Workout of the Day:
“Pops”
For time, 60 reps of each of the following:
Front Squat (1 x Bodyweight/.75 x Bodyweight)
Ball Slams (60/30 lbs.)
(Barbell should be cleaned from the floor, not placed on a rack. Partition the reps and alternate between movements as you see fit. Scale as necessary.)

Happy Birthday Pops!
Written by C.J. Martin

Almost everyone who comes into the gym or sends us an email has had an opportunity to talk to Pops. But you might not know how important Pops is to Invictus. Pops quite literally is the man behind the success of Invictus. Pops is not a coach, but he makes all of our coaches better. He handles all of our billing, payroll, facilities, and damn near anything else that does not require the specific knowledge of a fitness coach. That means that all of our coaches can spend their time doing what they love doing, coaching and learning more effective ways to make our athletes strong and fit. Without Pops, we wouldn’t be anywhere close to as organized, effective and successful at what we like to do.

Beyond his immense impact at Invictus, Pops is also the best father in the world. I challenge you all to find an equal to a father that would encourage and support a son who wanted to quit a high-paying job at a top law firm and invest his entire savings into creating a gym in a saturated San Diego market (in the midst of some of the bleakest economic times to boot). Pops understood the risks, but he also understood that there are many things in life more important than money. He believed in me, and in what would become Invictus, when no rationale person would have. For that, as well as the millions of other times he offered guidance, encouragement and support, I will be forever grateful.

Today Pops turns 60, and he’s just hitting his prime. Happy birthday Pops!

Workout of the Day:
Clean Pulls
5-5-5
(Thanks as always to our friends at Catalyst Athletics for the great instructional videos.)
and then,
Five rounds for max reps of:
45 seconds of Deadlift (use weight used for Clean Pulls)
15 seconds of Rest
45 seconds of Box Jumps (24″/18″)
15 seconds of Rest
200 Meter Run
Rest for remainder of minute.
(If you cannot finish the 200 meter run within 60 seconds, substitute a 100 meter run.)

Does your beard come in thin? Try a neckbeard.

The Winter Beard
Written by George Economou

Confucius, Ulysses S. Grant, Frederick Douglass, Ernest Hemingway, Sri Sami Satchidananda, and Jesus. What do these men of greatness have in common??? The answer is simple – a beard. Were they great because of the beard, or were their beards just great? That’s a good question, and there’s only one way to find out. Please join me in the time-honored tradition of growing “The Winter Beard.”

I can’t take credit for this idea. No, no. I thank Invictus athlete Sean E. for showing me the path to manhood. I can’t post what Sean sent me because I don’t know who the original author is and it wouldn’t be right to take their intellectual property. I can share with you the reasons why from November 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010 I will not shave:

-To prove I am a man.  You cannot deny that men with beards are more manly than men without. When I went to Alaska in June of this year, I had no beard. I was carded several times – ordering drinks and trying to get into a rated R movie – and my California driver’s license was highly scrutinized. Leaving Alaska in July with a beard, I was given free drinks and “the nod” from other men with beards.

-To stay warm. True, we live in San Diego, but it gets chilly here in the mornings, and there’s a good chance I’ll go skiing later this winter.

-To save the environment. Why do you hate the environment? Shaving wastes water, and these days San Diego can use all the clean water it can get. Don’t let this precious resource be wasted because you needed to rinse away your dignity.

-To save money. Razors are crazy expensive! Save the $8 you would spend on shaving accoutrement this season and invest it. With the way compound interest works, in 60 years you’d be able to retire.

-Because my woman will let me. This is going to be a sticking point for some. The Human is a very understanding person. She understands that if I had to choose between her and greatness…well, let’s just leave it at that. What will you choose?

Please look at this as a community event or challenge. As such, it’s not limited to the Invictus Men. Invictus Women can also forego the razor this winter and show the world what real strength and beauty is all about.