Hail to the Dinosaurs!
The sudden death of wrestling legend Roddy
Piper caused a huge outpouring of grief among
wrestling fans the world over -- including many
Dinos. Quite a few of us grew up watching pro
wrestling. Heck, some Dinos have done some
pro wrestling -- and some are still doing it.
But this isn't a post about pro wrestling.
It's a post about heroes.
The heroes in our lives -- and what they mean
to us.
Over the years, I've noticed that many of us
in the Iron Game and Physical Culture world
share similar beginnings.
Many of us decided to start training when we
saw a magazine cover with a massively
developed bodybuidling champion on the
cover.
We took one look, and we said, "I want to
be like him!"
Or we saw someone on a wrestling show --
or we saw a champion in another sport --
or a well-devleoped actor in a television
show or in the movies -- and we said,
"I want to be like him!"
Or perhaps we met a champion in person --
and it made such an impression that we
decided we wanted to start training right
then and there.
We also remember seeing feats of strength --
great sports plays -- comeback victories --
the times the underdog battled back to beat
the odds -- world record lifts -- and other
inspiring and motivating performances.
They all come together and help to fuel
our collective strength training imagination.
They make us strong.
Make no mistake about it. We all need heroes.
It's a very deep, primal need. Every ancient
culture had its own heroes. We remember
many of them today: Hercules, Achilles,
Odysseus, Hiawatha. The list could go on
and on.
Here's an interesting exercise.
Take a piece of paper and a pen or pencil --
go into a quiet place -- and turn off your cell
phone, your mobile devices and your computer.
Take the phone off the hook. Give yourself 30
to 60 minutes of silence.
Now start to list all of the heroes of your
youth. Write them down on the sheet of paper.
As you move along, include the great moments
that inspire and motivate you.
Turn off your self-censor. Don't make a politically
correct list, and don't make one that you think
I or anyone else might approve.
Make YOUR list -- and make an honest list.
Include everyone and everything that was
important to you when you were getting started,
and include everyone and everything that became
important to you later on in your journey.
Use stars and underlining and circles to make
the extra important people and events stand
out.
When you're finished, put the list away in a
secret place. It's your list. Don't share it with
anyone else -- and for gosh sake, don't put it
on Facebook or share it on the Internet. Don't
email it to me. It's for your eyes only.
This is your personal list of people, things and
events that motivate and inspire you. Everything
on your list has helped you on your journey to
might and muscle.
Keep the list, and study it from time to time.
Remind yourself of what got you started. Use
the memories to help keep you going.
As always, thanks for reading and have a
great day. If you train today, make it a good
one.
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. The Legacy of Iron books bring the greatest
heroes of the Iron Game to life. If you want to
meet them, talk with them, eat with them and
train with them, go here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/legacy_of_iron.html
There are five books in the Legacy of Iron
series. I just gave you the link to the first
book. You can find links to the four other
books in the series right here -- along with
a link to Legacy of Iron in a Kindle e-book
edition if you prefer Kindle e-books:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
If you want the best shipping rate for orders
of multiple books in the series, email me.
P.S. 2. Here's another book about a hero --
a different sort of hero, but a very inspiring
one:
http://www.brookskubik.com/horatius.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "We all have
heroes. Honor them every time you train."
-- Brooks Kubik
************************************************************************************
Showing posts with label Horatius. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Horatius. Show all posts
The First Feedback on Legacy of Iron 4!
Hail to the Dinosaurs!
The first feedback on “Legacy of Iron 4 – York Goes to War!” comes from none other than Jim Schmitz, the man who made the Sports palace a weightlifting legend, and the Coach of the U.S. Olympic Weightlifting Team Coach in 1980, 1988 and 1992. He’s also the author of the “Olympic-style Weightlifting for Beginner & Intermediate Weightlifters” Manual and DVD, which you can order from IronMind – and which are well-worth reading and watching.
Jim is an old-school guy who got started back in 1960 – and who remembers the DAY that he began lifting (which is pretty cool) – and remembers lines from old books, training courses and magazines that he read when he was getting started (which reminds me of me) – and he’s been a big fan of the Legacy of Iron books from day one.
Jim also ends his emails with one of the greatest closing lines in history:
“I will not rest while gravity threatens my people!”
Here’s what Jim Schmitz had to say – and please note that it includes the tip of the day for building strong and massive shoulders:
“Brooks,
Today I received your latest book, "York Goes To War!” Thank you. I just started reading "Horatius" last night. I look forward to reading it and your latest in the Legacy of Iron series. I really liked your cover with 1942 Mr. America Frank Leight on the cover.
When I began weightlifting on June 27th 1960 I was following the Joe Bonomo Professional Muscle Building Power - Plus - System and Frank Leight was one of the ten instructors.
I once read a statement by Frank, I think in Strength and health, but I can't remember exactly. Anyway, Frank was extolling the benefits of "Alternate Dumbbell Presses" and he said they were the best-ever shoulder exercise.
As I remember it, he said: " Alternate Dumbbell Presses are so Good That They Can Put Deltoids on a Pencil" and I have been doing them ever since and recommending and teaching them ever since 1968.
By the way Frank had the proverbial "Canon Ball" delts that we all wanted, as well as probably the broadest shoulders of the 40's, 50's, and 60's and maybe of all-time!
Anyway, thanks for the two books. I'm off to bed to get back to Horatius. I'll give you my comments after I finish them.
"I will not rest while gravity threatens my people!"
Jim”
Jim – Thanks for your feedback, and do let me know how you like Horatius and Legacy of Iron 4.
Your line about building big deltoids on a pencil made me smile. Bradley J. Steiner used the same line in an article I read back around 1970, and it has stuck in my mind ever since. I think I even used it once or twice in my own writing.
Frank Leight trained at Sig Klein’s gym, and Klein was a huge fan of heavy dumbbell pressing. It looks like it rubbed off on Frank.
To everyone else – thanks for reading, and if you train today, make it a good one!
P.S. In between writing about the iron game, I managed to write a short novel set in ancient Rome – a novel that tells the true story of one of history’s greatest warriors and one of the most incredible battles of all time. It’s not about strength training, per se – but it’s definitely about strength. Strength of body, strength of heart and strength of will. It’s a fast-moving, fun read – and I think you’ll like it:
http://www.brookskubik.com/horatius.html
P.S. 2. Legacy of Iron 4 – York Goes to War! is flying off the shelves. You can order your copy right here:
http://brookskubik.com/legacy_of_iron4.html
The first feedback on “Legacy of Iron 4 – York Goes to War!” comes from none other than Jim Schmitz, the man who made the Sports palace a weightlifting legend, and the Coach of the U.S. Olympic Weightlifting Team Coach in 1980, 1988 and 1992. He’s also the author of the “Olympic-style Weightlifting for Beginner & Intermediate Weightlifters” Manual and DVD, which you can order from IronMind – and which are well-worth reading and watching.
Jim is an old-school guy who got started back in 1960 – and who remembers the DAY that he began lifting (which is pretty cool) – and remembers lines from old books, training courses and magazines that he read when he was getting started (which reminds me of me) – and he’s been a big fan of the Legacy of Iron books from day one.
Jim also ends his emails with one of the greatest closing lines in history:
“I will not rest while gravity threatens my people!”
Here’s what Jim Schmitz had to say – and please note that it includes the tip of the day for building strong and massive shoulders:
“Brooks,
Today I received your latest book, "York Goes To War!” Thank you. I just started reading "Horatius" last night. I look forward to reading it and your latest in the Legacy of Iron series. I really liked your cover with 1942 Mr. America Frank Leight on the cover.
When I began weightlifting on June 27th 1960 I was following the Joe Bonomo Professional Muscle Building Power - Plus - System and Frank Leight was one of the ten instructors.
I once read a statement by Frank, I think in Strength and health, but I can't remember exactly. Anyway, Frank was extolling the benefits of "Alternate Dumbbell Presses" and he said they were the best-ever shoulder exercise.
As I remember it, he said: " Alternate Dumbbell Presses are so Good That They Can Put Deltoids on a Pencil" and I have been doing them ever since and recommending and teaching them ever since 1968.
By the way Frank had the proverbial "Canon Ball" delts that we all wanted, as well as probably the broadest shoulders of the 40's, 50's, and 60's and maybe of all-time!
Anyway, thanks for the two books. I'm off to bed to get back to Horatius. I'll give you my comments after I finish them.
"I will not rest while gravity threatens my people!"
Jim”
Jim – Thanks for your feedback, and do let me know how you like Horatius and Legacy of Iron 4.
Your line about building big deltoids on a pencil made me smile. Bradley J. Steiner used the same line in an article I read back around 1970, and it has stuck in my mind ever since. I think I even used it once or twice in my own writing.
Frank Leight trained at Sig Klein’s gym, and Klein was a huge fan of heavy dumbbell pressing. It looks like it rubbed off on Frank.
To everyone else – thanks for reading, and if you train today, make it a good one!
P.S. In between writing about the iron game, I managed to write a short novel set in ancient Rome – a novel that tells the true story of one of history’s greatest warriors and one of the most incredible battles of all time. It’s not about strength training, per se – but it’s definitely about strength. Strength of body, strength of heart and strength of will. It’s a fast-moving, fun read – and I think you’ll like it:
http://www.brookskubik.com/horatius.html
P.S. 2. Legacy of Iron 4 – York Goes to War! is flying off the shelves. You can order your copy right here:
http://brookskubik.com/legacy_of_iron4.html
Jan Dellinger Reviews My New Novel, "Horatius"
As you probably know, I’ve taken a big step beyond the realm of pure Iron Game writing, and have written a short novel titled Horatius.
It’s an action-adventure set in Ancient Rome, and it’s based on an amazing true story that involves one of the most remarkable battles in history – where three men stood against 100,000 – with the fate of Rome hanging in the balance.
Jan Dellinger sent in a short review of Horatius. Jan is a big fan of action movies set in Ancient times, such as Gladiator, Troy, 300, and The Last Legion, so he really wanted to read the book – which moves as fast as any movie – and which really ought to be made into a movie.
By the way, Jan Dellinger is the former editor of Muscular development magazine back in the days when it was owned and published by the York barbell Company. He shared an office with the great John Grimek, and has plenty of great stories about Bob Hoffman, John Grimek, Steve Stanko and others of their era. You can see Jan’s work in The Dellinger Files, which are available at The Functional hand Strength website. They make great reading.
Anyhow, here’s Jan’s review of Horatius:
“Regarding your book Horatius, it is another excellent read: I found it to showcase a concise, focused and very intriguing storyline. Too often works of this nature traditionally go to laborious degrees to develop endless characters and scenarios and diversionary subplots. Put another way, a lot of acclaimed writers would have brought Horatius in at 300-400 pages; you got it done in fine fashion in 124. To be blunt about it, someone with Attention Deficit Disorder can stick with Horatius because of the format.
You do simplicity of plot very well and make it very relatable with highly recognizable themes and characters: shared enemies between father and son, prophecies, protective nationalism, swearing vengeance, the evil father/son combo who conspired with political deal making and outright cultural betrayal, the "face" champ v. the "heel" champ (Astur), multiple heroes ultimately (as opposed to just Horatius); in fact, a female champion in his wife, an animal champion in Wolf, and even minor champions in Lartius and Herminius. Triumph by the best of all God's creatures. Who doesn't love that?
Those in the Iron Game parade who actually read things beyond muscle magazines will enjoy it. I only hope Horatius gets exposed to a wider market. For me, it has all of the ingredients to make it appealing on a bigger screen.”
Thanks, Jan, for an excellent summary of Horatius – and to everyone reading this, please go to the Dinosaur Training website at www.brookskubik.com and check the little monster out. I know it’s something “different” from Dinosaur Training Headquarters, but it’s something very special – very enjoyable -- and very much fun.
It’s an action-adventure set in Ancient Rome, and it’s based on an amazing true story that involves one of the most remarkable battles in history – where three men stood against 100,000 – with the fate of Rome hanging in the balance.
Jan Dellinger sent in a short review of Horatius. Jan is a big fan of action movies set in Ancient times, such as Gladiator, Troy, 300, and The Last Legion, so he really wanted to read the book – which moves as fast as any movie – and which really ought to be made into a movie.
By the way, Jan Dellinger is the former editor of Muscular development magazine back in the days when it was owned and published by the York barbell Company. He shared an office with the great John Grimek, and has plenty of great stories about Bob Hoffman, John Grimek, Steve Stanko and others of their era. You can see Jan’s work in The Dellinger Files, which are available at The Functional hand Strength website. They make great reading.
Anyhow, here’s Jan’s review of Horatius:
“Regarding your book Horatius, it is another excellent read: I found it to showcase a concise, focused and very intriguing storyline. Too often works of this nature traditionally go to laborious degrees to develop endless characters and scenarios and diversionary subplots. Put another way, a lot of acclaimed writers would have brought Horatius in at 300-400 pages; you got it done in fine fashion in 124. To be blunt about it, someone with Attention Deficit Disorder can stick with Horatius because of the format.
You do simplicity of plot very well and make it very relatable with highly recognizable themes and characters: shared enemies between father and son, prophecies, protective nationalism, swearing vengeance, the evil father/son combo who conspired with political deal making and outright cultural betrayal, the "face" champ v. the "heel" champ (Astur), multiple heroes ultimately (as opposed to just Horatius); in fact, a female champion in his wife, an animal champion in Wolf, and even minor champions in Lartius and Herminius. Triumph by the best of all God's creatures. Who doesn't love that?
Those in the Iron Game parade who actually read things beyond muscle magazines will enjoy it. I only hope Horatius gets exposed to a wider market. For me, it has all of the ingredients to make it appealing on a bigger screen.”
Thanks, Jan, for an excellent summary of Horatius – and to everyone reading this, please go to the Dinosaur Training website at www.brookskubik.com and check the little monster out. I know it’s something “different” from Dinosaur Training Headquarters, but it’s something very special – very enjoyable -- and very much fun.
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