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Robert V
07-01-2004, 11:03 AM
Once every week, my friend, who is a professional NHB fighter and I would go to the gym and have a "full" NHB fight. Usually 3-4, five minute rounds or however long I could last until I gased.

Days before the fight, I'd start to get butterflies in anticipation. He told me that he experienced the same feelings. We would laugh and joke up until about five minutes before we fought. You could feel the silent nervous energy in the air. To us, this was our Pride and UFC!

When it was over, we both would be on a high as we would critic one anothers performance. I'd drive home on a cloud, thinking is there a "high" that's anymore satisfying than two warriors engaged in friendly combat to make one another better. I'd also be thinking of changes in my strategy that who enhance my performance for the next week. I'd begin to get nervous again.

Oddly enough, I think I've found a replacement for that "combative high" I got from NHB fighting. (I'm retired now)

When I workout with the Bruiser, it's as if I'm in hand to hand combat with an inanimate object. Days before my workout, I start to get butterflies in anticipation of this confrontation. I know that my rest and recovery is always a major determiner of my success or failure. I wonder if I got enough rest, did I eat properly and will I embarass myself. The "Bruiser" is so fickle, I never know what to expect out of it.

The two-handed workouts are great, but my goal of doing mills and swipes with one hand, has my practiced narrowed down to only doing one-handed mills and swipes to shoulder park position. With two-handed cast to end the practice.

One of the satisfying aspects of these workouts is the "danger" factor. If my mind is not "in the moment", I could tear my shoulder to pieces. Whether that's smart or not, it's motivation to focus.

I can't believe how intimadated I am. The weight and leverage makes the play so unpredictable, I feel as if it's alive!

When I finish my practice, I am usually on a high, feeling as if I've just confronted my fears and won. Once, the "Bruiser" embarassed me, for my rest and diet was off and I paid for it. I couldn't believe how true the statement, "You can't lie to the Bruiser" is. It really unveils your strengths and weaknesses, mentally, physically and emotionally.

Thank you, Scott and Doug. The monster you created is a beckon of "truth".

Robert


Also, does anyone else have problems with the knob coming off?

Scott Sonnon
07-01-2004, 11:09 AM
Beautiful post on benefits of Imperfect Training!

Doug Szolek
07-01-2004, 09:13 PM
Robert, thanks for your always detailed expression of ideas that can be difficult to word. I've said it before, but your post here brings it back to the surface, "There is nothing that can't be cured with heavier weight."

What you've said really tears into this idea, that you know that everything has to be in line in order to make an otherwise dangerous workout, something to be benefitted by, and grown through. We've all got our individuals Bruisers to whom we must be accountable and cannot lie. It is a goal of mine to never put a limit on how big my bruiser can be. I want to master the beast and then right away give it another advantage over me that I have to work through (like greater sophistication, higher volume, speed, etc.).
"I say may I never be content!"

thanks robert for your constant, re-inspiration :)

Robert V
07-01-2004, 09:28 PM
" It is a goal of mine to never put a limit on how big my bruiser can be. I want to master the beast and then right away give it another advantage over me that I have to work through (like greater sophistication, higher volume, speed, etc.). "

That's it Doug. That's one of the most valuable concept Scott has introduced me to. "Continue the challenge...one way or another. Create Sophistication!". And you are right, we all have different "Bruisers". The flat-footed squat, something almost everyone can do easily, has been the "bully of the Bruisers" for me.

You don't know how many times I've formed visions of you from the early videos and visions of you now and become instantly inspired!

So, thank you!