6 Olympic titles? In the same sporting event? That is the type of legend that you write about for a long, long time. People will talk about newly proclaimed Olympic Legend Usain Bolt for at least 2 and a half decades, maybe 2 and a half centuries (if he continues to win gold), but the biggest Olympic legend is remembered 2 and a half millenniums later! His name is Milo of Croton.

In the 5th century BC, Milo of Croton not only won 6 Olympic wrestling titles, he also won 7 Pythian Games (also conducted once every four years). Milo was the Bruce Lee of wrestling centuries ago, however enduring a much longer career. His claim to fame that earns him the title of "Ultimate Progress" involves a calf. Yes, just a simple baby cow. He allegedly would lift up and carry this calf on his shoulders. He continued to do so every single day; when the calf became a full fledge bull, he was still managing the feat through his lifestyle of daily dedication. His strength progressed as the calf progressed in its size.

Amongst his other alleged stunts, he would clasp a pomegranate in his hand and have others try to take it away from him. Even though he was holding it so tightly that no one could remove it, he never damaged the fruit. He would also tie a cord around his forehead, holding his breath, and breaking the cord by bulging the veins in his forehead. Supposedly, he could stand with his right arm at his side, his elbow against him, and hold out his hand with thumb pointed upwards and fingers spread. No one could successfully bend even his little finger.

In the end, however, all of this fame and strength did not save Milo from a less than glorious death. Legend has it that Milo was wandering through the forest when he found an old tree trunk with wedges inserted into it. In an attempt to test his strength, Milo placed his hands and, perhaps his feet, into the cleft of the trunk and tried to split apart the wood. He succeeded in loosening the wedges, which fell out, but the trunk closed on his hands, trapping him. There, according to the tale, he fell prey to wild beasts.

Let's take this opportunity to commit to our own progression in strength and endurance thorough daily commitment. Take one of our general strength elements and map out a plan to progress throughout the season.