bali-sunet

Holiday Bali 2016

David Robertson Leave a comment

Why Holidays are Important:

I’m sitting on the beach in Bali admiring the pitch black sand and a shoreline where there are tourists enjoying the luke warm Indonesian water. I’m pretty sore from my first surfing lesson yesterday and I wanted to share some insights with you.

It’s really easy to get caught up in life. I know almost all of you appreciate how turbulent day to day life can be.

The nature of the beast is such that even after a holiday, it’s so easy to get sucked back into a life that is not doing your health or intrinsic priorities any favors.

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Reflections On 2015

David Robertson Leave a comment

Thanks for taking a moment to read my blog. Last year was a very successful year for me and I am extremely grateful to the people who helped me clear a path. It was rewarding but it was anything but easy.

I started my year with some specific intentions regarding training, nutrition and reading but got side tracked by a number of obstacles. There’s nothing quiet like setting outrageous goals to start the year and then watching life rear it’s responsible head 😉

Basically the year was off to a bad start. I’d not planned my training cycles properly, business was slow for the first quarter and I had to contend with the usual petty frustrations of writing, reading, training and rendering a high quality service to so many people. (more…)

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Become Your Own Hero

David Robertson Leave a comment

Personal lessons learned in the last 30 years…

Personal Triumph 1: Face Your Fear!

“If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”
― Bruce Lee

There is a moment is every persons life that defines them forever. A moment which transcends time, space, risk and adversity.

As a teenager I had a glimpse of this when I used to rollerblade. Some days were crisper than others and these were the days I could push myself a little more than most. (more…)

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Insights From A Short Getaway

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Experiments with Wellness and Short Getaways

This weekend I went to Church Haven with some friends to relax. We only stayed one night and ended up boating for the whole day, the header image does the scenery no justice (Church Haven is a lagoon) and has to be one of the most amazing places on the planet.

In ‘New Years Resolutions, Optimization & Travel‘ I wrote a bit about my desire to take more holidays in 2015 and plan my year better. 2015 has been a good year for me so far and aside from being a little slow with my reading list I know I will catchup soon.

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Most ‘Trainers’ Lie to Your Face

David Robertson Leave a comment

Habits are the foundation of everything you want to accomplish in life. A habit is a better decision set to automate.

When you focus on doing less better and investing not only in yourself, but in professionals with a proven track record… You cannot go wrong.

I meet a lot of people and a lot of them are ‘personal trainers’ that supposedly benefit the lives of the people they train… But something is missing. Their clients have not dropped bodyfat in weeks, they are tired, bloated, frustrated and uncertain of what to do next… They don’t even know what a PR (personal record) is…

Do you want to row to the shore with an oar or a fork? (more…)

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New Years Resolutions, Optimization and Travel

David Robertson Leave a comment

I am currently sitting below two oak trees in the Drakensberg. I’ve just been Trout fishing under a double rainbow and the air is still very much fresh. It’s 7:35AM and I am the happiest man alive.

I sit here each morning and write, read and meditate. I have been doing so for just over 7 days and I am already loathing my return to civilization. The air here is so clean, each moment so intricate and clear. What a blessing.

As you can clearly see, my mind and heart are clearer than they have been for a few years and I really cannot emphasize how important a little time off can completely change your frame of reference on the world. (more…)

improve-running

How to Run Faster & Jump Higher In Just 10 Minutes A Day!

David Robertson Leave a comment

Experiments With Running & Obstacle Courses

A few weeks ago I ran the IMPI Challenge. It’s a 13Km run held each year in South Africa. This is how I prepared for the IMPI Challenge with absolutely NO RUNNING! 😀

“The challenge combines trail running with an adventure style obstacle course. Impi is the biggest social, fun but challenging event on the calendar.” More Info. For those of you who dont know, you do not need to prepare for endurance/endurance based events with atypical approaches that leave you injured and ignoring pain.

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How I Tripled My Deadlift PR In 12 Weeks (Not for the faint of heart)

David Robertson Leave a comment

This article is simply used to showcase one method that I have used to improve my RDL. I do not or have never suggested that somebody undertake this style of exercise related progression without the oversight of an experienced coach.

Most ‘trainers’ enter the personal training industry due to a history of sporting or athletic related interests…

They have enjoyed a success which does not represent the ‘average individual’…

If I was to hire a trainer I would want to know that they could illicit the journey they are selling me if they too had a history such as mine. I have suffered a number of injuries over the years including broken clavicles , dislocated knees, plastic surgery to my right hand and a variety of highly preventable sprains. If I want to get a PR in a new lift I want to do it as progressively as possible and with as little risk as needed. Enter…

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meat-nuts-breakfast

Improve Cognition & Mood With These Foods & Supplements

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Experiments With Cognition & Psychometric Performance

I have undergone two psychometric tests in my life. The first was a career evaluation I completed at the age of 15 with an educational psychologist & the other was when I was 18 prior to my travels to the UK. The first was the Senior South African Individual Scale.

The purpose of the CPP is to measure thinking processes and styles and to link these to everyday cognitive functioning. It can be administered to individuals 18 years and older with a reading / educational level of Grade 9.

The second test I underwent was the South African Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. As you can see there is a marked difference in the information presented in the two tests below. (more…)

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Training For The First Time?

David Robertson

Experiments With Training

There was a period where I really just didn’t ‘get’ exercise. Don’t get me wrong, I have spent countless amounts of time reading Strength or nutrition related material but just like you I often find my stumbling block is simply staying motivated. Get your training right the first time around and you will get better results!

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Fatloss Success Stories: Joeline Cornick

David Robertson Leave a comment

Experiments With Fatloss & Performance

Joeline completed her first weight loss challenge in Jan 2013. I am not going to sugar coat the process like so many others do. Where Josh had the Insulin Sensitivity of a new born baby, Joeline and I did not. Fatloss for girls is 1000 times harder than it is for men.

Ladies have so much more to account from a hormonal & lifestyle adjustment standpoint.

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Success Stories: Josh Jansen

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Experiments With Hypertrophy & Wellness

Josh came to see me in the Fall of 2009. His reason for initiating this journey that he was looking for a balanced variation of between training & performance that could help improve his neck and lower back pain.

Josh had also recently lost his sister Ari to Cancer and he was also seeking a renewed approach to nutrition & wellness.

Here is his success story & a brief look at his training & nutrition.

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Success Stories: Practicing What You Preach…

David Robertson Leave a comment

Experiments With Stress Management & Performance

I have been training for close to 14 years. In that period I have learned a thing or two about performance, cognition and wellness…

What I can tell you is there is a massive difference between talking the talk and walking the walk. My industry is saturated with people who have not a single transformation behind them. It’s pretty scary.

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