A note to you, TeamDO. I write these programs for you. Nothing makes me more proud than seeing you take my image, my vision, and turn it into your masterpiece. I write programs as if I am sculpting ice, wood, or better yet......a Weightlifter. A weightlifter with dreams, the same dreams I once had. Success, medals, teams.....VICTORY. Triumph over hardship, followed with pain over pleasure. Pleasurable pain is what I call this Team, TeamDO, the dark is you, with you, and lives inside you. There is no such thing as dark, dark is without light, but why is it in the dark I feel the sun on my face and the breeze on my hands. The past is a funny thing, close but far, love and pain, motivation filled with reluctant doubt mixed with mind numbing conversations between your skeleton and you, I, us. Your skeletons might be dark, locked away and hidden, but I promise you, walking into that closet and listening to the Orchestras they play, white fingertips filled with salty eyes, bones full of hollow, and strings that cry.....listen to them play, bad or good, and I promise you......IT WILL BE THE BEST PROGRAM EVER WRITTEN. Salute. #TeamDO #Thedarkorchestra
It’s where it all started. Full circle. 5 years
later the Orchestra stands, bent but never broken. Side ways, but strong.
Old, but perfect. My old friend. True & brutally honest. Dust
on my hand, as my calused palms drag upon the faded red cloth chairs. Row
after row, higher and higher the 5 story auditorium rises, until the dark
slowly starts to cast a blanket over the last few seats. Seats where we
have sat in so often, as our skeletons play sad songs from the broken strings
from our past. Perfect harmony, perfect motion, and perfect sadness.
Dark, empty, but ever so bold. Too bold and honest for most, for
most don't enter, only those who truly want, and can accept their past can make
peace from this Orchestra. My feet stick from the salt water on the
ground, as broken strings lay next to broken promises, promises that held
dreams oh so tight, only now to lay out like an old rug that runs up the once
lit up isle. I am back, and it feels ever so good. The bright light
from the outside world creeps underneath the exit door, as boards and nails do
their best to block the sun. Black walls, filled with a black stage.
Broken chairs & fallen wallpaper sob like so many who enter this closet.
Passed the coats, passed the boxes, there lies a door, a door that leads
to a place I found back in 2010. I’m glad you can join me once again.
Join me as our journey continues. The next chapter may begin.
But first, let’s go back before we move forward.
2010, I needed a place like this. A place
where I could face my demons like a man. I place that shed no shame, but
bathed me in guilt. A place that would introduce me face to face with the
skeletons that kept me up all those past nights. The boogie man under my
bed, as smoke and coke chased me around the nighttime life I called hell.
A world of frightful tales, amongst the worst of devils. Regrets
from my childhood haunt me; decisions I have made lay me awake, as what if’s
wrestle me to the point of depression. What I have created today takes me high,
where I stand now is a dream world, one of beauty and honesty, but entering the
Dark Orchestra is a must, for it keeps me grounded. 2010, I was going
through a very hard time, one without saying you can relate to. Slamming
bars, chugging coffee, and yelling on the platform wasn't enough. I
needed something to yell at me, something to slam me down and give me a rude
awakening to the person I had become, and the person I was. I needed the
truth, one not sheltered by caffeine and weights, but real, horribly real that
could help me grow to the man I always saw myself becoming. 2010, I sat
down in the back room of Cal Strength, & began to write. It was weird…I
started to write about this thing called…well…The Dark Orchestra. Where
it came from…I will never know to this day. But boy, I am glad it came to
me. Without it…. who knows who or where I would be today. This is
my 5 year reunion of my blog, today I write again after a year to give thanks
to something that connected me to you, you the reader, & hopefully through
my writing helped you along the way as well.
I continue to slowly drag my hand over the stage
and music stands raised up high like a skinny robot, as my walking feet creek the
hardwood floor. A projector plays old videos from being a little boy all
the way to my early days at Cal Strength, slamming bars at Sac State, flying to
the American Open under Hassle Free, long chats with Ben Claridad, and long
training sessions with Coach Jackie Mah. Scraping change for monster
energy drinks to split with my wife, all with happy smiles on our face. Not a
care in the world besides training. No cares, for all my skeletons at this
point in my life were locked away and forgotten in my long lost closet door.
Now sitting on the stage, feet dangling down as if I was a kid in a tree,
now reminiscing about moving across country and throwing weight at squat racks
at MDUSA. Epic YouTube videos cast a small smile over my face. I
shake my head sometimes to see if it was all just a dream, but no…I was truly a
part of so much good. I was truly a part of so much greatness.
Gold medals and bomb outs, missed teams and made
teams, friends, enemies, brothers, and sisters. The scratchy projector
screen above the stage continues to play a timeline of my life, as if it was
waiting for me this long year I have been MIA. What happened? How did I
become the man I am today? I walk the stage and throughout the maze of isles
and seats with more confidence than ever before. I have come along way
with my wife by my side, staying off by the exit door as so many memories catch
me by surprise. We have accomplished so much; we have failed so much. I have
changed, but this Orchestra hasn't. Still hungry, but at the same time,
satisfied with my hard work. Hard work…something that sounds so simple,
something that rolls off the tongue…something that is so hard…something that
still must be performed.
A young, ambitious kid lifting weights for the love
of the sport, and the world the sport lives within. Community…something I
finally found back then. Acceptance, pride, attention, something that
felt as warm as the sun on my face. I walk amongst this stage as my
skeletons start to come out from the dark, cellos, violins, bass, saxophone,
& pianos start to come together like life has a way of doing. I sit.
I listen. Half my body covered in dark, half in dust, as sad music from
my far & recent past keep me humbled and in check. An odd
understanding comes forth, giving me pain, while turning it into strength.
Sad songs at first, morph into songs of truth and fortune, breath and
lungs, dreams of better places and untouched grounds, as fog circles my feet,
and dark captures my head. My white eyes stay up toward my songs that
play, as my chin points low, as thoughts interact with the music. The
best part about the skeletons is they have a way of relating. You see…after
a few songs your skin melts from understanding, admitting, seeing, and finally
accepting. Your white bones become strong and loud, your white eyes turn
to black, as your nails fall like leaves. Your clothes become nothing to
you, so pure, so honest just this once, just this minute, your true feelings
are the only thing that consumes you. You my reader, you my fellow
friend, who sit next to me tonight, you are now turned into a skeleton.
We are now skeletons. Nothing but bones that can be seen right
through. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear. Skeletons of the dark
are nothing more than our own mirror.
I can truly say that I am more of a man that I was
last year. More mature, wiser, and more understanding on how this society
works and turns. More keen to human behavior. Not as trusting, but
more trusting in some situations. Still growing, still trying to
understand, still playing my violin as a skeleton…no matter how much success I
create, the Dark Orchestra keeps me straight. How far I have come…oh but
how far I have to go. Blogs of sad, blogs of crazy, blogs of tears mixed
with hate and love…this blog is more me than me, as my fingers bleed for truth
and honesty, honesty within myself and others. My father not too long ago
found the Dark Orchestra; I know so many skeletons reading this now have as
well. Finding is key, but ever growing is a must. As my good friend
and coach Les tells me… “This is only the beginning".
Skeletons of the dark that sit with me tonight, let
us take pride in ourselves, our families and friends, and never forget that our
past is what has made us who we are today, and today is a great day to
fight.
Skeletons 2015
PS: Hey Shankle, better step up your writing game……I'm back. #blogwars
Four gentlemen. Four scholars. Four men captivated by the bar, sailing the gym with empty guts filled with swirling waves of energy drinks. Their caffeinated adventure and their midnight chatter sways them along the distant and never ending ocean made up of sugar, and birds that circle their ship of chairs and coaches tied together by the strings from each men's shoes. Knots that pull tight just like the grip they use to hold their shaker cups, keep the boat attached, while the men roll deeper into dreams and goals they didn't even know where there. Hands move with their mouths, while body language follows the rhythm of the conversation. Laughter rings out throughout the empty sea as one of the men ask for another shot of energy. "Hell yea!" Matt says to Ryan, as powder starts to pour like sand from a shoe. Powder that dances as it enters the cup.... a cup that will soon be shaken. Pink powder that is legal, how this is possible makes the men burst with laughter even louder than before. A drug that allows the men to feel comfortable around each other, like a beer at a business meeting, or coffee on a first date. An ice breaker, a conversation starter, a counselor of some sort, constantly begging for more truth, more discussion, more of you. Body building magazines that lay scattered on the wet deck, only to be glanced upon and then thrown to the side, leaving the magazine empty and unfulfilled.
When lost at sea the only thing to do is chug powder, crack monsters, and feel the smooth face of miss brown eyes against the palm of your hand. The yellow birds occasionally swoop down to catch a better view of the on board barrels that reek of motivation and wide eyed emotion. The gusts of wind from the splashing whales and rolling kilo plates made miss brown eyes' hair find peace above her head, blocking out the sight of the birds as if a slide show was being played above all for men's heads. A slide show of blue ski for miles, and clouds that made shapes of Dimas on a unicorn jumping over caffeinated waterfalls. It became quiet for a moment as all four scholars of their respected career choices drew from their rich and inviting drinks. A smack of the lips and a shake from the head was only the start of the after drink ritual. The classic look of the cup from a stretched out arm like something was wrong, meant that everything in the world was right. Chatter laid still in peace, as the sound of the boat slapping the water gave each man a moment of tranquility. Chunks of energy powder found its way on the back of each mans throat and behind the gums that always seemed to bleed when brushed. A fast chew as their eyes pinned wide, but the sight could not make out what laid in front of them from the pure concentration of the task at hand. Rocks exploded as the supplements taste and high powered electricity punched them in the face, followed this time around - by a fast and violent sip to wash the left overs down deep into the belly of the beast.
Another topic popped up like the silence was never there. The silence grabbed its doctor bag and medical kit and flew away. He was glad to leave, for he was an owl, and owls had no business being out in the middle of a ocean made up of sugar and yellow birds. The silent owl was always known for being realistic, and this situation was far from anything that lingered on making a bit of sense. To the four men reality couldn't be more real. The spray of the ocean tasted like sugar, and the circling birds drew a certain shade that they could feel upon their skin. How could this not be reality? A reality they could taste with every sip of their mixed multi-colored contraptions they were drinking, like a pirate to his alcohol. The front room boat stayed swaying as the lobby squeezed the shoe string boat closer and closer to the tiny door that was becoming bigger and bigger. A door that became land, and land that lead to the land called gym.
Jokes and ball breaking would be soon rudely interrupted by a heavy reality. Ideas were the reflections that the men saw when they pierced through the depth of the water, as the boat swayed closer and closer to the growing door. Looking back at them was the what if's and the how comes. Whales that rolled in circles with giant smiles upon their faces. Fish that spoke English sang songs from the 90's, and the outer banks of the ocean came to a stop, as if the water and sea life had no where else to go. All roads led to one destination. All the whales were swimming to one location, and the birds were flying to help guide the four men home. Soon the men realized their ocean journey was over, and the front door leading out from the gym lobby and into the gym was 10 feet high and partially cracked open. Chalk dust fell like snow from the cracked door, as the music bumped through the dead end ocean walls meeting their feet and carrying up through their bodies. The energy drinks were gone, empty, now living inside them. The door flew open as the owl of silence made its way to the front of the boat, grabbing the rope with his wing and tying the boat to the long wooded post that the yellow birds momentarily made their new resting spot. "Let's go boys......it's time to train." - Silent owl.
The definition of the Attitude Nation Catapult performed beautifully by Ruben Aleksanyan in the video below.
Pointers to look out for.
1.) Bar never touches his body intel the contact in his hips (yes he is a hip cleaner)
2.) knees almost fully locked out - shoulders over - bar around mid thigh. (superman pull)
3.) This athlete has performed the early arm bend to a T. ) most likely because he is a hip cleaner)
4.) the finish (aka) Arched Angel, is one of the best in the game. Hips through - shoulders back - on toes - elbows back - BAR is right under his belly button
5.) WATCH THE BAR as the athlete starts to go under, goes under, and at the initial catch……..
THE BAR DOES NOTHING
Learn how to move around the bar, not move the bar.
Had a lot of fun adding the commentary to my training vlogs. Even know Shankle is the commentary king…..its fun to try my best. 170kg 200kg here we come….
I am going to walk you through my C4 journey this morning while I type to you in Starbucks. Better yet…..please, join me. Lets fly together. Lets dream together and conquer together. Lets become brothers in a world of war together. Lets drink the dancing water in a room of dark, as we get high doing what we love. shhhh…..I can hear society outside these boarded walls….lower your candle young lad, we must never let them find us. Take the bars and squat racks to the back. Shelter the plates and find homes for the clips…….we all know those clips have a mind of their own. They were born bastards in a sport that uses them in training as much as peanut butter on pancakes. Bring the dancing water to the table. Now….Before we start, let me stop this blog for a minute to give you time to grab your C4 and watch the magical dust fall from the sky and then twirl in your water……turning your cup from clear to the color of your flavor. I choose strawberry……so let there be blood! Let the sky turn from light morning blue….to the dark red that flows through my veins! OK…….have you poured? good. Now raise your cup, glass, water bottle, old coffee mug, skull of a lion…….cheers. Cheers to the day, to our loved ones, and the ones we protect from harm. Cheers to the iron sport we call life, that separates us from them, the weak form the strong, the sheep from wolves, better yet…….as we call them here in the dark orchestra……the ones with soft hands…..
First gulp down as I crack these little black keys. I close my eyes and wait……wait for the rush of joy and the taste of all my insecurities leaving my body like blood from a cut. The cracks of my skin slither like small snakes, running rivers of fresh water amongst my body washing away the day before, giving me a new fresh look on this life we walk upon each day. My skin itches with pleasure, so much that water drips from my eyes, as the goose bumps from my cracked skin raise like the wave on top of a gold medal podium. The itch…..starting from my cheeks, crawling up to my eyes, seeping into my skull, and then like a water fall……down my whole body as if I was born new. My fingers type faster, as my mind becomes sharper. The world around me spins slower, as my concentration becomes better. The pain in my knees starts to seep away like a high tree in a moving fog. My back grows spikes to keep me safe from the back stabbers that lurk during the day, and the two faced monsters who hide at night. My senses grow consistent to a spider, giving me the power in separating the closet haters, to the ones who truly have my best interest. My foot now taps to the violin song I will post above. I write to its rhythm. The beat moves me as the C4 runs through me. I am strong when I am confident…….sadly I need dancing water to keep this instrument tuned and sound, for without it I am not as sound, I am weak and less bound. The room now completely dark, a great time for us to take another gulp……better yet….this time lets take a giant chug…...
Belly of warmth…..as bones grow bigger, and muscles become stronger. At this point we are dangerous…..unknowing what we will do nor say, not as scared at the punishment that may lay. Another chug down…..as now my heart beats fast like the snatch. Hang snatches are the fastest because of the stretch reflex the athlete can use if done properly……C4 is a triple hang snatch above the knee, fast and violent like a pirate ship set out to sea. I wonder if Shankle is reading this blog, if so you better put down that sweet Louisiana ice tea…..get your self some of this skin itching, belly warming, red sea flowing, water dancing, pain relieving, weightlifting hulk juice we call the 4th element of the C. Late, late at night when the Orchestra is the quietest ……The lion killer has been rumored to lark in the dark. Its been chattered about throughout the halls a few of the skeletons sitting in the very back row listing to the Orchestra play on an ordinary day…..that lion heads have been found all throughout this old forgotten auditorium. Who be-headed them? and why? I have a pretty good guess on both matters….
C4 before training? The sheep ask. Yes, we reply without looking up. I don't need to make eye contact with those I don't trust. I keep to myself these days, I talk less these days. What I didn't tell these sheep, is that C4 is a must on any day. Today is an off day for Weightlifting……but not for life. I chug this bottle to connect with you. I chug this bottle to clear the pain in order to smile. The dancing water keeps me awake in order to live. Take it away……you take away apart of my lifestyle…….take away my lifestyle, and I don't trust myself in what kind of life choices I would make.
Stay away forever crystal mountains…….protect me dancing water……..
Pull back with all your might……for us the skeletons
should never stop fighting the good fight. Heave! Pull! Use your back to attack
and your heart to win; the greatest gift an athlete is given is the strength
within. Pinch your shoulder blades tight to cut through the wind! Fast
with a swoosh and quick like a hush……this will keep the weight from pounding us
against the dust. “Back not up!” the lifters yell from behind, as water
creeps around the bend. Don't try to move a bar; for it will always
disguise itself as a friend, only to steal your gold and rust your crown,
athletes are kings that continually drown. Under we go, heavy we constantly
throw, as buckets of water sink us low. Move around like sound, let the
bar unite you with the ground, as heels dig and tears falls……let your body move
as your fear dies.
Chest up young lifter…. as the leathered faces
crack a dry smile, tying their shoes makes them remember days of denial. A
heavy chest means a weighted down soul, one that carries too many problems on a
platform of weight. Adding extra baggage becomes a weight too much for
any plate. Your knees will break and your heart will stop, as your eyes
look around an audience of silence. Let your chest rise as you break
through the air……let your lats spread like flight to a bird……let your
confidence soar as a lion with his roar. Donny Shankle watches from the
back of the room, blue hat low and jeans full of blue. If you have lost
your chest and your shoulder blades aren't tight… look at the man postured in
the back with a hate that blocks the light. A face on an interview half
covered from shade, half light, one half leathered and the other half brave.
The Cal Strength interview of Shankle is a reminder on how to train. If
you are a lifter reading this blog, you must learn to learn, tighten your back
like the curve of a spoon. Tight and strong not just flat and solid, for
a tree will lie when lying down flat. Some look sturdy, while others look
hollow. To find the right tree takes years for the eye to see, the body
to feel while your hand falls free, once you stand long enough by a tree, you
will know every itch of its matter and how it may be. Learn how to keep
your back tight, and your hands free… this young lifter, is when skin becomes
leathered and the weight of the world becomes free.
I write to you from a corner booth in Starbucks.
The day outside is cloudy and the air is full of salt. I write by
the ocean of peace, thinking about tight backs, weights being made, and how a
lifter’s movement to me is never the same. This is why technique is so
intriguing to my brain, a brain that has never been good at much besides
movements that mock the flow of rain. For we are the best athletes and
dancers alike, we move like the ocean on a stormy night. I lift weights
for the expression it gives, freedom of movement in a life of constant
heartache. You know as well as I that quick sand is quick to find…. grabbing a
bar will always relieve you of your pain, giving you another feeling of
ache…and well…pain. The microphone has consumed me far too long… I am
back home in the dark where I belong. I raise my fist, full of wine and
C4. Cheers to you, the ones of bones and salt, not from the sea but by
the stage of the never forgotten. Right through us they see our past in
the same room as me, and a window open from the Orchestra to the sea. I
ink my pen, I shed a tear, I write directly to you without any fear.
Without this blog I fake smiles. Without this
blog I lose myself. I am the dark, we are the Orchestra….
