Beginning in late August of last year, I developed a serious interest in weightlifting and the effect serious exercise has on the body. I love the science behind my fitness as much as the physical results that accompany it. Over the past five months, I have researched dozens of different fitness-related topics that benefit my workouts, my personal health, and my mind. One of these topics, which I discovered in the last week is Rhabdomyolysis.

Here is what I’ve learned about it…

Rhabdomyolysis is a musculoskeletal issue caused by the excessive production of myoglobin, due to an abnormal amount of skeletal muscle breakdown. This issue can stem from several factors, such as intense trauma, genetic disorders, recreational drugs, and intense exercise. Any number of factors, stemming from these broad categories can cause Rhabdomyolysis, however, many of the common symptoms of this syndrome correlate to those of other similar issues. Some of the common symptoms are muscle weakness, fatigue, dark urine, agitation, and bruising. For example, fatigue, dark urine, and weakness are also common symptoms of dehydration so it can be difficult to distinguish between rhabdomyolysis and other similar issues, like dehydration.

At first, these symptoms can seem relatively harmless, however, in the long run, a patient with Rhabdomyolysis can suffer kidney damage, due to the over processing of myoglobin. The safest way to prevent any kidney damage is, if any of these symptoms are experienced, to stop any exercise or exhausting labor, and go to a doctor. If a doctor suspects rhabdomyolysis, he or she will feel for tenderness in the patient’s muscles and possibly run a urine test to confirm. If excess amounts of potassium, creatine kinase, creatinine, or myoglobin are found in the urine sample, then the patient most likely is suffering from rhabdomyolysis.

Treatment for Rhabdomyolysis includes fluid recovery, medication (such as a bicarbonate), and dialysis (if severe). Patients are often told to rest, recover, and hydrate as well at home. If a mild case occurs, rest and recovery should result in nearly a full recovery of the kidneys, with little lingering pain or weakness. However, if severe, long term kidney damage can occur and prove fatal, requiring kidney removal or replacement.

As an athlete, this syndrome is something I should take seriously. I workout anywhere from four to seven times per week, which means there is a possibility that I could break down too much muscle, leading to Rhabdomyolysis. I am very careful how I treat my body, what I put myself through, and how I recover. However, this syndrome should come as a wakeup call. I need to be even more careful in my exercise, intake of protein and creatine (an excess of those can also cause kidney damage), and recovery.

The past few months I have been offered a few rare opportunities. Two of the biggest opportunities were invitations to interview and compete for a spot in the top honors program at two of my top colleges, Westmont College and Gordon College. I am still waiting to hear from the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola, which I was accepted to last year, and Texas A&M Honors.

Because my high school Freshman GPA was lower, due to a lack of maturity and drive, my invitations to honors day at these three schools came as a welcome surprise. I can only imagine that my much more respectable Junior and Senior year GPA and Gap year SAT possibly made the difference.

Attending the honors weekends at these well-respected liberal arts colleges, I have found myself in the company of top students from high schools across the country.

Here’s a glimpse into my honors weekends…

At Gordon college, my honors opportunity was unique, because I was invited to interview last year (Early Winter 2017), when1 I qualified for their second-tier honors program. However, this year I qualified for the top honors program, due to my hundred-point increase in my SAT score. I arrived on campus in early December feeling very confident, comfortable, and calm. I had been to campus four times prior, for an assortment of reasons, so I was comfortable with the campus. I had already interviewed once before, so I was confident in my ability to portray myself well. The weekend went smoothly, and I felt confident throughout the process. After the honors day activities, I had the chance to attend a Men’s basketball game and hangout with some of the recruits for the class of 2019. Overall, the experience was, personally, a success and I feel confident as I await their response.

My time at Westmont’s Augustinian weekend was a very different experience. This weekend had a very different vibe. Westmont invited half the number of candidates as Gordon did to their honors weekend, which gave the experience a very competitive feel. Coming into the weekend, I had little idea as to what to expect. I hadn’t previously been invited senior year to their honors weekend. However, despite the competitive nature, with every hour, I felt more comfortable, more confident, and had more fun. The other candidates were relatable and engaging, and I really enjoyed getting to know them. We took part in informative and deep discussions on topics from problems the church faces to artificial intelligence. By the conclusion of the weekend, I felt very confident in my performance and am excited to hear their response in late February.

These two very different honors weekends were formative experiences and could prove to be invaluable opportunities, whether I attend the honors programs or not. Both programs are prestigious and uniquely beneficial, but no matter which college I choose, I will be forever changed by the faculty, staff, and friends who impact me during my four years there. I am very grateful for these opportunities from Westmont and Gordon College.

This final was given to me live at Starbucks by my father/gap year dean without notes or the internet.

Summarize The Hero With A Thousand Faces in 3-5 sentences:

In Joseph Campbell’s Hero With A Thousand Faces, he explores the concept  of the Hero’s Journey in mythology. In cultures from China, to Norway, to Native American, the hero’s journey is the backbone of their mythology. In Buddhism, in Christianity, or in almost any other religion, there is a hero, who follows an adventure path, that Campbell calls “The Hero’s Journey.” Campbell uses the foundation of the hero’s journey to compare religions and ultimately come to the conclusion that cultures have created their religions out of an innate desire found in humans for a place in and a reason for the Cosmos.

Summarize Don’t Waste Your Life in 3-5 sentences:

Dr. John Piper’s Don’t Waste Your Life, was originally a speech he gave to a group of college students in the late 90’s on how to have a fulfilling life in God. The book’s main idea is that if you are not finding your utmost joy and fulfillment in God’s power, love, and supremacy, then you are wasting your life. Dr. Piper uses personal stories, articles, examples, and, of course, the bible to portray different ways one might be wasting their life without realizing it or admitting it. This book is not about wasting your life by making bad life decisions, or getting the wrong job; it is only about the biblical definition of wasting your life.

Summarize Her Hand In Marriage in 3-5 sentences:

Douglas Wilson writes Her Hand In Marriage as a guide to biblical dating, what he calls courtship, in the modern world. He describes how most Americans date to have fun or for selfish reasons, but that the bible calls us to person a woman for lifelong marriage. The concept of modern dating involves more activities and hanging out, often ending in break up after break up, instead of meaningful discussion intent on getting to know one another ending in marriage or, if it’s not the right person, a mutual friendship that understands that the relationship was only to get to know one another. Wilson believes that courtship will solve the harsh environment that surrounds modern dating and provide a place of learning and understanding and happy Godly marriages.

Summarize The Elements of Journalism in 3-5 sentences:

In The Elements of Journalism, Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel unpack the ten elements of modern journalism that have made writers, journalists, magazines, etc, famous. These Ten elements are: A Journalists Obligation is always to the truth, First loyalty is to the citizens/reader, The Essence of Journalism is the Discipline of Verification, Independence from faction, Monitor power and offer a voice to the Voiceless, A Forum for public criticism and compromise, Significant Interesting Relevant, Comprehensive and Proportional, Exercise Personal Conscience, Citizens Responsibility. Each of the first nine are guidelines to anyone writing information for the public. They ensure that journalism is true to its intent by the founding fathers but in the modern world. The tenth element is something applicable to all citizens, which is that it is our responsibility to be aware and vigilant when it comes to what is happening around us. New broadcasters receive thousand of tips and information per day and news would not be as accurate or extensive as it is without the care of citizens.

Summarize Talk Like Ted in 3-5 sentences:

Carmine Gallo, world renown speaker, speech editor, and consultant, writes Talk Like Ted as a summary of what he does for a living, which is advising public speakers from CEO’s to politicians. He looks to the world famous speaking platform, Ted Talk, to inform the reader of the best ways to write, prepare for, and perform a speech in any capacity or context. He centers his argument around three principals: Emotional, Novel, and Memorable. In order to give the best speech according to Gallo, you need personal stories, something new, and something memorable. He says personal stories are the best way to connect to your audience, teaching something new or something old in a new way is the best way to keep your audience engaged, and leaving them with something very memorable is the best way to impact your audience in the long-term.

Answer the following questions about The Hero With A Thousand Faces in a few sentences.

1. What is the dominant idea or motif?

The dominant idea in the book is the hero’s journey. He explores this concept in many contexts and cultures. He frequently explores tangents on different cultures, but always returns to the hero’s journey. Every chapter is a step or piece of the hero’s journey.

2. What type of work is this book (i.e. History, Fiction, Scientific, Finance, Religion)

This book is a work of comparative religion. Campbell compares dozens of religions in the context of the hero’s journey. He uses there religions similarities to come to his conclusion that cultures have created their religions out of an innate desire found in humans for a place in and a reason for the Cosmos.

3. What is the monomyth?

The monomyth, stemming from mono (one or alone) and mythos (story), is the common thread or resounding similarities among all mythology and religion. This one story is the culmination of mythology into one myth that is the foundation of all mythology. It is made up of four parts: Myth & Dream, Tragedy & Comedy, Hero & the god, and the World Navel. These four parts for the basis of all mythology: the Monomyth.

4. What are the steps of the Hero’s Journey?

The steps of the Hero’s Journey are divided into three parts: the Departure, the Initiation, and the Return. Departure is made up of Call to Adventure, Refusal of the Call, Supernatural Aid, Crossing the First Threshold, and Belly of the Whale. Initiation contains Road of Trials, Meeting With the goddess, Woman as the Temptress, Atonement with the Father, Apotheosis, and Ultimate Boon. Finally, Return is made up of Refusal of Return, Magic Flight, Rescue from Without, Crossing of the Return Threshold, Master of Two Worlds, and Freedom to Live.

5. Name three works of fiction that follow the hero’s journey.

Lord of the rings, Shannara Chronicles, and Star Wars.

6. How did this book change, reinforce, or expand your view of comparative religion?

Before reading this book, I always though it fascinating how different religions compared and contrasted. However, I never had the knowledge to explore it. Now, knowing all about the hero’s journey and comparative religion, I can accurately and astutely discuss or ponder this fascinating are of study.

7. What Flaws do you find in Joseph Campbell’s approach to religion?

Joseph Campbell is very knowledgeable in the field of religion, however he approaches it from the position of a non-believer. He acknowledges the place religion holds in filling our desire to know and understand the cosmos, but to him it hold no real supernatural truth. He doesn’t believe that God’s supernatural power and love fills this void, not simply the idea of a place in the universe. For Christians, the value is primarily found in Christ’s sacrifice, not in His whole adventure or hero’s journey; in fact, most Christians probably never think about Jesus’ personal hero’s journey, because he is not just the hero, he is the God.

This past week I had the opportunity to watch, assist, and learn from a master carpenter as he decked part of our attic. That morning, as I waited for the handyman to arrive, I was expecting a man who couldn’t get a better job and was stuck cutting pieces of wood for a living. Instead, a retired master carpenter, who spend over a decade building houses prior to becoming a handyman showed up. However, I did not know this about him until we were talking thirty minutes later. We decided to bring all of the materials up to the attic and then shape and install them all up there, so that we would spend less time going back and forth between the garage and the attic. I wondered how this “handyman” would do a good job creating a floor out of wood in the attic, in such a tight space, without a table or even a flat surface. However, as soon as we got everything up the ladder, he immediately started cutting the wood with a handsaw, propped up against his boot with perfect precision. At first I assumed it was just he had been doing this long enough that he could cut a straight line easily. Then he started shaping it to go around pipes and cords and support beams quickly and with perfect precision. Once we got talking he explained to me his impressive past in carpentry and why he was where he was in life.

I hadn’t ever judged him for who he appeared to be or for his profession, but I had no idea that anyone could be that good at carpentry. I learned that although he may struggle financially from time to time, or may have greater risk for workplace injury, he had something that he did for a living and had mastered, which is much more than many desk workers can say.

“It has been well said that mythology is the penultimate truth–penultimate because the ultimate cannot be put into words,” says Joseph Campbell, author of The Hero With A Thousand Faces. The power of mythology and its relevance to our lives rarely crosses the minds of 21st century citizens, especially in the West, where religion and fairy tale have been drowned out by politics, business and the mundane of daily life. While none of those things are bad—in fact all three are necessary facets, to some extent, of the operation of our nations—they have overwhelmed what everyone is searching for, which, according to Joseph Campbell, is this thing, this intangible place, a life, or adventure, that matches what can been seen in ancient mythology and to ultimately understand our place in the Cosmos. A Hero’s Journey.

Campbell centers his argument around identity, in that every so-called hero succeeds not because of who they are, but because of what they discover. An understanding of the cosmic state—that everything is part of a large system, in which everyone is connected and everything is set-up for us to eventually reach a set destination—is more powerful than any sword, any magic or any power of the gods. “And the exploration of [the divine] dimension, either willingly or unwillingly, is the whole sense of the deed of the hero.” Take, for example, the story of Christianity. According to Campbell, the point of the story is the realization that God is love, that God is everything and that we are all connected through Him. “The good news, which the World Redeemer brings and which so many have been glad to hear, zealous to preach, but reluctant, apparently, to demonstrate, is that God is love, that He can be, and is to be, loved, and that all without exception are His children.” Campbell uses this example to demonstrate how through this belief system followers can fulfill their inner desire, which is to be connected through some cosmic power, impossible to be understood, but necessary to believe to satisfy this inner desire.

As expected, due to this book’s focus on mythology, Campbell also discusses Good and Evil, Mortality and Fate and Free Will. According to Campbell, each of these sub-categories of mythology are meant to demonstrate the balance in the universe. A hero may seem good, because he/she sets out to solve a problem that will benefit many people, but along their journey the hero must come to the realization that they are just as much evil as they are good. Fate and free will are also balanced. The hero can make their own decisions, take wrong turns or do the wrong thing, but in the end, Fate cannot be denied, she will get her way. “Perhaps some of us have to go through dark and devious ways before we can find the river of peace or the highroad to the soul’s destination.” Campbell argues that our body will deviate from our fate because we cannot understand it all at once, but our soul knows where we are heading and it ultimately guides us to our fated destination. And death, another piece of mythology, is yet another part of the hero’s journey, an event that helps guide the hero to his/her place in the universe. Just as Evil is balanced with good and fate with free will, death’s importance in the journey is balanced with life’s fulfillment.

Finally, Campbell argues that spirituality, religion and belief are all ways of trying to understand our set place in the cosmic system. We all desire to discover this place, so we try different physical ways of achieving this (whether money, power, respect or any other). Once these methods have failed, we turn to religion or science, a belief, in order to discover where we belong so that we can live that craved adventure within our place in the universe.

“The multitude of men and women choose the less adventurous way of the comparatively unconscious civic and tribal routines. But these seekers, too, are saved—by virtue of the inherited symbolic aids of society, the rites of passage, the grace-yielding sacraments, given to mankind of old by the redeemers and handed down through millenniums. It is only those who know neither an inner call nor an outer doctrine whose plight truly is desperate; that is to say, most of us today, in this labyrinth without and within the heart. Alas, where is the guide, that fond virgin, Ariadne, to supply the simple clue that will give us courage to face the Minotaur, and the means then to find our way to freedom when the monster has been met and slain?”

• The Hero With A Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell

Campbell comes to the conclusion that each of our psyches understand what we want within our place in the universe. All we have to do is follow our own hero’s journey to learn from our own psyche and that of others to allow us to find our place in the cosmos and to best live in it. That is our innermost desire, whether we know it or not.

This date, September 1, 2018, marked the start of a journey, a hero’s journey-of sorts-one that will who’s fruit will remain far beyond its years…

I guess I really should have said “far beyond its year” because I am speaking strictly of my gap year, which as stated in the name, entails only one year off from school; an opportunity to experience a hint of adult life, including all the enjoyable and less enjoyable moments. Many different projects of sorts kicked off September 1, including my first official gap-year-great-books-program book called The Hero With A Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell, my internship with my father, my regular blogging, my new workout program, basketball training and a few other less glamorous tasks. These mostly consist of learning and growing in areas of cleanliness and organization, whether at home, at work or elsewhere.

I will start with the fun stuff: basketball and working out. Throughout the summer, I had been going to a weekly semi-organized pick up basketball league just to continue to stay proficient and to have fun. It for a while was each Wednesday from 8:00-9:30 p.m., however after a month or two in moved to every Monday at the same time. This schedule change actually ended up being far more beneficial than I realized at the time. Soon after the start or school, Wednesday youth group would also start back up, which meant I had a more pressing responsibility as a leader each Wednesday night during the same time as basketball. Now, that would not be an issue. Moreover, the same coach who organized this pick-up recommended that if I wanted to start individualized training again, he would recommend I come Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. At the start of September 2018, I did in fact resume training, which meant that I could consolidate my scheduled basketball time into two and a half hours each Monday night, instead or one hour Monday and one and a half on Wednesday. So I now do this every Monday from 7:00-9:30 p.m. I also try to practice as much as I have time for during the rest of the week. Perhaps the most exciting things for me that I begun this month was my new workout regime. Built upon years of lifting experience from my school strength trainer, various workout videos/routines and a lot of research I have created a workout routine that in the past month has produced results head and neck above anything else that I have ever done. In just 5 short weeks, I have gain 18 pounds, consisting of muscle, water weigh and most importantly very, very low amounts of fat (which is very hard when bulking in a traditional way). I am very excited to see where my body goes in the next few months as I strive to get in basketball-ready shape. I have also been doing a combination of long and short distance running to stay in good cardiovascular shape as well as to stay lean. Finally, once I reach my goal of 215 lbs, I plan on going on a leaning process, which I have already started researching, in order to drop a little fat, keep muscle and most importantly get a very high cardio proficiency as well as work on my vertical, which I am also happy to say has not gone down at all despite the 18 pounds that I have gained. I cannot wait to keep going with this process.

Now, moving onto less physical and more mental activities, I have begun a few things to maintain/improve my mental ability for school next fall. I started our homemade Great Books program intent upon building my reading speed and quality in preparation for whichever college I attend (especially if I choose Biola, because I would attend their honors program which is built around reading a book a week). I haven’t quite reached a book per week, but I am learning to enjoy reading. This month I read, as I mentioned before, The Hero With A Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell. I wont go into too much detail because I will soon be posting specifically about it and what I have learned from it. I have also started posting on this site more often and learning how to write alaWSJ (meaning like a Wall Street Journal article) and in general how to write in a less argumentative way. This post is not written in that way because it is just an update, but hopefully my growth will be evident throughout my next posts. I have also nearly finished writing a WSJ-esc article about the relationship between an Erudite, a Pontificator and a Pedantic, which I will post as soon as it is finished.

Finally, I have begun two internships, one with my father, which includes attending some of his meetings as well as the occasional lesson on Marketing, business, content management, web design or any other related topic. The second internship is with State Representative Jason Isaac at the Capitol. I work in his office responding to letters, emails and phone calls. I read these, type them into a Content Management System (CMS) for others in the office to view as well as to keep a record of everyone who contacts the office. I also run errands and do whatever else is asked of me.

Each of these opportunities listed above have given me the tools to grow in many different areas and ultimately have an effective and beneficial gap year. I strive to improve myself in mind, body, and spirit and feel that I have effectively begun to do so. Using my workout routine and basketball schedule I have improved my body, with my blogging, reading, interning and working at the YMCA and Cow Tipping Creamery I have improved my mind and at Church and leading youth group I have improved myself spiritually. I know that these experiences will last me far beyond the days, weeks and months of my gap year into college, into early adulthood and into the rest of my life. I am very grateful for each and everyone of the people that made these things possible.

By Year

Freshman Year

Honors Ancient Literature, Honors Ancient History, Latin III,  Advanced Geometry, Advanced Physics, Art Design I, Bible

Sophomore Year

Honors Medieval Literature, Honors Medieval History, Latin V, Advanced Algebra II, Advanced Chemistry, Art Design II, Rhetoric I, Jazz Band

Junior Year

Honors European Literature, Honors European History, Latin VI, Pre-Calculus, Biology, Honors Art, Apologetics, Jazz Band

Senior Year

Honors American Literature, Honors American History, Calculus I, Molecular Biology, Rhetoric II, Jazz Band

To see an overview of my academic journey see Academics.