Greetings from the sweltering shores of South Padre, where the wind was dead as a disco inferno, leaving me marooned with my laptop, churning through work like a caffeinated cyborg.
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Kicked off the day with a 5K row and some quick iron therapy, clearing my head before I gave Black Sunshine the cleansing she deserved after the monster drive down.

Before setting off, I cranked out one last "Doode Bro" upper session that left me wired with a lesson worth sharing here today.
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Picture this: I stumble into the gym, still in a haze from a 1 a.m. lights-out, thanks to the brutal sonic onslaught of Sanguisugabogg, Kublai Kahn, White Chapel, and Lorna Shore – a lineup carved from the raw sinew of metal itself.
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Fueled by my fav high-octane Utopia X from my pals at Elemental Formulations, I staggered forward despite a heart-rate variability reading that looked like it had been mauled by a bear.

The mission: tackle one of my long-chased goals – five clean reps on the flat bench with the 100-pound dumbbells.
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Not my Everest, mind you – more like my fourth mountain – but still, I’d been hunting it down for too long to walk away now on this session.

I warmed up, worked my way through the weights, and hit a rep PR for 9 on the 90s. Upgraded to the 95s, hammered out 7 - another PR.
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The moment of truth was now.
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Decision time, Brosephus – it’s one thing to talk a big game, another to step up, grab your ball sack and go for it.

My training log – you do have a log, right? – told me I needed a solid 8 reps to hit 5 with the hundos.
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So, do I gear up, unleash the beast, and risk detonating a shoulder… or play it safe and fight another day?

The struggle is real, my friends. Real as a three-headed nightmare on Monday morning.

See, the flat dumbbell bench isn’t just any lift; it’s a widow-maker when you're going close to failure in my book as I have seen many a Doode-Bro get taken down by it.
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Plus dumping those dumbbells forward with arms extended? Not exactly a graceful exit. Most grip lifts, they stay glued to the floor – less carnage if you fail. Not this beast.

After a flash of brutal introspection, I walked away, opting not to test fate.
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The logic, as I hammer home to my M3 online clients:

1. This lift isn’t worth the risk right now. The data says it would be borderline.
2. It’s not my primary goal, and a torn muscle could blow out my kiteboarding for a solid month.

The true north? Flying through the air with the greatest of ease on my kiteboard, with a secondary mountain in sight – hoisting the almighty 175 lb Inch dumbbell - those are my top 2 goals.
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Yes, benching with the 100s would’ve been a notch on the belt, but in the end, it just didn’t make the cut.

When the stakes are high, the risk-to-reward ratio is the only god to serve.
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Dan John’s words float through the madness: “The goal is to keep the goal, the goal.”
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This DB bench feat was always a bit of a sideshow thrill and I will get it in time, just not today.

But all was not lost. Hit my grip goal – repping 5 on rows with the 100s, using blue Fat Grips. We’re talking a 2.5-inch diameter death grip. Nailed 4 reps, no tilt, then had to reset, finished strong with the last rep. I’ll take that win.

So yeah, I walked away – smarter for it, maybe.
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But I know this goal is mine, a slow burn.
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I’ve pulled my fair share of idiotic stunts in the gym over the years, but every so often, the voice of reason whispers through the chaos. Maybe I’m finally catching on. Maybe.

Remember my friend: when in doubt, live to lift another day. The iron will always be waiting for you.

Much love,
Dr. Mike
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PS -When you are ready there are 3 ways you can work with me
1) Listen to one of my podcasts totally free HERE.
2) Read one of the tons of free articles I have on my site HERE.
3) Book a private 1 hour virtual call to ask me any questions. Cost is $250 and you can email Jodie HERE​

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Mike T Nelson CISSN, CSCS, MSME, PhD
Associate Professor, Carrick Institute
Owner, Extreme Human Performance, LLC
Editorial Board Member, STRONG Fitness Mag

Mike T Nelson is a PhD and not a physician or registered dietitian. The contents of this email should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health.

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