I'm currently in a off season style of training, trying to bring up weak points and improve body composition for the duration of the summer. At the end of summer I will reevaluate where I stand, and decide whether I would like to compete in the late fall, or wait until the XPC Finals in March of 2016.

For programming and coaching inquires, please email SmitleyPerformanceSystems@gmail.com

Majority of my training logs are in great spirit. I'm a super outgoing, overzealous, wild guy. There is little that gets under my skin. Sure I have my trials and tribulations like anyone else walking this planet, but usually I do a great job of just sweeping them under the rug or better yet just throwing them away.

Recently though, my training has taken a new meaning.

I'm always training hard, and there is a very little chance I'm going to miss a training session.

I don't want to seem sappy, but training for me the past few months has really been my emotional outlet. It's what is honestly keeping me sane.

I'm loving everything I am doing, but something is missing. It's hard to pinpoint what it is exactly.

I believe social media has had a lot to do with it, and in return I've written about steps I've taken to limit my social media usage over on my own blog.

Social media is basically a bragging platform.

How many times do you see someone posting a video of a lift THEY MISSED?! Probably about never.

Well I'm in a point in my life where everyone has careers, starting families, buying homes, getting married, and even making big moves across the country. Don't get me wrong, I'm in incredibly happy for these people, but however, a part of me just scrolls right by.

"Obsession is the single most wasteful human activity, because with an obsession you keep coming back and back and back to the same question and never get an answer." - Norman Mailer

I have no one but myself to blame right now honestly about where I am. I love the job I have, and running my own business. It's very rewarding and fulfilling. However, I'm one of those guys waiting for my "break".

This is where training has been so important to me lately. I've got a lot going for me, and training helps me realize that and keep my head on a semi-level approach. Training isn't everything to me...and powerlifting isn't either...it's a PART of me.

Mentally I've had a rougher time than I'd like to admit, but I know that "everything ain't all sunshine and rainbows". I'm going to have to make some tough life decisions probably in the next few months. I keep getting little leaks and cracks that I think are going to lead to some pretty exciting things for my life, but every time they just seem to get patched up.

But at the end of the day I'm thankful for a handful of people that keep me going and my head on straight. I'm not where I thought I would be eight years ago, and I know that many times it's just about continuing to work your butt off and making things work for the best. Nothing in life worth having comes easy.

Put your head down, embrace the void, and give everything time.