WOW! It is hard to believe it has been a year since Gus and I started down the strong-man training road. We have had our ups and downs. When the training started it was new and fresh. Constantly improving technique, gains were big and motivational. We were putting together workouts that were fun and challenging. We would work strength training for 8 weeks, then recovery for 4 weeks. During the spring and summer months, we threw in some hill training and some long-distance hikes for endurance. Not to mention we needed the fresh air to help with motivation.

At first, it was easy, Gus and I fed off each other. When I did not want to go to the gym he drug me and when he did not want to go I drug him. Plus the constant Son vs. Father, Old man strength vs. Young buck, the fierce competition. I worked nights as a nurse and Gus worked as a General Manager for a car wash chain. When I got off work he woke up and we went to the gym (pre-home gym). We worked out 2-4 hours a day 4-5 days a week. It was time for max lifts and Gus and I did not disappoint. We both hit PRs on deadlift, bench, and squat! FANTASTIC!! Then the horrible happened Gus started building a new car wash for his company and his workouts went to afternoons, plus his hours doubled. My schedule stayed the same, COVID was still running wild and exhaustion was really setting in. No more workout buddy! This was in late November or early December. Also, this was the time we were putting together our home gym. Our diets were also not keeping up with our training. We were pushing hard to the point that we were fatiguing our muscles. The worst part was winter in Alaska, 5 1/2 hours of daylight. It was very depressing. The reasons not to train started to overtake the reasons to train. This was the beginning of the dreaded “BURN OUT!” The first part of December we were able to push through the fatigue, but after Christmas, it really set in. Gus became ill and I soon followed, for about 2 weeks we were both only able to get in 1-2 workouts done a week. Our muscles became more fatigued and the illness additionally took its

By the end of January Gus was back at it hitting it hard again. For me working as a nurse during COVID continued to take its toll. I was physically and mentally drained. So much misery and death, it was horrible. Not to mention I put 70-80 hours a week. I was lucky to get in 2-3 workouts a week. Days of darkness were still in full swing, 5 1/2 hours of sun, negative degree temps and so much snow, YUCK!!! February and March were more of the same, but now Gus was back to building a car wash and the toll was mounting on him again. His workouts decreased again. Mine well they just became none existent. We needed a break something to restart our engines. We found it in the middle of March we decided on a Beast Alaska adventure, WINTER KING SALMON OCEAN FISHING!! I know it sounds crazy and cold, but it was what the Doctor ordered fresh air and family fun! Check out our YouTube channel “Beastalaska”.

The other step we took was to refine our diets to give us the fuel we need to power our bodies. We researched multiple diets. We found the “Vertical diet” By Damon McCune and Stan Efferding combined with some other diet hints started fueling our bodies again. Although meal prep is a huge pain in the butt, HAHAHAHA! You should check it out!

It’s now April, car washes are built and COVID is at an all-time low in Alaska. The sun is now out 15 hours a day and the days only get longer. Our bodies are fueled and we are back at it hard again. While there are still days motivation is not there. We instead have learned to rely on DISIPLINE!!  Motivation cannot be relied on discipline and consistency solve the motivation blues.

Thanks for joining me this week and sorry for the delay in the blog. Burnout affects more than just workouts! It affects everyday life. Find something you love and enjoy it to the fullest. “Compete with your potential to let the Animal out!”

Exciting news We now have Instagram “Beastalaska907, YouTube “Beastalaska” and TikTok “Beastalaska907.” Check us out!