Dear PB Readers,

"You can't feel happy and sad at the same time" was a key message of our Aquafina Speaker this past Friday evening. "Your mind is set up to deal and focus on one thing at a time," said Jerry Enns. Two decades ago Jerry was driving his car at night when a car driving with it's lights off hit Jerry's vehicle head on. While he was fortunate to survive the accident, he was so stressed out by the near death experience he couldn't get back into a car without having significant negative reactions. With nothing to lose, Jerry went to see a hypnotist and his life changed dramatically. Jerry initially had a hard time believing that someone who had never met him could simply talk to him (while he was fully awake) and have his brain change the way it reacted to future stressful situations.

Now a practicing Sport Hypnotist and STAGE entertainer, Jerry shared the many examples he has seen in his fifteen years of professional work. From stopping smoking programs to reducing fear of heights, Jerry has seen it all. Golfers, hockey players and alpine skiers have all benefited from using self-hypnotism. The subconscious parts of our brains don't think. You are simply harvesting the seeds you have planted. Plant negative seeds and you will have a negative garden. Plant positive seeds and you will have a positive mental outlook was Jerry's message. If you are interested in learning more about this fascinating topic or the ability to hook up with Jerry check out his website at www.mindpotential.com.

Welcome to our many new Personal Best readers this week. Each week I still appreciate the many people (new and old) who tune in for a few minutes of positive thinking and the knowledge that each of us play a small role in making our world a better place to be. Soon after starting the PB newsletter, I saw Edith Wharton's quote, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it". On any given day chose to be one of the two! Keep your contributions to our newsletter coming in. Sign up your friends and family by either going to our website at www.personalbest.ca or emailing me directly barrie@personalbest.ca. Have a great week.

FEB 28th PB HIGHLIGHTS

* JENNIFER CHURCHILL'S QUOTE ON FRIENDS
* ARE YOU A TEAM PLAYER?
* EXCLUSIVE 2ND HALF OF PB INTERVIEW WITH ADAM VAN KOEVERDEN
* CARON SHEPLEY'S POWER YOGA FOR ATHLETES DVD A BIG HIT
* SEE BARRIE AT THE TORONTO BIKE SHOW THIS WEEKEND
* ACHILLES TRACK CLUB 5KM WALK/RUN FOR CHARITY MARCH 13TH

JENNIE CHURCHILL QUOTE ON FRIENDS

"Treat your friends as you do your pictures, and place them in their best light." (Jennie was Winston Churchill's mother).

ARE YOU A TEAM PLAYER?

A man was lost while driving through the country. As he tried to read a map, he accidentally drove off the road into a ditch. Though he wasn't injured, his car was stuck deep in the mud. So the man walked to a nearby farm to ask for help. "Warwick can get you out of that ditch?" said the farmer, pointing to an old mule standing in a field. The man looked at the haggardly mule and looked at the framer who just stood there repeating, "Yep, old Warwick can do the job." The man figured he had nothing to lose. The two men and Warwick made their way back to the ditch. The farmer hitched the mule to the car. With a snap of the reins he shouted, "Pull, Fred, Pull, Jack, Pull, Ted, Pull, Warwick!" And the mule pulled the car from the ditch with very little effort. The man was amazed. He thanked the framer, patted the mule and asked, "Why did you call out all of those others names before you called Warwick?"

The farmer grinned and said, "Old Warwick is just about blind. As long as he believes he's part of a team, he doesn't mind pulling."

Virtually every successful project I have ever been associated with occurred because of the contributions of many talented people pulling in the same direction. Don't forget the importance of appreciating others and creating an environment of team-excellence. Whether this is your office, home or sports team!

PART TWO OF ADAM VAN KOEVERDEN'S INTERVIEW

Last week was part one of a PB exclusive interview with Canada's 2004 Athlete of the Year. Adam left Ontario last week to head to Florida for his eight week warm weather volume training camp. Before he left I had a chance to sit down with him and gain an understanding of what makes this McMaster University Student so special.

BARRIE: How has your life changed since your gold medal Athens Olympic Victory?

ADAM: We got the Globe and Mail and other papers in athlete's village in Athens. When I saw my face on the cover the day after I won, my coach had to remind me that it was the same Globe and Mail that went to million of Canadians, not just an Olympic version for us to read. It was weird, and it's still weird, but I'm lucky, I have an opportunity to get our voices as Athletes heard, and I'll continue to scream as loud as I can about the issues that affect us.

EDITOR'S NOTE: People like Adam and the Canadian Professional Coaches Association (CPCA) were responsible for the successful lobbying of the government in the recent federal budget. While the increase was significant it still falls short of the funds required to properly support our athletes and coaches.

BARRIE: What do you ultimately want to accomplish through your sport experience?

ADAM: I'd like to stay in sport and help improve our system. We (paddlers) need a training centre, and we need a single governing sports body in Canada. If I can convince whoever it takes that we, as athletes, will do so much better if we open our eyes to what other countries are doing with their athletes, then I'd be content.

BARRIE: What is the coolest thing your new found success has allowed you to do since Athens?

ADAM: I really haven't bought anything. I've got to travel a lot, and met a lot of special people. I've had the opportunity to go into schools and share my experiences with some kids... that's probably been the most rewarding thing since the games.

BARRIE: You are at McMaster University right now. Where does education fit into Adam's life plans?

ADAM: I think if you want to go to school, you should. It's not for everyone. Some people don't fit into that box very well. I can only sit in class, and get solid marks if I'm sincerely interested in what I'm learning; otherwise I'm the worst student in the world. Finishing high school and getting good marks is obviously a must. If you want to go to university, and there's something you're truly interested in, I think it's easier to be successful. As an elite athlete it is still tough to find time to study train and sleep.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Adam is following a strategy of many successful elite student / athletes of taking some semesters off school and some semesters with less than a full course load. While it will take longer to get his degree, obviously he is learning and growing in many other ways.

OLYMPIC QUICK FACTS:

BARRIE: Fav food?
ADAM: I like everything, right now I like blueberries.

BARRIE: Fav music?
ADAM: There's only two kinds, good and bad. Bad's on the radio, I like the good stuff.

BARRIE: Fav non-paddling sport?

ADAM: Track

BARRIE: Fav book you have read recently?
ADAM: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a good one!

BARRIE: Finally a chance to plug your personal sponsors.

ADAM: My sponsors have been amazing. New Balance, Oakley, MAZDA and National Air Technologies are the old ones, and Roots is a new one. They've all been, and continue to be extremely supportive. I couldn't ask for better support.

EDITOR'S FINAL NOTE ON ADAM: No male Canadian has ever been able to repeat Olympic Gold in two consecutive games. Adam will be at the prime of his athletic career in 2008 and if any man has a legitimate chance of making Canadian history Adam is the man. Having known Adam long before he was famous, I am blown away at how humble and grounded he remains. Personal Best is greatly appreciative of Adam taking time share his perspective with our many readers. Don't forget Adam's personal life motto. "If it wasn't hard, it wasn't worth it!"

POWER YOGA FOR ATHLETES

Three years ago, I started seeing motivated athletes in many sports calling me because of injuries. Intuitively they knew that training harder would lead to better sport performances. What they didn't realize was that training harder also led to increased soft tissue injuries (knees, hips, shoulders and ankles). I asked my wife Caron Shepley if she could use her 5000 year old Yoga World to create a program for athletes. Three years and many guinea pigs later (thanks to all the PB and C3 athletes) Caron's DVD and VHS tape debuted this past week. While I may be biased, I have seen the direct benefits in the many hundreds who personally take her classes each week. While you may not live close enough to take Caron's classes in person, I strongly encourage you to make a video purchase for your own home use. Perfect for anyone who wants to improve their own fitness OR athletes of any sport who want to stay away from injuries. Email caron@personalbest.ca if you are interested in having a DVD or VHS tape sent to you directly.

SEE BARRIE & CARON AT THE TORONTO BIKE SHOW THIS WEEKEND

March 4 - 6th we will be at the Toronto International Bike Show. Stop by the booth and introduce yourself.

ACHILLES TRACK CLUB 5KM WALK/RUN

When: Sun March 13th
Where: Toronto Exhibition Place

The race starts at 10:15am at the Exhibition Place. Bands, prizes and a great support to under-privileged athletes. Easy on-line registration for all participants at www.runningroom.com or club website www.achillestrackclub.ca

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