Long Weekend Blues

Today was not a good day. I was thinking too much.

I was thinking too much about Nationals. Too much about Olympics. Too much about the possibility that all of this hard work could end with me not quite making it.

I don't think this way too often. I try to believe that it will all work out in the end. I try to come into the gym with a plan and attack my work. This is the way I like to live life, but today...today was different. I had no love for flips.

I was fixated on the long weekend coming up. As I watched the news this morning and saw the forecast for Calgary (basically sunny and 22-25C all weekend) I got really down. I call it the "long weekend blues". Why you might ask? Why would I get sad when I think of a long weekend? Well, long weekends do not exist when you are preparing for the Olympic Games.

I get so jealous of those who are able to go camping and relax. I get jealous because I can't remember the last time I had this opportunity. 3 days off (eating and drinking the entire time most likely) is a death sentence when you are 14 weeks away from your biggest competition.

I know that I have made this choice and this is what I want to be doing, but I guess things are starting to become a bit monotonous ( same thing, 6 days a week can get old fast) and I am hearing all of the excitement in everyone's voices as they get ramped up for the May long.

I know I am doing something more constructive and so many people would kill to have the opportunities that I have, but sometimes, for a second (or a day!) I wish that I could just rid myself of this commitment and be completely and utterly spontaneous and irresponsible.

I know that I will look back on this post in a day or two and be over it, but I guess I just want to feel sorry for myself for a moment. Gymnastics always wins. It always has and it will continue to trump everything for atleast the next 3 months.

I guess I'm just scared that at the end of this I might look back and wish that I would have relaxed a little more and enjoyed the sunshine...



But, you know what? Come to think of it, September Long is always an option! Actually, I am making the commitment to that RIGHT NOW. I am going camping on September Long. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will keep me from roasting marshmallows, swimming in the river and hiking in the mountains on that weekend.

OK. Feel the Love, Kyle. Don't feel sorry for yourself. This is your choice. There are no more days to waste. Suck it up and be happy that you get to spend the weekend in the gym! Everyone else will come home hungover, tired and sun burnt and I will be strong, fit and further along!

I sometimes swear that I have psychological issues...I have asked Hap if I need to be prescribed something and then he writes me a prescription on his little pads. It always reads, "Breathe, Relax, Chill".

I'm breathing. I'm trying to relax and tonight I'm just gonna chill.

Tomorrow is another day. And I have to work double hard to make up for the pitiful day I had today.

K

I'm an Uncle!

What an exciting weekend!

My brother Scott and his "soon to be" wife Michale (pronounced Michelle) are the proud new parents of my little nephew, Mason Phillip Shewfelt.

Everyone is super excited about the new addition to our family.

I can remember when they told me they were pregnant. It was when I was broken and living at my parents place. Scott, Michale and her son Caleb (well, their son, but hers...you know what I mean) were living there as well waiting to move into their new home. It was a little bit of a surprise, but a good surprise.

I have never seen my bro glow like the way he did today. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it because he has always been the tough guy. The one who doesn't show emotion. But today, something was different. He softened up instantly. You could see that he had experienced love in a way that he never had before. I asked him if he felt and instant connection with his new son and he said that as soon as Mason looked at him he was forever changed. How awesome is that?!

Congratulations Guys!!!!! I promise to be the coolest uncle ever!

Kyle

Vault is coming along too!

Holy, Video Madness!

Check out this vault. Not the best landing, but the speed and power are almost back to where they were pre-injury. I still feel like I am getting caught up a bit during the last couple of steps when my legs are going fast, but this feeling diminishes more and more each week.

Arabian Double Pike...almost

This will be my biggest struggle.

I am trying to find ways to make this skill feel more comfortable. I need to do it. I need to go through the motions. But I also need to really protect myself from a bad landing. I just started to do this skill on the real floor last week. I put the huge porta pit in for my landing for maximum protection.

Watching this back, it doesn't look too good to me. But I have to keep in mind that this was the first day I did them on the real floor and it can only get better from here. My power is almost back to 100%. I do feel fast and quick as I tumble. I just need to be a little tighter on take off and be more confident on landing. I don't think I will be landing this on the real floor with no mats until well into July, but I'm OK with that. Before Athens, when I had my ankle injury, I didn't land my double double on the floor without a mat until podium training. I stuck it in competition. I need to believe that this can happen again!

Middle 3

This will be my second line. I have had to adjust and do the final element in a piked position because tucked just isn't working for me and the GIANT plate in my leg! I think piked looks much better though and it is something that will set me apart from the rest of my competitors. Being unique is good! It's just too bad that it isn't significantly rewarded anymore...



Below is my third line, but I am missing a twist in the third element. I am planning on doing a whip to 2.5 twist and punching into a 1.5 twist. Here, I am only doing a front half. This was a huge hurdle that I jumped over though. Being able to punch out of an element going forwards was a big fear of mine and I overcame it! I still don't feel 100% on this skill, but it gets smoother and more powerful every day.





Below is my fourth line. It is a front double twist, punch front layout and then a full twisting dive to prone. This is a signature skill for me and I have been using it in my routine since 2000 when I broke onto the scene! This line is pretty messy right now, but the fact that I can punch out of a double twist and then again out of a layout is a huge victory! I just have to keep doing more and it will get cleaner and cleaner!

High Bar

1st Half of my routine...notice the awesome catch on the def! Uh huh, that's right!

My legs fly apart, but that is a little detail that will be fixed as I come closer to Beijing. Sometimes you just need to do a bunch and get confident with your release time. When I know I am going to catch before I even let go then I am able to focus more on my form.





This is the last half of my high bar routine. It's easy for me. I am trying to make every part as smooth and clean as possible. I am not going to have the highest start value on highbar, but I just want to be able to do a clean and consistent routine for the team. I want to be a guaranteed hit so that my teammates like Nathan, who have a way higher start value, can relax a bit and focus on nailing there routines...rather than just staying on so the team doesn't have to count a fall.



High bar is a tricky event. I would say that it is the event that plays the biggest mind games on a gymnast. You have to control the bar and not let it control you. But when it all comes down to it, it really is just a giant piece of steel that is 15 feet above the ground. The potential for disaster is so huge!!!

One of the things that I have a hard time getting my head around is how it can feel so simple and easy one day, but then feel impossible the very next one. Sometimes I can jump up and hit a routine without any warm up, but other days I have to take 5 turns just to feel like I am on planet Earth. As competition time comes closer, the good days outweigh the bad ones, but when one of those bad days occurs it is so frustrating!!!! Sometimes I just do simple elements because I know that I would probably smash my face on the bar if I tried a Def! The only thing is, the more you avoid your problem, the worse it gets. You eventually have to find a way to turn the bad days into good ones...and I'm still working on finding that solution. I've found something that has worked pretty well though. I try to apply this motto:

"I'm gonna smile through the bad days!".


Smiling can instantly change your mood. It's pretty hard to be angry and frustrated when you appear to be happy!

K.

Basic Routine

I love my basic routines! Especially when I can do them on the REAL floor!

Transferring onto the "Real" Floor

During the past month I have been trying to really push myself to get things transferred from the tumbling strip onto the "real" floor. It has been a battle. My body has definitely been telling me that there is more impact on this floor, that's for sure! I have had some awesome shin splints and tight calf muscles. Actually, pretty much everything hurts...all the time!

Confidence has also been an issue (surprise surprise). I completely trust my legs on the softer tumbling strip, but I sometimes second guess their strength when I get onto the real floor. The more I do, the better it seems to get though.

As you will be able to see in the video's, I am taking many precautions to ensure that I am going to be safe and that I am not putting myself in a situation where I am just asking to get hurt. I am using lots of mats and making sure that I'm warm and ready to go before I take a turn.

Focus is essential. I need to approach every turn with maximum focus and presence. This takes a lot of energy, but I need to make sure that every time I do something I am doing it with good intention. I don't have time to make mistakes. I don't have time to have something go wrong. I need to use my time very wisely!




Above, I am doing a 1.5 to front full to piked front (which is a timer for my 1 3/4 roll out. It took me a while to get the rhythm back and to trust my knees when I take off out of a twist into another twisting element. I was really freaked out that my knee was going to pop out if I landed a little crooked. It almost feels normal now! Phew!




In this video I am doing a whip into a 2.5 twist. The part that hurt the most on this element was the forward landing when I had a lot of momentum. The mat definitely helped to soften the impact. No matter how much it hurt though, I just kept on doing it. It got better every day and soon I started to feel like I would be able to punch out of the two and a half...


In this video I am doing a front handspring to double twist. Again, the mat is my best friend!

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OK, so I am not enjoying writing this post at all...I have to admit that I have been very slow at getting these videos up. It is weird for me to write these posts because I feel like I am making up for lost time and playing a huge game of catch up. What I'm gonna do is just post all of my videos and start fresh from there.

Sounds good?




Enjoy the progress!

Kyle

Happy Birthday to me!

The time has come once again to celebrate my birth! May 6th, 1982. That's right...I'm officially 26! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Get out your party hats and kazoo's...this one will go down in history!

I'm excited. I am going to have a great Birthday week. I am all booked up for some delicious dinners with friends and some mixin' and mingling at fun establishments all week long. I am going to have a little get together at my new place on Friday night (everyone has to bring a pillow or lawn chair because I don't have any furniture yet!) and I have named it the Potluck. Pilsner. Pivot. Pass Out. Brunch! That is short and creative for Dinner, Drinks, Dancing and celebrating all night long...and then eatin' some greasy breakfast to get rid of the headache! Every one has to do it once in a while just so you remember why you shouldn't do it all the time!

This will be one of my last hoorays before I eliminate hangovers from my pre-Olympic training regime. I am really looking forward to a good night out with tons of laughs and good times. I have been busting my tail and I think I deserve it.



I have a feeling that I will have a great training today. Training on your birthday is always a weird experience though. I get this sense that I need to have a great day so that my birthday will turn out good. Essentially, I want to start my new age off on a positive note! If I have a bad day then my whole year could be jeopardized! haha. Not really, but birthdays are all about smiling, being surrounded by friends and family and enjoying the day to its fullest. And that is all I want to do!

Cheers to being 26 and looking back on life with no regrets!!

Kyle

On the right path, but experiencing Hardwood Hell

This is literally the first time in the past few weeks where I have had a moment of freedom to actually sit down and write something about my life. This will be fun!

I've had a couple of 'heeby jeeby' experiences occur. Let me share.

Like I've said before, I am not a religious person, but I do believe in the power of thought. I also try to recognize situational energies (have you ever had someone who just gives you a bad vibe???) and see meaning in occurrences. By this I mean that I try to see the world for more than it appears to be on the surface.

I will give an example: a few weeks ago, my friend Helen, who was a badminton player at the 2004 Olympics, changed her status on facebook to "movin' to Ontario" or something along those lines. So I sent her a quick note saying that we should try to connect before she moves. Well, not even 2 days later, I was at a pub for lunch with some friends (Kate Richardson being one of them. For those of you who don't know Kate, she is Canada's greatest female gymnast ever and a great friend of mine and she was in Calgary for the weekend...) and who walks by??? Helen! I don't think this was a coincidence. What I think it meant was that both Helen and I are following the right paths.

Then, another old friend and high school classmate added me on facebook (I'm not one of those crazy facebookers, I only check it once or twice a day. I swear!). Well, a day after that we literally bumped (like one of those, "Oops, I'm sorry for crashing into you" bumps) into eachother at the U of C. Again, I don't think it was a coincidence. Just another confirmation that I am on the right path.

I think that attitude plays such a huge role in the happenings in our lives. Last Thursday, when mean Mr.Westhead wrote that garbage, I felt like the universe was hating me. Everything seemed difficult. I noticed all of the red lights that I got stopped at. I noticed my pain. I was in love with my suffering and I was pretty hideous overall. To top it all off, I had to park at the back of the parking lot and walk really far to the gym.

Well, just a couple of days ago, Monday I believe, I was in a great mood. Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows gallore. I made a decision that I was going to attack the day and be super positive and optimistic. Well, wouldn't you know it, when I pulled into the parking lot, it was jam packed, except for one empty spot in the first row! haha. That's what you call Karma baby. Karma. Oh yeah, I also won a free coffee on roll up the rim to win that day. Pretty special.

The way you approach situations is a choice. Your attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. You can feel sorry for yourself as long as you want, but it will not make things feel better. There comes a point in time when you have to decide that you want to feel good. I struggle with this. Sometimes it just feels like things are spinning out of control and no matter how hard I try to grasp onto some sense of control, there is always something keeping it out of reach.

Actually, I got a little anxious and almost panicky about 2 weeks ago when I was in RONA. I felt like the walls were closing in on me and I just had to B line it out of there. It was not a good feeling and I felt that way because I was letting everything that I couldn't control rent way too much space in my head (Kelly used to always say this!). After a breathing session (it's the only thing that works...) I decided that I needed to be proactive and start coming up with solutions and not excuses.

The thing that was pissing me off was the situation I have been experiencing with my hardwood. For those of you who haven't heard the intimate details of the never ending saga, I decided to hardwood my condo. Good idea, but bad choice on company! It has been a month today since I got possession of the place and it has taken them that long to NOT finish the job.

Listen to me, wah wah wah, my hardwood isn't done. I know, I know. If hardwood is my biggest problem then I don't have much to worry about. But no, it's not the hardwood that has been bothering me. It has been the lack of attention to detail, the broken promises, the invasion of my space and the impossibility of comfort. You can not feel settled in a new place when there is friggin saw dust and saws in your living room.

I am a planner. I like to think 10 steps ahead so that I can be prepared for the worst. Well, in this scenario, I did that. I got the wood in my place before I even got the keys. I tried to set it up so that the job would be done before I moved in. It really shouldn't take more than a week to install hardwood...but no, it didn't get done. And the situation and environment was starting to drive me wild...

I tried to be calm. I tried to not let it bother me. I tried to stay positive and encourage the guy to get it done. I tried, but it seemed like 20 minutes of work was enough for the day. Not cool. Finish the F**&ing JOB dude!!!!

I don't lose it often. I am pretty chill. Plus, I am little and I don't like controversy. But the thing is, I can only keep my cool for so long...

Today was my breaking point. I flipped out. I actually Yelled! And I said about 20 F bombs (I talk like a trucker sometimes). Man, did that feel good! There were times in the past 2 weeks where I thought that I was being harsh with them, but apparently I didn't get my point across.

Let's hope that today will be the second to last day that I have to see those idiots.

Never ever ever buy floors from "Floors R US". I should have known by the name, but I didn't trust my instincts!

Anyway, over the past 2 weeks since my little spaz attack in RONA, I decided that I wasn't able to control the workmanship, but I could control what I did each day to make myself feel less vulnerable. When the installer left crap all over my counters, I put it all in a box when I got home. When he left saw dust everywhere, I swept it into a nice pile by his saw. When I noticed something that didn't look right, I stuck an orange sticky note on it. These things made me feel like I had some sense of control over the situation.

Also, when I left for gym, As soon as I closed my door I tried not to talk about or think about my hardwood (that was very very difficult and I can't say I was totally successful all the time). If I did think about it, I would try to think of how nice it will look when it's done. It will look great ( I would love to say it DOES look great, but it WILL will have to do for now)!

So doing those little things helped me. I actually think that they helped my gymnastics. This process has been a huge distraction for me, but I am figuring out ways to turn off the world when I am in the gym and just focus on my task at hand. What happens at home gets left at the door when I walk into the gym. No excuses. No regrets.

I flipped out today because it's been a month and I am ready for them to be done. It's time. End of story. And I really hope that 'scary Kyle' worked and they get the job done tomorrow so that I can start filling my place with friends and wine. I need to have a housewarming party before I become a well-behaved and almost dry athlete...


Regardless of my flooring situation, it's been confirmed to me that I am on the right path!

Check back soon for video evidence!


Kyle

Treadmill

Why do people drive to the gym so that they can run inside on the spot (unless of course, it's winter)???

Spring is here...time to get outside and enjoy the scenery! I love the change of season from Winter to Spring. It makes me feel alive! Spring to Summer is even better...



K

Endurance Routine

This video is of something I like to call an 'endurance routine'. It's sole purpose is to help me gain some cardiovascular strength so that I don't die before my last couple of passes on the real floor.

It's crazy how your mind and body change when you are tired and staring into the corner for your last pass. Your legs feel like jello, your throat feels like it's bleeding and your mind starts spinning in circles. This, my friends, is not a good feeling. And there is only one way to overcome it...and that is by increasing your endurance!

I have been doing tons of these endurance routines in training. I am trying to go through atleast 2 each day. Some days I don't do as big of tumbling as the one above, but I am trying to keep my body moving constantly from line to line.

I have always done these types of routines. Actually, at my old club (Altadore), I didn't do a SINGLE floor routine on the real floor from 2000-2004 ( I would do them in training camps at other gyms, but never in my home gym). I would do basic and endurance routines on a tumbling strip. I did this for a number of reasons. First, safety. The environment was soft and safe and I could do higher numbers of reps because I wasn't risking an injury. Secondly, motivation. I am more motivated to train when I can just tumble until my hearts content. Thirdly, mind over matter. When I was in great shape I could do all of my hard skills, but some days I would be tired and would need to keep it simple, but still maintain a level of conditioning and endurance build up. If I did an endurance routine with easy tumbling skills, I could still mentally pretend that I was preparing myself for a double twisting double back, but instead do only an open double tuck.

I am a firm believer in smart training. I don't push myself too hard on the days when I know I am tired and mentally mush! I do, however, push myself in mindless ways, so that at the end of the day I know that I have advanced in some way. I have teammates (Dub and Bren!!!!) who will start their floor routine, make the first 3 passes and then screw up the 4th and start again from the beginning. By the time they have reached missed routine # 4, they are disengaged, they are hurting and the chance that they will make the routine on try #5 is slim to none. I don't think this is the right way to go about it. I just don't see the benefit. If you can't make a routine after 3 tries, then obviously something isn't right. This is the point when I would take control and go through 2 basic routines. 2 basic routines are going to be much more beneficial in the end because you are still building up endurance, but not killing your body!

This past couple of weeks have really been great for me inside of the gym. I can feel myself starting to gain some ground on my Olympic goals and I have really been enjoying my time in the gym (maybe because it is a great escape from moving and renovation hell!). I have been completing a lot of tasks and leaving the gym feeling very satisfied.

I came up with a great analogy the other day. My gymnastics and this journey towards Beijing is like a giant puzzle. From the moment I injured myself, I have been slowly putting the pieces together. Every day I have to put atleast one piece in it's place. Some days I put 10 in (those are the best days!!!). I don't know exactly what this puzzle will look like when it's complete, I have a vision of it, but I do know that it will be beautiful and very rewarding. It's my job to ensure that I am committed to finishing it. Some of the pieces are very tedious, like all of the ones that are the same colour, but different shapes (like a sky for example), but I think I am almost done with those ones. It is now starting to become the time when I work on the detailed pieces.

These endurance routines that I have been doing are making me feel like I am working towards something very tangible. They are a GIANT section of the puzzle and they lead to an overwhelming sense of productivity. Once you have the outsides of the puzzle done and you start to work your way in, the pace of accomplishment increases. Once you have completed more than 500 pieces of a 1000 piece puzzle, well, you are more than half way done. I like thinking along these lines. Momentum is powerful ("holla" to all you science geeks out there). I feel very powerful.

The pace is fast, my endurance is increasing, I am making progress and this puzzle is coming together quite nicely.

K

Engine Light

Life can be tough. Sometimes it can feel like everyone and everything is out to get you. No matter how hard you try to get ahead, there is always something new that is trying to pull you down.

Here's an example: You think you have total control over a situation and everything is running smoothly, but then, mysteriously, your freakin' engine light comes on. We've all had that happen! It just happened to me yesterday and I was super bitter. What the hell?! Why now! When things are finally starting to wind down and I feel some sense of control over the occurrences in my life, my bloody engine light has to come on and make things just a little more complicated. What did I do to deserve this? Why did that light just happen to have turned on when I glanced at it while driving down the road? It was like it was taunting me. "Haha, sucka! Try fitting this inconvenience into your busy life!". Sometimes I wonder if engine lights are programmed to turn on once every 40,000 K just so that the dealerships can make an extra $600. I wouldn't put it past them. And the thing is, you can't ignore that light. It is bright, it is orange and it stares at you every single time you turn your car on. Personally, I wish that it will magically disappear one of these start ups. Vroom Vroom...no more light! Unfortunately that probably won't happen. I'm gonna keep wishing though.

There really are two ways to view a crappy situation like this. One way is to do just what I did above and lay blame and be an angry and bitter soul. It really doesn't get you far though. It gets you frustrated and panicky, but it doesn't solve anything.

Luckily, there is another way to view the situation; You can be positive and put your energy into solving the problem. Wow. It sounds so simple. I should just phone the flippin' dealership and book in, shouldn't I?!

It happened, deal with it.

I guess this post is a little personal therapy session for me. I want to continue to be in a state of contentment and optimism, but I slowly feel like life, not gymnastics, but life, is dragging me down. I let the little things build up and then I have a freak out. All I want is to be able to focus solely on gymnastics and my Olympic preparation and not have to continually be juggling a million different errands. I know what you are thinking. I know that this is the way life is for everyone, but I also know myself really well and I know how I work. I work best when I go to bed dreaming about my routines and not about my car breaking down!

K

Va-Va-Va-Vaulting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On March 22nd, 2008 I did my first Vault in since August 26th, 2007.

That was almost 7 months in the making.

We had a training camp with Edouard at Calgary Gymnastics Centre and I decided that on this particular Saturday morning I was going to get over that table! I think my main motivation was that I was off to Oakville the next day to spend some time with Kelly and to tape CBC's "Test the Nation" and I wanted to leave Eddie with a good impression!

It was one of the most amazing experiences I have had in a long time. Flying down the runway and flipping over the table is something that I had taken for granted before my injury, but not anymore!

I almost forgot how incredible it felt... Not quite, but almost! As a gymnast, you get a special feeling when you are standing at the end of the vault runway. Your breathing gets shorter and your heart beats faster. Your eyes are peeled on the table 25 meters down the run way. It's the epitome of single minded focus! It's just you and the apparatus. You are filled with adrenaline because you know that for the next 4 seconds you are going to have to be as quick and powerful as you possibly can. You have to explode out of the starting blocks! But, you also have to maintain some sort of control so that you can be precise in your movements. You get a rhythm as you run down (I noticed that my rhythm was totally off for the first few) and you trust that your steps are going to put you in the perfect place to hurdle towards the board. I start my run at 24.65 meters. Yes, that extra 5 cm makes a difference! haha. I take my board at 50cm. I put my hand mat at 1 of my feet plus an inch and a bit away from the board. Oh yes, it is very precise. There is no messing around!

You know what was a little weird though? I almost forgot my ritual. It had been so long since I had set my board. But once I set it a few times there was an amazing sense of belonging and comfort in it. It felt like I was home.

Within a couple of vaults, my run felt pretty normal (except for the plate burn...which is becoming normal) and I gained confidence with each turn.

It was a great way to end the camp. It was also sort of vindicating for me because it was another accomplished milestone in this comeback process.

The next morning I was off to Oakville. I was really excited to see Kelly and to show him my progress! I knew that he would be impressed!

I was also super excited that I had another event to train!!!

I was so excited that I vaulted everyday!


(This is a Yurchenko Double Twist)



And within 3 days, I was back to my old self.

(This is a Yurchenko 2.5. That's right gym fans...a Shewfelt. I had this move named in my honour after I competed it at the 2000 Olympic Games. I was the very first gymnast to perform this skill in World or Olympic competition and therefore I got it named after me!)


I can't say that it didn't hurt. I still feel like I am running on one and a half legs, but it did feel better each and every one. I have a sneaky suspicion that I am going to be in a bit of pain for the next while, but the great thing now is that I am able to haul my ass down there and decently flip over the table.

That, my friends, is called progress. And we all know how much I love PROGRESS!!!!!!!

Boo yah.



It was a wonderful week hanging out with Kelly, Sue and Barrett again. I miss them tons. I always seem to come back to Calgary with such a great attitude after I spend some time there. My favourite part about spending time with Kelly is that he knows me so well. He knows when I need a push and he knows when I need a compliment. He is my comfort; and right now, with all of the discomfort I am experiencing with the changes in my life, he has a way of reminding me of who I am. When everything you thought you knew does a 180, you can sometimes feel lost and confused. My time with Kel allowed me some time to escape, to get away from the insanity that is my current life and to just focus on gymnastics. It's exactly what I needed.

Now I am home, I have the keys to my new place and the stressful process that is called 'moving' has begun! I am trying to keep a steady pace and make it as stress free as possible, but for those of you who have ever moved, you know that the unexpected always happens!!!! My plan is to be fully moved into my new place by April 16th (I hired movers for that day so I better be ready!). I can't wait until it is all said and done. It will be a huge weight off of my shoulders.

Not to worry though. My priorities are in line. I'm just excited about a time (soon!) when all I have to worry about is what I will have for dinner after I'm done evening training! That will be so nice!

Kyle

March Running Madness

As March began, there was one thing on my mind.

Sprinting at FULL speed by the end of the month.

Now that March has come to an end, I thought that I would reflect and update on the process.





Things started off great. I was determined. So determined that after the first day of running drills and various leg exercises, I could barely bend over and touch my toes because my hamstrings were so tight!

This led me to meet with Dr.Mohtadi to get some anti-inflammatory meds (Oh, how I love the anti-inflams!) .



During the first week, Susan (being the creative individual that she is) found a knee wrap with a little air pad in it to provide compression on the site of the plate. I obsessively followed the rehab plan, doing bungee exercises and heel to bum lifts with electric current on my hamstring, all in the pursuit of running with no pain.

Another exercise I did (quite hideously, I might add) is called a mountain climber. To perform this drill you lean over into a prone position with your nose, knees and belly button all pointing towards the floor. Then you drive your knee up to your chest like you are climbing a mountain! Well, I could do it 100% on the right (which, I guess is something to be proud of!), but negative 100% on the left...which was really concerning. It would seem that gravity, or the fight against it, caused me burning and frustrating pain...kind of like a sky diver who's parachute didn't open (that's a little morbid, Sorry).

So, at the beginning of the March 10th week, a little less than half way through "March Running Madness", I decided that I needed to take a more aggressive approach. I couldn't combat the pain anymore...in fact, it overpowered me in every way and I didn't stand a chance against it!



This led to another meeting with Dr.M and we talked about the options. He suggested we try a cortisone shot. Firstly because the anesthetic we had injected in February had worked quite well and secondly because at this point I was willing to try anything to get rid of the *%^&ing pain! I have always been a little wary of cortisone shots because I have heard that they can make you very arthritic when you get older. I know that this gymnastics thing is going to end one day and when it does I would like to be able to crouch down and crawl on the floor with my kids (when I have them of course...after I make "getting a life" more of a priority!!haha).

I decided that this was necessary. If it could provide me with the extra relief that I craved then it would be worth it. So, on March 10th, I laid there and did my best to avoid watching the GIANT needle squish in. I felt the fluid go up my leg, I bled a little bit and then I went on with my merry day! Yes folks, I got cortisoned! That sounds so much dirtier than it really is!



I was so hopeful that this would be the magic cure, the thing that would take that edge off and allow me to sprint as fast as I could pre-injury.

Following Dr.M's instructions, I took it easy on the Monday and then tested it out on Tuesday.

It felt good, but not incredible. There was still some achy, burning pain in my leg.

Damn it.

I was disappointed. I wanted this to be that instant miracle cure. Why did this injection not numb the pain completely?

Wednesday came and it started to hurt more than before the shot. Was it in my head??? Did I want it to work out so badly that I was actually convincing myself that it was worse than before because it didn't feel 100% better?

I don't know what was going on, but all I know is that the burn was still there and I got a little pissed off.

The thing that made me the most upset was that I could sprint in my head. No problem. In my head I was fast, smooth and powerful. Physically, I could jog well, pick up speed well, but when it came to 'full out legs faster than your body, 'Fred Flintstone style' running, I was unable to do it. My legs (especially the left) just couldn't keep up and it was so annoying!

(In the video, I am sprinting on the track at the Olympic Oval. It looks pretty normal, but believe me, I felt like I was running on one leg)

(Here, more sprinting...and the mats are all like that because they are taking the ice out. This way we can have summer sport activities held there, like the Canadian National Gymnastics Championships!)

The whole experience of getting the shot and having it fail made me feel a little trapped.

I couldn't push myself to get to where I needed to be...and I was trying. Apparently I have an issue with this patience thing sometimes!

I got a little down. I felt defeated. I felt lost. I felt like there was nothing else that I could do. I had tried everything and nothing seemed to get me past that point of plateau.

But, in true Kyle fashion, I over analyzed it to death and came up with a solution. A better outlook. A new glimmer of hope.

Sure, the shot didn't work. Well, I guess we tried it and now we know. At least I won't have to get any more needles in my leg!

Sure, I had been busting my butt with physio. But you know what, even though I couldn't run at max speed, it was getting better. The pain was definitely less than it was at the beginning of the month. I did have more definition in my legs, which is very important when your legs are skinny to begin with!

These types of thoughts changed my perspective. I tried to keep telling myself that I was making progress. I decided that I needed to focus on this. I needed to continue doing the strengthening, continue to manage the inflammation with anti-inflams, continue running with pain, but also try to convince myself that it was a pain I could handle.

I am one tough motha f%#a and nothing is going to stop me from reaching my goal!!!!!!!!!!! Repeat.

This new attitude didn't come in an instant, it took a couple of days, but holy smokes did it change things. Attitude, approach and outlook are incredibly powerful...on both ends of the positive/negative spectrum. If you decide you feel great then you have a better chance of approaching situations with a positive outlook. Little things won't get to you. You'll see the green grass! But if you are down then everything seems like it is out to get you. That grass is brown and burnt to crap! haha.

I've come a long way. I am almost where I need to be. Remember, back in September, when I was sitting in a wheel chair and staring at the wall??? I am so far past that now! I still have time. More than enough time in fact. I just need to make sure that I am absorbing this time with positive energy, enthusiasm and belief in myself. It's guaranteed that this time will pass, very quickly I'm sure, and I need to make the most of every single moment.

My goal for the end of the month was to sprint at full speed. I am sad to say that I am not quite there yet. I tried, but full speed just didn't happen. I'm OK with that though. I'm OK with it because I know that I did everything I could do in pursuit of the sprinting goal. I've come so far and I am choosing to focus on this success and progress.

Now, because of my recent busy personal life, I haven't really been keeping the blog up to date with where I've been and what I've been up to. So here's the condensed version: We had a camp in Calgary and then I spent last week in Oakville with Kelly. Both were great. And, I am happy to say that I have a surprise for you...and personally I think it's even more exciting than sprinting on a track with shoes.

Can you guess what I did???

Stay tuned!

Kyle

A Letter For Kyle

Olympic gold medallist Kyle Shewfelt wheels his way to a news conference last September to discuss his injuries and recovery time for 2008 Olympics. The Canadian gymnast broke both of his knees and suffered ligament damage after an awkward landing while training for the 2007 world championships in Germany. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)






A Letter for Kyle

Even Olympic champions can face roadblocks


By Scott Russell, CBC Sports Weekend
Monday, March 24, 2008


This is just to say I'm cheering for you, Kyle Shewfelt. I know that, technically, I'm not supposed to. You're an athlete and I'm a broadcaster. Convention says my relationship with you should be an impartial one. Let's pray that no one reads this then. I'm behind you a hundred percent my friend! You are a champion and I know that you can be again.

When you won that gold medal on the floor exercise in gymnastics at the Athens Olympics, well, it was something I'll never forget. You took on the Russians, the Romanians and the Americans, all the "big boys" of your sport, and you were just that much better. To see you standing there with the laurel wreath on your head, the gold medal hanging from your neck, having become the first Canadian gymnast to ascend Olympic podium was simply awe inspiring.

To hear you say what you did at the end of the day was like music to my ears. "I love gymnastics," you said. "This means the world to me."

That's why it hurt so much to arrive in Stuttgart, Germany, last September to cover the attempts by the men's team to qualify for the Beijing Games and find out that you had broken both of your legs in a training exercise. But there you were, in the wheelchair, locked into horrible looking splints and full of confidence that the guys would qualify without you. Then you figured you'd be back in no time and you'd all win a medal together in China.

Have confidence, Kyle

I guess it's been a little tougher than you first imagined. Still, I know you'll figure it out. I have confidence in you.

Hey, I was speaking with your old coach the other day. Kelly Manjak feels your pain, I'm positive of that. How could he not? After working with you from the time you were six-years-old until you won that medal, he became your "rock." Then he moved to Ontario to have a family and left you in good hands back in Calgary but, as you know, he's followed your every move since.

Kelly told me, during the course of our conversation, that he thinks you were even better just before the injury than you were when you won the Olympic medal. The moves were more difficult, the routines more intricate and your preparation to take on Beijing was beyond question. "It was very difficult for me," Kelly said when he heard about the broken legs. "Kyle phoned me just before the Stuttgart championships and he was so happy and excited!"

Kyle Shewfelt wears his gold medal after winning the floor exercise at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. (Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press)

So now, I know you're coming here to hang with Kelly for a week or so and get a little advice. Good idea. After all, you always told me that he was so important to you when things got rough.

"Kelly is a part of my family," you said. "I guess he's my comfort zone and I know that his love for me as a person and as an athlete is unconditional."

For his part, Kelly Manjak is squarely in your corner Kyle. He's a believer. Get set for a week of "blue sky" thinking because that's what this is going to take. Kelly is counting on the fact there's no time to waste with fretting about whether or not the comeback is worth it. "He has to see something good in everything right now," Kelly figures. "I will encourage him to make the best of each day."

This is all wrapped up in your significance as a Canadian athlete, Kyle, your place in history, if that doesn't sound too high and mighty. After all, you became a symbol to a lot of people in this country when you won in Athens. I'd covered gymnastics at the Olympics for quite awhile and the thought that a Canadian could be "top dog" ... well, it was just a pipe dream!
Canada found its champion

Then you came along.

Kelly Manjak knew that in you he had lightning in a bottle.

"Kyle has been so important for Canada because of what he has proven to younger gymnasts," Kelly said. "He has proven that winning is possible. That you are what you think you are."

It's up to you Kyle. You are what you think you are. I can't imagine the pain you must be enduring. I've seen the pictures of the physiotherapist bending your scarred legs and you stifling the screams. I hurt every time I see you trying to run and I wince when I understand that an excruciating hobble brings a smile to your face because you believe you're making progress. I wonder how you do it. I wonder why you even try.

You once told me something about winning that gold medal in Athens. As I recall, you always believed that the victory was not the end of the story but just another chapter in the book.

"Being an Olympic champion doesn't completely define a person," you said. "But I also know because of it that anything I want to achieve in my life is possible and I guess that has given me confidence to move forward."

Shewfelt became an international force on both the floor and vault exercises. (Getty Images)

Always looking ahead and never retracing your steps - that's you Kyle! This struggle is just another plot point in your drama. It's like that old Japanese marathoner once claimed. "Welcome the suffering - only then will you know how to reach your limits." That's sage advice for someone who wants to be a champion!

I'm sure you're heading back to the gym, Kyle, to continue the grind. Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you and hoping for the best. If anyone can make this happen, you will. I understand that you can't continue to send your video diary because you've really got to get down to business and concentrate on making this comeback happen. But don't forget to keep me up to date with those little beacons of hope that you rattle off from time to time.

You know, the little messages you send ... like this one: "Regardless of the way everything turns out, I think that this journey is going to define me far beyond my athletic accomplishments. I am becoming the person I have always aspired to be. But, no need to worry, I'm not quite done yet."
I won't worry Kyle. I'll just keep cheering for you and wish you all the best with your efforts to get to the Olympics in Beijing.

Just keep it to yourself ... will you?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Scott,

Thank you for writing this incredible column. I appreciate your support, I envy your passion and I am truly honoured to know you. What you do for amateur sport in Canada goes far beyond your broadcasting contributions...you are one of our biggest fans! That is clearly evident by the enthusiasm you display when it comes to our results and our journeys. So, thank you Scott. Not only for writing this inspiring article, but for believing in the potential of all of Canada's athletes. Keep up the amazing work. You are truly one of a kind!

Kyle

ps- There's no way I can keep something as special as this to myself (Plus, Simon Whitfield blogged it before I did...Simon thinks I'm a ninja! I think Simon is the fittest person (and one of the funniest) on the planet)! I guess I've always felt inclined to share anything and everything that inspires me... and this is definitely something that NEEDS to be shared! Thanks again!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

I thought that I would mention that I am featured in this weeks 'Macleans' Magazine (see my little picture in the left hand corner of the cover?!?! Apparantly Jesus is having an identity crisis as well...poor guy!). I haven't seen the article yet, but I'm thinking it's a gooder. Macleans doesn't publish crap! Also, I'm hoping the photo is awesome because one of Canada's best photographers, Christopher Wahl, came by the gym and took some wicked shots.

OK, now run out to your local convenience store and pick it up...hurry!!!!!! Go! You've got to get a copy before they're all gone!

Cheers,
Kyle

Jurassic Classic

This past weekend was the University of Calgary Gymnastic Club's annual invitational called the "Jurassic Classic". It has become one of the biggest invitational competitions in all of Canada and this year marked it's 15th year! Wow! I competed at the very first Jurassic Classic...that makes me old!

Obviously, I didn't compete at this one, but I was there to support my teammates and of course, repeatedly answer questions about whether or not "I'm gonna make it".

I don't know if I should take offense to this question or if I should be flattered that people care enough to ask. Sometimes it's the tone. That hum haw, concerned and almost sympathetic tone. I wish that people would come up to me and say, "Holy smokes Kyle, you're looking good!" Not, "So, are you gonna make it?". Why does it matter so much? Is it because it's the Olympic year? What if this injury had occurred in 2006? Would people still be asking me the question, "Are you gonna make it?".

One thing that has become more and more apparent to me over the course of this process has been the emphasis that people put on the Olympics. It is HUGE! People have their vision focused on those rings and the spectacle of it all.

I have a question:

If I don't make it, then does that mean I failed?

I am feeling more and more like my chances of being there and being ready to challenge are getting better and better, but still, will I be a failure in everyones eyes if I don't make it?

I sure hope not. I hope that people are seeing the value in my attempt, regardless of the way it turns out.

I know that I do.

Kyle

SOLD

This past week has been absolute pandemonium! My house has been for sale for a while and it finally sold. Yes! Then I bought a new place (which I get possession of on April 1st). Needless to say, I have had a hard time finding a spare minute to put any energy into updating the blog. My apologies to those of you who have been checking and not seeing updates. More will come when things settle down.

This is an incredibly busy and stressful time in my life, but I am trying to maintain balance and remember where my priorities lie. Regardless of how insane my life is, I need to keep being committed to my progress in the gym.

Not to get into too much detail (as it is my personal life and Melissa's as well), but Melissa and I have mutually decided to be apart. Love is not the issue, I love her to death and I know she loves me, but we were just growing in different directions and it was starting to affect both of us. Our happiness was being compromised and we were not willing to just accept that. To be honest, I can't give her what she deserves right now. I barely have enough time to take care of myself!

I miss her, I miss the life we built, I miss our dog (Zoey), but I also know that I need to channel all of my energy into getting fit and being focused on Beijing. She supports me.

We made this decision with the intention of us both moving forward. Not moving on, moving FORWARD. I never forget the incredible people who make a difference in my life.


So, there you have it. Change is abundant in my life right now, but change can be good. It makes you grow and it makes you question what you really want. It makes you question what is important to you. It helps you gain trust in yourself and your decisions. Change also makes you realize that you can handle much more than you thought you could. It's overwhelming and scary as hell, but very empowering. It kind of makes you feel alive!

I must say though, now having a basis for comparison: a broken heart does hurt a lot more than broken legs.

They say that time heals...and if not, then you know where your heart belongs.

K.

Tumbling Machine

This past couple of weeks have been super productive in the gym. These video's speak for themselves:

This is a backspring series to a double layout and it feels great to be able to do this. I can honestly say that I am not holding back at all!

This is from 2 weeks ago. It took me a while to trust that I could take off and twist. This is a prime example of slow and steady progress. I did a one and a half twist and a simple front layout for a while, but then I decided it was time to add a full. The first one is always a little scary...I didn't know how my left knee would feel (stable or unstable). It actually felt great, no instability at all.

Here, about a week and a half later than the previous video, I do a 1.5 twist, front full, front 1 and 3/4 roll out. Notice how I do the roll in the piked position. I usually do it in the tucked position, with my knees close to my chest, but I am having a hard time getting my legs bent. My left hamstring is still bothering me, and I'm pretty sure it's because the plate is irritating it (I have a meeting with Dr.Mohtadi on Monday to discuss a cortisone shot). It felt awesome to be able to do this line because it means that I am just one step closer to putting things together! This will be one of my "actual" lines in my routine...so sweet!

In this video I am doing 3 running steps to an arabian double front pike 1/2 out. The 3 RUNNING STEPS should really be in caps! This is a huge accomplishment for me. I still feel a slight burning in my left leg, but I am able to get enough speed to tumble quite well. Notice the half out at the end...I am still debating whether or not I will keep this half turn, but for the time being, it gives me more confidence than if I was to land forward. When I broke my legs it was on a similar skill to this, but instead of landing facing the camera, I landed with my back to it...and CRACK! flashback! Sick.

I am gaining confidence everyday. Soon I am going to have to start transferring these skills to the real floor, but for now, this is very positive! I actually feel like I might be a better tumbler than I was before. I am forced to be more aware, more technical and quicker than I usually am. There is no room for error and I need to be very protective. The last thing I want to happen is for me to make a stupid mistake...stupid mistakes are where you get hurt!

Hope you enjoyed the video's!

Kyle

To Alex

In response to a comment from Alex after my 'National Post - February 24, 2008' post:

Her Comment was:

Hi Kyle,I have a question about a previous injury of yours. I know this is a comment on a blog about your knee injuries, but I found on the internet that you have had a bone contusion on your talus. I am a serious ballet dancer and have been told I have the same injury. You are the first athlete (and person) I've found who has gone through this same experience, and I'd love to know how you recovered. Since no one can give me a first hand account of an injury like this, any information you can give me would be great. Thanks!-Alex
4/3/08 12:49 PM



My response:

Alex,

I suffered a talus bone contusion in March of 2004. I landed short on a vault and I could barely walk off of the mat. The next morning I woke up and my foot was the size of a grapefruit and black and blue.

It was a very frustrating injury and I can honestly say that TIME was the most important factor in healing. I went to physio and did acupuncture and mobility exercises. I iced a thousand times a day. I went to the chiropractor and got ankle adjustments (only when I could walk without pain). I took an anti-inflammatory (Vioxx, but you can't get it anymore). I taped my ankle...I think the most important thing that I did was wait.

I literally didn't do any tumbling, running or landings for more than 2 months. I just started to do basic tumbling at the end of May. I remember one day I got in a panic and I tried to do a backhandspring series and it killed! I was in agony for 5 minutes, laying there with my foot in the air and squishing my face so that I wouldn't cry. Kelly, my coach at the time, told me that I have to be smart, continue being patient and not push it. It won't make me progress, it could actually cause regression. I listened.

I was determined to come back and be in great shape for Athens, but there was a point when I saw the Olympics fading away. When you can't tumble 4 months before the Games, you get a little worried! I guess I am kind of an expert at this now!

I kept my legs strong so that when I was healed I could come back faster and not injure something else. I could walk pain free after a few weeks, but walking down stairs, jumping, going up on my toes all killed. So, I didn't do those things, but did everything I could do that was pain free...not much at the beginning, but slowly I could do toe raises on the stairs (slow and controlled), jumping on a big soft mat, bungee exercises etc.

Mentally, I did a lot of visualization. I pictured myself doing my routines over and over. I pictured them perfectly and would try to feel like I was actually doing them.

At the Olympics I still wasn't fully recovered, but I was recovered and focused enough that it didn't affect me. In fact, it might have been an advantage. I was having small victories every day. I wasn't focused on the pressure and the hype. I had to keep it simple and be happy with the small progression I made each day.

Did you know that I didn't actually stick a single dismount on floor until the one I stuck cold in the Olympic final? I tried, believe me, but I would always take a small step or hop (I actually only added my double twisting double back to my full routine weeks prior). I would freak out once in a while, but I would calm myself down by trusting that when I HAD to do it, I was going to fight like hell.

Our minds are very powerful. Stay positive. Let yourself heal. TIME, my friend, TIME. I know it's not what you want to hear, but it's true. There is no magic shot (not even tequila!) or pill that cures it. I wish there was! Don't push it right now. It will not get better unless you let it rest. Do physio, ice, tape, keep your legs strong, but don't do things that give you that URK feeling (that's the only way I can describe that pain of a bone contusion when you go beyond the point you should...it almost zings through your body and you want to lay there and just hold your ankle in one place so that it does give you that sharp achy feeling again.)

If it makes you feel any better, I don't ever think about that pain anymore. It really does eventually go away! It's hard to believe now, I know, but trust me, it does fade away.

Good Luck, be patient, stay positive and keep everyone who reads this blog updated!

Kyle

No. I will not DEFEND my Olympic title, but I sure am an intelligent individual and very proud of my daily efforts!

This past couple of weeks have been a little crazy. Apparently the Olympics are starting to come onto the media's radar and everyone wants a piece. I am more than happy to accommodate most requests, but I am just going to have to be smart in the way I manage it. I say this because I am starting to feel a little lack of balance, control and the ability to say NO. I don't want to disappoint anyone, but I also have to remember that my main priority right now is training.

Many days in the past week or so, I have found myself so tired of talking about my injury and the way training has been going that I just don't want to think about it anymore! The thing is, I need to keep fueling positive energy and thoughts into the recovery process. These are just a little hard to find when you feel drained.

One question that keeps coming up during interviews is this (surprise surprise):

Are you going to be able to DEFEND your Olympic title?

I will answer that one right now...NO.

No, I will not be able to defend it because it is not something that can be defended. I don't have to give it back. No one is going to come to my house and take the medal away. Once an athlete is an Olympic Champion, they are an OC forever. There is no defense, just an opportunity to win again. My friend and fellow Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist in wrestling, Daniel Igali, pointed this out to me. Great outlook. Makes me feel more at ease. Thanks dude.

So starting right now, I don't want to talk about a defense. I know it makes for a pressure filled story, but pressure is the last thing I need right now! I want to talk about how the possibility of winning AGAIN is my motivator. I want to talk about my team and how incredible they are. I want to talk about how huge of a victory it will be to compete in Beijing. I want to talk about how I am aiming to have my BEST performance. Typically Canadian, I know, but that was my goal in Athens and it is my goal for Beijing. Control what you can control...in gymnastics, that is ONLY your preparation and your own personal performance.

Over the past couple of weeks I have done interviews and photo shoots for McLean's, Go! Magazine, Hello! Mag, CBC Sports, Sportsnet and tons of National and local news and TV. Some of the photo shoots have been fun and made me feel like a celeb (I joked that it's a good thing I am already in Rehab! All I need now is to write a song, do some drugs and win 5 Grammy's!). Below are a couple of photos from the Hello! Mag shoot:




























During one particular interview with CBC, the producer (Karen, who reads this, so a big HELLO to you!) asked me some awesome questions. At one point I found myself talking about my intelligence and how I am proud of my efforts to this point. While I was saying it, it felt numbingly weird. I couldn't believe those words were coming out of my mouth. "I think I am an intelligent person" and "I am proud of myself" are not things that I commonly say out loud. I don't think many people do. But my question is: Why did it feel weird and why don't we say these types of things out loud more often?

When you say such a self-proclaiming statement, like "I am intelligent", you feel a little exposed...like you are standing there buck naked in front of the reporter!

I think we, as a society, have been conditioned to be humble and modest. We are told that it's bad etiquette to talk highly of ones self. We are afraid that others will feel intimidated by us, put off by our confidence and not accepting of our belief in ourselves. Seriously, how many times have you said out loud that you are intelligent or that you are really proud of yourself?

Try it...

Weird huh?!

I am one of the worlds most humble human beings. I actually loathe people who are conceited. It's one of my pet peeves when someone talks about themselves and everything that they are so awesome at! Shut the *#%& up!

But you know what? I think it's about time that we start being proud of ourselves, recognizing our efforts, focusing on our strengths (don't forget about your weaknesses...but don't obsess about them) and giving ourselves compliments.

We need to start focusing more on what we CAN do and less on what we CAN NOT do.

We need to be proud of the effort we put forth and stop focusing on what we could have and should have done, but didn't.

I commit this crime often. I have a hard time being proud of myself and recognizing my strengths. I focus on my weaknesses and always believe that I can be better than I am. To some, this could be considered a strength. I consider it a deterrent. It's negative thinking. It is focusing more on the HAVE NOTS than on the HAVES.

It's very liberating to look at yourself, your actions and your efforts and be content. To come home and know that you did everything you set out to do on that day is a great feeling. I want to try and live my life like this every day.

So, off I go, to conquer the world with my intellectual powers and to put forth an effort that I will be proud of! (I am such a dork)

Kyle

CANADA vs- USA

A couple of weekends ago, our team had a camp with the Americano's and then faced off against them in a friendly competition. It was a little bit early in the year for the guys to be completely prepared, but they did a good job! GO-CANADA-GO!

When I initially heard about the camp back a month ago or so, I decided that I would not attend, not only because I would be just returning from Hawaii, but I also didn't want to be embarrassed by not being in the shape that I want to be in.

It's kind of weird how I write and show my progress on this blog, but I don't want people to actually see my efforts up close and personal. I guess I feel like I am risking a little bit more when I am exposing my weaknesses. No matter how hard you try, you feel like a little bit of an idiot when people who are your competitors are able to see exactly how far behind them you are. It's not the greatest feeling for you, but probably a pretty good feeling for them! Ha, Kyle can't even run yet...team Canada is so screwed! I thought it would be better to have them wonder, or check out this blog, than to let them know where I really am in the gym. Not that I am disappointed with where I am, I am just not at a point where I want to show off my stuff to my competition!

Anyway, I watched the meet on Friday night and the USA won. Darn it! The Americans looked good though. Blaine Wilson is back...33 years old...that's flippin' insane! The Canadian guys looked good too. So good, I took pictures of them all for you to see (Bow chicka wah wah):


















































































In order of appearance: Adam Wong (A Wong), Nathan Gafuik (Nate, Nate Dog or Naysin), Ken Ikeda (Kenji), David Kikuchi (Dave, DK...creative, I know!), Grant Golding (G or G-spot (we're a bunch of guys, give us a break!)) and Brandon Oneill (Busy B or B sac...). I don't really have a nick name, although the guys at U of C sometimes call me Spesh (like Special K) or Shewfly.

And a couple more contenders for Olympic spots, Casey Sandy (Case) and Jared Walls (J-rad or Troll) but they didn't compete:


































I wanted to take a moment to show off my team. These guys are awesome! I know that I get a lot of the media attention, but every single one of these guys has been extremely committed to gymnastics for their entire life as well. Each one of these guys has represented Canada at major international competitions. Each one of these guys is dreaming about achieving amazing results in China. Each one of these guys basically eats, sleeps and breathes gymnastics right now and I think that they deserve exposure and recognition just as much as I do.

I want everyone to know that I would not have been able to achieve the results I have without my team. We push each other and we support each other. I want everyone to know that these were the guys who qualified this team to the Olympics. I want everyone to know that this team is going to surprise a lot of people in Beijing. This is the best that Canada has ever had (sorry to all of you past National team members out there, but it's true!). We achieved history in 2006 by coming 5th in the qualification (behind the super powers China, Japan, Russia and Romania) and 6th in the finals. I have a feeling that more historical results are going to be earned in Beijing!

I can't wait to get back into the mix and show that I deserve the honor of competing alongside these awesome athletes, and more importantly, incredible individuals.

Thanks for your support guys (and we'll get our revenge on the USA in China!),


Kyle

McDonald's should give me a call! Or anyone else who is interested in my proposal!

I had this idea...I don't know if it will work, but I am going to test my theory and hope it does! My theory is this: I am going to make a partnership proposal here and hope that it somehow reaches the right person.

I want to create a corporate partnership with McDonald's. Why, you might ask? Well, for one, I sure LOVE my international Big Macs! It has become a sort of tradition for me to try one from each country I visit. Yum! There's just something comforting about 2 patties between sesame seed buns, processed cheese and that delicious special sauce when you are eating mystery meat that has been slathered in sweet and sour goop in Beijing! (Come to think of it, I didn't see ANY stray dogs while I was there either...I don't even want to know). But more importantly, I believe that I would be their PERFECT athlete ambassador.

I am a master at school visits. I love doing them...if I had my choice, I would do the majority of my speaking engagements at schools for the rest of my career.

When I do corporate talks I have fun, I get paid well and I always meet really interesting people, but I feel that I am affecting (really affecting) maybe 10% of the group. As adults we are already set in our ways. We have established our values, we are working towards our dreams and we, to put it bluntly, are quite jaded. Sure, an Olympic Gold Medal speaker can inspire you to work harder, set goals, believe that great things will happen in your life, but generally, we listen for the hour, hear some funny stories, go home, tell our loved ones and then go ahead with business as usual the very next day. I might not be speaking for everyone, but I am just admitting to what I do. I have heard some of the best speakers in the "athlete speaker" industry, and I always gain some knowledge and perspective, but I generally don't feel "saved" or "re-directed" after they speak. I always feel like I know them better, and that I like them better and want to hang out with them after they are done and ask them questions about their experiences, but I don't feel like I am a new man after anyone speaks.

*Holy crap, I just read that back and it sounds like I am dissing my fellow speakers and discrediting them and myself, but I am just trying to be honest and realistic. Half the time people are thinking more about those emails in their inbox that need to be answered or about what they are going to cook for dinner than about how the athlete standing before them is the coolest person in the world and how they themselves want to compete in the Olympics!

When I go to schools, I feel like I am affecting 90% of the kids (-vs- the 10% of corporate listeners). I feel like they think I am the coolest person in the world and that they genuinely want to compete in the Olympics (or play in a rock band...or be a scientist...whatever)!

I remember being a kid and being so inspired by Olympic athletes...I didn't even meet an Olympic Gold Medalist until 2002 when I met Catriona Le May Doan at the Alberta Sport Awards. I was so intimidated by her (and the whole experience of having to give a thank-you speech!), but she came up to me with that giant white smile of hers, congratulated me on my accomplishments and was very genuine and down to earth. She is still a huge role model for me (and now a friend and one of my favourite athlete speakers by the way! Great work on Countdown, Cat!), but just being in her presence inspired me.

I feel like I somewhat have this awe inspiring affect on kids too when I share my stories and experiences with them at their schools.

I have this video of me when I was 9 years old. I was named the "athlete of the week" by the local news and got a profile done on the 11 o'clock news. My parents actually let me stay up to watch it and I remember being mortified when I saw it on TV. I couldn't believe that I looked and sounded the way I did (believe it or not, my voice has changed a lot since then...). Anyway, I am so glad that I got that interview on tape because it is friggin' GOLDEN! In one part, the reporter asks me what my goal is. I look at him straight in the eye and say, "I want to go to the Olympics and win!". 9 years old. What the hell? How did I have such a defined goal? How did I actually believe that it was possible. How in the world did it actually become reality and how lucky am I that my mom taped it on VHS?!

I show this video to the kids at the beginning of my school visits. I show it to them for 3 reasons.

1: Because I want them to see what level of gymnastics I was doing then... the basic elements -vs- the difficult one's I do in my Olympic video.
2: I want them to see that I was a 'normal' kid, just like they are.
3: I want them to see that dreams really do come true.

Of course I explain to them that I worked hard, had many ups and downs (haven't done a school visit with the broken legs addition yet, but that will be fun!), but I also tell them that I never stopped believing in myself and my goals.

After the "thought provoking" section, where we cover all kinds of topics ranging from active living, making healthy choices, goal setting, being a good teammate and embracing challenges with a positive attitude, we get into the really good stuff...the Olympic Gold Medal cartwheel competition! A fan favourite...and my personal fave as well.

In the cartwheel contest I bring up 3 contestants (one usually being a promising gymnast (every school has one!) leaked to me by a teacher). Then I assign them a country (the "gymnast" of the group being the 'Canadian'!). I get each student to perform their very best cartwheel for the school. Based on audience applause (they are the judges...nice and fair judges, not mean and cranky ones!), we determine the winner of "Kyle Shewfelt's Olympic Gold Medal Cartwheel Competition (still need to get that trademarked)". The Canadian always wins, of course, because I get veto vote! Then the 2nd and 3rd place competitors receive a parting gift and the winner stands up on a podium (a chair in most instances) and gets the REAL Olympic Gold Medal placed around their neck. Now here's the coolest part, and the moment that gives me goose bumps every time: all of the audience stands up and honours the winner with a heart warming rendition of "Oh Canada". It is a fun and truly powerful moment.

To conclude, I do a few handstands, answer some audience questions (they always want to know if I drive and what kind of car...blue VW Golf) and of course, remind the students that if they work hard and dream BIG then anything is possible! Woot woot!

Now, here's what would be the perfect scenario for me. If McDonald's, or any other corporate partner for that matter (let's make this an open invitation and drive up the interest!), would financially back my school visits. I do every school visit for free (except for private schools). My mom and aunt work at schools in Calgary and I know that schools simply don't have enough funds to buy supplies, let alone bring in an athlete speaker. It's hard for me to do a lot of school visits because of the time and energy commitment it takes for literally no financial advancement (holy, am I ever politically correct!), but if I could make schools my primary speaking venue then I would be on cloud nine. I think that I could affect a lot of youth and encourage them to get active, set goals and believe that they have the potential to do incredible things!

If I could say what my ideal post-Beijing experience would be, I would have to say that touring the country and sharing my experiences at schools would be it.

In today's world, full of hideous role models (Crack head Spears...I just ruined my chances of ever being with her, but Oh well, she's nasty) and sedentary lifestyle (although Wii is making a small difference), kids need someone to look up to who they can relate to and who can inspire them. I believe I am the man who can do just that. My vision is clear...all I need is a financial partner to support the opportunity. Promotional plugs could be very abundant...autograph cards with your logo, potentially the "YOUR COMPANY'S NAME HERE Gold Medal Cartwheel competition, a contest for schools to win the visit, YOUR COMPANY's representative in 'said city' could introduce me...media and print mentions...hmmm.....


Any takers???

If you are interested, you know someone who might be interested or have a connection that could lead to this actually happening, please email my friends at Agenda Sport Marketing at kyle@agendasport.ca

Thanks and I apologize for the propaganda. I just really want to find a way to make this dream a reality!

Kyle