Toronto Star Article - Tuesday January 29, 2008

Check out the article below courtesy of Randy Starkman and the Toronto Star.

Here is a link to the original version with a photo as well: http://www.thestar.com/article/298272


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GYMNASTICS

TheStar.com Sports Long road to Beijing for Canada's Shewfelt

Long road to Beijing for Canada's Shewfelt

Shewfelt tries to keep his eye on the Olympics as he struggles to recover from two broken legs


Jan 29, 2008 04:30 AM Randy Starkman SPORTS REPORTER

It's not a blog as much as it is therapy for Kyle Shewfelt.


The Olympic champion gymnast is baring his soul on the Internet as few athletes have as he endures a physically and mentally grueling comeback from two broken legs to try get ready for the Beijing Games in August.

Here are a few excerpts from a particularly heartfelt entry earlier this month:


"On the inside I feel like I am clawing away and just trying to survive."

"I am caught in a vicious circle and I feel like I am spinning a little out of control. I don't know if (seven) months is enough."


"It freaks me out a little bit to think that at the end of all of this hard work, sacrifice and struggle that it might not work out the way that I and everyone else wants it to."

Shewfelt said he's not using his blog (kyleshewfelt.blogspot.com) to keep people informed.


"It's more for me actually," he said yesterday from Calgary. "It's my way of getting that stuff out. I'm going through a lot right now. It's an emotional and physical and mental battle that I'm fighting. I feel sometimes when I can write things down and get them in front of me, then I can read them and I can reflect and get a better perspective rather than just be constantly in the turmoil of it all."

These are tough days for Shewfelt, a constant and painful grind since that day last August when he landed stiff legged on a layout Arabian double front on floor exercise and heard a sickening crunch.


He was in Germany, training for the world championships a week before the event, he was in the best shape of his life and he tried to convince himself it was something he could walk off. He hobbled out of the gym on crutches, but told his teammates he'd be back.

He was true to his word, only he returned in a wheelchair to cheer them on as against all odds they qualified Canada in the men's event for Beijing with an 11th-place finish.


It turned out he'd fractured the top of the tibia in both legs. He has one screw in his right leg (that's the good one). He needed a plate and two screws in the left, as well as a repair job on a ligament that was damaged, and a bone that was detached from the side of knee. (Hence the crunching sound.)

The surgeon didn't give Shewfelt a timeline; he just told him to refrain from anything causing extreme pain.


The days are long and the progress is minuscule, especially for an athlete with one eye on the calendar as Beijing approaches quickly

"You just get exhausted, emotionally exhausted, physically exhausted, mentally exhausted," said the 25-year-old from Calgary. "I try to make them all good days, but it's impossible. Some days are just really, really crappy."


Shewfelt had wanted to be 100 per cent by the end of this month, but that turned out to be totally unrealistic. He can do some tumbling and dismounts from the high bar, but he can't run full speed on the floor or do any vaults. His goal now is to do that by the end of March.

While it's clear from his blog that he's felt desperate at times, he refuses to give up the dream.


"I've always been the type of person who wants to exceed my own limits," said Shewfelt, who won gold on the floor in 2004 in Athens. "I want to look back in July or August and know that I did everything, absolutely everything, that I could possibly do. ... I don't want to look back and have any regrets and say `Oh, I could have worked harder.'"


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I really like this article. Randy is an amazing writer and huge supporter of amateur sport in Canada. Thanks Randy!


If there are any new viewers to my blog, Welcome and Enjoy!

Kyle

I LOVE Thursdays!

Thursdays have consistently been my best day for the past few weeks.

(Here is that dismount I promised...filmed on Thursday)

Below are a couple more video's of me doing my Def on highbar (a release move which is a back flip off of the bar with a one and a half twist...and I am supposed to catch the bar at the end) on THURSDAY as well.

(Also, Please disregard my teammate Nathan's singing commentary...although it is pretty funny!).

The first vid was actually the first Def that I have done since my injury. It felt so weird! I was nervous and ended up about 10 feet from the bar! Safety first. I remembered how to do the skill immediately after this first one, but it takes some time to build up the trust in myself and my release time in order to come closer to the bar. I think release moves, particularly this skill, are a great way to measure progress in getting back into shape and into full-on gymnastics mode. Eventually I will be catching this skill more than I miss it, but for now I need to just be consistent and bring it in a little closer everyday. From past experience, it takes me a month or 2 to get it back so that it feels natural and I am not scared of smashing my teeth out on the bar! Honestly, I think of that sometimes. But when the big competitions come; I always trust that I will put the bar right into my hands.

Next time you see a gymnastics competition on TV, remember that every guy who does a release move on high bar started out doing it 10 feet away!

Hopefully this coming week includes 2 Thursdays!

Kyle

Do I Suffer From Body Bipolarism?

Awesome day on Thursday, craptastic day Friday.

I couldn't even do one back handspring.

Maybe I did too much the day before?

This puts me in an awkward position. Do I hold off a bit and have steady progress each day or do I take a huge gain one day and suffer the next?

I literally could not do anything today. I was one sore gymnast! It didn't feel like muscle pain though. I can work through that...in fact, I kind of like it when my muscles hurt because I know that I earned that pain! No, today was more like my body was telling me that maybe I am not quite ready to be doing dismounts and landing them on my feet!

Do they have a medication for this...I can just hear the ad:

"Do you suffer from joint, tendon and bone pain? Did you feel fantastic yesterday, but like crap today? When you walked down the stairs this morning did you feel like your body was going to explode? This up and down cycle of physical pain has now been diagnosed as body bipolarism. Lucky for you, the FDA has approved a new "supplement" called idontwanttofeellikeshitanymoreicillin that can help. Call 1-888-555-OUCH for your free trial sample today!"

Might be a hard sell, but I'm sure there would be a few takers...

On a more serious note, I can't explain the frustration. Stop. Go. Stop. Go. It's like that game, 'Red light, Green light', you play when you're a kid. Doesn't the universe know that I am not being greedy. I am just asking for a little momentum.

I think the worst part about having one great day and then one awful day is the guilt I feel. I should be able to do at least what I did the day before. Why didn't I push myself? Why did I succumb to the negativity? Could I have done something to make it less painful? Was I overreacting?




I am correcting this problem right now...

On Sunday I am going to reach the same heights that I achieved on Thursday and then I am going to surpass those on Monday.

I am going to smile and be positive.

Breathe in and out. Relax...and keep it simple stupid! (I should really be a Yogi or something!)

Kyle

Awesome Day!

Today Rocked! I was superman. I felt the best I have felt during this entire recovery process. I was willing to push myself further than I have in a long time. I felt like today was the day I have been waiting for.

On floor I did a backspring series. I started with 1, then I did 2 and then I got the guts up to push for 4 (as shown in the vid below). I have been doing backspring series since I was 7. I have always done tons of them and they have always been the one thing that gets me into great tumbling shape. Sometimes I do 10 series, all ending with a different big skill at the end (full-in, double double, double layout...not quite there yet tough). I believe backspring series are essential to becoming a good tumbler. They help you get a feeling for your body and for varying your speed. In gymnastics, you have to know how to speed up and slow down, you have to know how to make skills longer or shorter and you have to know how to deal with all of those little black dots that appear when you go too fast! (I definitely had those!)



After my super progress on floor, I went to highbar. I swung around and kind of felt like I knew what was going on. I guess a little bit each day really does lead to something...crazy how that works! After swinging for a while, I got really bored of plain swing half turns and such (or I got really gutsy...) and I decided that I was going to do a dismount. That's right, A DISMOUNT! My heart was pumping, my palms were sweaty, I needed Tony to stand in with a mat, but I got up on the bar, swung a couple of fast giants and busted out a double layout with a full twist (should have gotten that one on video..next time). I had a big mat in on top of the resi-pit, but I landed it. My skinny little legs were able to absorb a landing! Hell yeah! I was so friggin' pumped that I couldn't stop smiling. Not only had I pushed myself way further than I had intended to on the day, but I had actually done something that was pretty close to high level gymnastics.

Who's on the comeback trail?

That would be me.

Today was one of those days when I felt like it was all going to work out. I could picture myself getting all of my skills and routines back in no time. I was basically pain free (except of course for that damn burning in the back of my left hamstring, but I am coming to terms with the fact that that might be there forever!). I can't even begin to explain how awesome it felt to be able to actually do some of the things that I would normally be able to do, before the accident. It felt like a huge victory, a giant leap forward and an instant flood of confidence.

I want to continue to have days like this.

Kyle

Roundoff Backspring!

Last week I made some progress. Here is a video of me in the gym doing a round off back handspring on the floor, with a couple of soft mats for extra protection. Better safe than sorry.

This gave me a huge boost in confidence. It felt so great to be able to turn my body around and feel somewhat like a gymnast again. There was a bit of pain, but it wasn't excrutiating. Progress is progress. I LOVE progress!

Check out the double front pike with a 1/2 out below!

Kyle

Feeling Better

I have received a lot of concerned emails from family and friends since my last post. Messages of encouragement and support overflowed. All I can say is thank you. Thank you for caring. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for trying to understand.

I guess what it all boils down to is that I had a really bad week last week. This is a very daunting task and as time goes by I feel more and more pressure to get healed fast and to get back into top form.


I have worked some things out this past week though. I have made some progress and I am starting to feel better, not amazing, but better. I have been trying to be positive and believe that great things will indeed happen.

I decided that I am not going to do myself any justice by being down. I want to be the best version of myself.

All I can do is to do everything that I can. I am doing that and I am trusting that it will be enough.

And you know what? At the end of it all, if it doesn't work out the way I want it to then I can look back and have absolutely no regrets. Although it would be incredible to stand on top of that podium again (and I think about that possibility often), I will forever be an Olympic Champion and I am defining myself more as a person now by my actions than I am defining myself as an athlete. I want to enjoy this next 7 months. I think I have a much better chance of being successful if I am content and enjoying the process!

Kyle

Stuck in the Middle

This morning at weights I had an "Ah hah" moment. I realized that I have felt so defeated lately because I have been stuck in the middle of 'really bad' and 'kinda good' for way too long.

When I first started making progress; every step was motivating. The progress was small, but compared to being at home in a wheel chair, it was phenomenal. As each day passed I could walk better and I started to feel more and more like my old self again.

Now, I have been stuck in a rut for more than a month where it feels like no matter how hard I work and how diligent I am (believe me, I have been busting my butt), the progress is not coming. I want to find that one exercise or one thought that will propel me to the next level of rehab. I am sick of not being able to squat all the way down because I know that I need to have a full range of motion in order to gain back my maximum strength. I am tired of not being able to lay on my stomach and lift my heel to my butt. I am frustrated with being frustrated!

When I walk down the hall you would have never known that I injured myself. I have no limp and my scars are slowly fading. On the outside everything looks pretty normal, almost like I have regained my form entirely. In fact, I have had many people ask me if I am back training and getting ready for Beijing. I wish. On the inside I feel like I am clawing away and just trying to survive. I am spending endless hours in the gym, the weight room and in the physio clinic, but the progress is so slow. I have always been the type of person who gets fed up and finds a way to make it work, but in this situation I can't take that approach. I have to listen to my body. It is telling me important things. Obviously I would be doing everything I want to if I could. I guess I sometimes feel like I am giving up because I am not making progress and therefore I am not pushing myself hard enough.

I am caught in a vicious circle and I feel like I am spinning a little out of control. I don't know if 7 months is enough. First, I need to regain my mobility and strength. Then I need to regain my gymnastic shape and then I have to regain all of my skills and get into routine shape. On top of it all I need to add difficulty in order to challenge for the Olympic title. That's a lot to accomplish in a little amount of time. It freaks me out a little bit to think that at the end of all of this hard work, sacrifice and struggle that it might not work out the way that I and everyone else wants it to. That's a really scary thought, and I don't want to think it, but I have to be realistic.

I have been experiencing a lot of self doubt and a huge lack of self confidence lately. I am usually pretty sure of myself and my actions, but lately that hasn't been the case. I think that this has a lot to do with the fact that I haven't been able to train hard or compete...hell, I wouldn't even consider myself an Elite gymnast right now.

I have been doing gymnastics for 20 years of my life. 20 years is a long time. I have defined myself a lot based on how I do in gymnastics. When I apply myself to training I see the progress and the benefit. I love the feeling of getting into shape and knowing that something is a thousand times easier than it was before because of the hard work that I put in. It's like the beautiful life quote says, " There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow. You have to make your own way." I have been feeling like a lot less of a person lately because I no longer feel like myself.

When one thing in your life begins to feel a little helpless it starts to affect other areas of your life, especially if it's something as important to a person as gymnastics is to me. I have noticed that the various relationships in my life have started to take a turn in a direction that is just not acceptable. I have been a little too quick to snap at those I love. I have been a little unappreciative to those who are trying to help me. I have shut down when it comes to talking about how I am feeling.

I am starting to feel a little desperate. As each day passes that doesn't have noticeable progress; I feel like I have lost an important opportunity to advance and therefore I failed. Right now, I need to see improvements each and every day to keep me feeling like I am gaining momentum in overcoming this obstacle.

This obstacle is definitely turning out to be the most intense and trying one in my life thus far.


Kyle

Was this a sign of things to come? I'm pretty sure it was

Over the Christmas break, I went swimming. I had a crazy experience with jumping into the pool.

I stood on the deck and was just about ready to plunge in when a voice in the back of my head suddenly told me to freeze. I wouldn't jump in feet first.

My heart started to pound and I became really anxious and frustrated. It was almost an instant negative reaction and it made me really upset. I wondered if this was a sign of things to come.

If I am not able to jump into a pool of water feet first then how in the world am I going to be able to do a double twisting double layout off of the highbar and absorb the landing? How am I going to be able to do a whip back, punch into a 2 and a half twist and then punch again into another bounding element? How am I going to run down the vault runway at full speed and slam into the beat board and flip over the table?

I started to have nightmares. I dreamt about doing a dismount off of rings and then thinking of the landing and bailing out halfway through and landing on my head.

Apparently I have some issues that I need to deal with. I know that the only way that I can overcome these negative thoughts is to start landing again, but I am unfortunately not there yet.

Yesterday in the gym I did small jumps off of a box and landed on the floor. My right knee and leg are feeling pretty strong, but my left side is still weak and I don't trust it. I hate having these feelings at a time like this because I can't just go into the gym and prove to myself that it's all in my head. Because it's not. It's more than just a mental block...it's physical too and it is still going to take time and much work to overcome. Who would have thought that 8 months before the Olympic Games I would be having a hard time doing things you learn in kindergym?

I guess what I have to do is just continue to strengthen and to keep on jumping from small heights. The confidence will come, I know it will, but how fast is the question. I hope faster than I feel it will because I would really like to see a breakthrough soon.

Kyle

ps- On the bright side, after having an internal argument with myself that I am sure was most embarrassing from the outside, I jumped into that water. I did overcome my fear, but man, did it ever take some convincing.

How to Make A Beautiful Life

I think that this is my new favourite inspirational quote. It makes perfect sense. I found that it instantly calmed my mind and refreshed my soul. *big sigh of stress relief!*




How To Make A Beautiful Life.

Love yourself.
Make peace with who you are and where you are at this moment in time.

Listen to your heart.
If you can't hear what it's saying in this noisy world, MAKE TIME for yourself.
Enjoy your own company.
Let your mind wander among the stars.

Try. Take chances.
Make mistakes. Life can be messy and confusing at times, but it's also full of surprises.
The next rock in your path might be a stepping-stone.

Be happy.
When you don't have what you want, want what you have.
MAKE DO.
That's a well kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow.
You have to make your own way.
To know where you're going is only part of it.
You need to know where you've been, too. And if you ever get lost, don't worry.
The people you love will find you.
Count on it.

Life isn't days and years. It's about what you do with time.
And all the goodness and grace that's inside you.

Make a beautiful life....
The kind of life you deserve.



Happy New Year and all the very best in 2008!

Kyle

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays!

Kyle

Special Olympics Festival - Toronto - December 5th, 2007

Just got back from the Special Olympics Festival in Toronto. Good times.

Special Olympians are my favourite athletes in the world. I love how enthusiastic they are and how they do sport for the pure joy they get out of it. It really puts things into perspective. It's not about money. It's not about placing. It's not about winning...

It's about friendships, participation, physical fitness and being the best that you can be...

I think all athletes need to remember this sometimes. It is a privilege to do sport and something that should ultimately be enjoyable.

Check out their website. If you ever feel like you need some inspiration then become involved in one of the Special Olympics events happening near you!

Kyle

$20,000 for Gold

I'm sure you've heard about the recent announcement. If not, let me break the news:

The COC announced an Olympic Reward Program.

Gold - $20,000

Silver - $15,000

Bronze - $10,000

I've heard many mixed reactions. Some say, "Fantastic". Others say, "That's not enough". I have even heard some mumble, "Why should Olympians get paid for their performance? Isn't it amateur sport?".

Personally, I was pleased when I heard the announcement. I wish that something like this would have been put in place before Athens...that would have been a nice little reward after 16 years of training!

One has to remember and emphasize that this is a REWARD program. None of us start sport in Canada because of the big bucks...and many of us never make the BIG money. Even when we are the best in the world. But one thing is true...we deserve it! Maybe that's a biased statement, but I truly believe that Olympians are some of the greatest ambassadors and role models a country can have. By introducing this program, I think it is taking a small step forward and saying, "we believe in you, we support you and we respect your hard work and determination".

For those haters out there, let me just say one thing. Many other industries have some sort of financial reward programs in place. If you are in oil and gas and you perform well, you get a few extra tens of thousands of dollars as a bonus. Sport should not be different. When one wins the Olympics, essentially they are THE BEST in the world at that time. No one else on the entire planet is better than them. So, do you think it's worthy to honour someone who is clearly defined as the best in their field? I sure do.

After Athens it was a little frustrating to hear of all the other athletes from other countries who were receiving cash rewards. Some even received instant pensions, houses...some were set up financially for the rest of their life. I sometimes wondered why we don't receive the same amount of recognition and reward in this country. Why is the value of an Olympic Medal different in different parts of the world?

When I was filming White Palms in Hungary in June 2005, Marian Dragulescu (he came second on floor in Athens) told me that he heard I got $500,000 for my Gold medal. I had to laugh! That would have been nice, but in all reality I didn't receive a penny. He couldn't understand that. He asked me, "Why do you do this then?". hehe. "Because I love it", I replied. He just stared at me like I was crazy! But it's true. My goal was to always go to the Olympics and win a Gold medal. Marian couldn't get his head around the fact that I just did gymnastics because it was my passion and not because it was going to set me up financially.

What winning a gold medal did do was it opened many doors of opportunity. I sometimes breathe a sigh of relief knowing that I will probably never work at a liquor store (although that staff discount could come in handy during the holidays!).

I do believe that eventually this reward needs to become something more significant and life changing. Say, $500,000, as Marian believed we received. Winning the Olympics is such a huge accomplishment and it has the power to inspire an entire nation. I believe that Olympians need to receive more recognition and rewards for representing their country to the highest of standards. It would be ideal if corporate Canada (maybe all of those wonderful Olympic partners who have tons of cash) would jump on board and contribute to the reward program. Then the athletes could share their stories with the corporations and different schools around the country and not have to worry about getting "real" jobs. For the years in between the games it could be a giant Olympic medallist blitz. Think of the impact this could have. Wowzers!

All in all, this is a step in the right direction. Now when a Canadian Olympic Champion comes home they will be able to put a dent in the debt that they and their families have accumulated over the years and years of training. Thanks to the COC's Athletes Commission for bringing this initiative to the table and for seeing it through to reality.

Kyle

Missing the Olympic test event -

My teammates are away this week in Beijing for the Olympic Test Event.


It's a great opportunity for them to see the venue, be on the Olympic equipment and to get a feel for the environment.


I was invited by the Canadian Olympic Committee to go and to check it out, but I declined.

I want to walk into the Olympic venue and feel amazing! I want to be able to have my first experience in the venue as ultra positive, not as a gimp who is taking pictures and video taping.


I didn't go to the venues before Sydney 2000 or Athens 2004. I think I did alright.


I believe that our state of mind, our preparation and our confidence determines whether or not we can adapt to a situation. I am planning on being in the best shape of my life when I see the venue for the first time. I plan on being ready to deliver my best performances! I plan on feeling like I own that gym!


When it comes to adapting to new environments and situations, there is only one way to do it quickly. Be prepared. I can not reiterate that enough. When you are prepared, whether it be for a competition, a presentation, even a test, you can walk in and just adapt. I have experienced times in the past where I didn't feel as prepared as I should have and I started to panic and make excuses. "I can't do it because the equipment isn't good", "the lights are too bright", etc. I don't like that athlete. I don't want to be him and I will do everything in my power to avoid feeling unprepared.

I am in control of my preparation. My job is to do everything that I can possibly do on a daily basis to make sure that I come one step closer to feeling ready.

If the Olympics were next week then I wouldn't be able to compete. That's a scary thought. But the good news is that they aren't. I still have a little more than 8 months. I need to be diligent and I need to take initiative to make sure that I am prepared.

When I walk into the Olympic venue in August 2008, I will be at my best. I will be ready and I will have an advantage over everyone else...

I will be the most prepared. I will be positive. I will have the most trust and confidence in myself. I will deliver my best performance.



Kyle

Swingin'

I am spending the next week and a bit in Oakville training with Kelly. Most of my teammates are off to Beijing for the test event and I was already in the East for the Ottawa GMP event, so it all worked out perfectly!

Today I swung for the first time in exactly 3 months. It felt...well, it felt weird.

I never realized the amount of stress and friction swinging on the highbar causes. My wrists and hands were killing me after a couple of turns.

I was extremely cautious when I was up on the bar. I was afraid of kicking too hard in the bottom of the swing and having massive pain in my knees. I was also afraid of falling and having no way of saving myself. If I was to accidentally fall off of the bar I would be screwed because I wouldn't be able to land on my feet. It would be literally impossible for me to absorb the landing. So, I just did simple giant swings and then I would break my swing and gently fly off the bar onto my back.

I never realized how hard this "getting back into gymnastics" process was going to be. Progress has been made, but I still feel so far away from my goal. I feel like a beginner. I remember how I did everything and how it felt, but when I got up onto the bar today I felt like I hadn't done it in a really long time...say, 3 months! I was seeing stars and my heart jumped into my throat a little bit the first few swings around. The adrenaline was pumpin' for sure.

Taking this step and finally getting the guts up to start swinging again did make me feel more like a gymnast though. I forgot how much I missed the whole ritual of putting on my wristbands, grips and chalking up to get ready for my turn. It also felt pretty amazing to experience that weightless feeling that I love.

I don't know why today was the day that I decided this needed to be done. I guess there has been a little voice inside of my head that has been telling me that it's time and I finally conceded to it. It's not that I didn't want to start swinging again, it's just that it had been so long and I was afraid that it might not feel right. I think that is my biggest fear right now. I am afraid that things are going to continue to be painful (not the kind that you can work through, but the kind that tells you that you are not ready) and this is just going to prolong the length of the process. It has already been long, I know it will be longer, but I don't want it to be impossibly long...you know what I'm saying...

I guess I have to start somewhere. Today was a step forward. I didn't crash. I didn't get hurt (except my poor hands!). I took initiative and pushed myself into doing something that I was afraid of.

That's a pretty productive day.

K.

Gold Medal Plates

Yesterday, in Ottawa, was the grand finale of Gold Medal Plates 2007. It was a whirlwind tour, but such an amazing experience (the photo at right is courtesy of Charmaine Crooks and it was taken at the Vancouver GMP Event).

The 2007 goal for GMP was to raise $1,000,000 for Canada's athletes. The final numbers are not in as of yet, but I think it should be close.

So, a few crazy things happened at the Calgary leg of the tour. Let me share.

Kelly Hrudey, a former NHL'er and now CBC Sports personality, was the MC for the dinner. Well, he decides to start the evening off with something very interesting...quoting THIS blog! This is the part he read, from my Gold Medal Plates Toronto post:

"The food and wine at the event were very swanky. There was one bottle up for auction for $14,000. Seriously, who would spend 14 grand on a bottle of wine. That would be almost $500 a sip...are you kidding me. I like wine, but I don't think I could ever appreciate it that much. I would be thinking about the new car I could buy with that money! The food was interesting as well. There was one dish that was some sort of brain, another that was various parts of a caribou...no spring rolls and cheese balls here. It was very high class."

HOW EMBARRASSING!

Some people laughed, I think others were a little surprised. I'm sure a few tried to burn me with glares, but I guess in all honesty, this is the way I really feel so I should stand by it. I'm sure many people are thinking it...I just happened to write it and have it announced to everyone! Thanks Kel! - This blog thing could get me into some big trouble one day. I didn't think more than 10 people read it! - I should have really wrote about how one bottle of $14,000 wine is almost equivalent to a Canadian amateur athletes annual salary. That would have really hit home.

Also in Calgary, I spoke at the VIP reception and I mentioned a little something about the great entertainment in the evening: a performance by Simon Whitfield with backup vocals by Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. Well, this came back to bite me in the butt as well. When Jim got up to perform he brought Simon up on stage to sing with him, but then he told me to get my butt up there too. I am a horrible singer (although I think I can belt out a pretty sweet tune when I am in my car all by myself!) and I don't know the words to the song '5 days in May'. So there I am, standing on stage with Simon and Jim, looking like a total idiot with a blank stare on my face when I remembered that, being a gymnast and all, I always have party tricks up my sleeve. So I kicked up into a handstand (photo at left courtesy of Tracy Taubert) and held it for most of the song. People cheered and it was a priceless moment. I think it was definitely my fondest memory of GMP...it was so good that we recreated it in Edmonton and Ottawa!

During all of the events, there were a bunch of live auction trips up for bid. Mine was a Hawaiian vacation and I will be joining a bunch of GMP guests in Maui from February 11-18th. I know, life's rough! The package sold very well and we are going to have an awesome time. We will be staying in condos in Napilli and we are going to surf, snorkel, Hula, zip line, hike, run on the beach...maybe even get a tan! I am really looking forward to the trip because it will be my last chance to unwind and relax before I need to get down to business and start getting prepared for Beijing. I think by the time Maui rolls around I should be at the point where I need a mental break and a little bit of active physical recovery too, so it is perfect timing. I am also really looking forward to spending time with the generous bidders and getting to know them on a more personal level. I have done 2 trips in the past (Quebec City in 2006 and Orlando in 2007) and I made some great friendships and had a lot of fun!

Gold Medal Plates 2007 was a huge success and I can only see it gaining momentum as the Vancouver 2010 Games approach. GE and EPCOR are the primary corporate partners of the events and they have done a wonderful job in helping raise funds for Canadian athletes! Thank You!

K.

Olympic Excellence Series - November 17-19 - Ottawa

This past weekend I was in Ottawa for the Canadian Olympic Committee's "Beijing Olympic Excellence Series".

Every Canadian podium potential athlete was invited to the event and it was good times! There were swimmers, triathletes, kayakers, rowers, water polo players, synchro swimmers, divers, a fencer (Sherraine Schalm...one of the coolest fencers in the world!), shooters, archers, trampolinists, gymnasts, track and field athletes, softball players...so many sports were represented! The cool thing was that every athlete had demonstrated in the past year that they could place within the top 5 in the world. It was a pretty passionate and determined group to spend a weekend with!

Heading into the weekend, I didn't really know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised! We were very spoiled. We got to listen to some of Canada's best athlete speakers and take part in tons of fun and creative team building sessions.

The speakers list was stacked. Veronica Brenner (Silver in Aerials skiing in 2002), Marianne Limpert (1996 Olympic Silver Medallist in Swimming), Daniel Igali (2000 Olympic Gold in wrestling), Ron Maclean (CBC's Hockey Night in Canada) were just a few. All of them were outstanding, but there was one speaker who leaped out in my mind...and that was Sylvie Frechette. I don't know how many of you know her story, but it is one that is extremely captivating and almost inconceivable.

Here is how it begins:

5 days before the 1992 Olympic Games, Sylvie's fiance committed suicide.

Think about that for a minute.

I can't even imagine.

I don't know if I would have the strength to pull through something like that. But she did. She was courageous, determined and somehow found a reason to continue and chase her Olympic dream. She explained that she had worked for 18 years to have an opportunity to become an Olympic Champion. She was ready and there was nothing in the world that could take that chance away from her.


I was just enthralled and captivated when she spoke. I could feel every emotion that she explained. I could hear the sounds, feel the pain...I almost felt like I was in her head as she was explaining her thoughts. It was very moving.


And then, to add insult to injury, her story takes another dark turn when a judging error places her in second. Bastards!


Luckily, after 16 months and 9 days (who's counting eh??) she received the Olympic Gold Medal that she had rightfully earned in Barcelona. I felt like jumping up and down and cheering for her when she came to this part in the story!


The whole group of us did give her a simultaneous standing ovation when she was done! It went on for a long time and it was soooooo well deserved! Talk about inspirational!



We had a lot of team building and discussion sessions as well. We talked about preparing for all possible scenario's before, during and after the games and I feel like I gained some valuable tools.

During one of our team building sessions, we talked about what we want Team Canada to be projected as at the 2008 Games. Professional, Tenacious and Supportive were some of the key words that we came up with. I thought that this was an awesome exercise to do because we all agreed and committed to upholding our Canadian reputation! I really wanted one of the describing words to be simply, "Canadian". I don't know why it is, but that could truly be an adjective. Everyone knows what it means to be Canadian. If you are travelling and you have a maple leaf on your backpack then people automatically think of you as honest, kind, approachable and a good beer drinker! haha. But really, Canadianism is something everyone in Canada and I believe around the world understands and appreciates. What can I say? We are just good people! In fact, I have declared many of my nice American friends as honorary Canadians!

There were some pretty special moments that were had over the weekend. At one point there was a male wrestler and a female water polo player learning how to fence from Sherraine in the hallway as I taught some of the triathletes and water polo girls how to do handstands against the wall. At another point we were all hanging out together and one of the water polo girls was singing her heart out for us all to hear. It's moments like these that I believe are priceless...to me, moments like these carry so much underlying meaning about friendships, respect and interaction. I believe that in some odd way, something like this is the epitome of the human experience...at least the Olympic experience. Random people who are seamlessly connected because of their passion for sport and for their country. Pretty cool.


After the Excellence Series weekend, I feel that the fire inside of me, my desire to represent Canada and deliver another great performance in 2008, has some newly added fuel.

That's a great feeling!

K.

Travel Hecticness...updates coming soon

I have a few posts that have been patiently waiting for their finishing touches. But before they get the attention that they deserve, I have a crazy cross country tour coming up...starting in about 2 hours!

I am going to the Gold Medal Plates event in Vancouver tonight and the Calgary event tomorrow. Then I am off to Ottawa on Friday for the Beijing Olympic Excellence Series and heading to Edmonton for another Gold Medal Plates event on Tuesday. I am coming home for a day and then I am flying back to Ottawa for the final GMP event on Thursday. After all of this, I am going to stay with Kelly and Sue again for a week and a half and then I am attending the Special Olympics Festival on December 5th in Toronto.

It's going to be a hectic couple of weeks, but I should have some time to update soon.

Kyle.

Melissa Grad-gee-ated! - November 13th 2007

Congrats Hun!

Melissa had her convocation today. She got her BA in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology!

She's not only beautiful, but smart too!

I think that one of the most acquired skills gained through completing a University degree is the ability to read and write effectively! Melissa spent many hours writing late night papers and reading what I'm sure felt like endless chapters. But guess what?! No more! She's done. Movin' on...moving forward...and the next stop? Makin' some money! And then she's going to complete her masters degree in education!

I'm very proud of her! It was incredible to be there and watch her walk across the stage, knowing all the hard work that she put forth in order to earn that degree.

Congrats again Melissa!

Now let's celebrate! Champagne anyone?

Kyle.

Hockey Halloween

Melissa and I went out Halloweening over the weekend. It was good times.

I decided to be a hockey player and Melissa was my hot little "puck bunny". If you're wondering what a puck bunny is, I'll explain: It's the girl who goes to every game, all dressed up with tons of makeup, wearing the team jersey and hoping to score!


Yeah Hockey! jk. I think this is super funny because of more than the obvious reasons (I did look pretty bad ass with my black eye though...and it's kind of funny that Melissa is holding my 'hockey' stick in this picture...I guess she liked the black eye too! I'm such a manly man!)


I have a mixed opinion about hockey players. When I went to the National Sports School most of my classes were full of these hard working and talented souls! Just imagine how much fun it was for me, the male gymnast, to be in this environment. They thought that I pranced around the floor with a ribbon to a Celine Dion song. Not all of them, but many of them. I'm over it, but do you know what feels kind of great? I don't think any of them made it NHL. haha. Suckers!



I have met many NHLers whom I really respect and admire though. I wasn't exactly trying to portray an NHL star with my costume. I was trying to poke fun at the weekend warrior, the small town boy with big dreams, the one who is so manly and tough that he earns the respect of those around him...and if they don't respect him then he punches them out! Yes folks, I was the number one hockey player in ANY small town!



I do have a small beef about NHL hockey that I would like to share. The pay checks. Right after Athens I did a talk at the Calgary Booster Club's Sportsman of the Year Dinner. Ken King, President of the Calgary Flames and a buddy of mine, was at the dinner as well. This was around the time when hockey was struggling with the price caps and all of that BS. Anyway, when I opened my presentation I started talking about my start in sport as a hockey player at 5 years old. Then I talked about how gymnastics and hockey started to conflict when I was about 7 because of the overwhelming time commitments and about how my parents made me choose between the 2. I told the audience how I thought I picked the right sport...They nodded their approval. But then I hit them with this gem: "because if I was a hockey player then I wouldn't be able to pay my mortgage this year. Wah Wah!" It got a huge applause, even some cheers. It was one of my finer comedic moments!

Seriously though, I don't think the hockey guys truly understand how difficult it is financially for many amateur athletes. I can't imagine any of them agreeing to play for $18,000 a year (this is the paycheck to be a carded athlete in Canada...and many of us are doing our sport full-time). That is less than what many of them make in a week. But I guess they are hard done by when it comes to professional sport. I have heard of some salaries in soccer and basketball that are absolutely ridiculous. 25 million a year...I don't think I could even spend that much cash!




Halloween was sweet. I had my night as a rough and tough hockey phenom and it was fun while it lasted, but I've decided to retire from that game...one night was enough. And I even got the hottest puck bunny of them all! He shoots, he scores! haha. Plus, I don't have any time for hockey...I've got some important ribbon twirling to attend to!

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Kyle

Floppy Leg

When you don't use your muscles, your muscles go away.

This photo was taken a few weeks after surgery.

It has been a really hard process to watch all of my muscles atrophi and know that there is only one way of getting that muscle back...and that is hard work baby!

I know that I am going to have to do a million calf raises and a gazillion squats to get my little pork chops back. I am more than willing to do the work, it's just very frustrating to know that it is going to take months to regain the tone and strength that I had when the injury happened. I wish that there was a magic muscle inflator that you get after you are healed from surgery.

Oh well, Susan told me that my legs weren't all that big to start off with anyways....

Maybe not big, but they were definitely packed with punch!

K.

New Hardware

Here is a pic of my x-rays.

The left leg is the one with the GIANT key looking thing in it and the right has the single screw.

The new hardware is made of stainless steel (apparently a great selling feature in a home!) and will remain in me until I choose to have them removed. I need to keep them in until the Olympics, but I am not so sure about going in for another surgery to have them removed. I kind of like my new additions...makes me feel a bit like the bionic man. Plus, I don't ever want to experience the pain and discomfort I had to endure when I had them put in.

That was not fun at all!

Kyle.

Braceless!

I had an appointment with Dr.Mohtadi this morning and I got some pretty cool news. I got the go ahead to remove the left brace.

Now it's time to start the true rehabilitation process. First, I have to get my left leg straight. This is a daunting task because no matter how gentle you are, it just feels nasty when you move your leg past the point of comfort. Sad thing is, you have to push it because it's the only way that you can regain full range of motion. It almost feels like my knee cap needs to be injected with some WD40. Then, after it's straight, I need to do some serious strengthening! My skin is just dangling off and my muscles are goo. I desperately need some definition!

After my appointment, I walked out of the office with only one crutch and I was motorin' along! I could almost feel the breeze through my hair and the wind on my cheeks. haha. Actually, I was pretty slow because my left leg felt like it could give out at any time...plus, it was icy outside because it snowed the night before (Calgary weather sucks sometimes!).

I can not explain the amount of relief I get from this news. I feel more independent already. Freedom is a marvelous thing!

Now, I have to figure out what to do with the braces. I thought that I might have a burning party, but those things cost me 600 bucks!

Kyle

Weekend with the Manjaks!

After the Toronto Gold Medal Plates event, Melissa and I spent 4 days with Kelly, Sue and Barrett.

For those of you who don't know, Kelly was my coach from the time I was 6 until the Athens Olympic Games. We have a very close relationship and I consider him and his family a part of my family. His friendship is one of the most important friendships in my life and I call him often for advice and to keep him updated. It was awesome to soak up his optimism and have some time to catch up.

Kelly is now coaching at the Oakville Gymnastics Club and I had a chance to go into the gym and do a little workin' out. The amount that I can do is still pretty lame, but I did some good core and upper body conditioning. It felt awesome to move and to be inspired by my old coach.

One of the things that I admire so much about Kelly is his desire to produce good people ahead of good athletes. I might be a little biased here, but I think he is the best coach this country has to offer. He can take any kid and help them reach their full potential. He instills a love for gymnastics in the kids and believes above all else that gymnastics should be fun. I had to laugh when he told me a story about one of his girls who finally went for one of her skills and he gave her free time for a week! This is just the type of guy he is. Calm, relaxed, funny and passionate about gymnastics. He could probably teach a giant or back flip to anyone off the street, as long as they were willing to learn.

Kelly and Sue have a lot of really talented girls and the atmosphere that they create in the gym is phenomenal. It's productive, fun and ultra motivating!

Spending time with Kelly really uplifted my spirit. He was constantly thinking of every little thing that I could do to help myself heal faster. He asked me how far I could bend my left knee. I showed him how far and then he told me to do it 20,000 times! I gimped around the house as much as possible and hot tubbed in the backyard. Every day Kelly would remind me that I was going to heal fast and that everything would be OK.

It was so nice to have a change of environment. I feel like I am back on track. I am starting to believe that this comeback is possible again and I am excited about attacking it! I can only do so much, but I am realizing that it's up to me to take initiative and do it.

Thanks to the Manjak family for the great weekend. I feel revitalized and ready to get to work!

Kyle

Gold Medal Plates - Toronto - October 18th, 2007

Yesterday was the kick off event for Gold Medal Plates 2007!

The event was the first of seven cities (I will be attending 5 events) and was held downtown Toronto at the beautiful Carlu.


Melissa and I flew out in the morning (7 am flights are a little harsh on the system) and arrived with just enough time to grab lunch and have a quick nap in prep for the festivities.

I had a great time. I saw tons of my Olympic buddies including Marnie McBean, Curt Harnett, Jenn Heil, Adam Van Koeverden, Simon Whitfield, Karen Cockburn, Alexandra Orlando, Paul Rosen, Lori-Ann Muenzer and Perdita Felicien to name a few. Everyone was in great spirits and the event raised tons of cash for the Own the Podium and Road to Excellence initiatives.


The food and wine at the event were very swanky. There was one bottle up for auction for $14,000. Seriously, who would spend 14 grand on a bottle of wine. That would be almost $500 a sip...are you kidding me. I like wine, but I don't think I could ever appreciate it that much. I would be thinking about the new car I could buy with that money! The food was interesting as well. There was one dish that was some sort of brain, another that was various parts of a caribou...no spring rolls and cheese balls here. It was very high class.

Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo and Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies were in attendance and they did an off the cuff duet to Blue Rodeo's song "Try".(this is Blue Rodeos Video)

This is one of my all time favourites! Actually, Blue Rodeo played a concert at the 2000 Olympics for all of the Canadian delegation and it was awesome. I think I drank a little bit too much beer (they had Coors Light and Molson Canadian brought in especially for the event...how could I resist!) to completely appreciate the moment, but from what I remember a good time was had by all!


For me, Steven and Jim's performance was definitely a highlight of the Toronto GMP event.


Of course, many of the conversations I had were about my injury and how everything was progressing. I must admit that having crutches and a brace is a great conversation starter. I told people that things were coming along slowly, but progress was being made. It's kind of funny how you try to assure everyone, and maybe yourself, that things are OK. Why is this? I should have told them that it was pissin' me off and I was ready to kill someone yesterday!


When I saw Marnie she came up to me and asked, "How's your f*$%ing knees?"

Haha! This is exactly what I needed. Honesty and humor. I loved it!

After the awesome time I had last night, my f*#$ing knees (and overall moral) are feeling much better!

Kyle

Stupid Legs!

Wednesday, October 17th.

Today, I am pissed off! I am sick of being optimistic. It feels like I am never going to heal and I am going to be forever remembering the way I used to be able to do things.


I don't feel like a gymnast. I feel like I have never done the sport before. I feel completely removed from it and from the day to day routine of training. I can't remember what it feels like to get ready for training. I can't remember what it feels like to lay in bed at night and have my head spinning with the possibilities the next day holds. My body is getting squishy. It's the furthest away from athletic that it has ever been. My calluses are gone. My legs are as skinny as Nicole Richie's. My stomach has lost the lean tone (I am embarrassed to take off my shirt). Trying to imagine doing a Def (a 1.5 twisting release move on high bar) is impossible. This isn't good.


I think that I was so positive for so long after this injury because I was in the best shape of my life when it happened. I could still visualize my routines so vividly when I was in Germany. Even after I hurt myself, I was still making plans for the things I wanted to add to my routines for the upcoming season. I could mentally feel myself doing gymnastics...even if I couldn't physically do it.

Now, my goals are starting to become blurry. I am uncertain of what I want. I'm scared because my brain is starting to play tricks on me. I keep asking myself the question: Do I want to struggle through this or do I want to just say screw it? The struggle seemed so appetizing before. I love a challenge. I love surprising myself and pushing myself to the limit. But now, that struggle seems like it is drowning me.


I have hit that 2 month wall and being positive is wearing thin.

I talked to Hap today and he said this is normal. He said that I should be upset...he was actually quite surprised that I made it this far without getting really mad!


Hap asked me if I trust people who lie to me. Of course I don't. I hate liars. He asked me why then would I trust myself if I felt pissed off, but tried to cover it up and pretend to be happy. Good question. I guess we sometimes need permission to be MAD!


It makes sense. It is a natural emotion, one that I don't experience too often, but one that is important to express because it helps you sort things out and deal with your issues.

Right now, I'm gonna deal. A good vent session is in order:

Do you know what makes my blood boil right now? It's everyone else not understanding how frickin' difficult this has been (no offence to anyone). Yes, I have made tons of progress. That is clearly evident by the single brace and the lack of wheelchair, but that doesn't mean that this is all happy. This is the most difficult and frustrating injury I have ever had to deal with...and right now feels like the lowest point. On the outside I look like I am moving forward, but on the inside I feel like an out of shape, weak has-been who is sick and tired of being lazy! I try to be diligent. I try to be as optimistic as possible. "I will heal fast. Everything is ahead of schedule. I am doing everything I can". You know what though, today I am feeling down and admitting to myself that this just plain ol' sucks.

*That felt good!*

Seriously, who breaks both of their legs at the same time less than a year before the Olympics?

Today I just want to be mad that it happened. It's probably not the most respectable or envious attitude to have, but I am human and I need this.

I think a change of scenery and pace is desperately needed.

Luckily, Melissa and I are off to Toronto tomorrow for the Gold Medal Plates kick off event and a weekend with Kelly, Sue and their son Barrett.

I think this is just what I need to regain my positive perspective and optimism.


Stupid Legs!
Kyle

Cruisin'

I would like to make an announcement!

I am no longer completely dependant on everyone else!

I've got wheels and I know how to use them! Just don't tell the insurance company!

I got the clearance to drive a few days ago and I finally got the guts up to try it on my own. I don't know why I was worried, it's just always weird to drive when you haven't in a while. It's almost like I didn't trust myself.

As it turns out, the driving part is actually easy, it's the getting in and out of the car that is hard. You have to throw your crutches in, making sure that you are close enough to the drivers seat that you can shimmy around and sit in it with your legs hanging out the side. Then you have to carefully turn yourself a quarter turn and then you are in position to drive.

I never knew how much I took stepping into a car for granted.

I had to trade cars with my dad because I drive a 5 speed VW golf and he drives an automatic Saturn. Pushing the clutch in with my left foot was impossible.

To be able to get from A to B without having to have assistance is a very liberating feeling though. The only bad thing is the distance that I have to crutch to get into the University from the parking lot. Chaffing sucks. Thank goodness it isn't -30 and snowing though!

See you at the red lights,

Kyle

IG Online Interview

Here is an article that was posted on IG Online today:
http://www.intlgymnast.com/interview/shewfelt_kyle_3.html

IG Online Interview: Kyle Shewfelt (Canada) By John Crumlish

A month after surgery on both legs, 2004 Olympic floor exercise champion Kyle Shewfelt of Canada told IG he plans to be 100 percent back by January.

Shewfelt (pictured at right in Stuttgart with the Czech Republic's Jana Komrskova) was injured Aug. 27 while training for the 2007 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, when he landed stiff-legged on a layout Arabian double front on floor exercise.

The 25-year-old Shewfelt underwent surgery on Sept. 7 by Dr. Nick Mohtadi, a surgeon with the Canadian Sport Centre in Calgary.

Shewfelt is the reigning Olympic champion on the event, as well as the 2003 and 2006 world championships bronze medalist.

Shewfelt's injury sidelined him in Stuttgart, where he remained for the team qualification round to support his Canadian teammates. Even without Shewfelt's scores, the Canadian men finished 11th, earning Canada one of 12 team berths to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Shewfelt plans to spend the next several months rehabilitating his legs and hopes to defend his Olympic floor exercise title in Beijing.

In this IG Online interview, the optimistic Shewfelt describes what happened in Stuttgart, his intended recovery process and his ultimate goal of returning to the Olympic Games next year.

IG: Was the nature of your injury more complicated than you originally thought?

KS: It was definitely more complicated than originally expected. As it turns out, both fractures were displaced, and the left knee had a chipped bone and a stretched ligament. During surgery they put one screw into my right knee, and two screws and a plate into the left. They also had to reattach the bone chip and stabilize the stretched ligament.

IG: Based on the progress you've made between surgery and now, how long do you think you will need to be back at 100 percent?

KS: It's been a few weeks since surgery, and things are going pretty well. I am still very restricted, but I have a bit more freedom in terms of movement and activity.
After surgery, I woke up with two giant braces on my legs. I was able to partially weight-bear on the right, as the brace was set to allow a 30- to 90-degree range of motion. The left was locked in at 30 degrees. I think the first two weeks after surgery were the most difficult, because I couldn't do anything on my own and I was in quite a bit of pain.
During this time, I spent a lot of time doing nothing! It was a struggle to conjure up any motivation because it was a huge effort to do easy, everyday tasks. I had some time to catch up on my movies and read a few good books, though, so that was all right!

IG: What is your present condition?

KS: I got clearance to remove the right brace. I am now allowed to work up to full weight-bearing on this leg — although it is really stiff and I can't bend or straighten it all the way yet. I also get hyperextension flashbacks when I straighten it too much — not a nice feeling!. I am also allowed to partially weight-bear on the left. Dr. Mohtadi said that the left should be about a month behind the right due to the ligament damage.

I think that I should be back to 100 percent by January. I should be back into training in a couple of weeks. I have time right now, so I need to make sure that I heal properly. I have the tendency to get frustrated and try to push myself too much a little too soon, but I need to avoid doing this. It will be counterproductive, and I want to come back strong.

IG: What kind of physical therapy and conditioning are you doing?

KS: I have been doing physio since a few days after surgery. Just basic stuff like ultrasound, laser treatments, muscle stimulation and some massage. I have also done a few acupuncture treatments. I am taking a huge variety of vitamins, as well, to optimize healing. Now that I have the right brace off, we have done some leg conditioning and range of motion stuff.
As for conditioning, I have spent a lot of time on the arm bike, but my main source of activity has been getting around in a wheelchair and using my crutches and walker! I have an amazing support team at the Sport Centre here in Calgary, and we are developing a good plan for my recovery. I am going to start some weight training and core conditioning and continue with physio.

IG: What gymnastics, if any, are you allowed to do presently?

KS: I'm not cleared for any gymnastics as of right now. I am still very restricted. Also, I don't want to go into the gym just because I feel like I have to be there. That's pointless. I want to come in with a plan and feel like I'm accomplishing something. I think that I will be able to do some press handstands and specific conditioning within the next couple of weeks, so I will go in when I am more comfortable doing these types of things. I think it's important for me to feel a little more mobile before I head back into the gym.

IG: What have the doctors advised you, regarding your competitive status leading up to Beijing?
KS: We did the surgery with the intention of being in top form for the Olympics. I might not compete until the late spring, but I will be healthy. I want to compete in my third Olympic Games, have the opportunity to defend my Olympic title and contribute great performances to the team. My goals are still the same; it's just going to be a more interesting journey!

Kyle Shewfelt is featured in the following issues of International Gymnast magazine:
"Production Values," "Shewfelt's Role Both Familiar and Foreign" - features on Shewfelt's co-starring role in the film "White Palms" (November 2006) "My Year After Athens" - Shewfelt memoirs (August/September 2005) 2004 Olympic Games Special Issue - includes Shewfelt (October 2004) "The Style of Kyle" - profile (November 2003) Quick Chat: Kyle Shewfelt - interview (November 2002) "IG Profile: Kyle Shewfelt" (January 2001)
To subscribe to IG magazine or order back issues, click here.



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Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone in Canada a Happy Thanksgiving!

I am going to spend this evening with my mom's side of the family (although my parents won't be there because they are going to Vegas! Lucky ducks!). I'm gonna pig out on turkey, mashed potatoes and pie and then probably feel sick because I ate too much, but that's what this day is all about. Eating more than you should and being thankful for everything you have in your life.

I am thankful for all of the amazing opportunities and friendships I have experienced.

Pretty broad and lame I know, but I'm not feeling very creative or sentimental today.

Now that that's said, I think it's time to eat!

Gobble Gobble,

K.

Mayors Breakfast Honouring Sport in Calgary

I wanted to send a quick thank you to the Calgary Sport Council for hosting a wonderful breakfast this morning. I sat with Cardel Homes who, by the way, won the Business and Sport Excellence Award. Congratulations!


Cassie Campbell spoke eloquently about her experiences in Hockey and about the importance of sport in the community. She also spoke about how sport creates role models and give kids passion and purpose. I thought that she did an amazing job.

This breakfast is always fun for the athletes because you get to catch up with old teammates and friends. It's also great because they pair a high-performance athlete with a grassroots athlete...something I would have loved to experience when I was growing up.


It's also great because it brings some political personalities into the sport environment. I don't know what it is, but being in a room with so many accomplished and aspiring athletes creates a huge amount of energy and excitement. I hope that all of the corporate and political guests could feel this electricity and will continue to support amateur sport in Calgary and beyond.

One suggestion for next year though; please have the breakfast start later than 7am...I finally had a good sleep (did I mention with only one brace!) and that 5:30 wake up came fast!

Kyle

This photo is of my teammate, Nathan Gafuik, and I at the breakfast.

Progress!

Good News...

One brace off, one to go!

I had a meeting with Dr.Mohtadi this morning and he said everything is progressing smoothly. I am now able to work up to full weight bearing on the right leg and I can feather weight bear on the left. I can't even begin to explain how relieved and hopeful this makes me. I needed this...more than I think I am willing to let on.

Being partially free feels amazing. I went into physio right after and was rippin' around, trying to do everything that I could that didn't hurt. Getting used to the crutches is going to be a fun task though. Chaffing is not a good thing.

It is incredible how uplifted my spirit is. I am already starting to plan how I am going to drive to gym. I think it will be a week or so still before I feel completely comfortable, but it's gonna be a great day when I can do my thing and get back into some sort of active routine. No more being lazy! Whoo Hoo. I am filled with optimism and ready to start this strengthening process!

There is one thing that kind of concerns me though. I can not for the life of me get my right leg fully straight. Maybe because it has been restricted from going straight for so long. It feels nasty when I go past a certain point. It feels like someone is pushing down as hard as they can on my knee cap and restricting those final degrees. Apparently this is very normal and can be overcome. I am not the biggest fan of this pain because it brings me right back to the day when I injured myself. It gives me that "hyper-extension" flashback. Barf. I don't ever want to do that again!


I can't wait to sleep tonight without the two braces clunking together!



Kyle