PROTECT YOURSELF

You can lift weights, sprint, and be as fit as you want...but do you know how to use your strength to protect yourself? Hopefully you never have to find out. But what would happen if someone came from behind you? From the front? What would you do? Would you have the skills - and confidence in those skills - needed to defend yourself? 

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Statistics from the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault:

• 6.3 million Texans have experienced some form of sexual assault in their lifetime

• 2 in 5 women in Texas have been sexually assaulted

• 1 in 5 men in Texas has been sexually assaulted

• 91% of sexual assault victims did not report to law enforcement

• Studies confirm the undetected rapist is a serial hunter and serial offender – not the misunderstood drunk guy

• Over 94% of rapists roam free with only 3% ever spending a day in jail

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On April 10th from 9-11am, Daniel Jolly, a professional UFC fighter and Kuk Sool Won instructor, will be leading a SELF DEFENSE SEMINAR at Travis County Strength. This practical, hands-on seminar is open to any women in the Austin area. All ages are encouraged to come learn these vital real-life skills.

It should be clearly stated that this is not a women's self defense class. This seminar will cover scenarios and practical applications that are effective for anyone to use to defend themselves. You will not be learning silly shit like "grab, twist and pull", or to simply "place a brick in your purse". You will learn real skills from a trained professional in a women's-only environment.

SIGN UP NOW

TCS Strongman Seminars Explained Through A Mathematic Equation

By: Nick Mounce (not a mathematician)

It has been awhile since my last contribution to the tcs blog. This post has been swimming around my head for six weeks or so. That normally means one of two things. Either I’ve finally figured out what I’m trying to say or it means I’ve spent way too much time with the circus in my head and this is going to a damn disaster. Fun thing is we get to find out together. Let’s go.

We have been holding Strongman seminars at TCS twice a month for about a year now. Some months more, some less, but that is about the average. Every one of them plays out the exact same way at their base. That is why and how I came up with this equation. There is no magic to this (it would be a lot cooler if there was). I’m going to write this out and then break it down the best I can. So let’s get to it.

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 P+C = K
K Δ SA
SA = $$$

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What does any of this mean and how does it relate to strongman lifts? Let’s define what each letter and symbol represent then how they relate to each other and the strongman lifts.

• P = practice
  • We spend about ½ an hour on each implement during the class. Cleaning up any flaws in positioning, technique, or approach to the lift / movement.
• C = coaching
  • Pretty self-explanatory. Although I should mention that we keep the seminars capped to 6. So you get individual attention.
• K = confidence
  • I know it starts with a C.
• Δ = (delta) change / change in
• SA = speed and aggression
  • This is the speed and aggressiveness that you use on the lifts / movements.
•  $$$ = the new piece of heavy shit you just moved.
  • (Just imagine something way more badass there.)

There it is in all of its glory. Some practice plus coaching will give you more confidence in the strongman lifts. With this newfound confidence you will see a change in the speed and aggression on these lifts (drum roll). With more speed and aggression you will move more weight… a lot more weight.  

So if you are stuck on a certain stone, keg, log, yoke, sandbag weight and feel like you could do more or want to just get your hands on this awesome equipment a little more I know a place.

This month we are hosting two seminars. The dates, times and what is being covered at each is listed just below.

1) Jan. 10th @ 10-1130am

• Kegs (loading, shouldering, pressing)

• Stones (loading, shouldering)

• Tire Flips

2) Jan 24th @ 10-1130am

• Log (clean, press, viper press)

• Yoke Walk

• Pinch Grip & Farmers Carry

• *Car Deadlift (our version of the movement)*

  • If time allows

What is Strength [by Jen Shaw]

What is strength?

by Jen Shaw
Creator and Head Coach of LIFT

How much do you snatch?  Does it really matter? Is that really going to help you get away from an intruder? Pull a loved one out of a fire? Carry someone a far distance in an emergency situation? Yeah, I mean..it does help. However not all problems you are faced with come in tight pretty little packages with time to set up and get chalk, as Trav says. When shit hits the fan, you do as your adrenaline says and fucking move. You might think that is over the top..but I assure you it is not. 

Working out and being strong will allow you to be that person that can help save your family, be the reliable force that others know will be able to get you out of whatever shit hole you have put yourself in. Working with odd objects will allow you to do these things. Now let me be clear, in order to work with odd objects you have to press, deadlift, and squat. Otherwise you have a back that is as strong as cotton candy. And ain't nobody got time for that!

Logs, stones, kegs, yoke and sleds. They are difficult, odd, hard. Oh well...so is anything that is worth pursuing. Learning to use this equipment will make you the strongest version of yourself, and make the barbell seem easy! 

On the 24th Coach Nick Mounce will be heading up a class focusing on some of these objects. If you think I am just full of it, come on and sign up. Prove me wrong. Better bring your strong back though.

SIGN UP HERE

 

TCS Free Community Workout +

Just a quick post today to let y'all know that the next Travis County Strength FREE Community workout is coming up fast!  We would love for you to join us and get a taste of what it's like to train at TCS.  I may be a little biased.....but we have something special going on under the TCS roof.

As always, we encourage our current community members to bring a "newbie" that you see as someone that would thrive in the TCS environment.  No prerequisites are necessary...this is open to everyone that is willing to work hard and maintain a PMA(positive mental attitude).  If you already have someone in mind, it's time to register for your spot because they are going fast!

TCS Free Community Workout
August 23, 2014
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
(LINK)

Along the same lines, Coach Nick Mounce will be hosting another Strongman Seminar the following day (8/24/14) at Travis County Strength.  As I type this I am getting pumped to see what Coach has up his sleeve for this session.  His only hint....Yoke, Grip and Trucks!! OH SH*T!!! 

Strongman Seminar - Yoke, Grip and Trucks
August 24, 2014
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
(LINK)

Recap: Barbell Seminar

This past Saturday Coach Jaime Shauger hosted an Olympic Lifting Seminar at TCS.  I knew that the seminar attendees would be in great hands and would leave with new skills and information that will undoubtedly help them lift more heavy stuff.  

I asked Jaime to give us a quick run-down of the day's events so that outsiders would have a little insight into what's available to them the next time a seminar is offered....here's what she had to say...

This past Saturday I had the privilege of coaching an amazing group of people for my first Barbell Seminar. The two hours flew by and we all had a great time! We spent some time warming up our bodies, prepping our ankles, hips and shoulders, and then we got into the fun stuff! We broke down the mechanics of the Snatch and Clean & Jerk and of course had time for everyone to load up their bars and lift heavy!

The experience from these lifters ranged from beginner to advanced TCS and LIFT athletes. They all walked away with new knowledge and skills to better their lifts and bring to their daily workouts. Can't wait for the next seminar on July 12th!

What's Your Oly IQ?

Some of you may have seen some recent posts on the TCS social media outlets that Coach Jaime Shauger will be running an Olympic Lifting Barbell Seminar this Saturday from 10-12 at Travis County Strength. 

This seminar is dedicated to increasing your Oly IQ and improving your clean & jerk and snatch movements.  

What I really want to stress to y'all is that the information, drills, and skills you'll be receiving from Jaime are all based from her own training experience and success.  In fact, Jaime successfully qualified for Nationals at her very first Oly meet!  Since then, she's continued to train, learn and reach new milestones as this major competition nears.

This offering is only open to 10 athletes and has been filling up since being released.  Regardless of whether you're a brand new lifter or very experienced, this seminar has a lot to offer.

REGISTER HERE