Happy Labor Day, my fellow denizens of the American chaos-scape (and those outside the US too).

In the year 1894, the suits in Washington bestowed upon us this peculiar holiday, one to be celebrated with a primal roar on the first Monday in September. It's a day meant for the weary souls of the labor force to catch their breath, a pause in the relentless machinery of existence.

My version of a breather today involved a marathon upper body session at the local temple of iron, a cathedral of sweat, and clanging steel. It was an exercise in masochistic Doooode Bro lifting an attempt to expunge the demons that haunt the corners of my mind.
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Haha, actually it was just me lifting to the sound of death metal and dumbbells.

Now, let's talk about Tool - progressive metal shamans that weave a tapestry of sound so intricate and hypnotic that it's as if they've made a deal with the very fabric of the universe.

Their music, a melding of serrated guitar riffs, intricate drum patterns, and vocals that can haunt your dreams for weeks, transcends mere mortal boundaries.
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As you can see, I am a huge fan!

But it's not just the music that sets Tool apart; it's the lyrical incantations of their enigmatic frontman, Maynard James Keenan.

His words are like a psychedelic journey through the labyrinth of the human psyche, plumbing the depths of introspection and philosophy.

Tool's songs are also philosophical treatises set to a sonic backdrop that could awaken even the most dormant and jaded soul.

A few years back Maynard had a great series called "Do The Work" and I felt it was so appropriate for this Labor Day.

>> Why Do Hard Things << full article

Note- even if you don't know of Tool, this details his thoughts creating wine, doing BJJ, songwriting, and more. I love his outlook on things.

Here is my fav quote from it - think of the gym here as that applies in place of the mat too.

“The vineyard suffers if you're not present, right?
Same thing on the mat.
If you're snoozing, there's somebody that's gonna put you to sleep.

You're walking in the door as a white belt, you don't know anything.

So every day that you go there, even though you might make some small progressions, it's about you really digging in and self-evaluating and understanding exactly what humility smells like.

...'cause that's, it's a tough road from white belt to black belt. It's a long road and it requires you, nobody else can do that, but you have to put the time in.

You have to progress, you have to do it.

No one can do it for you if you have that belt.

By the time you get to a black belt you've earned it.”- Maynard
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​You can easily sub in your lifting goals for BJJ above.

>> Why Do Hard Things << full article

Much love,

Dr. Mike

PS- here is another great quote

““But if you're doing your job and you're doing it accurately enough and you're expressing from the heart, from the core, from your experiences and your intuition, other people are going to resonate with that.

It's gonna resonate with them.

They're gonna get something out of it.

Their day might go better because of what your true, honest approach to what you're doing. You're gonna help other people.

You're gonna help yourself.

You're gonna help your family.

But just understand, at the end of the day, nobody owes you as an artist, any kind of accolades.

You don't owe them anything.
They don't owe you anything.
You're just doing.”- Maynard

PPS – Stay tuned for a ton more updates coming to you this week!

_____________________

Mike T Nelson CISSN, CSCS, MSME, PhD
Associate Professor, Carrick Institute
Owner, Extreme Human Performance, LLC
Editorial Board Member, STRONG Fitness Mag

Mike T Nelson is a PhD and not a physician or registered dietitian. The contents of this email should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

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