Pretty sick eh? One of the most amazing things I’ve seen. Here’s what rings out true for me though, he practised his butt off to be able to do this. Did you see him fail the first few attempts? I’ll bet he bailed way more times than were shown.

There are no shortcuts, no magic talent juice and I doubt he “landed” any of these tricks the first time.

Get it? See where I’m going here?  Not yet?  Let me make it simple…again…if you want something you have to work for it.  Do you want a bodyweight Clean and Jerk?  3X bodyweight Deadlift?  Double Unders?  Pull Ups?  THEN GET AFTER IT!!!  I can’t do it for you and you won’t get it done by only attending class.  You have to put in the extra time at home, before class, after class - whenever.  If you work at it, it will happen for you. 

All of the coaches here believe in you…maybe its time to start believeing in yourself.

Photo Courtesy Jason Bouwmeester - Pixelens Photography

Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford won his second belt on Saturday night.  Already holding the TFC Canadian Championship Belt Ryan added some more hardware to his waist by winning the TFC World Championship belt - both in the 170lb weight class.

This fight took Ryan a whopping 13 seconds to finish his opponent before the ref stopped the fight.  Where does he go from here?  Who knows but he’s already looking for his next fight wherever it is.  I know where he’ll be in the menatime though…back at SPARK blowing gas thats where!

Congrats bro!  And thanks for the shout out after the fight.  Keep doing what you’re doing…your time will come.

Picture Courtesy of Edmonton Sun

Although controversial, Edmonton’s own (and SPARK’s first MMA fighter) Jason “The Athlete” MacDonald returned to his winning ways.  His fight in the MFC on Friday night saw his run of victories over former “Ultimate Fighter” (a reality TV show pitting fighters against eachother in the ring in hopes of scoring a 6 figure contract in the UFC) contestants contine - a now 7 and 0 spree.

His win was unfortunately tainted when the judges were unable to see past their sphincters as their heads were buried too far up their butts.  It was a clear win as Jay Mac dominated Solomon Hutcherson with submission attempt after submission attempt but was not able to finish.  The judges originally scored the bout a draw but soon realized they had miscounted and gave the win rightfully to Jay.

Congrats Jay, good to see you back on track.

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Ok so I have a bit of a warped mind if you haven’t already figured that out.  I saw this video ages ago and I thought of it while I was searching for a picture to place here.  In my mind it kind of has a dual meaning in relation to FGB II.  First, its my big hug to all of you for all your hard work and willingness to help and second (and remember, I see things in my own way and I suppose its a bit of a stretch so if you don’t get the connection just forget about it) to me it tells the story of the women affected by violence…wandering around hoping someone will help out until finally someone does. 

It often only takes one person to reach out and the floodgates open.  Even if obstacles are encountered there are ways back if they can perservere.  Just watch the video…and if you’re of the emotional sort I wouldn’t watch at work because you might cry.

Anyway, thanks for getting your donations in guys…I think we have about 15ish people left to bring their money and sheets in.  It would be awesome if we could get everything in by Wednesday of next week AT THE LATEST so I can get a big ass cheque made up to give to “Give Me Shelter”.  We are definately closing in on the goal but I think it will be tight.  Thanks so much for all the effort.

Just wanted to give a shout out to a few of the bigger donators ($200.00+) I am sorry if I missed anyone (I’m doing my best):

• $1000.00 TGA - Think Green Alberta
• $750.00 Mark & Manon Pavelich and the Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC)
• $750.00 Ty Fields & Family
• $500.00 Bob & Marg Layton (Thanks Mom & Dad!)
• $500.00 Law Construction (Helped build this place and made the Bumper ‘holders’)
• $500.00 Southgate Volkswagen
• $500.00 4 Way Electrical Services
• $500.00 Dane Company Electrical Contractors
• $500.00 Emcee Construction & Management
• $400.00 Jason “Gator” Smith (Yes our former Captain)
• $355.00 Bruce & Nancy Toma
• $302.00 Shawn & Kendra Lywood
• $300.00 Konrad Augustson
• $300.00 Tony, Nav & Nicole Abrahams
• $250.00 Wendy Wittchen
• $250.00 Carolyn ‘Doc’ O’Hara
• $250.00 Brian & Patricia Gingras
• $250.00 Joesoftware (Stefan & Lisa Scott)
• $250.00 Escom Mechanical Distributors
• $250.00 J.D. Electrical
• $243.00 The Sedan Chair Salon (and thanks for the Gift Basket Prize!!!)
• $200.00 Curtis & Taryn Butler
• $200.00 Randy & Monika Lange
• $200.00 Chris & Cindy Kellett
• $200.00 Bradcan Caulking & Restoration
• $200.00 Cheryl Harwardt
• $200.00 Waterloo Ford Lincoln
• $200.00 Alvin Goh
• $200.00 Fred & Maria Holland

I do not have access to see if there were others I should have mentioned that donated online but thank you to you as well.

Also wanted to give a special mention to the following Collectors:

• $3500.00 and then some Graham Hogg (not even a member at SPARK..well, maybe by proxy)
• $1750.00 Cheryl Antos
• All over $1000.00  Wendy Wittchen, Charles Lee, Sean “Beefy” Donovan, Tina Flood, Sliver - I’m sure there were more but not everyone wrote their names on their sheets!!!

Thank you for all your generosity in all forms whether it be monetarily, time or effort.  Please know that you have all helped several women and children that are in need of freedom from violence.  You have made their lives easier.

Oh and a final hug for our ’special’ gang…

Enjoy boys…we all did!

Couldn’t really come up with anything better than the “Panty Posse”.  Any sugestions???  Post to “Comments”

So Sliver went all Joey Moss on us (and no thats not insulting to Joe…for those of you who don’t know him it won’t make sense but for those that do, you know what I’m talking about…) and came up with some pretty wicked stats about the Fight Gone Bad workout from the weekend.

80 minutes of work that translated into:

• 5, 480 Wall Ball (squats) resulting in 85, 916lbs thrown overhead
• 6, 222 SDLHP resulting in 357, 090 lbs lifted (178.6 US ton)
• 6, 458 Box Jumps resulting in 9, 288 ft jumped (3, 096 yds / 1.76 miles)
• 5, 415 Push Press resulting in 403, 056 lbs overhead (201.53 US ton)
• 2, 802 Calories rowed

Pretty sick!  And pretty amazing when you think about the amount of work about 90 people performed in such a short amount of time.  I’m proud of all of you!

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Not really quite sure where this face came from…but I think Kam is somehow seeing into the future on the rower display and he is shocked at what it’s telling him…it’s saying we’re gonna need everyone to dig deep or we won’t reach our goal.  Of course if you think of something better feel free to post it to “Comments”.

Its crunch time everyone.  I would really like to hit our $35,000 goal and we just might…I hope.  We’re waiting (by my best guess) for about another 25 people to turn in their pledges.  Please get them in ASAP and if you didn’t participate in the fundraiser this past weekend and you haven’t already donated please feel free to lay down 5, 10, 20 or whatever you feel like giving.  There are donation forms at the desk.

I know these are donations and no one is expected or forced to give but I must admit that I have been less than impressed with the “in house” donation tally.  We have over 200 members, and about 100 participated which I am more than happy with but what irks me is that of the other 100 people we have about 10 people that have donated.  Like I said, you aren’t expected but with all the buzz I guess I just thought it would almost be a given to help out where you can.

Lets do our best to get over the hump guys!

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• 10 Snatch  135lbs / 95lbs
• 10 C2B Pull Ups
• 10 Clean and Jerk  135lbs / 95lbs
• 10 C2B Pull Ups
• 10 Thrusters  135lbs / 95lbs
• 10 C2B Pull Ups

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There was a lot of interest in our fundraiser this year - and for good reason!  Who wouldn’t want to know more about us with members that can rock a stache like our boy Butzy!!!  Maybe I should have had him go on TV to promote FGB II.

Speaking of TV (and I’ll add newspapers as well) SPARK has been hitting the waves these past few days.  We have been on 8 different news segments and in print twice.  I did my best to gather what I could but I for one am not very computer savy so this was all I could find online.  If any of you find anything else then post it to comments.

Click here to watch Bob Layton’s Editorial on Global (you have to watch a 30 second commercial first but at least it’s set to a good classic song).

And read an article about us in the Sun below…

Fitness enthusiasts raise money for victims of abuse

By CLARA HO

Jordan King grimaced as he pushed himself off a rowing machine and began lifting 75-lb. weights in a gruelling 15-minute round of physical challenges — all while wearing full firefighting gear.

“It’s like my job. You never know what you’re going to get and you’ve got to keep fighting the heat,” he said afterwards, wiping away beads of sweat from his forehead.

The 29-year-old Edmonton firefighter was one of about 100 fitness enthusiasts who filed into a warehouse at 101 Street and 39 Avenue this morning to take part in the second annual Fight Gone Bad for the Give Me Shelter campaign, which raises money for women’s shelters in the Edmonton area.

The event, organized by SPARK Sport Conditioning, had men and women lifting 75-lb. weights, tossing 20-lb. medicine balls, and jumping from a freestanding position onto ladders up to 20 inches high, in hopes of raising at least $35,000 to help victims of domestic abuse.

“These shelters need the money. And unfortunately, with this economy, people don’t have as much money to give,” said Kim Layton, gym owner and event organizer. “It’s also fun, a great workout, and a chance to support each other and have a good time.”

Last year, the fitness centre raised $22,000 for the Christmas Bureau.

Cheers and motivational words from family and friends standing on the sidelines appeared to help push the participants — which included gym members, firefighters, police officers, and members of the military – through the demanding exercises.

Erich Kuehnle and Ben Stewart, both captains with 1 Service Battalion in Edmonton, said the most difficult aspect of the exercises was trying to breathe through the gas masks they were wearing. The two, who also donned 15-lb fragmentation vests, said the physical challenges were tough but similar to the training they get with the military.

“We train in gear on a regular basis, but the intensity here was something different,” said Kuehnle, 25. Both captains said they decided to participate to support a good cause while giving themselves a personal challenge. Added 28-year-old Stewart: “This was also an excellent opportunity for the military to get involved in the community and to contribute.”

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Press 3-3-3-3-3

Rest, then…

Find your max Stick (Broad) Jump.  Mark off the distance less one length of your foot. and do -

• 75 Burpee Stick jumps

Your stick jump must be at least as long as the measurement found above…if you fall short, jump again!

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Photo taken by one of our own - Ella Estigoy.

Well, we still don’t have total on $$$ raised but hands down I declare the 2nd Annual Fight Gone Bad Fundraiser to be a raging success!!!  (By the way, please get your money in ASAP).  We have had numerous mentions in the press, people have called in and emailed just to say how cool they thought our event was!  Heck, Bob Layton did an Editorial on it in a time good old Tiger was jamming up the media (ok I might have an in…but thats beside the point).  People noticed and have given recognition and so they should.

Who would have ever thought that a bunch of mish mashed people that meet together once in a while to destroy themselves would give up a Saturday morning to give back to a City in dire need of help.  Help to house battered women and children and give them a chance to live and make a fresh start.

Personally, it doesn’t surprise me at all.  I have gotten to know many of you pretty well and from what I know, very liitle would shock me as I have no doubt what all of you are capable of.  You’ve busted your butts day in and day out, you’ve gone out and fundraised for no return of your own and you have found a small family away from your regular friends and family that you can always look to for support and encouragement. 

I am proud to be part of that family.

When my mom left she gave a huge hug and cried.  She couldn’t believe what she had seen…the exertion without complaint or question, the desire to push through everything with no regard for pain and no expectation of glory.  She said that I had created something very special.  I definately had the vison - the dream - but it is all of you that make SPARK a special place. 

Your acceptance of one another is extraordinary and the fact that we have NO BS inside those walls would baffle sociologists.  With as many people as we have and the differences we all have one would think we would be plagued with rumors, nit-picking and backbiting but we don’t.  Thank you for keeping our gym “clean”.

For those of you that couldn’t come, you missed out on a great event and an awesome after party!  I watched people visit and joke for hours like they had all known each other for years.  Everyone had a great time and we will definately have to have more of these SPARK nights.

Thanks again for all the effort guys.  There are too many to thank and I am worried I would forget someone so I will just say a final THANK YOU to everyone that helped out.

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Workout of the Day:

“Fight Gone Bad”

You should know it by now…

Here’s the scoop…

November 28, 2009 will be the date.  We will be fundraising for the “Give Me Shelter” Campagin benefitting women and children that are fleeing from violence.  An amazing and extremely important cause.

Don’t forget to sign up for the event and for the Pig Roast as well…its going to be a riot and you’ll actually be able to see people in normal clothes.  You’ll be amazed I promise.

I’m kind of a computer idiot and I couldn’t figure out how to attach a document to this blog so I posted the form on the forum.  Wait, the forum?  Yep, thats right kids, SPARK has a forum.  Look near the top and you will find a rarely used SPARK thing called “Forum”.  Sign up and go to “Forms and Documents” - Paperwork to be printed off.  In there you will see “Fundraiser Form 2009″.  Download the form and print away.

Yes you will need to sign up - it only takes a second - and I will have to approve you but I will check every 15 minutes or so and approve your request.

Workout of the Day:

• 5 Manmakers  35lbs / 20lbs
• 7 KTE
• 9 Jumps (rotate 9 at a time between Tuck Jumps, Squat Jumps and Stick Jumps)

AMRAP 20 Minutes

Workout of the Day:

Blow Gas, Suck Wind = 1 minute work, 30 seconds rest

• Row (Calories)
• American KB Swing  55lbs / 35lbs
• AbMat Situp
• C3

4 Rounds

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