Every Day is Game Day

Ever since I started playing tennis people had high expectations for me. Considering my family background in tennis the question wasn't, will I be a professional tennis player but when and how good will I be. The amount of pressure I experienced was unbearable and I probably enjoyed tennis less as a junior because of it. I can't say I was miserable because I loved to compete and play the sport but tournaments I definitely didn't enjoy until I was 16 when I decided to do things on my own. I found that having a constant reminder of how high the expectations were and how disappointed people were when I didn't perform that it took the fun out of the sport and life in general. I enjoyed playing football and Madden with my friends more than I did going to a tournament. Don't get me wrong, I thrive under pressure and have goals of my own but being constantly reminded of others expectations of me is a drag and an unnecessary extra pressure to feel I know what I have to do and will succeed!! (Rant Over!)

I have been reading Mark Verstegens book Every Day is Game Day for the last 3 weeks. Its an absolutely phenomenal book not just for an athlete or a coach but for a corporate or 9-5 worker as well. It will change not only the way you live but the way you work and do every day things. It has helped me reset my mind and make me more task oriented, highly efficient worker and it keeps my priorities and goals in mind even as I wear down throughout the day. I am not a big reader but this has been a book that I am unable to put down and highly recommend it.

A training update. After 5 weeks of Base 1 gym work I gained 20lbs on all my lifts, this is pretty good considering I lost about 40-50lbs on some of my lifts from earlier this year when life changes occurred in March. I am starting a Build 1 phase in the gym and I am going to mix it in with the the cardio Build 1 phase of Every Day is Game Day. my current split is 3 days in the gym and 3 days of Running/speed work/agility.

Gym work looks something like this and is all 5x5

Power/Explosive Exercises - Power Cleans, Weighted Jump Squats, Hang Cleans, Clapping Push Ups

Main Set Exercises - Back Squat, Front Squat, Dead Lift, Good Morning, Bench Press, Incline Bench Press, Pull Ups, Cable Rows and Lat Pulldowns, Military Press

Secondary Exercises - Leg Extensions (Single and Double Leg), Single Leg Squats, Tricep Rope Pushdown and Overhead Extension, Bicep and Hammer Curls, Front and Side Shoulder Raises, Abs,

I'll post a gym update in 2 weeks time as I am making this a 6 week Build before going into Base 2.

My goals at the end of Build 2 are:

Squat - 300lbs (Current PR is 275 for 5)
Bench 200lbs (Current PR is 170)
Deadlift - 315 (Current PR is a 245 Stiff Leg Deadlift)
Incline Bench - 185 (Current PR is 150)
Pull Ups - 20 reps (Current PR is 10 but I suspect I can do 12-15)