Rise Above Performance Training made it through our third year and we owe it all to you. This year's party was much like last year's only bigger and better. I want to thank all the various people who came out to compete, celebrate and support the gym on this great day. Special thanks to Aj and Debra who helped me pull this off; and last but not least, thanks to Chef Javier Montano for once again cooking an incredible feast for everyone.

We kicked things off with a Team Competition featuring four teams composed of various members of the gym. The Pull Up/Push Up Challenge; performing a rep of each and going up a rep each round until no more reps could be completed. We had two males and one female competitor making it as high as seven reps for each exercise.

The second event was a timed relay of tire flip and farmer walk (males: tire farmer walk 253 lbs., females: 2x24kg kettlebells farmer walks). The final event was a team medley where one person did their best event. Events included of 50 kettlebell snatches (males: 24kg, females: 12kg) two laps of the prowler (150ft.), 30 reps of overhead press (males: 70lb keg, females: 18lb kettlebells), Two laps of overhead farmers walk (males: 70lb keg, females: two 12kg kettlebells) and 75 2-arm kettlebell swings (males 48kg, females 24kg).

This year also marked the first ever Strongkid competition. The competition was two events consisting of hanging on the bar for max time and an individual medley of prowler push and farmers walk.

Like their parents who participated in the big event; these kids gave it their all. We had two hang on the bar for over three minutes and some very fast times in the medley that would give the old guys a run for their money.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me during these three years, I look forward to sharing many more with you all.

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We couldn't have made it to our 2nd RISE ABOVE Anniversary Party without you. This year's party was bigger and better. Thanks again to everyone who came out to compete and AJ, Anthony and my sister Nicole who helped organize and run the events. A special thank you to Javier for cooking an incredible BBQ and Logan Christopher for his Feats of Strength and Kettlebell juggling.

We kicked things off with a Team Competition featuring Police, Fire, Trainers and Our Late Night Adults. We had incredibly strong competitors, but the women definitely made a name for themselves. The first event consisted of deadlifting for reps with two 20kg kettlebells (total 88lbs) for women and two 80kg (total 176lbs) for men. The second endurance event was a grueling prowler relay. The final medley event tested strength, endurance and speed. It included 20 body weight pull-ups; tire flipping, keg or sand bag overhead presses, weighted walking lunges and a sledge drag. When all the points were tallied we ended up with a tie between the Police and Firefighters. I’m incredibly proud of everyone who participated and next year we will crown 1 team victorious.

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Watch Vidoe Clips From The Anniversary Party.

I am looking forward to another great year of success.

STARTED: JANUARY 31, 2010

ENDED: MAY 1, 2010

WINNERS: OFFICER MIKE & KRISTEN

We held a 90-Day Challenge where members could chose their own goals and whoever worked the hardest and sacrificed the most would win. The competition was tight and I appreciate everyone who participated, but winners must be declared.

Mike came to the gym once, trained and didn't come back. Almost a year went by before he wanted to return. I had to admit that I thought it was going to happen again but he proved everyone wrong. Mike is one of our most devout trainees and inspires us all. How Did Mike Do It! >>>

This working mother of two set some pretty tough goals for herself. Her focus and persistence paid off big-time and she crushed every goal and set a new standard of fitness for herself. Kristen shares her journey and provides some insights into how to fit training into a busy schedule.
How Did Kristen Do It! >>>

To show our appreciation to those who protect and serve our country we adopted an Air Force Captain and his Army Infantry Unit stationed in the mountains of Afghanistan for Christmas. With the help of our gym members we turned one box of holiday cheer into four giant boxes of food, supplies and letters of hope. Thanks to everyone who participated, we feel so blessed to be part of such an amazing group of people. We were also extremely lucky to receive an email from the Captain letting us know they received our package just in time for the Holidays.

THE CAPTAIN'S LETTER:

Words cannot sufficiently relay the gratitude my Airmen and I feel toward you and your friends. We have received four packages containing a bounty one would never venture to ask for. Every package included items that are not only useful, but difficult to obtain in our current location. It was if you knew exactly what we wanted. I read a great deal and am especially appreciative of the various books and periodicals you included.

Many people pay lip service to supporting service members, but fail to take action. Your actions may seem like a small thing to you, but the impact is immeasurably large and speaks volumes about your kindness and patriotic spirit. You have my sincere gratitude for your efforts and direct impact on the morale of your military. For some of our younger warriors, this is their first deployment. Spending the holiday season away from home can increase the difficulty of the experience. Great Americans like yourselves offer tangible evidence that people care and are willing to go out of their way to display that emotion.

Please know that your significant gesture brightened the day for all of us--making life better for every one who experienced your generosity.

Sincerely,
The Captain

This was an incredible opportunity to show our support and reminds us all how much we have to be thankful for. With your help, we will definitely do this again! If you would like to adopt a trooper please feel free to email me or show your support year round with Operation: Care and Comfort.

The RISE ABOVE Anniversary Party was a momentous occasion. I would like to thank my family, friends, and dedicated gym goers for your ongoing support in making my RISE ABOVE dreams continue to grow. Everyone who participated in the Anniversary Party has been an important part in the success of RISE ABOVE PERFORMANCE TRAINING.

The Anniversary Party consisted of a terrific day complete with great company, excellent food, and a fun, yet, grueling strength competition. A special thanks to AJ and Deb who helped organize and run the event; Ricci for BBQing the delicious tri-tip, Genevieve for the new sound system, Nicole and Kelly for their incredible cinematography, and Katherine from Evolution Catering providing us with healthy organic food samples. Without your help and support none of this would be possible.

I also wanted to thank Logan Christopher from Legendary Strength for competing in Rise Above's Strong Man Competition as well as putting on an incredible kettlebell demonstration, offering hints on how to bend nails and horse shoes, and showing the correct method for ripping a phonebook in half. It was ingenious how Logan managed to hold a phonebook with his teeth and completely tear it in half with one hand! If you haven’t already, please check out his videos and legendary strength website.

Some of the best highlights from the party involve RISE ABOVE'S first annual Strong Man Competition. We had seven incredibly tough competitors who gave it their all during the strenuous series of events. When all the points were tallied, the title of “RISE ABOVE STRONG MAN” went to Anthony Bizzarro, a longtime trainee and new RISE ABOVE recorder breaker!

A quick breakdown of RISE ABOVE'S STRONG MAN COMPETITION events and winners included: The 100lb Overhead Keg Press (Anthony Bizzarro: 26 Reps); the 2 Min. Tire Flip Challenge (Logan Christopher: 45 flips); the 80lb Chain Push Up Event (Steve Bologna: 22 Reps); the humbling Rolling Thunder with its revolving deadlift handle (Ryan Sport: 145lb) and finally the grueling Strength Medley (Anthony Bizzarro: 1:46). The Strength Medley consisted of pushing the 90lb Prowler push with high and low handles, then the 70lb Overhead Keg Walk, followed by a 240lb dumbbell farmer walk and ended with a 180lb sled pull. This was an incredibly difficult competition and I’m proud of everyone who competed.

Thanks again to everyone who came out to support this event. I am looking forward to another year of success and I'm already planning next year's events! It will be interesting to see who will RISE ABOVE to take on the challenge of the Strong Man Competition.

Stay Strong.