This week's post is a special one - it's the first guest post I've had!  It comes courtesy of my good friend/amazing human being/brother in lifting, Chris Mullins. Aside from being one of the most knowledgeable strength and conditioning coaches I've ever met, Chris is an accomplished run coach and one heck of a good golfer.  

Chris writes today about the detriments of defining yourself by one sport or activity.  This topic hits home for me as I defined myself purely as a baseball player for many years.  Even though I was involved in other activities, if I couldn't play baseball - like my injury-plagued sophomore year of college - then I had no identity.  I eventually found my niche but not without years of searching. (<----thanks for your patience, Mom and Dad!)

Chris' words are refreshing and offer a great perspective - I wish I could've read them years ago. So with that, take it away Chris!

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope y'all had a great holiday season, and are enjoying a day of lounging around in your pajamas.  Because after all, isn't that what New Years Day is all about?

Anyway, 2014 was a great year for me and this blog for a few reasons: 

1. Lindsay and I got married!!!!

2. I learned much more this year than any other year....not just about planning a wedding, but about Strength and Conditioning as well ;)

3. Judging by my site's analytics, I have a handful of more readers than my immediate family (as always, you're the best Mom!!)

To answer your question, yes, I'm aware of the arrogant nature of that title.  And yes, I am only talking about facts/issues/questions related to the fitness field.  But, to be totally clear, this blog post is really targeted at my former, office working self.

A few years ago, I thought personal trainers were little more than meatheads who threw weights at people and simply counted the reps.  Every profession has its stereotypes, and with no background in exercise science (besides reading men's health and getting coached a bit in college) I actually thought I knew just as much (if not more!) than many of the trainers in the commercial gym I belonged to.  In fact, I may have even used the dreaded term "muscle confusion," for which I will never forgive my previous self.

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Happy Holidays everyone!  I hope you had a Merry Christmas (if applicable, of course), and that Santa was as great to you as he was to me.

On a related note, don't the days immediately after Christmas - but preceding the New Year - just feel like the outro from the song "Layla?"

Today I wanted to talk about the difference between the words "training" and "workout."  While the difference between the two may seem trivial to you, these phrases could not be any different to the strength and conditioning nerd that resides deep inside my soul.

But, before I delve into the larger topic of distinguishing between the two words, it's important to talk about goals.  Yes, those pesky little things that are the reasons you go to the gym in the first place.  Below are some of the more common goals that many of my clients have, which I might add are all terrific and perfectly reasonable: