Dear PB Readers,

This past weekend, I rode a mountain bike behind my top elite triathletes while they were out for their regular Sunday long run. Not being fit enough to stay up with them, I rode behind them instead. I watched their fit, healthy bodies powerfully running up the beautiful trails in our area. Sixty years ago, these same young men would have been risking their lives so that people like you and I could enjoy our incredibly fortunate lives. How many great scholars, doctors, businessmen, mothers and fathers never came home? While my talented young men were running to gain extra fitness, their counterparts sixty years ago would have been running through mud with little food and forty pound packs on their backs. Realistically, ten years from now when they celebrate the 70th anniversary of VE DAY, few of the men and women who made the tremendous sacrifices will still be alive. That's what makes my next story all the more powerful.

My great friend Liz Sauter sent me a note this past week. Her 84 and a half year old father-in-law Gordon Scott (yes 84.5 years old) is starting a 1500 kilometer walk to raise funds for the War Amps. The former World War II veteran is walking a route he rode on his bicycle 67 years ago. Gordon Scott is one of the last of his breed. Men and women who risked their lives to give Canadians, and much of the world, the opportunity for a better life! Gordon nearly lost both his legs in an engagement at Falaise Gap and so the War Amps is an important personal charity for him. The word "CHAMP" is made up of CHild AMPutees. The 84.5 year old great grandfather will be proudly walking under the title "GRAMPS TRAMPS FOR CHAMPS". If you see him along a remote route please feel free to provide him with food and water as he will need that to stay nourished. His handmade chariot will only hold 2 weeks worth of supplies plus his tent and a foam rollup pad to sleep on along the way. His cart has red Canadian flags along with the War Amps banner and red ensign flags from World War II. Starting in Peterborough on May 15th Gordon will walk to Sarnia, down to Windsor, through Kingsville and back to Toronto to total 1500km. If you are trying to track Gordon through the War Amps website his code number will be 84.5 (his age)! Sixty years ago this selfless man contributed to our nation's betterment and next Sunday he will once again find the energy and drive to contribute to the needy!

We had many new members join our newsletter in the last seven days. Welcome to each of you. Our goal each week is to be a free source of positive energy in your life. We have readers in two dozen countries and every province. Our weekly readers include teachers, coaches, parents, Olympic athletes, priests, ministers and politicians. Somehow, the energy that is emitted from our newsletter is valued by those who wish to live their lives in a more positive manner. I welcome your ideas and contributions and ask you to sign up your friends and co-workers by sending me their email address at barrie@personalbest.ca or going to our website at www.personalbest.ca. Enjoy the newsletter.

MAY 9th PB HIGHLIGHTS

* CHARLES F. KETTERING QUOTE ON MAKING GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
* CANADIAN STEVE NASH - A TRUE HERO
* TURN YOUR OLD SHOES INTO A PLAYGROUND
* PB EMAIL OF THE WEEK
* GOOD KARMA IS REWARDED
* COUNTRY'S BIGGEST KIDS RACE SEEKING YOUR INVOLVEMENT MAY 29TH
* JOIN BARRIE AT HIS JUNE 2ND GOLF DAY FUND RAISER & SUPPER
* CARON SHEPLEY'S POWER YOGA FOR ENDURANCE ATHLETES DVD FOR SALE

CHARLES F. KETTERING QUOTE ON MAKING GREAT THINGS HAPPEN

"Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down."

CANADIAN STEVE NASH MAKES HISTORY

By now unless you were hiding in your basement over the past few days, you will have heard that Victoria, British Columbia's Steve Nash has been recognized as the National Basketball Association's (NBA) most valuable player. The six foot two inch Canadian has knocked off the 7 foot 320 pound superstar Shaq O'neal for basketball's top award. If you don't follow basketball you won't fully appreciate how amazing Steve Nash is. Basketball is now played in 150 countries around the world. The NBA is the crème of the world's basketball players. Essentially Nash has just been selected the world's finest basketball player for 2005. Growing up in Victoria, British Columbia Steve was a well rounded athlete who played many sports. Determination and smart thinking were Steve's greatest assets. Not the most natural physical athlete on any basketball court he has ever played on, Steve continued to impress every coach he has ever played for. While Steve's American counterparts had hundreds of basketball scholarships going into University, Steve only had one scholarship offer to consider. Ten years later, the small kid with very little vertical jump, has become Canada's first ever NBA MVP.

I got to meet and know Steve Nash at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. While Canada's handful of other NBA basketball players were being begged to play for our nation at the Olympic Games, Steve Nash was riding the school buses across Ontario actually supporting the team in pre-Olympic Games. Steve could have told Basketball Canada he would only go to the Olympics if he could meet them in Sydney. Instead, he traveled with the team on a school bus and stayed in university residences across Ontario. Many of the Canadian Olympic Basketball Team couldn't afford to bring their own parents to Sydney. Quietly, and without fanfare, Steve Nash paid for the airlines tickets of any of the parents who couldn't afford to travel to see their children's biggest day in sport. Steve Nash is a very humble, quiet man.

While the American NBA superstars refused to wear their US Uniforms (because they were sponsored by rival shoe companies) Steve Nash proudly wore his Roots clothing. While the American Superstars (including Vince Carter) rented big condos in downtown Sydney, Steve Nash stayed in the athletes village just like 10,000 of the world's other Olympians. Because triathlon was in the first two days of the Sydney Olympics, our team was in the village a week before the games opened. Steve was one of the first people I met when we got to Sydney. A week before the Sydney Olympics, virtually no one in the world knew who Simon Whitfield was. I remember introducing Simon to Steve Nash and an hour later the two were still sitting on the front steps of our townhouse talking about Victoria, basketball and life.

I remember sitting in the laundry matt in the Athletes Village with the world's newest basketball MVP while HE WASHED HIS OWN ROOTS UNIFORM. I can't imagine Shaq or Vince Carter doing that. My most vivid memory of Steve Nash was the tears in his eyes as he watched the final buzzer tick away and Canada be knocked out of the Sydney Olympic Tournament. Steve carried the 2000 Canadian Men's Olympic Team with one of their finest tournaments in nearly a quarter of a century. Instead of spending the summer hanging with his buddies, Steve Nash used his own money and time to help twenty other Canadian basketball players have a chance to experience the Olympic Games. I have to believe that had Steve Nash been born sixty years ago, you would have likely seen him and World War II veteran Gordon Scott in the same platoon! Congratulations Steve. A true Canadian Hero.

TURN YOUR OLD SHOES INTO A KID'S PLAYGROUND

Nike Canada is trying gather 50,000 pairs of athletic shoes (any brand) to build a state of the art sports complex including a basketball court, soccer pitch and running track. The Nike Reuse-A-Shoe program recycles tired athletic shoes (any brand) and uses these materials to create a new sports surface for kids, advocating physical activity. This year marks the 1st year for the Reuse-A-Shoe program in Toronto, and in Canada. To find more information about the Nike Reuse a Shoe program visit www.runto.ca. The deadline for the collection is May 29, 2005.

www.runto.ca

PB EMAIL OF THE WEEK

Barrie, I thought I would give you some feedback on your topic of being selfish. In my practice I referred to the process of putting oneself first (a novel concept for those who are "careaholics"), as being "self full". Many people had such a negative association with the word - selfish, that it changed the whole feel of the practice of self care. I am always grateful for your newsletters. A.L. - mother, marathoner and one who learned the hard way how to care for the self!

GOOD KARMA

Back in February I told the story about Claus Bredschneider and Ed Clinton - two High School Swim coaches at Mayfield High School in Caledon, Ontario. After winning the provincial senior girls relay swim race, Claus realized that one of his relay swimmers had dove off the blocks a fraction of a second early. Even though the judges hadn't seen the infraction the girls and coach knew what happened. The four relay swimmers and their two coaches gave the gold medals back to the rightful winners and showed true class and sportsmanship. This past week Robert Schad, the founder of Husky Injection Molding Systems, sent a unsolicited sponsorship donation to the Mayfield athletic department for their school's swim team. I totally believe that good things come to deserving people. Congratulations to Claus, Ed and the entire Mayfield Relay team and to Robert Schad for his kind recognition of their efforts.

DON'T MISS OUR MAY 29TH 5TH ANNUAL C3 KIDS OF STEEL TRIATHLON

One of my favourite days of the summer is our Kids of Steel Triathlon Day. Imagine 120 kids who are three to six years of age wearing water wings for 15m swim, riding a tricycle 400m and walk-jogging 100m to the finishing line for a participation medal and t-shirt. Our 5th annual race will start the day with an adult duathlon (run/bike) and 5km Race followed by the 3-6 year age category. Following the balance of the morning and afternoon with the older children and finally ending the day with the adults. Short swims in a pool, flat bikes in a quiet neighborhood and a fantastic run along a quiet country road. The day has something for everyone. Bring out your kids to try their first event. Consider participating yourself or making up a relay team. Lastly and equally importantly we need help volunteering to run the event safely. Please consider helping, participating or bringing out some local kids. More details on the C3 website at www.c3online.ca or to volunteer contact Stewart Barclay at stewart@c3online.ca.

HELP BARRIE HELP OTHERS

Once a year I run a non-profit golf tournament to help athletes who have world class talent and little financial resources. This year's tournament is Thursday, June 2nd at the beautiful Caledon Golf and Country Club. The afternoon 18 hole social tournament includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, draw prizes, silent auction gifts, a great post day supper and a motivational speaker. Often this is my only 18 holes of golf for the summer. Please consider joining me in this fun, motivational and important fund raising day. To register for the tournament, or the evening only supper, or to donate some draw prizes for the day please contact Judy Riseborough at golf@c3online.ca.

POWER YOGA FOR ENDURANCE ATHLETES

For over twenty years, I have seen athletes training hard and continually getting injured. Without a strong core (stomach / back / hip flexors) a person cannot expect to perform optimally in any sport. Three years ago I asked my wife, Caron Shepley, to use all her kinesiology knowledge and Yoga background to develop a injury prevention and back care program. Using many of the athletes we coach, Caron created Power Yoga for Endurance Athletes. Her DVD covers everything you need to know to improve your overall core strength and minimize injury. Perfect for soccer, tennis, hockey, mountain bike, running, triathlon etc. I have personally seen the increased performances and reduced injuries by people of all ages who have followed Caron's program for just 6-8 weeks. If you are interested in reducing your injuries or improving your performance (or that of your children or teams you coach) this DVD is for you. Get your own copy at www.bluedogyoga.com.

TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF AT LEAST ONE PERSON THIS WEEK!

Blue Dog Yoga