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I've been in China for a year and a half and I have created almost 50 videos about my life and experiences there. Here is a quick summary of all my videos. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

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Travels

I have explored many different cities in China, including my home city of Beijing.

• Hainan
• Datong
• Shanghai
• Qingdao
• Harbin
• Zhangjiakou
• Tianjin
• Huashan
• Xi'An
• Chengdu and Chongqing
• Shaolin
• Luoyang
• Leshan and Chengdu

I have also visited Korea and Japan since I've been here. So many more amazing places to go and visit!

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Food

I like food. Doesn't everyone? Yes. The answer is yes.

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Culture

One thing China is NOT lacking is culture. I lived in Europe for 10 years and traveled to over 30 countries, but never have I experience anything like China. Culture shock has been a close friend of mine since I arrived.

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Language

Why did I move to China? Besides wanting to experience the culture, eat the food, and travel, I really want to learn the language. And what better way to learn than through immersion? Or so I thought...

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Daily Life

So what is life like in China? Just like anywhere else in the world, but the Chinese version of it... plus air pollution, Chinese Festivals, and interesting daily interactions with Chinese people.

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Train with TMax

After launching a fitness-in-the-park community in Pamplona, Spain, I decided to try it again in Beijing, and with much more success than I anticipated!

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Becoming Famous

Now that more people are meeting me and realizing how awesome I am, I'm getting new opportunities to show off my talents and participate in interesting events.

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How did I create all of these videos? I filmed them on my phone, then edited them on my phone, and then shared them from my phone. If you want to make super sweet videos like me, check out this video tutorial!

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This American's Spanish Experiences as Told by Infographics

Infographics are awesome. They give you info... graphically. You get a lot of information, quickly, and in an interactive way. Click on an interesting picture and you are taken to a webpage or video that gives you more info. Compare differences and similarities between things, but in a fun layout.

I have done five different infographics that give my readers (that's you!) beautifully designed pictures describing my experiences in Spain. Qué aproveche!

Everyone loves food!

TMax Upside Down - Handstands & Travel Fitness

Basketballin', but not in Spain

Questions and Speaking Spanish

Teaching in Spain vs Au pairing in Spain

Which is your favorite infographic? Leave a comment below!

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Train with TMax: Why I Only Do Bootcamps

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For the last few months, I've been running a series of 4-week fitness courses, called "bootcamps". The word "bootcamp" according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, "by 1941, U.S. Marines slang, said to be from boot (n.) as slang for "recruit," which supposedly dates from the Spanish-American War and is a synecdoche from boots, leggings worn by U.S. sailors." But that definition is not helpful in anyway, so continue reading below for further explanation.

More recently, this military term that was used to describe the short but intense training that soldiers would get before being ready to fight in war, is being used to describe short but intense exercise courses, designed to reap the most results in the shortest amount of time, generally 6 weeks or less. (that was a really long sentence). Since dropout rates in long term exercise programs (12+ weeks) are astronomically high, bootcamps are supposed to offer quick and fast results that meet our insatiable appetite for instant gratification.

Generally, it takes about 12-16 weeks to see substantial results from a fitness plan, however, you can begin to notice results in a much shorter time. I chose four weeks as the duration for my trainings because it is a short enough time period that people don't feel overwhelmed, but long enough that one can see results. And, since I track your progress, you can see a difference in strength and endurance in your numbers, in addition to improving how you feel. This is my goal. To get people to the point where they see and feel their fitness efforts are not in vain, realize they can be successful with their fitness goals, and then want to continue to pursue those goals.

I know starting a new exercise program can be scary or difficult, and you're not sure what method is best for (i.e. Zumba, yoga, crossfit, swimming, etc.). This is part of why I offer free classes every Saturday for people to come out and try my method to see if it will work for them. Then, when they decide they enjoy the trainings, they sign up for the 4 week course (a.k.a bootcamp) and begin their journey to reaching their fitness goals. 

Check out us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to get an idea of the types of trainings we do. Then, when you decide that it could be worth your time, come on out and bring a friend with you!

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This American's Eating Habits

"Don't use machines - Become one" -Crossfit NATO

Some people ask me how I maintain my lean figure and what I eat to fuel my workouts (coffee with coconut oil and heavy cream). Of course, genetics plays a role in my musculature, but genetics has nothing to do with my work ethic in the gym (though I workout a lot less than you probably think) or my discipline in the kitchen. I am constantly experimenting and trying new things to make myself stronger, healthier, and feel better. I do my best to refrain from passing judgement on something until I try it for myself. 

I am amazed at how often people say a diet or lifestyle doesn't work, without ever having tried it. I like to try the different philosophies of eating to see for myself how my body responds, and then apply the principles that work for me. I like to try different foods and those that I enjoy and see the most benefit from, I incorporate into my diet. 

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¿Sabes qué me da una mayor ternura? pt.1

Bueno, he dejado de quejarme por un rato para compartir las cosas que me gusta. Cosas que son buenas. Cosas que me dan una mayor ternura! Y también, he puesto "pt. 1" porque soy optimista y estoy seguro que encontraré más cosas que me darán una mayor ternura. Aunque, ahora, es lo que tengo.

Si estás leyendo esta entrada, significa que estás muy aburrido o que te gusta leer mi blog. Y es número uno, que la gente lee mi blog y me dice que le gusta algo que he escrito o mis fotos. Empecé este blog para compartir porque no tenía facebook, y después en poco menos de dos años, ha evolucionado en algo más que viajar. Ha crecido en una fuente de culturas e idiomas y diversión, desde la perspectiva de un guapo y talentoso americano fuera de su país. Gracias para haber venido conmigo via tus comentarios y tus "me gusta's" en instagram, twitter y facebook.

Gracias a mi trabajo como profesor de inglés, puedo quedarme aquí en España legalmente. Al principio, era solo una manera para quedarme y darme más tiempo para mejorar mi castellano. Pero ahora, me fijo que es un muy buen trabajo y gratificante. Los alumnos te dan todo su fe y toda su confianza, y cuando puedes ayudar o hacer algo que les pone contentos, es un buen sentimiento.

La última cosa (en esta entrada) que me da una mayor ternura es que la gente disfruta y mejora muchísimo en mis entrenamientos de ejercicio. Cada sábado, doy clases de fitness, gratis, a todos que quieren venir y trabajar para mejorar su salud. Empecé con las clases a las 9h pero mucha gente se quejó entonces cambié la hora a las 11h (y hay aún gente que se queja y dice que es demasiado tarde). Tengo entre 6 y 20 personas cada sábado, entre las cuales hay siempre alguien nuevo, y para ellos que vienen consistentemente, ya vemos su progresión de la fuerza y el fitness. A la gente le hace ilusión a venir a mis clases, y eso me da una mayor ternura.

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How This American Stays Fit While Traveling

The best way to stay in shape is to run with the bulls!

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Aside from hours of walking, I like to do a bit of exercise while traveling, mainly to keep my muscles active so I won't be sore next time I do a heavy workout. So the idea of these workouts are not to build strength or speed, but rather maintain my progress from my workouts at home. While traveling, I have a small box of tricks I use to stay fit on the go. I own a TRX. I own a jump rope. Gravity is free. Check out the video below, and some sample workouts below that.

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