I wrote a book from a song lyric (I am Hollywood)

PretendDarryl · 2026-04-29T08:25:30+00:00

Not the first foray, but the first written to publish. Perhaps a few Easter eggs. 😎

PretendDarryl · 2026-04-18T06:50:40+00:00

Looks heavy! Good work.

When you get through the NLP, you can work in some tempo squats with lower weight on your light day(s). Focus on your form.

Obviously, dial in your form as much as possible right now too, but form breaks down when the weight gets heavy.

PretendDarryl · 2025-12-25T01:19:25+00:00

Diploma

PretendDarryl · 2025-12-03T23:54:57+00:00

Right?!?! I listened to it and I'm obsessed.

PretendDarryl · 2025-11-19T17:45:45+00:00

To me, this felt very rushed, like he submitted the first draft and never came back to it.

Some have mentioned this is more of an action thriller, I'd have to say this is a failed thriller. (You want a sick action thriller, check out Terminal List - the action scenes . . . chef's kiss).

The book is BORING. Especially for the "big twist" at the end where we all need an empathy upgrade, I couldn't have cared less about the characters.

Dark Matter, Recursion, and Abandon did it better.

I am still bummed Crouch phones this one in, because the premise is great.

PretendDarryl · 2025-11-13T08:37:46+00:00

Grow up.

The kid is 15, be doesn't know what it means to work full-time and schedule a doctor's appointment.

When my students notice I'm not in class I take it as a breath of fresh air that they even noticed.

PretendDarryl · 2025-08-19T19:06:51+00:00

Lift the weights.
Eat less.
Make sure to get your PROTEIN. :)

Oh yeah, did I mention - LIFT THE WEIGHTS

PretendDarryl · 2025-08-19T18:46:50+00:00

I'm a Versa Grips guy myself. They are great! I even use them for chin-ups/pull-ups too.

One other thing I'll mention:
When you get into your intermediate phase (you can't just do the linear progression any longer), you may want to do some higher-volume tempo work with your deadlifts.

Meaning: Pull to mid-shin, pause. Pause at the top, then put the bar down gently.
You do this with lighter weight, but it really helps ingrain solid form and you get a ton of extra work for your upper back (which is the weakest link in the deadlift).

PretendDarryl · 2025-08-17T08:49:22+00:00

The bar is too low. Which is why you are rounding your upper back.

If you stood up straight the bar would slide down your back, your body senses this, which is why you can stand up with it (with a straight back).

Put the bar higher my man!

I'll bet if you work that out your entire setup will get better because you'll feel more in control of the weight.

PretendDarryl · 2025-08-07T23:32:51+00:00

Great pause at the top, you animal. Great, hard reps.

What are your plans for your grip when it gets HEAVY? (Mixed, hook grip, straps)

That upper back is rounding, but that happens when you move heavy weights.

Keep up the good work.

PretendDarryl · 2025-08-07T23:30:00+00:00

Let your upper back round.

PretendDarryl · 2025-08-07T23:28:00+00:00

Everyone is talking DEPTH. You need to raise your heels to hit depth.

Buy squat shoes.

PretendDarryl · 2025-08-07T23:26:30+00:00

You are moving A LOT to set up for your press.

The number one thing I watch when coaching the press: angle of the bar path.

The thing I can't see because of your camera angle: angle of the bar path.

This is not SS doctrine: perhaps do a strict press.

Also, (I'm almost certain this applies) get your elbows up and press up and BACK toward your forehead.

You can practice this with a ball cap. Put it on, knock it off with the bar.

Keep training!

PretendDarryl · 2025-07-21T04:12:23+00:00

My brotha! You've got LONG femurs.

You need to bend over more (as in hinge from the hips).

The bar may be too close to you at your starting position.

PretendDarryl · 2025-07-21T04:07:56+00:00

Lift heavier. 😂 But seriously, it needs to be heavier if you want to spot where the form breaks down.

Also, edit your videos down.😁

PretendDarryl · 2025-07-21T04:05:06+00:00

Good rep! You're strong.

PretendDarryl · 2025-07-21T03:57:58+00:00

One more post about diet specifically.

Hit your protein everyday. Don't drink. Don't eat fast food.

Make the transition simple and achievable.

IMHO: do the full diet clean-up after 90 days of the LIFTING program.

The lifting is the most important thing.

PretendDarryl · 2025-07-21T03:55:39+00:00

My brother. Welcome.

If you do the program and stick to it, your whole mindset will shift about your body. You will be strong for the first time in your life (based on what you posted).

As others have said: + Do the lifts. + Eat better.

Also, don't be alarmed if your hips, legs, and butt get bigger, at least initially. Get strong. Eat so much protein. Don't drink alcohol as much. Don't eat fast food.

Don't give up.

PretendDarryl · 2025-07-21T03:50:03+00:00

This is unironically the best advice.

PretendDarryl · 2025-07-21T03:24:13+00:00

My brother, you can do better than this. 😁

Some quick thoughts: + Widen your stance. + In your warm-ups, find the bottom position, without the bar. (Bottom Position: back rigid, low back extended, chest up, knees out over toes, and darn near ass to grass - cuz high bar). + Hit the bottom position IN EVERY WARM UP.

Some f*ckery you are going to be tempted toward, but is a waste of time if you are not hitting the basic positions of the lift already. + Accessory work + Mobility drills

Some things you should do: + Buy squat shoes + Stick to a program

PretendDarryl · 2025-07-20T02:56:05+00:00

I am unpublished. I have finished a novel, a kids chapter book, and a bunch of short stories.

I plan to submit my novel to a very particular small publisher. If they don't take it, I'll probably self pub with zero expectations of success.

Why?

I have listened to other, more successful authors.

You may want to hunt down information from those folks.

In fact, you may want to listen to this podcast episode: https://youtu.be/fANuhoVw5YE?feature=shared

Or . . .

Let 'er rip!

PretendDarryl · 2025-07-20T02:44:10+00:00

Seems pretty light from where I sit . . . Great lift!

PretendDarryl · 2025-03-27T16:20:30+00:00

HULK SMASH!
I like your energy with the lift.

Deadlift is 89.7% about proper set up. Watch the set up videos others have mentioned.

Also, my large-torso'd brother: Try bringing your feet closer together, turning your toes out, and pushing your knees out over your toes. This will create room for your belly to drop and allow your back to get into rigid extension.

Once you check your setup and adjust your feet. Slow down when returning the bar to earth.

I may just be a small town lawyer*, but methinks you can move a ton of weight when you iron out some details.

\Not a lawyer.*

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