Overtraining principle and Penitentiary lifting: is CT Fletcher on to something?

 Lately, I been feeling my workouts lacked luster, so I decided to take a look into new ways and different theories guys that I want to look more like did as their regimen. And then CT showed up on my recommended videos on youtube. I believe the first video I watched is partially titled, "I command you to grow! Biceps/Arm Day with CT Fletcher", or something to that effect. Watching just the first 30 seconds, I knew who was my newest and biggest inspiration.
 For those of you that don't know, CT is known as "The Strongest Man You Never Heard Of" since back in the 90's. He also has the most...colorful language you have ever heard too, with his most common word being Motherf---er, and it's also a term of endearment towards his fellow lifters. Either way, I saw this guy curling with arms that looked like they had bowling balls instead of biceps on them. Needless to say, I was immediately curious as to his "secret" to success. Watching more of his videos, he said there's NO secret for getting big, just busting your butt off (believe me, I'm editing for family-friendly purposes), and doing the work. Also in order to get big arms, he worked them out EVERY TIME he went into the gym, and said to hell with overtraining.
 Now hearing this at first comes as a shock. To hell with overtraining? What about getting injured? He replied what my thoughts were saying before I could think of a conclusion to his logic. He believes that overtraining was made up my people to scare everyone into thinking they have to take their time, and slowly recover, and that overtraining is bull, and before anyone write it off, they need to try it first.
 Ok, so I figured since he was being reasonable I should give it a shot. So for 4 days straight I trained arms, and the results were surprising. Although my arms were really sore by the end, I could tell they obviously grew. The amount of mass I could see that was built on was amazing! Sore, oh very much so, but I got results, and in such a short time!
 Another trick that helped me besides overtraining was penitentiary style lifting. That is, you have very short rest periods, you work your way up to your 1 rep max or 3 rep max, and work your way back down to the lightest plate until you can't even lift that anymore. You also don't need to have strict form, just get the weight from one position to the other the best way you know how if you had to.
 Not only did I gain sizeable mass, but the amount of strength increase was almost staggering too! I did chest yesterday and today, and I was able to go from struggling with 140 (I have a weak chest, I know. Also I lift by myself with no spotter), to having minor trouble with 160. In 24 hours, I gained enough strength to move 20 more pounds, and barely feel like I'm making a 100% effort. I would have added more weight, but I didn't want to push it, I was happy with what progress I made.
 Now you can take this information as bull, or you can step up and try for yourself and see if it works for you. I personally recommend this method now, and will continue to use this technique until I don't feel like doing it anymore. I'm addicted to the iron, though, so I don't think that will happen anytime soon. And feel free to check out CT Fletcher as well, as his videos can make you feel like moving mountains, or they could be off-putting to you and you won't like it.

The Psychology of Lifting

 Starting out, I had a low self-esteem, didn't think much of myself, and found myself saying "I can't" more often than I can remember. The thought of exercising as even a chore, since at the time I was at about 25% bodyfat and I started at 14, and I was being humiliated for being so big and weak. After a while though, I realized I started to change: I woke up more refreshed, I felt better overall, and I could do more, and I was losing my body fat. I felt invigorated, and became hooked.
 The point is, it increased my self-esteem, and made me feel like I had some self-worth, and everybody started realizing I was making an effort to improve myself, so I was bullied less. After a while, I started getting even bigger than the bullies, and bullied them to prove a point (at the time it seemed like a good idea, but now I know it makes me no better than them, although I did explain why I did it, and I stopped when they stopped). It's important to always remember why you started to take that first step, as it will always help when you're in a rough patch and need some motivation to keep going. I don't bully the bullies anymore, but I talk to them and see what the underlying problem is that causes them to pick on others, because the kids that pick on others are either being picked on by someone else, or they have a family issue that they don't want or can't address to anyone they can trust.
 Also as a personal experience, a few months ago I was going through depression. I was drinking a lot, I stayed away from my friends, I just didn't want to deal with anyone and stay in my room all day. I decided one day I got sick of it, and was trying to remember why I quit weight lifting. So I picked the weights up, and did a few exercises. Next thing you know, four to five months later, I feel better than ever! I been sober for that length of time and I don't feel tempted to drink again, and I feel happy, and like talking to my friends. Exercise has been shown to "cure" peoples' depression, both minor and major forms (I THINK the percentage is about 80% chance for a depressed person to go into remission after they exercised consistently for a few weeks to a month, I know it's a very high percentage).
 So the thing to keep in mind is this: exercising and weight lifting help you just as much mentally, as it does physically. Once an object is in motion, it wants to STAY in motion. While an object at rest, wants to STAY at rest. The best thing you can do for yourself when you feel a little down is go jog a mile, or even throw around some weights! It can help you feel more perky than you think!