Rachel Rodriguez • Body
Rachel Rodriguez • Body
The Top Gun Experience
When life brings obstacles and challenges, Maverick from Top Gun said it best, "don't think just do!"
My husband and I were very excited when we saw that Top Gun was coming out with Part 2, also known as Top Gun ‘Maverick.’
Growing up during a time when this was the ‘it movie,’ I’ve watched it probably over 100x by now, maybe more. We were beside ourselves and it ended up being an afternoon date movie for us.
Squeezing in date nights has been out of the question since we’ve had our son. It used to be the typical Friday or Saturday night. Now our son is up with us and full of fun family times. We’ve grown our marriage now that our son is a little older, we’re more flexible and creative with our time. Hence date-day-movies!
If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it! It’s authentic as Tom Cruise explains, that was his goal. It’s entertaining with thrill-seeking moments, and exciting how they were able to navigate the actors' roles to bring in some of the old and classic characters.
As I try and bring everything back into the nutrition and fitness world, there were a few moments that stuck with me and I thought were relevant.
Don't Think. Just Do.
Today I did a workout that I formulated together because I really didn’t want to think. I just wanted to do it. It reminded me of when Maverick says this in the movie as well, “don’t think just do.”
Fitness is one of those things that always come back to learning the basics and strengthening your foundation.
Once this layer of foundation is set you’re able to add to it. It comes in handy on these days when you don’t want to think, but you know you need to move your body.
Basically, you’re then able to have these days where you want to move your body but if you thought too much about it you would inevitably not do it. Your mind starts to think of all the things you have to get done.
You’ll start looking at doing laundry or cleaning the dishes, it’s those mindless chores that take you away from getting in the workout of the day.
How do you move past this mindset? Well think like Maverick, ‘don’t think just do.’ Over the years I’ve incorporated many of the strategies and fundamentals from CrossFit into my workouts now.
There’s one that stands out called EMOM, or every minute on the minute. I have one of my favorite apps called Smart WOD Timer, and you can set this up to have a bell go off EMOM while the music is playing.
I quickly looked around my gym and pulled down the wall balls, kettlebells, and dumbbells. Then I quickly wrote out what I felt like working out, no need to count, no need to think. I set up my workout to listen to the bell and move on to the next workout.
I was huffing and puffing after about 15 minutes. Who says you can’t get a great workout in under 30 minutes is downright wrong! That’s 15 minutes of 15 different movements and walked away feeling great, now that’s a great start to your day.
The Man in the Box
On Jocko Willink’s podcast, he interviews the “Actual Top Gun, Dave Berke.” Dave is the real ‘Maverick’ and contributed to the movie as well.
I liked the movie even more after watching this podcast because he explains it from his perspective because he actually does it and teaches it.
Throughout he remains humble, but what I liked is his story behind it where he was intrigued at a young age from watching the movie and developed his skillset to where it is now.
Another area that stood out to me was the concept about it’s not about the machine, it’s about the man in the box. I don’t want to spoil the movie, but there are a few scenes where this becomes critical.
One of the pilots has to step up to the plate… Are they ready to take the lead? Are they ready for this moment? It’s not time yet… All of these questions, and many more came rushing in while watching the movie… Can they step up to the plate?
Whether you’re a man or woman, it’s you that drives or flies; it’s how you handle situations. And it’s you that gets to be in the driver’s seat. As the questions are relevant to the movie, they are similar questions that come up in everyday lives.
They pop up when you’re learning a new skill, a new workout. Are you ready for a half marathon? Can you deadlift heavy weights today?
Every day is a challenge…or is it?! You can have the best technology, the best teachers, and the best equipment in the world. And at the end of the day, it will always be up to you to strive forward. To put what you learned into action. To push against your comfort zone.
To use those challenges and obstacles that get in your way... because you know 'they' always do....use them to your advantage!
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Rachel's 85+ pound weight loss
The Ice Cream Experience
Smash Your Grape
I often ask myself “Is this an obstacle I’ve done before? Or is this really a challenge?...
Can I take a detour because I’ve seen this play out before? More times than not, I’ve experienced something to that degree and I know how to maneuver around it.
I’ll take the detour, I’ll take it and move on!
Don’t think just do - building a strong foundation so you don’t have to think because you’ve done it before. So do it!
The man in the box - having the self-confidence and trust within yourself to handle what’s ahead!
~Rachel
Have A Grapefull Day!