Sonny the Alien: The Upstairs Neighbor

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Sonny and Chad sat on the couch watching television.

A calm evening. Peaceful. Predictable.

Then—

THUUUUD.

The ceiling shook.

Sonny froze.

“…Chad.”

“Yeah.”

“…something large has fallen.”

Chad didn’t look away from the TV. “They’re home.”

A long scraping, rolling sound rumbled across the ceiling.

RRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Sonny’s eyes widened. “They are transporting a boulder.”

Chad shrugged. “Probably a chair.”

“Chad. This is not the sound of furniture. This is the sound of geological activity.”

Another BOOM.

Dust drifted from the ceiling vent.

Sonny stood up. “We must evacuate. Their structural integrity is questionable.”

“They do this sometimes,” Chad said. “Not much you can do.”

Sonny paced. “I must catalogue the noises.”

He began counting on his fingers. “Rolling object. Heavy footsteps. Sudden impacts. Occasional screaming.”

Chad nodded. “Yup.”

Sonny stopped. “…do you believe they are conducting ritual combat?”

Chad finally looked at him. “I think they just don’t take their shoes off.”

Another long roll across the ceiling.

Sonny stared upward. “…Chad.”

“Yeah.”

“If this is a chair…it is the largest chair on Earth.”

Chad sipped his drink. “Desk chair on hardwood.”

Sonny blinked. “…they are rolling across the floor while seated?”

“Yep.”

“…why?”

Chad shrugged. “Human.”

A violent THUD rattled the light fixture.

Sonny whispered, “They have dropped the boulder again.”

Chad muted the TV. “Alright. That one might’ve been a boulder.”

Sonny sat back down slowly.

“I have determined something important, Chad.”

“What’s that?”

“Earth dwellings are vertically incompatible with peace.”

Chad nodded. “You want the top floor next time, don’t you?”

Sonny stared at the ceiling as another rumble passed overhead.

“…yes.” A pause. “…but then I would become the problem.”

Chad smiled. “Now you’re getting it.”

Sonny folded his hands. “I will begin walking exclusively on my toes out of respect for the lower humans.”

Another thunderous THUD shook the ceiling.

Sonny looked up. “…they do not share this philosophy.”

Chad unmuted the TV. “Welcome to apartment life, buddy.”

Sonny took out his Earth Log device and began typing.

Humans living communally must endure one another’s noise. Some are less conscientious. Structural integrity remains…uncertain. Objective: Acquire top floor apartment. Walk exclusively on toes.

Gentle Strength

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You can be strong.

But can you hold things without crushing what matters?

You can build.

But can you build in every area of life?

It’s easy to be one-dimensional.

But one-dimensional gets exposed fast.

The guy with heavy hands but light cardio gets knocked out when the fight goes long.

Everything matters.

Your body. Your mind. Your family. Your heart. Your spirit.

Build them all.

Focus on the Yes

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We spend too much time worrying about the no.

The rejection. The closed doors.

But that fear of “no” leads to hesitation. To seeking safety. To mediocrity.

You’re not here for that.

Do it for the yes.

Do it for the enthusiastic yes—the ones who see you, believe in you, and are fired up to ride with you.

Don’t let a “no” stop you from finding a “yes.”

Because every no just clears the path for the right yes.

Change Your Story

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What stories do you tell yourself about yourself?

“I can’t build my body. Bad genetics.”

“I don’t understand my kids. I’m not cut out to be a good parent.”

“I’ll never find someone. I’m meant to be alone.”

“I’m not wired to be an entrepreneur.”

“Tech? I’m just not a computer person.”

These are scripts—handed to you by others, or worse, ones you wrote in weakness.

But here’s the truth: they’re not truth…if you don’t let them be.

You’re the author. You hold the pen.

Humans are built to adapt. To evolve. To learn new skills. Build new bodies. Rewrite broken patterns.

If that weren’t true, we’d still be chasing squirrels with stone axes.

The next chapter is wide open. Start writing it.

Some Muscles Will Just Respond Better Than Others

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Some Muscles Will Just Respond Better Than Others

One of the weird, but maybe not so weird, things about building muscle is this:

Some body parts just grow.

Others fight you.

Indeed, some men will find that their biceps respond incredibly well to training. A few curls, a decent pump, and suddenly they’ve got softballs hanging off the front of their arms.

Other guys, myself included, can train biceps hard for years and still feel like they’re chasing something.

Meanwhile, their triceps, chest, or back blow up almost effortlessly.

This is just the nature of the beast.

If you’ve been lifting for any length of time, you’ve noticed it. If you’re new…you will.

For me:

  • Triceps
  • Chest
  • Lats
  • Abs and core

These respond extremely well. I can get great pumps. They grow. They get strong. They feel alive when trained.

Not surprisingly, these are my strong points.

But then there are the stubborn ones:

  • Shoulders
  • Biceps
  • Calves

Harder to pump. Slower to grow. Easier to neglect.

And yes, they’re my weak points.

Why This Happens

Muscle growth isn’t just about effort.

It’s influenced by structure (muscle belly length), fiber type distribution, leverage from limb length, neurological efficiency, and your ability to recruit a muscle under load.

Some areas on you are built to grow. Others are going to require war.

You don’t get to choose the hand you were dealt.

But you do get to choose your response.

The Musclebuilder understands this.

He doesn’t complain.

He adapts.

What This Means

Two important things.

1️⃣ You must bust your ass on weak points.

The muscles that don’t respond easily require:

  • More intention
  • More focus
  • Better execution
  • More frequency

Not ego lifting. Not junk volume.

Precise, relentless work.

2️⃣ You must manage your strong points.

Because if you don’t?

They will overpower your physique.

Overdeveloped chest with no shoulders. Big triceps, tiny biceps. Wide lats, flat calves.

That looks unbalanced.

And imbalance isn’t just aesthetic—it can create strength discrepancies and joint stress over time.

This is where being a good observer comes in.

The mirror doesn’t lie. Photos don’t lie. Your lifts don’t lie.

Use them.

Bring Up Weak Points Strategically

Here’s how you attack:

  • Add an extra set or two when training that muscle.
  • Add additional sets on other days.
  • Dedicate an entire weak-point session.
  • Train them first when energy is highest.
  • Slow down tempo and improve connection.

Track it and give it time. After long enough, you should see those weak points catching up.

I emphasize my arms (particularly biceps and forearms) and the difference is noticeable, to the point where I get complements.

It works.

The Deeper Lesson

This isn’t just about muscle.

It’s about life.

Some areas of your life will grow effortlessly.

Others will resist you.

Your career. Your relationships. Your confidence. Your discipline.

The Musclebuilder doesn’t ignore the weak points.

He attacks them.

And he doesn’t let his strengths become blind spots either.

Balance. Awareness. Relentless adjustment.

That’s how you build a complete physique.

That’s how you build a complete man.

Discipline Over Motivation

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You might try to wait for motivation.

Ride the wave when it’s there, and sit idle when it’s not.

The problem? Motivation is fleeting. It comes and goes.

Discipline is different. Discipline is non-negotiable.

It’s showing up day in and day out.

Even when you don’t feel like it.

Even when life throws you a curveball.

Even when the fire isn’t burning hot.

Discipline keeps you on course.

It weathers storms.

It holds you steady.

Moods are fickle. Discipline is unwavering.

We don’t wait for a wave—they do what needs to be done, no matter what.

Motivation fades. Discipline stays.

Cut the Fluff

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“How many things can I do without?”

-Socrates

Probably a lot more than you think.

A lot of modern life has become fluff. Distraction. Useless stuff pushed upon us by savvy marketers or peer pressure.

It’s time for an audit. Cut the fluff. 86 the useless.

Never in history have we had so much to choose from.

It’s time to get back to basics.

Sunday Sendoff #36: Show Up

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Brickwall's Sunday Sendoff

Note: This story is from a long time ago, and some details may be hazy. The point remains the same.

Back in college, I took a strength and conditioning class.

It was one of my favorites.

The professor—who was also the college’s strength coach—told us a story the first day.

Fresh out of school, he was trying to break into the strength and conditioning world.

He saw that a local professional football team was hiring an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.

A coveted job.

The kind that opens doors for life.

He applied.

He was invited to a group interview.

Now think about that.

Professional sports team. Prestigious role. Career-defining opportunity.

He walked in expecting a packed room.

Stacks of resumes. Top-tier candidates everywhere.

Instead?

Three people showed up.

Three.

For a job that could change your life.

They liked him. He got the job. The rest is history.

What’s the lesson?

Show up.

Even when the odds feel stacked. Even when you think you’re underqualified. Even when you assume “there’s no way.”

Because most people don’t even step into the arena.

They self-reject. They talk themselves out of it. They assume the room will be too crowded.

So they never enter.

Builders show up.

And sometimes…that alone separates you.

Builder Principle

Opportunity favors the man who shows up.

Something to Ponder

What’s something you’ve been hesitating on? An application. A conversation. A risk. A door you haven’t knocked on. What if the room isn’t as crowded as you think?

See You In the Arena

This week is just about over. Next week is just about here. Let’s keep building.

Brick by brick.

-Brickwall