Over the last couple of weeks, I have been slammed. But good slammed. Training is on point, my body feels good, and I’m weighing right at 300-305, and feel good at this weight. I can’t tell you how good it feels to not worry about every single thing that goes in my mouth, then fear the scale the following three days. Screw that crap. At least for now.

We added to our group and also took away. We’ve had anywhere from 8-10 people training. We are now down to 8, which is an excellent number for our spot—two groups of four.

People ask me what I want from people who train with me – I require dependable training partners.

The most important thing: I need hungry people who aren’t sensitive and want to get better, no matter the cost. Which, I’m sure you know, is very, very hard to find. People know the right things to say, but when it comes time to show up on time consistently and get after it, then take some trash talk, maybe some correction and coaching -some don’t do so well with that.

Good riddance, no hard feelings, but it’s not for everyone. Because if it’s not right for you, then it’s certainly not good for you to being negativity to the gym. What I’ve found is people want to commit, but under their idea of committing, not what is required.

Anyway, I’m super happy with my current crew, and we are looking forward to TN in 5 weeks.

So two weeks ago, I took 850 for a single on the squat, and it felt super comfortable. This was week 2.

Last week (week 3) was a deload because my hip was angry. The wider stance isn’t just an adjustment in standing wider, it’s an adjustment for physiology, and my hips reminded me of this. It’s going to take some time to adapt.

Week 4 I took 1065, and it felt perfect; need to dial in the details more. Hip was happy.

Bench: this lift has come along pretty quick – only going by my raw work. Now, tonight (8.31.20) will be my first time back in a shirt since Covid. I did have the shirt tightened up in the sleeves. The weeks prior, the goal was working on getting my raw base up to something decent, and then 2 weeks ago, before the deload, I worked up to 500 off the 3bd x2, which is a sign I’m heading back in the right direction. My best is over 600 raw, so that’s where I need to be off the boards.

Lastly, deadlift- the last few weeks have been mainly rack pulls, followed by speed pulls from the floor, up to 500lbs. I’ll be working these up more over the next couple of weeks, but so far so good. I might move to block pulls this week instead of more work with the DL bar.

For those following along, I’m far less rigid with this program in some ways, but I’m more disciplined in others.

To wrap up: I’m still dialing in my Shirt and DL suit, but am very close to figuring out my squat suit, form, and set-up. You’re never there, always something to work on.