Training: Trial by Fire

This weekend was my first serious attempt at completing a complete "trial by fire" with my 15lb Clubbells. For those who do not know, a trial by fire (Created by Coach Scott Sonnon) consists of 100 continuous repetitions three specific exercises: 100 clubbell double swipes, followed by 100 mills with each arm, followed by 100 clubbell hammer throws. You can watch a video of a Trial by Fire here. To count as "official," the entire "trial" needs to be completed in under 30 minutes.

I've been working with Clubbells for some time, but I'd never attempted a complete trial before now. I've set a personal fitness goal of completing an official TBF, so I figured that I'd better get working on it.

In a word, it was TOUGH. Swinging the clubs really challenges your grip strength, particularly because the weight of the club pulls across your grip instead of into it. So, I was forced to take several short breaks to prevent "catastrophic grip failure" that would have resulted in by clubs becoming unintended projectile weapons.

I completed all 100 double swipes by doing a set of 35, followed by a set of 15, and then sets of 10 or 15 until I reached 100 repetitions. The mills were the hardest part of the trial; I switched hands often and took a few breaks to get 100 done on each side. The 100 hammer throws seemed to be the easiest part of the trial — those I completed in just two sets (one of 60 and one of 40).

My entire Trial by Fire took me 35 minutes, and the reps were not non-stop, as prescribed. So, my goal of completing a full, nonstop, continuous TBF in 30 minutes or less is within reach, but I've still got some work to do.

And oh YES -- I was really sore the next day!

Don't Just Sit There -- Do Something!

I sit here today as images from the BP oil spill come across my computer screen, and I feel absolutely powerless. I'm a "master" martial artist, a veteran self-defense "expert," and man dedicated to serving those in need with courage and compassion.

Yet still I'm feeling completely impotent about how I might serve and protect the countless animals along the Louisiana coastline that are bearing the brunt of this ecological disaster.


A quick search on Google has at least got me pointed in the right direction. Here's a link to ways you can help.

Earlier this year, members of the Emerald Necklace dojo came together and raised over $5,000 to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Today, I call on them again, along with anyone reading this post, to get creative about how to help with this incredible mess.

Team, let's put our heads together.

We'll be cleaning up this mess for years to come. When my children are old enough to understand the seriousness of what's happened in the Gulf, I don't want them to discover that all I did to help was sit back and watch the news.

So, please send me your ideas, and then we'll put some of them into action. Soon.

Why, yes -- I HAVE been training!

This is a video of last night's "Combat Conditioning" class. Sorry it's only about 30 seconds long, but I was at the "rest station" so it's all I had time to shoot.


Will write more later, I promise!

Taking On Bullying in Boston

Find more videos like this on Boston Self-Defense

I'm Baaaaackkk!!!!

Yikes, it's been a full two weeks since I've been in a gi and two weeks since I've put up a blog post of any significance. I've been away from the dojo to focus on training, and to bond with family -- especially my new son, Caleb!

Yes, he IS the coolest little dude EVER. The past 2 weeks have been amazing, but now it's time for me to jump back into the river of life with both feet, starting with going back to the 'ol grind at work.

My yondan examination is 6 WEEKS away, so you'd better believe I'll be ramping up my training, starting NOW.

EXPECT THE BEST, BE THE BEST!