We all have secrets we like to keep close to the vest.  Maybe it's that we secretly love The Bachelor (sorry I'm not sorry); are slowly becoming a Patriots fan (5 years in Boston WILL do that, but the New York Giants will always be #1); or have some OCD-like tendencies (if you want some amusement, ask me about my superstitions when I was a pitcher)

But today, I'm revealing another secret that I usually keep pretty close to the vest:  I'm somewhat of a musical theater geek.  In fact, loooong before I discovered deadlifts, I was the lead in my high school musical. *Cue: Jazz Hands, annoying vocal warm-ups, and the "I've Gotta Crow" scene from 21 Jump Street*

Fact: the only thing that comes close to my insatiable appetite for heavy deadlifts, is my similar appetite for great 80's music.

And, my love for the 80's was on full display this past Saturday night as Lindsay and I were surrounded in an 80's cover band haze - Billy Joel, The Go Go's, The Bangles, and my personal favorite, Huey Lewis and the News.  I'd go so far to say that ol' Huey and I have an uncanny resemblance with our butt chins....the appeal of which cannot be denied.

Safe to say, I danced, wore my sunglasses at night, and quoted Back to the Future lines like they were the only English phrases I knew. (Roads?  Where we're going, we don't need.....roads.)

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope y'all had a great holiday season, and are enjoying a day of lounging around in your pajamas.  Because after all, isn't that what New Years Day is all about?

Anyway, 2014 was a great year for me and this blog for a few reasons: 

1. Lindsay and I got married!!!!

2. I learned much more this year than any other year....not just about planning a wedding, but about Strength and Conditioning as well ;)

3. Judging by my site's analytics, I have a handful of more readers than my immediate family (as always, you're the best Mom!!)

As a strength coach, I like to think that 80% of my job is helping people get stronger and reach their goals.

The other 20% of my time is usually devoted to dispelling myths that currently persist in our culture:  

• No, carbs aren't the devil.
• Yes, intermittent fasting is probably a terrible idea for you.
• No, squats aren't bad for your knees....what YOU'RE doing is bad for your knees (hat tip to Dan John).
• Yes, "Do They Know It's Christmas" by Band Aid is ladened with naïveté and ironic racism.  And, do I hate myself for still thinking it's catchy as hell?  Oh yeah!

This probably isn't news to anyone, but let it be clear: I love to deadlift.

Now, I'm not exactly sure why I love deadlifting as much as I do.  Until recently, I never would have said I was "good" at it.  And, as a long sufferer of lower back pain, deadlifting used to scare me.

My, oh my, how times have changed.

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to hit my biggest 2014 goal - deadlifting 500 pounds.  Little did anyone know, I had targeted that day for well over a month as it lined up nicely with my program and I was coming off the carb/overeating fest that is Thanksgiving.  After feeling terrific in my warm ups, I decided to throw some Rage Against the Machine over the speakers, put on my high school baseball shirt (Foxes Up!!!!!!), and give it a go.  Here's what ensued....or, what I like to call, my attempt to use every rainbow-colored plate we have: