Is it God's fault?

Enough is enough, I can’t take any more!

Exhausted and angry, my knees hit the floor!

Looking to heaven, how can this be?

Is this really the life you’ve chosen for me?

Everyone else it seems, has an easier path.

What did I do so wrong to deserve your wrath?

I sat there in silence, waiting a reply

Why won’t you answer, was my next cry

It seemed like forever, then a small voice

Oh, my child, all of this, was never my choice

It hurts me so much to see you suffer so,

There is so much that I need you to know.

Where you are in life’s journey, isn’t from me

Let’s look how you got here, then maybe you’ll see

Let there be life, I gave the decree!

But I also decided that your will would be free.

Since Adam and Eve, and to this day it is so

I gave you life, some talents, and let you grow.

Talents? What Talents? This just isn’t fair

Everyone else got them all and you don’t even care!!

My child sometimes its difficulty to see

What’s from the world and what is from me,

Everyone starts life’s journey, exactly the same way,

With a blank canvas, added to day by day.

When you are little, others must teach you

Names of everything and of course lots of rules.

This education is important to help you start to grow

Names, places and faces they all start to flow.

The adults in your life shape your early years

You learn what they like, what they don’t, what they fear!

Can you remember, when you were small?

The dreams that you had, no worries at all.

Talking with friends, the path was so clear,

All the things you would do in the coming years!

A Doctor, a lawyer, fireman or a vet

Everything was possible, success a sure bet!

You’d live in a big house, down by the sea

Or up in the mountains surrounded by trees.

No doubt you’d create the life that you dreamed,

It was all for the taking, at least that’s how it seemed.

Then the people in your life started teaching something new,

All the opinions and expectations, they had for you.

You’re athletic, artistic, brilliant or smart

Some labels and opinions sound great from the start.

But some labels can also cause damage and pain,

You’re clumsy, or stupid, how much weight have you gained?!

Some people are kind, while others are not

They throw labels on our canvas, with very little thought

Our canvas fills up with the good and the bad,

With good memories and also those that are sad.

Along come teachers, coaches and friends

With more opinions, labels, it all starts to blend

Somewhere along the journey, you added labels too

You came up with what, you thought about you       

I’m pretty! I’m Ugly! I’m Stupid! I’m Smart!

I’m athletic, NO, I’m fat and no good at art!

So many opinions, labels, stories and fears,

Our life canvas gets messy throughout the years!

It can get real confusing trying to figure it out

There are times where it seems you have nothing but doubts!

Where is it all going? You want to know why?

Sometimes you fail no matter how hard you try?

The journey of life has lots of twists and turns

Sometimes you win, sometimes you get burned!

Whether it’s been easy or miserable beyond compare

Everyone reaches the point and finally becomes aware

Your life is a painting that started long before you knew

And one that can only be completed by you!

Everyone has to decide what they will do,

With your life painting that’s been handed to you!

Do you leave it, as you got it, add nothing new?

Or do you take up the challenge to see it through?

Remember the Parable of the Talents, I told long ago?

The Master gave the servants talents, and let them go.

Two doubled what they were given, then when the Master returned

They received praise for what they had earned!

The third one was afraid and buried what he had

He thought he was safe, but the Master was mad!

The amount of talents didn’t matter, one, ten or a few.

The question was simple “what did you do with what I gave you?”

You still have the choice to this very day

Do you maximize your talents or bury them away?

So what is the answer?  I said in disbelief

I asked for your help!  Some kind of relief!

Sometimes the answers aren’t simple or what we want to hear

Life is a journey and the end isn’t near.

You can hold on to the resentment, bitterness and strife,

Or you can pick up the brush and work on your life!

The past is the past, what’s done is done

You have to crawl, before you can walk or run!

The state of your life painting has little to do

With the life that’s still in front of you!

You can decide today to start making some changes

Moving toward your dreams takes rearranging!

The possibilities are still endless, just like when you were a child,

Start dreaming again, let your imagination go wild

Add color to your life by learning, let the ideas flow

Nurture your talents and watch them grow!

I’ve always been here and always will be

But where you end up won’t be because of me!

The "Real" Story of Life!

 

Ever since I wrote Life Pioneers and ended it with the analogy of life being a painting I've wanted to carryout the idea.  I've talked to a few artists about the idea but it never went anywhere.  Then I was asked to speak at Q Commons and I prayed about what I should talk about.  A couple nights later I woke up with an answer.  A vivid picture of what I needed to do.  So here is my attempt to bring to life the thought I received...

 

 

We all start out wanting our lives to work and our dreams to come true.  The world is full of critics, cynics, and those who through around stereotypes.  Sadly, we all must face bullies in our lives, those who want to tear us down.  But remember, it's your master piece to complete and we aren't the only ones who were not treated well. 

What did you do with what I gave you?

“In the parable, the landlord gives one person five talents, the next person two, and the other person just one. The talents referred to in the parable were a lot of money at the time. The first two went out and used the talents to make even more, actually doubling their amounts. The third one was so afraid that he would lose the talent, he buried it. When the landlord returned, he was very pleased with the first two servants, but he chastised the third one for hiding the talent and not doing anything to increase it.

“I believe that this is what God expects from us, during our lives. I believe he has given every one of us everything we need to fulfill our purpose here on earth, but the only way you can truly find your purpose is to go out and put your talents to work, grow and develop them. Nowhere does it say that they just sat and prayed for the talents to increase. The first two went out and did what the third one couldn’t fathom; they put their talents at risk. The third one was paralyzed by fear. What if the risk failed, and they lost what they were given; what would have happened to them, then? But the first two didn’t let this fear stop them. They went out and made good decisions and were rewarded for the risk they took.

“It’s just like the flat earth we talked about, most people limit themselves to stay put out of fear. God gave us all free will and, with it, the chance to choose. He also gave us guidelines for how he wants us to live our lives, but he left it up to us to choose how we live and what relationship we maintain with him. Most people pray for things they want, money, fame, or some relationship, and I’ve always thought God must just shake his head and think, ‘It’s all there for you, just go make it happen.”  (excerpt from Life Pioneers:  The Edge of Possibility!)

Matthew 25: 14 - 30

14 "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property;

15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more.

17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more.

18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.

19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, `Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'

21 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.'

22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, `Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'

23 His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.'

24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, `Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow;

25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'

26 But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed?

27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.

28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.

29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.'”

As he read through it again, for the first time, he realized the power of the parable and understood that what had driven his Grandpa, throughout his life, was the desire to someday hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.” As thought about his Grandpa, the man seemed to grow a little larger.

We hide or bury our talents for many reasons, our personal fears and limitation and those placed on us from others.  Even when you have some level of success people with question your motives and why you continue to pursue improvement.  Most people can't understand that the question cannot be answered until our judgement day. 

www.alifepioneer.com

Here's to all the Giants in our lives...

A Giant of a Man

 

A giant of a man stood before me,

I trembled in fear for I a child of three.

But this Giant seemed different than others I had seen

He wasn’t really scary, not the slightest bit mean.

 

This Giant a constant, through my childhood,

A calming presence, bringing only good.

A Tenderness in this giant I found,

For a growing sprout, I found solid ground.

 

A giant of a man stood before me,

Hard work he said you will find is the key.

Two dollars to pile wood shaped like stakes?

I’d have done it for free, for goodness sake.

 

This Giant worked with me side by side,

To keep up this Giant, Oh how I tried.

But his energy level it never decreased,

The man never slowed down, he worked like a beast.

 

A Giant of a man stood before me,

But I am now a man of thirteen, surely he must see.

I put out my hand, for my strength I would show.

His grip buckled my knees; how could it be so?

 

This Giant showed me many a skill,

 And I the young pupil wanted my fill.

I thought Giant’s educations were limited so,

And yet how he made my knowledge of the world grow

 

I returned from college to visit the giant,

In respect I came, there was no defiance.

Where is the giant, his presence I ask? 

And out came my Grandpa, age was his mask.

 

A Giant of a man stood before me,

Elderly, yes, but his presence still dwarfed me.

This giant of a man, never afraid of the day,

Work must be done; it’s the only way.

 

Where is the Giant, his advice I now seek?

A man I have become of a child so meek.

Stature decreased and time has slowed his pace,

With a Giant of a man I now stand face to face.

 

A Giant of a man, once stood before me,

I welcome the giant, but how can it be?

The giants now my size in stature you see.

But in my mind a giant he will always be.

 

The call I received that the Giant is gone,

It cannot be true, you must be wrong.

No, it is true, even Giants must go

Even out of giants the life force must flow.

 

How I loved the Giant, but the words were not there,

God, please tell him I loved him; it just wasn’t fair.

I didn’t tell him in person, and sorry am I,

Alone with my thoughts, and the tears that I cry.

 

Grandpa, I’ll miss you, how can this be?

The family I’ve raised you won’t get to see.

In strength and honor I grow your family tree,

For a giant of a man once stood before me. 

Your Life! Are you creating a Masterpiece?

He thought about the conversations he would have many years from now with his grandson and staying focused on creating a life worth sharing.  As he got out his painting supplies he thought about how life is a painting and we all hope to create a masterpiece someday that will hang in the memories of others but unlike the blank canvas that we was looking at we aren’t the ones who start the painting.  We don’t get to pick the canvas we want to use or the initial strokes of paint.  We don’t choose our parents and thus the environment we are raised in.  Life is definitely not paint by numbers set. There is not instruction on which color to put where, but then again there are no paint by number paintings hanging in museums.  You won’t find any paint by number paintings that are revered as masterpieces. We receive a product that is the accumulation of the good and bad of others.  Some people want to help us create our masterpiece and carefully guide us to learning how to complete the work, encouraging us to make bolder strokes, teaching us how to blend colors and have a vision of what we can accomplish. While others carelessly throw paint around; some even damage the canvas and the frame.  There is pain and heart ache represented as cuts, tears or burns to our canvas.  And yet regardless of the shape of the painting when we become aware of it, it becomes our responsibility to complete the work. 

 Sadly, he thought, so many people give up and live with the painting they have been given and resign themselves to the state it is in and never seek to turn it into a masterpiece.  Or worse allow people to continue to damage their painting.  We have no choice as a child of who are parents were and where we were raised but as we move into adulthood we have complete control over who we allow to access our developing masterpiece.  Our beliefs become our destiny and if we give up believing in ourselves and the possibilities that exist we give up on our masterpiece and yet so many people surround themselves with people who have also given up on their masterpiece.  Their world becomes small and flat and their masterpiece goes unfinished.

Yet others acknowledge the state of the painting and then decide what they need to do to begin to turn it into a masterpiece, day by day they make a few new strokes, begin to repair the broken frame, the tears, cuts and burns and move closer to the end result.  They learn new techniques and work toward mastery.  They seek out others who can help them work on their masterpiece; coaches, supporters, instructors and mentors.  They accept responsibility for completing the work and who they allow access to their developing work of art.  They befriend and collaborate with others who are working to develop their own masterpiece and encourage them.   They see all of the possibilities hidden in the developing work.  They realize that you can’t create a masterpiece overnight.   It will take years of effort but that the journey will be worth it and someday their children and grandchildren will marvel at the masterpiece that was created.  Then they will be ready to coach and guide them to developing their own masterpiece.

 He thought about the future and the conversations he would have with his grandson and having a better answer to ‘what did you do with what I gave you?’  But, there is still a lot of painting to be done to complete his life master piece.

The conclusion from my book "Life Pioneers:  The Edge of Possibility!"  check it out on www.alifepioneer.com or on Amazon. 

A Life Pioneer-Lessons from Columbus

It's finally happened!  I've finally launched a web page about my passion of being a Life Pioneer.  It all started a couple of years ago with writing my first book.  While I continue to be involved and see patients at TERRIO Physical Therapy, I want to also pursue helping others to become Life Pioneers and seek out the life they have always wanted!  So check out www.alifepioneer.com to learn more or to purchase any of my books. 

While writing the book, I came to identify with Christopher Columbus.  The more I learn of his story the more value I see.  One of his early trips ended in a ship wreck yet he continued to pursue his dream.  A lesson for all those chasing dreams, there will be a few wrecks/failures.  What I find interesting is that he finally convinced the King of Spain to payroll his mission.  Defying conventional wisdom of the times he went with the theory that the world was a sphere but he had it around 63% of the actual size.  So actually if he hadn't hit unexpectedly we would have run out of provisions.  Lesson 2:  Sometimes what you run into is unexpected but beneficial.  Had he run out of provisions then the story would have ended there.  But, he stumbled onto something he didn't expect and it actually not only saved him, it made him rich.  The King of Spain granted him title and riches for the discovery.  A true success story for a pioneer!  Well almost!  After establishing a settlement in the new world Columbus returned to Spain leaving the settlement under the supervision of his brothers.  They completely failed leading to natives burning down the settlement. Lesson 3:  be very careful who you trust with your success.  Upon his return he enslaved the local inhabitants to force them to rebuild everything.  He decided to keep the slaves to continue to build the new land.  The problem was the King of Spain was against slavery so when he learned of what Columbus was doing he had him brought back in chains.  Columbus was stripped of all title and wealth.  A true rags to riches back to rags story.  A true entrepreneur he convinced the King to let him make one more trip to make things right.  He was granted some of his previous wealth but never fully recovered. 

The story of Columbus and his brothers encompasses the lament of the visionary/pioneer (entrepreneur if you like).  You take a risk and if you are successful you need to eventually rely on others but who do you trust.  If you are wrong it can destroy your dreams, if you are right it can take you to new heights.  While there are a lot of books and opinions it remains a difficulty thing to navigate.  I believe the answer lies in what visionaries like the least...Structure.  While the visionary/pioneer thrives in the growth mindset, free to make changes on the fly and exploring all possibilities, in reality very few people have that skill set.  There will always be confusion and friction unless the visionary realizes that they see the world differently and need to set up or have someone set up the structure to keep the settlement going so they are free to continue to explore.

Nutrition is NOT a Religion!

 

We just wrapped up our New Year's Weight Loss, Health & Wellness Challenge!  It was awesome to see all the positive changes people made in adopting new, healthier habits.  The goal of our program is to make sensible, sustainable changes.  During the Challenge I did weekly webinars on the steps of our program.  I wanted to share the nutrition part in hopes that you will understand the basics of nutrition.  I hope you will enjoy...

 

 

 

We are currently ramping up for our TERRIOFit Active Summer Challenge!  A 12 Week Comprehensive wellness program.  We assure that everyone is given the appropriate level of workout regardless of their starting point.  With my background as a physical therapist, athletic trainer and strength & conditioning specialist we have the knowledge to help everyone from those with medical issues/injuries, or who have been sedentary for long periods to those who are already at a high level but want to take it to the next level with a medical professional.   The most important thing is that we are not a 'Gym', we are a Therapeutic Health & Wellness Center.  All of our programs are under constant supervision.  We do not have an 'open' format where people come in and do their own thing.  We maintain a professional environment, free of judgment and intimidation.  Check us out at www.myTERRIO.com.  

The One belief that kills most attempts to get healthy

 

Several weeks ago we started our TERRIOFit Weight Loss, Health and Wellness Challenge.  Today during my weekly webinar with those in the program we covered something that I absolutely know needs to be shared.  There is so much talk about the need to improve people's Health.  On Saturday, my new nonprofit, 'Health Through Wholeness' hosted "Pathways to a Healthy Heart" and over 100 people were able to hear from the top cardiologists, internal medicine physicians, psychologists, a priest and a registered dietician about the need to get healthy through increased activity and improved nutrition.  I believe that true wellness requires not only physical but also mental, emotional and spiritual health and our panel of speakers reflected that.  After listening to all these experts speak and then doing the webinar today, it became clear that I need to share this portion with as many people as possible.  One of the missions of my new nonprofit is to shine light on misinformation, myths and fallacies.  I believe that this is the biggest single reason that kills most peoples attempts to become physically healthy. 

 

 

I know this saying "No Pain=No Gain" is etched in stone for the hard core fitness fanatics out there.  If you are a hard core exerciser and you have your routine, great, good for you, keep doing what you're doing until it doesn't work. BUT for the person who has been injured, ill or just sedentary for a long time then this is a recipe for disaster.  If you do not follow this simple first rule of conditioning the rest of them won't matter.  You will end up injured either physically or demotivated mentally.  Once you understand this first principle then you are ready to move on to the others.  Getting healthy is a journey, not a sprint.  As we say at TERRIO, the first step is to Get Informed. 

Finding the Right Weight Loss, Health and Exercise Program for you.

 

The endless parade of weight loss potions and programs can be confusing.  Promises of fast and easy weight loss without exercise or changing diets.  How do you make sense of all of it?  Start with an understanding of the principles of exercise and conditioning and the effect of exercise/activity on the human body. 

 

 

 

 

 

www.myTERRIO.com

With the failure rate of diets, it's time for something new!

Welcome to the TERRIOFit Weight Loss, Health and Wellness Challenge!  There are some key principles of the program that I'd like to get you acquainted with.  These are part of the introductory webinar.  We'll lay out the key principles and then each week we'll be expanding the information to help you on your journey! 

 

 

 

 

 

www.myTERRIO.com

95% of New Year's Resolutions Fail! It's time for a change!

The TERRIOFit Weight Loss, Health &Wellness New Year’s Challenge!  Our program will bring you PEACE of mind. 

Participation-Our program encourages participation in a fun, non-intimidating, non-judgmental environment.  We are not a gym we are a Therapeutic Fitness Center, but don’t worry you will still get a great workout.

Evaluation-our proprietary fitness test (Terrio Endurance & Strength Test) will determine the appropriate starting point for your current fitness level.   Our metabolic testing shows us your metabolic rate and the right meal plan for you to reach your goals.

Accountability-We actually want you to show up and will encourage you through your journey.  We will retest during the program to show you the progress you are making.

Connection-Our small group training lead by your Wellness Coach is a fun and interactive format where you will learn the proper techniques of exercise and conditioning. 

Education-From the book, the Healthy Family Evolution and workbook to the webinars and seminar you will learn about Health and Wellness from a variety of medical professionals. 

The 12 Week TERRIOFit Challenge is designed to help you on your journey to Weight Loss, Health & Wellness regardless of where you are starting.  Our comprehensive program includes all the evaluations, training 2 or 3 times a week under the supervision of a Wellness Coach, Meal Plans designed by Registered Dieticians and education from medical professionals all for less than $30 per week.  You will also be in the running for our grand prize of $1,500 Travel Voucher from Uniglobe Travel. 

If you are ready for a sensible, sustainable program that is scientifically based, created by medical professionals call us today (661)410-3343 to reserve your spot!  more info at www.myTERRIO.com

Register for Take the Challenge! Webinar on Jan 6, 2015 12:05 PM PST at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8967638090439905793

95 % of New Year's Resolutions Fail! Is 2015 time for you to start a different approach to weight loss, health, and wellness?
Learn about the new comprehensive wellness challenge designed by TERRIO Therapy- Fitness, Inc.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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New Years Resolutions:Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail!

“Oh, why can't every day be like Christmas, Why can't that feeling go on endlessly. For if every day could be just like Christmas. What a wonderful world this would be.” The lyrics sung by Elvis Presley (written by Red West) beautifully capture the sentiment of good will to our fellow man.  It would be wonderful if we lived that way all the time and yet we know that is simply not the case.  Immediately following Christmas thoughts shift to the New Year as we recount the year that has come to an end and look forward to a new beginning.  The annual rite of New Year’s Resolutions become a major topic of conversation.  Full of hope we determine what we will finally accomplish in the New Year.  We are resolute, which is defined as admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.  January 1^st, well maybe the 2^nd, the race begins and we are off in a flash to make our goal a reality. Gyms swell to over capacity as people are sure this is the year they will lose weight and get healthy.  The regular gym goers are frustrated by the sudden influx of people.  The gym owners are excited by all the new business and everyone knows that it is only a matter of time before everything returns back to normal. 

It is commonly reported that 92-95% of New Year’s Resolutions will end in failure but why?   I believe the major reason for the high failure rate is correlated to the amount of time we spend planning out the strategy for accomplishing the Resolution.  A majority of resolutions are really changes we want to make in our behavior and there is the problem.  While we would like to believe that we can simply will the new behavior into existence the truth is that changing behavior is incredibly difficult requiring a thoughtful plan and time.  Luckily, we have a couple of options, we can do the research and create our plan or we can find someone who already has a plan and utilize theirs.  Both of these options start at the same point…who do I believe?  The internet is filled with both information and misinformation and there are endless programs to choose from.  The endless parade of “experts” further confuses the issue.  Friends and families have suggestions, opinions, and stories.  The real truth is that there isn’t one program or facility that is perfect for everyone but for behavior change there are some basic things we know from research. 

The first step of any program is to realize that it will be a journey not a sprint.  It takes several weeks to replace an old habit with a new one. Once you’ve accepted this realization you need an honest opinion of your starting point.  Since I live in the physical therapy and fitness world I’ll use it as the example.  If your Resolution is to lose weight, get fit or become more active before launching into a fitness program it is vital that you resolve any lingering injuries or pains.  The human body is a kinetic chain and like any chains stress will find the weakest link and the chain will break there.  Once free of injuries and pain then determining your current fitness level is equally important.  A comprehensive assessment should include a cardiovascular, flexibility and strength assessment.  Regardless of what you know about exercise and fitness LOGIC should be present.  The reason you do the assessment is to determine the appropriate level of exercise.  If you can only do a few minutes of exercise without getting out of breath then the program shouldn’t start with 1 hour of intense exercise.  But, sadly this is exactly what happens for way to many people starting exercise programs.  Either there is absolutely no assessment or there is but it is disregarded and people are put into inappropriately difficult programs.  Not only will your body become painful but your mind will begin to come up with reasons and justifications to stop the program.  Thus a majority of Resolutions are doomed to fail from the beginning. 

The human body is amazingly complex, so make sure you only take advice from those who have actually studied anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology.  Those who understand the science behind exercise and the body’s response to the stresses placed upon it.  For some reason when it comes to fitness and exercise we make judgments based off of physical appearance of the professional and not their education.  “Look at him/her they obviously know what they are talking about!”  Would you take your Ferrari to someone who looks like a mechanic or would you research what they know about your car first???  

The Weakest Link!

As the high school football and volleyball seasons wind down the inevitable truth becomes a reality for more teams...there can only be one champion!  Every season starts with the excitement of possibility, promise and hope only to give way to the inevitable reality of competition, goals are either attained or they are not.  I believe it is this finality that makes sports so alluring.  The other reality of team sports is that it takes a team to win.  While the age old adage is true that there is no "I" in team, there is also truth in the fact that a team is only as good as the weakest player.  Teams will set their goals but the reality is that the success of the team will come down to each players individual commitment to improve themselves.  Champions are not created during the season or during the scheduled practices, they are created by daily deliberate discipline and determination.  Improvements will come slowly and only maximized through the compounding interest of consistency. 

The first step in the process of maximizing athletic potential is an honest assessment of all aspects of performance.  While some aspects of performance are the obvious focus, specifically skill, speed, strength and power there is an overlooked yet vital piece of the puzzle.  The one thing that can destroy all attempts at improving performance in an instant is injury.  Yet, every year athletes suffer a variety of injuries during the season but give them little to no attention after the season.  Athletes jump back into offseason training regimes or move on to the next sport without completely resolving the injuries that they have sustained.  The human body has an incredible ability to compensate for injury in one area by utilizing secondary muscles.  A friend of mine with 30 years of experience in athletic training coined the phrase "continue your rehab until your weakness becomes your strength" and yet laments the fact that year after year athletes will rehab an injury only until they return to participating then abandon the program.  Not completing the rehab process and fully recovering range of motion and strength ratios is simply setting up the body for future injury.  The body is a kinetic chain and just like any chain is only as strong as the weakest link.  Sports by their very nature place extreme levels of stress and strain on the body repeatedly. 

Once an injury has occurred not only is there the initial tissue damage but there is an immediate onset the compensation pattern.  In response to the injury some muscles become inhibited or weak and other muscles spasm to protect the joint.  These initial responses lead to changes in joint alignment or posture which then changes the mechanics of the joint.  These changes can be subtle and overlooked especially when the initial pain and disability of the original injury reduce and yet they remain.  Thus, the first step of any offseason training should focus on resolution of these patterns, including specific stretching or strengthening to reduce the compensation patterns.  The subtle aspect of sports training is overlooked by most athletes as they are focused on increasing strength, speed and skill.  Hours are spent running, lifting, and practicing skill only to be negated when the injury reemerges or the new stresses of the compensation pattern create a new overuse injury. 

The premise of "Periodization" in sports training is to break the year into smaller progressive training cycles which build on each other to have the athlete in optimal condition at the onset of the next season.  Lack of planning or skipping phases will decrease the effectiveness of the overall program. The first phase or "corrective" phase is the most vital component of the process but the most likely to be skipped. If a the body is only as strong as its weakest link and a team is only as strong as its weakest player then maybe we are missing the most important part of preparing athletes. 

Becoming a Champion!

We are the Champions!  The grand culmination of each sports season!  Players and Coaches rush the field in celebration of reaching this elusive goal as the fans go crazy!  There is nothing like the feeling of becoming a champion and yet it is a feeling that very few ever experience.  The reason it is so valuable lies in how rare it is.  Only one team gets the title each year, the unbridled joy from one team is a stark contrast to the pain of the other.  With the end of every sports season comes the reflection of successes and failures.  While the champions are holding up the trophy and celebrating all the other teams are left wondering ‘what it’ and attention quickly shifts to setting goals for next season and the all too familiar "Just wait 'til next year!"

I think Alan Armstrong’s quote sums it up well “Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.”  As with everything in life, nothing worth having ever comes easy. While every athlete and coach longs to hold the trophy and be recognized as the best in their sport, the real truth is that very few are willing to put in what’s necessary to reach that level of success.  Every team starts the year with high hopes and expectations of success and everyone ‘works hard’ so what separates champions from everyone else? Further, why do some programs become dynasties and others perennial losers? 

Champions are outliers by the very definition of the word.  In his book of the same name Malcom Gladwell spins a hypothesis of what makes outliers and it is applicable to what makes Champions.   Gladwell postulates that outliers separate not only because the sheer amount of practice they do compared with contemporaries, but the also the type of practice.  While most are satisfied just putting in the required amount of practice, Outliers put in significantly more.  In order to be world class at something, the author leans on the 10,000 hour rule.  In other words it takes 10,000 hours of dedicated practice to become world class at some skill or roughly daily practice for 10 years.  What separates the great from the really good is the type of practice.  The ‘Great’ tend to utilize daily deliberate practice.  Instead of just going through the motion of practice for the allotted time, the ‘Great’ focus on improving their weaknesses.  The only way this is possible is through complete awareness of what the weaknesses are!  Therefore, they need a systematic approach of gaging their performance and identifying their strengths and weaknesses and then having a logical plan to improve.  This requires an objective coach(s) to help with the assessment and planning but then comes the hardest part the daily deliberate discipline to make the improvements.  Daily deliberate practice is hard because it is a journey without end; the goal is mastery not a destination.  The determination, grit and energy it takes to maintain this methodical march over several years is what separates the really good from the great and the great from the Champions.  The overall plan must include not only the initial evaluation but then systematic reevaluations to show improvement to help refine the process.   This is one area where the ‘instant gratification’ mentality is very detrimental because there is no short cut. 

Over the years we’ve seen the emergence and evolution of Sports Training or Performance Enhancement.  Following the diffusion of innovation curve we’ve witnesses the early innovators leading the way with new training techniques specific to athletes.  Then, the early adopters spread the ideas to more people and now we’ve reached the early mass phase where every professional team and most colleges have strength and conditioning coaches. Spreading from the professional and collegiate ranks there has been a steady increase in businesses offering a variety of sports training and performance enhancement services.  As with all professions there are the great, the good, the not-so-good and the horrible.  If you are an athlete or the parent of an athlete and your goal is to maximize your athletic abilities how do you decide the right program? 

While the topic of a comprehensive performance enhancement can become exhaustingly complicated here are a few basics to consider.  The first step of deciding on the appropriate coach or trainer starts with research.  Realizing that the human body is amazingly complex, the first question to consider is does this person have the minimum of a four year college degree in Exercise Science, kinesiology or a related scientific field? A good understanding of the science of human movement is a minimal requirement.  Next, what certification does the person have?  While there are a plethora of ‘certifications’ the gold standard for sports training is the CSCS or Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA.   With the right education and certification you then want to look at the person’s overall experience.  How many years have they been working with athletes and at what level?  What results have they been able to get?  Be prepared because this is where you will hear a laundry list of the famous people they have worked with.  While these lists can be impressive there is still more you need to know but we’ll save that for future blog posts.  Stay Tuned…

The Truth about the Road Less Taken!

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

and sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood...

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence.

Two roads diverged in a wood and I

I took the one less traveled by

And that has made all the difference."  Robert Frost (1874-1903)

A very famous poem that is often sited and referenced especially in business and entrepreneurship but the truth is that it is not that simple.  The decision to take the "road less traveled" isn't a one time decision.  It is a decision that occurs repeatedly.  My personal experience has shown that the more times you take "the road less traveled" the more difficult and lonely the travel becomes.  The vast majority of people simply can't comprehend taking a path of uncertainty, unknown difficulty and loneliness over the well trodden path of the masses.  The path of uncertainty takes tremendous courage and grit, not to mention the intellectual ability to solve unforeseen problems with creativity and possibly limited resources.  The critics will be plentiful, mocking and jeering for they only know what they perceive as reality.  They don't understand that the "reality" they preach is simply an illusion of their own creation.  Possibility and opportunity lay in the realm of the unknown and unexplored. 

Taking "The road less traveled" is extremely taxing, mentally, emotionally and even physically and thus the need for tremendous energy, determination and grit.  Once again I find myself at the choice of two roads.  One is security and relying on what has already been built.  To become a settler and enjoy the fruits of past labor.  An enticing chance to sit back and relax.  A chance for a 'well deserved' rest.  The other is to explore the new possibilities and to push the limits of my intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical abilities.  What Frost failed to mention in his poem is the chorus of family, friends, and advisors who for various reasons champion the well traveled path.  Having just emerged from the last "road less traveled" complete with ample amounts of criticism, rejection, mockery and judgmental opinion maybe it is time to fall in line with the expectation of the banks, pundits, advisors and champions of the road well traveled.

And yet there is one lingering question in my mind...
On the day of my judgment when I stand before God and he asks me "What did you do with what I gave you?" Will I tell him that I went part of the way?  That I accomplished quite a bit but then gave in to 'conventional wisdom' and took the well traveled road?  That it became to difficult to continue?  That I was tired of fighting against others who demanded security above everything else?  That I was tired of being the only one on the path?  Only to hear his reply..."you didn't believe that I was always with you?"  No, I'd much rather hear "Well done my good and faithful servant."  The Road less traveled it is!" 

Foster your Pioneer Spirit to Explore, Discover & Align Possibility, Passion and Purpose!

Celebrating Failure! Columbus Day!

This week we celebrate or don't celebrate Columbus Day! Over the years there has been a constant debate about whether or not it should be a national holiday.  Maybe we aren't looking at it from the right perspective.  I utilize this in my book "Life Pioneers:  The Edge of Possibility!"  here is a small part...

“Let’s take Christopher Columbus,” Grandpa began. “I’m guessing you know who that is, right?”

“Of course, Grandpa, everyone knows the story of Christopher Columbus. In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. But what does that have to do with what we’re talking about?”

“Patience, my son, everyone knows how the story ended, but do you know how it began?” questioned Grandpa.

“I think he was trying to find a different route to India or something,” answered the boy. “Exactly,” replied Grandpa. Now the boy was even more confused. “And?” interjected the boy.

“Well, did he find India?” Grandpa shot back.

“No, not even close. He found America. That’s why we still have Columbus Day, although he didn’t really find America on the first trip,” added the boy to impress Grandpa with his knowledge.

“Very true, he completely failed to find a new route. The question is, why was he the first one who attempted that route to India?”

“I don’t remember Grandpa. I guess they didn’t think they could make it that way,” answered the boy.

“It’s something like that. It was actually because, back then, it was a well-known fact that the world was flat and if you sailed …” started Grandpa.

“Too far,” interrupted the boy, smiling, “you’d fall off the edge!”

Grandpa smiled at his young student’s enthusiasm and continued, “Besides, some of the other top ‘thinkers’ of the time had a theory that there were monsters waiting for those who would dare to attempt navigating close to the edge of the known world. But why did they think this? Had anyone gone out and seen the end of the earth? Or had anyone actually seen these monsters?”

“There’s no way they could have,” replied the boy. “Neither of them existed.”

“True,” said Grandpa. “And yet artists created paintings and drawings of them. No one in Europe wanted to head out into the ocean the opposite way, until one person crazy enough to try it actually sailed out and came back alive to tell the story. And did he come back with tales of the edge of the earth and gigantic monsters?”

“No,” answered the boy. “He told them he had found a new land that they previously didn’t know about and that he had claimed it for the king.”

It is now widely know that Columbus never actually landed on the North American Continent and this small piece of information is used as the reason that it should not be a national holiday.  I would argue that now more than ever we need to celebrate Columbus Day, not because he 'discovered' America but because he had the spirit to try.  Did he fail in his initial goal?  Absolutely 100%, no question, it was a complete failure.  He never got close to India.  Did he actually step foot in 'America' it's pretty clear that he did not.  But, by going against conventional wisdom of his time and trusting his intellect and instinct he started a process that changed the world for ever.  Would someone else eventually find North America & South America?  Probably, eventually but that is hindsight.  So I suggest that every Columbus Day we celebrate all the pioneers who have changed our view of the world.  The brave few who are willing to go against conventional wisdom and risk everything to see if they can find a better way!  Make it a national Pioneer Day!  Celebrate the past, present and future Pioneers in all areas.  Maybe then we can show people that their world is not flat.  They are only limited by their fears and that anything is possible if you are willing to plan, set sail and persevere!!