It’s so easy to get angry because of the stresses and struggles of everyday
life. I know, because I have many things that weigh on my mind everyday. But
sometimes when tragedies happen, you find out what’s really important.
I don’t watch the news, because it’s pretty depressing. However, when I was
flipping through the stations, I came across news footage of the horror that
happened in Haiti (with the 7.0 earthquake and another 6.1 a week later). I just
couldn’t hold it together. Yeah - I cried. I can admit it.
I can also admit that when I was a much younger man, without kids, these events
probably wouldn’t have hit me so hard. I had a naive view of the world and I was
very selfish. It wasn’t until I had kids of my own that news stories on
television about child abductions and other bad things really started having an
effect on me.
During the coverage of Haiti, I saw a young boy - probably 10 years old - pulled
from the rubble after seven days of being buried. He didn’t cry. He didn’t even
appear scared. He did something much more amazing. He opened up his arms wide
and smiled. It was the biggest, brightest smile I had ever seen. I mean, it
crushed me. This little boy was so incredible. The human spirit was alive in
this young man.
I laughed through the tears about all the bullshit in my life. I realized
that things weren’t that big of a deal, or as tough as I made them out to be.
I had never felt so overwhelmed to do something. I thought, with the amount
of devastation, that there was no way I could make any type of difference, but I
couldn’t stop thinking about this kid. I could’ve just given a couple dollars to
the Red Cross, but that didn’t seem good enough.
That’s why, on February 13, I’m going to get the guys together and we’re
going to lift. We’re hopefully going to reach our goal of 20 tons each and even
beyond. One ton is equal to doing a 200 pound bench press 10 times. Four of us
are going to get in as many reps of as many different exercises as possible.
This will be crammed into one session.
Lift for Haiti.
When: February 13, 2010
What: Benefit for Haiti – all proceeds go to American Red Cross
Goal: Lift 20 tons and raise over $1,000
I’m hoping our efforts inspire a donation from you. At first, I thought
people should pledge money for certain amounts of pounds lifted. However, that
seemed too complicated. So, we’ll accept any amount of money you’re willing to
donate. If you can give $1, $5, $10 or over $20… that’s awesome! I’m taking 100
percent of this money and giving it to the American Red Cross.
Please donate HERE. You
can choose any amount of money you can give. I hope to raise as much money as
possible, so please post on every forum and every blog you can.
I will also be filming Lift for Haiti, and I will put it up on Diesel as
a tribute to everyone who donated and anyone who has donated previously for this
cause through other organizations.
Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the strength
training industry by providing the highest quality strength training products
and services while providing the highest level of customer service in the
industry. For the best training equipment, information, and accessories, visit
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