Operation Antifragile

10/13/2026

Today's goal: Build to a top set of 15 reps in each direction, then drop the weight and perform 2–3 sets of 20 reps.

Remember, movement over maxes!

Build to a weight you can control. If you're stumbling around, losing your rhythm, or the movement simply doesn't feel good, you've gone too far. Back it down.

Especially on those sets of 20, lighten the load. Change up your grip, find a comfortable rhythm, and focus on smooth, controlled movement.

Remember, we're training more than just strength with the mace.

We're developing coordination, balance, proprioception, and body awareness.

You move the mace. Don't let the mace move you.

Interested in getting started with mace training?

Check out CK Maceworks and use code MATTSPAID for a discount!

Even better, your purchase helps support Operation Antifragile, as a portion of the proceeds goes directly toward supporting our nonprofit and its mission.

10/13/2026

Develop POWER without unnecessary wear and tear.

One of my favorite movements for developing explosive strength is the sn**ch pull.

Olympic lifts are phenomenal for power development, but not everyone needs to perform the full lifts to reap the benefits.

For tactical professionals who have spent years putting their bodies through the wringer, exercise selection matters.

Sn**ch pulls allow us to train explosive triple extension (hips, knees, and ankles), rapid force production, and the ability to accelerate a load without the added mobility, stability, and technical demands of catching a barbell overhead.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't have the ability to sn**ch. It just may not be the best choice...

And there's research to support this approach.

A 2022 study by Suchomel and colleagues examined adaptations following 10 weeks of training with weightlifting catching and pulling derivatives. The research demonstrated that pulling variations can improve explosive performance and force production without requiring the catch phase.

The goal isn't to turn everyone into an Olympic weightlifter. It's to develop stronger, more powerful, and more resilient humans.

For athletes with accumulated injuries, mobility restrictions, or years of wear and tear, sometimes the better exercise is the one that delivers the desired stimulus while respecting the body's limitations.

Train for performance and longevity.

Stay Antifragile. 🤙

📚 Suchomel et al. (2022) — Muscle Architectural and Force-Velocity Curve Adaptations Following 10 Weeks of Training With Weightlifting Catching and Pulling Derivatives.

10/13/2026

What started as a small, simple habit has truly been life changing.

Start simple. Get great at easy, then add some challenges like these.

Balance is closely connected to how your brain processes information. Your eyes, vestibular system, and sensory feedback from your body work together to keep you steady.

The bottoms of your feet contain sensory receptors (around 200,000) that help your brain sense pressure, movement, and the ground beneath you. That feedback contributes to balance and body awareness, working alongside proprioception, which is your sense of where your body is in space.

For people recovering from TBI, targeted vestibular and balance exercises can help address dizziness and coordination challenges.

For me, this small daily practice has become much more than standing on a board. It’s a way to challenge myself, stay present, and find my balance physically and mentally.

10/12/2026

Play belongs in training, too...

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

The first rule of rope flow…there are no rules.

Learn a few patterns, then play with them. Change directions, move your feet, try something new. Get tangled up? Laugh it off and keep moving.

Every movement doesn’t need to be a test or a competition. Sometimes it’s just about finding a rhythm, loosening up, and enjoying what your body can do.

Find the balance. Stay antifragile. 🤙

10/10/2026

Don't let the mace move you.
You move the mace.

10/10/2026

Feeling froggy.

Knee jumps train explosive hip extension and they're a great way to challenge how quickly you can produce force through the hips. They also challenge timing, coordination, and landing control.

Keep the reps low and crisp. Reset between efforts, and land under control. Build the knee-to-feet movement first, then progress to jumping to a box.

Building stronger, more capable humans. 👊

10/09/2026

This is a little long, but I know other veterans are struggling with this, and there are probably guys dealing with the same TRT headache I am.

I’ve faxed my medical records. I’ve hand-delivered them. I’ve literally watched them get uploaded. Somehow, I’m still being told they aren’t there.

Meanwhile, I’m getting the runaround trying to get my prescribed testosterone replacement therapy coordinated through the VA.

Testosterone plays a role in more than s*x drive and muscle. This is treatment for a diagnosed medical condition, and interrupting that treatment deserves an individualized medical discussion.

After being told VA policy doesn’t allow the waiver I’m requesting, I found their March 2025 policy explaining that the baseline testing requirement can be waived on a case-by-case basis for veterans already on long-term TRT outside the VA.

That isn’t automatic approval, but the option exists.

So I sent them their own policy, along with my medical documentation. Now I’m waiting to hear back...

Honestly, sometimes it feels like the system is putting more obstacles in the way of my health than helping me protect it. That’s exhausting when you’re already dealing with the issues you’re asking for help with.

If sharing this helps another veteran know what questions to ask, it’s worth it.

Let’s see what happens...