Machine, I've been reading your articles for years. I've noticed changes over that time, in terms of substance and style. Have you, yourself, noticed the ways in which you're writing has changed and if so, what do you think accounts for it? Thanks in advance for your reply.
I have noticed that my writing style has changed in that I have tried to expand my technique to attract more people than I repel. I am still filled with the same rage and discontent which permeated so much of my early writing; I'm just running out of time...and I want to reach a wider range of people.
I hope my writing is well received; but I need to develop my technique to include and affect all of my human brothers and sisters to advocate for real and lasting societal change, I will not stop until I am dead.
...First off I would like to send out a word of thanks to the man...To be perfectly honest I cannot remember what brought me to this site, but it was the writings of Machine that hooked me for the last three and one half years...See, he doesn't have anymore answers than any other pro, save one...He chooses to live life on his own terms...I remember him saying that he was "playing the game, but by his own rules"...I admit that I cannot harness the hate and anger that he does, but he has given the inspiration and the courage to do what he has done...I find myself being neither an optimist, nor a pessimist...More so, I am a Realist...For it is all in the eye of the beholder anyway right? But I digress...
...The question I have at hand, is the event timeline that led to the disposition that you now bring to the table..Whether it be one event that set off the bomb, or several that have fueled the forge...
As always my Brother...
...Strength and Honor...
...Your First Mistake was Thinking I Needed Your Permission...
...Your Last Mistake was Thinking I Needed Your Approval...
...First off I would like to send out a word of thanks to the man...To be perfectly honest I cannot remember what brought me to this site, but it was the writings of Machine that hooked me for the last three and one half years...See, he doesn't have anymore answers than any other pro, save one...He chooses to live life on his own terms...I remember him saying that he was "playing the game, but by his own rules"...I admit that I cannot harness the hate and anger that he does, but he has given the inspiration and the courage to do what he has done...I find myself being neither an optimist, nor a pessimist...More so, I am a Realist...For it is all in the eye of the beholder anyway right? But I digress...
...The question I have at hand, is the event timeline that led to the disposition that you now bring to the table..Whether it be one event that set off the bomb, or several that have fueled the forge...
As always my Brother...
...Strength and Honor...
I admire the strength of your pen; and enjoyed the way you phrased this. It was surely not a bomb type event which was the catalyst for my viewpont or for my life's trajectory. Foundationally; I was always different from "normal" in many ways, there were societal inequities which affected me as a young person, I come from the wrong side of the tracks and that affected me, I was arrested 7 times before I was 18 - not good...but I knew that I was different because I had taken and passed every academic high school test by the time I was 16, I just wasnt allowed in High School, I had to go to one of those hope camps for "wayward youths." I believe that I was imprinted with some of the same hopelessness as much of the youth all over the world...but like many of them...I funneled those feelings into rage and hatred of the status quo. I want to change the way people look at things.
My human name is Andrew Giordonello; thanks for asking.
MACHINE
One of my favorite quotations Machine, my sig, and soon to be a permanently inked reminder of my own personal demons. It holds a very connected meaning for me...I'll post up an exerpt of a writing I jotted down later.
Big fan of yours my man. Such an inspiration to us young inspiring bodybuilders. Thank you for that.
Any plans on getting back on stage again, or are those days behind you?
AKA TreeTrunkLegs
"I am the man responsible for who I am. When I look in the mirror each day, I stare my creator in the eyes. I am responsible for what I have and will become, I am accountable for what I will or will not accomplish. I believe in myself, I bow to no man and my only critic of any consequence has walked every mile of this journey in my size thirteens. " - G. Diesel
I have noticed that my writing style has changed in that I have tried to expand my technique to attract more people than I repel. I am still filled with the same rage and discontent which permeated so much of my early writing; I'm just running out of time...and I want to reach a wider range of people.
I hope my writing is well received; but I need to develop my technique to include and affect all of my human brothers and sisters to advocate for real and lasting societal change, I will not stop until I am dead.
MACHINE
Oh, cool. The visceral quality is the same, but I noticed some stylistic changes. I wasn't sure if you, yourself, were aware. Words have that ability to initiate change, big or small, don't they? Thanks for the reply.
VOTE FOR U MAD BRAH! A vote for him is a vote for sanity.
"Those with limited knowledge in a domain suffer a dual burden: Not only do they reach mistaken conclusions and make regrettable errors, but their incompetence robs them of the ability to realize it." – Kruger & Dunning
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge." – Charles Darwin
The best piece of advice which was ever given to me was from Sergio Oliva; he said, "There is more to life than being the biggest, the best conditioned, or the most successful bodybuilder...because when it is all done and over...no matter how great you were...you will be sitting at a table with a half empty magic marker counting the minutes until someone who remembers you walks over and asks you a question."
I remember this like it was yesturday...I have been extremely fortunate to know many great athletes; and being a student of human nature, I have studied them all very closely.
I was particularly intrigued by Sergio's remarks and found them to be most insightful.
MACHINE
Brilliant stuff my brother... Words to ponder deeply and consider at length. That is why it is critical that we develop the parts of our beings that can't be flexed or admired in the mirror and why our impact on this planet must amount to more than mere superficialities.
I've said it before, but you're the reason I got into this game that I'm still in after 8 years, so again, I need to thank you for that.. But on another note, what are some other personal interests you have in your life besides this sport? Do you still have plans on pursuing Strongman events?
I am flattered to read your words and I thank you for your kindness; my interests are wide and varied. Right now I am working in the Job Corps Program daily motivating young people, The Youth Gang Prevention Initiative, and I developed a pilot program which proposes a community connection between teen mothers, gang members, correctional inmates, the top 500 lawyers, judges, and fortune 500 executives in the U.S. to foster community ownership from every socio-economic side of this country. The program is based upon all of US taking ownership of each other and this world. I am pitching it to all concerned parties as we speak. Therre is much to do; and time is of the essence. I also have enough material for two, possibly three books ranging topically from motivational, to poetry and prose, and exercise & nutritional theory. I am also somebody's father, and there is my training and my education...I'm tired thinking about all of this.
Thank you for your interest; and please reach out and help somone in need.
Most definitely, I have this evolving plan for my life after i get college out of the way to open a gym open to all, from the cardio bunnies to the future Machines of this world, but at the same time having youth programming in place to educate/motivate and help to keep as many as possible of the troubled youths out of the system.
How did you get started down your path, especially in dealing with the youth of this world?
I got started motivating youth by motivating myself to rise above and challenge myself to become more than an "inmate and a loser" like the satanic assholes of my youth said I was...they were right, but from the wrong angle...as long as my brothers and sisters are inmates - then I am an inmate...as long as there are "losers" in this world - then I am a loser. That is the way I see things.
Brilliant stuff my brother... Words to ponder deeply and consider at length. That is why it is critical that we develop the parts of our beings that can't be flexed or admired in the mirror and why our impact on this planet must amount to more than mere superficialities.
Peace, G
Words to remember G...thanks for checking in man. I have been fortunate to speak to so many people and to gleam knowledge and inspiration from each of them...but I felt that Sergio's words held special meaning and would resonate with our athletes.
If I had my druthers; I would have repeated the advice I got from Leonard Peltier..."Advocate for change in society at every possible level...but in the end...killl them all if you have to."
It is good to see you back and doing well after your medical complications. I wish you nothing but the best in all your endeavors, and I am also looking forward to picking your brain from time to time.
Stay strong.
Thank you for your kindness and well wishes...I am looking forward to you picking my brain as well. Just be careful you don't get your brain twisted like mine.
You have motovated me in life as well as the weightroom. Your articles helped me get through multiple situations in my life. We are one in the same, always hungry..and die fucking hard. For that I say thank you...
My questions for you are do you still train heavy? and are you going to post up pictures/videos of your progress? and I remember you saying you were in Law Enforcement...are you still currently?
Thanks Machine
Stay hungry
- Gene
Definition of Intensity:Controlled insanity
Make the scale Move
"When you feel like puking and the pressure of the weight on your back is so strong that people talking to you sound like a fucking cartoon... remember I feel that shit too."
-Machine
Leave Nothing
"Anyone can buy size in a bottle. What separates a champion from everyone else is a work ethic. You cant buy that. That's hardcore."
So...I pulled this page from my journal as a 24 hour template:
3:55am: Wake up in a hotel room in Niagra Falls - attending 2010 Gang Prevention Conference, am supplements, morning meal of 4 whole eggs, 3 scoops Animalmax Vanilla, 1/4 cup oats, mixture of tomatoes, celery, 2 green apples, 2 cloves garlic, bunch of Kale juiced.
4:15: weight training session #1 predicated upon zero rest from beginning to end:
1.) One arm dumbell rows / 3 total sets 8 rep range
2.) Seated low pulley rows / 2 max weight sets of 8 reps
3.) Reverse grip barbell rows / 2 max weight sets of 8 reps
4.) Medium grip lat pulldowns / 2 max weight sets of 8 reps
5.) Deadlifts straight sets of six reps to weight of 585 lbs.
5:15: post workout shake (not telling) shit, shave, shower
6:25: morning emails, followed by one hour of writing.
7:30: 6 ounces of red meat, 3 whole eggs, 1/4 cup of oats, 1 cup of raisins
8:00: Gang Prevention Conference presentation, break out sessions, networking, pitching project...meeting with law enforcement agents.
11:30: Large spinich salad with 6 ounces of chicken in it, 1 cup of brown rice, 1/4 cup almonds, 16 ounces of vegetable juice.
12:00: emails, texts, phone calls.
12:30: Sitting through U.S. / Mexican border drug cartel gang presentation and informational presentations on the coralation between prison gangs, street gangs, and youth recruiting among gangs through 4:00pm.
4:30pm: Shake (not telling) Supplements.
4:35pm: weight training session #2 - shoulders trained in the same manner as am back session. Absolutely no rest between sets except to change weights:
1.) Push presses up to max weight for 6 reps
2.) Seated lateral raises / 2 sets at max weight for 10 reps
3.) Dumbell rear delt raises / 3 sets at max weight for 10 reps
4.) Barbell shrugs / straight sets up to 585 lbs. for 10 reps
5:35pm: Post workout meal / 3 scoops of Animalmax / 2 tblspoons natty pb / 1 cup oats / 1 cup dried apricots / 16 ounces of vegetable juice.
5:45pm: meditation through 6:45pm.
6:50pm: 6 ounces of turkey / 3/4 cup of raw organic peanuts / 1/2 cup oats - Emails, reports, educational assignments (pursuing a simultaneous degree BA / BS - Orginazational change and leadership / phsychology / human services)
8:30pm: Shake (not telling) Writing for onging projects / research for nutritional and training theory. Answer more emails and projects for Job Corps.
10:30pm: 6 ounces chicken / 1/2 cup of almonds / 16 ounces of vegetable juice.
10:45pm: reading for pleasure and relaxation / planning next days activities.
11:55pm: Shake (not telling) supplements.
3:55am: Wake up time...rinse and repeat.
You get the general idea...the fact is that I get about a weeks worth of assorted projects from my writing career / my daily career / my athletic career / my youth programming , etc, etc, etc, all within the confines of a 24 hour period. It might not work for everyone; but I think the upside is self evident. As I said; I cannot afford to lay in bed for 10 or 12 hours a day like some fucking monarch...no offense.
Try it and see...I would love for anyone who does choose to experiment within the 24 hour template to post here and share their results...I think it would be great feed back; and might go a long way to dispelling the rumor that one needs to sleep like a baby in order to enjoy any success in the athletic fields.
You have motovated me in life as well as the weightroom. Your articles helped me get through multiple situations in my life. We are one in the same, always hungry..and die fucking hard. For that I say thank you...
My questions for you are do you still train heavy? and are you going to post up pictures/videos of your progress? and I remember you saying you were in Law Enforcement...are you still currently?
Thanks Machine
Stay hungry
- Gene
Thank you my friend; I really appreciate your kind words, stay under strain...never look for relief...you are a champion.
I train heavy through certain cycles and always push the training intensity through the roof no matter what the cyclical goals may be...but my training weights are still respectable.
I will leave the photos and vids to the U...if they think that is a good idea...I will consider it.
Yes; I did some law enforcement work...not my favorite subject...but yes.
I admire the strength of your pen; and enjoyed the way you phrased this. It was surely not a bomb type event which was the catalyst for my viewpont or for my life's trajectory. Foundationally; I was always different from "normal" in many ways, there were societal inequities which affected me as a young person, I come from the wrong side of the tracks and that affected me, I was arrested 7 times before I was 18 - not good...but I knew that I was different because I had taken and passed every academic high school test by the time I was 16, I just wasnt allowed in High School, I had to go to one of those hope camps for "wayward youths." I believe that I was imprinted with some of the same hopelessness as much of the youth all over the world...but like many of them...I funneled those feelings into rage and hatred of the status quo. I want to change the way people look at things.
MACHINE
It is reassuring to find a fraternal brother admist all the Chaos...While we might not have been cut from the same cloth, we defintely were born of the same weave...I too struggled to find my place as a youth in society...While I did not fall to the left side of the law, I bear the scars of trying to force myself into that square or round hole...There are those who are quick to jump on the latest bandwagon, or ride the coatails, looking to assimilate into the comfort of acceptance and popularity...Yet as a famous rapper once said "Game recognizes game", and some scars you just cannot fake or hide...
...I intend one day to have a platform of my own, from which I will strive to teach those to give the middle finger to the "status quo"...Even if it is one of my own making...It is good to know that I on the right path...So let the chips fall where the Odds and the Gods deem them so...I am prepared...
...Strength and Honor...
...Your First Mistake was Thinking I Needed Your Permission...
...Your Last Mistake was Thinking I Needed Your Approval...
How long did it take you to adjust to the template you have outlined, or did you just decide one day that 4 hours was plenty of rest and ran with it?
btw Thanks for being you, your articles have helped keep my nose to the grindstone since I read my first one back in 2000.
I do this not to change the world, but so the world will know it cannot change me.
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.