It's hard sometimes when I think about all the what-if's in my life.
What if I had started basketball earlier? What if I had the best coach in the world? What if I played for school growing up? What if my parents valued basketball as much as I do? What if I was 6 foot 5?
I could sit and complain about my situation in life, but that won't change anything.
All in all, the bottom line is that life is never fair. It sucks. At times I want to quit, to say it's too hard, that it's impossible.
I want to say that in those times I fall back into the arms of God. I want to say that I think of some inspirational quote that helps me get through. I want to say that I think towards the future and forget the past.
But I can't, because I don't.
Although I do know that God gives me strength to fight through those lows in my life, in my daily life I see him the most in the presence of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
They support me, they reach out to me, they give me hope.
So today I want to thank all of you who have been my supporter in any way(A.K.A. reading this blog). I obviously can't list out everyone who has helped me in some way or form, but I want to extend a very personal thank you to a few people(besides my family) who have really been by my side through some of my hardest times(my day 1's).
Thank you Clement, Joseph T, Daniel W, Alex S, Ian H, Daniel K, Joshua C, Melody B, Ella B, Rachael M, Anna R, and Coach Drake.
Thank you God for your abundant grace, mercy, and sacrifice on the cross.
And last but not least, thank YOU! The very fact that you're reading my blog is encouraging in so many ways. I hope I'll see you again next week, but for now I have Independence day celebration plans with my family, so I'll talk to you next week!
Aaron Chan - 44
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
Injuries on Injuries on Injuries
To start this off, I hate injuries.
They force me to lose time to train and I can't perform as efficiently.
We can try and try to discover the "cure" for injuries, but for now we just have to accept the fact that no one is ever immune to injuries.
The past few weeks have been frustrating because I kept getting injured. A pulled hamstring. A sprained ankle. A weak joint capsule. A wrist injury that I have no idea what it is. The list could go on and on.
It's really scary sometimes when I hear about some injuries that professional athletes go through. It brings me face to face with the fact that no matter how high up you may be, no matter how "untouchable" you may feel, a split-second in the wrong place or position could leave you crippled and severely injured for life. We are all helpless.
Yet I know there is one thing in which I can put my trust that will never fail me. As Proverbs 30:5 says, "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him".
I don't need to have the best doctor in the world, I don't need to have the strongest body in this planet, and I don't need to have the finest masseuse on earth to keep me injury free because they won't, they can't, and they never will be able to.
All I need to do is put 100 percent of my trust in God, and He will deliver me in my time of need.
Aaron Chan - 30
They force me to lose time to train and I can't perform as efficiently.
We can try and try to discover the "cure" for injuries, but for now we just have to accept the fact that no one is ever immune to injuries.
The past few weeks have been frustrating because I kept getting injured. A pulled hamstring. A sprained ankle. A weak joint capsule. A wrist injury that I have no idea what it is. The list could go on and on.
It's really scary sometimes when I hear about some injuries that professional athletes go through. It brings me face to face with the fact that no matter how high up you may be, no matter how "untouchable" you may feel, a split-second in the wrong place or position could leave you crippled and severely injured for life. We are all helpless.
Yet I know there is one thing in which I can put my trust that will never fail me. As Proverbs 30:5 says, "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him".
I don't need to have the best doctor in the world, I don't need to have the strongest body in this planet, and I don't need to have the finest masseuse on earth to keep me injury free because they won't, they can't, and they never will be able to.
All I need to do is put 100 percent of my trust in God, and He will deliver me in my time of need.
Aaron Chan - 30
Sunday, June 21, 2015
10,000 Hours
Back to zero.
The new episode of 10,000 hours.
This is a YouTube series that follows the life of a basketball trainer from New York in his pursuit of the answer to a question. The question.
How many hours of practice does it take for someone to become a master at his craft?
This trainer believes the answer is 10,000, and he is documenting all his training in order to test his theory.
This new episode follows his visit to China to create a movement there. The 10,000 hour counter begins once again. Starting from zero.
Likewise, on monday(the day the episode was released), I reset my counter(probably around a couple thousand hours already) and began to count once again. In 4 days, I was shocked by how many hours I put in. In a little over half a week, I logged 13 hours in the gym. This was without counting the 5 hours I put in on Sunday. Although I usually play this much, I never really understood how much I train because I never kept track of it so religiously.
From now on, I'll write the total number of hours I've logged since Monday, June 15 next to my name at the bottom of each of my future posts. That way, both you and I can track how much I train with my performance.
Earlier this week, I pulled my right hamstring, and I had to rest more than usual. I stretched and massaged it, and I took a few apple cider vinegar baths(I know that sounds weird, but it helps).
I don't know exactly why I injured it, but I believe it might have something to do with muscle imbalances in my quads and hamstrings. A lot of the training I do focuses on quads, with not enough attention spent on my hamstrings. I need to start balancing out my workouts so that I don't get severely injured in the future.
Aside from that, there's not much I can do except stretch more.
Recently, I started a new blog. It covers the materialistic essentials of an athlete, so for those of you who have trouble finding the right active gear, you might want to check it out sometime.
http://techforathletes.blogspot.com/
That's pretty much all I have for you this week, so please come back next week if you enjoyed it!
Aaron Chan - 13
The new episode of 10,000 hours.
This is a YouTube series that follows the life of a basketball trainer from New York in his pursuit of the answer to a question. The question.
How many hours of practice does it take for someone to become a master at his craft?
This trainer believes the answer is 10,000, and he is documenting all his training in order to test his theory.
This new episode follows his visit to China to create a movement there. The 10,000 hour counter begins once again. Starting from zero.
Likewise, on monday(the day the episode was released), I reset my counter(probably around a couple thousand hours already) and began to count once again. In 4 days, I was shocked by how many hours I put in. In a little over half a week, I logged 13 hours in the gym. This was without counting the 5 hours I put in on Sunday. Although I usually play this much, I never really understood how much I train because I never kept track of it so religiously.
From now on, I'll write the total number of hours I've logged since Monday, June 15 next to my name at the bottom of each of my future posts. That way, both you and I can track how much I train with my performance.
Earlier this week, I pulled my right hamstring, and I had to rest more than usual. I stretched and massaged it, and I took a few apple cider vinegar baths(I know that sounds weird, but it helps).
I don't know exactly why I injured it, but I believe it might have something to do with muscle imbalances in my quads and hamstrings. A lot of the training I do focuses on quads, with not enough attention spent on my hamstrings. I need to start balancing out my workouts so that I don't get severely injured in the future.
Aside from that, there's not much I can do except stretch more.
Recently, I started a new blog. It covers the materialistic essentials of an athlete, so for those of you who have trouble finding the right active gear, you might want to check it out sometime.
http://techforathletes.blogspot.com/
That's pretty much all I have for you this week, so please come back next week if you enjoyed it!
Aaron Chan - 13
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Summer Schedule
It's been three weeks since the last time I posted, but from now on my posts should be on time each week.
I was really busy last month, with finals and lots of banquets.
But now is the time to get better. This summer is the game changer. It's grind time.
Last summer, I planned a summer long training regiment with alternating weeks. Although everything was meticulously detailed, it was extremely hard to complete because I relied on a training partner who was out of town a lot.
This year, I'll make the schedule much more flexible but still keep key components. I'll still keep the alternating weeks, the test days, and the high volume workouts.
I was really busy last month, with finals and lots of banquets.
But now is the time to get better. This summer is the game changer. It's grind time.
Last summer, I planned a summer long training regiment with alternating weeks. Although everything was meticulously detailed, it was extremely hard to complete because I relied on a training partner who was out of town a lot.
 |
| Last Year |
This should fit my busy summer schedule and help me get a lot done.
Now, I'm off to write it. :)
Aaron Chan
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Friends Are a Mold in Which You Are Formed
1 point.
The difference between a win and a loss. The difference between receiving or losing a scholarship. The difference between being number 1, or being a nobody.
In a society like today's, where competition is so high, a mere second, inch, or step, forwards or backwards, can be the life or death of your career. You have to make the perfect read, at the perfect time, and execute perfectly.
A lot of people believe that practice is how you get better, but they miss the fact that games solidify your skills. However, there are also people who believe in only playing games, that practice isn't important.
Recently, someone told me that all I need is practice, only to change his mind a couple of weeks later, telling me to only play games, yet I believe both are important, one must only find a balance.
If a player only practices, he'll panic in game situations, but if a player only plays games, he won't have good techniques.
This week, a close friend of mine decided to end our friendship. I was shocked, as I had poured so much energy into trying to help him.
This made me think back to something someone once told me, "If you are extreme, those around you have no choice but to leave, or also become extreme."
I then realized that was why he left. He didn't want to change, so he had no choice but to end our friendship.
This also brought a Kobe Bryant quote to mind.
"[My drive] has alienated me from the...people who are comfortable with second place...the majority."
It makes me sad sometimes, how you must push away some people you love, because they are detrimental to your life. Every person you meet leaves an impression on you, but those who you spend the most time with exert the greatest influence on you.
Choose who you associate with wisely.
Aaron Chan
*I will be posting on Saturdays OR Sundays due to my busy schedule
The difference between a win and a loss. The difference between receiving or losing a scholarship. The difference between being number 1, or being a nobody.
In a society like today's, where competition is so high, a mere second, inch, or step, forwards or backwards, can be the life or death of your career. You have to make the perfect read, at the perfect time, and execute perfectly.
A lot of people believe that practice is how you get better, but they miss the fact that games solidify your skills. However, there are also people who believe in only playing games, that practice isn't important.
Recently, someone told me that all I need is practice, only to change his mind a couple of weeks later, telling me to only play games, yet I believe both are important, one must only find a balance.
If a player only practices, he'll panic in game situations, but if a player only plays games, he won't have good techniques.
This week, a close friend of mine decided to end our friendship. I was shocked, as I had poured so much energy into trying to help him.
This made me think back to something someone once told me, "If you are extreme, those around you have no choice but to leave, or also become extreme."
I then realized that was why he left. He didn't want to change, so he had no choice but to end our friendship.
This also brought a Kobe Bryant quote to mind.
"[My drive] has alienated me from the...people who are comfortable with second place...the majority."
It makes me sad sometimes, how you must push away some people you love, because they are detrimental to your life. Every person you meet leaves an impression on you, but those who you spend the most time with exert the greatest influence on you.
Choose who you associate with wisely.
Aaron Chan
*I will be posting on Saturdays OR Sundays due to my busy schedule
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Game Day
Game day.
This is what athletes live for.
And that happens to be today.
Game days are full of mental, physical, preparation, although they differ for each individual athlete.
For me, Sunday game days start with going to Church. I get my priorities set, and I give myself time to mentally reflect.
Next, I eat a high energy, protein filled meal. It will usually be a cheese ham double-egg omelet with spinach. This way I can ensure I can perform at my best without a full stomach.
I take an hour or so to work on little details of my shooting form, but I take care not to exert too much energy before my game.
I then spend some quality time with my family, and finish off with some time by myself to meditate.
If I have time, I'll take a quick nap before I get on te road, but it's not extremely important because I should be getting enough sleep from the night before.
Now finally, it's game time.
This is the most important part of the day.
For you, it might be time to sit back with a bowl of popcorn and cheer, but it's execution time for me.
Everything in my day leads up to this, so when I finish this blog, it'll be grind time.
Starting now.
Aaron Chan
This is what athletes live for.
And that happens to be today.
Game days are full of mental, physical, preparation, although they differ for each individual athlete.
For me, Sunday game days start with going to Church. I get my priorities set, and I give myself time to mentally reflect.
Next, I eat a high energy, protein filled meal. It will usually be a cheese ham double-egg omelet with spinach. This way I can ensure I can perform at my best without a full stomach.
I take an hour or so to work on little details of my shooting form, but I take care not to exert too much energy before my game.
I then spend some quality time with my family, and finish off with some time by myself to meditate.
If I have time, I'll take a quick nap before I get on te road, but it's not extremely important because I should be getting enough sleep from the night before.
Now finally, it's game time.
This is the most important part of the day.
For you, it might be time to sit back with a bowl of popcorn and cheer, but it's execution time for me.
Everything in my day leads up to this, so when I finish this blog, it'll be grind time.
Starting now.
Aaron Chan
Sunday, May 3, 2015
New Diet
It finally ended.
I ended my diet yesterday, and I've gained over 5 pounds and 2 inches on my vertical. I didn't reach my goal but I did enjoy the process.
I'm probably going to start a new training plan this month, but I need to set aside enough time to study for my final exams and AP tests.
I can't wait for the summer because I know I'm going to get so much done. I'm planning to take SAT classes, hoop 24/7(duh), get my drivers license, and work.
Last week, I was interviewed by PepsiCo for a job this summer, and if I don't get it, I'll probably work as a lifeguard. When I get my license, I will be able to drive myself to work, KD, and basketball. That would be extremely helpful as I don't have to count on someone else to give me a ride.
So for this new training plan, I'm going to use it only until the end of this month. Instead of focusing on strength, I'm looking to work on skill and conditioning. That means more skill-based workouts and lots of running(uh oh).
I will still complete my strength workouts but keep them limited to 2 times a week.
I noticed that I've been feeling low on energy for the past week. I believe it's a result of not staying hydrated and not eating healthier foods. In order to perform well on my exams, I've decided to eat more vegetables and drink more water.
That's all I have for you today, I hope you come back next week!
Aaron Chan
So for this new training plan, I'm going to use it only until the end of this month. Instead of focusing on strength, I'm looking to work on skill and conditioning. That means more skill-based workouts and lots of running(uh oh).
I will still complete my strength workouts but keep them limited to 2 times a week.
I noticed that I've been feeling low on energy for the past week. I believe it's a result of not staying hydrated and not eating healthier foods. In order to perform well on my exams, I've decided to eat more vegetables and drink more water.
That's all I have for you today, I hope you come back next week!
Aaron Chan
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