Restore Your Faith

TC,

I usually enjoy a little laugh over Atomic Dog articles, but this week's article only left me disturbed. After reading it, I felt obligated to write and tell you about a few things. Last week, I sent all my size 48 jackets to my tailor because they're too tight along with all my 34 pants to be taken in again. This morning, I finally managed that full set of 405lb deadlifts I've been trying to scream my way through for the past few weeks. Maybe it was the extra T-boost I got from putting a gorilla in the ICU just for making the mistake of pushing his date around in my favorite pub on Saturday Night.

I know you won't find any of that very uplifting, so I'll also tell you that after the completion of finals last week I am only 19 hours short a B.A. in Business Management and Human Relations from the University of Texas at Dallas. I regularly spend more at bookstores than I do on my gym membership, and recently read Stephen Hawking's Brief History of Time, Ken Wilber's The Spectrum of Consciousness, and the collected works of Frederick Nietzsche. I was also offered membership to American Mensa this year. I hope that this letter has restored a bit of your faith, and I pray to the Iron Gods that there are many more like it.

Your fellow warrior nerd,

Greg Lucas

Buck Up!

TC,

Buck up, big guy! There is some hope left. I just finished mastering my second foreign language, Kazakh, while simultaneously reaching personal strength/fitness goals following advice and plans from this very website!

Richard

Academically Recognized

Hey TC,

I've watched Street Smarts many times as well.  One time I watched it with my eight year old cousin and he got almost all the questions right.

Anyways, here's my story. Before my Junior year in high school I didn't care at all about my academic success.  In fact, Freshman year I failed two classes.  I was generally a B-C student, but it was a kick in the nuts towards the end of Junior year when I found out I was in the bottom 50% of my graduating class.  A lot of things changed in my life during this period of time, and a huge change was my academic work.  I actually started to care and applied myself, as cliche as that sounds.  Senior year I pretty much got straight A's.

Now, I'm a sophomore in college.  I have a 3.6GPA, I'm on the Dean's List and in an internationally recognized honor society, and well on my way to a BA in Communications.  I never thought I would ever be someone who was academically recognized.  I guess I just relegated myself to being average.  It's great to be a "warrior nerd", working out T-mag style and kicking ass in martial arts.  I'm sure some people only see me for what's on the surface, but underneath is a smart guy that knows what he wants from life and how to get it.

Keep up the all around greatness, TC.

Kent Sewell

Keep Being Politically Incorrect!

Hello TC,

I've been reading Testosterone for two years, and always been a fan of your column. I am a 21 year old male living in Montreal, Canada, and I think that you really hit the nail on the head with your "Crisis of Faith" column.

I'm currently completing my B. Sc. in biomedical sciences, and will probably start my M. Sc. next September, probably in nutritional biochemistry. I also work as a personal trainer (yeah, I know) at a gym from the largest gym chain in Quebec, the Nautilus+ company. Through my job, I try to educate the average housewife and man on proper nutrition and training. Let me tell you that it is not an easy task, as the company's M.O. is so politically correct (and therefore self-contradictory, ass-backwards and stupid) that my bosses would probably fire me if they learned what I dare tell my clients (soy is no good, dietary fat and cholesterol are not the enemy, health does not come from pharmaceuticals, low intensity cardio will not help you get lean, etc.).

Furthermore, I'm often met with disbelief and anger from people who, maybe for the first time in years, are not told what they are used to or what they like to hear. Oh well. So be it. Go down and wash that Statin pill with a can of Coke (hey, it IS fat-and-cholesterol-free!).

Keep up the outstanding work, stay on course delivering cutting-edge info, and, above all else, KEEP BEING POLITICALLY INCORRECT!

Michel Boyce

Wind Tunnel Nerds

I just finished my senior project (BS, aerospace engineering) at the University of Southern California and will graduate next May. Our project was to construct an underwater research vessel to be used in the ocean. The main objective was to test the hydrodynamic properties of the craft and lower its drag as much as possible. To accomplish this we designed a 1/4 scale model on Solid Works software and had it machined from acrylic. We then placed the model in a wind tunnel on a 2-axis force balance to measure lift and drag at different Reynolds numbers.

I think that’s pretty nerd, but not warrior nerd quality. How about if I also mention that my lab partner is totally cute. And I’m eating out of a three lb. container of cottage cheese as I write this.

There, that’s a better balance of nerd and T.

Jeff

Proud To Be A Warrior Nerd

I read your Atomic Dog about the decline of intelligence in the average person. As a proud warrior nerd, I agree with you.  I am currently in my first semester working towards a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology at San Diego State University, and have been reading your magazine for three years.  I really enjoy and appreciate the scientific information provided, and the guidelines given for T-men to live by.  

I have taken many things from T-mag to heart, and one such is from Chris Shugart's article "The Average Guy."  Mr. Shugart mentions reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It’s an incredible book, one I highly recommend to everyone.  It is an excellent novel on the decline of rational thought and the decay of morality, and also an intriguing study of the human mind.

I have to admit that I am more nerd than warrior, but the information conveyed in your Web site and your print magazine are invaluable tools to link my physical and mental development.  In the past few months I have come to the realization that the human mind is the most powerful thing on Earth and it's the responsibility of everyone to try and improve their mind.  The mind has the ability to turn stone into buildings, ink into literature, and the human body into a testament of mental fortitude and knowledge, but unfortunately, if not used properly, then it has the ability to degenerate into a reality-TV watching, self-centered, intolerant and ignorant waste. 

I heard from one of my many teachers that "It is still legal to be stupid," which is a shame, but it gives us, members of the T-Nation, the distinction of being leaders against the trend of mental waste. We must embrace our minds as the ultimate weapon by turning our bodies into a living tribute against corporate and media brainwashing. This includes Subway as a cure for dietary indiscretions, KFC as a low-fat alternative and steroids and pro-hormones as the most heinous evil since cocaine.

I too share your frustration with the decline of intelligence.  I’ve found myself caught in the trap as you were in your article, but have begun to crawl out of it. This has been with T-mag's help, especially yours, Mr. Luoma.  Your writings have shown me that having intelligence is like having courage. It doesn't do anyone any good if you don't use it, but when you do, you can accomplish extraordinary things. 

On this note, I have discovered the reason why I train, and probably the reason why others like me train. A healthy, strong body is the direct result of a healthy and strong mind, because if you do not posses the knowledge, or more importantly the drive, desire and discipline to use that knowledge, then you will never achieve your goal of a healthy body.  A healthy, lean, muscular and strong body shows the world that that person has the mental and physical capacity to resist the pressures of the everyday world, to go against the trend of sky-rocketing increases in heart disease, obesity and diabetes.  It shows the world that eating right and training smart to become healthy and vigorous is hard work, but in the end, the effort pays off with a strong mind, a healthy body and a long, happy life.  It also shows the world that they are part of a great group of individuals, those who have excelled in developing their minds and bodies.  

That is why I train, as I want to show the world, and especially myself, that I have what it takes to be strong, muscular, lean and healthy while still improving my mind, my ultimate weapon, to the point where "I can accomplish anything that I choose to."

Thank you, Mr. Luoma, for this opportunity to share my views with you, and thank you for trying to bring intelligence back to the world.

A loyal T-mag reader, and fellow T-Nation citizen,

Kent Lorenz, B.Ed., B.P.E., CSCS, NCSA-CPT

T-Man at Heart

My name is jason and for the first time in my life I read the entire new testament of the Bible.  Every night before my wife and I go to bed we read together, talk together, and work at our marriage to better ourselves and our lives.  I also have a 1-year old son whom I love very much.

I'm a T-man at heart and all my friends and family know it, but that doesn't stop me from being a spiritual leader and a real man for my family. 

Real men/role models are hard to find these days, and I try to be a little of both to my wife and son everyday.

I suggested a year ago that you read "Wild at Heart," a great book that will turn any wanna-be man into a God-fearing real man and leader

Jason Crisman

Scholarly Detective

TC,

As for General Clark, maybe they don't want to mention his scholarly achievements because the last President with those credentials made the office a joke. He acted like a dumb-ass ignorant southerner. Clark is no bowl of cherries, after all he was asked to step down as NATO chief because of his behavior and ability. He also had a reputation as a person who enjoyed destroying other’s careers.

Enough of my ranting. I am college educated, was a police detective who worked undercover and investigated homicides, too. I enjoyed helping people get their due. Currently I’m working for the Boston Public Health Commission in the Tobacco Control Program and trying to keep kids off cigarettes. The latest book I read was Teeth of the TIger by Thomas Clancy.

Sincerely and respectfully,

Charles J Drapo

I’m A Gifted T-Nerd, Just Ask Me

I used to read T-mag during my breaks from class at Polytechnic University in New York. I graduated, on time, from Poly in the class of 2003, with a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a 3.0 GPA to boot.

In high school I would strut around, not because I had the biggest 3 lift total, but because my 3 lift total plus my SAT score blew away that of any other goober's (3 lift=980, SAT=1340; total= 2320)

My reasonable strength garnered me requests from the high school varsity football team to join them, but I declined for many reasons. One of the best was that I didn't have time my senior year because I was too busy taking four Advanced Placement courses, and getting a perfect 5 out of 5 on the BC Calculus exam (the hardest math test that side of college).

At my job, where I'm only an assistant fitness manager at New York Sports Club, my intellectual prowess has been on constant display as we've recently started using a new computer system. I've been a computer nerd since I was a wee child, so I've been serving as the resident IT guy, plus took the lead in coaching about 40 employees on how to work the system (including higher management). They also sent my ass around the city helping other clubs learn the system. I still only get 22k a year, which is appalling, but the engineering market is tight in New York.

I hope to use my analytical ability derived from my technical background, my experience from training staff at NYSC, coupled with my continuing education in sports performance, to get involved in the training of new and potential members of the FDNY once they establish their list and call on me sometime next year. I always feel that my brains are a huge asset to whatever task I can find, as long as I don't get bored. God Bless Power Drive!

Since I can't work for the FDNY alone, I hear that the city gives scholarships to city employees who wish to get their graduate degree in certain fields, engineering included! Given enough time and financial aid, I hope to snag a graduate degree also, so I look more credible than a 22 year old know-it-all with a mere BS degree.

This is all subject to change of course. I'll make some changes in the plans if I ever get enough time away from work to finish my dystopic novel, or if somebody wants to pay me exorbitant amount of money for my poetry (both projects I began to help myself become more well-rounded than my fellow technical nerds. That, and the potential pussy from such pursuits — always a plus).

Myself and a fellow engineering student of mine used to have contests to see who could score higher on various IQ tests. We'd always blow the tests away, and I always seemed to edge him out by two points. Once we get the time, we're taking on MENSA!

Lest you think I'm just a straight-up nerd, I'm also 6'0, about 172 pounds with around 5% bodyfat, legit. I was 180 at 10% until reading "Massive

Eating" by JMB. I've since dropped a bit of weight thanks to my 22k a year job. Living in NYC+piss poor salary= not enough food to go around. I still try to get in enough workouts relative to my nutrition but you bastards stopped producing Grow! bars! They were instrumental in me getting lean. Tell me you didn't stop making them because you're afraid of those juiced up snickers bars. I also blew away the physical portion of the FDNY physical test, thanks to my hardcore "functional" training.

Anyway, I understand I'm arrogant, but it’s hard not to be when you're as good as me. Sorry for the long-winded e-mail, but I happened to be one of the most literarily gifted individuals to escape the grasps of Polytechnic University. Not to mention the strongest, and the most jacked…

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. My ears perked up like Barf's in the beginning of Mel Brook's "Spaceballs" when I read the call to arms of the Warrior Nerds of the T-Nation! If you're making a list, sign me the fuck up! I believe I've written more than 11,000 words in my novel without swearing once, an intellectual accomplishment from a kid born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.

Sam Kessler

Muscular Dude

Dearest TC,

I play rugby at SDSU, so I lift plenty of weights and run and am generally recognized about campus as a large, muscular dude. However, I'm also a Kinesiology/Pre-Physical Therapy major with a minor in Chemistry, am in the freshman honor society, have a 3.5 grade point average through about two years of college, and I was a TA for the human anatomy lab, so I hope that helps. Thanks for T-mag, it rocks.

Chris

Warrior Nerds Online

I am about to finish my Master's in Risk Management at Florida State, but even more interesting is I've been educating myself (gasp!). MIT is in the

process of making every course they offer free on the Internet. So besides my usual business classes I'm taking to get the sheepskin, if I'm interested in Anthropology or Oceanic Engineering I can go to MIT's open course ware and learn about it from the best in the field for myself. Here is the link, you'll love it: (http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/index.htm)

J.T. "minilifter" Haas

No Time To Sleep

My name is Trevor Probandt, and I am a junior (senior by hours) exercise physiology major, with a minor in biology, pre-med student, who will be taking my MCAT exam in April and applying to medical schools this summer, at Texas Tech University.  I'm 6'2" at 210 lbs and hovering around the 8-10% bodyfat level.  I have max benches of 350, squat 515, deadlift 535, and hang-clean 295 for 3.  I also started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu about 4 months ago. 

I couldn't be more in agreement with you about people and how they live their lives.  I don't want to sound like I'm talking down to anyone, because though I live my life how I choose, I have no right to tell anyone else how to live their life.  Only God has that right.  However, every damn day I see things that just about want to make me puke. 

Every day I get up at 5:30 to be at the gym at 6 and train until my 8 o'clock morning classes begin.  Then it is classes and labs until early afternoon. I then have meetings either consisting of fraternity meetings, honor society meetings, jiu-jitsu, etc.  After that it’s on to homework and studying until midnight, only to get up and do it all over again.  I know that isn't much sleep for someone who trains as intensely as I do, but something had to give. I'll sleep when I'm dead. 

When I do get some free time I'm in the outdoors fly fishing, bowhunting, or reading.  I love the classics (if you've read Crime and Punishment, try The Idiot.)  Besides the Russian authors of the late 1880s I also enjoy Nordic and Greek mythology.  I do party with my fraternity as well, though I'm not a big drinker, but do have a good time with the guys on the weekends.

I'm not saying that everyone should have the same desires that I do or even the same drive, but I sure wish some people would actually act on their dreams and desires instead of waiting for them to fall in their laps. It is quite fun to break the mold of "meathead".  A lot of people that don't really know me well are suprised when they find out that I tutor other students in my classes or do research at the university.  Most people think I'm going to be a coach or something just because I like pushing my body and am extremely competitive.  I feel that a lot of times I'm really alone when it comes to finding people with the same thoughts that I do.  Usually those who train don't care about books and those who care about books don't give a damn about training.  I know I'm not alone, but it sure seems like it sometimes. 

Hope to hear from others,

Trevor Probandt

Like Being Called A Nerd

I love the T-mag site and have been a fan since I bumped into it a few months ago. I've been lifting on and off since high school, but in the last months, have really taken it seriously. I'm not out to become a pro, just live like one. I appreciate your articles on nutrition, especially T-Dawg 2.0, and the Fish World article was great also.

I also see the trend in America where, because of TV and other influences, it is now "cool" to "not be smart". Couple that with all of the shows that teach men to submit to their wives and children for every reason. Soy burger anyone? I'm only 29 but I can see a decline in our nation and its definition of manhood.

With the Lord's help I graduated from college with an A.S. in law and a B.A. in business, while being on the Dean's and President's lists for most of that time, and being VP of an honors society. I'm learning more about nutrition because it intrigues me. I don't look like one, but I have been called a nerd, and each time I take it as a compliment, and smile because I know that I can also get down like Neo in Matrix Reloaded.

I was promoted on my job last year to the operations department after being there for about 10 months. To top it off my arms have grown 3/4 of an inch in the last month from proper training and nutrition.

michael golden

Get More Smarts Early

My pic is attached.  While I'm not a hulk, I'm not dog meat for 45, either.  Gentle readers should decide whether that qualifies as warrior-like muscle (I doubt it).

I was also a national merit scholarship finalist, earned a B.S. in Economics/Finance, an MBA in international finance and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.  I currently teach material tested on qualifying exams leading to the CFA designation (bio at http://www.stalla.com/instructors/bios.cfm), and University economics/finance classes.  (The CFA designation is like the CPA on steroids:  it takes three years minimum to pass all the tests, which each equate to 6-hour, life threatening ordeals.)

The Street Smarts examples were telling.  Here's one from my econ class:

Student:  "Could you go over the CPI percentage change calculation again?"

Me:  "Didn't you learn percentage change in high school?"

Student:  "Well, I think we studied percentage change... but not in economics!" Me (biting my tongue and thinking):  "Can't wait until we do elasticity."

University students need to get an education before they come to college and they're apparently not quite getting it in high school.  Whatever your level of education now, learn something at every opportunity.  It doesn't take that much time away from your training (unless you're doing German Volume Whole-Body Training).

Best wishes for continued success... and I'm through my last batch of Tribex!

Ben Pierce, CFA

Not Afraid To Be Smart

I hear what you are saying. I just finished my Master's degree in Biomechanics, while never getting lower than a B in any class, and maintaining Dean's List status every term.

Josh Judy

I See Morons

TC,

I've been a fan of your column and the site ever since I walked into your booth at the Arnold Classic a few years ago. I read Atomic Dog every week and I must say there are very few times when it doesn't hit home with me. I felt compelled to write you after reading this week’s column. It seems there are more morons out there than we know what to do with. Someone sent me a pic of the kid from The Sixth Sense with the quote "I see Dumb People". Talk about the truth. It seems like they are everywhere and will be for a very long time.

I think what gets me the most about it all is that right now I'm busting my ass in life for peanuts. Yet I see all these morons doing nothing sitting on their ass and making a healthy living. I work a 50 to 55 hour work week at a job I had to take after I was laid off from a good paying IT job. Many people said I was crazy for not staying on unemployment, but honestly it just wasn't for me. I can’t sit around the house and do nothing at all, I need to be doing something. On top of the job, I'm in college full time taking evening classes, maintaining a 3.5 GPA. I make room for gym time too, but with my crazy schedule it’s not as much as it used to be nor anywhere where I want it to be. I'm working towards my Business Management degree and plan on following up with my MBA. I don't plan on making peanuts forever.

I see the sacrifices I make now as a way out. And more than anything I see the morons and think, hell, if they can do this, I most certainly can do this. And better.

Do I think you'll read this? I don't know. I'm sure you get hundreds of e-mails each day just from people on the site. Writing this email heated up a spark already lit inside me. Not only that, it gives proof to you and I that there are a few people out there who aren't morons. I'd like to think there are more people like that, but I have yet to see more than a handful outside of my close friends. With all the morons around they just make it easier for people like you and I to succeed.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to write! I believe it was much needed. Keep up the awesome work on the site.

Kris H.

Hard Lifting Electrical Engineer

TC,

I'm 23. While in high school I scored 1530 on the SAT and was named a National Merit Scholar. I attended Clemson University on a full scholarship and recently graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and am now co-owner of a construction company with my father.

One of my major roles is obtaining electrical licenses for our company in states where we want to do a job. The failure rate on the tests you have to take to obtain a master electrician's license generally approach 75%-80%. Right now I just have licenses in SC, Ga, and SD, but I am working on licenses in 5 or 6 other states. Hopefully I will have a license in every state in the eastern half of the United States within 2 or 3 years.

As far as reading material, I enjoy Micheal Crichton, but right now I am reading "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene. And to show you I'm not a complete dork, my bench pr is 255, squat 390, and deadlift 405, at a weight of about 175. These aren't eye popping numbers, but I guess they are respectable.

Creatiger

Nerds On Fire

Hey TC,

I'm a nerd too, dammit. I just graduated from the Fire Academy Friday night. I scored a 90 on the state fire test and a 95 on the class final. Actually me and a couple other guys threw a couple of questions so we wouldn't get honor grad marks and have to make a speech.

Also, I got my Web site up about a month ago. Check it out. I specialize in physical preparation for firefighters, law enforcement, and military. I'm a fellow nerd.

Train Hard, Fight Easy, Hooah!

Nathan

Taking Care Of Business

TC,

No, you're not "shouting into an empty skull." I'd venture to guess the vast majority of us out here do indeed have some form of intelligence. We let the whiners rule for a while, then we speak up, flex our muscles, and say, "OK, that's enough, you can shut up now."

I hesitate to ask, but were you making that stuff up about the TV show? Probably not, that's why I don't own a TV. No, I'm not better than anyone - I just don't have that kind of time to waste.

The last "real" job that I held for 11 years ended June 30, 2000. I've got a wife and three kids that need a place to live and someone to be the man of the house - that's me. So, instead of joining the ranks of the whiners, I decided to do something about it. I picked up a couple of part-time jobs while looking for real work and in January of this year went back to college to finish my MBA degree that I started a wife and three kids ago. I'm 45 and the oldest guy in most of my classes (including the instructor), but it's true that with age along comes wisdom. I probably work harder than most of my classmates - not because it's harder for me to learn, but because I want to learn what I'm going into debt to the tune of 24-grand for. Plus I know that when I'm through next May, I'll be a few steps ahead of my younger counterparts because I’ll know what I'm looking for. My GPA so far is 3.79, I can live with that.

I've been reading your column almost every week since 1999. I don't agree with everything you say and I don't like the way you say some things, but there's an underlying thread of sincerity to all of your writing. You need to read "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge. There are questions you have that demand an answer and you'll find the map there. I'm not talking about some whacked-out "journey of inner peace". If you're a man, read the book — end of discussion. You've got too much time on your hands anyway if you really are watching a show called "Street Smarts"!

Semper Fi

Jim Castilla

Living, Working, School Balancing Act

I read your Atomic Dog this week and thought I qualified for a letter. I have always been an avid reader, especially of history and literature, and have been lifting weights since the age of fifteen. I had an unfocused time in high school, and barely got in to the University of Texas. I had become estranged from my parents, but it made me more independent, and I decided to focus on my education.

I spent a year at UT and nailed down a 3.8 GPA while supporting most of my living expenses by working 30 hours a week. I had done well but didn't feel challenged enough, so I applied to Cornell University so I could experience the rigors of Ivy League. I got in and borrowed $85,000 to keep me there until I graduated. I did well and ended my History B.A. with a 45 page honors thesis on the Crusades, capping a year in which I wrote seven papers totaling more than 150 pages. Thirty of my 93 Cornell credits were dedicated to simultaneously studying German and Latin, in preparation for graduate study.

All the while, through the aid of T-mag (which I discovered one bleary-eyed 1998 morning in UT's computer lab) and steady exercise and nutrition research, my lifts improved. I am currently 190 pounds at 9.4% bodyfat (caliper measurement) with personal bests of 365 deadlift, 345 squat, 290 bench at five feet, nine inches tall. During the past year I delved deeply into English literature and strongman training. While absorbing the great works of Malory, Marlowe, Coleridge, and the Victorian essayists, I learned physically through the examples of Kazmeier, Capes, and Sigmarsson.

Once my wrist heals from injury, I will be training hard for my next strength goal: to lift the amazing Inver Stone and the Testing Stone of the Fianna in Scotland. These were both "clach cuid fir" or manhood stones and I think they represent the ultimate T-man adventure! My next intellectual goal is to get into graduate school (I'm applying this year) and fill in my gaps in both volumes of the Norton Anthologies in English Literature.

I hope this restores your faith that some of us are working our brains as hard as we work our bodies. I believe that to not realize our potential in all aspects of life is the ultimate waste.

Keep up the good work,

Eric Kruger

Nerd Honor Roll

TC,

I'm thankful never to have been invited to appear on "Street Smarts." You couldn't be more right though, as usual.

To restore your faith, here's my recent history of accomplishments: I have 2 engineering degrees, a degree in economics, graduated magna cum laude for all three, aced my GMAT, am working on graduate business degree, could join Mensa if I just sent them the check, work with a $700+ million portfolio at my day job, got 2 promotions in 18 months, I'm CSCS certified, a 1st degree black belt in taekwondo, own my own personal training business, just bought a house last year, am happily married, and oh yeah, I'm only 25.

Can I be on your honor roll? Yeah, I'm a nerd. You wanna make something of it? :)

Thanks for the great articles! I don't think you have to worry about the average Testosterone reader letting you down this time.

-Daniel Ogg, CSCS

Stable Nerds

TC

I'm not the smartest or the strongest man by any means but I wanted to help you out and restore a little bit of faith in mankind. I am a 21-year-old senior at the University of South Carolina. I am just finishing up this semester and have only one semester to go before I graduate in May 2004. I have held my scholarship through my entire college career and should end up with a respectable GPA when I graduate. I did this while holding down a job at a large law firm and training 4-5 times per week consistently.

I know you will probably get more remarkable stories from other members of the T-Nation, but I just wanted to help you in your time of need.

In Faith,

Luke

Overcoming Obstacles

TC:

I am 40 and a T-nation reader. Here is my story to help restore your faith:

I smoked from age 15 until I quit 09/01/2002. I have been married and divorced twice. I have overcome an alcohol problem. Sober since 03/17/2002.

In spite of these major shortcomings, I discovered strength training in February of 2002. I got into the habit of getting up at 5:00AM and hitting the gym every day...cardio 2-days, lifting 3-4 days. Since I started I went from 260# to 220# (5'9") with a bodyfat change from 39% to 14%. Becuase I was working out and getting up early I was able to quit drinking and quit smoking. My goal is get to about 200# w/ 10% or less body fat.

I have an MBA and worked 18 years at a Fortune 5 (General

Electric) company. A year ago I realized that the corporate BS was not a good thing for me. I quit and started working at a small family business which pays me well, respects my abilities, encourages eight hour work days and strives for a stress free, healthy environment.

I read much of your magazine and have picked up many helpful tips and techniques. Your column is generally humorous and encouraging. Don't lose faith, not all of us are immature, stupid or meatheads. At least one of us is educated, inspired and working towards earning T-Nation respect at 200#, 10% BF (clean and substance free).

Best Regards,

Peter M. Velletri

Scientist Nerd

I'm T-Nation member, William Gunn aka Serotonin. How about all those dumbasses who spend all their time clogging people's inboxes with penis enlargement spam? Or, worse, how about those who continue to make it profitable to do so?

I'm working towards my Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at the Center for Gene Therapy at Tulane University in New Orleans. I spend all my time working on the molecular biology of mesenchymal stem cells, particularly as related to bone disorders. When I'm not doing that, I'm writing on my weblog, CoffeeBlog, at http://coffeeblog.blogspot.com or catching up on the latest resource aggregation and filtering technologies such as RSS or Bittorrent.

As conclusive proof of my nerd ranking, I present to you my score on THE authoritative geek test. 49% @ http://www.innergeek.us/geek.html. Try it and see how you do.

Next time you're despairing about the future of the world, come down to New Orleans. Not only do we have all the world's idiots concentrated in a

Couple of blocks of Bourbon street, but we do world class science as well. The titty bars aren't bad either.

Hope this helps,

Grady

Conspiracy Theory Nerds

TC,

I start my week reading your articles. It seems to take the edge off of a Monday morning, at a job that less than stimulates me. A quick background shows that I am 33 years young as of today, 6' 220lbs, eat 6 times a day, lift 3 times a week, cardio 3 times a week, have been lifting since I was 24 and reading T-Mag for 4 years.

I graduated college with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Philosophy and am currently wasting my knowledge in a government job. In the past 8 years I have attempted to consume any and all knowledge pertaining to lifting and nutrition, including all the articles on your site, Brawn, Beyond Brawn, Maximize Your Training, Arnold's Encyclopedia, etc. I realized early on that the muscle rags were all wrong and that to truly reach my genetic potential I would have to learn all I could and walk my own path.

Subsequently, it appears that everyone I attempt to explain training or nutrition to just does not want to hear the "work hard and eat right" speech. It gets very frustrating to try to explain to youngsters that they don't need supplements until they have progressed in their lifting. It appears their heads have been filled with hype and fantasy. Recently I had a week-long online argument with two teenagers who were telling everyone about the wonders of NO2, try as I might to prove it was worthless (I even cited a medical test). They ignored me.

America is in the advanced stages of idiotology. I hate to sound conspiratorial but the government is succeeding in nuetering America. They support big business and have no cares when it comes to the American people. The United States of Corporations is the name of the game these days. Agribusiness is slowly destroying our health with the surplus of corn based products, including feeding it to our livestock, which is then fed to us (Omega 6 + sugar = nutrition hell). Wal-Mart is forcing companies to close their American plants to open them in cheaper foreign countries just so they can have the cheapest prices. Fish is contaminated with lethal levels of heavy metals due to unrestricted industrial pollution and our unchecked fossil fuel usage. America just convinced (strong-armed) Russia into denouncing the Kyoto Treaty and now it will not have the votes necessary to pass. A major blow to the environment.

The American government is so afraid of the idea of money not being the most important goal in American’s life that it will smear and taint every and all studies pointing out that Industrialization is destroying the environment. In reality there is really no such thing as money, it is all based on illusion. Our government sold our rights to issue money in 1918 with the passing of the Federal Reserve Act. What this act did was take the power away from Congress and put it in the hands of foreign investors. So from then on foreign investors have decided when our dollar was strong or week.

Recessions and depressions are all man-made. The idea is to loan money at high interest rates and hope the debtor defaults. Banks do not want you to pay your bills, they love repossession, money is worthless but natural resources are where the true value is at. Without natural resources, Capitalism fails! It requires natural resources to produce money, so individual ownership of property is considered a pesky problem to the International Monetary Fund. The solution is to appear to bail needy persons out of debt by loaning them more money at higher interest rates, hoping they default. THE MONEY CONTINUES TO FILTER FROM THE POOR TO THE RICH! That is just the tip of the iceberg, but enough for right now.

Mike Storm

I’m A Big Warrior Nerd

TC,

I just read your article "Crisis of Faith". I must say I found it interesting, humorous and truthful.

You mentioned "Warrior Nerds". I have searched for a long time to find just such a phrase to describe myself.

My name is Shawn Lattimer, a 26 year old Mechanical Engineer. I have a BS-ME from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. I graduated in 2000 with a 3.15 average from one of the most difficult engineering schools in the eastern US.

Currently, I work for Solvay Solexis as a Maintenance Engineer. Solvay Solexis is a chemical manufacturing plant in southern New Jersey. I am responsible for troubleshooting, reliability, repairs, and project management. I also supervise contractors and am the area supervisor for the Utilities plant, housing our boilers, chillers, air compressors, DI water systems, etc.

Additionally, I am the plant expert in pumps and other rotating equipment, including the sealing of rotating equipment. I am the "answer man" for almost every technical or equipment-related question.

My previous engineering work has taken me to chemical plants, automotive manufacturing plants, oil refineries, and nuclear power plants. I have increased reliability, designed assembly lines, and performed calculations to ensure nuclear safety.

I consider myself a fairly smart person. I have been reading T-Mag on-line for some time, and enjoy many of your articles. Although I have not taken the time to join, I feel I match well to the definition of a T-Man. I stand 6'2" tall, and weigh in the neighborhood of 390-400 lbs. I have recently set bench press records in the WPO with an 810 lb. Bench at the Bench Bash for Cash in Orlando, Florida, September 27, 2003. I also hold the WNPF world record lift of 800lbs. I am currently the only person to have bench pressed over 800 lbs drug free. My next competition will be with the WPO at the Arnold Classic in March, 2004.

I can now assert with pride that I am a

"Warrior Nerd"!

Shawn Lattimer

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