forces me to use my diaphragm and it remembered the day before, that had to be the explanation” And this I also told people for a long time, many asthma patients (and regular people as well) breathe incorrect, they use their shoulders to pull air in (raise their shoulders when breathing in), but you need to, of course, use your diaphragm. With the o2trainer you will be forced to breathe the correct way. www.unconventionalathletes.com The O2 Trainer has also dramatically helped David Williams a man with incurable lung disease, he contacted Bas for help 6.5 months later the O2 Trainer has changed his quality of life, his lung function has improved by a massive 50%, YES 50% he can do a whole lot more and is on LESS MEDICATION! Follow the link below to read the full story with Data and actual figures from the Respiratory Specialist treating him! You can’t beat facts! http://o2trainerblog.com/incredible-results-o2trainer/ You can contact Bas and his team at http://www.o2trainer.com http://www.basrutten.com https://www.facebook.com/BasRuttenO2Trainer https://twitter.com/O2Trainer Godspeed Godspeed Bas Rutten Page 26 A PURE APPROACH TO TRAINING Just Do It “Do what you can with what you have, where you are.” - Theodore Roosevelt I did not learn in the conventional way and was able to figure out on my own what worked and what did not work. For as long as I can remember, I have exercised differently than what is considered normal and commonly believed to be the “proper” way of doing things. I do not wait for the stars to align in my favor before I train. I just do it. As a teenager, I did not have the money to purchase a gym membership, nor did I have any friends that were as passionate about fitness as I was. I basically trained myself with the knowledge I obtained from select books that I owned (The Art of Expressing the Human Body, by Bruce Lee and John Little, comes to mind). Thankfully, I did not learn in the conventional way and was able to figure out on my own what worked and what did not work. Unknown to me at the time, I avoided useless distractions, contradictions, confusing claims and money-swindling schemes that seem to plague much of the fitness world nowadays. I did not know I was supposed to change into fancy athletic clothes prior to training. I did not know I was supposed to change into lightweight running shoes prior to a run. I did not know I was only supposed to run on the treadmill, www.unconventionalathletes.com sidewalk or a specially designed track. I did not know exercising immediately after a big meal was dangerous. I did not know I was supposed to swallow a pre-workout drink followed by a postworkout shake. I did not know I needed to consume special supplements at special times to get the most out of my training. I did not know I was supposed to have air conditioning, mirrors, chalk and Gatorade when I trained. Eventually I learned what I am “supposed to do”, but to this day, I still do not care about any of the things I mentioned above because I consider them useless to me. Prior to joining the United States Marine Corps, I would do midnight runs in the woods, fields, on the side of the street or on train tracks, regardless of the weather. I usually wore a pair of jeans, t-shirt and combat boots (in cold weather I also wore a coat, hat and gloves). I wore boots instead of feather-light running shoes because not only did they provide great ankle support, but I would get more use out of them and more strength from them, because of their weight and durability. When I lifted weights, I used a cheap weight set consisting of a barbell, a dumbbell and Page 27 various plates. I stuck to simple, full body exercises because I wanted to get the “biggest bang for my buck”. I ate a lot of homemade foods, mostly because I did not have the money to shop at any of the local supplement stores. In my ignorance, I unintentionally did what I needed to do, and this shaped the way I would train for the rest of my life. I exercise differently now than I did as a teenager. However, I still hold fast to the same basic principles – train where I am with what I have in whatever I am wearing. I do not care about modern fitness fashion, the latest supplement craze or what most consider “safe”, “proper” or “comfortable” when I am training. I train for ability and capability, not to get big, get ripped, lose weight or look good. After all, appearances can be very deceiving. Today, there are two different physical fitness disciplines that I focus on; namely, hand strength and progressive calisthenics. Hand, finger and lower-arm strengths are a passion of mine because of how important I believe they are for overall strength and ability. Your hands are how you physically interact with the planet and everything on it. Your hands are the first link in the chain with everything you touch and nearly everything you do. The stronger and healthier your hands, the more power and control you will have over your actions, whether it is fighting for your life, pulling yourself up over a ledge or opening the stuck lid of a pickle jar. can do a one-legged squat (a pistol)? Many people can do a regular pushup, but how many can do a one-arm pushup (a piston)? In fact, most people that can do a piston actually perform what I call a sprawl piston, meaning that their legs are spread wide for balance. Progressive calisthenics is a concept of bodyweight strength training that provides a way to work up from rather simple, basic movements to increasingly difficult feats of strength. The advantage of this is that I can work out whenever and wherever I choose, not concerning myself with having the proper equipment. All I need is gravity, a place to stand and something to hang from. Another advantage is that it is progressive, meaning I can work up to incredibly difficult movements without needing to stack more plates on the bar or purchase a heavier dumbbell. A lot of people that are reading this are already familiar with calisthenics and the benefits of working up to very difficult movements. However, many incredible athletes still feel the need to change into comfortable, good-looking outfits and train inside a well-equipped, climate-controlled facility. Admit it, working out can be tough. In fact, it is supposed to be! Working out forces our bodies to adapt and get stronger. I do not like working out in comfort, as it feels counterintuitive to my goals. I do not intentionally make my life miserable when I train, but I certainly do not try to make it comfortable, pleasurable or less difficult than it should be. For example, many people can do a normal butt-to-heel squat, but how many Nowadays, I tend to train more when I am on duty as a police officer than when I am www.unconventionalathletes.com I train for ability and capability, not to get big, get ripped, lose weight or look good. After all, appearances can be very deceiving Page 28 in the luxury of my own home. I do this because I’m required to wear over twenty pounds of gear attached to my waist, a tightly fitted ballistic vest underneath my shirt and heavy safety-toe boots. Working out is that much more difficult and rewarding. I am never going to drop my gear, change into a t-shirt and shorts, drink a pre-workout shake and/or slap on some chalk if forced into a physical altercation. My job requires me to be in full uniform and ready to put forth immediate, all-out effort at all times. I train the same, whatever the state I find myself in at the time. Anything less would be a disservice to me and a disgrace to my goals. I think the physical benefits of this are fairly obvious. The equipment attached to the duty belt acts like a cluster of oddly shaped weights wrapped around my waist, and breathing deeply while the vest is squeezing my rib cage improves lung strength. In addition, considerable muscular tension needs to be maintained to keep myself stable and in control throughout all movements because of the duty belt dragging me down. The mental advantages are not as obvious and are often overlooked. However, I have improved alot from the internal struggle of having to dig down deep in summoning the sheer determination and stubborn discipline to train hard, even when things are not going my way. I find this tenacious mindset to be exceptionally valuable in all aspects of life. I have worked out after a heavy meal, when I have been sick with the flu, while fiercely hungry, with injuries, with a severe lack of sleep, in extreme heat or cold and in the midst of violent weather. I believe that doing what you have determined to do, no matter the physical and mental discomfort you may experience, is highly beneficial for the mind. Discomfort and inconvenience is no excuse for neglect. Outside influences do not determine my fitness level. The weatherman is not my personal trainer. The world is my gym — all of it — all the time. I am of the opinion that firefighters, law enforcement personnel, military personnel and even paramedics need to train in full uniform. You are required to do your job in full gear, so quit training with less than what your responsibilities demand! Lives depend on your performance. Most of us do not carry around heavy equipment on our person, and it seems most people struggle with making time to exercise. Many people limit themselves by thinking they need to train at a special place (a gym or track, usually) for a certain amount of time, in a certain way, using specific equipment in order to achieve their goals. Nonsense! It is not about where you train, when you train or what and whom you train with; it is about making time and doing what needs to be done. The most important thing is to be consistent and put forth significant effort in the pursuit of your goals. How bad do you want it? Assuming you really want it badly enough, you will ignore any excuse your desperate imagination pulls out of its hat and you will just do it — every single time. A little common sense goes a long way when you embrace this sort of mindset. A bit of sweat and grime is nothing to fear; nonetheless, I would not suggest training in a tuxedo or stilettos. Before you go outdoors, plan ahead and dress according to the weather. If you have an injury or are feeling ill, use your own judgment on whether or not you should exercise. Customize the workout based on what you think your body can and should handle at the time. There is a significant difference between physical discomfort and pain. One is a distracting inconvenience while the other is something that communicates to you the limits of what you can and cannot handle. Know the difference. Know your body. In conclusion, I would like you to rethink what you really need to do in order to reach your fitness goals. Challenge yourself to workout in unorthodox locations at inconvenient times with unconventional equipment! Whittle it down to the core. Eat, sleep and live according to your goals, but don’t make it more complicated than it should be. Maximize the results of your training by minimizing what does not directly bring you closer to your goals. Keep it simple, but productive. As Bruce Lee once said, www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 29 “IT’S NOT THE DAILY INCREASE, BUT DAILY DECREASE. HACK AWAY AT THE UNESSENTIAL.” Cindy the Cinder Block is great workout partner - she’s pretty rough and has a hard reputation, but she’s always punctual, fair and steadfast as ever! Starting position for decline pushups on a staircase guardrail. Anything above ankle height will do – the taller the tougher! At a little over 220 pounds, I can only hang on for about a second before the towel slips through my grasp. It’s a work in progress! Bottom position for decline pushups. Keep your elbows tucked, muscles tight and body straight - don’t let yourself sag! I like using a piece of 2x4 to assist in piston and one-arm pull-up training while in uniform. Using it in this manner will develop your grip strength at the same time; specifically, your pinch grip. Think you can’t get an exhausting workout on a bar that’s below shoulder height? Think again! Also, do see that thick bar above me? That’ll hit your grip really hard. Doing stair sprints with absolute effort and with all this gear on is brutal. I usually do them at the end of my shift since it takes a few minutes to recover. I do this because I’m required to wear over twenty pounds of gear attached to my waist, a tightly fitted ballistic vest underneath my shirt and heavy safety-toe boots. Article by Phil Clark https://www.facebook.com/groups/convict.conditioning https://www.facebook.com/groups/grip.strength www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 30 Why Clubwork? Boost Your Training With These Hardcore Basics There are many reasons to add clubwork to your exercise routine. Shoulder re/pre-hab seems to be the first answer that many club swingers cite. Other answers are increased range of motion, or, they fit right into my kettle bell workout. Still others say that they enjoy the flow type of ‘katas’ that emulate elaborate sword techniques or doing a yoga session using a club. Whatever the reason, it’s all good. By now, almost everyone in the fitness game knows about the benefits of clubwork. Increased performance in other areas of training or in the arena are sure signs that the clubs are doing their job. Some fitness enthusiasts train solely with clubwork, and while clubs alone won’t get you to enter a bodybuilding contest, they are a great addition to shape, define, and harden muscles. With the right programming they will aid a power lifter’s bench and deadlift. An Oly lifter’s speed, and sprinter’s performance. Fighters such as MMA and boxers have been using clubwork for years, after all it was the first battle-training tool. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Beginning clubwork is exciting and frustrating simultaneously. The desire to copy the complex movements that so many YouTube videos show can drive a newbie into a tizzy. The first rule that must be adhered to is learning the basics. This cannot be reiterated enough. From picking up and putting down the club to the basic swings, practicing correct form reduces injury! FIGHTERS SUCH BOXERS HAVE CLUBWORK FOR ALL IT WAS THE TRAINING TOOL AS MMA AND BEEN USING YEARS, AFTER FIRST BATTLE- www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 31 INCREASED PERFORMANCE IN OTHER AREAS OF TRAINING OR IN THE ARENA ARE SURE SIGNS THAT THE CLUBS ARE DOING THEIR JOB. The front swing and squat are 2 important base movements. How many of you readers just thought what? Clubwork can be used for legs and this is where we’ll begin. The front swing. In clubwork, this is crucial to understand as it is for kettlebells. The front swing is important because that’s how the club will be raised to perform other exercises. Set the club on it’s top or muzzle, handle and knob upward. With your upper back flat and a neutral lower back, like a deadlift when the weight is above the knee, straddle the club so that it’s a bit to the rear past the ankles and grab hold of the handle, arms long, elbows locked then thrust the hips forward extending the torso and opening the knees, maintaining arm lock and flat back, forcing the club to travel up and outward bringing the muzzle to eye level. Remember the arms do not lift, they only act as a pendulum of the force generated by the hip thrust forward. The downward portion is the ‘braking’ to keep the club from hiking backward. As the club falls down, lean the torso forward like a hinge and slightly bend the knee, applying the brakes with glute and hamstring activation making sure that the club doesn’t travel any farther than 45˚ past the legs. Do not let the club hit the ground, this can cause injury. This may require practice for some, but the benefits will be there. When completed with most all clubwork exercises, lower the club as described above, but instead of swinging it upward, use the slight momentum to let the club drift forward until it slows and gently place it on the floor just in front of your feet - it is now ‘parked’. Keep in mind that this is a posterior chain exercise so be sure to engage those muscles and not squat - yet. The clubwork squat can vary. The easiest way to learn it is by placing the club on your shoulder much like baseball players resting their bats. Using your front swing, swing the club upward with control and catch it upon the shoulder you wish it to ‘rest’ on. Now, perform a regular squat, torso upright, scapulae pressing downward, neutral low back, weight loaded into the mid foot and heel descending the hips below the knee keeping the shins as upright as possible then drive upward through the mid foot and heels to the starting position. Keep the torso upright and stable and maintain that neutral lower back. As the squats become easier, the next step would be to hold the club upright with the elbows married to the ribs. This is the beginning of learning the front extended squat. Ultimately, the goal is extending the arms completely in front of the torso while squatting. These basics are a great place to start learning clubwork, practice them to get a solid foundation for future exercises. Article by Don Giafardino You can contact Don at: http://www.adexclub.com/ https://www.facebook.com/don.giafardino?fref=ts www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 32 HENKULES UNCONVENTIONAL TRAINING EQUIPMENT HOW TO CONSTRUCT YOUR LOG BELL! EQUIPMENT: »» Tree trunk »» Wood SAW( get a workout from using this) »» Marker Pen »» Measuring tape »» Hollow Pvc pipe, 30-40 mm diameter(use a hack SAW to cut through the pvc for size) »» Rope, to fit the diameter of the pvc pipe »» Drill METHOD 1) SAW from a trunk that has an equal distribution into two equal parts, this is to ensure equal weight and thickness, source the trunk preferbly from a fallen one. 2) Get your tape measure and mark half a metre along the length of the trunk, depending on the weight you want will make selection of the circumference and wood at your descretion. The circumference in the pictures of the log I have choosen is 1 metre and heavy! 3) Cut the pvc pipe to length, this will be directly proportional to the size of both your hands side by side, this is going to be your handle. 4) Obtain your rope, this needs to be less than the diameter of the pvc handle. Slide the pvc handle onto the rope. 5) Mark in 15 cm from each end of the trunk, these are going to be the holes for feeding the rope through, the ‘anchors’ for the handle. 6) Obtain a wood drill bit that is long enough to go through the whole trunk and slightly wider than the diameter of your rope. 7) Drill all the way through the marked holes from each end, double check that the marked holes were aligned to and are central to each other and through, at the place where the handle should come. 8) Blow the excess saw dust out and feed the rope through one of the holes, if its tricky add some oil or petrolium jelly so it slides through better(no pun intended). When you are at least .5 of a meters through stop. Now slide the pvc handle on the remeinder of the rope above and slide through the second hole. The www.unconventionalathletes.com length of the rope on the top lifting part of the trunk needs to be at least .40 cm to .50cm long each side with the pvc pipe aligned centraly. 9) Underneith the trunk the remaining rope at each point needs to be tied off,do not cut the rope until both knots are tied, the pvc handle is central and both lengths of rope to the handle above the trunk are equal. 10) There you have it your own Log bell, now its time to get to grips with aslice of hardcoore nature! Page 33 THE LOG - BELL POWER- SNATCH A QUICKIE! 1) Grab the log-bell with both hands, on the PVC pipe in the center, of the rope handle. 2) Put your feet wide enough so that the log-bell fits between your legs. 3) In an explosive move, pull the logbell over your head to the back of your shoulders. 4) Then explosively pull the log overhead back and swing it through your legs. 5) Keep your back flat as you slow down the log and repeat the movement ten times. You do this exercise in four sets of ten reps. www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 34 THE ALL SEEING EYE ARE YOU TRAINED TO DEAL WITH A HOME INVASION? CAN YOU CONTROL YOUR BODYS IMPULSE’S OR WOULD IT BECOME A BLUR? A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH! A PROVEN UNCONVENTIONAL APPROACH TO TRAINING THE EYE AND MIND TO DEAL WITH AN IMMENENT THREAT! Tactical Vision Part 1 By Stephen R. Santangelo Vision has been a much neglected aspect of everyday life, specifically, in tactical and survival scenarios. We have long taken it for granted if we have visual dysfunction we would take a visit to the optometrist or ophthalmologist and our troubles would be over. Unfortunately, our troubles would not be over as in a crisis scenario where we rely heavily on our vision to respond instantaneously. For some of us, searching for and inserting contact lenses or grabbing and putting on our glasses isn’t always an option and those few seconds can be the difference between life and death. DISADVANTAGES According to the Vision Council of America, approximately 75% of adults use some sort of vision correction. About 64%, roughly, 126 million wear eyeglasses. 11% or 36 million wear contact lenses, either exclusively, or with glasses. Approximately 30% of Americans are near-sighted, difficulty seeing distance and 60% are far-sighted, which is difficulty seeing close, which is the critical zone during a life threatening situation such as a home invasion. Glaucoma affects 2.3 million Americans and with the rise of Type 2 diabetes in this country we also see a sharp increase in diabetic retinopathy which has a negative impact on 4.5 million people over the age of 40. www.unconventionalathletes.com The next eye disorder, which can drastically affect a critical response, is night blindness. Nyctalopia is the inability to see well in low light or night time. Up to 80% of life threatening scenarios occur in low light and between the hours of 6 P.M. and 6 A.M. when light is at its lowest, the majority of home invasions occur. The last common visual impairment is double vision or diplopia. This is where the individual sees two images of the same object. It can be a horizontal, vertical or diagonal displacement of a single image. Though common, data on the number of people who suffer from this is not known since it can come and go, be temporary or can be permanent. STARTING TACTICAL SURVIVAL,UNDERSTANDING THE STRUCTURE ! Understanding the physical structure of the eye is imperative for surviving visually adverse conditions. There are two ways the eyes see; one is center sharpness and peripheral vision and secondly, the ability to see color. Though, more men than women are colored blind, it has little impact (in most cases) on seeing, responding and executing your survival abilities with success. Center sharpness is controlled by the cones and is concentrated in the center of the eye for diurnal vision. Rods are used for peripheral vision and are more functional Page 35 at night (nocturnal). For this reason, you have a blind spot in the middle of your eye at night making it difficult to focus on specific points as opposed to large objects. THE THREAT RESPONSE My own interest in eye exercises and vision research came from my own experience over 40 years ago. We will examine why and how this influences our visual ability to perform the needed skills in an emergency. When you are placed in an uncomfortable environment it becomes hard to stay focused (visually) on a given object without the object jumping around, fluttering or going in and out focus. There are 3 reasons for this. First, your brain perceives a threat. Adrenaline is released at a very high rate which negatively impacts the CNS (central nervous system) and secondly, your heart rate increases dramatically, causing you to have shortness of breath and lack of oxygen to the brain. Consequently, you lose the ability to perform detailed tasks and logical thinking. Third, you lose control of small muscular function such as eye control. If you lose the ability for your eyes to see clearly, it is due to the lack of muscular control. Your eyes must be exercised just like any muscle in order to perform properly. Exercising your eyes must be implemented into a survival fitness regimen. apart and still maintain control of the middle image. Keep progressing weekly until your arms are as far apart as possible maintaining absolute perfect visual stability for every repetition. Repeat each level for 3 repetitions for 7 days. If you are unable to maintain control of the center image DO NOT progress to the next level. This particular exercise will improve your ability to move back and forth between your front sight (rifle, shotgun or pistol) and scanning your environment for any additional threat without losing focus. SPECIAL FORCES With over 35 years experience training elite athletes, first responders, military personnel, fire fighters, law enforcement, Special Forces and survival fitness for civilians, I have been able to incorporate my Tactical Vision exercise program as an integral part of their training regimen. The program is a three tier developmental system; novice, intermediate and advance. Each one of these categories has multiple applications which must be achieved before one takes their training to the next level. As with all training regimens, each training modality must be successfully executed before the next tier can be introduced. SPECIAL VISION Let’s begin with the basic introductory exercise. First, you must remove your glasses or contact lenses. Secondly, hold your arms straight out from your body, shoulder width apart, with your thumbs pointing up. Be sure to use a blank wall as a background. Do not use your computer screen as a background! Next, cross your eyes so you focus on a third thumb image which will appear in the middle of your left & right thumbs. Learn to hold this image steady and in sharp focus for 20 seconds and rest for 40 seconds. This is one repetition. Repeat for 3 repetitions. Do these for 7 days with complete control. Phase 2 of this exercise is to gradually spread your arms In part 2, I will discuss more advance variations of this exercise so you can dominate, control, diffuse or eliminate your potential threat as well as how these exercises can improve your vision. www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 36 Tactical Vision Part 2 By Stephen R. Santangelo THE NEXT LEVEL In Part 1, I presented my background and how I developed my Tactical Vision program along with presenting a simple approach to better eye concentration and control during a crisis scenario. Along with this basic information, regarding how the body responds under stress, I provided an outline on a variety of common eye dysfunctions. In Part 2, I will take you to the next level with a variation of the first eye exercise. Once you have achieved the multi level progression of Exercise #1, you’re ready for the intermediate stage. REPLICATION With a complete understanding of Exercise #1-Phase 1 and 2, you can replicate this in low light conditions. Begin with just enough ambient light where it’s not a strain on your eyes to focus. Repeat all phases of Exercise #1. Next, you will lower the light so you are unable to distinguish color; only shapes. Repeat the same phases as in Exercise #1. This is going to be very difficult for some. Be patient. Regardless, of how easy or difficult, it will take a long time to achieve your 3 repetitions for maximal time as described in Part 1. Part 1 protocol is as follows; hold the image steady and in sharp focus for 20 seconds and rest for 40 seconds. This is one repetition. Repeat for 3 repetitions. Do these for 7 days with complete control. It is imperative you complete each phase with absolute control and efficiency before attempting to move to the next level. GETTING THE ADVANTAGE IN LOW LIGHT Exercise #3 is quite challenging. This will be performed in the same light conditions as your bedroom, at night, after all lights have been turned off. The use of a laser pointer is needed for this regimen. Hold your arm out with your thumb pointing up. Your thumb should be 12 inches from your nose. Aim the laser to a point on the wall which is at least 10 feet from you. Move your eyes from your thumb to the laser. You will notice you cannot focus directly on the red dot. This is www.unconventionalathletes.com due to how the cones and rods of the eye function. Center sharpness is controlled by the cones and is concentrated in the center of the eye for diurnal (day) vision. Rods are used for peripheral vision and are more functional at night (nocturnal). For this reason, you have a blind spot in the middle of your eye at night making it difficult to focus on specific points as opposed to large objects. Here’s where it becomes challenging. When you focus on the thumb you will use mostly the cones of the eyes because it’s close and it has a prominent shape. As soon as you change your depth of focus, to the red dot on the wall, your rods become the dominate factor. What you will be learning here is how to refocus; slightly to the left or slightly to the right of the laser in order to maintain visual control. You will find by using your peripheral vision how the red dot now becomes sharper, rather than a blurred spot or it can slightly appear as if there’s an overlap of two images. THE STRESS FACTOR, EXPLAINED Do not be surprised if you have a tendency to become stressed. This is your CNS (central nervous system) the PNS (peripheral nervous system) and the ANS (autonomic nervous system) struggling to the rapid and opposing changes which are occurring. Within your nervous systems, you have the sympathetic and parasympathetic sensory components. These are opposing functions such as when the pupil dilates there is symPage 37 pathetic stimulation. When the iris constricts there is parasympathetic stimulation. Simply stated, the SNS is the accelerator and PNS acts as the brake. The SNS is the primary driving force when in a life threatening situation or during emergencies, such as a car accident. The PNS is slower to react and does not require immediate functions. However, by performing these eye exercises your will train all aspects of your nervous system to function holistically in order to better prepare oneself when the moment demands execution. YOUR MISSION You have your family and those close to you to protect. Failing to prepare, is preparing you to fail. Don’t let this happen. In Tactical Vision, Part 3, I will discuss the importance of nutrition and its role in visual dominance and its effects on the nervous system, vision and hormonal time clock, which all work in unison. Remember, survival of the fitness is based on adaptability. Those who are capable of adapting to their environment the most efficiently are most likely to be the victor. Tactical Vision Part 3 By Stephen R. Santangelo NUTRCIAN = FULL OPTIMIZATION All physical development is based upon nutrition and exercise (depicted in Part 1 and Part 2). For optimum results there must be balance. A healthy body isn’t just about how you look. It’s how the body functions internally. Vitamins need to be ingested through whole food intake. This is how we’re meant to eat. These nutrients are in the “real” form and are easily metabolized for your body to use and do the job they’re designed to do. We’ve been told since childhood to be sure we get enough vitamins, especially, vitamin A for the eyes. This is very true to a certain point. Over recent years research has identified many anti oxidants and minerals which play an integral part in the health of our eyes. Let’s begin with our food intake and what foods have the important nutrients for supporting our vision. EYE FUEL The first and most common anti oxidant regarding vision is vitamin A/ beta-carotene. This comes from foods such as orange carrots, orange peppers, orange tomatoes, orange fruit as seen in melons and citrus, etc. You need to eat plenty of these every day. Rotate these foods each day so not to get bored “with the same old thing”. Second, is Xanthopyll, which comes from the yellow pigmented fruits and vegetables such as yellow carrots, yellow and orange peppers, yellow watermelon, yellow tomatoes and all varieties of yellow vegetables as we find in the great range of yellow squash. Xanthopyll contains lutein and zexanthin. Lutein is heavily concentrated in the macula of our eye. This is our center of sight located on the retina in the back of the eye. It has exceptional protecting capabilities against the blue rays of the light spectrum including ultraviolet rays which are very damaging and can cause a variety of serious issues to our vision. Third, is lycopene. These are the red pigments found in tomatoes and in red fruit and vegetables such as watermelon. Fourth, is Anthocyanin, which are the purple and black anti oxidants. My favorites are spirulina and chlorella. Go for the deepest colored fruits and vegetables you can find; deep purple heirloom tomatoes, plums, the skin of the egg plant, acai berries, goji berries and black grapes. Fifth, is Astaxanthin, which are the pink anti oxidants. Best sources are salmon (wild caught, never farm raised) and crustaceans such as crayfish, lobster, shrimp and crab. Each one of these powerfully nutrient dense foods has a positive effect on different parts of the eye. A classic example is with the xanthophylls caratenoids of which zeaxanthin and lutein are part of. Zeaxanthin provides health to the central part of the macula and lutein strengthens the peripheral retina. Though, all parts of the eye contain all anti oxidants, specific ones play a more powerful role in different parts of the eye. Keep in mind all nutrients benefit, support and strengthen each other. JUICE UP At this time I have not found any supplement which will come close to the medicinal properties of whole foods.If you want a real power punch, juice your vegetables and fruits. It’s considerably easier to ingest a high percentage of these nutrients through juicing than it is to eat a large amount of food. Remember, preparing yourself and your family is a lifestyle which needs to be taken seriously. Don’t overlook the importance of health from the inside out. Article by Stephen Santiago https://www.facebook.com/stephen.santangelo.75 www.unconventionalathletes.com Page 38