01-18-2021, 03:05 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-19-2021, 07:42 AM by Asked Madden.)
No days off. What do those words really mean? What even is it? Is it a motto for oneself? A cool instagram or twitter hashtag to show off and self promote? A commitment to better oneself day in and day out? Perhaps a personal oath to give your passion everything you have? No days off. It's really quite the audacious statement, to follow through and perform the same task every single day without fail. Isn't that what it is to be human, to fail? To try and achieve more than possible because we as people have no limit to our own amount of pride, but a fatefully tragic limit to what we can actually achieve. To err, to fall short, to falter, to waver, this is the way of man. No days off.
No days off. To DSFL Free Safety prospect Cole Maxwell these words are more than just an arrangement of window dressing for a fancy tagline at the end of his tweets. No days off, these are the words that will make Cole's dream come true, his personal philosophy of sacrifice to reach beyond his humble upbringing and grasp the glory of the ISFL just out of reach, and the approach he takes towards his training to ensure he does not fall prey to the human condition of submitting to leisure and laziness. No days off. The sound track that plays in his head when he's tired. No days off. The rhythm of his beating heart as he trains. No days off. The first words that ring out in his mind when he wakes at 5 AM to begin his training. No days off. The last words in his head that soothe him to sleep before he succumbs to slumber. No days off.
No days off. When it comes to his training it's pretty easy to understand what it means. It is just as simple as train every day, right? Wrong. Not in Cole's mind at least. No days off. To Cole it means 7 days a week of lifting weights to strengthen not only his body, but also to fortify his resolve. Every repetition on the bench, every lift from the bottom of his squat, every lurch with the weight of the sled resisting his will is another chance to quit, another opportunity to take the easy way out. Or, as he sees it, another time he gets to prove not only to himself, but the world, that he is serious, and will not be denied his dream. No days off. It means 7 days a week of positional drills. Doing the mind numbingly mundane tasks over and over again to refine his technique and ensure there are no wasted steps when the time comes to prove himself on the field. No opportunity to take a false step in his back pedal, no second wasted breaking on a route, not interception dropped when it hit him right in the hands. Day after day of repeating the same cuts on the turf, grabbing the same balls from the juggs machine, reading another route from his practice receivers in pursuit of perfecting his craft. No days off. It means 7 days a week of recovery activities to keep his body in pristine condition. Daily massages to repair the torn muscle fibers from his work in the weight room and on the field. Daily 20 minute sessions in the dry sauna and 10 minute sessions in the cryotherapy tank to build heat shock proteins and cold shock proteins that help repair the muscle proteins even further. Stretching sessions before and after every workout to help muscle elasticity and prevent tears or other injuries. No days off. Seven days a week of cardio work to keep in top form condition. Fatigue makes cowards of us all, and Cole refuses to become a coward on the field, especially in the fourth quarter when the game is on the line. Weekly hill runs with thirty pounds of sand bags in his weighted vest, 100 yard sprinting circuits with a parachute strapped to his back, bleacher runs to remember what it feels like to be in the stands and not on the field, swimming laps in the chilled pool to prepare for games in any cold weather climate, underwater treadmill running to preserve wear and tear on the joints in his knees and ankles. No days off.
No days off. Physical care is more than just workout and recovery though, a great deal of attention is paid towards Cole's daily diet and maintaining a keen eye on balancing his intake with his varying daily output. It starts with the simple concept of thermodynamics, calories in vs calories out. For maintaining weight the equation is simply one to one for caloric intake to calories burned. When Cole is aiming to increase his weight he needs a surplus of caloric intake and when cutting weight he needs a caloric deficit. Then it gets more complicated, as macro and micro nutrient composition of his food is evaluated, giving daily limits for protein, fats, carbs, vitamins and minerals. Through careful work with nutrition experts and a personal chef, Cole is able to balance the proper vegetables, meats, grains, and dairy to optimize his meals. No days off. It means eating the right thing at the right time, no matter how inconvenient or inconsequential it may seem. Protein shakes when he wakes up before he works out, an after snack of almonds and blueberries, a precise amount of water. It may all seem silly and unnecessary, but if living up to his agreement to follow the strict guidelines gives him the competitive edge he needs to improve when others plateau he will do it. No days off. It means keeping his diet clean regardless of the circumstance. Going out to eat with the family? While everyone else can order spaghetti carbonara and goat cheese and sausage flat breads Cole will be order a side salad starter with light vinaigrette. Not ranch. Not a dressing. A half serving of vinaigrette on the side. He gets a protein and side dish main dish. Clean and lean protein. Lean. Chicken breast, cut of steak, fillet of salmon or tuna. Grilled or baked. Not fried, not sauteed in butter, not bacon wrapped. Vegetable side. Real vegetables. Not fries, not mashed potatoes, not potatoes au gratin, not a loaded double baked potato. No potatoes. Not corn on the cob, not corn off the cob, not creamed corn. No corn. Real vegetables. Broccoli, spinach, green beans. Not fried, not bacon wrapped or infused, not swimming in butter or grease, not covered in cheese. Baked, roasted, steamed. Still flavorful, but healthy. No days off. It means sacrificing the luxuries of excess. No desserts, no alcohol, no empty calorie snacks. The day will come when he can celebrate and indulge in the finer things that don't contribute to his success, that don't build a stronger body or mind that will allow him to compete at his absolute best. But that day is not today, nor will it be tomorrow. For now he is steadfast, for now he refuses to compromise his performance for the sake of a treat. No days off.
No days off. In Cole's view it applies to more than just the physical aspect of his game, his mind needs the daily exercise as well to stay sharp. It means two hours of film study every day, watching video of himself and how he progressed during his three seasons at OU, seeing how far he came from first stepping on the field as a true freshman and how far he still needs to go walking off the grass at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for the last time after his junior season. Watching tape on the other top safety prospects during their college years and as they perform in the DSFL's Prospect Bowl, like fellow Jakarta Seafarer starting safety Kelvin Harris who has been performing so well during their 6 games so far. Watching tape on the current ISFL and NFL safeties, all the way from the practice squad members to the starting superstars on every team. Analyzing each one's game, evaluating their trademark plays and characteristics looking for areas Cole can improve to match, if not exceed, their quality of play, finding tendencies and patterns of behavior to help self identify if he is broadcasting any information to the offense when he lines up in a certain position. No days off. It means speaking to a counselor on weekly basis. Heavy is the head that bears the burden alone and Cole knows it. Confiding in an unbiased resource allows him to view any problems he has from not only his own perspective, but others as well. Seeking this guidance allows Cole to facilitate better relationships with his coaches, teammates, family, and fans. Being mentally strong starts with self reflection and admission of faults, and speaking to a professional allows Cole to move on from the mistakes and disappointments in his career and life, and to also not get too lost in the success and achievements he gains. No days off. It means taking time to worship in any form it may take. It could be a quick prayer, sitting down to play a hymn or spiritual song, or just getting lost in thought, contemplating his existence in the scope of the world, galaxy, and universe. Cole may not be traditional in his practice of religion, but he finds the time he spends on it relaxing and rejuvenating to his soul. Practicing allows him to achieve an inner peace that permits him to focus wholly on the task at hand and give everything he has into that immediate activity in that instant. No days off.
No days off. So what does it mean? It really depends on the person. To Cole Maxwell it is an extreme devotion to achieving his goal and making any sacrifice needed along the way. It is preparing himself for success to the best of his ability, mentally, physically, spiritually. Now the question is, what does it mean to you?
Word Count: 1689
No days off. To DSFL Free Safety prospect Cole Maxwell these words are more than just an arrangement of window dressing for a fancy tagline at the end of his tweets. No days off, these are the words that will make Cole's dream come true, his personal philosophy of sacrifice to reach beyond his humble upbringing and grasp the glory of the ISFL just out of reach, and the approach he takes towards his training to ensure he does not fall prey to the human condition of submitting to leisure and laziness. No days off. The sound track that plays in his head when he's tired. No days off. The rhythm of his beating heart as he trains. No days off. The first words that ring out in his mind when he wakes at 5 AM to begin his training. No days off. The last words in his head that soothe him to sleep before he succumbs to slumber. No days off.
No days off. When it comes to his training it's pretty easy to understand what it means. It is just as simple as train every day, right? Wrong. Not in Cole's mind at least. No days off. To Cole it means 7 days a week of lifting weights to strengthen not only his body, but also to fortify his resolve. Every repetition on the bench, every lift from the bottom of his squat, every lurch with the weight of the sled resisting his will is another chance to quit, another opportunity to take the easy way out. Or, as he sees it, another time he gets to prove not only to himself, but the world, that he is serious, and will not be denied his dream. No days off. It means 7 days a week of positional drills. Doing the mind numbingly mundane tasks over and over again to refine his technique and ensure there are no wasted steps when the time comes to prove himself on the field. No opportunity to take a false step in his back pedal, no second wasted breaking on a route, not interception dropped when it hit him right in the hands. Day after day of repeating the same cuts on the turf, grabbing the same balls from the juggs machine, reading another route from his practice receivers in pursuit of perfecting his craft. No days off. It means 7 days a week of recovery activities to keep his body in pristine condition. Daily massages to repair the torn muscle fibers from his work in the weight room and on the field. Daily 20 minute sessions in the dry sauna and 10 minute sessions in the cryotherapy tank to build heat shock proteins and cold shock proteins that help repair the muscle proteins even further. Stretching sessions before and after every workout to help muscle elasticity and prevent tears or other injuries. No days off. Seven days a week of cardio work to keep in top form condition. Fatigue makes cowards of us all, and Cole refuses to become a coward on the field, especially in the fourth quarter when the game is on the line. Weekly hill runs with thirty pounds of sand bags in his weighted vest, 100 yard sprinting circuits with a parachute strapped to his back, bleacher runs to remember what it feels like to be in the stands and not on the field, swimming laps in the chilled pool to prepare for games in any cold weather climate, underwater treadmill running to preserve wear and tear on the joints in his knees and ankles. No days off.
No days off. Physical care is more than just workout and recovery though, a great deal of attention is paid towards Cole's daily diet and maintaining a keen eye on balancing his intake with his varying daily output. It starts with the simple concept of thermodynamics, calories in vs calories out. For maintaining weight the equation is simply one to one for caloric intake to calories burned. When Cole is aiming to increase his weight he needs a surplus of caloric intake and when cutting weight he needs a caloric deficit. Then it gets more complicated, as macro and micro nutrient composition of his food is evaluated, giving daily limits for protein, fats, carbs, vitamins and minerals. Through careful work with nutrition experts and a personal chef, Cole is able to balance the proper vegetables, meats, grains, and dairy to optimize his meals. No days off. It means eating the right thing at the right time, no matter how inconvenient or inconsequential it may seem. Protein shakes when he wakes up before he works out, an after snack of almonds and blueberries, a precise amount of water. It may all seem silly and unnecessary, but if living up to his agreement to follow the strict guidelines gives him the competitive edge he needs to improve when others plateau he will do it. No days off. It means keeping his diet clean regardless of the circumstance. Going out to eat with the family? While everyone else can order spaghetti carbonara and goat cheese and sausage flat breads Cole will be order a side salad starter with light vinaigrette. Not ranch. Not a dressing. A half serving of vinaigrette on the side. He gets a protein and side dish main dish. Clean and lean protein. Lean. Chicken breast, cut of steak, fillet of salmon or tuna. Grilled or baked. Not fried, not sauteed in butter, not bacon wrapped. Vegetable side. Real vegetables. Not fries, not mashed potatoes, not potatoes au gratin, not a loaded double baked potato. No potatoes. Not corn on the cob, not corn off the cob, not creamed corn. No corn. Real vegetables. Broccoli, spinach, green beans. Not fried, not bacon wrapped or infused, not swimming in butter or grease, not covered in cheese. Baked, roasted, steamed. Still flavorful, but healthy. No days off. It means sacrificing the luxuries of excess. No desserts, no alcohol, no empty calorie snacks. The day will come when he can celebrate and indulge in the finer things that don't contribute to his success, that don't build a stronger body or mind that will allow him to compete at his absolute best. But that day is not today, nor will it be tomorrow. For now he is steadfast, for now he refuses to compromise his performance for the sake of a treat. No days off.
No days off. In Cole's view it applies to more than just the physical aspect of his game, his mind needs the daily exercise as well to stay sharp. It means two hours of film study every day, watching video of himself and how he progressed during his three seasons at OU, seeing how far he came from first stepping on the field as a true freshman and how far he still needs to go walking off the grass at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for the last time after his junior season. Watching tape on the other top safety prospects during their college years and as they perform in the DSFL's Prospect Bowl, like fellow Jakarta Seafarer starting safety Kelvin Harris who has been performing so well during their 6 games so far. Watching tape on the current ISFL and NFL safeties, all the way from the practice squad members to the starting superstars on every team. Analyzing each one's game, evaluating their trademark plays and characteristics looking for areas Cole can improve to match, if not exceed, their quality of play, finding tendencies and patterns of behavior to help self identify if he is broadcasting any information to the offense when he lines up in a certain position. No days off. It means speaking to a counselor on weekly basis. Heavy is the head that bears the burden alone and Cole knows it. Confiding in an unbiased resource allows him to view any problems he has from not only his own perspective, but others as well. Seeking this guidance allows Cole to facilitate better relationships with his coaches, teammates, family, and fans. Being mentally strong starts with self reflection and admission of faults, and speaking to a professional allows Cole to move on from the mistakes and disappointments in his career and life, and to also not get too lost in the success and achievements he gains. No days off. It means taking time to worship in any form it may take. It could be a quick prayer, sitting down to play a hymn or spiritual song, or just getting lost in thought, contemplating his existence in the scope of the world, galaxy, and universe. Cole may not be traditional in his practice of religion, but he finds the time he spends on it relaxing and rejuvenating to his soul. Practicing allows him to achieve an inner peace that permits him to focus wholly on the task at hand and give everything he has into that immediate activity in that instant. No days off.
No days off. So what does it mean? It really depends on the person. To Cole Maxwell it is an extreme devotion to achieving his goal and making any sacrifice needed along the way. It is preparing himself for success to the best of his ability, mentally, physically, spiritually. Now the question is, what does it mean to you?
Word Count: 1689
![[Image: 016p.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/TPx2k2wr/016p.png)
