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“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12

As a veteran pit crew member, I work in an incredibly efficient, intense and pressure-packed environment. The only good thing about this environment is that I do not have to do it alone. Before racing, I played football, and before every play, we would gather in a huddle and clearly outline game plan and expectations. Even in no-huddle situations, signals, words and signs were given so that everyone knew what to do.

Imagine playing a football game with no instruction, or no huddle? There is a massive man on the line in front of you, the play is about to begin, and you have to figure out what to do on your own. This sounds crazy, but it is what most of us do in life every day. We attack it alone, especially men.

The mind needs the spirit and body to fully function. In the same manner, humans are wired to need other humans to function at full capacity. The verse above says you will be easily defeated by yourself. However, introduce a bond with a few others and your strength is greatly increased. In an age where the lone wolf is praised, the true strength lies with those who have a community, pack or huddle!

Who's in your huddle? Has anyone in that huddle impacted your life? We'd love to hear about it!

Seize the Moment

– Mike Metcalf, Jr.

 

Health Tips 101

 

Nutrition and Weight Loss

Obesity is causing an increasing prevalence of diabetes, especially in the United States. Carbohydrate intake in the U.S. is too high. We eat way too much sugar, highly-processed grains, and starchy foods such as corn, potatoes, and white bread. It is better to limit foods like these. 

In general, we recommend you eat a variety of foods, with more vegetables and fruits.

Protein is very much necessary in your daily nutrition. However, try eating more plant-based proteins, including beans and nuts. Eating good fats is another essential part of nutrition. Extra virgin olive oil, avocado, and fish are among the list of foods containing good fats, whereas food with more saturated and trans fats should be limited, like red meat (unless grass fed), other fatty meats, and fried foods.

Water intake

Water intake is something we tend to overlook. Make it a goal to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces daily, but at a bare minimum, eight glasses per day.

Exercise

Aerobics, I believe, should be 50% of your exercise time: walking, running, biking, swimming, etc., at a moderate intensity. It’s recommended that you exercise 150 minutes each week. For example, 30 minutes of walking 5 times a week. For high-intensity exercise, we recommend 60 minutes a week. For example, a 20 minute run 3 times weekly. Resistance exercises for strength are also recommended at least 2 times a week.

Incorporate some mental exercises, such as games, trivia, sudoku and crossword puzzles. They help keep your mind sharp. 

Sleep

Proper rest means getting about 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Intentional socialization and community

Studies have shown that people who live past 100 all have a strong sense of community, such as family, church, or society.

Seize the Moment!

Dr. Michael Metcalf

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul!

Several years ago, a leading American magazine came out with an article comparing the productivity of those who worked seven days a week with those who worked six.  Those who worked seven were the A-types who were always in demand and felt that not a day could go by without their best effort. However, over time, those who took a day to unplug, reset or rest were noticeably more productive.Don’t get me wrong, hard work is important and so is taking care of your responsibilities.  However, they can come at a price. The rate of burnout, stress, and heart attacks have never been higher than they are now.  A word of advice from us to you: take time to restore your spirit, mind, and body. Like muscles after a tough workout, our minds need a chance to recover from the forces that pull on them.

God is a good Shepherd.  He will lead you on long journeys and you’ll have some hard work ahead.  At the same time, He knows when you need to take a break. Weekly, planned to unplug is not whimsical nor an act of laziness.  Rather, accepting the break is an act of faith. It is trusting that your journey and the things that you cannot control are resting in His hands.

 

Mike Metcalf, Jr.

Two primary logos represent the Carpe U brand. The first is a lightning bolt.

When we see lightning, it’s something vast and powerful, a charge of energy. It only lasts for a moment, but its impact can be lasting; it elicits a reaction from every living creature in that moment, be it fear or respect. It can’t be ignored.

At Carpe U, we want to initiate a charge in your life that causes a reaction. Your life (spirit, mind and body) is a big deal; it is of monumental importance in this moment. It should be respected and held in high regard. You can’t ignore the state of your being forever. Both lightning and the phrase carpe diem​ stress the importance of the moment. This logo is also made from an L and an upside down M, after the initials of the founder of Carpe U.

The second logo is a 3 strand cord. It is inspired by the scriptural foundation of Carpe U, Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” This is the basis of everything that we are about. From the fibers of our clothes to our Spirit, Mind, and Body awareness, it all stems from this verse. What does the cord of your life look like? Hopefully similar to the logo, but if not, then join the rest of us in seizing the moment! Don’t worry. We’ll get stronger with time.

Seizing Every Moment...

Carpe U