Dear PB Readers,

YOU GET MORE OF WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT

I first heard this concept from Sport Psychologist, Saul Miller.  I had the privilege of working with Saul prior to the Sydney Olympics and found his ideas and style to be invaluable.  One of Saul's major theories was that "you get more of what you think about".   I could be more pain, more happiness, more positive energy. Saul likes to talk about how your mind is like a TV set that is on 24 hours a day.  If you don't monitor and consciously control the quality of the programming you allow into your mind every day, chances are many negative, destructive images will filter in.  Negative people, or people in major pain, usually end up at days end more negative, or in greater pain, because the are continually negative or focusing on their pain.  How do you control the programming on your TV (people you associate with, books you read, music you listen to, or seminars you go to)?  You are the station manager for your own life.  Make wise choices with your own personal programming.  Saul currently has two amazing books that should be on everyone's "must read list" (Sport Psychology for Cyclist from Velo Press and The Complete Player, the Psychology of Winning Hockey).  Saul's books transcend any specific sport and he doesn't use "psycho-babble" but rather provides real, meaningful applications you can use in your every day life.  It is definitely great reading. 

E-mail us new names of friends, family and co-workers that you believe might value our weekly newsletter (send us their e-mail, and we will ensure they get our newsletter, to barrie@personalbest.ca  or sign them up yourselves at
www.personalbest.ca  ).


HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER

* PERSONAL BEST CANADIAN SPORTS TRIVIA
* QUOTE OF THE WEEK
* WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM THE KING?
* HELP US CREATE A 2002 RESOURCE LIST OF BOOKS AND WEBSITES
* NUTRITION TIPS FROM DEE WRIGHT
* READER EMAIL OF THE WEEK
* GREAT  TRAINING AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSIDER IN 2002


PB'S CANADIAN SPORT'S FACT

Each week, we will be sharing a Canadian Sports Trivia Fact to continue the education of our rich sport past.  Our many non-Canadian readers can gain a little insight into Canada's rich but often poorly known past sports history.

The world of sport has changed dramatically in the last sixty years.  If John Loaring were competing in athletics today, he would be a house-hold name, millionaire and a Canadian hero.  As it is, only a handful of old sport historians will even recall the amazing accomplishments of this amazing man.  Born in 1915, John contracted rheumatic fever and the family doctor predicted that the active young boy would never run again. Neither John or his father were prepared to accept the medical experts opinion of the day and John started back to easy running within months.  Within two years, John's work capacity led him to his first national team at the Centennial Games in Melbourne, Australia where he won the 120-yard high hurdles and anchored the relay to a first place finish.

John became historic at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by  becoming the first man to accomplish the Triple-400 meter (meaning that he would compete in the 400m run, 400m hurdles and the 4x400m relay team).   On Aug 4th, 1936 in front of Adolph Hitler, and the day after his 21st birthday, the Canadian running star won the silver medal in the 400m hurdles (no other Canadian has ever accomplished this).   At those Olympic Games, Loaring ran nine races, and made the finals in all three events (no other Olympian has ever accomplished this amazing feat).  Two years later, Loaring won three gold medals at the British Empire Games in Australia winning the 440 yard hurdles, 4x110 yard relay and the 4x440 yard relay.  Remember rather then flying to Australia in a day, athletes arrived after a six week boat ride (imagine trying to train for a major competition on a boat?).

As I studied  John's life, I was continually impressed with the quality of the man.  Long before Bo Jackson was a two sport star, John swam for University of Western Ontario, where he was the intercollegiate swimming champion four times.  A proud Canadian, John enlisted in the second world war in the Royal Canadian Navy.   The two-star athlete was credited with reviving three children who were aboard a sinking Civilian boat that had been hit by German U-Boat.  Loaring would have many additional close calls in the war and on May 23rd, 1941 he clung for his life for three hours on the side of the sinking H.M.S. Figi.  Loaring's spirit of giving continued after the war, when he returned to Windsor, Ontario to help revive the Windsor Swimming Club.  Loaring was inducted into three Hall of Fames (Canadian Amateur Athletic, UWO and Windsor Essex County Sports).  Canada lost its original multi-sport, adventure athlete when he passed away at just 54 years of age.  Who said Canada hasn't produced some amazing athlete/individuals? (send me stories of Great Canadians that I can use in future issues to barrie@personalbest.ca)


QUOTE OF THE WEEK

You are what you repeatedly do!  (What do you repeated do? What are you becoming?)


WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM THE KING?

Having worked closely with many figure skaters over the past decade, I watched intently as Elvis Stojko won his seventh National Figure Skating Championship this past weekend.  When Elvis entered competitive skating, he and his coaches recognized his own psychological and physiological  uniqueness.  Instead of trying to mimic the artistic style of the two previous Canadian and World Champions (Kurt Browning and Brian Orser), Elvis had the confidence to be his own person and athlete (despite criticism from many of the sport's mainstream advisors).  Elvis was one of the first to realize future skaters needed to become better "all around athletes".  His love of Karate (black belt) and his reputation for working out forced skaters from around the world to increase their commitment to off-ice fitness.  In the past, top amateur skaters went to one Olympic Games and then turned professional (between 18-22 years of age).  In February at the age of 30, Elvis will compete in his fourth Olympic Games.  Eighteen months ago, most of the skating fraternity wrote Stojko off.  While he had won many medals at World and Olympic Championships over the years, Elvis seemed un-able to overcome injuries that come with a dozen years of landing quads.  On Saturday night, over 12,000 spectators stood and applauded the final seconds of Elvis's seventh and last National Championship.  Stojko success could be summarized in the following way: 
A) Great but not overly intrusive family support. 
B) Belief in himself, whether he is currently winning or losing. 
C) Phenomenal capacity to focus despite outside pressures.  
D) The desire to maximize all of his capacities (fitness, mental skills, coaching support, sponsors).  

Interestingly, the same characteristics that helped Elvis achieve his success, are seen in the development of  Olympic Gold Medal Triathlete, Simon Whitfield and Hockey Superstars, Wayne Gretzky and  Haley Wickenheiser.  While I know parents and coaches often want to "change and mold" their athletes/children, the athletes who tend to make the longest and most significant impact on sport and life are allowed to develop from the inside / out.  Win or lose in Salt Lake City, I have know doubt that Elvis Stojko will act with the same class and honour that he did Saturday night.  Long live the King!


KEEP SENDING US THE NAMES OF SOME GREAT BOOKS FOR 2002

We are making a list of fantastic books, articles and websites that our readers
should consider in 2002.  Please help us out by sending one or two of your favourite books, websites or learning opportunities so we can share it with our readers to barrie@personalbest.ca   We will be listing these resources and suggestions on our website starting Feb 1st  (www.personalbest.ca).


NUTRITION TIPS BY DEE WRIGHT

One of the important keys to good health is to follow a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition habits and regular exercise.  Here are some tips that are easy to follow and can help you to have more energy and improve your digestion.

1. Drink at least 8 glasses of pure water daily.  According to Donald S. Robertson, M.D., M.Sc., "For every 25 lbs you are overweight you need to drink an extra glass of pure water.  Larger people have larger metabolic loads.  Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention."
2. Eat smaller meals throughout the day and do not skip a meal.
3. Eat breakfast every morning so that you have fuel to begin your day.
4. Eat balanced meals with at least 5 to 10 vegetables and fruits daily.
5. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the maximum percentage of fat you eat in a day should not exceed 30% of your total daily intake.
6. Cut back on alcohol.  Instead drink herbal tea and pure water, or some vegetable or fruit juice.
7. Eat fruit or nuts and seeds as snacks.
8. Do not go hours without food or drink.
9. Take good quality supplements to support your body's need for added support through stressful times.
10. Take time to enjoy your meals and do not eat a large meal when you are in a rush.


PB E-MAIL OF THE WEEK

Barrie. I was surprised to note your comment next to your first 2002 goal: To lose 15 pounds by June 1st, 2002 (don't we all have weight loss as one of our yearly goals)?"  I saw your newsletter on Rudy's daily e-mail and I'd be surprised if anywhere near "all" of us have weight loss as a goal!  Keeping fit (through working out and racing) is certainly a goal of mine (and many of Rudy's other readers, I'm sure), but not losing weight.  As I'm sure you're aware from your coaching, an athlete should not be fixated on his/her weight (many elite athletes have eating disorders).  While your comment is likely fairly accurate for the general population, I don't think it fits this crowd!  (All generalizations are dangerous :-)

EDITORS NOTE:  This reader's constructive criticism is fair.  No one should focus only on weight loss.  The ultimate long-term healthy goal should be to increase muscle mass (to optimal levels) and to reduce unnecessary body fat. Genetics does play a role in how lean one can/should be. Some of my clients are lean genetically without much exercise, while others who have successfully completed the Ironman still carry above average body fat.  I personally have been implementing many of Dee Wright's nutritional tips and have lost five pounds of body fat since January 1st, 2002 (without dieting or feeling deprived).


UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO CATCH UP WITH BARRIE AND C3 CLUB