Well, I’m bold, bold as love.
Hear me talkin’, girl.
I’m bold as love.
Just ask the Axis.
He knows everything. Yeah, yeah.
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Snickerdoodle Shredder Shake
Blend ingredients and pour directly into mouth. YUM!
Nutrition per serving: 150 calories, Total Fat 1.5g, Sodium 144mg, Total Carb 5g, Sugars 1g, Protein 30g.
Michael (pictured on the right) has been a part of the Relentless Community for almost 2 years, most recently in my Lamar Athletic Training Class. A long-time runner, Michael has gained strength, power, stamina, and speed from his training with Relentless. This has helped him to PR on his timed mile as well as prepared him to compete in his first Relentless/CrossFit competition – the Partner 5K, where he and his partner, Rich came in 2nd place in the Men’s Division (pictured). Michael has a competitive spirit and brings that energy to class every morning. He not only finishes the WODs at the top of the pack, but he also pushes his classmates to give it their all, raising the level of intensity of the entire class.
I asked for Michael to share some of his experiences with Relentless Training and it’s impact on him over the past few years. In his own words:
“When I began CrossFit Central’s Relentless program in August 2010 (at age 46), cholesterol and weight were the focus of my attention. Little did I know that the inspiring encouragement and the fantastic example of the coaches would become the motivation to improve. My dear friend Neil picked me up at 5:40 am that first morning to introduce me to Coach Lisa Thiel (Jack & Adams), whose gentle coaxing of my unfit body allowed me to turn a corner and become a regular. Coach Chelsea Ross picked up where Lisa left off and infused our class with enthusiasm and positive thinking. More recently, Coach Jess Clark (Lamar) has brought a calm, steady, and focused attitude to the class – carefully watching our movements and taking the time to encourage us one at a time. Each coaching style is slightly different and yet each shares common principles of excellence and care.
Our coaches’ caring demeanor is infectious and promotes a positive team effort in class - from the openness with which we greet one another to the encouragement we provide. We feel the warmth that our coaches share with us and know that we can do the same for others in ways that will make a positive impact.
Thanks to our coaches, I have also seen the value of turning my competitiveness into a positive force for changing my health and my wellbeing. Prior to joining programs, I would run 2-3 miles occasionally and, over time, even that minimal effort had tapered. Like many, I knew that my condition needed to change or unhealthy living would consume me. After almost 2 years, my endurance and speed have improved; and, more importantly, my outlook is broader and deeper - I can absorb more challenges outside the training and see beyond moments into the distance. I am not distracted by anxiety associated with any failure to stay healthy and instead can stay focused on my family and my communities – work, civic, and faith. Thank you coaches for being there with an outstretched hand and a little kick in the rear!”
Michael - THANK YOU for the kind words and for setting a great example for your classmates. The joy you get from competing is infectious and it’s so rewarding to see you push accomplish so much. All good things! - Jess
It’s been a while since my last update on my bodybuilding contest prep, and a lot of things have changed from when I started on this journey. I know more about the sport, the divisions, and where I fit in and I’ve also had a few gut checks along the way. Here’s the short version:
1) Decision to go Bikini. I’ve decided to compete in the Bikini Division, which is defined as softer, less defined than Figure (where I thought I wanted to compete at the start of this journey). Based on my starting physique and fitness goals, this division made the most sense for me this year. The transition from Bikini to Figure for my next competition season will be smooth as I can work on adding muscle mass to my leaner frame. The idea was, let’s shred the body fat and see what we are working with in terms of muscle size and definition.
Missy Coles, pictured here is a friend I met at the start of this journey. She’s a IFBB Bikini Pro and is engaged to one of the baseball players, Mike, who trained at Hyde Park Gym this winter, which is how we met. She’s about 5’10” and competes in the same class as I would. Hers is a winning bikini physique:
2) Decision to compete sooner! Once I made up my mind, found a Bikini Coach and got to shredding, I decided to compete in June versus July and try to qualify for Nationals. My first show will be the Adela Garcia Classic - National Qualifer on June 23 in Pfleugerville. I am 5 weeks out in my training and feeling ready! I hope to see many familiar faces in the crowd. I’ve also decided to continue my training beyond the Adela Classic to compete at the Europa Expo - Dallas in August. That is, if it’s not too terribly frightening to be on stage.
3) Training solo. I’ve been training solo for the past few weeks and I miss working out with my CrossFit crew. It’s so much more fun CrossFit with a group and I feel a little detached from my co-workers and friends because I am training on my own. But, it’s only for a few more weeks and then I can get back to it - at least for a few days a week. In off-season, I’ll be CrossFitting regularly (turning show muscles into go muscles). I’m sure that everything I’ve been doing with strength training and nutrition will help when I can focus on developing my gymnastic skill and power with body weight movements. Both of those areas of CrossFit have historically been weakness of mine due to my larger size and heavier weight. Looking forward to it!
I am in my groove regarding training, supplementation, and nutrition. It’s not easy, and I’m making sacrifices to stick with it, but all good things are coming from it. It’s been such a valuable learning experience that I can share with my clients. The Summer Shredder Program is something that I created for my clients based on my routine. I can’t wait for them to get results and feel great like I do. If nothing else, THAT makes this whole process worthwhile. It’s not about how I place on stage, it’s about what this process teaches me that I can pass along to my clients. If I can do it, YOU CAN TOO.
There are so many great reasons to wake up and work out. Nothing gets your mind and body ready for the day like some post-workout endorphins! All you need to do is wake up and get yourself there, I’ll take care of the rest.
My new morning Relentless Athletic Training Class starts May 29th- T/Th 6:15-7:15 am at Murchison Middle School (Far West/MoPac). Beat the heat, get it done, enjoy those longer summer evenings! REGISTER NOW.
Wake & Workout Motivation via moveyourbooty:
What’s the extra hour of snoozing really do for you?
- You get some extra zzzs, probably have a weird dream and wake up all tired eyed and bleary.
What’s 60 minutes of working out do for you?
- Wakes up your muscles, clears your mind, sweats out yesterday’s toxins, ups your confidence, calms your body consciousness, tightens up your muscles and fills your body with Vitamin D.
Point goes to the workout. Sorry, snooze. You’re just not worth it.You’ll always regret that snooze. You’ll never regret that workout.Now that you’ve conquered a morning workout, the rest of the day is easy…
(Source: mochacafe.net)
Training for my first bodybuilding competition has taught me many things that I can share with the athletes that I train to get them LEAN and MEAN and ready for summer! The combination of clean nutrition (no fad diets), proper supplementation and fat-burning, muscle-building is what makes my Summer Shredder program so powerful. YOU ARE GUARANTEED RESULTS!
Athletes who participate can expect to lose 8-10lbs and 10-12 inches, gain endurance and stamina, and improve their energy just in time for the BIG summer holidays! You get guidance on clean eating and meal planning, as well as weekly check-ins to adjust the program to deliver the best results for you. You will get before/after photos and measurements, free weekly group workout led by me, extra workouts to do on your own, ongoing support and accountability, and the BEST supplements on the market!
There are two levels of programs to choose from to fit your needs:
Summer Shredder Pro: $250 - Serious Results!
*OPEN TO 10 ATHLETES*
Summer Shred Fest: $185 - Jump Start!
First summer session starts June 1 and ends June 29 just in time for Fourth of July festivities! Registration opens today and ends May 31. GET ON IT!
So proud of Denise and Ron from the Lamar Middle School Crew for their 1st place finish, co-ed division at last Saturday’s Relentless Event Series Partner 5K. THEY CRUSHED IT! I’m excited to watch them compete at the upcoming Garage Gym Throwdown on June 2nd. The heavier weights and tougher WODs will be a welcome challenge for these two firebreathers. Couples that play together, stay together!
Today in the Fulmore MS Relentless Athletic Training Class, we celebrated two of our most beloved athletes, Kara and Norma, as pictured above.
Both have been with me since I took over coaching this class over a year ago and I absolutely love coaching them. It was fun to be able to celebrate them tonight!
The workout celebrated Norma’s 33rd birthday (yesterday) and Kara’s upcoming graduation from UT. Rather than just doing burpees, I asked the ladies to choose a movement and I’d use it to create a custom workout just for them. Here’s what went down:
Buy-in: 33 KB Snatches (R side) - movement chosen by Kara, 33 reps for Norma’s age
4 Rounds for Time (for the 4 years Kara spent in college):
20 Good Mornings, 12 Sandbell Situps (movements chosen by Norma; 20 & 12 representing the year Kara graduates - 2012).
Cash-out: 33 KB Snatches (L side) - because we had to keep it spicy for these two hotties.
It was a tough, but fun WOD!
Claire started in my M/W 6:15pm Fulmore MS (formerly Little Stacy Park) Relentless Athletic Training class last July and has become one of the most consistent, encouraging, and hard-working athletes I have the privilege to coach. She has fully enrolled herself our programs, pushing herself to new heights and making constant improvements. She has gotten stronger, faster, and leaner, doing things she never thought she could (like running a 10K!), and has recruited her friends and sister to join. Claire understands the importance of a strong support system and having those closest to her involved in her health and fitness goals and pursuing the same goals will help her to be successful in our programs.
In her own words, Claire has this to say about her experience with our class:
“I have always been an active person, but used to get bored with my workout routines and never felt fully challenged. Even though I started Athletic Training classes in the heat of summer, I knew after my first class I was hooked. The classes never get boring! They are always different and the camaraderie of our crew makes it fun. Coach Jess is super motivating and makes every class a challenge. I am definitely the strongest I have ever been. I have definition and muscle in places I never had before and my booty is perkier than ever. I used to get regular shoulder pain, but this has almost disappeared with strengthening my back. I was nervous when I signed up for the Capital10K (my first 10K!) last month. But I did it with little training and it was easy! Thank you, Relentless Athletic Training!”
Claire, pictured above before (left) joining Relentless Athletic Training classes a little over a year ago, and after (right) at the 2012 Cap 10K race that she ran with race with fellow Relentless Athlete and friend, Becky in spring 2012.
I am so very grateful to coach Claire and enjoy watching her continue to progress. She is RELENTLESS!