The Long Road

Wilding youth out of control. Anarchy and chaos. Just "Book 'em" all then throw away the keys while we put teens into prisons for adult crimes? While this can provide short-term solutions...consider the long road both to and away from 2025. *Photo by Ron Jones

Many people do not have the capacity to appreciate nice things or things that matter. Are they forever lost? Throwaways? Here are some rambling thoughts with historical context. *Photo Credit: "RJ and Vintage Discus" by Antje Anders

Some people seem to moan with every movement--even many "fitness" people? Why? How does this impact your mindset?

I had a little girl in PE yesterday who came into class in a very BAD mood...by the end of class she was smiling and laughing. Movement can really move your mood from bad to good.

This is the first week of school. I started my lessons with a short section on the "Dead Hang" which is just hanging still on a pull-up bar, but don't be fooled! There are MANY benefits to this simple gravity training exercise. Here's one of my videos on how to get kids to play on bars: "Brachiation Bar Hang Play"

Some quick updates on US events--the Texas flooding, Juneteenth shooting in Tulsa, and yet another youth gone wild shooting spree in Indiana...yes, we have a serious cultural problem. *Photo by Ron Jones

After an extended break as the world changed, I'm back and entrenched in some social media drama. I was accused of being okay with journalists being shot by rubber bullets because I did not jump onto the mob mentality bandwagon to tar, feather, and sentence the law enforcement officer who shot the female Aussie journalist at the NO KINGS Los Angeles riot. It's never just one thing! Let's break it...

Here's a little story about one of my PE girls learning self-confidence and life through a simple balance challenge. Enjoy! :) *Photo: RJ @ Rock House

Here's a short passage from 1937 on exercise cults and fads and how they related to exercise fads and gadgets and exercising to get muscles strong-- or living in such a way that produces whole health and well-being. Source: "Exercise and Health" by Jesse Feiring Williams, A.B., M.D.; Professor of Physical Education, Teachers College, Columbia University; National Health Series; Edited by the Natio...

I was shocked to see a size 58 belt last week, and it made me think deeply about how this can happen to people. I have worked with many obese people in my career, and one of my favorite populations to help with health are middle-aged obese women ready to change...however, it would be so much easier if people did not completely give up on themselves and their health. Why do people completely abando...

Is anyone else having significant problems understanding what people are saying? Can you understand what they are attempting to write? It seems that we have a real communication breakdown from oral to written--and especially with children. Here are a few observations, some thoughts, and some interesting reading from an 1800s elementary school textbook. Reference: "McGuffey's Fourth Eclectic Reader...

In a follow-up to my LA Fire and California fire history podcasts, here's an interesting look at the history and origins of "Smokey Bear" who went on to become the longest-running PSA in American history with a 96% brand recognition. Related Podcasts: Feral Fire History of California ; LA FIRES References: SmokeyBear.com; The Aggie; NPR; Tread Magazine; American University. *Photo by Ron Jones

 1929 marked more than a stock market crash; it also marked a stern warning about the pending crash of American College Athletics if they continued to commercialize and professionalize college athletics. As usual, we did not listen. Here's what we knew in 1929 and what we should be following in 2025 to course correct, or, we can use the information as criteria to cancel sports programs altogether...

I lost one of my best students a couple of weeks ago who needed to relocate to a different school district. Despite her short years, she was truly a "holder of the flame" of life energy that lights a path for others to follow. In Native history, the person who held the flame for the tribe had a sacred position; I think this still exists somehow. Every once in a while, you meet someone who seems to...

"No people has ever yet done great and lasting work if its physical type was infirm and weak." Here's a great article written by Teddy Roosevelt in 1890 on the benefits of manly exercises and other outdoor activities and the ills of professional sports and professional athletes...he references ancient Rome...we have been warned. Is anyone listening? Reference: "Professionalism" in Sports by Theodo...

I just watched the news coverage of the recent plane crash in Toronto. The plane flipped completely upside down upon crash landing, and one of the passengers actually took a video of herself upside down while strapped into her seat-- INSTEAD OF GETTING OUT OF THE PLANE! Have we completely lost our minds through propaganda programming? *Photo by Ron Jones

In view of the numerous health problems Americans have that are related to sexual issues, I need to take a respectful and scholarly approach to discuss: sex, orgasms, and improving whole health through healthier sexual relations. Many of the topics today are taboo for some because of social beliefs or absolute embarrassment, but again, I'm sharing some insights and some of my reading research to h...

Here's a fun share from American author Norman Mailer on the Hipster's relationship to sexuality and orgasm. Enjoy! *Source: "The White Negro" by Norman Mailer (1957)

Psychoanalyst Robert Linder wrote, "By nature, man is a rebel." Yet, when consumed by the myth of adjustment, and subsequent domestication, the Mass Man becomes a prisoner of conformity selling his soul to go along to get along. Here's another passage from Linder as he so eloquently explains the above social psychology. Source: "Prescription for Rebellion" by Robert Linder (1952) *Photo by Ron Jon...

"A fully developed and individualized sense of self, a strong ego, is a necessity for everyone who desires freedom." Here's another passage by American psychoanalyst Robert M. Linder. The roles so many of us play at the expense of even knowing ourselves...who are we? Why are we here? What do we stand for? Are we mere actors on the stage of life going from one prostituted role to the next depending...

"You are not fragile. Engage."  One of my good friends, who is a combat veteran, gave me a small green book entitled, "RULES FOR A KNIGHT." It's a book passed around with returning combat veterans and PTSD groups. The book re-enters Circa 1483 with so many great passages that I found quite profound. I highly recommend reading it...then passing it along to others too. *Source: "RULES FOR A KNIGHT"...

"Adjustment is, rather, an insiduous force that has played, and plays now, a significant role in the affairs of men and their civilizations. Careless allegiance to it has had drastic consequences." -Robert Linder (1952) Another fascinating share from psychoanalyst Robert M. Linder as he explains the human psychology of expanding out towards the frontiers and edges and how the reverse patterns deca...

We'll get back to a straight-up PE topic today-- the importance and teaching methods for learning the illusive "Hip Hinge" movement. Take an interesting trip with me while I explain some methods, cueing, and philosophy behind how and why I teach the hip hinge as we go from the technical to the tears to the triumphs! Also see: Ivan Ivanov Bulgarian Bag Demo Video  *Photo by Ron Jones: Ivan Ivanov w...

Here's a rational rant about numerous ways we infantize American youth. The end result is wrapped up by "Super Bowl" rings for youth football champions. Lest we forget what history has clearly taught... that failure is mandatory for success. *Photo by Ron Jones

Another short passage from the brilliant American psychologist Robert Linder and his book, "Prescription for Rebellion." Today, Linder and Chapter V "Adjustment: Causes and Consequences." What have been the life patterns of mankind? Here's the bumper sticker version according to Linder. Source: "Prescription for Rebellion" by Robert M. Linder (1952).