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Articles by Samuel Valdez
🧠How I Finally Learned to Train Abs (Thanks to Arnold’s Book)
For years, I thought sit-ups and leg raises were the key to a six-pack. But after reading The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger, everything changed. Arnold breaks down ab training with clarity and purpose. According to him, the most effective ab movements are crunch-based — where the rib cage and pelvis move toward each other and the spine actually curls. Sit-ups? They mostly work the hip flexors, not the abs. The same goes for leg raises.
Why Boldness Beats Brains When It Comes to Wealth
Reading Reflections from a Beginner Investor One lesson really stood out to me this week: in the real world, boldness wins more often than intelligence. In Chapter 5 of Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki explains that the rich don’t wait for opportunities — they create them. It’s not always the smartest people who succeed. It’s the ones who take action, push past fear, and use their creativity to build income streams. That hit home for me.
In Memory of Alexandria ("Lexi") A. Rubio
On May 24, 2022, Alexandria "Lexi" Aniyah Rubio, daughter of Kimberly Mata-Rubio, a St. Mary's University senior majoring in History, was killed in the tragic mass shooting at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The entire St. Mary's community of students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters extends our deepest condolences to Kimberly, Felix Rubio, her husband, their extended family and all those affected.
Bandana to backpack: Double-edged sword of minority fear
Opinion Beat, beat, beat — the constant rapid heart pump in my chest. Did I just finish running? Is it my irregular heartbeat creeping up? Nah, that’s fear entering my head again. What is there to fear? This is a question I’ve asked since adolescence. Twenty-one years of my life have passed, and I think I finally found my answer. Besides losing my whole sneaker collection, I know what I fear the most. nelson mandela “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
Review: 'Starboy' is The Weeknd's best work yet - The University Daily Kansan: Arts And Culture
"Starboy" is full of transitional songs. Anyone who listens to the album in its entirety or shuffle through it will get the same experience. The Weeknd does a sensational job producing songs that go smoothly with his skillful voice and switching it up to a hard hitting, pivot beat, showing the world he can spit a bar or two. This multi-faceted approach is my favorite component of this album. The Weeknd has a rare voice, however, the man is multitalented as a musician.
Valdez: Travis Scott successfully avoids the sophomore slump with "Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight" - The University Daily Kansan: Arts And Culture
"Birds" is loaded with star power. Some of the album's features include the The Weeknd, Kid Cudi, Andre 3000, 21 Savage and Kendrick Lamar. With "Birds," Scott has successfully avoided the sophomore slump that so many artists have. The album as a whole has a similar sound to the tracks "New Slaves" and "Guilt Trip" from Kanye West's "Yeezus," an album that Scott helped to produce. If you want an album to listen to before going out with the crew, this is the album for you.
Heights Q&A(s)
Andrew Ingersoll is a junior at Heights. Andrew enjoys kicking back, playing PlayStation with his friends, and playing basketball at the YMCA. Q: How did you get your name? A: I’m named after my father, Andy. Q: What dream are you chasing? A: I want to be an engineer. Q: What are your main goals in life? A: Graduate from college, and to have a successful career that can provide my family everything they need. Q: How do you overcome adversity?
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