I’ll be using this blog for our Cross Country Fitness Tour. Please be patient and bare with me.
Details to follow.
Click the link to learn more.
P90X2 Phase II Review
Posted: February 18, 2012 in UncategorizedTags: jump rope, medicine ball, medicine balls, new variations, pull ups, push ups
Hello my friends,
Time sure does fly when you’re having fun. I’m enjoying Phase II much more than I did Phase I.
The program allows you to do the second phase from 3-6 weeks, which I thought was brilliant. I decided to do the 6 weeks because I only did Phase I for 3 weeks (Phase III will be 4 weeks).
Here’s what my schedule looks like:
Day 1: Chest + Back + Balance (weeks 1, 3, 5) V -Sculpt (weeks 2, 4, 6)
Day 2: Plyocide
Day 3: X2: Shoulders & Arms (weeks 1, 3, 5) X2: Chest + Shoulders + Triceps (weeks, 2, 4, 6)
Day 4: X2: Yoga (weeks 1, 3, 5) One On One: Just Arms (weeks, 2, 4, 6)
Day 5: Base & Back
Day 6: Jump rope, Core work, & One On One: Ab Crusher
Day 7: Rest
Now on to the workouts…
Chest + Back + Balance is similar in format to Chest & Back from P90X Classic, although it involves a huge use of stability and medicine balls, hence the “Balance”. But it’s pull up, push up, pull up, push up, etc. Like everything from P90X2, I love the fact that all the push up exercises involve utilizing your core (and utilizing it a lot!). I was quickly humbled by the number of reps I could do and that’s a good thing. Ego has destroyed countries.
Stand-out Exercise(s): Lever Pull Ups. I’m not even going to try to explain this one. Either buy P90X2 yourself or check out my latest video (it’s the last exercise I do). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3X49L5_JKk Swimmer’s Push Ups. Each hand on a medicine ball, push up, in plank position, left hand out front, right foot off ground, push up, repeat with other side. Maintaining your balance while two limbs are off the ground (not to mention another limb balancing on a medicine ball) is extremely hard.
V Sculpt is my favorite workout of all of P90X2. It takes the place of Back & Biceps from P90X. 22 exercises, each harder than the last, with new variations on pull ups and curls that you didn’t even think were possible.
Stand-out Exercise(s): 21 Pull Ups. 7 pulls ups with your head only going to the bar, 7 with you head above the bar with only your chin coming down to the bar, 7 full pull ups. The first week I did 4 of each making it 12 Pull Ups instead of 21’s and this week I did 5 (15 Pull Ups). Super hard and super humbling. Damn you Tony (again)! Entman’s Chin Up. Yes, this is technically a pull up but it’s a bicep exercise as well. Chin up with a medicine ball between your feet. No kipping allowed on this one, unless you want to send the medicine ball flying across the room.
Plyocide can be viewed in my Phase I review. https://jkjoshuatree.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/p90x2-phase-i-review/
X2: Shoulders + Arms is only 7 exercises but you do each set 3x for a total of 21 sets. It’s quick, it’s intense, and it’s (dare I say?) fun.
Stand-out Exercise: Y-T Fly. On your belly on a stability ball, palms away from you. Raise weights into a Y position, then T position. Talk about humble! I used 15 lbs. And the core and ab work you do is amazing, even though it’s a shoulder exercise.
X2: Chest + Shoulders + Triceps takes the place of Classic Chest + Shoulders + Triceps (obviously) but makes the original look easy. We have Chattarocker Pushups and Iron Man Kick Backs, not to mention a strip set of Shoulder Presses with one foot up on a bench to work you core (again). 9 exercises done 2x.
Stand-out Exercise: 3 Ball Extravaganza. Each hand on a medicine ball and both feet on the same medicine ball. Do a push up (sounds hard, right?). Now, when you’re down, bring one knee to your elbow, back to plank, repeat with other leg. It’s quite possibly the hardest push up in all of X Land. My goal is to do 10. That’s how hard they are.
Day 4 (X2: Yoga) was reviewed in Phase I. Just Arms is from One On One with Tony Horton. I like to mix up my own hybrid. Same thing with Day 6. It’s my own hybrid doing all body weight exercises. Quick and effiecient.
I really like Base + Back for one reason, but not crazy about it for another. I like that Tony only has us doing 12 reps on each pull up exercise. 5 sets done twice is still 120 pull ups…nothing to sneeze at. But it’s nice to focus on quality rather than quantity. What I don’t like about Base + Back are some of the leg exercises. The Chair Jump (being in Yoga Chair position, swinging arms up to ceiling and jumping) feels too easy and are Jack in the Box Knee Tucks really necessary after doing them on Day 2 in Plyocide? It’s such high impact. I know he talks about working the two biggest muscle groups (legs & back) during this workout but I just didn’t feel challenged with the leg portion. I was comfortable with the back part, which in my opinion, isn’t a good place to be. I need to push myself to exhaustion, personally. So I think Base + Back is the weak link in the bunch.
Stand-out Exercise: V Pull Up. Pull up position, bring chin to over your right wrist, down, up to left wrist, all the while keeping the opposite arm as straight as possible, so you’re basically drawing an invisible V in the air with your chin.
Again, like I said in my review of Phase I, a lot of people have been complaining of P90X2 not being as hard as P90X. I personally was not it shape when I did P90X. I thought I was, but I wasn’t. Doing P90X got me in shape. So I don’t think P90X2 is easier. I just think I’ve gotten stronger, thanks to Mr. Horton. And I think that’s the point.
Hey boys and girls,
Since I’m just about done with Phase I of P90X2, I thought I’d write a review.
Let me first say I love the flexibility of it. Depending on your fitness level and/or if you want to continue to strengthen your core, P90X2 gives you the option of doing Phase I from 3-6 weeks.
That alone means you can mix it up when you decide to move on to Round 2 of X2.
But I’m getting way ahead of myself. Here’s a quick look at the 7 day schedule:
Day 1: X2 Core
Day 2: Plyocide
Day 3: Recovery & Mobility
Day 4: X2 Total Body + X2 Ab Ripper
Day 5: X2 Yoga
Day 6: X2 Balance & Power
Day 7: Rest or Recovery & Mobility
Let’s start with X2 Core. 18 moves in all, including Sphinx Plank Crunch (plank position, bring knee to opposite elbow, knee out to a 90 degree angle, leg back to original position) and 3 Speed Medicine Ball Pushups (push up position with a medicine ball under your face, palms on ball for a split second, palms back on floor). Every single exercise works your core to the extreme and the focus is on slow, controlled movements. If you do not have a strong core, you will be humbled by this workout very quickly. And even if your core is strong, you’ll be sore the day after.
Stand-out exercise: 1 Leg Medicine Ball Burpee (stand on 1 leg with medicine ball over head, down into a burpee, back up with medicine ball up high again).
Plyocide comes next (thanks Tony!). I’ve heard the same thing time and time again from P90X grads; “It’s not as hard as I thought it would be” or “It’s not as hard a Plyometrics was”. I agree. And here’s why, in my humble opinion; most of us were not in decent shape when we did P90X Classic. I know I wasn’t (even though I thought I was). I thought I was going to die the first day of Plyometrics. But most P90Xer’s (if they’ve kept at it) are in great shape. Therefore, Plyocide seems “easier”. I think it also has a lot to do with it being lower impact than the original. Either way, I love it. And the looks I get from people (yes, even other trainers) at the gym, keeps a smile on my face for the duration.
Stand-out exercise: Jack-in-the Box Knee Tucks (just like Knee Tucks from the original but you have to squat and bring your hands to the floor before each jump). Can you say ouch?
Then it’s on to X2 Recovery & Mobility. After the first two work outs, your body needs to recover. I love all the stretching and the use of the foam roller here is so important to your aching muscles. Some people may think they don’t need to do this work out, and I’m not saying they do. But I know it benefits me.
Stand-out exercise: The entire foam roller sequence.
X2 Total Body + X2 Ab Ripper are my kind of workouts, starting with the very first exercise, the 1 Arm Chest Press. While laying on a stability ball, you dumbbell press the weight of your choice (start lower than you normally lift) 10x, switch weight, then do the other side. What I love about this routine is it incorporates a ton of different muscle groups (depending on the exercise) while simultaneously working your core, a la Core Synergistics, without all the rolling around on the floor. I have a bad back and was never too fond of that work out. X2 Ab Ripper is only 16 minutes long but it feels like a lifetime. Why we need it on top of all the core work we’ve been doing all week, is beyond me, but like I said before, that’s my personal preference. Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym, and being in the seated position doesn’t do my back any favors. I’ll take Ab/Core Plus from P90x+ or the ab routine from 10 Minute Crusher Pack any day over X2 Ab Ripper.
Stand-out Exercise: Balance Kick-Back on Stability Ball (1 forearm on stability ball, entire rest of body in plank position, do a triceps kick-back with weight). Holy Christ was this hard! And I was only using 20 lbs. weights.
X2 Yoga. Well, for most P90Xer’s, you either love yoga or you hate it. I personally love it because I agree with Tony; the flexibility it gives me at my age is something I’ll be forever grateful for. The new Yoga is 67 minutes long, compared to 97 minutes of the original. But this one is very different. The flow is much faster for the first half and I don’t know if I didn’t drink enough water or slept wrong the night before, but the second half was very challenging for me. I was humbled (again) to say the least. Note to self: work harder on X2 Yoga next week. Push your limits.
Stand-out Exercise: The Hand-Stand poses. And no, I’m not even close to being able to do them. But I will get there.
X2 Balance & Power felt the most foreign to me. But I think that’s a good thing. I think. Muscle confusion is, after all, supposed to confuse the muscles. The emphasis is again on the core and while I loved exercises like the 1 Leg Plyo Squat Reach (stand on 1 leg, touch opposite hand to floor of standing foot, bring hand up over head, then jump) I wasn’t crazy about the Renegade Row 1/2 Lolasana (plank position with push up stands or weights, row with right hand, row with left, then jump forward and hold entire body over push up stands, back to plank) or the Crawly Crab Press (don’t even ask-you’d have to watch the DVD to understand). The point is, these moves didn’t feel natural, or even safe. Then again, they’re completely new to me and I’m probably doing them wrong. Time will tell.
Stand-out Exercise: Warrior 3 Row Press (start in Warrior 3 with weight in opposite hand, into row, stand, and do a one-arm shoulder press).
I also need to mention both the warm up and cool down for this phase. They’re quick, they’re effective, they utilize the stability ball immensely, and you’ll be breaking a nice sweat before the work out even begins.
A quick footnote; I’ve heard complaints about the lack of resistance work during this phase. And while dumbbells are used, because of the complexity of the moves, the weight recommendation tends to be on the lighter side.
But I trust Tony and the gang completely.
I lost 33 lbs. and 12% of my body fat in the first 90 days of P90X (and have been able to maintain it, while getting leaner and building mass, with the help of the One On One series).
So, if the first P90X was able to do that, just imagine what P90X2 can do.
10 Simple Tips For The Perfect Diet
Posted: January 10, 2012 in UncategorizedTags: almond butter, benjamin franklin, daily caloric intake, lean meat, pay it forward, whole grains
It’s the new year and people have been asking me what they should do to get in shape. Well, my friends, I’m going to sum it all up in one neat and tidy little blog for you.
1. Drink at least a half gallon of water daily. Water helps with digestion, flexibility, skin, hair, and nails.
2. Drink your Shakeology daily. With over 70 of the world’s super foods, how can you possibly go wrong?
3. Eat ONLY fruits, veggies, lean meat, whole grains, and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds, almond butter, avocado, etc.).
4. Do NOT eat anything processed (basically anything out of a bag, box, can or anything white). Foods with more than 3-4 ingredients are usually processed.
5. NEVER skip breakfast. It’s the most important meal of the day and should usually be your biggest, unless you’re drinking Shakeology.
6. Shop around the perimeter of the super market. Anything in the interior is usually junk.
7. Eat 5-6 small meals a day (goto http://www.myfitnesspal.com to figure your daily caloric intake). Eating often does 2 things; it speeds up your metabolism and it prevents overeating at the next meal.
8. Stop eating when you’re not hungry, not when you’re full. There’s a huge difference here, so eat slowly and enjoy it.
9. Exercise at least 3x a week for 30 minutes. Ideally 5-6 days a week is better, but just get up and do something.
10. Listen to your body, get plenty of rest, smile, be kind to others, be grateful for what you have, and pay it forward. Every day.
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
~Benjamin Franklin
In December 2010 I tore 1/3 of the major pectoral muscle connecting my chest to my bicep.
It was an ego-driven mistake.
Someone asked me how much I could bench press. I hadn’t bench pressed in over 4 years. But because I’m a P90X “grad” I thought I was invincible, a stupid, stupid thought process.
I went to the emergency room then to my primary care physician and finally to a sports medicine specialist. He took one look at me and said he wanted to operate immediately. He also told me that I’d be out of commission for at least 12 weeks. I was devastated.
After feeling sorry for myself, I talked to a dear friend. She said three words that got me out of my head and over my pity party instantly.
“You got this,” she said.
That’s all it took, those three little words, to get me out of my funk.
I also made the decision to get a second opinion. This doctor was a little older, a little wiser, and a whole hell of a lot more experienced (thank God!). He told me I didn’t need surgery. But both doctors agreed I would never be as strong as I was.
I did what I was supposed to do; I did the physical therapy, I did the monthly check-ups, I didn’t do any chest or back exercises, and I rested when I needed to.
The road was long and frustrating. Having to constantly tell my ego to fuck off was hard. Extremely hard.
I had been doing P90X for almost 2 years and knew it was the best workout routine on the planet. But with 1/3 of my right pectoral muscle gone how could I possibly do the all push ups and pull ups the program called for?
My friend’s voice kept creeping into my head. “You got this Jay. You got this.”
Wait a second.
What if I modified it? What if I did the chest and back exercises to my ability? What if I pushed myself hard but within the limits of what my body was capable of, without upsetting the injury? Was it possible I could gain my previous strength back?
In May 2011, I started my new journey.
90 days later (how fitting is that?) I made the video you are about to watch.
I wouldn’t have been able to get through this without the support of my Beachbody friends. This “family” continues to inspire and motivate me whenever I need it most. Deepest thanks to each of you.
And JBad, a very special “shout out” goes to you my friend. Those three little words mean more than I can put into words. You rock girl friend!
Oh yeah…what about the question “Was it possible I could gain my previous strength back?”
Watch the video. Then you tell me.
You’ve seen their informercials on TV (P90X, Insanity, Turbo Jam) but did you know that Beachbody is the #1 in-home fitness company in the world? And that it received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau?
Beachbody has over 65,000 Coaches/distributors that not only sell the world’s finest fitness products and supplements, but also offer an online support system to that is unparalleled to anything else anywhere.
Each customer receives their own personal “motivational” coach to offer advice and suggestions, and, more importantly, keeps them accountable for continuing on their fitness journey.
Beachbody Accolades:
-A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
-Ranked #69 by Entrepreneur magazine
-Over 7 million P90X DVD’s sold
-Over $1 million weekly in Shakeology sales
-65,000 Coaches helping hundreds of thousands
Tony Horton, the creator of P90X, recently wrote why becoming a Beachbody Coach could change the economic and health status of this country, one person at a time.
Be Part of The Solution
by Tony Horton
Boys and girls,
I’m unaware of your financial situation but I do believe that you’re reading this page because you care about your health and fitness. If you have plenty of income and love your job then what I’m about to tell you might not be for you. If you’re not thrilled with the way you make a living, would like extra income, love Beachbody products, like the way they make you look and feel, enjoy helping other people feel and look better, enjoy setting your own hours, get excited about being the captain of your own ship as opposed to working for the man – then listen up.
The reality is, your health and fitness moves beyond you. It impacts the people around you. You (whether you like it or not) have the power to change lives based solely on your own personal transformation. Inadvertently you become a catalyst for change. This is how I got started. I was clueless, asked a few questions based on my need to be strong and healthy, stayed with it and people in my life wanted to know what I was doing. Simple yet powerful.
If you want to share what you’ve learned with people in your life who want better health (and could use extra income in the process) then you should consider becoming a Team Beachbody Coach. I felt so strongly about this program that I’ve encouraged many of my friends to become coaches, even my own sister. She is doing great (even though my contract with Beachbody won’t let me help her). She is a perfect example of someone who had plenty of doubt and hesitation regarding the coaching opportunity and still found a way to make it work for her. A busy working wife and mother with three very active kids doesn’t sound like a good candidate to start an in-home multi-level marketing company. Did you say multi level marketing? What? Ick! You mean pyramid scheme right? Okay chill out. All these fears would be true if BeachBody were selling hats or kitty liter, but this is Beachbody people! The number 1 in-home fitness company on the planet! P90X is steadily becoming the most popular fitness system in US history. Shakeology is the revolutionary replacement meal on the market today. We sell life-altering change – not soap. Tens of thousands of regular folk around this country are doing something they love because of this coach opportunity.
The unemployment rate still hovers around 10% but it doesn’t have to be that way if more people were willing to see that new opportunities exist all around them. The Team Beachbody Coaching opportunity is one of them. Health care companies, pharmaceutical companies and our government are not capable of solving this obesity crisis and we can’t wait around for them to do it. The crisis is now and the answer is YOU! I know that sounds a bit Rah Rah but it’s true.
Cynics don’t need to apply, but if you’re sick and tired of the status quo and want to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of those around you, then open the door. The two major issues of our time – the health care issue and unemployment rate could be resolved if a million more people in this country decided to get healthy and share the wealth. This is a brand new industry waiting to explode. It’s not happening in boardrooms or factories – it’s happening in the homes of tens of thousands of Team Beachbody Coaches and in the homes of their customers. With a tiny investment (actually the company is waiving the enrollment fee through the end of 2010) and a willingness to help people the sky’s the limit.
TH-
To become a Beachbody Coach, click the link below.
https://www.teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/coach?referringRepId=26694
I did Upper Body X yesterday and I sure am feeling it today.
UBX takes the place of Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps from the original P90X, but this workout is completely different.
It’s 4 rounds of said exercises (in that order), with each round being done twice, which I loved. It kept the focus on the form and the exercise, rather than worrying or thinking about a ton of different moves.
I won’t go into every move but I have to mention a few.
The DVD starts with “2 Dog Push Ups”. Anyone can do push ups, right? I thought they’d be easy. Wrong! They look something like this; push up into downward dog, push up into upward dog, repeat 15x. Not only was my chest being worked but I couldn’t believe how sore my shoulders got.
Now I’m going to go through one exercise for each body part.
Let’s start with chest.
As if the “2 Dog Push Ups” weren’t hard enough, try to imagine this one; hands on their own separate medicine ball and both feet on one medicine ball. Then do a push up. Crazy, huh? It gets worse. After you do the push up, you bring one knee to your chest while your other foot is still on the medicine ball. The push ups were not an issue for me. The core strength involved for the rest of the exercise was INSANE. I only managed 5 on each side.
And speaking of balls (get your minds out of the gutter people!), the most interesting (and certainly hardest) shoulder exercise is Pike Presses…using 4 balls. That’s right my friendly neighborhood Xer’s, each hand and each foot is on a ball while you’re doing pikes. Again, the core and balance is through the roof. I definitely garnered a few stares on that one.
With the triceps moves, I’ll let you decide between which one you think is harder-the Forearm Plant Tricep Kick Back or the Side Forearm Plank Tri Extension (come on Tony, these titles certainly don’t roll off the tongue, do they?).
First the FPTKB. You’re in a one-armed plank position, legs wide. With your free hand you do the triceps kick back. I could really feel it on the top, inside part of the muscle, an area I’ve never felt worked before. And again, my obliques were being shredded with each rep.
Now for the SFPTE. This time you’re in side plank position. Start with the weight at your nipple and extend toward the ceiling. Both of these triceps exercise are so unique because you are working your core the entire time. And it’s the same concept with every one of the chest exercises!
So if you’re looking to totally mix up your chest, shoulder, or triceps workout, try this one! You’re muscles will definitely be confused. And so will anyone watching you…confused…but definitely impressed.
Get in touch at jaykeefe.com to learn more!!!
This just in…
…Shakeology will be available in a brand new flavor soon.
Tropical Shakeology was announced today at the Beachbody Summit in downtown Los Angeles.
Yours truly tried it (mixed with strawberries and bananas) and it was delicious. It was very light and crisp and not too sweet. Too bad it won’t be available for a while because I can definitely see this new flavor becoming a great addition to healthy summertime eating.
And with the benefits of lowering your cholesterol, reducing cravings, increasing energy, and aiding in digestion, Tropical has all the same amazing benefits as the other Shakeology flavors.
So it’s a win-win. Tastes great and kick starts your health!
To order your Shakeology today, goto jaykeefe.com or check out http://www.myshakeology.com/jkjoshuatree for more information.
I just completed Core Synergistics II: P90X: MC2.
If you thought the original Core Synergistics was tough, wait til you try this one. The “MC2” stands for “muscle confusion squared”. It may as well be called MC to the 10th power. It’s hard, like most P90X workouts, but in the best possible way.
It starts with the obligatory warm up with sun salutations and such, followed by a good 15 minutes of new stretches using a stability ball. I highly recommend doing them. Your body will thank you later.
The first move, the Balance Plank Cross Crunch, consists of being in a plank position with right arm, left leg out straight and then bringing your hand in to touch your left knee. Repeat 12 times each side.
Then its Warrior III Cross Crunch. As if Warrior III isn’t hard enough, now you stand up straight after doing the Warrior and bring your elbow to your free leg. Repeat 12 times…a side. Can you say “Ouch”?
Single leg burpees are next, but thankfully Tony expects only 7 reps this time. I felt it after 2.
I won’t go into every exercise (how boring would that be?) but I love this DVD for a few reasons, the first being that it’s easy on my lower back, something I’ve always had an issue with. There are only three exercises where you need to be lying down, and with the exception of the Dreya Roller Boat (if you’re familiar with the original Dreya Roll, you know what I’m talking about), they’re not too taxing.
I also love the fact that Tony incorporates a ton of plank and stability ball exercises, most of them using only one leg (the better to build those obliques, my dear).
There are 11 regular workout moves (doesn’t look too bad on paper-wait til you do them) followed by 5 “bonus” moves.
Thanks Tony. No, really, I wasn’t spent enough as is. Throw in a few more…we won’t mind.
One leg forearm pushups, one leg burpees, two exercises using those slide-y thingys (sorry for the technical jargon), and then a brand new move called the X Plank Spider Twist. The best (and probably only) way to describe this one is to compare it to Gumby doing a mix of a Rockette routine and parkour. Parkour, for those of you who don’t know, is best described by “Details” magazine as “jumping over stuff to blow off steam.” You know those Mountain Dew fueled kids that do flips off buildings, over fire hydrants, and onto picnic tables? That’s parkour.
Thanks again Tony. No, really. This time I mean it. I’m still on the floor of the gym as I write this, but that’s okay. At least my core will be strong.
So if you’d like 6 pack abs (who doesn’t?), you can order this DVD through jaykeefe.com.
Last Saturday I spent the evening with amateur boxers from all over Boston and New York for a fundraising event at the Park Plaza Castle.
I was asked to be the driver/trainer/corner man/water boy for one of the contestants. Of course I said yes.
Sean McCarthy, “The Silent Assassin” fought an exhibition match after the seventh fight and he gave it his all for the 3, one minute rounds.
Vinnie Pazienza, the Rhode Island native and former World Champion, was there in Sean’s corner as well. He leaned over to me at one point and said, “Look at that kid. He’s giving him great body shots. I can’t believe his spirit.”
And Paz was right. Sean’s spirit was undeniable. He never stopped, never gave up, and kept pushing forward with all his might.
Sean has Cerebral Palsy, a disease which impairs muscle coordination. He has a hard time walking and if he’s stationary for any length of time, his muscles tighten and it becomes increasingly difficult to move.
But he never let any of that get in the way of achieving his goal to fight in a boxing ring.
He gets up every day at 4:30 am and makes his way to the first of two gyms to do strength training. After a quick stop home to refuel, he zips over to Bay Shore Athletic Club in Braintree to spar for a couple of hours.
And his hard work has paid off. He single-handedly raised well over $1000 for the fundraiser and inspired every single person at the event that night, including Vinnie Paz, someone who knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity.
Paz was involved in a car crash and was told he’d never fight again, only to come back to beat future WBC World Jr. Middleweight Champion Luis Santana by a 10 round decision.
So when the Pazmanian Devil stepped into the ring to put a medal around Sean’s neck, the place erupted. Every person was on their feet and I had goosebumps from head to toe.
But what really put me over the edge that night was when Stephen, Sean’s older brother, came over to where Sean was resting after the fight.
He hugged Sean, looked him in the eye, and tearily said, “Sean, it doesn’t matter what’s on the outside buddy”, gesturing to Sean’s body. He then tapped Sean’s head and then his heart and said, “What matters is what’s in here Sean. I’m so proud of you. You’re an inspiration to a lot of people.”
Sean just held up his fists defiantly, always the fighter, and smiled.
I stepped away from the tender moment for two reasons; first to give the family their privacy and secondly because my eyes seemed to be leaking too, but not from sadness. I was crying because of the indelible spirit of a kid from Milton, Massachusetts, who, despite being dealt a tough hand in life, never complains and who ALWAYS pushes as hard as he possibly can.
I recently came across this quote from Thomas Jefferson.
Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.
Here’s to you Champ!
Jay Keefe 