MAKING PROGRESS

Ahh Good Morning!

"Be generous enough to yourself to enjoy the simple things."


It seems like every time I get up early enough and allow myself time to watch the world wake up around me, it really helps to start my day in the right direction. I imagine the world waking up just as I am. I look out the window and see the sun waking up coming out of the east, and the trees waking up taking off the nigh blanket they were peacefully sleeping under. The house even has the same process. I love being the first one into the kitchen and noticing how it also seems like it had been sleeping until I open the blinds and it gets out of bed for us to start our day.

 When I wake up in the morning and do this I begin to become aware of how many and how much I appreciate certain things in my life. Giving myself time in the morning also allows me to enjoy the mundane sequences of starting the day. Instead of being frustrated about putting the laundry in and making my breakfast I get to be aware during them and enjoy the process. I even had enough time this morning to sit down and write this blog post.

 I have been getting up about 30 mins earlier than normal. It has made me notice a few things. 1)How attached I am to sleep. I didn't realize it but laying in bed until the last second was something I used to do a lot! That made me fly through the morning and sometimes not even become aware until hours later. 2)It also allows me to have a few minutes for myself. I love to read, blog, sit and be aware, listen to music, or just plan my day. Lining my day up with things that I value has become something that is a big morning upgrade for me. It gives my days direction and I get a heck of a lot more done. 3)I also noticed when I do not rush my morning it puts me in an amazing mood, !! I get to focus on enjoying my simple actions or processes of getting my day started.

 My favorite morning process is making my coffee. The smell of the fresh beans and the simplicity of heating the kettle get my senses going every time. I put the water on the stove to boil and move to something else like my eggs to start my breakfast. After a little while I get my coffee beans out and weigh out 37grams with my scale then I grind them just as the water is beginning to boiling. The sound of the kettle whistling and watching the steam come out never gets old to me. I take the water off and let if cool for a little while. Then I pour my coffee grinds into my french press and pour the water slowly watching the grinds absorb the hot water then I wait about 3mins as the room fills up with a delicious coffee smell. I pour my cup of delish chocolate macadamia nut coffee into my favorite Arizona mug or Andiamo's mug and then I put the rest into my travel Andiamo's mug to take to the gym. At this point my breakfast is complete and my coffee is ready. I get to sit and enjoy what I have accomplished.


This is something I enjoy every morning and I have noticed it is part of my routine. When I do not get to relax during it or just be aware and enjoy that moment it changes my mood. It doesn't mean that it changes it negatively, I just notice it changes. Waking up with the things around me has been a great morning upgrade for me! This has been a morning upgrade with Matthew Bryant haha seriously though it has changed the way I see the day.

 Be generous to yourself and think of little things that could upgrade the morning or things that you already do to upgrade the mornings. I would love to hear your upgrade ideas or upgrades that you currently practice.


Post to comments or e-mail me at mbryant3220@gmail.com



Create a great day! Coach/Athlete Matty B

We found some really big wise cactus!!

The Love Cactus

I just recently accepted a part time job at Lululemon in Scottsdale Arizona to compliment my Coaching and Athletic goals/pay some bills while I get more clients haha.  They are very supportive and push their employees to grow as people and live with integrity and authenticity so I love that challenge.  I'm excited I have the opportunity to be involved and their fitness minded approach to clothing has it's perks as well.

So as I was applying for the position one of the questions they asked was, what is a quote that you live by?  Two quotes came to mind for me.  I will share mine and if you get the chance to read this I would love to hear yours! So if you have time don't be shy and post to comments!

1) "Without struggle there is no progress"
~Frederick Douglass

2) "My deepest wisdom is leading me to this decision. If I am wrong, I will learn from it, and my wisdom will have deepened.  I'm willing to be wrong, and grow from it. I trust this process of acting from my deepest wisdom."
~David Deida

1) I heard this a long time ago in a movie and it stuck with me ever since.  It just made sense to me.  I know most of my greatest accomplishments were not the easiest to achieve.

2) This guy! Man you know how things are introduced into your life at the right time!  I love this quote it came to me during a tough time when I had some important decisions to make.  I think more than anything it gave me the confidence to trust myself and if I ever feel a little doubt this quote is on my focus board!

It was a pretty interesting application.  Another question was if I could high five anyone who would it be?  Put it in comments!

Create a great day!

Coach/Athlete Matty B
Can't wait to hear some quotes 

august 18, 2012

Big Dawgs

What is a Big Dawg?

Funny story some will follow but I remember four years ago watching the movie "Every Second Counts" thinking about how cool it was and thinking very highly of James in the movie haha.  It is pretty neat to get the chance to learn from a guy that has had so much of an impact and is still highly focused on learning and sharing his knowledge with this fitness community.  Interesting where life will take you.

Create a great day!
Coach/Athlete Matty B

I heard a lot about the State Fair comp way to go everyone! I hope you all got in a great celebration and enjoyed the aftermath!  I know everyone put a lot of hard work in, now it's recovery time and back to that beautiful thing called life!  Enjoy yourselves instinctive juggernauts! All the pictures and videos I saw were another boost of energy for this guy!  
Love It, be the dream!

"Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Coach/Athlete Matty B

Good Morning! 

Create a great day!

Coach/Athlete Matty B

The past month has been a huge transitional period in my life.  I decided to move to Arizona shedding a very important layer in my life to start on a new one.  Every layer is just as important as the last and no layer ever loses its importance, I miss everyone and all the great things that are still in Illinois!

Everyday I am here I feel more and more confident this was the right move for me.  On a daily basis I am faced with at the very least a few things that cause me to experience fear, sadness, joy, guilt, or anger. Moving without a secure source of income, meeting up with a room ate that I met once, sitting with my emotions, getting a flat tire, hitting a scary testing wod from James at OPT, being aware and resisting things that will bump me off my path toward my goals.. There are to many to mention, but all of them challenge me in a positive way.  One of the biggest challenges has been to stand my ground when these things challenge me and be in it!

When I left CFI on Friday the 27th it was one of the hardest things I have done.  I don't know if anyone but a few saw the tears flowing as I drove away, and me swallowing them all morning/week..  It is a home to me and always will be!  I couldn't believe how many people showed up and how many people continue to check in with me.  Joy wipes the sadness clear because all that support I received is so motivating to me.  Seeing the smiles on people's faces, the genuine expressions, and goodluck cards and wishes (THANKS GUYS SO MUCH) was very inspiring.  When those emotions I talked about earlier show up I know I have not only my blood family to look to but also my other family that inspires me to continue to grow and be in it!

Thanks guys you inspire me and trust me I think about all of you a lot! Always work hard and continue to be the best you can!  Have fun, smile a lot, and keep kicking butt!

Love,

Coach/Athlete Matty B

My first week in Az has been pretty awesome!  I have been hitting up the gym, going to the market, cooking, and finding places to hike!








I have really been watching what I eat for the last week.  I am really enjoying my frequent stops at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and this place called Sprouts that I found tonight!  I eat a lot!  I wish I had a food sponsor! haha 

My roomie James Taylor, two other friends and I got to hit up Camel Back on Thursday night.  It was really neat definitely different from the hikes I am used to!  Some of the climbs were pretty difficult and we ended up getting caught in the moon on the way down.



It was a tough workout for sure!












Totally went to the market tonight and ended up finding another hiking place close to the house!  I was unprepared but I totally had to check it out! It ended up being awesome!  Here is a pic of a wise cactus!  haha still getting used to them.



I also wanted to shout out to all my Andiamo brothers! I woke up today with an awesome cup of coffee from you guys and used the mug you gave me too.  Not only was it delish but it made me feel like I was back home Thanks guys!!
OPT Testing starts on Monday!

Love you all!
Create a beautiful weekend!
Coach/Athlete Matty B 

Hey everyone!


And this is what I saw!
Corn!

I stopped in STL to see someone before heading out again and made it to Albuquerque all at once, I wouldn't recommend the trip to anyone I believe I got there at 4am central time!  Fun trip tho!



There was an amazing sunset just after OKC!
 We decided it would be a good idea to rent a boat and go relax on Sat so we did at Elephant Butte Park!
We got to Scottsdale Monday afternoon and checked into the resort we are staying at till Friday until we get our house.  The next day we made our way to OPT for the first time and got a workout in.  I start some testing on Monday the 6th I'm excited.  I will keep you posted love you all!

P.S. James Taylor the soft rock king jokes have been very hard for me to hold back at least he is a good sport haha
James Taylor Fire and Rain


Talk to you later!

Coach/Athlete Matty B