Dear PB Readers,

There is a fable about a 14 year old boy who has a challenging relationship with his father. The teenager believed he knew everything about life and his conservative father knew nothing. At twenty-one years the son was amazed at how much his father had learned in the past seven years. Virtually every good coach, teacher and parent I know are amazed at how much they realize they "don't know". Last week I started a three week series on achieving excellence. I was interested to hear your perspective of what it takes to achieve excellence. Obviously great genetics helps provide a head start in virtually anything in life. Beyond picking the right parents, what are the important characteristics required to achieve excellence? Last week I suggested a possible formula where Excellence = Genetic talent x Luck x Discipline x Passion. I suggested that the product of these four areas produced the greatest outcome for excellence. A person with less genetic talent might have to be more disciplined or more passionate to make up for their shortfalls at birth. I was very motivated to see the many unique perspectives on achieving excellence that you sent in. Later in this week's newsletter I have presented a number of your contributions to consider. I would appreciate over the next few weeks if you continued to send in your personal thoughts on what you believe is important in achieving excellence.

Welcome to our new PB readers. For over four years I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to create a medium for sharing ideas on positive living. I personally believe you become what you see and hear on a regular basis. If you see and hear negative thoughts without hope, your chances of becoming successful are reduced. If you see and hear stories about possibilities and success then your brain asks "why not me also"? I encourage you to send in weekly contributions and to have your family, friends and co-workers sign up for our free weekly newsletter. Please take time to respond with your own personal ideas and keep your contributions coming in at barrie@personalbest.ca or sign up your friends and family at www.personalbest.ca. Have a great week!

MARCH 28th PB HIGHLIGHTS

* CHRISTOPHER REEVE QUOTE ON HEROES
* NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS (TRUE STORY OF JESSE DYLAN)
* READER'S LETTER # 1 ON ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE
* READER'S LETTER # 2 ON ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE
* READER'S LETTER # 3 ON ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE
* FREE COACHING SESSION AND RESOURCES FOR ALL COACHES IN ONTARIO
* CARON SHEPLEY'S POWER YOGA FOR ENDURANCE ATHLETES DVD

CHRISTOPHER REEVE QUOTE ON BEING A HERO

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable!"

NEVER GIVING UP ON YOUR DREAMS

Twenty-five years ago, Jesse Dylan received a reply letter from a radio station that said he had no personality and they wouldn't hire him, not even for their all-night show. Not one to give up with a little negative feedback, Jesse continued on with his dream of having a successful radio show and in the mid 1980's became Toronto and Canada's most recognized radio personality. I first met Jesse at a Triathlon Camp I was running at McMaster University and since then our lives have been consistently intertwined. The JESSE & GENE Morning Radio Show became the most highly rated show in Toronto during the 80's and early 90's where the two strong personalities made getting out of your car in the morning a disappointment. I can still remember their morning show in 1992 when I used their airwaves to ask my wife for her hand in marriage. A year later Jesse Dylan was the MC at our wedding. Passionate about active living, Jesse raced for Canada at the 1997 World Triathlon Championships in Nice, France. The radio industry is generally filled with smoky late night parties and unhealthy habits. Jesse had an epiphany while on his bike to one day to build a broadcast network dedicated to helping people enhance their overall wellness. "We are seeing a huge shift in society," Jesse says, "Collectively our priorities are shifting. We're recognizing that the most important thing is a holistic approach - wellness in every sense of the word." Today instead of his famous "WRECK A WEDDING WEDNESDAY" Jesse runs a healthy living radio program called THE GOOD LIFE SHOW. As a regular guest on Jesse's show, I can feel his positive energy every Saturday afternoon. Today the man, who radio executives said would never make it, is the president of an internationally syndicated radio program, with three teenage boys and a zest for life. In July 2005, Jesse will be putting his Canadian uniform on once more as he races Ironman Germany July 9th. To track Jesse down or hear his internet based radio show, see his website www.thegoodlifeshow.com

The Good Life Show

READERS FEEDBACK LETTER # 1

Barrie. What about relationships? Especially ones of support and/or guidance (mentoring)? J.G.

READERS FEEDBACK LETTER # 2

Hi Barrie, regarding your Excellence Formula I have an excellence formula I've been cultivating for 3 years now. My formula is the following: Results = (Passion + Dedication) / Time. My formula excludes genetics and luck (from your formula) but adds time.

I don't believe in luck. I believe people make all the luck (perceived luck by others) in their lives by SHARING their desires with enough people to hit the right people to help them. I agree with your comments, that genetics cannot be manipulated; therefore I ignored them in my formula. I did, however, put in TIME. Time is magical. Time allows ordinary people (over time) to do extra ordinary things. So many people rise to the top NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST GIFTED OR TALENTED but because THEY LAST or persist more than anyone else (last person standing!) - which combines dedication. Warmly. J.R.

READERS FEEDBACK EXCELLENCE LETTER # 3

Barrie my favourite Critical Success Factors are discipline, passion, perseverance, perspiration, recognition that our lives have value and should never be wasted. Use your time recklessly and always hold the DOOR WIDE OPEN FOR OPPORTUNITY.

My family emigrated from Europe to Canada in the 50's. My father became a upholster, my mother a cleaning lady and they worked 24 hours a day to provide for our family. Out of necessity I became their translator. At the age of 10 I was in an automobile accident with massive muscle and tendon damage and diagnosed that I would likely spend my life in a wheel chair. My parents refused to accept the medical prognosis and over the next two decades I improved my health, graduated University of Toronto became a researcher and writer in AIDS and Oncology. On one of my publications I was honoured to have Dr. Ruth Alison write the forward for my book. Dr. Alison was the primary Oncologist for Terry Fox. When Dr. Alison asked Terry how he had been able to accomplish so much he said "Because I'm stubborn as a mule." Terry Fox found meaning in running across Canada to raise money for cancer research so that "some day the suffering would stop." Passion and purpose are like joy and sorrow...they go hand in hand.

STILL TIME TO HIT THE 38TH ANNUAL ONTARIO SPORT AWARDS

For the past few years I have had the privilege of being a judge for Ontario's top athletes, coaches and contributors. There is still time to join me for the motivating evening and purchase tickets for the Thursday April 7th Awards Supper at the Ontario Science Centre. Past winners have included Marnie McBean, Jeff Adams and Donovan Bailey. To purchase tickets for you, family or local youth sport's team contact Liz Maoloa at 416-426-7233 or email lmaola@sportsalliance.com

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR A FREE COACH RESOURCE EVENING WITH BARRIE

Wed March 30th in Caledon, Thursday March 31st in New Liskard and Friday April 1st in Harrow. The Coaching Association of Ontario (CAO) and Barrie want to bring free resources to coaches of any level or age. Coaches are incredible people who make lifelong contributions to society. Often they are forgotten and not properly supported and recognized. Sessions are open to coaches or future coaches, in any sport. Basically if you coach, or would like to coach, this is a perfect opportunity to enhance your knowledge at no personal cost. 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.

YOGA FOR ATHLETES

My first perception of yoga was some religious event where gymnasts executed some bizarre combination of movements. Over a decade ago, my wife Caron started practicing Yoga and I have had a first hand opportunity to see its value first hand. Nearly three years ago Caron started teaching Yoga and recently through encouragement of her many loyal clients she created a DVD to allow them to continue her classes when they were traveling. While Yoga has a great value in aiding relaxation, as a high performance coach seeing the reduced injuries in my athletes is the greatest benefit. I asked Caron to write a small paragraph on her perception of the benefits of her classes:

Yoga is the practice of postures, breathing and meditation. Not only does yoga make your body stronger and more flexible, it also teaches your body to relax on demand. Because of this, yoga can be a great addition to anyone's fitness routine. Often athletes shy away from yoga because they have the perception that yoga is not physically demanding enough. Keep in mind that there are many types of yoga and it is important to find a style of yoga that is right for you. Ashtanga Yoga or Power Yoga are very physical and are most suited to athletes. Power Yoga focuses on the development of strength, muscle balance and flexibility as opposed to other types of yoga which emphasize relaxation.

Recently I convinced a male fitness member to try one of my yoga classes. His comment afterwards was, "Wow I didn't know this would be such a hard workout!" I have had many elite athletes attend my class and they definitely have a hard time getting through it. Today, hundreds of age group, junior and elite athletes follow my program using my home DVD Power Yoga For Endurance Athletes. With regular practice, you will improve rapidly and will be rewarded with improved strength, flexibility and balance - both inside and out!

Caron is a 5 time Ironman finisher who has been practicing yoga for 15 years. She is the is the founder of Blue Dog Yoga and become a renown yoga instructor for high performance athletes.

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

Blue Dog Yoga