Former Lady Razorback Basketball Player~Gone Too Soon

~Life Comes Full Circle~

The adventure of life is to LEARN. 

The purpose of life is to GROW. 

The nature of life is to CHANGE. 

The challenge of life is to OVERCOME. 

The essence of life is to CARE. 

The opportunity of life is to LOVE. 

The secret of life is to DARE. 

The beauty of life is to GIVE.

India Lewis passed away on August 7, 2018. We celebrated her birthday in heaven on September 21, 2018 (actual birthday) through the 23rd. This video is the short version to the long video of some of her moments she lived when she was alive. May she rest in peace now.India will never be forgotten  and will continue to live in our hearts.

India Amber Lewis
Birthday: September 21st

The Full Version Video for India Lewis will be posted soon. Thank you for watching and have a wonderful day. =) 

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

STRONG IS THE NEW BEAUTIFUL EXTENDED VIDEO

Set a goal, visualize it and see yourself accomplishing that goal and doing whatever it takes to master it. Create your drive and your determination to turn it into reality. Always strive and don't ever look back. Look at what you have accomplished and what you will continue to accomplish. Keep moving forward. You are the captain of your mission...the person in the driver's seat. ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

Always,
Dofitness

Strong Is The New Beautiful

I Play Like A Girl!!!! That Is Why I Am Faster, Stronger, And Better. 

For All Female Athletes- Be Proud Of Yourself For Kicking Butt Each And Every Day...Everyday You Train, Practice, Perform, And Play. Never Underestimate Your Potential...Never Give Up! Write Your Story Through Your Experiences...Everyone Has One. Each Is Special, Each Is Unique.

Love Always,
Dofitness

THE CHRON- GO HARD AND FLEX

Succeed because you are willing to do the things others are not. Fight against the odds and sacrifice. Be motivated with accomplishment. Never stop getting better...Never give up. The only chances you get are the ones you make YOURSELF.

SO GO HARD AND BRING OUT THE BEST YOU.
Love,
Dofitness

DOFITNESS SPORTS-SPECIFIC TRAINING

For the "Tough Athlete" who is going to do whatever it takes to be the best they can be. Dofitness incorporates strength, conditioning, and a little special special to help mold competitive athletes into the overall package. This type of training is hardcore and will push you to limits you never thought were possible. Be ready to bring out the warrior inside of you. 

Dofitness Sport-Specific Training will target overall strength, explosive power, advanced level endurance, foot speed, hand speed, vertical jump, focus, pushing your limits, sprint times, mental toughness, exhaustion drills, specific drills that go hand-in-hand with your sport, indoor and outdoor training that incorporates all styles of training. Do you have what it takes to become the best athlete you can be? OF COURSE YOU DO...YOU JUST NEED TO BELIEVE YOU DO! :)

The Moment My Life Changed Forever Part 2

The next day was a big reality check for me. I remember playing in high school...having concussions, pulling my back out, spraining my ankles and bouncing back. NOT THIS TIME...This was a totally different situation. Not only was it ten times the normal size due to the swelling but I could barely walk. My knee was upset!!! And it was showing me how upset!!!  I remember going to the training room and the trainers got right to work in trying to get the swelling down....from ice to the stem machine to light stretching. I was going to do whatever it took to get back out on the court...I wanted to be ready for my first SEC Tournament. Those two weeks prior to the tournament were such a blur...I remember the normal routine of icing and stem every single day. The trainers would then wrap up my whole leg and have me do cutting drills up and down the court (we still weren't sure the extent of my knee), to see if I would be ready to play in the tournament. I remember doing these drills up and down the court but the knee would just buckle on me. I would be able to run and cut a little then my knee would just give and buckle. I remember never losing hope and still believed that with some small miracle I would be ready to play in the SEC Tournament. It got closer to the Tournament and my knee just wasn't budging...I was so heartbroken. I did everything I was supposed to do and knew in my heart that my knee would be ready. MY KNEE WAS NEVER READY. I told myself I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself or to be upset...I would just have to deal with the card I was dealt and be there for my team. Cheer them on! I remember during the second half of the first game of the tournament, my coach paced up and down...looked over at me and said, "We could of used you today." I was speechless.

As soon as the SEC Tournament was over and my swelling was finally down, it was time for me to get an MRI and know the real damage done on my knee. I remember getting the MRI and feeling positive as I left the doctor's office. The coaches informed me that they would contact me in El Paso as soon as they knew the results (since I would be there for spring break). I was at home talking to my sister and my best friend when I received a phone call from my mother who was at her school working in her classroom. I remember her voice being a little shaky and she asked me if I could come by the school for a bit she had to talk to me about something very important.

I arrived at my mother's school and I remember her having such a heartbroken look on her face. I wasn't sure what this was all about but I was ready to hear what she had to say. She sat me down and she began to cry...she explained to me that the coaches had just called her and gave her the news that I had been waiting for...what seemed like a lifetime was now going to be my reality. Her voice got real low and she said that I had torn everything in my knee...the whole knee had exploded inside and the chances of me ever playing again were slim to none. She began to cry...she immediately grabbed me and hugged me tightly...I remember sitting there numb to the whole thing. I was in shock and could not comprehend the words that she had just told me. I remember her looking at me and asking me if I was okay, she reassured me that we would get through this. I looked at her and said, "I know, everything will be okay." I remember I was trying really hard to be strong for her...I didn't want her to feel worst than she did at that moment. I hated seeing my mom in so much pain because of me. I looked at my mom and said, "Mom...everything will be okay. You know me...it is hard to keep me down. They may say I will never play again but I really am the only one that knows if that is going to happen or not." My stubbornness began to shine bright...lol. My mom knew what that meant but her main concern was getting my knee better. I know she was hurt knowing that the love of my life (basketball) may be over for me...but just like any mother/parent, her main concern was my injury.

I remember driving back to my house and thinking that everything was just so surreal...I felt like I was in a nightmare and was going to wake up at anytime. I began to cry...and cry...and cry. It felt good to cry and really process everything that just happened. I remember telling myself..."It couldn't be that bad." All I could think about is my mom telling me that the coach was absolutely heartbroken and that the doctor specifically said..."It looked like a war zone in there." Wow...A WAR ZONE.  It was at this point I made a pact with myself that I was ready to take on this challenge. I was ready to do whatever it took to get back on that basketball court. WHATEVER IT TAKES! BRING ON THAT WAR ZONE!!!

Thank you so much for reading my story and I hope you stay tune for my Part 3...The Fight To Get Back On The Court. Thought for today is: Accept any challenge that is put in front of you. Turn any negative into a positive experience. Always see the GOOD out of something that is BAD. Never let ANYTHING stop you from doing what is in your HEART! Have an absolute wonderful day!
Lots of Love,
Dofitness

Be Careful When You Ice

Often times people don't realize the damage they can do when they ice a body part due to an injury. It is important that you are careful and pay attention to the area of your body that is being iced. It is important that you follow the rules of 20 minutes on/ 20 minutes off. ALWAYS use a barrier between your skin and the ice pack to prevent serious injury to your skin. Be careful when using gel ice packs, they are more dangerous than a bag of ice. Ice packs, which are 32 degrees, or colder when augmented with alcohol. Gel packs are typically colder and can cause serious injury if applied for too long and/or applied directly to the skin. Ice packs help relieve pain due to the cold numbs the injured area...but this numbing effect can be dangerous, however, because when you lose sensation in a part of your body, you have a difficult time noticing tissue damage. 

The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine recommends only using ice packs for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time on areas where the skin is close to the bone, and up to 30 minutes on areas with more fat or muscle. ALWAYS cover the ice pack or the affected area with a cloth, towel, or elastic bandage.

The video below shows a second degree burn and frostbite due to leaving a gel ice pack on an injured area for about 45 minutes along with no barrier between skin and gel ice pack. The video shows the sequence of what occurs in a 10 hour span.  Viewer discretion is advised. 

**UPDATE** AFTER DOCTOR VISIT. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED.

The Moment My Life Changed Forever Part 1

This is the story of a moment in my life that became both a learning and challenging experience. A time in my life that changed my outlook on everything in my life. A moment that is still a constant in my present life. A moment that if I could go back in time...I would never change. An experience that has shaped me into the person I am today.

So on with the story, a story that I have never truly discussed in detail until now. I have been an athlete all of my life. I have suffered through the devastating losses, all the extra practices, and all the injuries that go along with it....BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS. I know what it takes to get to the next level...I knew that in order to be successful you must work hard, practice, and deal with the consequences that come along the way...all the challenges that all athletes have faced one time or another.

I received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Arkansas in 92-93. It was a very exciting moment for me...I was going to be able to do the one thing that I loved doing at the next level, especially in the SEC. The one thing that was always there for me from the third grade to my high school years...if I needed to express myself and/or take my mind off the things that were stressing me out basketball was there. It was always there...I could express my feelings through my ball handling drills or my one-on-one challenges with myself. I remember it being an exciting but scary moment to leave my hometown, El Paso, Texas and live in a new and unfamiliar place, Fayetteville, Arkansas. The beginning of my freshman year was interesting and a little overwhelming...I remember all the things that were expected of me as a student athlete. I didn't have time to think about anything but basketball and school....number of hours I needed to take, going to all my classes,  preseason workouts in the early morning and afternoon, study hall hours, meetings for new freshman, on and on and on. I remember in November of 1992...I was ready to go back home...I was sooooo homesick. I didn't realize how much my life was going to change so fast without my family and in a very unfamiliar place. I remember talking to my mom and she said, "Just stay strong, you will be home with family in December...everything will be ok." I got only three days off that December to be with my family and I remember having a heart-to-heart with my mom. I told her that I had no problem handling all the things being thrown at me...the hardest part was being so far from my family. She understood my words but assured me that things would get better just to continue to give it a chance, and if at the end of the year I was still homesick that I could just come home. That made me feel better but at the same time a part of me understood things in a different way...You have started something, you have committed yourself to something...you must finish this journey. And that was the end of that for me.

My freshman season was a very interesting and fulfilling one. I worked hard during and after practices on parts of my game that needed improvement at the college level. Each game and practice showed improvement which earned me a lot of playing time as back-up point guard to starting point guard, Shea Henderson. The last game of the season was finally here...and I remember it being such a huge deal not only because it was the last game of the season, but because it would also mark the last game played in Barnhill Arena (we would be playing in the new Bud Walton Arena the next year).

So here is the moment that would change my life forever...I was stretching before the game as usual along with my teammates...I do remember my legs being a little heavy at pre-game but didn't think anything of it...continued on with warm-up and was just astounded by the number of fans that came out to support us. The atmosphere was so amazing...the fans were AWESOME! That in itself was a very exciting moment for me. I remember Coach Sutherland putting me in the game right away (maybe 6 min had passed)...everything seemed fine as I went up and down the court a few times running the offense...playing hard on defense.

And then my moment came (the moment that was destined for me)...I remember stealing the ball and running up the middle of the court for a fast break. I remember a big girl jumping out in front of me to stop the fast break play. I did a crossover to avoid the charge and planted the foot to pass the ball off to Alyson Twiggs for the score...as I passed the ball I heard a snap and fell to the ground...right on top of the HOG'S NOSE...I remember keeping my eyes on Twiggs to make sure that we scored...THE CROWD ROARED...SCORE. And then I looked down to my knee. My kneecap had twisted to the side of my leg...I remember trying to stand up...pushing my heel down to get up..but I couldn't. I had nothing there. The knee seemed dislocated and not sure what was going to happen at this point. I was carried off the court and taken straight to the training room. As I stood there...my knee made it back to its regular position. Doctors and trainers were all tending to my knee...pushing on it, bending it, pressing it...it felt absolutely fine. I was like are you kidding me...I can't believe I was taken off the court because of a stupid knee twist/strain. They had me walk around on it and jog in place...I passed every test that was thrown at me. Doctors and trainers both agreed I was fine...that it seemed that I twisted it and could go back to the bench. I was so relieved...so I sat there trying to understand everything that had just happened. I was sitting there and Coach Sutherland looked at me and said, "Get in there." So here comes my next moment (the moment that was tied to the last moment and would be the END and the BEGINNING of this journey with two paths).

Again, everything was fine...jogged a little during a play...SCORE...teammate scores on the play...THE FANS GO WILD! HOG WILD THAT IS...LOL. And the moment of truth is finally here. Full court press...trapped a girl right away, she passes the ball off...I sprint to my next spot and all of a sudden my whole basketball life flashes right before my eyes. I experienced the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. As I sprinted...My knee swooshed back and forth as if it was a rubber band that was vibrating back and forth...I collapsed to the floor and had nothing to support me to get up. I remember being so pissed off and realized this deep and intense pain...but was too focused on making sure we stopped the other team from breaking the press. I tried desperately to get up...but couldn't...EVERYTHING WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL. I could do NOTHING to fix this at this moment. They had to carry me off the court again and it was in the training room that they discovered something was seriously wrong. My knee had swelled ten times its regular size in a matter of 15 minutes. The swelling was out of control and nobody was able to make a diagnosis due to the severity of the swelling in my knee.

I am going to make this my first chapter...lol. I don't want to make this blog entry tooo long. I will be sure to write, The Moment My Life Changed Forever Part 2 soon. So be sure to tune in and check out the second part of my story. My message for today is...Be sure to experience each moment that is put in your life...GOOD AND BAD...Each has a contributing factor that will help you BECOME STRONGER and that will help you UNDERSTAND TRULY WHO YOU ARE.
Love Always,
Dofitness

A REAL TRUE PASSION

"There are no shortcuts. I have always believed in leading with action." 

-Michael Jordan

This weekend I was reading a book written by Michael Jordan and it reminded me of why I have always liked him. Sure we all know what he was capable of doing on the basketball court and so that is a given, BUT it has been deeper than that for me...it is his story, his thought process (his mind-set), his work ethic. In his book, he shared a lot of his emotions, thoughts, and feelings not only with the game of basketball but in life. I want to share with you some of the main highlights of his beliefs and how it may help you overcome challenges in everything you do. Or it may give you an understanding of why it is important to stay true to your beliefs/desires/dreams.

He begins by stating that it wasn't about celebrating the results as much as it was about understanding the process that produced those results.  I think that is an amazing sentence.  Some of us get caught up in the destination of our success rather than our journey.  He believes that this process is pure...leading and staying true-AUTHENTIC- to those fundamental values that flowed downstream from his parents and later Coach Dean Smith.  We all have a foundation that our parents have provided us and we all get tested and challenged...it is knowing where you came from and being strong enough to endure any obstacles.  

In his second chapter, EARNED, he discusses that in today's world, players receive the rewards before they prove their worth. "If you look around, you will see that it happens in a lot of places, not just sports."-MJ.  Jordan explains that back in his day, there were no expectations for him.  Yes, he was third pick in the NBA draft and received a contract with a lot of money at the time.  BUT, he stresses that no one expected him to become the player he became. Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Julius Erving were the stars in 1984. No rookie was expected to come into the league and challenge the status of veteran stars. So he didn't have to be concerned with trying to live up to the expectations. "What I did on the floor drove the marketing, not the other way around. The Jordan Brand was driven by what I did every night playing the game."-MJ

It comes down to earning your success and appreciating it at the end of the day. When you are in the gym, you need to work hard to earn every pound you lose or to perform better.  He says, "I had to earn what came to me and I never knew any other way."  To me that is a blessing in disguise.  I remember when I was playing basketball and believed that if I practiced everyday and worked hard (dedicating myself and not giving up), I would earn and achieve the goals I set for myself.

Jordan states that when his playing started providing him with rewards, he wanted to prove that he deserved them. He states, "I never felt the desire to rest on what I had accomplished. I never felt like I deserved to drive a Bentley when I got my first contract or live in a mansion. Those things might be symbols of success to some people, but there are a lot of people who confuse symbols with actual success.  Real quick, I want you to think about this paragraph and see how it applies to you in your everyday life. We are all rewarded when we work hard and accomplish something...but what do you do after you receive that reward? Do you stop working hard? Do you believe once you receive that reward that there is no where else to go? 

 I have seen this process so many times in  personal training. For example, here is a person who works so hard to lose the weight...they dedicate themselves to the training and nutrition program. They stay consistent and they don't give in to temptation.  By the end, they have accomplished their goal.  They have lost the weight, they have increased their fitness level, they have inspired the people around them to get in better shape, their confidence level increases, they have more energy, they feel good about themselves...all these things are the rewards they receive from their success.  And then they stop! They stop the process that has given them so much!  They don't appreciate the rewards that their success provided them.  

THE WORDS THAT JORDAN LIVES BY ARE BY HIS HIGH SCHOOL COACH, CLIFTON "POP" HERRING, "IT'S HARD, BUT IT'S FAIR."

You should never settle and you should always want to be challenged.  I told someone today...if it (training at a high intensity) was so easy...everyone would be doing it and sticking with it. And if it was so easy, you wouldn't appreciate it.  You should embrace your hard work and your dedication in the gym.  "Nothing of Value comes without being earned."-MJ  

Jordan states, "I practiced hard everyday because I wanted every one of my teammates to know what I expected out of myself. If I took a day off, then I knew they would, too." Work hard in the gym...YOU SET THE TONE! BE THE EXAMPLE! BE A LEADER!

He states that great leaders are those who lead by example first. People respond to what they see.  And isn't that the truth, say you try on a pair of jeans that you haven't been able to fit into...and they fit and you look at yourself in the mirror, what do you do then? You feel joy and happiness...and your response is to finally wear those jeans tomorrow.  YOU DID IT!  YOU EARNED IT! 

Have a passion for what you are doing and work hard. If you have a passion, then you are going to be challenged every day to give your best. These are the words that Delores Jordan (mom) instilled into Michael.  And these are the words I want you to remember when you are in the weight room or just living your life.  Apply yourself and NEVER doubt what you can do!

Jordan, M. Driven Within. Pgs. 8-13, 17.  

The Power Of Your Mind And Body

"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."- Mark Twain

I have touched on the thought of the mind and body working as one unit, the strong connection between the two that leads you to ultimate success. It is so important to understand how the connection between mind and body work. Studies show that what we think and feel about a given situation has an immediate impact upon it. 

 For instance, when I train athletes in basketball, I touch on the issue of believing they can make the basket. You can have a basketball player who is top-notch, but if they aren't mentally trained, they will not excel in this sport. The positive mind-set along with their focus and determination will lead this player to ultimate success. 

For instance, I often see players who have all the potential in the world completely become different players because they have missed 8 free-throws in a row. They mentally take themselves out of their game and will continue to miss every free-throw they attempt. By improving mental toughness, these players become unstoppable. The point I am trying to make is that it is not just athletes preparing for competition who need to be mentally and physically prepared, but everyone of us must be able and prepared to connect both mind and body in every aspect that we do in our life.

If you have negative beliefs about the outcome of something, it is most likely that this attitude will negatively affect the outcome. Physical wellness is linked with state of mind. An interesting fact is that the function of your immune system is affected not only by external agents but also by the thoughts and feelings you hold about yourself. If your mind tells you that you are tired, your muscles and nerves accept that as a fact. 

Unfortunately, negative emotions like anger, sadness, and stress can do more than sap your energy: these emotions can actually destroy your health. Be aware of this and take necessary steps to improve this problem. People with high stress levels are much more susceptible to high blood pressure, ulcers, stroke, and the list goes on and on. You must find remedies to improve the stress you deal with. Everyone has issues and problems, that is life, the difference is how are YOU going to fix it. You have so many choices you can make to improve this. One way would be to find activities that are going to relax you and help you feel peace. Also, taking time for yourself to get into your own space without any distractions. Remember, just as you can make yourself ill, you can make yourself well.

A mind and body approach to fitness opens the door to deeper experience and much greater results by practicing skills that connect action and awareness. Look deep within yourself...every act needs attention for its successful performance.

What are you thinking about as your feet crash into the pavement for the thousandth time during a run? Are you telling yourself that you can run faster and farther, or are you focusing on how tired you feel? What do you feel inside, as you contract your muscles during a workout? Are you visualizing yourself losing those unwanted pounds along with a decrease in body fat, or are you distracted and thinking about why the weight is not coming off faster? The point is : WHEN YOU INTEGRATE THE POWER OF YOUR MIND, WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE IS BOUNDLESS!