The Long Road

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 down like we are preparing to go to court...the NO KINGS people seem to be rallying for due process, so let's see just how much they can tolerate looking at the other sides too.*Photo by Ron Jones. "NO KINGS Tulsa-Rainbow Bubbles" Copyright 2025.

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 National Health Council (1937).*Photo by Ron Jones

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 abandon health so early in life?

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" (Revised Edition, 1879)*Photo by Ron Jones

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 FIRESReferences: 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 if they do not enhance our national life.At this point, what real cultural value do American sports programs offer for improving our nation, our culture, and the human condition?Source: "AMERICAN COLLEGE ATHLETICS" by Howard J. Savage, Staff Member, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and Harold W. Bentley, John T. McGovern, Dean F. Smiley, M.D.; Bulletin Number Twenty-Three (1929) *This is the full version; I used an abbreviated version for the podcast.

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 feel a lot more and has a much deeper understanding of life--and sometimes they are just a few years old. Good luck young grasshopper...keep the light bright.*Photo by Ron Jones

"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 Theodore Roosevelt, The North American Review; Vol. 151, No. 405; pp. 187-191 (AUG 1890)*Photo by Ron Jones

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 help people understand what lies under so many health issues from weight loss to movement constrictions to mental health and more--and it's about sex--or the absence of it altogether. Take what works for you; discard what does not apply...and take care of yourself too. Here are the books I recommended at the end of the show:"Ending Female Pain: A Woman's Manual; The Ultimate Self-Help Guide for Women Suffering from Chronic Pelvic and Sexual Pain" by Isa Herrera, MSPT, CSCS (2009)"Women's Anatomy of Arousal" by Sheri Winston, CNM, RN, BSN, LMT (2017)"Tantric Intimacy" by Katrina Bos (2017)"Sandstone Seduction: Rivers and Lovers, Canyons and Friends" by Katie Lee (2004)"Maps to Ecstasy: teachings of an urban shaman" by Gabrielle Roth (1989)*"Sensual Orchids" photo by Ron Jones

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 Jones

"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 upon the immediate pet trick request?As it has long been written..."Know Thyself"Source: "Prescription for Rebellion" by Robert Linder (1952)

"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" by Ethan Hawke (Cited Edition 2020)

"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." -Rober 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 decay and destroy through societal decline. This is a different way to explain the "Cycles of Civilization" that are so well documented throughout time...all societies follow these predictable patterns, so if you want to know where America is going--here you go. If you don't like it, change course.Source: "Prescription for Rebellion" by Robert M. Linder (1952).

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 with Bulgarian Bags & The Path of Glory

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).

"The problem that faces humankind at this moment in history is a problem in conversion." --Robert LinderHere's another brief share by American psychologist Robert M. Linder. This passage comes from his book, "Prescription for Rebellion." Consider the attributes of rebellion and non-conformity to the contribution and elevation of mankind...the arts, free thinkers, those who dared to question...and resist.Source: "Prescription for Rebellion" by Robert M. Linder (1952).*Photo by Ron Jones @ The Last Book Store, Los Angeles, CA

I made another observation while at Costco last week. This time it was a nice senior couple in front of me in line that was dressed really nice--so nice it got me thinking that they were out of step with the current times.

I've already updated my show notes from my earlier episode today entitled, "Feral Fire History of California", but many of my listeners never read the show notes. Therefore, I felt obligated to do a quick podcast update. I have referred to the total number of acres burned in California for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021, but those numbers represented the FIRE SUPPRESSION COSTS in US dollars. To see the full referenced report, see below. I'm sorry about the confusion!"California Fire History: A Visual" by the Western Fire Chiefs Association. Original date of publication November 17, 2022. My version was updated on April 24, 2024. The link above was just updated a few days ago.*"Thompson Fire" photo by Ron Jones

"Most of California is built to burn: it has fires to match its mountains." -Stephen Pyne, Fire Historian*ERROR CORRECTION: At 20:40 into the episode, I made a reading error by reporting "Cost of Fire Suppression" in CA mistakenly as the total volume of "Acres Burned." The specifics for "Costs of Suppression" in CA for the three years I mentioned were: 2019=$447 million; 2020=1.23 million; and 2021=$1.17 million. Sorry for the error. (Source: "History of California Wildfires," November 2022; Western Fire Chiefs Association)Like many, I was overwhelmed by the catastrophic fires recently in Los Angeles. I felt obligated to dive into the actual history of fires in my home state of California. While I thought I had a decent understanding of Native wisdom of forest management to clean the forest and prevent mega-fires, I quickly realized during my last couple of weeks of research that there was a lot more to understand. I hope this episode helps you to better understand the long history of California fires and how important native wisdom was to prevent the current biblical force fires by having more "good" (significantly smaller) cultural burns. "We need more burning by good fire-a lot more-while pushing for less by bad fire." -Stephen PyneIn summary, it's not a water problem; it's a fuel problem.Here are some important references I mentioned in the episode:Fire Historian, author, and Arizona State University emeritus professor Stephen Pyne's "Fire Fundamentals: A Primer on Wildland Fire for Journalists"Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils (great source of graphics for statistical summaries per year for US fires)

I warned people years ago about a "flashpoint" in Los Angeles that would rage across SoCal like a wildfire ripping residents into anarchy and chaos beyond the Watts and Rodney King riots...the figurative and literal flashpoint has arrived. My deeper concern is that the predicted and pending anarchy and chaos in LA could be a flashpoint for the whole country. Stay aware and on alert.*Photo Credit: "Thompson Fire" by Ron Jones

*LANGUAGE DISCLAIMER!Los Angeles fires straight talk and NO BS as a Southern California native whose family moved to California in the 1890s. Enough is enough. *Photo Credit: RJ Yoga @ Huntington Beach, CA

I took a road trip to Missouri a few weeks ago because I had a consulting job for a public health department there for professional development. On this episode, I share some of my journaling thoughts and the importance of road trips and writing things down. Enjoy!*Photo Credit: "College Street Cafe Dawn" by Ron Jones

I dropped by Costco right before New Year's for a few supplies. While waiting to check out, I noticed twin boys about a year and a half old in the cart in front of me. They had NO devices and were noticing things around them...it's worth a show to discuss the positive benefits of your kids looking around at things besides a ridiculous electronic device.*Photo by Ron Jones

"You must adjust...This is the creed of the sciences that have sold themselves to the status quo..."Here's another short passage from psychoanalyst Dr. Robert Linder on what essentially is the current "Conformity Industrial Complex" and the utter insanity of the power whores beating the masses to conform...and sell their souls of humanity in the process. RESIST!*Source: "Must You Conform?" by Robert Linder (1956)

In Dr. Robert Linder's 1956 book, "Must You Conform?", Linder cites Orwell's "1984" book published in 1949 with this passage from O'Brien the Inquisitor...we have been forewarned...is anyone listening?*Source: "Must You Conform?" by Robert Linder (1956)

More from psychoanalist Dr. Robert M. Linder's 1956 book, "Must You Conform?" This passage deals with the history of "one" ruling class.*Source: "Must You Conform?" by Robert Linder (1956)

We return to psychoanalyst Dr. Robert M. Linder (1914-1956) with a passage on the "bed of despair" and how frontiers and outlets for aggression are essential for the health of societies. *Source: "Must You Conform?" by Robert Linder (1956)

It's been a while since I have shared a passage from this amazing 1914 book...here's another passage about thinking right and fighting the good fight...alone as needed...I hope it inspires you as it did for thousands of others before us.*Source: "PEP: Poise--Efficiency--Peace. A Book on Hows Not Whys For Physical and Mental Efficiency" by COL. WM. C. HUNTER (1914), pages 81-83

A short passage shared today from a fascinating book I'm still reading by psychoanalyst Dr. Robert M. Linder (1914-1956) on "abandoned solitude" and his warnings on how giving up reflective time alone negatively impacts mental health.Dr. Linder also wrote "Rebel Without a Cause: The Hypnoanalysis of a Criminal Psychopath" and "The 50 Minute-Hour: A Collection of True Psychoanalytic Tales."Source: "Must You Conform?" by Robert Linder (1956)

"Lord, keep us alive until we're dead." -WWII ParatroopersAre you more dead than alive? How do you "RE-create" your mind, body, and spirit?Photo: RJ @ Havasupai Village 

I need to set the record straight on Veterans Day. There would be NO Veterans Day without physical fitness because there would be no military to serve! Most people do not get this important connection between physical "readiness" and military service.

"You don't want to work, you want to live like a kingBut the big, bad world doesn't owe you a thing"-The EaglesSpinning off a great song by The Eagles, GET OVER IT! We have work to do to save what is left of our country. Conservatives had to "get over it" when Obama was elected and also Biden...so now it's the Democrats' turn. Get over it. Put your boots on. Get back to work...oh! You don't want to work and get "free" money? GET OVER IT.*Reference: "Get Over It" by Don Henley and Glenn Frey (1994).

Some reflective thoughts on the eve of what is likely the most important American "election" of all time. Pay attention. Best to you mates.*Photo by Ron Jones

This is my third recent episode using a 1943 US Government reference, "National Socialism" which was the playbook for Nazi Germany. In today's episode, I go over the Nazi Pledge of Allegiance and the Nazi's "Duties of the Party Comrade." I highlight the dangers of being exclusively "group think" while also highlighting the shortcomings of being too focused on YOU the individual while ignoring any responsibilities to the larger group as in your country. What we need is both--rugged individuals who can and will come together for the betterment of the country at large. Here's another warning in my quoted reading about what happened when a proper balance was NOT maintained. Blind party loyalty in the US to Democrats or Republicans without regard to "your individual opinion" is fatally flawed in my opinion. Look back. Learn. Move forward.Source: "NATIONAL SOCIALISM: BASIC PRINCIPLES, THEIR APPLICATION BY THE NAZI PARTY'S FOREIGN ORGANIZATION, AND THE USE OF GERMANS ABROAD FOR NAZI AIMS" by Raymond E. Murphy, Francis B. Stevens, Howard Trivers, Joseph M. Roland, Prepared in the Special Unit of the Division of European Affairs, Department of State, United States Government (1943)*Photo by Ron Jones

I gave a pep talk to my PE kids this week on winning awards. I shared that when I was their age, I was quite "average" and don't remember winning anything of special significance. I was just part of the pack whether in the classroom or on the athletic field...then I decided I did not want to be average anymore, and everything changed. Here's a small part of my story and how the US Marine Corps' Devil Pups program helped me change my mindset--and life path. I went on to set a world record in ultracycling, become a two-time All-American in Du-Athlon, earn three college degrees with honors, etc., etc. What changed? My mind and spirit.

"National Socialism has no aggressive intentions against any European nation." -Adolf Hitler, Proclamation opening the party congress at Nuremberg on September 11, 1935.More from my WWII government resource which is essentially the playbook for how Hitler and his Third Reich took control. So much of this story revolves around carefully constructed propaganda--and some of it coming out of America with Edward Bernays. Today's episode examines how the masses were controlled by slogans, certain repeated messages, and BIG LIES.Source: "NATIONAL SOCIALISM: BASIC PRINCIPLES, THEIR APPLICATION BY THE NAZI PARTY'S FOREIGN ORGANIZATION, AND THE USE OF GERMANS ABROAD FOR NAZI AIMS" by Raymond E. Murphy, Francis B. Stevens, Howard Trivers, Joseph M. Roland, Prepared in the Special Unit of the Division of European Affairs, Department of State, United States Government (1943)*Photo by Ron Jones

Some observations and comments from last night's Tulsa Oktoberfest...social commentary and social psychology as America heads for a likely turbulent election process.*"Star Spangled Banner" courtesy of Stanley Jay Tucker.

Reaching back into my rare WWII archives, today's episode cites "National Socialism" published in 1943. This US Government source exposes actual Nazi propaganda methodology and how the personal property rights of individuals were removed for the "good" of the state under the cloaks of "protection" of the people to "remove distress." Sound familiar?*I referenced one of my favorite used book stores Counter Point Records & Books in Los Angeles. If you enjoy vintage books, consider stopping here. Source: "NATIONAL SOCIALISM: BASIC PRINCIPLES, THEIR APPLICATION BY THE NAZI PARTY'S FOREIGN ORGANIZATION, AND THE USE OF GERMANS ABROAD FOR NAZI AIMS" by Raymond E. Murphy, Francis B. Stevens, Howard Trivers, Joseph M. Roland, Prepared in the Special Unit of the Division of European Affairs, Department of State, United States Government (1943)*Photo by Ron Jones

In a follow-up to my previous episode on the importance of teaching children to speak well, this episode goes deeply into the history of not only physical culture in schools--but also "vocal culture" in the American K-12 school system. Join me while we take a critical look at the current trends to "amplify" dysfunctional speech during school assemblies and drama productions then reference this to what was taught in 1800s "vocal education."Reference: "Manual of Physical and Vocal Training, for the Use of Schools and for Private Institutions" by Lewis B. Monroe, Superintendent of Physical and Vocal Culture in the Public Schools of Boston, Mass. (1869)*Photo: "Shure 55 AS Unidyne Dynamic Microphone" by Ron Jones

The Cambridge Dictionary defines enunciation as: "the act of pronouncing words or parts of words clearly." We have a speech crisis in America. A high percentage of current elementary children have a speech impediment. Cambridge defines impediment as: "something that makes progress, movement, or achieving something difficult or impossible."Far too many children cannot speak well enough to be understood...and it's at a crisis level NOW! Part of the root cause is spending too much time on technology instead of speaking with your own family or with other humans. The other part of the root cause, (in my opinion), stems from school closures during the pandemic. Extended school closures ruined the learning of many children and never did anything significant to "prevent" Covid. What we did "accomplish" was to create a generation of children who are mentally, physically, and spiritually damaged...and especially when it comes to speaking clearly enough to be understood. I expand on the above during this episode in hopes that it will create an awareness with adults who can take proper action to start talking with children--and in the same room together instead of being in the same room absorbed into their own tech devices.*Photo by Ron Jones

Today, we dive into the teaching points of learning just one proper repetition for the old-school "Bar Dip" strength exercise. There is a lot to it from the classical standpoint. Here's how I teach it in elementary school PE.

I started realizing in yesterday's show, while I was recording it, that I was learning more about the topic as I explained it to my listeners. Then, as I was typing up the show notes after recording, I discovered more key points that I had not understood going into the show! Here are some points I missed yesterday to help further explain and clarify the importance of syncing with others.Reference: "Beyond Culture" by Edward T. Hall (1976)*Photo by Ron Jones

This episode is a fascinating exploration and book review of "Beyond Culture" by American anthropologist Edward T. Hall. We explore Chapter 5 "Rhythm and Body Movement" and how people literally "sync" their movements together whether in close conversation or in large groups. The highlighted points here relate to the dangers of being out of sync together or "out of phase" and how this decreases progress. One of the positives coming out of the Hurricane Helene damage in states like North Carolina is people "group syncing" together and working together in time...there is a rhythm there, and when FEMA and certain government officials came into the mix--they literally ruined the group sync which made locals very MAD! Our own government is out of phase with its own people, so, if you want to rebuild America, and the world for that matter, get "in sync" and get "in phase" with others for the right reasons (First, do NO harm!).References: "Beyond Culture" by Edward T. Hall (1976); "Keeping Together in Time: Dance & Drill in Human History" by History Professor William H. McNeil (2009).*Photo by Ron Jones

Street-level reports and secondary hearsay now filtering out from the path of Hurricane Helene left me thinking something far deeper is going on here...what are "they" (MSM/Feds) trying to hide? The smell of death and body bags needed? Naked children looking for parents? Land grabs? NO food and water for DAYS? A complete incompetency of our government to render assistance to actual citizens of the US?

This year, I'm adding "survival" elements into my annual unit on situational awareness and self-defense. As I teach, these can be all quite closely related; Hurricane Helene is a prime example. Emergency supplies and preparations are part of my lesson. With my classical approach to PE, I already teach basic survival fitness skills like running, jumping, climbing, hanging, rolling, hopping, pushing, pulling, etc., so expanding this into using your body in a natural disaster situation is fairly easy for them to grasp. I hope you get something out of it and take action as needed. Take care.

As time goes on, it has become more obvious to me that so many people live their precious lives according to, and governed by, their "Social Media" credit scores. While posting nearly everything they do, what else could be done with their time that is more productive? Also, one of the reasons people have so many mental stability problems is that they do not spend enough time alone--or any. Constant noise and busyness with social media are enough to make anyone crazy.