The Bell Curve

This is how I liken the Olympics to an IF training session:

The Opening Ceremonies vs. The Warm up

• Both are dynamic and set the tone


• Both awaken the senses (muscles)

Our Favourite Events vs. The Meat and Potatoes

• Sometimes difficult and challenging to participate in and witness


• Can both be fear-inducing and exhilarating


• Both can involve cheering, encouragement, yelling and pride


• Occasionally both can involve tears of joy

Socialtime (Downtime) vs. Cardio

• A chance to reflect, gear up for the next event/block


• Both can resemble tabata intervals, (tm running/eating & drinking)

The Second Week vs. The Second Block

• Fatigue setting in but eagerness to push through


• Close attention must be paid to every detail so nothing is missed

Gold Medal Games vs. Recovery Cardio

• We made it this far, let's see it through to the end

The Closing Ceremonies vs. The Stretch

• Deep breaths are taken


• Exhilaration and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment


• Reflection and Celebration

However, unlike the end of an IF training session 75% of Vancouver is hungover and exhausted. Yes we are full of national pride but the stuff that makes us Canadian (hard work, clean living, sportsmanship and valour) has bee shelved to make way for our free-spirited, fun-loving, rowdy twin who took two weeks to watch the world's athletes work hard, live clean, be sportsmanlike and display valour.

My final comment on the matter - well done Canada and the world. I was a naysayer concerned about traffic, government cost overruns and selfish distractions. That being said, I am having an amazing Olympic experience, I could not be more in love with OUR city and our people and once Monday March 1st hits, I will invite all to get back to business.

- Angela Tames

Own the Podium...?

You're probably thinking, given my cynical history, that I'm about to go off on the amount of money we've spent on amateur sports since 2004 - especially when the results of our Olympics fail to show any significant results thus far.

You'd be wrong.

While I think the slogan "Own the Podium" is perhaps a touch arrogant, and possibly puts forth the wrong impression of both our athletes and our country - I am worried that the lack of medals will result in the cutback of this funding... which would be a significant mistake on our part.

Sports may actually be the "grassroots", or "foundational" solution that we're looking for in regards to many of the problems that have befallen our society. And while I know that there are a lot of people out there who would say that "we should be using the money for the homeless/healthcare/education/(insert cause here)" - to those people I say "try to see a bigger picture".

Consider the following statistics in relation to girls participating in sports (according to the Women's Sports Foundation):
Female high school athletes are 92% less likely to get involved with drugs.
Female high school athletes are 80% less likely to get pregnant.
Female high school athletes are 3 times more likely to graduate than non-athletes.

This is just a small example of the benefits of sports and doesn't even begin to go into how sports teaches children the about right way to win and to lose, about fair play, about teamwork, about focus, about commitment, about integrity...

All things that are essential requirements if we want to see some of our other, larger societal issues begin to resolve themselves.

So let's stop quibbling over how many medals we've won - and instead, consider the passion that these Olympics have inspired in the children of the country. I'd hate to see us lose this momentum and take away their opportunity to grow and develop in a healthy and beneficial way because we've decided that our lack of medals means that sports have somehow failed us...

Seriously, let's think long term, people.

~Guy

Destinations

A specific focus that has a tangible result within a specific timeline. We must stop thinking that a destination is something that we sign up for and that we need to get participants into for the sake of increasing participation numbers.

In regards to a destination, we know that if there is no purpose then there is sure to be no point…meaning we all need a reason to train. We can’t just do it because our neighbour is doing it or that we want to be fit. Define what it is for you and let’s create a plan and therefore have a purpose.

As for engagement and customers, we know that engaging customers is similar to engaging a teammate. Therefore it all starts with self…for example, we need to commit – take the step which means getting into the driver’s seat and following through. Direct what you want to happen.

With customers, it means aligning ones goals with theirs.

· The coach who is training for a triathlon trains with a customer training for a bike event one day, trains with a customer training for a swim event another and trains with a customer training for a running destination on another day (a coach is able to complete a busy personal training program by engaging customers on their training – ez)

· We as coaches always need to be training out of our comfort zone. Every time we step out of our comfort zone we are then able to lead and challenge customers on new levels (we can’t just think there will be a limit to our customers abilities because they will pass us by if we limit ourselves – common sense)

Our mission statement is to facilitate personal reinvention through physical challenge, adversity and victory. These means creating a plan and following through until completion and revisiting throughout to ensure that we are on the correct path.

So, what’s your purpose?

Too funny

So on a lighter note, I was watching the Men's Figure Skating the other night and came across Johnny Weir, who I'd never heard of until then. He is a rather flamboyant character who seems to be more cartoon than reality and upon researching him for this blog I came across a couple of amusing quotes:



"Camille: For his short program in the 2005-06 season, Weir skated to Camille Saint-Saens’ “The Swan” wearing an elaborate costume that resembled a swan. On his hand, he wore an orange glove that represented the beak. “His name is Camille – two ‘l’s,” Weir said about the glove. “I think he’s my evil side. When I skate badly, I blame it on my glove.”

Now if this isn't high drama I beg you to not smile and shake your head.



Quotable: Weir’s mouth has made him a favorite with journalists. Never one to hold back what is on his mind, he once described a competitors program as “a vodka shot and a snort of coke kind of thing,” a quote that got him in trouble with U.S. Figure Skating. “I don’t worry about what other people think,” he also said. “Everyone else worries for me.”

This leads me to my point, if we take ourselves too seriously then we end us looking like asses.

Taking the RIGHT Stand

With the Olympics in town, the potential subject matter choices are innumerable - and all very tempting. However, given the overall tone of what's going on, I have one group in particular that have raised my ire:

"Protesters" (and please, note the quotations).

Note: I should say that this particular blog is specific to CANADA - in other countries, some of what I say here doesn't apply because their government or their society has forced them to work outside of the normal rules and laws.

To be clear, I think that some of these protest groups (though perhaps a minority) actually have valid concerns - truly. The problem is that those that do are getting lost because of the media hungry imbeciles that actually are really just a bunch of rich and spoiled children searching for a cause to give their lives a purpose. It seems that every week, there's a new group of people complaining about something else in what is generally one of the best countries in the world to live. Now, I know it's not perfect, and by no means do I think we should sit passively back and allow ourselves to be told what to do with no sense of accountability or participation. Nor do I think people should keep their mouths shut if they have a legitimate concern or want to enact social change - but there's a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

So, in the interest of seeing our society continue to move forward, rather than get stuck in a hamster wheel of bureaucracy and moronic behaviour, I offer the following five rules that every group should follow in order to prevent the destruction of your credibility in the eyes of other sociey:

5) There's no need to interfere with the normal flow of your city to make your point known - it's laziest thing way to make your point. That being said, if you delay me from getting to work, or getting home at the end of the day. Firstly, it will only piss me off, and secondly - once I'm pissed off, I don't give a rat's ass what your protesting.

4) Make it clear what your protesting. I don't want to have to try and figure it out.

3) Property destruction is not protest. It's a crime, and it takes away any degree of credibility you may have started out with.

2) If you really believe in your cause so much, you shouldn't be hiding behind a mask, nor should you have the "Comments" section of your useless blog turned off. Stop being a coward.

1) Finally, no matter what else you do - actually understand the issues that you're supposedly standing for/against - because if challenge you on your position and the best you can do is recite back the exact same drivel that's plastered on your sign and nothing more... then you've pretty much given up your right to an opinion on anything.

~Guy

Via de sharing

At 9:13am yesterday morning the telephone rang at the West Van facility and to our surprise, a coach for the French ski jump team was on the other end. The coach was inquiring about a gym he could come to a train his ski jump team. We jumped at the opportunity and allowed the team to come by to utilize our space.

Within a couple hours we were treated with the 5man team taking part in their training regime. There was heavy weight being used and a plyometric session that would have any knee or joint tremble.

Quite simply, there was electricity in the air as the customers and coaches witnessed the session and enjoyed some real-time Olympic action with front row seats.

Within minutes of the team leaving we had updated our facebook page with photos and shared the information. For the rest of the day the storytelling was taking place. Everyone and anyone was experiencing it first or second hand.

This is a real-time example of how we would like information to flow. No bottleneck and no holdups. We were great at mainlining the message to everyone and creating a buzz of excitement from what we have happening within our doors today…but we need to be consistent.

The meaning here is simple…share the excitement and don’t keep anything a secret. Whether it’s a company update, contest or companywide initiative, we need to do a better job with delivering the message.

The fact of the matter is that everyone is interested and nobody will know if we keep it hush-hush.

Via de sharing!

You Get Out What You Put In

In chatting with a customer a few days ago we began to once again revisit the goals she has set for herself and her lack of success even though she is in to see us three times a week, insists that her eating isn't too badly, and that she otherwise leads a healthy and active life.

With a little prodding I asked to her to outline what a typical day looks like and she went on to say that her first meal is at noon (she is up at 7am), she has little to drink in the day other than coffee, even though she is a vegetarian and she consumes mostly mostly greens and veggies her downfall is carbs, particularly pasta. When I asked what she truly expected to change when she was unwilling or (her words) unable to change she just said that she is frustrated because she works so hard when she is at IF.

Well, true, sometimes. When she is on time and actually comes three times per week, and isn't travelling or tired or not feeling well. But it is amazing to me that the connection between lack or success and lack of change don't correlate with some people. I truly want her to find success! It is frustrating for both of us when her profile numbers are the same and she is unhappy. But, the thing is you can't want for others what they don't want themselves, or are willing to work for.

On another note, I encourage you to have a look at the link below for some amusing posters that have been put together from the Beijing Olympics. Now those are some people who worked hard and got results!

-Angela Tames

http://nuttersmark.com/blog/sports-and-fitness/beijing-olympics-motivational-posters

Do You Really Know Where Your Money Goes?

First off - I forgot to post this after I wrote it earlier. To those who were sitting at their computers waiting on edge for it at 7pm... my sincere apologies.

A lot of people have no idea how their money is being spent. This is clear from the ridiculous levels of personal debt being seen in the western culture, and if you ask the average person, they don't bother keeping track of their income and expenses. It's a dangerous habit to get into,and part of what landed our economy in the toilet. Now, I know that somewhere, someone reading this is going "Ha. I have a tightly recorded monthly budget - I know where everything I spend is going".

Good. That's a start.

Now, of all you smug individuals, how many are paying attention to where your tax dollars are being spent? And how many of you donate to charity? Do you know how that donation money is being spent? I'm often shocked at how nonchalant people who are careful with their money can be once they've parted with it. Do you really want your income tax spent to ensure that your local MLA flies first class, and has his or her drycleaning done? What about the fact that the Vancouver Sun reported an estimated $30,000 per homeless person is donated to the various charities throughout the lower mainland? With those kinds of numbers, how can there by any homeless?

I find that people always look for the quick fix on items, and often that solution is "more money". Africa is one of the worst-case examples - how can there be such a destitute level of poverty through an entire continent with the amount of money being thrown at it? I'll tell you why - because the money that's going there is, at best, getting caught up in a bureaucratic nightmare and dwindles down to almost nothing by the time it reaches the people who need it (the corruption that exists within charitable organizations and government agencies is another issue entirely). No, the solution isn't simply spending more money - it starts with us figuring out where the money's going, and seeing to it that it's spent properly.

If you're one of the people who spends without thinking - then start paying attention. You can't help others if you can't help yourself. Then start paying attention to how others are spending your money - let's begin to demand a greater degree of transparency and accountability on those we trust with our hard earned dollar.

Otherwise, continue leaving it to blind faith... after all, it seems to have worked out well for Nicolas Cage, right?

~Guy

Self, TEAM, operations and customers

We must understand that team engagement is a day to day process. Day to day we work with one another and we need to be focused on our own high standards while keeping others in mind. Day to day we must work with one another with respect to our common goals.

· Keep the training floor clean for the team (high level of self-standards)

o Running through the gym Dave is on his way to transition customers to the rowers. As he approaches them he notices 2 thera bands on the ground (one attached to the lat pull down). Instead of walking by, he quickly unties the one and hangs them both back up.

· Keep the training floor clean for our customers (high level of self-standards)

o As James has a customer jumping from the bosu onto the floor, he quickly moves a bench that is about 5’ away. As he moves it he thinks, ‘I better move this in case my customer falls or trips towards this’

Team engagement includes all communications.

· Sending daily emails (on a personal and professional level)

o Point of interest: Kate, I heard about your Olympic volunteer position…tell me more about that, it sounds awesome!

o Jeff, I have updated the customer files you were referring to. Thanks for the reminder

Team engagement runs through real time experiences.

· On the training floor

o Throwing the tennis ball

o Accolades (nice exercise Kati!)

o Yelling (it’s Thursday! Or Promo!)

o Group work (abs, butt, warm ups, etc.)

· Spending time together

o Coffee

o Back room

o Lunch

o Run or mtb or hike

· Destination + training

o STP

o UBC tri

o Grand Canyon

· Personal Inventory meetings

o What we do very well at – thanks for the effort

It is so important that we continue to engage ourselves at the team level. As it starts with self, we must look at the next pieces of the puzzle…

Ask yourself – what can I do for the team today?

3 Words…

“I am sorry”, are three words that can change a situation or a reaction and turn it around so that it is positive. The sincerity of these three words and how you say them are equally important and go a long way!

If you have made a mistake or you are representing an organization that has made a mistake, these three words have significant impact on your customer. More than not, the complaint of the customers just wants to be heard and all you can do is listen, apologize and guarantee you are doing everything you can to sort the situation out.

We use this word to express our regret over our actions and sometimes without this, the relationship between the two parties will dissolve.

So if you personally or your company have made a mistake, say "I am sorry" and hopefully the customer or your friend will understand and you both can move on to better things.

A little history lesson...

In 1972 the Olympic Games were held for the second time in Munich Germany. With only 6 days of competition remaining what happened on the morning of September 5th would force the world to stop. Five Arab terrorists on a mission draw attention to 234 Arab prisoners in an Israeli jail, jumped a six foot fence, met with two others already inside on false credentials, and shot two members of the Israeli Olympic team, capturing nine others as hostages only to kill them less that 24 hours later in a bloody gun battle that would see 17 total deceased.

The reason for telling this gory recollection of history on the brink of our own amazing Olympic adventure is twofold. First, a Kitsilano customer was a competitor at that event. She is a Jewish Canadian and after the memorial service attended by 80,000 was over, the IOC president Avery Brundage declared "the Games must go on." They did without her as she and others who felt it was in bad taste, poor judgement and lack of respect boycotted the remainder of the games.

Recently it has been brought to attention by the media that Vanoc has decided to use clips from Leni Rienfenstahl's Olympia - a German Olympic propaganda movie. The opening scene includes a series of men in a loin clothes running with an Olympic torch tirelessly passing it on until the scene in question where the final runner is greeted by cheering people at the entrance of the stadium. On the right in the original film there are approximately 15 people with their right hands high in the air in a Hail Hitler pose. It is incredibly offensive. In the Vanoc version, the pillar next to them has been extended out to create a black field to hide these people. You do not see them, but it is clear that something is being blocked out.

The points that I would like to draw from this are twofold, first, how well do we know what sports and athleticism represents to our customers? We have many people in all of our customer bases that have been through enormous trials and tribulations on account of their love of being all that they can be.

Secondly, how is our judgement as a whole? I think we do an incredible job with the day to day, engagement, little things and team. We are doing a great job but let's never forget that we are in the business of people and that demands respect and courtesy.

- Angela Tames

The Burden of Leadership

“The wise know too well their weakness to assume infallibility; and he who knows most, knows best how little he knows.”

~ Thomas Jefferson

Being a leader is never easy, and for numerous reasons. You are responsible for educating, directing, creating new paths and setting others on their own. You must have a vision, you must have integrity, and you have to be willing and able to hold others accountable.

BUT: you must be able to hold yourself accountable first - and for many, this is the greatest challenge.

You see, credibility is your biggest asset as a leader - do you practice what you preach? If not, then all of your direction and guidance will fall on deaf ears - because the whole "Do as I say, not as I do" philosophy simply doesn't resonate. Similarly, no one is perfect - and they never will be. So while you have to be willing to do what you ask others to do - equally (and in some cases even more) importantly, you must be able to admit that you're not perfect. That you can be wrong.

And this is where so many leaders fail.

Real world example? Why does so much of what our official "opposition" in the government get ignored - because the policies or issues they speak about isn't true? No - its because we all know that if the same people who are criticizing were actually in power, they'd be doing the exact same thing as the party they're lambasting... and its why more and more people are tuning out our own country's leaders. It's because the voters feel (and in many cases, they're right unfortunately), that no matter who they vote for they're going to get the same thing.

It's time to stop this cycle. We need to "be the change we want to see" - it starts with us, in our every day lives.

After all - just like the opposition parties, if we're not holding ourselves accountable (and being honest about our shortcomings), then we're hardly in a position to be critical of others for making the same mistakes.

~Guy

What is expected from an IF training coach?

To wake up every day and choose to be in a great mood. Eat a healthy breakfast and come to work well before your shift. To help out with any opening duties and offer positive input towards during huddle. To spend the day providing high energy and engaging hours while holding oneself accountable to the highest standards possible. We are totally expected to help with towels, keeping a clean workplace for teammates and customers to participate in plus pick up anything on the ground instead of walking right by…

It’s a simple question in form but not a simple answer at all. Common sense should ring a bell but it seems that common sense is not that common…

The list could go on for a while but some key points to include are as follows:

· 100% - being 100% during a task is so very important. We should want to be this way when doing something only to be moving through tasks with efficiency. When are 100% with something we can complete and move on to the next or just participate at a high level.

· Communication – we should want to choose to work this into our daily lives. Whether that’s pre-calling, following up and or sharing information…the art of communication should be sought after…

· Lead by example – a fairly self-explanatory suggestion but basically setting the bar by just doing. Some are great at talking but those that do and follow through are those who we want to follow and are true leaders.

· Personal accountability – to take responsibility for ones actions is a true test of ones character. It is expected that IF coaches hold themselves accountable to their words and actions.

· Transparency – we all have the opportunity to be truthful and honest. To be open and clear with your intensions or motives builds confidence in those around you. Being transparent helps build trust based relationships and eliminates any possibility of ill feelings.

· Team player – at Innovative Fitness, we are all here for one another. When one falls, there is one to assist to help and another there to take over. Being a team player is part of being unselfish and willing to do for others as you want done for yourself.

· Passion – the team has passion for everything we do and stand for. Whether we are folding towels or leading a group session. Our passion speaks volumes and cannot be matched with being fake or misleading emotions. Our passion comes from within and allows us to take the extra step and similarly go that extra mile.

· Perspective – to have perspective is valuable. We aren’t expected to know everything or be wiser than most, but IF coaches are not one mile wide and an inch deep – we are confident enough to admit when we don’t know something and convey that we will come back with a plan.

· Knowledge – we are hired with at least a base level of knowledge and with the understanding that in order to excel we must strive towards enhancing our knowledge through communication, clinics and asking the questions…

· Aesthetics – not to say that we need chiselled bodies but in order to walk the walk we have to be equipped with the tools…my dentist has pretty nice teeth! But hey, if you haven’t run a 10km, get ready to train with someone who hasn’t either so you can experience it from a-z as well.

· Personality – anyone can train and anyone can provide a session but Innovative Fitness Professional Coaches have what others don’t…personality. It’s that sparkle in the eye and it’s what keeps the controlled chaos in motion. Our personality is expected to shine through and outlast the heaviest storm or blackout.

Our differentiating feature is our x-factor in our personality and all the above points…

What if you could?

Security

If you were driving around Vancouver over the weekend or looking up in the sky today you can sense the tightening up of security that is taking place all across the Lower Mainland and Whistler.

The Olympic Games are seen as a chance to bring the world together through sport but as well the games are seen “as a commercial enterprise and tourist attraction” which grows every time an Olympics takes place. The security blanket is far greater and the expectations grow exponentially each Olympics.

Reports say that this is the largest security operation ever in Canadian History. Canada is gathering help and support from across the country.
- 5,200 RCMP officers
- 1800 municipal, regional and provincial police officers
- 4500 Canadian Forces Personnel
- 500 Private Security personnel
- 60 Days the integrated security Unit will be operating – set up, 17 days of the games and the Paralympics.

How do you feel about it?

Well for one thing, we will be ready, we will be safe and I hope we will all enjoy this amazing experience which is about to take place in 12 Days!