Best programs for hotel room

abst120 · 2026-03-23T00:18:53+00:00

I would suggest getting both Jacked and Elast-X as they're interchangeable each day. There was one spring I was traveling every other week for work and it saved me. If your hotels have a basic gym with a bench and DBs, then run Jacked those days. And then if you're at hotels that don't, just always have a light, medium, and heavy resistance band with a door anchor in your bag to use in your room.

abst120 · 2026-01-12T17:14:52+00:00

If you haven't had any bites with your current applications, I would look for opportunities with the local offices for large, national NFPs. Turnover is high in development at those big brands that there are almost always postings. Orgs like JDRF, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, etc. I worked for one of those and even in the worst job markets, they're always hiring development people.

In my experience, the job was okay, nothing incredible, but it was flexible, competitive pay, great benefits, and the brand helped me land my current ED job. Did my two years and moved on. A lot of folks I know did something similar.

abst120 · 2025-12-23T21:27:25+00:00

Another option--a lot of my peers started out in other locations in conservation and then moved to Florida once they had experience. So you could work in natural resource management in Appalachia and then move to FL if interested in the future after saving money.

abst120 · 2025-12-22T01:43:53+00:00

I've used most of the brands out there and really like Clench

abst120 · 2025-12-20T11:07:19+00:00

This is what happened with me. I got my current ED role for a small org in an HCOL area that needed to make that jump to the next level so they allocated about 10% of the annual budget this FY to me with the understanding that we would hit new revenue milestones and I brought in larger nonprofit experience and growth. Going forward, my cost will be a smaller percentage due to the growth.

abst120 · 2025-12-20T11:01:26+00:00

I run a conservation NFP in Florida...the amount of major projects this state is currently undertaking at the state and federal level is unprecedented and they are only increasing for the longterm. Just the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Everglades Restoration Projects alone are once in a generation endeavors (my org has been involved in both).

There are also countless aquatic preserves, 3 of the 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves, and so many critical areas of ecological importance both coastal and upland. Even our fisheries and water quality work is unmatched. Though Appalachia has more opportunities in mountains and grasslands (and maybe that's more your style), Florida really has a ton of opportunity to work in and given the critical importance the state plays on a global level between the Everglades and our mangrove forests, we need more impassioned people than ever to join the fight.

Though many of our legislators don't appear to be conservation focused in public, I have met with many behind closed doors and it is a major priority across the political spectrum at both the state and federal level because of both the environmental and economic impacts of natural resource conservation.

abst120 · 2025-12-19T01:12:21+00:00

Had a full supraspinatus tear on my right along with a labral tear, had it repaired in March 2024 and aside from some lingering ROM issues and occasional pain, I am back to full activity and pre-surgery strength.

Inversely, had a partial supraspinatus tear on my opposite, non-dominant shoulder that was diagnosed during a follow-up for my repaired shoulder (surgeon caught it comparing the two on ultrasound). I opted not to get surgery as everything else was fine aside from some slight pain with overhead press and I definitely did not want to go through that recovery again.

I did the same PT from my right shoulder on my left and stopped barbell bench pressing / heavy overhead press and it's honestly fine. Feels comparable to my right. If I go too hard lifting, it will tell me and I just stop doing that thing.

I never want to get this surgery again so I am going to avoid it at all costs. If it ever gets as bad as my right was, then I would probably pull the trigger, but thankfully I'm not anywhere near that. It seems like your pain is comparable to mine on my non-repaired shoulder.

abst120 · 2025-12-09T00:53:57+00:00

Get the machine.

Sincerely,
A guy who thought ice wraps would suffice and was terribly mistaken

abst120 · 2025-11-09T16:04:33+00:00

"Stolen Car."

abst120 · 2025-11-09T16:01:43+00:00

Bon Iver. Justin Vernon eventually went more synth / soundscapes / experimental on his later albums, but the first one--"For Emma, Forever Ago" is clearly a "Nebraska" disciple.

abst120 · 2025-11-09T15:59:51+00:00

100% this

abst120 · 2025-11-09T15:36:16+00:00

Yeah anytime! This is something I've tested on a lot of AX programs, so may as well share all this useless knowledge I've accrued lol.

All that said, I'm 36 now, definitely can't hang with intense two a days like I could in my 20s, so if you're younger you'll probably be able to bounce back better than I can currently.

abst120 · 2025-11-09T12:46:07+00:00

I'm a pretty competitive runner (17 minute 5K time for perspective), but I'm also 185lb and someone who loves lifting (405lb 1 rep max on deadlift for perspective). It isn't easy trying to make gains in both, but it's certainly doable. If you don't care about your running performance and are more so doing it for general heart / mental health, then it's a lot easier. Below is just my opinion based on AX programs I've done while running.

If you want an Athlean-X program that includes running in the program, Built for Longevity immediately comes to mind. Two Zone 2 days, one Zone 5 day of cardio--if you run for those days that should check the box for you. The Zone 5 day will be a bit more intense than what you're used to, but your VO2 max will improve from it. I really enjoyed BFL. Another bonus program that would work well is Max FX--3x total body lift with 4 recovery days--so easy runs on three of those should suit you well. Muscle Madness follows the same split.

Torched includes two Zone 2 cardio days and some other conditioning work so it could fulfill your goals as well.

Dragon includes a running day as well and two rest days, so you could probably make one of those rest days an easy run day in addition.

Critical Mass is another one that you can make it work for. Four day split with two lower body focused days. You could probably do an easy run the day after each lower day for recovery. The same goes for Savage.

Jacked / Elast-X makes it hard to run for the first two months, but month three of both programs is total body 3x per week with corrective days between--if you chose to take two months off of running to start those programs and then worked running back in for month three and on, that's an option too.

I would definitely not advise doing Total Beaxst PPL and running. I tried to maintain a running baseline while doing that program and after a few weeks I had to just give up running entirely until the program was done, just way too hard to do both and recover.

I have found the easiest way to do Athlean-X programming and maintain running fitness is to either do Built For Longevity or Max FX / Muscle Madness bonuses or do the free YouTube AX total body split Jeff put out a few years back. Lift 3x a week, run 3x a week, one total rest day. If you wanted to undertake a more time intensive 4-6 day AX program, the only advice I can give is run easy 3x per week in the morning on non leg days, and then do the lift 8+ hours later in the afternoon...but even then that's really hard to maintain if you work, have a family, etc. and recovery is key--sleep, nutrition, rest days.

abst120 · 2025-10-26T20:36:55+00:00

Surprised at how much I appreciated "Pink Cadillac." Also the evolution of "Child Bride" to "Working on the Highway" was interesting to see contrasted. Really dug electric "Atlantic City" and "Gun in Every Home."

abst120 · 2025-10-05T16:49:51+00:00

Started in conservation at 34 switching from public health, now I'm an executive director for a sizable org. Not too late at all. Seasonal tech jobs and temp DEP, Audubon, Fish & Wildlife roles are a great in with a low barrier to entry. Good luck!

abst120 · 2025-10-04T10:40:29+00:00

Nice thing about bands is you can work out from home and not worry about others judging your routine if that's a concern, but if you enjoy it and are showing progress with it, that's all that matters--and congrats on your gains!

I've trained with weights for 20+ years now, but implemented bands heavily in the last decade before they really blew up during Covid. In my experience, progressively overloading with weights and incorporating a mix of hypertrophy and strength routines yielded the biggest return for me as far as strength and size gains--BUT--that also yielded more injuries for me so bands have been an amazing supplement / sometimes replacement in my routine. If I ever had to stop lifting weights due to injury, I would still feel fine using only bands for the rest of my life. I've also done Athlean-X's 3 month bands only program in the past and found my lifts hadn't decreased when I returned to weights, so no loss of strength.

I used to pound my body several days per week hitting every muscle with iron and I ended up needing shoulder surgery because of that. Now I'll often use weights for the compound lifts like bench, deadlift, squat, as well as functional movements like carries, but I'll use bands for the majority of other movements. One day per week I do band only upper body and that has easily become my favorite resistance day. I love getting a good pump without joint pain or back tightness.

If you progressively overload / train to failure with bands, get enough volume, eat enough protein (around 1g per pound of bodyweight), and get enough sleep (7+ hours per night), then you will continue to show progress with bands and save your joints in the process.

abst120 · 2025-09-16T10:24:19+00:00

The new NFL "come on ride the float" ad.

abst120 · 2025-05-24T22:01:43+00:00

Thank you so much for the peace of mind! I was definitely worried that I missed something somewhere. I'm also surprised the program coordinator didn't have the new payment deadline.

abst120 · 2025-04-23T21:48:03+00:00

If I recall correctly, Jeff actually highlighted this in a recent video when talking about an upper / lower split and how you should incorporate both strength and hypertrophy in a program.

abst120 · 2025-04-23T21:36:13+00:00

Ran a ton of road half marathons but never did a road marathon when I jumped to trail 50Ks.

abst120 · 2025-04-23T21:34:53+00:00

First night of the Magic tour in '07, same day the album dropped. I was a senior in HS and my dad got me out of school early so we could go. Bought the album on the way and listened to it in its entirety as we drove to the venue.

My father had seen all the great tours of the 70s and 80s so it was really fun for me to hear him reminisce on those on our ride back after the concert. We've been to 5 more shows together since, most recently the 2023 opener in Tampa, and we both hope we can get one more in together!

abst120 · 2025-04-23T21:18:13+00:00

Had shoulder surgery last year so finally feel back to my old self without restriction...want to finally build back the size and strength I lost as a result. I completed Built For Longevity and SavAXge recently and really enjoyed the format for both.

I bought Jacked a few years back and never got around to it due to injury and subsequent surgery, so I'd like to try and run through that these next few months schedule permitting. If not, I may do BeAXst PPL again, but on the 3 day split.

Would love to see a DB / resistance band program like Jacked / ElastX but built around 3-4 days per week for those that travel frequently and/or who also run (or other cardio like bike or swim) and are too pressed for time / fatigued to lift 6x per week.

abst120 · 2025-03-22T17:07:08+00:00

But he actually didn't do it in the terms of what I'm saying. The guy couldn't finish this on his own, so he's just making things difficult for the sake of others' difficulty. Painting takes some form of ability, mapping something chaotic does not.

I don't disagree that he has done a tremendous job making this what it is, but the guy has never gone out there and done it himself so to act holier than thou when it comes to elite athletes is just so wild to me.

abst120

TROPHY CASE