1999 A Very Memorable Moment- Lady Razorback Basketball

A Blast From The Past: The amazing highlights of a very special Arkansas Lady Razorback basketball player- Treva Christensen. This was a very memorable game for Treva because it was against Top-Five ranking Stanford and a game that would name Treva- The Player of the Game.

But, the most significant part of this whole evening was that Treva got the opportunity to showcase her outstanding bball skills/talent in front of her biggest idol of all-time, Indiana Pacer Reggie Miller. Definitely a big moment to remember in the year 1999. :)

Life is not about all the steps you have taken, or all the places you have been, it's about the footprints you leave behind. You made your mission successful in basketball because you had the heart/passion, confidence, courage, and the determination to be the best YOU could possibly be! You have been an inspiration to so many, and I know you continue to be an inspiration in all that you do now! You are awesome!!!

It's About HARD WORK And COMMITMENT

Players who PRACTICE HARD when no one is paying attention, build the strong foundation that holds the key to SUCCESS. There are absolutely NO SHORTCUTS...JUST HARD WORK!

You must earn your way to achieve what you set out to achieve! You must PRACTICE every day...NO MATTER WHAT! If you want the RESULTS, you must put in the WORK to receive the REWARDS!

BE DRIVEN to BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE!

Always,
~Dofitness

SUCCESS COMES FROM DISCIPLINE

Our Life Is Defined By Opportunities. Opportunities That Help Us Grow. In Order For Growth, There Must Be Commitment. A Commitment To Yourself...A Commitment To Succeed.

Check Out This Amazing Accomplishment...Awesome Job To My Client For Reaching Her Big Goal After One Year At Dofitness Training Studio. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

A MOMENT TO REMEMBER- A WRINKLE IN TIME AND FOUR YEARS LATER

If I Could I Would Create A WRINKLE IN TIME (Two Points In Time That Are Wrinkled To Intersect And Would Allow Instant Travel To Any Place I Wanted To Be), So I Could Go Watch You Run. Tomorrow Is Your Big Marathon, And I Wish I Could Be There To Watch You Succeed Like You Did In 2010. 

I Am Extremely PROUD OF YOU And I Know In My Heart You Are Going To Be Great Tomorrow. I Will Be Thinking Of You And Cheering You On In SPIRIT. 

So Go DO It And Shine Bright. I LOVE YOU ALWAYS.

2010 25TH L.A. MARATHON RESULTS...

GO! GO! FIGHT! FIGHT! TRACKING MY FIRESTAR!

SHE DID IT! SHE FINISHED STRONG AND ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH. WAY TO GO DEE! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! YOU DID IT AND YOU ARE A TRUE EXAMPLE TO SO MANY PEOPLE. YOU HAVE PROVEN THAT WHEN YOU WORK HARD AND WHEN YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO...THAT ALL YOUR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE. YOU ARE THE BEST!

40K: 4:46:43 FINISH: 05:01:09 Time Chip Time: 05:01:09 /Clock Time: 5:08:14

Pace: 11:29/Place Overall: 8911/Gender: 2745

ALMOST THERE. HERE ARE HER RESULTS UP TO THE 35K MARK. PUSH! FIGHT! STRONG! DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FINISH.

Deanna Olivas - Runners and Walkers | Bib 15650 | Los Angeles, CA - USA | Female | Age 31
Start	5K	10K	15K	20K	25K	30K	35K	40K	Finish
7:53:59 AM	00:34:39	01:09:00	01:43:39	02:18:06	02:52:07	03:29:37	04:08:52

HERE ARE HER MIDPOINT RESULTS. WAY TO GO! SO PROUD OF YOU!

Deanna Olivas - Runners and Walkers | Bib 15650 | Los Angeles, CA - USA | Female | Age 31
Start	5K	10K	15K	20K	25K	30K	35K	40K	Finish
	00:34:39	01:09:00	01:43:39	02:18:06
Time Predicted: 4:51:21 ETA: 12:45:20 PM Pace: 11:06

POST WORKOUT PROTEIN INTAKE SPEEDS TISSUE REPAIR

After a hard workout in a gym or on a track, your body must repair damaged tissues using amino acids from protein. Exercise speeds the use of amino acids as fuels, which puts them in short supply during recovery... the time the body repairs and restores itself. 

Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers did a sophisticated study showing that feeding protein (10 grams) and carbs after endurance exercise increased whole body protein synthesis after exercise compared to a placebo. All athletes should eat a high-protein energy bar, protein shake, or a high-protein meal within 30-45 minutes of an intense workout. This practice will speed recovery and build muscle faster. 

Your post-workout meal is one of the most important things you must do in order to recover and in order to see the results you are working hard for. If you are not doing this already, be sure to start, you will see an overall increase in recovery, performance, and body change (results achieved). Thanks for checking out my blog article. Have a good day and HAPPY TRAINING AND DON'T FORGET YOUR POST WORKOUT MEAL! :)

Med. Sci. Sports, 34: 828-837, 2002.

VEHICLE OF SUCCESS

TRAVELING TWO-MOTION PUSH-UPS ON BALANCE BEAMS:
To reach a successful destination you need a vehicle assembled with wheels of power and strength, the fuel of action, and a driver with patience and hard work. You are the vehicle and the driver of success. So proud of my client. HARD WORK is the way.

LOVE WINS

The nature of love is one of the most complex things to comprehend. One of my favorite quotes by Bruce Lee is: "If one loves, one need not have an ideology of love." Instead, love--true love--is a state or condition of being wherein the activities of the self have ceased. And in order to experience this state, an understanding of the workings of the self in all of its many varieties of consciousness is required."

You must think of love as a mutual experience of the body and the mind. When you love you must believe on one level that there is something constant about the body (physical constant) and that this physical constant is inherently and intrinsically enduring and tightly "connected" to what you perceive to be the identity of the person you love, the activity you love, or even the object you love.

However, we do change or better yet...we are change, as it is our ability to change with the change. Bruce Lee referred to this as "the changeless state." In order to have success in the people and things you love you must have its experience transcend your physical body...in order for love to evolve, you must experience the powerful emotional state as well.

In the case that the emotion of love is not present, a state of not being able to change with change results in a changed state, this will often lead to "growing apart." We must allow things in our life to evolve in its natural process, which will bring a truly wonderful experience. We must often remind ourselves not to possess or cling to the physical world.

As mentioned, the physical world is itself illusory, you're engaging in non-reality-based behavior, and this will set you up for failure. Instead allow your experience of love to happen naturally, allowing you to "let go" by not clinging to it, you will find that your relationships, goals, everyday activities will not only become more interesting, but will grow into a very strong unity of body, mind, and spirit.

Love can only exist in an environment that is free of ego--where one has forgotten oneself. To Bruce Lee, one did not have or possess "love" but rather lived the emotion in the present to the fullest possible degree and reveled in the experience of it. When love surrounds you, it becomes a tremendous physical, mental, and spiritual experience.

"Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning, a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep burning and unquenchable."-Bruce Lee

You must value happiness and know that happiness in relationships, family, workplace, everyday activities should be derived, not from a whirlwind that involves an extreme emotional state, but from a more balanced relationship/behavior...remember that true Yin/Yang is expressed through temperance and moderation--not by running to extremes.

"Nothing can be secured by extremes...only sober moderation lasts, and that persists through all time. Only the mid-part of anything is preserved because the pendulum (of life) must have balance, and the mid-part is the balance," says Lee.

So I leave you with this thought...allow life to live through you, remember that to get the most out of life lies simply in your decision to live your life with the principle of balance and to learn to cooperate with the natural patterns of our world. Most importantly, let your career, relationships, and daily activities be harmonious expressions of who you truly are.

With Love, Dofitness
 Little, J. The Warrior Within. 1996. Pgs. 64-67.

The Ultimate Dofitness Monkey Bar Challenge

The Power Your Body And Mind Have Available

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action. And because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to...keep the channel open...Whether you choose to take an art class, keep a journal, record your dreams, dance your story, or live each day from your own creative source, above all else, keep the channel open!" -Martha Graham

Everything is ENERGY. Energy can be defined in a number of ways. Some describe energy as the capacity of a physical system to perform work. Others suggest it is a feeling of possessing such strength and vitality. Energy is your available power...your ambitious drive and effort. YOU ARE ENERGY...it is your strength of expression- the power to impress the mind and arouse your feelings...LIFE AND SPIRIT...YOU! Your energy comes from within and while it is made available for you, you must fuel that energy. To fuel your energy with the power to act effectively you must eat the right foods to give you the strength and vitality for sustained and mental activity. 

The amount of energy contained in any given amount of food is measured in calories. A calorie is a measurement of heat, which is valid because energy production for muscular contraction in the cell is a form of oxidation. It is slow oxidation, of course, but simply another form of the rapid oxidation known as fire. So let's try this again...Calories are a measurement of the amount of heat given off by the "slow burning" of energy in the muscle cells.

Be aware that all of the macro nutrients- protein, carbohydrates, and fat- contain energy, and therefore calories. But one important point you must understand is that they all differ in the amount of calories they have.

For example, 1 gram of protein or 1 gram of carbohydrate= 4 calories
1 gram of fat= 9 calories

And from the example, it is obvious that if you are trying to drop body fat you will minimize the fat in your eating regimen (*this does not mean take it out completely/body still needs fat).
On the flip side, if you are going to hike for days across the mountains, you should carry foods very rich in fat. Fat is more than twice as dense in calories as either protein and carbohydrate.

An interesting fact to keep in mind is that all fats, regardless of type, contain the same amount of food energy. Whether you are talking about olive oil, animal fat, butter, lard, or fats and oils in any other forms, they all contain the same amount of energy- 9 calories per gram.

Your body metabolizes calories in two basic ways: in basal metabolism (the energy it takes to maintain basic life functions) and in physical activity. A fascinating fact is that muscle tissue determines the caloric requirements of the human body. The two reasons is:

1. The more muscle you have, the more calories you consume at rest.

2. The more muscle effort you put out, the more calories are consumed in the process.

The leaner your body mass, the higher your RMR (resting metabolic rate). The formula to calculate this is: RMR= lean body mass (pounds) divided 2.205 x 30.4

An example is a person with a lean body mass of 150 pounds would have an RMR of about 2,100 calories. Keep in mind that other factors influence metabolic rate- age, gender, body type, thyroid function, etc.

Here it is...you have heard me say this time and time again. The number of calories you burn when exercising depends on the kind of activity you are engaged in. The harder you exercise and the more work you do, the more calories you metabolize. Whether you are moving your own body (ex. running) or lifting a barbell, the more you do it and the harder you do it, the more energy it takes. Here are a couple of examples on how this works.

ACTIVITY/CALORIES BURNED PER HOUR

1) Sleeping /72

2) Sitting /72-84

3) Walking (3.5 mph)/336-420

4) Swimming (basic)/360

5) Cycling (10mph)/360-420

6) Jogging (5mph)/600

7) Running (7.5 mph)/900

There is something very interesting about the relationship between walking, jogging, and running. When you go on foot, you burn up about 100 calories per mile (depending, again, on your overall body weight and lean body mass). It doesn't matter if you run or walk. You metabolize the same amount of energy for the same distance because you have done about the same amount of work. The difference is that you burn off the energy much faster when you run than when you walk.

Here it is again...energy expenditure is largely determined by how intense the training is. When you train continuously, going from one set to another, one exercise to another, with very little rest, you burn considerable calories over the one and a half or two hours of your workout. Also, when you train on a split schedule (two-a-days/two workouts a day), you burn up that much more energy.

WARNING!!!!

There is no such thing as a free lunch. When you subject your body to various kinds of artificial stimulation, you may get short-term results, but there is an inevitable letdown and your overall performance ability is damaged over time. One doctor suggests that some examples are:

1) Adrenaline

2) Alcohol

3) Alkalis

4) Amphetamines

5) Caffeine

6) Cocaine

7) Coramine (nikethamide)

8) Lecithin

9) Sulfa drugs

There is nothing wrong with a couple cups of coffee or an energy drink before training, but a handful of caffeine pills is just going to make you climb walls and possibly injure yourself during your training. Keep in mind that in order to develop the optimum physique, you need to be in an optimum state of health.

Schwarzenegger, A. The New Encyclopedia...Pgs. 722-725.

The Motivation And Opportunity Connection

"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
- Joshua J. Marine

After putting in long hours of hard work and dedication, it is rewarding to know that you have succeeded in reaching a certain level. I love to push each and every one of my clients to a level they believe they can never reach. Once they reach that level, there is a positive outlook on their SELF and a craving for more challenges. I believe that this process shapes a person's outlook on life and helps them overcome obstacles not only in the gym but in their daily lives. One must TRAIN and LIVE with the goal of continuous improvement. One must make no excuses to accept anything but their best.

I believe it is important to live life with INFINITE INTENSITY. Infinite meaning extending indefinitely and intense meaning to be marked by or expressive of great zeal, energy, determination, or concentration. So this concept leads me to the problem that people face in our society. Don't you find it interesting on how society is quick to place limits on our abilities. That it is acceptable to fail as long as you have tried. Many people give up before they try. CHALLENGES are approached with a mindset that says, "Why bother, I am not good enough." This really bothers me...more than you can imagine. I have dealt with several people who will take themselves right out of the challenge...GIVE UP BEFORE THEY EVEN TRY. No one becomes great by living a life where failure is both accepted and expected. Those who achieve greatness refuse to accept failure. I want to share something I read in college.

Mahatma Gandhi once said:
"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning."

So begin living your life today and accept the belief that you can achieve any goal. That you will bust your ass to ensure success. The belief that the ordinary can become the extraordinary. That you will refuse to accept limits and you will strive forward in search of greater accomplishments. That you will push the envelope both physically and mentally.

I have included a Dofitness Challenge Test. Do your best and believe in your abilities to success. *Keep track of your results and send them to me to find out your fitness level. **There are four categories to measure your fitness level: OUT OF SHAPE, AVERAGE, FIT, AND SUPER-FIT.

1. The One-Mile Challenge/Time?
2. The One Hundred Squat Challenge WITHOUT STOPPING/Keep track of how many times you stopped and how long it took you to complete 100 reps/use moderate weight
3. The Chinup Challenge/How many chinups can you complete without stopping?
4. The Push-up Challenge/How many push-ups without stopping?
5. The Wall Sit Challenge/How long did you sit without getting up?
6. The Half Court Run Challenge/How many times can you go from the end line to half court without stopping?

Follow The Rhythm Within Your Heart

In the book HAPPINESS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS, the author Dennis Prager points out a sure-fire formula for misery: U=I-R, which stands for Unhappiness equals Image-Reality. 

What he means is that the more we have a set idea or image of how something will be, the more we will be disappointed by the reality of what is. For example, we have an image of the way a relationship should be or we have an image of the way our bodies should look like after so many hours in the gym (looking for a different body type from our own), and ours doesn't measure up. 

We have an image of what our lives are supposed to be like by the time we are forty, and we fall short. The more we create an image, the more we get in our way of appreciating what is and the more we set ourselves up for unhappiness.

Do you find yourself falling into this trap? The best way to begin is to recognize it and then change your way of thinking. Life is too short. With honesty, passion and self-respect you can soar beyond the sky. Don't follow what you see, but instead follow the rhythm within your heart. 

Ryan, M.J. Instant Health and Happiness. Pg. 265.

Set YOUR Tone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone! Hope everyone is having a good year so far...crazy how fast time goes by.  So that is why it is so important that you get after it and work hard in everything you do.  Don't waste any more time....Go Get It! This Is For You...  


Here is a workout that will challenge you and I think you will like. Make sure that you go at your pace and work up from there....so the next time you do this workout you will be stronger and it will become easier.  Make sure you watch your form on all exercises...full range of motion people! Do Not Sell Yourself Short! And don't forget to breathe. One of the biggest things people do is hold their breath during high intense workouts, which in turn will make them fatigue faster and they won't be able to workout to their potential...leading to disappointment! Vicious Cycle People! If you do not know how to do an exercise, please don't hesitate to use your comment button at the end of the blog entry with questions and concerns...I am more than happy to help you. 

Or your next option would be to substitute that specific exercise with one of your own.  Be Creative! Makes training more fun and adds variety to your training.  Always Challenge Yourself! Go Hard But Go At Your Pace...don't worry about the person next to you.  Worry about YOU and only YOU!  

And last but not least, pick challenging weight BUT weight that you can lift.  I have a hard time seeing people lift heavier weight than they should be lifting because in their minds it's about how important the number on the dumbbell is...BUT WITH AWFUL FORM! Remember, you want to pick a weight that is challenging, but one that will allow you to perform your exercises with perfect form and full range of motion.  My motto is : IT IS NOT HOW MUCH YOU LIFT...IT IS HOW YOU LIFT!!!!!!!!


Round One: Three Sets 
1. M.B. Sit-ups (keep ball at your chest/if you are a beginner use a basketball or soccer ball/this position doesn't allow you to use momentum from your arms/plus it adds a little resistance on the up and down motion of your sit-up)- 20x
2. Mini Crunches- 100x (Crunch up and pulse up as high as you can without your lower back coming off ground/do not let the back of your shoulders touch the floor/continuous crunch/Pulsing)
3. Alternating Corkscrews- 20x (Legs straight up in the air/similar to a hip raise but with a twist at the end of that motion/raise your butt of the ground and turn at the end of your raise)
4. Push-Ups- 20x
*Try Not to Rest Between Exercises (1-4)/Complete the set and then repeat until you have completed three sets total/Try to Rest at the end of the round- 1min


Round Two: Challenge Round/GO AT YOUR PACE/ TIME IT: Go down the list of exercises and complete the round as fast as you can BUT with perfect form and full range of motion...DO NOT CHEAT YOURSELF. I only care about the time if you have honestly completed exercise with good form and full range of motion)/Document your time and then the following week try to beat your time! You will be amazed by the end of the month (saying that you attempt the round once a week), you will have improved your time dramatically.

1. DB Squats- 100x (Use Challenging Weight if you are Moderate/Advanced Level/Beginners Use Body Weight Only/Put a bench/step behind you and tap your butt to bench...this will help you keep your form on your squats/gives you a target to aim for when squatting/will help you sit back instead of allowing your knees to shift over your toes.  ALWAYS SIT BACK ON YOUR SQUATS!!!
2. DB Standing Shoulder Press- 20x (Press dbs over head)
3. Jump Rope- 100x + Push-Ups- 20x (Advanced- If you mess up...start over/Moderate Level- Push Yourself and try to do all your push-ups on your toes/Beginner Level- do the best you can...if 100x is too much for you/take your time or reset that number working your way up to 100x/if you can't do 20 push-ups; take your time or reset the number)
4. DB Walking Lunges- 100x (Use challenging weight/sit back on your lunges/ beginner level- use body weight & remember you are developing your foundation so don't injure yourself trying to push when your muscles are not conditioned to go at this intensity...baby steps...Know in your mind that you are working up to being the strongest you can be.
5. DB Alternating Punches (Forward)- 50x (Flow with your punches/turning your hands at the end of your punch/bending your knees to support and stabilize/go moderate-to-fast/light weight)
6. DB Alternating Punches (Upward)- 50x (same as above)
7. Jump Rope- 150x + Push-Ups- 20x (same instructions as #3)
8. Squat Push-Press- 50x (Place bench behind you/have dbs at your shoulders/squat down as you come up Press DBS overhead/as you bring your press back down to your shoulders, stabilize yourself by coming down in a squat/think one unit....squat up; dbs go up/as dbs come down & squat down)
9. DB Bent-Over Flye- 20x (Bend your legs, this will help support your back/bend over as if you are diving in to the floor/arms are straight down to the floor & slightly bend them and raise arms up as if you are flying; spread arms open- squeezing shoulder blades together)
10. DB Standing/Alternating Bicep Curls- 40x
11. Jump Rope- 200x + Push-Ups- 20x (same instructions as #3 & #8)


Round Three: Push!
*Cardio of Your Choice- 20 minutes/moderate level but still hard...PUSH! (You may choose to do two-three different cardio machines/you may decide to go longer than 20 minutes....GO FOR IT! This is for you! Soooo Embrace It and DO IT! 


Proud Of You.....Keep Up The Good Work! Thanks for tuning in!
Love Always,
Dofitness

Your Thirst

I came across this question along with this quote and I just had to share it with you. I believe that most of you will appreciate it and find its true meaning for YOURSELF.

How can you tell the dreamer from the dream?

"I've been having this recurring vision...In it, there's this fish tank--it calms me. I see a small speck floating on the water, and I look closer, it's me...I'm atop the waves. There's water as far as the eye can see, yet I can't drink. Not a drop. I taste salt in my mouth. I taste the bile. My thirst is great and it hangs around my neck like a chain. Eventually the weight drags me under. I'm drowning...I struggle, flail, kick... Then suddenly, I sense the familiar cold, hard hand of iron. I grab hold and pull myself up. This world is a vast sea but one thing remains fixed, constant...This iron. This calling. This THIRST."

Stay Strong And Fight Through

Dare To Believe In Your Capabilities...Your Purpose Reveals Believing, Hoping, Living, And Doing What Truly Defines You! It Is The Courage From Within...Remember, Nothing Can Be Achieved To Those Who Give Up. Make Your Own History And Achieve Away!!!

I AM A TEACHER

My last day at home I was gathering all my things and trying to pack all my stuff in these two suitcases...leaving behind some wonderful things I received for the holidays....BUMMER! :( Hopefully, my mom will send them to me someday...lol (HINT, HINT). As I am doing all these things I am coming across all the wonderful books my mom has (and has had over the years, I just failed to pay attention). As I was chasing her down the hallway of our home I was pleading and asking her, "please can I have this book?" Or, "what do I need to do to get this book?" Or even..."how much will you sell this book to me?" She was really getting a kick out of my passion for these books...all these wonderful books. And because I have such a wonderful mother...she gave them all to me except ONE! :( Or maybe it was TWO...LOL. Just kidding. But that was ok, I had more than enough books to get me by for the next couple of months. So I first want to thank my beautiful mother for giving me all these wonderful books...LOVE THEM ALL AND LOVE YOU TREMENDOUSLY.

So this brings me to the point of this blog entry, as I was reading one of my books, I came across a BEAUTIFUL POEM that I want to share with you. A story that hits my heart to the core...I am the daughter of  A TEACHER...AND I AM SO PROUD OF THAT!!! TO THIS DAY I AM SO PROUD TO SAY I AM A DAUGHTER OF A TEACHER! I watched my mother day in and day out invest her time and her heart into teaching children...wanting so much success for each and every one of them...always coming up with new ideas...always letting her passion and her love shine through her work. I learned many things from my mother and I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for her. I know in my heart, my sister can say the same thing.

One interesting thing I must point out is...I believe my mother's work and passion live through me even today...in my training, in my dreams, in my wishes, and overall in my life. She did and continues to do so many wonderful things...She taught for 38 years and helped shape and create endless possibilities for so many children including my sister and I.

ALL TEACHERS GIVE US SOMETHING UNIQUE AND SPECIAL, WE JUST DON'T REALIZE IT AT THE TIME. BUT I CAN HONESTLY SAY ONCE YOU DISCOVER WHAT LIVES INSIDE OF YOU (WHEN YOU LOOK DEEP WITHIN YOUR SOUL)...YOU SEE EVERY ONE OF YOUR TEACHER'S FACE THERE. SOME OF THEM WERE HARD ON YOU (BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN YOU), SOME NEVER GAVE UP ON YOU AND PUSHED YOU, OTHERS GAVE YOU HOPE AND GUIDANCE, WHILE OTHERS HELPED YOU FEEL SAFE AND ALWAYS GAVE YOU THE COURAGE AND SUPPORT YOU NEEDED. SO APPRECIATE THOSE MOMENTS YOU HAD WITH YOUR TEACHERS...KEEP THEM CLOSE TO YOUR HEART!

So on with the poem....

I AM A TEACHER

I am a Teacher.

I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child.

I have been many people in many places.

I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the use of questions.

I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.

I am Aesop and Hans Christian Anderson revealing truth through countless stories.

I am Marva Collins fighting for every child's right to an education.

I am Mary McCleod Bethune building a great college for my people, using orange crates for desks.

And I am Bel Kaufman struggling to go Up The Down Staircase.

The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity...Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus.

I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten but whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students. 

I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug to soon for bodies far too young.

Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse, and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician, and a keeper of the faith. 

Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have really had nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.

I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students.

Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students to use their talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat.

I am the most fortunate of all who labor.

A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment. I am allowed to see what life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas, and friendships. 

An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever.

I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy. But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love, And Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support.

And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, YOUR CHILDREN.

And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present that is challenging, adventurous, and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future.

I AM A TEACHER...AND I THANK GOD FOR IT EVERY DAY.

                                                                                                         -John W. Schlatter

So in honor of teachers and to say thank you for all that you do...I want to offer a special discounted package of personal training for the month of January. If you are interested, please contact me at dofitness@gmail.com.  :)

Canfield, J. Hansen, M. Chicken Soup For The Soul. 1993. Pgs. 145-147.

Try, Try Again

Here is a lesson you should take notice of,

A lesson you should take to heart,

Try, try again;

If at first you don't succeed,

Try, try again;

It is then that your courage should appear,

For, if you will persevere,

You will conquer, and never fear, 

So Try, try again;

 Believe that one day you will see THE TRUTH.

The Hand

*This Letter Is Not Connected To The Story, "The Hand"*

I first want to take the time to say "Thank You" to ALL teachers. To me, teachers are emblems of heart, love, compassion, sincerity, dedication, etc. Teachers are people who inspire their students to be the best they can be. They are willing to go the extra mile inside and outside the classroom. Teachers find various ways to connect with their students so they can understand them better and help make learning easy and fun.

Teachers care about their craft and have passion for it. I believe they are one of the most important people in our society (now and before now), they have an enormous responsibility...preparing their students to discover and understand what they can do with their lives. They help children learn and grow, they protect children and will go to extreme measures to make sure these children are safe, they love children and want to see all of them succeed.

Teachers are absolutely WONDERFUL and I feel honored to know so many wonderful teachers in my life, and I am proud and grateful to have been raised by a wonderful mother who was a teacher for 38 years. So take the time to hug a teacher or to let them know that you appreciate them and all that they do...because I believe they are one of the most important and influential people on this planet.

I want to share a very inspirational story about the impact a teacher has on a little body. It has touched my heart and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

One day a school teacher asked her class of first graders to draw a picture of something they were thankful for. She thought of how little these children were and how they would draw wonderful pictures of their family, animals, the trees, etc. The teacher was taken aback when she received the picture Douglas handed in...a simple childishly drawn hand.

But whose hand? The class was captivated by the abstract image. "I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food," said one child. "A farmer," said another. Finally when the others were busy working, the teacher bent over Douglas's desk and asked whose hand it was. "It's your hand, Teacher," he mumbled. She was deeply touched and it almost brought tears to her eyes. She recalled that frequently at recess she had taken Douglas, a scrubby forlorn child by the hand. She did this with most of the children, but she had taken Douglas by the hand on a daily basis. And that small act of kindness, reassurance, and safety meant so much to Douglas. So perhaps this was a learning project for all the students, it was a chance, in whatever small way, to give and to be thankful to others. To help show each student that small and special moments are all around them and to show the teacher that she is on the right track....giving children hope and love.

An Amazing Accomplishment

I want to say congrats to my cousin Stephen for this amazing accomplishment. I am so proud of you Stephen and I wish I could be there to share this moment with you. You have worked so hard and you have proven to yourself and everyone else that you can do whatever you set your mind to. YOU ARE AWESOME! Please know that I will be thinking about you during your ceremony and your celebration afterwards. I am sending my love and will be there in spirit. Love you so much and we will have to celebrate when I come home for the holidays! SO PROUD OF YOU!

BRINGIN' THE NOISE

If You Want To Be Tough, YOU Are The Only That Can Get YOU There. And In Order To Get Tough You Must Build A Great House...A Strong Foundation That Is Going To Last A Lifetime! Check Out This Video Of Power, Strength, And Determination To Finish Strong.
Love Always,
Dofitness

BEST Break Dancer Ever!

I did a blog entry back in September 2012 about an inspiring guy who was born with polio and has been considered one of the best break dancer ever. Here is a recap about a guy named B-boy Junior, whose real name is Bosila Banya. He was born in Zaire, Central Africa and was born with polio. Polio (poliomyelitis) is a viral illness that damages nerves that control muscles, resulting in muscle weakness. In severe illnesses, a person can lose the ability to move both arms and legs (paralysis) and may be unable to breathe without help.

As a child, he always was on his hands performing tricks to impress friends and family. He moved to France when he was 5 and in 1997 he saw a TV show about break dancing. It was then that he realized that was what he wanted to do. Even though B-boy Junior's leg has polio, he pursued break dancing with dedication and was mentored by Jeff and Rudy (Top-Notch Break dancers). In 2001, he joined the wanted posse crew that soon gained popularity around the world.

He has since then won many battles and is considered to be the be the best break dancer in the world. He has accomplished his goal and dream of break dancing despite his handicap. Anyone has the ability to being the best that they can be...everyone is challenged in different ways. It is up to YOU to do what you want to do. Believe in YOU and your dreams. Don't ever give up on YOU. With hard work, dedication, determination anything is possible. So my challenge to YOU is to do something you have always wanted to do and DO IT! 

Check out this video of B-boy Junior and see the amazing strength and power he shows doing something he loves to do...BREAK DANCE! Hope you enjoy.