Saturday, July 20, 2013

Season Wrap

Today marked the official end of long course practices.  For the majority of the team at least.  We reached a real milestone this season as we send our first swimmers to the YMCA Nationals in Atlanta next weekend. Though I won't be in attendance I still feel the excitement and anticipation that comes with standing on the national stage - the highest competition offered in our league (YMCA).

The ending of the summer season combined with sending our first national swimmers seems to offer the perfect opportunity to reflect on where we've been.

Over 6 seasons completed, swimmers come and gone, coaches come and gone.   Countless memories and friends made.  Going from sending a single swimmer to Zones to multiple swimmers to Nationals.  Our numbers have grown along with out commitment to excellence.  Of course what sticks with me the most are the faces.  Faces of swimmers and parents as we cross paths - travel together and then part ways - both changed by the time spent together.

I am thankful for those changes and those challenges that I've experienced as part of this team.  They've helped me grow as a coach and an individual.  My goal is to provide opportunities for growth and change for those I work with both at the pool and within my practice.  Physical, mental and emotional growth are needed for positive change in athletics - personal health - and community well-being.  We can all help each other and ourselves by being open to the challenges that provide opportunities for such growth.  I hope to be able to continue to bring new ideas and challenges to this team for years to come and look forward to discovering what the next season brings.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Kettlebell Training Classes

The kettlebell has been around for a while.  It has been used for decades to build both impressive strength and total body stability.  It's been a goal of mine to bring this time tested tool to my friends and neighbors on the west side of Cincinnati.  I'm happy to announce that I will begin to offer Introduction to Kettlebells at my training space in Ross within the next week or so.

Space will be limited so if you're interested in learning how to use kettlebells the right way please contact me to reserve your spot.

Tentative Training Class Schedule

Wednesday: 6:30 - 7:30pm

Friday:  6:30 - 7:30pm

Sunday: 11am-12


Friday, January 18, 2013

Reach your goals by not reaching

What do you train when you go to the gym?  Are you there for chest and back day?  Are you looking to build strength?  Tone up "problem areas?"  Get your cardio in?

Let's take a step back and remember what the point of "working out" really is, or should be.

When it comes down to it I believe people spend their time training for a fundamental reason - they want to feel better.  They want to lose weight = feel better about themselves.  They want to tone or build muscle = feel better about themselves.  They want to not hurt = feel better.

This is where we need to elicit change.  If our focus is " I want to be different" we will be setting ourselves up for unhappiness.  Not to get all Buddhist on you, but remember it's the want or craving for things that creates suffering; that means wanting to avoid the unpleasant as much as it means moving towards the things we desire.  Acceptance of where we are in this moment frees us to take wise action and move towards our goals WITHOUT the constant struggle.  Acceptance is NOT the same as resignation.  Just because you choose to be ok with your current state does not mean you are less committed to eliciting change or movement toward your goals.

Steps to consider for success in your training:

1.  Reflect on where you are and accept it (don't beat yourself up for being ________), this is where you are and it is OK.

2.  Make a plan to move toward your goal (this is where a good coach can help ;-) )

3. Trust the plan and enjoy the ride.

When you disconnect your happiness from your final destination (weight loss, strength, pain, or function goals) amazingly it becomes easier to stick to your plan and reach your goals. AND you may even find yourself ENJOYING the processes.