Benjamin Franklin was wrong. In 1789, the former president famously said, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” While partially true, he forgot to mention another certainty that’s far more common: failure. Okay, so maybe his statement was more incomplete than it was wrong, but that doesn’t change the fact we’ll fall victim to both before we die. Franklin knew this better than most, seeing as two of his early publications, Die Philadelphische Zeitung and The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle, failed within a year.
In today’s world, failure is something many people feel ashamed of. Need proof? Scroll through your social media feed and count the number of posts you find chronicling someone’s failure. This mindset is unhealthy and counterproductive. Yes, Franklin failed, but did history remember him as a failure? Not at all. Instead, he’s revered as an integral part of our nation’s founding and a brilliant inventor, politician, author, and scientist. This is because he understood a fundamental principle that we’ve somehow forgotten over the centuries: Failure is part of our journey to success.
It may sound counterintuitive, but failing doesn’t make you a failure. In fact, the only failures I’ve ever known are those who’ve never tried. They brag about what they’re going to do without ever following through and are always the first to tell you exactly why your idea won’t work. People who are afraid to fail are threatened by the success of others because it highlights their own ineptitude. So, how do you deal with these people? The next time someone tells you that you’re going to fail, tell them they’re probably right. Then add that it’s not failure that you fear, but never pursuing your dreams and having to live with the regret of what might have been.
While Everyday Warriors understand that it’s a natural part of achieving success, nobody likes to fail. When we do, it’s essential to reflect on what went wrong to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. While introspective thought is necessary, be cautious not to get trapped in the cycle of regret, remorse, and self-flagellation. In other words: reflect, learn, recover, and move on.
Here are four simple ways to make failure productive and recovery easier:
1. Change your perspective
So much of success comes down to mindset: how we see ourselves and the world around us. That means you need to redefine your relationship with failure and learn to view it as part of the journey. After all, failures are nothing more than stepping stones on our path to success. When you fall short, remember that everybody fails and it doesn’t make you a victim or a failure, it’s simply a part of life. To change your perspective, surround yourself with driven, motivated, and successful people. American entrepreneur Jim Rohn famously said, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” The next time you fail or have doubts, remind yourself that unsuccessful people quit when they fail, and successful people fail until they succeed.
2. Fail early and often
We can all agree that the more you do something, the better you get. That’s because practice makes perfect, but so does failure. Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.” How many unsuccessful ways are you willing to try before quitting? When you fail on attempt 10,001, don’t take it personally and don’t let it make you jaded; fail early, fail often, and be proud that you have the intestinal fortitude to keep trying. You only fail when you quit—otherwise, you’re just finding out what doesn’t work.
3. Deal with the fear of judgment
Why is trying something new so intimidating? It’s because we’re afraid of failing and the judgment that follows. The reality is that we have no idea what others are thinking, nor can we control it. Besides, people are often so preoccupied with their own lives that they give little thought to what others do. Researchers at the University of Sydney found that our brains are hardwired to think people are judging us even if they’re not. Still, if you’re genuinely concerned about what someone thinks, have an honest conversation with them. Chances are you’ll gain a supporter and find they share your fear.
4. Find confidence—even in failure
I saved this one for last because it’s the most important. We all have a little voice in our head that gets vocal before trying something new and after failing. What it says depends on our mindset; some hear positive encouragement telling them they can do it, while others hear a negative loop predicting failure. Believing in yourself and having confidence in your abilities are the secrets to success—and positive self-talk is critical to that. It’s why professional athletes visualize victory before ever climbing in the ring or stepping on the field. Even if you do everything right, there will still be times when you fail, but that doesn’t mean you lose your confidence. Instead, find something you could’ve done better, something that could’ve changed the outcome, and focus on that as you try again.
As Everyday Warriors, we’re determined and focused. We understand that life is a journey and that growth is a continuous process. Each setback we experience builds character, and every failure we endure is a testament to our dedication and resolve. After failing, we get up, brush ourselves off, and push forward one step ATTA time.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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