Monday, March 15, 2010

Workout of the Day:
Clean & Jerk – use 12-15 minutes to work up to a heavy double and/or single – power cleans are acceptable;
and then,
“Grace”
For time:
135/95 lb. Clean and Jerk x 30
(Compare time to December 21, 2009)

Ohana Means Family
Written by Mike Hom

(Editor’s Note – I am posting the following with a mixture of sadness and elation for Mike.  He is on to great things, but he will be sorely missed at Invictus.  Mike’s support from day one helped to get us off the ground and he has provided us with valuable experience and knowledge ever since.  Mike will be coaching tonight, and will be in on Wednesday evening to say goodbye to some of his many friends in the Invictus community. Please try to catch him in person, but in case you cannot, please leave Mike a note wishing him well and letting him know how he has impacted your experience in this community.)

Family, to me, has never been defined strictly by blood-relation to someone. I have many father-figures, second-moms, sisters, brothers, aunties, and uncles. And you know what? I love them all. Why? Because, they’re my family.

For those for you that don’t know, I’m off to pursue some more higher education in the form of an M.S. in Computer Science. I know, right? Geek alert! I still love my day job and I really don’t know when I’ll ever give it up. I’ll tell you this, though, my day job will never be as good as what I do for the people I train and train with.

I was recently accepted to a great program to a great school up in Northern California. (I won’t say what the school is in a public post but if you see me and ask, I’ll tell you.)  I was and still am super stoked to be offered the opportunity to go to this school. Like Mark, I’ve been blessed with someone else picking up the tab. And, like Mark, shortly after finding out the good news, I felt a little conflicted.  Personal success is great, but there is no feeling like being a part of someone’s life and making their lives better in some way, small or large. I love seeing the smile of victory on someone’s face after they’ve accomplished a goal they’ve worked so diligently towards. It’s like I’m a good samaritan every day I’m coaching. I really am part of something bigger than myself and I hope that never changes.

The upside is I won’t be far from San Diego, so I will be able to visit. I just don’t know how regularly that can happen.  The jobs I am interested in are on the East Coast, which means some time out of school will be spent on the East Coast securing positions for after my program commences. But if I can locate something on the West Coast, I will certainly be back.  I mean, with all due respect to people from the East Coast, I like my 70 degree winters, the beach, and of course, San Diego’s Mexican food.

I also LOVE all of my friends in San Diego.  They’re are too many to give big ups to on this blog. I do, however, want to give mention to the Invictus Staff and CJ. Without CJ’s creative direction and ability to bring out the best in people, Invictus would not be Invictus. I hope everybody recognizes the opportunities he gives people and the leadership he provides. These qualities have, without a doubt, created one of the best coaching staffs in our community. I trust every coach to guide me through a workout and tell me how to optimize my training. I also want to give mention to the non-coaching staff–CJ’s parents. Pops/Karen: You have raised a great friend and great leader. Thank you.

Finally, I just want to say that I’m thankful for all the members that have come to my classes at any point in their training experience at Invictus. All of you are the reason I keep coming back and why I succeed at what I do. I really couldn’t have done it with you.

Despite being gone, I will continue to write blog posts for Invictus as I will have some fresh perspectives coming to me from the people I will be spending my time with. And, of course, I’m always available through e-mail, mobile, or the variety of chat mediums that most of you may find me through. I’m always around for my brothers and sisters. I love you all. Why?

Because, you’re my family.