Joseph Greenstein was a professional strongman for over 60 years. He performed world-class feats of strength in his own inimitable style until he was almost 85-years-old. The 5-foot 5-inch, 145-pound powerhouse astonished onlookers and amazed audiences with his unique look, presentation and delivery. Dubbed “The Mighty Atom,” he always stressed that his prowess came from his mind and not his body. Greenstein believed that when his mind was trained to a proper pitch, that he could exceed perceived limitations of the corporeal body. Anyone privileged to witness his act tends to agree.
Greenstein was obsessed with maximizing his athletic potential. Years of specific and focused training led him to make the astounding statement, “… there is no such thing as an involuntary response.” Meaning, Greenstein linked his body and his mind to such an extent that he was in control of usual autonomous functions such as breathing and heartbeat. “The brain rules the heart; not the other way around,” he said. This sounds impossible; Greenstein insisted it was.
His most ardent supporters, with the exception of only his strongman protege, did not and could not believe that even the Mighty Atom had the power to quell, at will, his beating heart. Greenstein hired a registered nurse and vowed to provide verifiable proof during his next act.
The nurse accompanied him on stage and monitored his heart-rate. Greenstein proclaimed to the attentive audience that controlling the body was an example of mind over matter, and placed himself in a type of meditative state. The nurse measured his pulse. Greenstein sank deeper and deeper into a certain suspended animation - his breathing stopped, his skin turned ashen, and his eyes went dull. The nurse informed the audience that the pulse was slowing. Greenstein entered his zone of control and the nurse decreed that he no longer had a pulse. Interminable seconds elapsed and the nurse began to panic. Greenstein’s heart had stopped! She ceased her monitoring and moved into position to revive Greenstein. As she began her ministrations, Greenstein snapped alive, leaped out of his chair and said, “Now you know.”
Learn from the Atom. Be mighty, and take control!
From October 2010, http://raising-a-man.tumblr.com
Greenstein was obsessed with maximizing his athletic potential. Years of specific and focused training led him to make the astounding statement, “… there is no such thing as an involuntary response.” Meaning, Greenstein linked his body and his mind to such an extent that he was in control of usual autonomous functions such as breathing and heartbeat. “The brain rules the heart; not the other way around,” he said. This sounds impossible; Greenstein insisted it was.
His most ardent supporters, with the exception of only his strongman protege, did not and could not believe that even the Mighty Atom had the power to quell, at will, his beating heart. Greenstein hired a registered nurse and vowed to provide verifiable proof during his next act.
The nurse accompanied him on stage and monitored his heart-rate. Greenstein proclaimed to the attentive audience that controlling the body was an example of mind over matter, and placed himself in a type of meditative state. The nurse measured his pulse. Greenstein sank deeper and deeper into a certain suspended animation - his breathing stopped, his skin turned ashen, and his eyes went dull. The nurse informed the audience that the pulse was slowing. Greenstein entered his zone of control and the nurse decreed that he no longer had a pulse. Interminable seconds elapsed and the nurse began to panic. Greenstein’s heart had stopped! She ceased her monitoring and moved into position to revive Greenstein. As she began her ministrations, Greenstein snapped alive, leaped out of his chair and said, “Now you know.”
Learn from the Atom. Be mighty, and take control!
From October 2010, http://raising-a-man.tumblr.com
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