TrainAmazing

Freshly through and thoroughly enjoyed the Parker Mesa Overlook Trail in Topanga Canyon State Park- California. I can totally walk on walls now but I’ll save showing that off for the crime fighting, not my peaceful blog here.

As a native Virginian, I’m still not fully used to my hikes not being totally overgrown with trees, grass and bushes. But the proximity to the ocean, vast hills and happening-ness of California are tough chips to trade in.

After my morning client for Friday’s let me know they weren’t going to be able to make their private training session, I quickly hatched the escape plan to this delicious location by recommendation of a long time friend I met from being one of the early bird regulars at Gold’s Gym. You know, I used to just put my headphones on, march into the gym and assassinate the weights like a Spartan or whatever, appreciating that other people were there getting on their fitness shindig too but I was either too socially anxious or too much trying to prove something to relax and socialize with the other regulars. They’re people too, Matt! Come on man. Universe doesn’t revolve around you. Gotta remind myself.

Yeah, no, but really. Sometimes I forget that everyone has just as much a rich inner experience as I do. Wow. Check that out. How can one even feel or comprehend that? So many people.

But I’m so curious now to see just how much people shine through and let their true self come out. What a beautiful thing.

(6:27AM) Setting out on the trail. Properly caffeinated. Donning my signature Beats headphones that have been around my neck for 8 years. Still some sleepiness in my eyes and a bit frazzled from the long, winding dark roads it took to get here. Impatient locals flashing their high beams and riding my bumper because I was following the speed limit trying not to fall off the road into a ditch somewhere deep in the hills.

I started off at a good jogging clip, when about a mile and a half in, God started off the light show and I adjusted to a markedly slower pace to drink in everything around me. This is a California I haven’t seen yet. The Hollywood bubble is not real CA and I still have so much to see.

The purples, pinks, soft blues and greens literally and figuratively began to dawn on my consciousness.

The further I go, the more I feel like I’m in the Lord of the Rings. Passed a couple travelers close to the entrance getting back from their morning walk. Just waiting for Gandalf to take me down to Hobbiton for a giant meal and some good ale. I don’t drink but take me to the Shire and I’ll make an exception.

(filter used to get as close to the true hue/tone as possible. This gets pretty close to the rosey purple IRL)

Soon I come upon this absolutely breathtaking rock mass of purple, burgundy, red and ash. I tried taking as many pictures as I could to do it justice but alas, the lens cannot capture just how deep and sacred this scene truly was. I felt like these rocks truly had something to say.

(Angle from up close.)

And I stood there listening.

Soon I started seeing some cheerful residents hopping and flapping about. Took it as a good luck sign that two bunnies were my first encounter.

(Imagine having three toes…)

At this point, with the misty freshness still in the air- and no guarantees of cooler climes once the sun makes any more progress over the horizon- I took the initiative to…strike a pose!

Why not, man? Strike a damn pose. You deserve it and you know what? I’m so proud of myself. No one will ever know what it’s truly been like to get through to this moment but I am so damn proud of myself. I hope you’re proud of yourself too. You deserve it!

Every single day is a clean slate. A new chance to forget everything and start all over. How incredible is that? Yes it’s true, some luck is involved and some have it easier than others but for the most part, you can be anything you want! Reach out and grab it! The Universe, God, whatever you believe in is always listening to you. Trust it, and explore.

On the way back, I glimpsed this rock formation that also seemed to have so much to say. I checked out if there was a way to make it over to the top of the rocks there and get some good photos looking down… There IS a trail but its a bit treacherous and I’ll need proper mountain man gear to get over there safely so please donate!!

(9:41AM——With a bit of a bake now glowing from the sun, listening to podcasts about discovering ancient cities of Egypt and Barbarian invasions of Rome, I came upon this bench that pretty well sums up this new chapter of my life.)

And though I didn’t break any land speed records, I’ll take 11.6 miles any day of the week.

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I really do miss Virginia even though I keep trying to put it out of my mind. There’s something about home. I thought, coming out here, that California was COOOOLLL MANNNNN. I bought into the Cali propaganda that it was the most beautiful, shiny place ever but right now, something deep in my soul aches for the downhome backwoods country, simple people with simple motives, looking you in the eye and greeting you as they pass. Authentic, close connection. The volumes and volumes of history of Virginia dating all the way back to the discovery of North America through the civil war. The Native Tribes and their lands. Lakes, tall grass, and Appalachia. Brutal winters that steel your character, picturesque Autumn with leaves that actually fall from trees of deep oranges and reds. Pumpkin fields and tree forts. Bring me home, Virginia. Bring me home. I miss you and I think I may have had you all wrong.

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I completed a yoga anatomy certification online today. Always furthering my education and love for the wonder of the human body so I can help as many clients as possible, the most precise ways possible. Viva la educación!

By the way have you ever really looked at the shape of the bones of the wrist? If not, please take a moment and do a quick search on the interwebs and check out these squarish, rectangularish bones articulating every time you go to put something in the microwave, sweep dust into the dust pan, throw a baseball or hold downward facing dog- do you ever think about these basically interesting looking pebbles gliding around helping you do everything? Jeez.

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Going to the store to get food now, drink some tea and hopefully get an hour on the yoga mat for myself.

I hope you had an amazing Friday and that you’re heading in to the weekend TOTALLY STOKED BRO!!!!!

Thanks for reading and going on this journey with me.

If you enjoy my content please consider donating to my cause here.
It takes what it takes to put gas in the car, make sure I have proper clothes and gear, buy the tasty coffee beans and all that so whatever you can give is truly truly appreciated.

Thank you and God bless you!

And remember that it’s all training so you might as well.. Train Amazing!!