Traveling the world, learning languages, and immersing myself in new cultures.

Vlog on YouTube (SUBSCRIBE!)

For all my adventures in China, check out my new and exciting vlog.
All my travels, encounters with language and culture, and of course, learning the language.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

6 Things This American Has Learned From Traveling

We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.

Reflecting back on my last few years of travel around Europe, and I've realized that I learned quite a few things that, otherwise, I would not have learned. These aren't enlightened discoveries, but simple things that I think have made me a better person.
Share:

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Puebleando to Andorra

A Day in Huesca

Head out in the morning toward Huesca. Stop for almuerzo along the Gállego River, watching kayakers and rafters go down the river. Go up to Los Mallos de Riglos and see rock climbers, donkeys, vultures, and eagles. Have a pincho while watching the birds and rock climbers. Talk to some rock climbers about the climb and descent. 
#RoadTripSemanaSanta2017
#RoadTripSemanaSanta2017


Share:

Thursday, January 26, 2017

14 Más Still Even Yet More Fun Things This American Has Learned About The Spanish Language

Oh, how long has it been since I've written about the Spanish language! I have been working on some videos lately, like the one below, which is partly why I haven't written. But mostly, I've just been lazy. I mean, I did do one, two, three, four, fiveseveneight parts already! Ok, ok. There is still so much more language, nuances, and crazy logic to uncover! So, let's see what else I'm learning about Cervantes' language.




Share:

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Skopje, Macedonia: The Balkans by Bus Road Trip Christmas 2016 pt. 5

This is a six-part blog. Here are the links to all of them:
Veliko Tarnovo and Vratsa, Bulgaria / Final thoughts


Just an amazing shot for so many reasons
Just an amazing shot for so many reasons

I bruised my ribs climbing this, but it was worth it
I bruised my ribs climbing this, but it was worth it

Share:

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Prizren and Pristina, Kosovo: The Balkans by Bus Road Trip Christmas 2016 pt. 4

This is a six-part blog. Here are the links to all of them:

Pretending I'm not cold along the river in Prizren, Kosovo
Pretending I'm not cold along the river in Prizren, Kosovo

Day 9:
We cross the Albanian border without stopping and continue straight through to the Kosovo border, but they don't let us through because the bus doesn't have paperwork saying it can take food and cigarettes across the border. So we have to go back to Albania and offload the food and cigarettes at a small shop, then pass the border control again, though they don't check our passports the second time, or even come on the bus to see if any new people joined. 


Share:

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Sofia, Bulgaria: The Balkans by Bus Road Trip Christmas 2016 pt. 1

Synopsis: This is actually the first Christmas I've ever spent without my parents. I haven't traveled much outside of Spain since I arrived here, with the exception of AndorraGibraltar, and a couple of trips back to the states. 

I want to see some of the countries in Europe that I haven't seen, so I finally decide on Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo - all by bus. Last time I did a multi-country trip like this was to the other side of the Balkans (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro). 


Super cool map of the Balkans, from the hostel in Prizren
Super cool map of the Balkans, from the hostel in Prizren, Kosovo

Share:

Friday, December 2, 2016

¿Sabes qué me da una mayor ternura? pt.2

¡Hola todos! Si os acordáis, escribí el artículo ¿Sabes qué me da una mayor ternura? pt.1. Después del día de Acción de Gracias, me siento bien y con mucha ternura. Reflexionando por qué me siento tan bien, he llegado a algunas conclusiones que quiero compartir a continuación. Qué disfrutes.


Share:

Friday, November 25, 2016

Les Cases D'Alcanar, Spain: In Between Cataluña, Valencia, and Aragón

Synopsis: Ainhoa has been telling me about her parent's beach house that is on the Costa Dorada, in the province of Tarragona, right on the edge of Cataluña and Valencia, and near to many natural sites, including beaches, mountains, and the Delta del Ebro. Although we've invited a few others to go with us, no one else can make it, so we will venture out on our own. 

You gotta look at the castle from a different point of view
Share:

Monday, October 17, 2016

¿Sabes qué me saca de mis casillas? pt.5

Sí. Ya sé. Y tú los sabes. Nunca pararé con estos malditos (divertidos?) artículos de queja. Entonces, no es necesario decir más en el párrafo primero. ¡A la carne!

Soy negro gracias a mi genética. No tengo pelo gracias a mi genética. Soy mega super guapo gracias a mi genética. Estos son los hechos indiscutibles. Pero soy inteligente porque leo mucho y aprendo nuevas cosas a propósito. Hablo francés y español porque quería y me mudé a los países donde hablan estos idiomas y me centré en aprenderlos. Soy fuerte y lo aparezco porque entreno mucho y cuido mi dieta. 

Pues, cuando oigo que tengo un cuerpo bonito porque soy negro, me enfado muchísimo. Suelen decirme esta estupidez los que no hacen el mismo ejercicio que yo y no comen de la misma manera que yo. Los que no están en el gimnasio tanto como yo. Los que comen 'saludable' pero no comen para tener un cuerpo como yo. Los que necesitan una excusa para que no puedan alcanzar sus propios objetivos de fitness, y me menosprecian para sentirse mejor. Los me sacan de mis casillas. Si alguien que entrena tanto como yo y come lo mismo, pero no logra un cuerpo como el mío, me dice es gracias mi genética, le diría con una sonrisa y un encogimiento de hombros, 'tal vez'.

En cada país hay conductores de coches que son gilipollas y ponen a todos a su alrededor en peligro. Hablo sobre todo de los que no ponen los intermitentes. Si estás sólo en la calle, no pasa nada, no tienes que señalar a nadie lo que estás haciendo y puedes conducir sin intermitentes. Pero si hay otros coches, es mejor avisarnos. Donde veo este problema más que nunca es en las rotundas. En algunas hay dos o tres carriles y si quieres salir del carril interior es imprescindible que pongas un intermitente. Si no, ya es un choque... y lo sé por experiencia (me han chocado). 

Otra cosa de las rotundas es si estoy esperando para entrar la rotunda y tú vas a salir, pon tu intermitente para que sepa que puedo entrar. Te me acercas y tengo que adivinar si sales o te quedas en la rotunda, y en último momento sales, pero no estoy listo para entrar y tengo que esperar aún más tiempo porque otro coche ya viene. Si me hubieras avisado, hubiera podido entrar en la rotunda y no me hubiera quedado pegado a la entrada de la rotunda. Pero luego, cuando quieres aparcar ilegalmente en doble fila, ¿pones los dos intermitentes? ¡Qué coño!



¿Que piensas tú? ¿Tengo razón o estoy quejándome por nada? ¿Qué te saca de tus casillas? Lee parte 1 , parte 2 , parte 3 y parte 4 de esta serie. 

Share:

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Train with TMax: Why I Only Do Bootcamps

Click for more info!
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!



Share:

best eBook ever

Subscribe & Travel with the TMax

Popular Posts

Countries Visited

Instagram

YouTube

Online Fitness Course

Online Fitness Course
Functional Fitness for ALL Levels

Online Kettlebell Course

Online Kettlebell Course
Kettlebells For You, Me, & Everybody

Badges