Have you wanted to get an edge over the competition? Over your coworkers? Or classmates? Or even your teammates? — Have you ever wanted to be better than everyone else? To stand out in the crowd? To be considered exceptional, talented, or even great? It’s actually not that hard to achieve these aspirations. It doesn’t take superior genetics or an unlimited bankroll, or even a great mentor. …

We love the idea of the outcome. It is the pinnacle of any profession. The peak of our personal and professional lives. It is the culmination of a life’s task. But what we don’t like is the process. The price we have to pay. …

The Outwork Book Club is a review series covering the main idea, summary, top quotes, and ideas for taking action meant to improve your performance and life. It is part of my publication on living a high-performance lifestyle, meant to quickly and effectively translate some of the best nonfiction books…

An inside look into the World of Dr. Atkins and the low carbohydrate prescription for Health and Wellness — The following story is based on a chapter titled, Thirty Years of Clinical Practice with Dr. Robert Atkins: Knowledge Gained by Jacqueline Eberstein, R.N., from the book The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living by Drs. Volek and Phinney. Jacqueline Eberstein was a nurse that worked closely with Dr…

How to build a wide, thick back — A thick back is an icon of physicality. It means that you are serious about training and not simply a show body with a glimpse of the summer month’s motivation. …

Jeff Olson dispels the truth of becoming the top 5% in the world — The following philosophies are mostly taken from The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness. The Slight Edge was also the first book discussed in The Outwork Book Club. It’s so important that the information from the book is the foundation for a philosophy for success. Author…

Designed for those that want to build upon foundational movement themes and refine their coaching skills — A few years ago, I completed the CrossFit® Level 2 Trainer seminar, and it was jam-packed with functional movement. Functional movement can be described as movement patterns that contribute the most to accomplishing a physical task. One can make associations between the deadlift and picking up heavy things or the…

A lesson about fear, failure, and creativity from renowned author J.K. Rowling — “What I feared most was failure” — J.K. Rowling At the 2008 Harvard commencement, renowned author J.K. Rowling gave a speech that would inspire more than just that year’s graduates. The speech was later repackaged into a book because of how thought-provoking it was. Among the few authors that would…

My experience training at the most iconic gym in the world — After reading Arnold’s Total Recall, I felt the urge to explore the old stomping grounds of bodybuilding lore. I was inspired to throw down at Gold’s Gym Venice, or as it is known to many, the Mecca of Bodybuilding. Walking through the doors, I couldn’t help but feel a sense…