Dear PB Readers,

My suspicions that the world really does want to hear great stories was reinforced this past week. Last week I told the ethical story of the high school swim coaches Claus Bredschneider and Ed Clinton who sat down with their swimmers and agreed to give back the gold medal they won at the provincial swim championships. One of the relay swimmers jumped off the swimming blocks too early (but wasn't observed by the officials) and led her team to gold. Knowing that they hadn't deserved the gold medals, the girls handed back their medals and acted with class and dignity. Many Canadian media outlets picked up on the worthy story and today the two coaches and their four swimmers have gained the recognition they justly deserve. While stories of sadness and pain may sell newspapers and radio time, stories of kindness and excellence have much longer lasting impacts. Congrats to the many media professionals who choose to pick this positive story over the many negative ones they could have written or reported!

Welcome to our newest readers. This is our 231st consecutive week of putting out our newsletter and every week I am amazed at how many great stories you send in. This week I am writing the newsletter from a training camp in Clermont Florida. Some of our nation's best elite athletes, a dozen junior athletes, and age group participants are down here working hard. Without the kindness of a number of generous donors these athletes would not have the chance to take their special skills to the next level. To those who have made contributions I thank you kindly. You get more of what you think about and when you start to believe the world is a fantastic place with unlimited possibility, it miraculously appears before you. Keep your contributions coming and keep signing up your family and friends by either going to our website at www.personalbest.ca or emailing me directly at barrie@personalbest.ca. Have a great week.

MARCH 14th PB HIGHLIGHTS

* OG MANDINO QUOTE ON THE USE OF TODAY
* CANADIAN'S PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN THE LIFE OF AFRICAN TWINS
* HOW WILL YOU RESPOND TO STRESS? ARE YOU A CARROT OR COFFEE BEAN?
* TANIA PERSAD'S NUTRITION TIP OF THE MONTH
* CALLING ALL GOLFERS
* FREE COACHING SESSION AND RESOURCES FOR ALL COACHES IN ONTARIO

OG MANDINO QUOTE ON THE USE OF TODAY

"I will waste not even a precious second today in anger or hate or jealousy or selfishness. I know that the seeds I sow I will harvest, because every action, good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction. I will plant only good seeds this day."

BABY MIRACLES HAVE A HUGE CANADIAN CONNECTION

Late last year I met dynamic fifty year old Canadian woman who has spent most of her life helping others. From raising a terrific family to raising millions of dollars for important Canadian charities, Dina Liberman has been a "net-giver" of energy to the world.

Parents are their children's first role models, and Dina's daughter Bekkie has been over in Zimbabwe working on prevention of HIV Aids from mother's to their children. It was in this area of Africa at the Salvation Army Mission Howard Hospital that Canadian physician Dr. Rachel Spitzer was working and eventually delivered the Siamese twins Tenashe and Tinotenda. Weighing less then 4 kilograms total, the babies were blessed to have the amazing Canadian physician in their town at the exact moment they needed her expertise. Not only did Dr. Spitzer bring the children into the world, she helped start the process to bring them to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto for their more advanced medical operations.

Life is about timing and little Tenashe and Tinotenda have so far been blessed. With the help of the Herbie Foundation, The Salvation Army and the Minto Corporation mother (Elizabeth) , twin babies (Tenashe and Tinotenda) and their nurse/mentor (Grace) left Africa and their culture to travel through blizzards to a cold snowy Toronto for their medical chance at life. The little babies may never know the amazing acts of kindness that Dina and her circle of friends have been able to create. From raising funds, to supplying housing, to the incredible act of kindness of the African nurse (Grace) who left her own children and family to come to Canada to support Elizabeth and her Siamese twin babies in their time of need.

Last week nearly two dozen specialists worked for five hours to perform the separation of the babies and provide them a legitimate chance of a normal long healthy life. The babies now weigh over 10 kilograms and are currently in the very critical post-surgery stage (but are moving in the right direction). Thanks to the kindness of a Canadian physician, a number of generous donors and the efforts of countless volunteers these incredible little miracles from the other side of the world may one day make a significant difference in our world. More information on the babies can be found at http://www.bekkieinafrica.info.

http://www.bekkieinafrica.info

THE IMPACTS OF STRESS

A carrot, an egg and a cup of coffee... You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again. A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity ... boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?" The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT AND DRINK

Electrolytes are electrically charged elements or compounds ("ions") found in human body fluids, tissues and cells. Examples of electrolytes are sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium. Our bodies require these ions for many functions, including cellular metabolism, and maintaining a proper chemical balance inside and outside of our cells. Electrolyte imbalance or deficiency may result in various nerve or muscle-related complaints, such as muscle cramps, weakness, numbness, confusion, fatigue, dizziness, and changes in pulse rate. Even body fluids that are lost on a normal daily basis through the skin, lungs, faesces and kidneys contain precious electrolytes. Due to higher activity levels, athletes tend to lose more body fluids and electrolytes on a daily basis. Therefore, consistent replacement of these substances is a more pressing issue for athletes' health and performance. How specifically to do this will vary by individual and activity, and will depend upon activity intensity and duration, body size, and the weather. A person can be dehydrated (and have imbalanced electrolytes), and not feel thirsty. Therefore, it is important to note symptoms such as those listed above, and to take early action on them.

Electrolyte Replacement: Consistent fluid replacement is important for any duration of exercise (up to 3 glasses of water per hour). Exercise sessions greater than one hour respond well to some type of electrolyte replacement, preferably liquid for easy digestion. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices, or a mineral broth made from boiling potato, celery and a handful of greens are good natural choices. I prefer natural sources because, if unadulterated, they are packaged in a form easy for the body to digest and utilize. With an isolate form of supplement (i.e., not from a whole food source), one may run the risk of creating more of an imbalance. Balance is the key; an over-supply is just as detrimental as an under-supply.

If inconvenient to prepare or buy fresh juice or broth, look for an electrolyte supplement containing a wide spectrum of minerals (e.g. calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride) "chelated" with amino acids for better absorption. As a general trace mineral tonic, I recommend using a product such as CELLFOOD: liquid drops that contain dissolved oxygen, 74 trace minerals, 34 metabolic enzymes, 17 amino acids, and electrolytes. In addition to its comprehensive formula, CELLFOOD increases the body's absorption of the water to which it is added, and delivers oxygen and hydrogen at the cellular level to enhance athletic performance. Athletes involved in longer endurance events (> 2 hrs) require more substantial amounts of electrolytes, in the range of 100 mg each of calcium, potassium, sodium, and chloride per hour of exercise.

Athletes' individual needs for electrolytes can vary greatly. The formula that will work best for you will likely require some experimentation (preferably during training!) to identify.

TANIA PERSAD is registered nutritionist with Personal Best. Tania will be doing a free Aquafina / C3 seminar on Friday April 8th at Robert F. Hall High School. To register a free seat please RSVP C3 at info@c3online.ca If you would like to contact Tania directly for counseling or have her lecture to your group or team you can do so at tania@personalbest.ca

CALLING ALL GOLFERS

While the snow may still be on the ground my friendly golfers are already swinging their clubs in preparation for spring's imminent arrival. Each year my gang of C3 athletes and I put on a great golf day fundraiser and celebration evening. Half of our golfers only play one round a year (this one). Please consider joining some of Canada's top athletes for 18 holes of golf, a great supper, draw prizes and a silent auction. The day takes place at the Caledon Golf and Country Club on Thursday June 2nd. Join us individually (we'll help individuals network together) or with a foursome. E-mail info@c3online.ca for more details and to register.

FREE COACHING SESSIONS WITH BARRIE AND THE COACHING ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

Coaches are incredible people who make lifelong contributions to society. Often they are forgotten and not properly supported and recognized. The Coaching Association of Ontario (CAO) and Barrie Shepley are hosting three free evening sessions across Ontario. Each session will include a free coaching goodie bag and a seminar highlighting the newest strategies, techniques and knowledge. Sessions are open to coaches or future coaches, in any sport. Basically if you do coach, or would like to coach, this is a perfect opportunity to enhance your knowledge at no personal cost. Talk 1 is Wed March 30th at Robert F. Hall High School in Caledon. Talk 2 will be in New Liskard, Ontario at Timikaming High School Thursday March 31st. Talk 3 will be in southern Ontario at Harrow High School Friday April 1st. All three talks will occur from 6-9pm. If you are interested register by contacting the CAO office at events@coachesontario.ca or call Tanya at (416) 426-7427

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON' SLIFE THIS WEEK!