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This is my favorite part of racing - all the supporters. And I always high five all the kids :)
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If you think that the nice guy ranting only happens on the internet, you’ve never had to deal with your thoroughly drunken friend shouting about how...
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This Monday morning brought to you by..
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Photos from “Athlete” by Howard Schatz
Excerpt via Re-Examining – And Re-Defining – The Athlete’s Body
First, don’t get suckered into defining something as broad as “athlete” – especially when “athlete” can refer to everything from gymnastics to sumo wrestling – by marketing that never even mentions a sport. It’s disrespectful to and discounts those who don’t fit that visual description – it excludes them from their rightfully earned title of “athlete” because they don’t look the way an uninformed public says an “athlete” should look – and doesn’t give them the credit they deserve.
Second, these are extremely – extremely – successful athletes. There are Olympians in this photo set. If they’ve got what you consider to be amazing bodies? Guess what – they’re not taking pills to get them. They’re putting in work. The only people who believe you can get “something” for “nothing” are those who have nothing. In fitness, you have to work. You want that body? Let’s see several hours a week – maybe even several hours a day – of commitment toward achieving it.
Lastly, if you can see how foolish society’s standards are for fitness…. then the logical question must be “where does this standard come from?” If you can’t answer that question immediately, and be satisfied with your answer… perhaps you should question why you hold yourself to such a standard in the first place.
Just a thought.
Want to see more? Book: Athlete, by Howard Schatz
As a former dancer, I know how physically demanding dance can be. You have to be an INCREDIBLE athlete to power through new routines, learn new tricks and dance for hours a day in rehearsal.
I’ve been watching So You Think You Can Dance for years, but this season is by far THE most exciting (though I admit, I don’t like the new voting format). The dancers this year are phenomenal, highly skilled and so, so, so strong. HELLA STRONG!
Thought I’d put together my highlight reel from last night’s show! So many firsts, great performances and a wonderful celebration of different genres.
1. Eliana & Tiffany sass up Broadway. Eliana is a ballet dancer who also dabbles in pole dancing and Tiffany (who is so young it hurts, lol) is a power house contemporary dancer. This is the first time the show has used pole dancing in any show. Very, very cool.
2. Cyrus & Twitch conquer animation. The control required to do this style of dance is unbelievable. Our bodies move as units, and isolating motions in any one area (especially at the speed & power these guys do) is mindblowing. Most ‘animators’ don’t use choreography, so making a routine for two is also a huge feat. Also a first for the show.
3. Cyrus & Tiffany put their hearts into lyrical hip hop. The lifts are incredible. And Tiffany is such a mini-powerhouse! Who knew? Love this routine. (well done Cyrus by the way. Animation is NOT hip hop, and learning this kind of choreography is difficult for those who aren’t used to it). It’s not surprising that neither of them have ever been in the bottom.
Bad Ass Tools For Fit Freaks: Speed Resistance Training Parachute
Who’s it for? Runners, sprinters, athletes & anyone looking to boost power & speed.
Cost: $20-$30
What it does: The speed parachute adds resistance to your sprints, improves your stride, boosts acceleration & powers up your runs! The chute fills with air as you accelerate forward, adding about 15-30lbs of resistance (depending on speed). The design is light, compact and simple, allowing the user to move freely without sacrificing form. It’s designed to use during short, fast sprints: this isn’t a tool for long runs.
Pros: Lightweight, portable, adjustable & very affordable. Great tool for instructors/CPT’s.
Cons: Looks a little ridiculous if you’re using it solo, but hey, it’s ALL in the attitude. I know I’d be impressed watching someone run sprints with a parachute. :)
“There’s nothing better than working up a good sweat,” Finch says. “I make time to keep active. I know how important it is to keep moving.”
With baseball season right around the corner, CNN jumped at the chance to ask Finch more about how she stays fit, the future of competitive softball and why we don’t watch professional women’s sports. The following is an edited version of the interview:
Why is it important for young girls to get involved in sports?
“It’s crucial. The statistics are incredible. Teen pregnancy rates drop. Grade point averages are, you know, higher. Suicide. Depression. It affects all of those. When you’re involved in sports you just have that much great chance of being successful and living a healthy lifestyle.
And I think learning things at a young age you can carry that with you forever. I know, for myself, there are lessons I learned that transcend into motherhood, into the business world, wherever I go: teamwork, leadership, discipline, sacrifice — all those things carryover.”
CRAZY!
Glad he’s okay, but this sounds like a nightmare he’ll never forget.
Surviving the water, the elements and… SHARKS? Nuts.
No need to say don’t try this at home, right?
Jan Lisewski, 42, was attempting to kite surf across the Red Sea when the wind stopped and his kite suddenly deflated, Reuters reported.
Stuck two-thirds of the way into his 124-mile journey from the Egyptian town of El Gouna to Duba in Saudi Arabia, Lisewski put out an SOS signal but got no response.
Facing nightfall and rough waters, Lisewski relied on energy drinks, water and the two energy bars he had with him to sustain him.
I love trying new things, especially when they have a sexy twist. Sexy twists are my favorite. :)
After a few bachelorette pole parties (soooo much fun), I began taking Pole Fitness classes in Montreal. I LOVE it, but boy, it’s a serious workout. My arms burn each & every time, and the core work is second to none. I leave class feeling amazing, no matter how well I did (or how horrifically, un-sexy I was).
Sad to say, my professional pole dancing career ship has sailed and I haven’t been back for lack of time. However, I’ve grown a new appreciation for professional pole dancers and the insane fitness benefits of their craft.
