tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321876972024-03-13T00:14:20.756-06:00KYLE SHEWFELT - This Blog entitles you to one FREE high five!Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.comBlogger328125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-20578046944560194922016-10-19T21:57:00.001-06:002016-10-19T21:57:14.334-06:00Tedx Talk: Overcoming Perfection | An Olympian's Road to the Podium <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N51pZ7nLKos" width="560"></iframe>Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-19168116100118417282013-12-19T10:00:00.000-07:002013-12-19T10:00:02.606-07:00Stop Comparing Yourself to OthersThis blog is inspired by the following quote:<br />
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<strong><em>“Don’t compare yourself to others, compare yourself to you a year ago”</em></strong><br />
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You know when you read something and it just hits you like a ton of bricks? The second I saw this quote, it deeply rooted itself inside of my mind and heart. This is truly a profound way to approach life and I couldn’t wait to share it on this blog.<br />
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I am a firm believer in continuous development. I feel that a key ingredient to a fulfilling and satisfied life is to always strive for personal growth and improvement. I’m also from the camp that believes that our own individual potential should calibrate our measuring tool for this growth and improvement.<br />
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Our world often encourages us to compare ourselves to other people. Messages of “Look at how rich they are! Look at how beautiful they are! Look how smart they are! Look at how big their house is! Look at how ripped their abs are!” It surrounds us everywhere we turn. If you watch television, read magazines, surf the Internet or walk outside in any urban area, it’s nearly impossible to avoid this noise. Media and Marketing are constantly yelling at us with images and slogans geared towards our insecurities. “You don’t have enough of ____________”, “You’re not ___________ enough”, “You should be more of _____________”, “If you could just _____________, then you’ll be happy”. It’s hard not to look around and feel a little inadequate. Comparing ourselves to others is almost forced upon us in today’s day and age.<br />
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I’m happy to reveal that there is another choice. Just like the quote says, instead of comparing ourselves to others, why not compare yourself to who you were a year ago. You are the only one who can gage your sense of self-satisfaction.<br />
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Take a moment right now to reflect back on who you were a year ago. What were your goals? What were you embarking on? What were your fears and hesitations? What were you looking forward to? What type of physical condition were you in? What impact did you want to make in your business and community? What kind of partner did you want to be? Was there anything you wanted to change about your situation? What did you want to be more of?<br />
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Now, take a moment to see where you are now. How far did you come? Are you proud of the progress you’ve made or did you come up short of your hopes and expectations? What did you do that was great and what could have been done better?<br />
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So much can transpire over the course of a year. During this period of time, life can be like an exhilarating roller coaster ride with several dramatic twists and turns. Reflecting back on who you were and where you wanted to be a year ago can really be an eye opener. Maybe you’ve met your goals, maybe you’ve exceeded them or perhaps you came up short. Regardless of where you are, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect back and ask yourself “why”. If you are exactly where you wanted to be: why? If you are beyond where you wanted to be: why? If you didn’t quite get there: why? Take a moment to reflect and celebrate.<br />
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To conclude this blog, I will end with a simple request: please stop comparing yourselves to others. Just stop. It’s no good for you and it’s most likely going to leave you feeling like crap. Other people aren’t you and they never will be. Instead, start comparing yourself to that best version of you. It’s in your complete control to become the best version of you possible. Define what that looks like. Don’t let anyone or anything tell you who that person is. Imagine how much more you can learn. Imagine how many new activities you can try. Imagine how many new challenges you can conquer and how many more lives you can impact. Now take that vision and start applying yourself. In a year’s time, take a moment to reflect and ask yourself why you are where you are. And then celebrate. And then repeat.<br />
Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-91924639243759808272013-12-12T10:00:00.000-07:002013-12-12T10:00:03.896-07:00The Power of a Compliment<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When was the last time you sincerely told someone that they were awesome just because? If you’re like me, you probably think about it often, but don’t always actually take the time to do it. Well, I hope this blog inspires you to reach for the phone and make a few calls to commend those around you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A compliment or an acknowledgment of someone’s effort is a powerful tool to build relationships and inject positive energy into the universe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that I, for one, do not do it enough. Often times I am living inside of my own head, thinking about my own list of things that have to get accomplished. I get so focused on my needs that I sometimes forget to recognize the hard work of those around me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It takes a team of people to make any dream a reality. We are constantly relying on others to help elevate us and this is the way life was meant to be. This is why everyone has a different personality and different strengths. The world was designed for us to work together! We would never make any progress if it weren’t for a giant team surrounding us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As an athlete, I had my coach, club, teammates, National and Provincial Federations, parents, friends, sponsors and countless others who were putting in a daily effort to help me pursue my Olympic dream. I said “thank you” often, but I didn’t say it enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now retired from sport and embarking into the realm of entrepreneurship by opening my own gymnastics facility, I am noticing the same amount (if not more) of ‘behind the scenes’ players who are contributing to the success of my new venture. There are lawyers, realtors, investors, bankers, friends, family, employees, insurance brokers, graphic designers, web developers, print companies, merchandisers, federations, associations, contractors, interior designers, advisors, board members, city planners, property managers, accountants, bookkeepers, IT experts, etc, etc, etc. that are all making huge efforts to help give this project legs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The most valuable lesson I’ve learned in this process is the power of a compliment. It is critical to show appreciation and to acknowledge the significance of those around you. Taking two minutes to recognize when someone has done a great job or has gone out of their way to help you is vital to success. Not only does it make them feel great to hear positive feedback, it makes you feel great too. Complimenting others on their admirable behaviour also reinforces that you recognize their effort. This, in turn, makes them more willing to go to bat for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I’m not talking about a generic “thanks”. I’m talking about a thoughtful, genuine and sincere acknowledgment of how much you truly appreciate having them as a part of your team. Think of how they’ve made you feel. Think of what exactly it was that they did that made you feel honoured. Think of how their efforts are positively impacting your success and let them know the details. I encourage you to take it to the next level and make the call or write the note with true sincerity behind it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My gymnastics coach used to always say that water is way better than fertilizer. He would always make a point of filling me up with positive reinforcement right before a big meet. He would continually remind me of how proud he was of my dedication. He would always reinforce that we were ready to perform. He knew that taking the 5 minutes to let me know that my hard work was noticed would give me the freedom to rise to my greatest level. And it always did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People love to be acknowledged for their extraordinary skills and talents. People love to hear that they are rock stars at what they do. So, instead of being stuck in your own mind, take a few minutes out of today and make a couple of calls to tell those around you that they are awesome. I guarantee it will make you feel awesome too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For more blogs like this, visit <a href="http://revive.ca/" target="_blank">Revive.ca</a></span><a href="http://revive.ca/" target="_blank"> </a><br />
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Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-75009730885396880082013-12-07T15:05:00.002-07:002013-12-07T15:09:38.748-07:00Staying cool when the Pressure is on...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eyfjNct1zsw" width="560"></iframe>Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-68753618325688434892013-09-27T18:37:00.000-06:002013-09-27T18:37:01.055-06:00Yoga Balance Poses<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fppBBjHQ1Nw?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.revive.ca/">www.revive.ca</a>Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-70477322653702251602013-09-23T18:36:00.000-06:002013-09-23T18:36:00.389-06:00Some good stretches for runners...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/i1i5DHyRTwY?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.revive.ca/">www.revive.ca</a>Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-33339010538536202322013-09-21T00:05:00.000-06:002013-09-21T00:05:11.202-06:00Breathe In. Breathe Out. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that you literally forget to breathe?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When things are getting crazy, taking a moment away to focus on your breath is essential. It may often seem like it’s the last thing you actually have time to do, but a mini-break for a few deep breaths can make a huge difference in your sense of well-being.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here’s why:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">A few deep breaths can relax your body and release tension.</strong> <em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">I don’t know about you, but my jaw clenches really tight when I’m stressed!</em></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">A few deep breaths can bring calm to your mind.</strong> <em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">It’s amazing how being away from your inbox for a few short minutes can help ease your worries.</em></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">A few deep breaths can give you clarity and new solutions.</strong> <em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Changing your geography can do wonders for inspiring new ideas and de-cluttering the brain.</em></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">A few deep breaths can make you feel a sense of control.</strong> <em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">You suddenly become aware of the fact that you ARE indeed the one breathing in and out. You don’t have to rely on anyone else for this!</em></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">A few deep breaths can remind you that, at the end of the day, breath brings you life.</strong> <em style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">You would literally die without it…</em></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I write this today because I have been having a particularly high paced past couple of weeks. I, as I’m sure you can relate, have been bombarded with emails, phone calls and a list of things to do that seems to have two new additions each time I cross something off. I’ve been going non-stop, darting back and forth and I haven’t been taking a break. Why? Because there’s a little voice inside that tells me there’s too much to do! It says: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“How in the world could you take 10 minutes out to focus on your breathing”?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, last night I hit a wall. My ability to be focused was completely lost. I was responding to 10 different emails all at once. My thoughts were ping ponging through my mind (and outloud) and I was annoying myself (and my girlfriend, Kristin, too). Every creative bone in my body had magically disappeared. I just knew that I needed to give myself a time out to breathe, but I couldn’t be disciplined enough with myself to create the space to actually do it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is when I decided to pull out my journal and try a new “breathing” technique. I started by writing the words: Breathe in. When I wrote, I took a giant full inhale the entire time. Next I wrote the words: Breathe out. The second the pen hit the paper, I began an exhale that didn’t stop until the period was complete at the end. I repeated this exercise of writing the words, “Breathe in. Breathe out” until two entire journal pages were penned with the reminder.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ll admit, just like in my meditation practices, I went on a few super random tangents inside my own mind. I started to tell myself stories as the ink flowed, but each time I went off into never-never-land, I quickly brought my focus back to the paper and the pen.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was rewarding to see the progress and to feel lost within the words. It was fulfilling to complete a line or page and to feel a refreshing sense of accomplishment from something so darn simple. It was an exercise that took just 10 minutes, but it left me feeling more relaxed and attentive than when I started. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I highly recommend that the next time you’re drowning in the sea of ‘overwhelmed’, pull out a piece of paper and a pen and try this exercise. It may be the little escape your body and mind are craving. </span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">______________</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you liked this, I suggest you head over to <a href="http://www.revive.ca/">www.revive.ca</a> for some more inspiration!</span></i></div>
Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-59623901410499992892013-09-16T09:00:00.000-06:002013-09-16T09:00:02.973-06:00Killer 15 minute work out!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6vHqqqgcf8E?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://www.revive.ca/">www.revive.ca</a>Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-82423635140694312362013-09-10T09:00:00.000-06:002013-09-10T09:00:03.277-06:00Finding the Focus Zone<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/btdc4xnEoSw?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe><div>
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<a href="http://www.revive.ca/">www.revive.ca</a></div>
Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-47201251666446892452013-09-05T09:00:00.000-06:002013-09-05T09:00:11.074-06:00A playground workout!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sozatW7Jhuc?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe><br />
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www.revive.caKyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-21528322748318177102013-09-05T07:00:00.000-06:002013-09-05T07:00:02.952-06:00Re-motivating yourself after accomplishing a goal<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I have always struggled with re-motivating myself after accomplishing a goal. I tend to immerse myself in the process of getting there and then the second it’s over I am left feeling the blues of not knowing what comes next. The little voice of “should” gets really loud inside my mind and eventually the guilt starts settling in. I beat myself up that I have fallen off course. I often think, “I should really go for a run”, but I just can’t seem to muster up the motivation to put on my shoes and get out the door. The reason is just not there. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I remember being a gymnast and always feeling that sense of momentum and fire in the weeks and months leading up to a big competition. A sense of purpose and a plethora of reasons to push beyond my comfort zone were evident each morning I got up. Blinders were on and I had a force field of motivation surrounding me. Nothing feels better than being physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually balanced and inline. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">But all of these good feelings would come to a roaring halt literally the day after the competition was done. Whether it was a World Championships, Olympic Games or even the Provincial Championships, I would go through a period of feeling emptiness and lost inside. I would ask myself “what comes next”? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I experienced a particularly hard emotional fall after the 2008 Olympic Games. The pressure was so high and the focus was so intense. I had broken both of my legs just 11 months before and I had fully immersed myself in the process of coming back. There was no doubt in my mind that I had done everything I could to be the best I was capable of being, yet that complete sense of commitment and single minded focus made me feel so out of control when it was all over. Where was I to put my attention? What were my days to filled with? What would be my reason to get up in the morning? Just as I had experienced on many occasions before, when the competition was over, something felt eerily missing. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I’ve come to realize that I am someone who loves the chase. I don’t like to bask in the glory of accomplishment; I would rather have something new to work towards. But there is always that awkward place in the middle where you switch gears from the “chasing” phase to the uncomfortable “not knowing what the next mountain peak looks like” phase. For someone like myself, it’s a very destructive place to be. In fact, having completed my first triathlon a little while back and not knowing exactly what comes next, I am stuck in this middle place as I write. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />A question that I ask myself every time I am immersed in this lonely and vulnerable spot is “why do I always end up here”? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Can you relate?:)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">We know it’s coming. It ALWAYS comes. Why is it that we are surprised when the sad and unmotivated version of ourselves comes out to play? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />On numerous occasions, I have promised myself that <i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">this</i> time will be different. But it NEVER is! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">So what does one do to get out of the funk? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Here’s my plan: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I am going to wake up tomorrow, eat breakfast and then put on my shoes and leash up my dogs. I am going to have a little voice inside my head tell me that I don’t really have a reason to run. It’s going to be loud and it’s going to tell me that I am without a goal. My race is over, remember? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">But then I am going to muster up the courage to tell the voice that my new goal will only come to me when I am running! Ah-hah! And then I am going to run. And run. And run. And run. And run. I am going to let my mind free fall with all the possibilities of what that “next” thing may be. I am not going to decide on what exactly it is tomorrow, but I am going to get excited about my options. And then I am going to write them down. I am going to reach out to my friends and see if anyone wants to take on a new challenge with me. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Although I’m an “expert” blogger for Revive.ca, I am definitely a work in progress when it comes to re-motivating myself after accomplishing a goal. There are two things I do know for sure, though. Firstly, regardless of what my new goal will be, I will go through a series of low emotions after I’ve accomplished it. Secondly, the only way to start the process of figuring out what that next goal may be is to lace up and get my body moving. The new goal is not going to fall out of the sky, but the more active I am, the more I participate in my life and immerse myself in something I love (like running), the closer I will come to figuring it out. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />Perhaps the best way to re-motivate oneself after accomplishing a goal is to just shut up, lace up and get on with it. I’ll let you know how it works out. </span></span>Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-76957202771634857612013-09-04T18:31:00.002-06:002013-09-04T18:35:33.261-06:00www.kyleshewfeltgymnastics.com is LIVE!The full Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics website is up!<br />
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Check it out - <a href="http://www.kyleshewfeltgymnastics.com/">www.kyleshewfeltgymnastics.com</a><br />
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<br />Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-75861909237118233662013-08-08T09:30:00.000-06:002013-08-08T09:30:03.192-06:00Calgary Herald: Shewfelt realizing a dream by launching his own gymnastics centre<br />
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Johnson: Shewfelt realizing a dream by launching his own gymnastics centre</h1>
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Local Olympic gold medallist has grand plans for 11,000 square foot space in southeast Calgary</h2>
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<span class="name" style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">BY GEORGE JOHNSON, CALGARY HERALD</span> <span class="timestamp" style="color: #999999; font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 15px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">AUGUST 7, 2013 10:38 PM</span><span class="comments" id="lblComment"></span></div>
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<img alt="Johnson: Shewfelt realizing a dream by launching his own gymnastics centre" border="0" class="thumbnail tabClick" id="storyphoto" src="http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Johnson+Shewfelt+realizing+dream+launching+gymnastics+centre/8761035/cms/binary/8761036.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 460px;" title="Olympic gold medallist Kyle Shewfelt is joined by “future gymnasts”, the children of friends and family, as he shows off what will be the gymnasium of his new centre, Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics, on Wednesday." /></div>
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Olympic gold medallist Kyle Shewfelt is joined by “future gymnasts”, the children of friends and family, as he shows off what will be the gymnasium of his new centre, Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics, on Wednesday.</h3>
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<b>Photograph by: </b>Ted Rhodes , Calgary Herald</h3>
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The original idea was actually hatched in the soft, Grecian afterglow of Athens.</div>
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“I remember getting back from the Olympics,” Kyle Shewfelt is remembering, “and writing a sticky note to myself.</div>
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“It just popped into my head, you know? How cool it would be. I wrote: I want to open a gymnastics centre.</div>
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“And now” — he motions around the barren reception area of his new endeavour on 118th Ave., SE — “here we are.”</div>
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Nine years on.</div>
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Workmen start arriving Thursday to rip out floors, knock down walls, pull down ceilings and begin transforming 11,000 square feet of industrial space into what will, by the end of October, be the site of Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics.</div>
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A place that caters to the grassroots of the sport.</div>
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There are, explains the 2004 Olympic gold medallist on floor, already plenty of quality high-level gymnastics clubs and facilities in this city.</div>
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His aim is to fill different needs. A gym for the new, the curious, the fitness-conscious.</div>
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“For us,” Shewfelt enthuses, “it’s about creating that really fun, friendly, welcoming environment. I think of myself an ambassador for the sport. In Calgary, in Canada and around the world. That’s my legacy. To put back. To give back.</div>
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“My role is to get as many people involved as possible. This isn’t about me. It’s about community.</div>
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“There’s such a small segment that can actually reach the high-performance level of gymnastics. You need a very specific body type. A very specific focus. And you also need this innate desire.</div>
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“So here, yes, I do think we will find ‘the one.’ That special athlete who can go on, compete for, and win, a gold medal. And I bet with the cross-training options we’re planning, we’ll help produce Olympians in other sports, too. Snowboarders. Aerial skiers. You name it.</div>
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“But on the same page we’re going to have thousands that improve their physical literacy, have a great time, who just love playing and moving. For the sheer joy of it. I think that’s something that’s missing in today’s education.”</div>
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His intent is to stay involved in motivational speaking and continue his role as TV colour commentator on major gymnastics events, but obviously the enormity of this venture will be eating up an awful lot of his time.</div>
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Shewfelt coyly won’t divulge a total dollar figure for the startup of such an enterprise (“It’s a BIG number” is a much as he’ll commit to). But with 10 or so investors, a staff of 15-20 and all the energy and effervescence that only Kyle Shewfelt can bring to anything, there are high hopes for success.</div>
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“I had some savings, too,” he laughs, “So let’s say I’m . . . fully invested. Sometimes I do wake up at 2:30 a.m. and think ‘Oh, my God . . .’ ”</div>
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Those entrepreneurial courses he enrolled in at Mount Royal will certainly come in handy now.</div>
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“Hey, I love to be the one responsible for whether something succeeds or whether it fails. And this has given me a great sense of purpose.</div>
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“There’s an interesting threshold that everyone crosses. You stand on the edge of the diving board and then all of a sudden you dive, you commit, or you scramble back to the safety of the pool deck. That happened for me last September. I just decided I was going to figure it out, find investors, make great strategic partnerships with equipment suppliers and find people who can help this enterprise succeed.</div>
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“I dove.”</div>
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Once fully on board, Shewfelt built an equipment design of essential items, including two in-ground trampoline areas, room for a foam pit and full floor exercise space, balance beams, etc., and went in search of the ideal facility to house his project.</div>
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After inspecting 20 or so other buildings, he walked in to the one that now awaits the arrival of the construction crews to re-design, re-model and reimagine 11,000 square feet into Kyle Shewfelt’s idea of a dream gym.</div>
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The aim is for an October soft launch with drop-in programs to give people a sneak peek at what’s on offer. Eight-week registered programs, hopes the man with his name on the sign, will begin sometime around the 27th.</div>
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“We’re going to base our success on people’s desire to come back week after week, and their desire to tell others about our space. It might start slower but I think it’s going to explode.”</div>
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All of nine years later, long removed from the soft Grecian glow of Athens, Kyle Shewfelt is making good on a spur-of-the-moment, at-the-time formless idea that began with a little sticky note-to-self.</div>
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“It’s really evolved since then,’’ he agrees, with a note of wistful disbelief. “There are so many things that go with this . . . leases, lawyers, accountants, payroll. But I’m enjoying the learning.</div>
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“I’m doing a lot of visualization about what this can be and that’s really been the driving force for me. I picture the gym here full. I see it. I did that as an athlete, too. I don’t know how many times I’d shut my eyes and imagine myself on the podium. And I got there.</div>
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“I need to have a focal point. That brings out the best in me. One thing I’ve learned about myself in this process, and in the process of my life, in becoming an athlete: When I want something bad enough, I figure out a way to make it work.”</div>
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George Johnson is the Herald’s sports columnist. E-mail him at<a href="mailto:gjohnson@calgaryherald.com" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; color: #035a91; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: auto;">gjohnson@calgaryherald.com</a></div>
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Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-14440328315670686092013-08-08T09:00:00.000-06:002013-08-08T09:00:01.311-06:00Got the keys for KSG and temporary signs are up!!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="377" src="http://globalnews.ca/video/embed/768238/" width="670"></iframe>Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-13303496358880893132013-07-30T09:00:00.000-06:002013-07-30T09:00:01.185-06:00A Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics Festival Farewell…for now...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is with great difficulty that I must inform you that the <b>Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics Festival </b>(KSGF) is on hiatus for the foreseeable future... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you may or may not know, I am opening my own gymnastics facility in South Calgary this Fall called <a href="http://www.kyleshewfeltgymnastics.com/" target="_blank">Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics</a>. The University of Calgary Gymnastics Centre feels, quite understandably, that this presents a conflict of interest as they were the host club of KSGF. I have been respectfully asked by The U of C Administration, UnoCalGym Parents Association and the U of C Gymnastics Centre coaching team to step away from their annual event and I accept those wishes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I agreed to help build the Festival, it was never with the benefit of just one club in mind. For me, it was always about the bigger picture. My vision was to help create an event that provided a platform for us <u>all</u> to share in a celebration of gymnastics. It was my hope that the Festival could continue on in partnership with the U of C as host club and beneficiary despite my new venture, but unfortunately this is just not able to happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shortly after my Olympic dream came true in Athens, I realized that the value in the accomplishment would best be found by using it as a platform to give back. It’s my privilege and purpose to serve my community. For me, this was at the root of the Festival. I agreed to lend my name, time and energy to the U of C’s annual gymnastics event because I saw its potential to make an impact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so very proud of what the Festival became in just 3 short years. The event gave thousands of participants a space where they could show off their hard work and have some fun. It raised more than $15,000 for <a href="http://www.righttoplay.ca/" target="_blank">Right To Play</a>. It redefined what an invitational gymnastics competition in Canada could be. And there were hundreds of incredible people behind the scenes who helped it get to that point...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to the sponsors and media partners. Your support truly brought the event to a higher level.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to Right To Play. It was a pleasure to be aligned with an organization that cares so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to all of the volunteers, especially the meet directors and team leads. Your dedication of time and energy was inspiring. Without you, the event could <u>not</u> have happened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to the U of C, UnoCalGym Parents Association and U of C Gymnastics coaching team. I appreciate you giving me a stage to share my passion for gymnastics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most importantly, Thank You to the supporters, athletes, coaches and judges. Thank you for choosing to come to the KSGF. Thank you for embracing the concept. Thank you for bringing your best.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is with a very heavy heart that I say farewell for now. Who knows what the future holds – I envision the KSGF taking on a new life somehow, somewhere, sometime. When that happens, I would love for you all to join once again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, I look forward to staying connected. As a gymnastics family, let’s continue to collaborate and showcase our great sport. I encourage you to support the U of C’s new annual gymnastics event as they move forward. I know I’ll be there cheering on our great athletes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for the memories. KSGF Rocked!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kyle </span></div>
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Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-57463451608457698032013-07-24T18:00:00.000-06:002013-07-24T18:00:00.003-06:00A poem about swimming...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">It all started in January when I needed a new goal</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I was a bit lost, feeling out of control</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I decided I wanted a challenge that was unfamiliar</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Because something that was easy just wouldn’t be fair. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I jumped in to the pool on the very first day</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I swam 25 metres and flailed my arms the whole way</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I’m surprised the pool had water left when I was done</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I swallowed so much of it. Man, that wasn’t fun. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I walked away from the pool that day and told my sweetie that I HATED swimming</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I was convinced that this was an activity that I would never be winning</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I hummed and hawed – do I continue because I can grow and expand?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Or do I quit because life’s too short to spend it doing things you can’t stand? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I made a choice. I was going to see it through.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">A part of my heart felt it would never come true</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Me – being able to swim for a full 1500 metres?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">In open water none the less. Jeepers Kreepers. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I showed up each day, put on my goggles and cap</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Some days felt awesome while other felt like crap</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I asked for advice, took lessons and listened</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Focused on my stroke as my speedo glistened. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Months and months passed by and I could finally breathe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Through the side of my mouth, oh what a relief!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">My stroke became smoother and my arse felt less heavy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Was I actually getting the hang of this? Time for a bevvy?? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I stood on the start line at Wasa Twenty Thirteen</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Feeling scared to death, but proud as a Mexican jumping bean</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I had struggled and questioned, loathed and hated</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Now I stood in a wet suit, heart pounding as I waited </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">The gun went off and the crowd rushed in to the water</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I let them go like a patient little otter.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I didn’t want to get a boot in the face</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I wanted to survive, that was my goal for this race </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Stroke, Stroke, Stoke, Breathe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Stroke, Stroke, Breathe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Stroke, Breathe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Stroke, Stroke, Stroke, Breathe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Repeat. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Slow and steady, I began to make ground</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Under the water, you could barely hear a sound</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">All I could hear was the voice in my head</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">And it was saying, “6 months ago, you thought you’d be dead.” </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">But here I was, swim swim swimming away</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I wasn’t dying, in fact I was pretty okay</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">At 850 meters into the race I did a heart check and a smile came rushing across my face </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I thought back to that cold day in January when I thought about giving up</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">And here I was, in my first triathlon race, raising the roof and sayin’ “What’s up?!”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I became immersed in the moment and cheeky with pride.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">This was me, swimming along, and enjoying the ride. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">As I came closer to the beach, marking the end of the swim and time for transition</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">A part of me was sad because I kind of liked being in this position</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I had committed and conquered and nothing feels better</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Well, maybe at Christmas when your grandma gives you a sweater ;) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">The moral of the story goes something like this:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Anything is possible if at first you don’t dismiss</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">As Jim Cuddy sings, “You’ve got to Try. Try. Try. Try.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Be open minded. Allow time before you ask Why? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Enlist the help of others and give it your best shot.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Show up each day and give it everything you’ve got.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Learning something new is awkward as heck.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">You’re a fool if you believe you won’t be a wreck. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">But attitude and approach are simply a choice:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Be open to learning and listen to the good voice.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">For more articles on healthy active living, visit <a href="http://www.revive.ca/">www.revive.ca</a>! </span>Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-11723681116218484012013-07-23T17:02:00.000-06:002013-07-23T22:24:51.552-06:00To all boys who get teased for doing a "girls" sport...<br />
<br />
I received a note from a concerned mother who's son is being bullied for doing gymnastics. The other kids are saying, "Gymnastics is for girls" or "You're gay because you do gymnastics". Firstly, let's make something very clear: girls and gay people are both awesome so it's not an insult in the first place. And secondly, the last time I checked, males didn't grow a vagina or become attracted to men because they set foot in a gymnastics gym. In fact, I'm about 100% sure that wanting a sex re-assignment surgery or loving someone of the same sex are determined well before you breathe your first breath of Earth's magnificent air.<br />
<br />
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.<br />
<br />
I want to see a world where every boy can proudly do gymnastics and not be teased for it. *<i>pretend I'm waving my finger in the air and moving my head in small circles like a good ole' drag queen when you read this part* </i>It's uncalled for and unnecessary and it gets right on up under my skin. Roar. Uh huh. I said it. <br />
<br />
The following is advice I have for that young man and for every young man who wants to participate in gymnastics or a publicly perceived "feminine" sport. We're here. We love our sport. Get over it.<br />
<br />
________________________<br />
<br />
<br />
I remember when I was a young boy, I always felt a bit of pressure to do other sports and activities, but gymnastics was always my passion. It was difficult sometimes - often I would get teased that I did a "girls" sport. But I realized that I couldn't control the other kids. They were just lacking confidence in themselves because they hadn't found the "thing" that they loved to do. That is why it was important for me to be confident in my path and to dedicate myself to my dream, regardless of whether I had the approval of everyone around me or not. By me continuing to do gymnastics despite the teasing and comments, I was actually showing everyone around me what it truly meant to be committed. I quickly realized that I could only control my own thoughts, my own actions and my own work ethic. It was ME chasing my goals, not anyone else. Sadly, I had NO control over the thoughts or opinions of others.<br />
<br />
I got called all the names in the book: Pussy, Fag, Homo, Wimp, Girl, Fairy, Loser…the list goes on and on and on. Of course, it hurt because these people who said these words didn't even know me at all. They didn't understand my desire for greatness in my sport. And surely they didn't understand what it meant to be focused or to have found a passion for something. They teased me because they were still looking for what resonated within themselves. They wanted to try and take me off course from my dream so that I would be more at their level of uncertainty.<br />
<br />
When I showed no waiver or weakness and just continued on pursuing my dream, they eventually gave up on trying to bring me down. They realized that it was impossible to break something that had such a convincing strength at the core. They wanted me to be vulnerable, but I never showed it to them. Sure, I cried about it at night and I was sometimes afraid to go to school, but when the teasing would start, I never openly fought back. I tried my best to ignore them and to spend time with the friends whom I knew valued my dream - many of whom are still my friends today. My friends would sometimes stand up for me because that's what friends do. Instead of adding fuel to the fire and getting upset and frustrated in front of the bully, I would use their taunting as fuel for myself. "I'll show them", I'd think. I would also try to feel a sense of compassion for them because they needed to bring me down in order to feel better about themselves. <br />
<br />
I assure you, this teasing passes. Soon, what you choose to do will not matter to them anymore. They eventually move on. Hopefully at that point they have been inspired by your integrity and relentless pursuit of your dream and have found one of their own. But if not, they will learn that there is no amount of energy or name calling that can break a person who truly believes in their own potential.<br />
<br />
Doing gymnastics as a boy doesn't make you a girl. It doesn't make you gay. It doesn't make you a wimp or a pansy or a freak. What it does is it makes you resilient. It gives you an incredible physical foundation. It makes you knowledgable. It makes you accountable. It makes you strong and fit. It makes you flexible and agile. It gives you a foundation that no other sport in this world can give you.<br />
<br />
To me, being a real man has nothing to do with how masculine you are on the outside. Being a real man is about being kind, compassionate, caring, generous, driven and courageous. It's about taking good care of yourself, your family, your friends and your extended community. It's about being a leader and doing the hard stuff even when you don't want to. It's about respecting and encouraging the dreams of those around you - regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or religion. Being a real man has nothing to do with the sport you love to participate in. It has everything to do with the way you build up your fellow person and help them succeed. And gymnastics is a sport that can help implement these values into your life at an early age. <br />
<br />
Keep on your course. Do what you love. You are who you are. You like what you like. Be proud of it and stand firmly in it.<br />
<br />
And if all else fails, challenge them to a push up contest. Guaranteed you'll win every time…Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-23322892210400203642013-07-11T09:30:00.000-06:002013-07-11T09:30:01.472-06:00Performance Based Success VS Outcome Based Success<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The other night I was laying in bed and I had one of those panicked reality check moments. I often get them when I think about the fact that I <i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">will</i> actually die one day, but in this instance it was about my Olympic experience in 2004 and how a different outcome could have drastically changed where my life and career are today.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">At those Games, I delivered the BEST routine of my life and it just so happened to coincide with the moment where it mattered the most. As I stepped off the floor at the conclusion of my routine, I felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction…and I didn’t even need to know my score or the final result.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I’ve heard many other athletes talk about the rush they got when their performance was finished and they knew that they had left it all on the floor/hill/pool/mat, etc. It’s a very raw sense of emotion that comes from deep within. If you can feel content when you do that gut check before you see your time/your score/your placing, then you know you’ve achieved success.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The truth is, we have absolutely no control over the outcomes in our lives. I think the realization of this is why I had my panic moment the other night. As much as we try to be in charge of how things turn out, we can only be responsible for ensuring we deliver our best performance. The reality is that a best performance doesn’t necessarily guarantee the outcome or result we seek. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">In my particular instance at the 2004 Games, I could have done the exact same routine on that day in Athens and ended up in fifth place. Another athlete could have been better or the judges could have seen someone as better on that day. The outcome was completely out of my hands. I did have complete control over the performance though - both the way I prepared for it and the way I showed up both physically and mentally on the day.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">As an athlete, I always tried to set performance based goals. I would break down my routines to the subtlest of movements and create some really specific cues and expectations for each. I narrowed my focus to the simplest of measurable such as the way I landed, the way I pointed my toes or the way my leg form would be impeccable on my splits. It was the possible outcome, chasing the title of best in the world that drove me to get up in the morning, but it was the focus on preparing and perfecting the details of that ‘best performance’ that kept me feeling in control.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I can remember being at the 2002 World Championships in Debrecen, Hungary and being laser focused on the fact that I might be able to call myself a ‘World Champion’ at the end of my routine. Obsessing about that outcome in the moments before my routine completely took my focus away from actual performance I needed to deliver in order to get there. I eventually ended up mistiming the third skill in my routine and staring at the audience from my arse in the middle of the floor. I was shocked and embarrassed, but also very humbled. As I walked off the floor with my head hanging low, my coach asked me what I was thinking about before the routine. I told him, “I was thinking about becoming Canada’s first World Champion”. He looked at me and said, “Perhaps you should have been thinking about the timing of your first pass and where your arms needed to be right before the take off on your third skill.” Touché. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">As you approach your personal and fitness goals, I encourage you to avoid being obsessed with the outcome or result. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you have no control over it. You do, however, have complete say in the way you prepare and the way you deliver your personal performance. Focus on what that might feel like if it were at its peak. How would the routine or race unfold? If you were to produce it in a way that you could walk away and know you couldn’t have done anything more, would you leave satisfied? What if the outcome didn’t match what you had imagined? Would it still have been worth it?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Success can be defined in so many different ways. I’ve found that the best way to walk through life feeling a sense of control and contentment is to base ones happiness on the performance and not the outcome. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">After my initial sense of panic about where my life would be if I had not won Gold that evening in Athens, I quickly settled in to the fact that I would be exactly where I was meant to be. I left everything I had out on the floor and at the end of the routine, I had no regrets. Looking back, the purest sense of emotion I felt that day was as I embraced my coach. We both knew that I couldn’t have done a better routine. That moment felt more satisfying than standing on the podium. And it was because it came from within. </span>Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-87643483572183702732013-07-09T14:14:00.000-06:002013-07-09T14:14:00.316-06:00Setting Yourself Up For Success - Part II!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Last week was all about creating a plan and ensuring some accountability exists around your goals. This week, I’ll be diving deeper into the depths of goal chasing and discussing the importance of a reward system, measuring your progress and saying ‘YES!’ wisely. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">A Reward System</b> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">What milestones will you celebrate along the way and how will you celebrate them? We humans are more like dogs than we’d like to admit; when we reward ourselves for good behavior, we are more inclined to be good more often. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />Find that one thing you love (<i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">healthy and consistent with your goals of course</i>)<i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </i>but that you don’t treat yourself to every day. Now, dangle it in front of yourself as incentive on those hard days when you need an extra push. Most likely it will get you through and you’ll be thankful you didn’t give in. It’s important to see the victories during the process and to treat ourselves once in a while. Life shouldn’t be all work and no play! </span> <br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I’ve found that it’s always my Sunday long runs that are tough to get motivated for. Therefore, I promise myself a smoothie and a two hour nap once I struggle through the distance. Works like a charm and seems to get me going every time! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><u style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Bottom Line:</u></b><u style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </u>Sometimes you need a bit of external motivation. Give yourself a small reward once in a while!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> <br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Measuring Tools</b> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Something measured, something done. Invest in tools that will help you measure your progress. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Pull out the camera and take some before shots. Head to your local running store and invest in a GPS watch. Take measurements and write them down in a special notebook. If there’s anything you can do to help create a measuring stick in your quest, then do it! If you can start seeing your progress and results, you’ll gain momentum and feel a renewed sense of motivation. The initial price tag may seem a bit high on some of these items, but I can assure you that they will be well worth it once you’ve accomplished your goal. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Know that results will take a while – they won’t be evident tomorrow. But the more disciplined you are and the more you measure and record, the more you will be able to see your progress. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I remember when I was at the 2004 Olympics and I was having a bit of a freak out a few days before the Final. My coach, Kelly, pulled out our work plan, sat me down and said: “Look at how many routines you’ve done. Look at how many times you’ve gone through this nearly perfectly. You’ve put in the work and you are ready. You’ve got to trust that.” Having all of my work recorded and right there in front of me made it a lot easier to trust my readiness. I instantly became grounded with confidence. I had done everything I could to be as prepared as I could be. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><u style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Bottomline:</u></b> Invest in tools to help you measure your progress. It will keep you motivated and disciplined. <br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Energy Protection Shield</b> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Our energy is incredibly vulnerable – we have to say ‘YES’ wisely or we can burn ourselves out in a jiffy. It’s very easy to get caught up in committing to things that aren’t going to serve us. We often do it out of guilt or obligation. But by saying ‘YES’ to things that aren’t really serving our purpose, we spread ourselves thin. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Say ‘YES!’ wisely. Protect your energy to ensure you can show up and be the best version of yourself as often as possible. No one can be their best when they are overwhelmed, stressed out and not present. Ensure that your energy stores are recharged by sleeping well, drinking tons of water and by smiling often. Don’t feel bad if you have to say ‘NO’. It doesn’t make you a bad person, it just makes you a wise one. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><u style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Bottomline:</u> </b>You can’t do it all. Choose your commitments wisely and don’t spread yourself too thin. </span> <br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">So there you have it, the 5 keys elements to setting yourself up for success. I encourage you to take some time to actually implement these principles into your life and program. Guaranteed, you’ll start to feel better about where you’re at the instant you have a plan in your hand, a group of friends texting and emailing you some accountability, a nap and a Jugo Juice on the horizon, a GPS watch on your wrist or an album/notebook dedicated to capturing your progress and a bit of extra energy to dedicate towards chasing your goal. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Please keep me updated on your progress. I’d also love to hear about your unique approach for setting yourself up for success. Are there any tips or secrets that work for you? The more we share, the better we all become. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Good Luck!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><br />
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To read more awesome articles on Active Healthy Living, check out <a href="http://Revive.ca/">Revive.ca</a>! <br />
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Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-82599234909917129342013-07-04T14:14:00.002-06:002013-07-04T14:16:57.434-06:00Setting Yourself Up For Success - Part I! <br />
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Today, I’m excited to discuss some of the key elements you need to implement for a successful ‘race’ once the metaphorical gun goes off. POW! BANG! BOOM! </div>
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This topic gets me bouncing on my bossu ball (my choice of office chair) because once all of these factors are implemented; you are 90% on your way. The last 10% comes strictly from within (more on this later…), but that internal motivation won’t mean much unless you’ve got these 5 key elements in place. These are the foundation for setting yourself up for success! </div>
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In this post, I’ll be discussing the first two elements – <b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">The Plan</b> and <b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Accountability.</b></div>
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<b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">1. The Plan </b></div>
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If you are really serious about your goal, not just so/so serious, then I highly encourage you to make a detailed plan. Whatever your goal is, just google it and add ‘training plan’ or ‘plan’ to the end and you’ll come up with some great options. Be cautious though, one plan might not be the perfect fit for everyone. I encourage you to look at a few and find the consistencies among them. I always combine three of my favourites in to one super plan – this helps me to accommodate my schedule and what feels right for my body. </div>
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Without a detailed plan, you’re guaranteed to fall off track. Plans help us create a daily focal point and give us something to work towards. They give us the “purpose” factor. As a gymnast, my coach and I would always meticulously map out the entire year. We would see when the major competitions were and we would build a training plan around ‘peaking’ at these events. Having a detailed plan helped me prepare for the next day’s work (I knew in advance whether it was a ‘light’ day or ‘death’ day) and it allowed me to guage where I was at in the big picture. </div>
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I suggest printing out a calendar and taking an hour or so to sit down and fill out each day’s program. Another great part about doing this is that it will also take the guesswork out of the process. You’ll know when an intense phase is approaching and you can mentally gear up for it. Alternatively, you’ll know when a recovery phase is on its way and you can look forward to it. Once it’s made, the plan is always staring right at you. You don’t have to think too much about it - you just have to bear down, get it done and give yourself a check mark. </div>
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<b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Bottomline: No Plan = No Path = No Finish Line. </b></div>
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<b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">2. Accountability</b></div>
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Do you have a person or group of people who will be your accountability structure? The easiest person to let down is yourself and because of this, we must create some strong accountability to surround us. This is especially true in those weaker moments when we are tired and busy. When we schedule workouts, meetings or set deadlines with others involved, we are way more likely to show up and get the work done. </div>
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I suggest you start booking workout dates with friends, colleagues, a coach or a trainer. Perhaps you want to enlist the services of a nutritionist who can help hold you accountable to your nutrition goals. Why not schedule a two-hour window with your family to go skating or to the swimming pool? Join a running club, a boot camp or a yoga challenge. Find a group of like-minded individuals who meet up once a week who can help keep you motivated and on track with that new creative project you’re working on. Enroll in a class. Send out invitations and/or a facebook invite to an event you want to plan. Make a call that you’ve been putting off – you never know where it could lead. These are all just suggestions on how to create some more accountability around your goals – you need to find some that are specific (and a bit scary) for you!</div>
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I always need to sign up online for a spin or yoga class or schedule in a swim or a run with a friend (and it’s got to go into my calendar). I can’t just work out solo on a “whim”. When I try to do this, I am instantly setting myself up for disaster. 6 times out of 10, I’ll convince myself that I’ve got way too many other things to do or that I am too tired and it can wait until tomorrow. Having to meet someone somewhere at a specific time makes me get off my butt and go.</div>
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<b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Bottomline: Make it impossible to wiggle your way out of commitments. Put yourself in situations that fuel your fire <i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">(even if they freak you out a bit)</i>!</b></div>
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Stay tuned for Part 2 where I’ll discuss Reward Systems, Measuring Tools and Energy Protection. Until then, set aside an hour to start building out your plan and call a couple friends to be your accountability buddies. You’ll need them and they’ll need you!</div>
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For more awesome articles on Healthy Active Living, visit <a href="http://Revive.ca/">Revive.ca</a>!</div>
Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-49799448699196842202013-07-04T13:28:00.002-06:002013-07-04T13:28:19.127-06:00What are you thinking???<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">“Watch your thoughts, for they become your actions.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Watch your actions, for they become habits.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Watch your habits, for they become character.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Our thoughts are such a powerful force. State of mind and what we tell ourselves can be the cause of greatness or defeat. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I fondly remember standing in the corner of the floor at the 2004 Olympics and having the most powerful positive self-talk going on inside my mind. I was reminding myself to breathe and that I was ready. I was completely focused on each element of my routine and wasn’t getting ahead of myself and thinking of the outcome. I was completely immersed in the moment and internal words of encouragement were like fireworks inside my mind. I was so open to possibility and as I stepped on to the floor I said out loud, “Make it Happen”. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />I also fondly remember standing in the corner of the floor at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in the floor exercise final. There, I had incredibly negative self-talk running through my mind. Instead of reminding myself that I was ready and focusing on the subtle details of the performance, I was worried sick that I would make a mistake, not win a medal and let my country down. I was so afraid to fail and I kept imagining myself messing up. Inside my mind I was thinking, “Don’t screw up”. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">At the 2004 Olympics, my routine was simply flawless. At the 2006 Commonwealth Games, I landed my first pass on my arse. Coincidence? I think not… </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">During my years in sport and in life outside of it, I’ve come to strongly believe that our thoughts ultimately become our destiny. What we believe about our potential will come true. The stories we tell ourselves about our worth will become real. The energy we have buzzing through our mind will directly impact the scenarios we find ourselves in. Thoughts are the epicenter of our lives and we must be very aware of them in order to determine how they are affecting our current state. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I encourage you to take 5 minutes today to observe the story that you tell yourself inside your head. Is the conversation full of positives and encouragement or are you beating yourself up? What kinds of language do you use inside your mind when you are interacting with others? Imagine if you wrote down every thought that entered your mind for a 5-minute period. Would the majority be something you’re proud of or would a lot of them be judgmental like watching an episode of garbage TV like TMZ? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The great part about our thoughts is that we do have control over them. Positive thinking is a choice and it’s something that gets better with practice. The most important thing is to have an awareness of our thought pattern. We need to catch ourselves when we begin to stray and doubt our worth or abilities. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">As the sun begins to shine, start exercising your mind to be your most mighty asset. Concentrate on thinking positive thoughts and telling yourself courageous stories. Let the conversation inside your mind be one that is full of belief, hope and confidence. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Our destiny is determined by our character and our character is based on our habits. Our habits are formed through our actions and, ultimately, our actions are dictated by our thoughts. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />So, ask yourself, what am I thinking? If you are not where you want to be, perhaps shifting your attention to the dialogue that exists in your mind is the best place to start.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Check out <a href="http://Revive.ca/">Revive.ca</a> for more awesome content about active healthy living!</span></span><br />
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Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-54526401604020405142013-07-04T13:20:00.001-06:002013-07-04T13:28:35.519-06:007 ways to inspire a more vital you!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Vitality is the positive force that surges through us, making us feel more alive, motivated and powerful! This post identifies a few ways you can increase your vitality factor when it needs a little boost. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />1. </span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Filter out a negative force</b><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">. We’ve all got something in our life that is weighing us down. Its important to remember that it’s all about the baby steps here. Breaking bad habits and/or getting rid of clutter in your life can be overwhelming. So much so that we often avoid it because we know it’s going to take a lot of work and we don’t know where to even start. Decide on that one thing that’s renting space in your head and/or heart. It might be a stack of papers on your counter. It might be that closet full of old clothes you’ve been meaning to donate. It might be your negative self talk first thing in the morning. Heck, it might even be an energy sucking relationship. Think of <u style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">one</u> thing that you can do to start the process of eliminating it and take that step. If you can’t think of where to start, pull out a timer, set it for 5 mins and be completely focused on writing out all the possible options. Once the time is up, choose a step and take action. Filtering out one negative force in your life can give you an amazing sense of lightness and freedom. It also gives you space to bring in something new that’s more in line with the best version of you! </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />2. </span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Make exercise and moving your body <u style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">THE</u> main priority</span></b>. Email, phone calls and mindlessly surfing through random facebook photos can wait. To feel more vitality in your life, make your commitment to daily physical activity non-negotiable. No matter what obstacles you come up against in your day, compromising your pledge to moving your body is not an option. If you approach exercise with this conviction, you’ll always find a way to get it done. And you’ll feel better in all areas of your life because of it. Repeat after me: “I’m sorry, I can’t go for drinks tonight. I’ve got a date with the kettle bells and my yoga mat. Want to join me?” </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />3. </span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Meditate/Journal for 10 minutes a day</b>. A little internal reflection and calm can instantly make you feel more in-tune, aware and present in your life. Creating a little bit of stillness can reset your body and mind and get you back on track, especially on those days when you have distractions flinging at you from every angle. While you are writing or meditating, pay close attention to your breath. Always come back to it after you go off on random tangents – because I can almost guarantee you will!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />4. </span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Buy one of your fruits/veggies organic</b>. The expense of going full-on organic can be a bit overwhelming to start off with, but slowly implementing one purchase at a time can have huge long term benefits. Let’s face it, our grocery stores are packed with food that’s been in contact with chemicals, pesticides and various un-pronounceables and these can be harmful to our health. I’m not a nutritionist, so I can’t tell you all of the benefits of implementing organics into your diet, but I do know that treating your body like a temple can make you feel more in charge of your life.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />5. </span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Crank up the tunes!</b> Music just makes life better! If you want more energy and to be more productive, then pump up the volume. A little back beat and some familiar lyrics can instantly change our mood and get you into a groove. Music also tends to get us out of our heads and into the rhythm of our bodies. Make sure to sing loud enough for the neighbors to hear!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />6. </span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Volunteer for an organization you care about</b>. There is no better way to feel purpose than to engage in a little giving back. Doing good things for others is really the secret to happiness and being a part of the fabric that surrounds you can help you feel connected.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />7. </span><b style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Rest well.</b> I recommend going to bed early and waking up early. This way you can get a head start on your day before all of the demands come pouring in. A good rule of thumb to adhere to: go to bed when you are tired. Duh. Don’t force yourself to stay awake to catch that episode of True Blood. That’s why they invented PVR! Stimulating your brain when you are actually tired is counter-productive. Everyone has different sleep needs, but I’ve found that 8-9 hours a night keeps me feeling focused, motivated and energized through out the day.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;" />By implementing one or all of these suggestions, you will be well on your way to experiencing more energy, motivation, power and vitality in your life. And the best part about feeling good is that it’s infectious; a more vibrant you will lead to more vitality in your community too! </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Check out <a href="http://Revive.ca/">Revive.ca</a> for more awesome content about active healthy living!</span><br />
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Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-51098031888269918172013-06-14T14:14:00.000-06:002013-06-14T14:14:04.467-06:00Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics!<br />
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Gold medal-winning Olympic gymnast Shewfelt becomes a champion of his city</h1>
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<img alt="Gold medal-winning Olympic gymnast Shewfelt becomes a champion of his city" border="0" class="thumbnail tabClick" id="storyphoto" src="http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Gold+medal+winning+Olympic+gymnast+Shewfelt+becomes/8511946/cms/binary/8511947.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 460px;" title="Kyle Shewfelt, Olympic gold medallist in gymnastics from the Athens games, poses alongside his likeness in the Olympian Heights exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibit is a collection of portraits of some of Canada’s iconic Olympic and Paralympic heroes." /></div>
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Kyle Shewfelt, Olympic gold medallist in gymnastics from the Athens games, poses alongside his likeness in the Olympian Heights exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibit is a collection of portraits of some of Canada’s iconic Olympic and Paralympic heroes.</h3>
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<b>Photograph by: </b>Ted Rhodes , Calgary Herald</h3>
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At the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, Kyle Shewfelt was the toast of Canada. His gold medal in men’s floor exercise, the first Canadian gold at those games, was also the first artistic gymnastics medal of any kind for this country.</div>
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Nine years later, the 31-year-old former athlete and native Calgarian is continuing to build upon his successful career in new and innovative ways. He’s logged countless miles across the country as a public speaker, served as a TV commentator at such events as the 2012 London Summer Olympics and, he notes with a big smile, just competed in his first triathlon.</div>
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It’s his work in the community, though, of which he is the most proud these days. “I’m really engaged in life and trying to make an impact,” he says of his work with such events as the annual Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics Festival and the charity Right to Play. “I love Calgary — and I want to do my part to make this city even better.”</div>
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This fall, Shewfelt plans to make good on that promise with the opening of Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics (for details, email <a href="mailto:info@kyleshewfelt.com" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; color: #035a91; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; width: auto;">info@kyleshewfelt.com</a>), an 11,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in the city’s southeast that will offer gymnastic programming to Calgarians of all ages. “It’s going to start out with a purely recreational focus,” he notes of the centre that will be located near the Deerfoot Casino, “with the intention to have a competitive program later.”</div>
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I meet up with the disarmingly warm and charming Shewfelt on Tuesday morning at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the public visual arts institution in Calgary’s municipal building at Macleod Trail and 9th Avenue S.E.</div>
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A few days earlier, Shewfelt was one of the celebrity athletes on hand for the opening night of Olympian Heights, a show featuring various works depicting our most iconic Olympic and Paralympic sports legends, created by local artists. The show runs until July 1.</div>
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The dozen works, everything from wood cuts to abstract paintings, provide a who’s-who of both sport and art: John Hall is paired with hockey great Hayley Wickenheiser, Elena Evanoff with skating icon Catriona Le May Doan, while Shewfelt was immortalized by Chris Cran, an internationally recognized Calgary artist.</div>
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“When they asked me to come on board, I jumped at the opportunity,” says Shewfelt of the brainchild of MOCA board member Viviane Mehr, who also participated as an artist with her mixed media work of triathlete Simon Whitfield. Mehr’s idea was inspired by the gallery’s January show of Andy Warhol’s The Athlete Series. “I love all forms of art,” he says, adding he understands the pressures artists face, such as creating something for the world to judge. “I spent 16 years building up to one minute, 30 seconds, where it all matters.”</div>
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Jeffrey Spalding agrees with Shewfelt’s claim that these two seemingly disparate disciplines share some common ground.”We are a sports city,” says Spalding, artistic director of MOCA. “In a show like this, we can showcase our athletes and our artists, people who have extraordinary abilities on an international stage.”</div>
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Along with bringing yet another exciting show to this public gallery that has gone from an average 3,800 visitors a year to a projected 24,000 for 2013, Olympian Heights also raised nearly $80,000 through a live auction of the works, which will be shared by the artists and the institution.</div>
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Shewfelt credits this collaboration with MOCA for giving him the inspiration to finally commit to starting his own gymnastics club, something that has been rattling around the back of his mind for a long time. “It connected me to my love for this city even more than before — Calgary is such an interesting place and I want to be a part of that.”</div>
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While he’s had the kind of success most young athletes only dream of, the road before and after hasn’t always been an easy one. “It’s a lot of hard work and sacrifice, he says of a childhood spent in such places as the Altadore Gym Club. “But I like to work hard — it isn’t just about winning a medal, it’s about setting a goal and chasing after it, giving it everything you’ve got.”</div>
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That never-say-die attitude would be put to the test at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, where Shewfelt competed only six months after suffering kneecap fractures from a bad training landing.</div>
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Today, his knees are in decent enough shape — “I can feel them creak when I run in the cold,” he admits — to try his hand at new sports. He also remains philosophical about the lack of post-Olympics sponsorships for gymnasts compared with that of gold medallists in higher profile sports. “I wasn’t expecting it,” he says. “Bell Canada came on as a sponsor, which allowed me to keep training and prepare for Beijing, which I’m thankful for.”</div>
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What was tough, he confesses, was the void created by the end of his competitive career. “After it was all over, I was like, ‘What do I do now?’ It took a while to reinvigorate that same drive.”</div>
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A stint at Mount Royal University to study TV broadcasting followed, along with the start of his public speaking and commentating work. It wasn’t until this past year, though, that Shewfelt recaptured his old razor sharp focus.</div>
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“Starting up my own gym is a lot of pressure, absolutely. But I like pressure,” says the infectiously optimistic Olympian. “I had this realization I needed to have gymnastics as part of my every day. I feel that that’s my legacy.”</div>
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These days, Shewfelt says he couldn’t be happier. He shares a home in the inner city with his girlfriend, interior designer Kristin Desilets — they met four years ago at a class at Yoga Mandala — and their Brittany spaniel, Cooper.</div>
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“I feel really blessed, “ he says of a life filled with the kind of variety that takes him from testing his physical limits in new ways and planning a new business, to charity work and being the spokesperson for an art exhibit celebrating artists and athletes. “I also feel really grounded in who I am and the impact I want to have.”</div>
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Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-85596989086818362122013-04-13T14:06:00.003-06:002013-04-13T14:06:20.481-06:00KSGF 2013 Rocked!Here's a sampling of photos from the KSGF 2013 weekend! A huge shout out to our amazing volunteer photographer <a href="http://www.daveholland.ca/" target="_blank">Dave Holland</a>. If you are interested in purchasing any of the photos, please be in touch with Dave directly through his website: <a href="http://www.daveholland.ca/">www.daveholland.ca</a>.<br />
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Tons of fun pictures from the event can be found on the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kyleshewfeltgymfest/sets/" target="_blank">KSGF Flickr Page</a>.<br />
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Thanks to everyone who attended and made the weekend a tremendous success.<br />
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">SAVE THE DATE:</span></u></b> KSGF 2014 will be held<b> March 20-23, 2014</b> at the University of Calgary in the Jack Simpson Gym. Looking forward to another great weekend!<br />
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<br />Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32187697.post-83648681867526829892013-03-18T21:33:00.003-06:002013-03-18T21:33:22.489-06:00Some pics from South Africa<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbpHuceidiwPq2StflOs2qP5-Bwo7WiUU3eAeYmHnQmZ9Kg-0wXgQO38pj7d9xwJppPgremWp8wITOP2Fq74nGC78rZu086k3DmC2y33h-qzrBoPCYmREO5tlqFhizQ66nUPqkA/s1600/DSC04411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbpHuceidiwPq2StflOs2qP5-Bwo7WiUU3eAeYmHnQmZ9Kg-0wXgQO38pj7d9xwJppPgremWp8wITOP2Fq74nGC78rZu086k3DmC2y33h-qzrBoPCYmREO5tlqFhizQ66nUPqkA/s640/DSC04411.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our breakfast view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHy76kM-yFYK6niaLSU0-Tl01tIJl-pMAmN1MMcS9xbyGE0MwqSrN1_fM9-AZQe4szDhf7uH0FZXXY_jx7qzcqLYA0YB88sB1Zl5bpLVTWxQ-W7YfZCnwJTpXjdEWu46A3g1SNg/s1600/DSC04438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHy76kM-yFYK6niaLSU0-Tl01tIJl-pMAmN1MMcS9xbyGE0MwqSrN1_fM9-AZQe4szDhf7uH0FZXXY_jx7qzcqLYA0YB88sB1Zl5bpLVTWxQ-W7YfZCnwJTpXjdEWu46A3g1SNg/s640/DSC04438.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Wharf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFWyBdDwwZRkacvwI5Vl6JU7GLZdqR4QembMCm9NMahwgzX1uO2LWmMoXIhJu2rNpZxXoGhQTdMD-JKlNSWm66fenAU2617T0R_ShDLOqtOtltPKMO7FVyNdpoCFmzTq4XnFVUg/s1600/DSC04457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFWyBdDwwZRkacvwI5Vl6JU7GLZdqR4QembMCm9NMahwgzX1uO2LWmMoXIhJu2rNpZxXoGhQTdMD-JKlNSWm66fenAU2617T0R_ShDLOqtOtltPKMO7FVyNdpoCFmzTq4XnFVUg/s640/DSC04457.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Jim, Jim, Ken and Rena</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPZMCnmf1IsHD3dmnVodEmzmuQy9UfQiKb_FhzQCxRFPIkzKidJD-MB-sQcQr4tCfw3IKebp8dQ6gSp6imBbBCQll-Io-Dnppo3_L7oe2-nRMtDz1FfsSJh87lADM00G08wI1CA/s1600/DSC04464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPZMCnmf1IsHD3dmnVodEmzmuQy9UfQiKb_FhzQCxRFPIkzKidJD-MB-sQcQr4tCfw3IKebp8dQ6gSp6imBbBCQll-Io-Dnppo3_L7oe2-nRMtDz1FfsSJh87lADM00G08wI1CA/s640/DSC04464.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spectacular view at Chapman's Peak. Ya, I rode my bike there. NBD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAWEXHLlJG-XlE-Fy65UUUwPWlDMBlDvAw_3VkGpYoldxdTUhtvJgtwM7R6orYx0cnKyN_EyAh1N1fLONDC0fjIHE3Wf16vlkHBZ00RhZJU5yWVK8UAskjnlIiRzGApMQpk6q4A/s1600/DSC04447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAWEXHLlJG-XlE-Fy65UUUwPWlDMBlDvAw_3VkGpYoldxdTUhtvJgtwM7R6orYx0cnKyN_EyAh1N1fLONDC0fjIHE3Wf16vlkHBZ00RhZJU5yWVK8UAskjnlIiRzGApMQpk6q4A/s640/DSC04447.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristin and I at the Botanical gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOJxTv0UhkRcdBAk-rfMxAdcpdgfV-0noNqjThaBUYhFMJULFWhaNIGdLL85fqhzwU5oE0qMw7AwYt9cdBiHYNGwV901XX8PsBkeebx942Yj1nqvOyuqze9tLrkzmrusSNF4tZQ/s1600/DSC04501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOJxTv0UhkRcdBAk-rfMxAdcpdgfV-0noNqjThaBUYhFMJULFWhaNIGdLL85fqhzwU5oE0qMw7AwYt9cdBiHYNGwV901XX8PsBkeebx942Yj1nqvOyuqze9tLrkzmrusSNF4tZQ/s640/DSC04501.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the Gold Medal Platers who rode in the Argus…and our drivers thumb ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk64ZYb88iK7ZO4o4EFI-q-fBkSv5ZnQ5d_CgxWAWidljaipXK8f6cNffsqjobFCG7EmpyH402kvS4emJ27vWak4cxqHTmKjVIvQTLI2i60yHsYx4aoXRnDaB7f8NH7Yh8PmF8sA/s1600/DSC04454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk64ZYb88iK7ZO4o4EFI-q-fBkSv5ZnQ5d_CgxWAWidljaipXK8f6cNffsqjobFCG7EmpyH402kvS4emJ27vWak4cxqHTmKjVIvQTLI2i60yHsYx4aoXRnDaB7f8NH7Yh8PmF8sA/s640/DSC04454.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out for those baboons...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXqFH-hxc_-TNVeWF49__tR28iv0dXAh9UsyDOiopVK0mWYAwGDwqhexcVkFH5mUCmA0Ho3OV-JhiUNnlBZmmQbJpRD8dLAJYbUtMYmoPn_j85ldsYVOAc14FaogJ-ccaUc-lJA/s1600/DSC04463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXqFH-hxc_-TNVeWF49__tR28iv0dXAh9UsyDOiopVK0mWYAwGDwqhexcVkFH5mUCmA0Ho3OV-JhiUNnlBZmmQbJpRD8dLAJYbUtMYmoPn_j85ldsYVOAc14FaogJ-ccaUc-lJA/s640/DSC04463.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another spectacular view at Chapman's Peak. Incredible!</td></tr>
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<br />Kyle Shewfelthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10395107415441107568noreply@blogger.com0