Watching Szolek from Frump to Pump

[Scott Sonnon]

Doug's been training with me now for 6 years. I still remember the day I met him when he came to a demonstration my coach and I conducted. He was just a wee thing back then.

I've seen Doug grow as a person, and as a professional. I've seen him fight pro NHB athletes, and seen him confront even an even tougher inner pansy. It's been a pleasure to watch this man develop, and be a true warrior for his beliefs and dreams. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to contribute to his growth.

Those of you familiar will remember a smaller version of Doug from his days appearing in my video series Shock-Ability (http://www.rmax.tv/shock.html) in 1999. Well, he's not so little anymore. :lol:

We're working on the photography for the next RMAX website evolution and thought we'd share merely one year of Doug's progression from CST Alpha (Feb 03) to Beta to Gamma to Delta (in sequence.)
http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/images/szolekalpha.gifhttp://www.circularstrengthmag.com/images/szolekbeta.gifhttp://www.circularstrength.com/images/szolekgamma.gifhttp://www.circularstrength.com/images/szolekdelta.gif

Doug lives his life by personal example. Watch out for this young man. He's already a prolific author, completing his 3rd strength training manual recently, and now hard at work on his first DVD.

Congratulations amigo! You have definitely proven to have the stamina to make your dreams come true through slow, steady and consistent hard work.

[Connie Brown]

Wow, congratulations to Coach Doug! That is really impressive.

Coach Doug kindly met me for a coaching session. There may be guys bigger or stronger, but there is NO ONE as big and strong who can move like he does.

Walk proud!

[daniel juson]

Quite an evolution for 1 year! Keep up the good work Doug.

[Scott Sonnon]

Connie, precisely right. This is a photo from a movement exercise, though photography captures only the stillness of 'position' - of Doug demonstrating a forearm bridge.
http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/images/forearmbridge.gif
He's an incredibly hard working young man, and a coach who will lead the industry in a few years.

[rbibbs]

Lots of guys are 'amazing' in what they've developed and what they can do. Far fewer can infuse others with their enthusiasm and confidence like Doug can. Congratulations mate.

[admin]

Sheeesh. Just when I'd finally recovered from seeing Doug do a scorpion and touch his feet to his hands next to his head, you had to go and show us that forearm bridge picture. Now my days and nights will be disturbed by the possibilities. Strong I can comprehend, but strong and a pretzel to boot, now that's twisted. Very twisted. :shock: :wink:

Doug, you are an inspiration. :D

[Robert V]

Well said, Scott!

When I did my review of a CST seminar, I couldn't help to highlight my honor of meeting Doug. This guy has so much going for him. And he's young! He hasn't had a lot time to be swallowed up in the flocks, nor has he allowed the "fear reactivity" to engulf his body. This guy is a model of what is possible. I'd be proud to have a son like him.

Robert

[Coach Jones]

I think that picture says it all! 200 plus pounds of functional strength is impressive enough, but with that degree of flexibility and movement skill, well it's downright frightening!

Doug is an awesome example of what CST and desire can yield.

Brandon Jones
CST Head Coach

[Robert V]

That's what I say!

Strength, flexibility and mobility...awesome!

[Garth Sch]

So what was the exercise that the "scorpion backbend" was taken from....

I sooo what to do that!!!

Thanks in advance,
Garth

[Scott Sonnon]

Doug will be publishing an article in the future for CST MAG including info on the Forearm Bridge.

[Doug Szolek]

Hey guys, thank you all for the good words, they go far to remind me why I do what I do and who I hope to ultimately benefit by perpetually sophisticating my training.

The Forearm and Shin Bridges have been very important in releasing every issue of which I am currently aware from my back and my hips and shoulders are opening to new levels of freedom that I didn't previously imagine. I have to say that it is strange and wonderful to be exploring the limits of my mobility actually searching for the next level of tension to be released. It's a type of freedom that I can't yet describe... What I can say is that to core of it all is my daily practice of Warrior Wellness, it is this system alone that has given me access to talents that I didn't know resided within me. To give you an idea of how I've pressed farther with W.W. the next time you do your Lumbar range of motion exercises (circles, figure-8s, diagonals, cloverleaves, revolvers etc.) use your eyes to track the ground the whole way around your body. In the front this will be easy but in the rear I Initially started looking at the wall behind me, now I can see a spot on the ground about a foot behind my heels.

Anyways, don't want to get too far off track :wink: , I owe all of my size undoubtedly to Clubbell Training, and all of my mobility/flexibility to Warrior Wellness and the principles of human movement Coach Sonnon devised for Circular Strength Training. With only a few years of these practices (and some very intensive/consistent work this last year) I'm able to pick up a book like Light On Yoga and look for a highly advanced pose and in a matter of days I've got it. (I'll have a few examples of this in the upcoming issue of CST Mag.) And I can finally watch my beloved Cirque de Soleil and realize that with some specialized training anything they do is perfectly possible for ME. I can't put a price on that kind of freedom; Freedom of movement, freedom of expression, freedom to live in every way that I am capable.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you Scott Sonnon and RMAX.tv Productions for sharing with me the tools to be who I am becoming.

In faith,

[Coach Wilson]

Doug-
You motivate and inspire Brother! You lead by example, and I could not be prouder to call you a coach and a friend! For all your good work, next time your down this way, I'll find you that fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. Seriously, keep up the good work, and I can't wait to see you again. Smile.

Always,

Joe

[Doug Szolek]

For all your good work, next time your down this way, I'll find you that fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.

Now you tease :wink: :lol: do you know how long it took me to get the hope of that thing out of my mind, and now here it is again, anyways, thanks for the uplift and be sure that I will take you up on that offer the next time I'm in Memphis (hopefully this fall).

[slowdiver]

Awesome man!

Are those pics within one year or six? Either way it's really inspiring to see what kind of results are possible with CST. Just out of curiosity, what are your stats and how have they changed?

[Scott Sonnon]

One year. I took those photos beginning last February (03).

[jimmy23]

very impressive work

[SCRAPPER]

Doug is definitely motivating and an inspiration for all of us. For me to see him accomplishing so much at such a "young" age is simply amazing and it was awesome to spend time with him at the Delta CST.

I've already warned my son that he's going to spend some time with Doug later this year. I haven't made it clear whether or not it's a punishment or reward. :lol:

Keep up the hard work brother and I hope to see you in July!

Train hard,

SCRAP