Let's get started!

First things first.  I'm just a regular guy.  I don't spend every waking hour at the gym and I don't profess to be an expert.  Following my blog won't make you Mr. Olympia or win a weightlifting competition (there are plenty of other forums for that).  

What I can do is pass on tips and techniques that have helped me become healthier and more importantly, happier.  Exercise has become a critical portion of my daily routine.  I've found it to be an amazing stress reliever and has helped create mental clarity.  Introducing the daily discipline of exercise has enabled me to become more focused on other aspects of my life.  Pushing myself physically each day actually gives me more energy, which may seem counterintuitive.  For those reasons, and many more, I encourage everyone to set aside time each day to push themselves physically.

It doesn't matter what your initial baseline is.  The important thing is to start exercising and make it a routine.  Doing really hard things is good for you.  It absolutely sucks when you're in the middle of it, but the gratification upon completion is second to none.  If you fail, that's great.  That just means you know you need to improve and you've automatically set a new goal.

For me, I've been relatively healthy and active for most of my life.   As a middle schooler and high schooler, I was in amazing shape. Once I went to college my healthy life style dipped a bit and upon graduation I immersed myself into work and my career.  Often times working very late nights replaced my normal exercise routines.  I'm 5'7'' (on a good day) and I probably peaked around 180 lbs.   

Since then, my excercise ebbed and flowed throughout my 20's & 30's.  For the last two years or so I've really focused myself to become healthier and happier.  The transformation physically has been great, but honestly the mental aspect has probably been greater.  Again, I'm not comparing myself to Mr. Olympia or other professional weightlifters.  I'm saying for me...the transformation has been great.  

The above picture was taken after a 35 minute heavy bag boxing session.  Please forgive the crazy covid beard!  The point is that transformation is possible.  I'm also not saying that I'm completely satisfied...because I'm not.  It's also important not to compare yourself to others.  You can use others for inspiration but you need to make the change for you!

I hope you'll follow me along on my journey to a healthier and happy life-style.  Who knows what will happen and what lessons we may learn.  Besides my blog you can also follow me on Instagram (Calrivan_llc), Facebook (Calrivan LLC), and Twitter (Calrivan LLC).