Wanderings of a RuinExplorer

Yesterday I matched my body mass in dead-lift at the gym. For the typical bodybuilder, not noteworthy. For me, this is a big flipping deal: http://ruinexplorer.blogspot.com/2016/05/20160528.html http://ruinexplorer.blogspot.com/2016/05/20160514.html You see, a little over a year ago, I destroyed my back. Months later learned that I had degenerative back disease, bulging and outright dissected disks. I used a cane, A CANE. After months of talk, Baker convinced me to come to the gym with him. It started out slow. I was sore a lot. originally 4-5 times a week, 2 hours a session. I've slowed to 3 times a week for about an hour and a half, but I'd like to take that back up. Before his help, hadn't ever even attempted a dead-lift. In any case, my back may still be completely screwed, but now it seems to have enough supporting structure it doesn't bother me as much. I have more strength than I did. I haven't lost any weight, but my waistline has lost a couple inch...

I have been working a lot recently with millennials. There is a phrase I believe is at the heart of their problems and quite possibly the population at large, "I can't." In my personal experience, there exists no more damaging claim - no more debilitating, depression invoking, self-fulfilling prophesy in existence. I recognize that millennials in particular were raised in a world where they were brought up believing they could do anything. Compound that with mobile devices where the answer to nearly anything was immediate. When smacked square in the face with 'adulting,' this combination made for disaster. (their word, not mine) 'Adulting' is hard and nothing is immediate. Everything they know is now challenged. Some adapt. Interestingly enough, it seems those that have already endured hardships adapt fastest. Adversity becomes a source of strength. More power to them. But what of those with expectations borne of YouTube successes? (this applies to much mo...