This is for Baby Sol and Paloma Faith: Words of Motivation

I decided to write this up as it has a lot to do with sports psychology (what I plan to get my masters in) and the transformations of those I have coached who disliked running and exercise. As much of a runner, coach, and trainer that I am now, I didn't always like running either. The secret I have found to actually love "Exercise" isn't to think of it as exercise. Everything in life is all about the mind set, if you can trick your mind to think you aren't exercising but in fact, "training" then it will become automatic and believe it or not, you will actually start loving it. I think when you have an event/s on your calendar to look forward to, you can constantly be motivated because you know you have to be in peak condition at all time for those events or for your career.

In Paloma's example, I read an article that she runs to keep up her cardio when she performs on stage; but she dislikes it. I think that is a great way to look at it because you are doing it for who you ARE and what you love best: performing and singing. I think when you look at things differently and change your perspective, it changes the way you think and feel about certain things esp in your attitudes. I don't think Paloma has found the "runners high" because she hasn't "trained" for a race. I am telling you, it is possible!!!

Running is often looked at in sports as punishment which is why I never fell for "team" sports, I always liked the individually of running, cycling, swimming, and even dancing. I was my own entity and the competition became not just with others, but against myself and my own abilities and how far I could push them. That is when I ran track; track gave me this release that when that gun went off it was like this adrenaline rush; and similar to singing, when you practice and you get to the event, you execute a successful outcome. I started racing triathlons 8 years ago as well and fell in love; to me its one big obstacle; one big ride of swimming, biking, and running training and then all on one race. I have raced over 10 half ironmans and one Ironman. For those of you who have never heard of an Ironman a half is a 1.2 mi swim, 56 mi bike, and 13 mi run and a full is a 2.4 mi swim, 112 mi bike, and a 26 mi run. I do it because I love to see the world from different perspectives, test myself and my own limits on how much I can push myself to endure and to get faster to become a pro. I have qualified for national and world championship races and I hope to go watch the next Olympics :)

Something that is a fun idea that has helped motivate every single person I've ever coached is using exercise as "training" and sign up for some kind of "Race." You HAVE to check out the "Electric run" guys (could be a GREAT idea for you to merge with and maybe do some outdoor shows tied to this event as a draws LARGE crowds) and even participate in the race yourselves. www.electricrun.com All my life I have been SUPER passionate about MUSIC, SINGERS and SONGWRITERS, and LIVE CONCERTS. I have been to SO many and have several reviews up on this blog. (which I have to update but am starting a separate blog for reference of a potential career in the biz with all my concert reviews. Music has motivated me SO much and when I see the artists that motivate me through there lyrics that they write and their voice live, it is a motivational reinforcement that pushes me in my training to get faster and to ultimate win my events to rank to race in world champ events as I work out to music. (See one voice can carry someone far)On a side note, I really would LOVE to somehow "get my foot" in the door in the music industry and have been wanting to for years; but I guess from having a track background I was interested in motivating others through fitness. I still intend to coach on the side but I am ready to get my masters but also join forces with the music industry. My goal is to share my talents and merge them with my passions.

Regarding the smoking, anyone that is born w that gifted of a voice is purely amazing. What I was going to say was if you find a nitch or something that will wean you off smoking you won't feel the full affects later in life. I want to hear your voice shine for years, but you don't want smoking to mess with it either! I want you to try to see if this works>>> I trained a women not long ago who drank and smoke a lot and she couldn't find a way to quit, she never experienced the feeling of "pushing" herself before, she never felt any physical challenge till she met me. I worked with her for 3 months on end and she RLY disliked running, but when she saw herself right before her eyes actually "become" a runner and internally and externally mentally and physically feel better and reach her goals, she fell in love with it.

Just like dancing, long ago I was too shy to dance, then all my frinds brought me clubbing in college and one day I saw how much fun it was and I realized that if I could use all my energy I had bottled up inside than I would FEEL better if I used dancing as an outlet or release. To that day, I LOVE dancing and I am full of energy when I go to events. The last thing I wanted to say is never take for granted what you have esp your voice, take care of your voice, I hope you take this message with you because I think people who can really sing have so much talent but cigs in the long end will impede on that! Don't let that happen, because regardless of how much you love it, you love your voice more and running! ;) btw HIKING is the greatest thing ever too... on my spare time I google areas in which I've never explored and that brings wonderment and adventure. My life is a CONSTANT adventure and I am just living it! :) Thanks for reading!!!