Hey Folks,

I’m back with another edition of Life Ingredients, the newsletter where we nourish the body and mind with a workout, a healthy recipe, and my monthly motivational thoughts to help you look after your mental health and you can create a life you’re proud of.

We’re going to kick things off as we always do, with a good hard workout.

Now let’s get to work!

This month’s workout is composed of rounds of calisthenics with running/jogging in between each round. The lower body calisthenics will decrease by 10 reps each round (you’ll thank me as your legs start to turn to jelly, but late in the workout, 10 reps will feel like 40), while the push-ups and crunches will stay as max efforts—AMRAP, or As Many Reps As Possible. The run/jog in between rounds can be used as a recovery jog at a lighter pace, or you can push yourself and run faster if that’s even possible. Watch the embedded video to see my trainer Steve Wrona explain the whole thing.

DYNAMIC RUNNING WARM UP

Knee Hugs x 20

Quad Stretch Reach x 20

Lunge + Rotation x 20

Single Leg Hinge x 20

Lateral Squat x 20

Arm Circles x 20 both ways

ULTIMATE SUPERSET WORKOUT

Warm-Up: Run/Jog for 5:00 minutes

ROUND 1

Incline Push-Ups x AMRAP

Bodyweight Squats x 40

Bodyweight Reverse Lunges x 40

Lateral Bench Step-Overs x 40

Bench Crunches x AMRAP

Run/Jog for 5:00 minutes

ROUND 2

Incline Push-Ups x AMRAP

Bodyweight Squats x 30

Bodyweight Reverse Lunges x 30

Lateral Bench Step-Overs x 30

Bench Crunches x AMRAP

Run/Jog for 5:00 minutes

ROUND 3

Incline Push-Ups x AMRAP

Bodyweight Squats x 20

Bodyweight Reverse Lunges x 20

Lateral Bench Step-Overs x 20

Bench Crunches x AMRAP

Run/Jog for 5:00 minutes

ROUND 4

Incline Push-Ups x AMRAP

Bodyweight Squats x 10

Bodyweight Reverse Lunges x 10

Lateral Bench Step-Overs x 10

Bench Crunches x AMRAP

Cool down: Jog/Walk for 5:00 minutes

 

March turns my thoughts to corned beef. I don’t just eat it on Saint Patrick’s Day, but when I see it everywhere because of the holiday, it kind of makes me want it more. I loved corned beef so much that over the years I’ve made it the centerpiece of a variety of dishes where it is not typically found, from nachos to pub sandwiches to Vietnamese banh mi. Here is another unusual, but delectable permutation: my corned beef quesadilla. I believe food should be fun and unpretentious. This recipe fully reflects that philosophy.

Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

Think about that quote for a moment. Now think about this: As you’ve grown older, what have you denied yourself? What “childish” things have you put away? What would you absolutely love to pursue but don’t because it feels silly or frivolous, and you’ve got more “serious” matters to attend to? Today, I want you to pick up that paint brush, write the first paragraph of that novel, or dust off that flute you haven’t played since middle school and allow yourself to be free and open to whatever comes. You never have to share your work; that’s not the point. The point is art nourishes the soul in a way nothing else can, lightening the heart and easing your other burdens.

So, do the art for the sake of art itself. For the sake of your own mental well-being. Don’t place any expectations on it. Don’t wonder if you could sell it or if it could go viral, or even if your friends or family will like it. I reiterate: You don’t need to share the art. This is just for you. And how many things can you really call just your own?

Take the time to give yourself that gift today. I promise you won’t regret it.

Until next time, remember the words I live by:

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.