What Not to Wear

For those of you that have been living in a bubble these past few years, What Not to Wear is a show that was popularized in the mid-90s as part of a culture wide personal re-invention craze, and is now among the many makeover themed reality programs.

It gets its contestants through referrals from friends and family of those who have been deemed to be ‘fashion challenged.’ Clinton Kelly and Stacy London appear at the designated contestant’s home or office, and announce that they have been selected for a complete fashion, and beauty makeover.

Once the cameras cover the inappropriate and unattractive clothing of the contestant, he or she is offered a Visa card with $5,000.00 on it in order to buy a whole new wardrobe. However, there is a catch. The contestant must agree to hand his or her entire wardrobe and go on a two day supervised, and controlled shopping spree. The contestant can only buy within a set group of parameters, and if not, they are not allowed to purchase the item. They complete the week with expert hairstyling by Nick Arrojo, and a makeup lesson from Carmindy.

Intermittently throughout the first half of the show, the contestant is asked to enter a nightmare room aptly labeled the ‘360 mirror.’ This is where the audience feels empathetically offended for and with the contestant. There does seem to be a valid point here: you can’t escape your body if you want to accept it, and you can’t dress your body if you don't.

Here’s the amazing thing, each week, you see a person go from being insecure and image-conscious to confident, and excited about life. ‘This was a life-changing experience! Is often the phrase most uttered by contestants during their ‘reveal.’ They learn that even though they were initially mocked, the ultimate goal each week is to make a contestant’s life better by teaching them to be comfortable with themselves. While designer clothes might not be the most ideal tool to do this, it works.

If we really think about appearance, what matters is the way in which we carry ourselves; others judge from there. Pure confidence radiates and affects how others see us, regardless of our physical form. What Not to Wear has a simple, ultimately admirable message: No matter your shape, your size, or whatever physical liabilities or hang-ups you have, you can be beautiful.

‘You can't fit your clothes well, and look your best if you don't know what you're working with,’ Stacy London.

Opportunities

As leaders, it is always great to challenge a teammate when the opportunity arises. When you see an opportunity for a fellow teammate which will allow them to grow professionally, then present them with the challenge and watch them grow. In my three years at Innovative Fitness, I have been presented with a few significant challenges which stand out.

1.) First Challenge was by Kris and Josh: I was presented an opportunity to go into the nights and was challenged to be a leader with Josh. I took on this challenge and started to feel more comfortable in taking on challenges and opportunities. Being a vet coach in the evenings allowed me to grow and help lead the newer coaches.

2.) Second Challenge was by Josh: Told me that I was great at following the systems and presented me with the idea of being the next Product Manager. I was unsure but the first opportunity he presented me was great in the long run so I decided to take on the role. Allowed me to grow professionally.

3.) Third Challenge was by Josh: Told me to sign up for Oliver ½ Ironman so I did. I gained alot of trust through Josh from the first two challenges and opportunties he provided me.

The lesson to be learnt is, challenge your fellow teammates when you see opportunities in front of them because you want them to grow professionally and personally. Sometimes all it takes is somebody to challenge you to make one of the greatest decisions in your life.

Follow Through

Our country needs a leader.

It has been a long time since we've had one - a true leader, that steps up and through a combination of passion, personality, knowledge and vision... draws us along and creates something new. Someone whom, when they speak... the world listens.

We had someone like that once. I was only vaguely aware of him when I was younger, and seeing as how I grew up in the West with parents who were Western Canadians... there wasn't a whole lot of love for him in our household. But one phrase my mom used has stuck with me ever since I was 5 years old: "I don't like him at all - but you can't help but respect him".

Now, as someone who is seriously considering politics in the latter stages of my life, this man is someone whom I aspire to be. Not because of his policies or beliefs, necessarily (some of them are 100% contrary to mine), but because of the statement above. He swept the world along, he was a name and a face recognized worldwide, he did not bow down to pressure - and he left a legacy. Without him, homosexuality may still be a criminal offence in Canada, we might not be bilingual, multiculturalism may be taboo, the federal energy program might not exist... the examples go on.

To reiterate - I don't actually agree with a lot of what he did (though hindsight's always 20/20). However, in the end what I most respect about him (and the key element that all of our current leaders lack, from municipal to federal) is this:

He told you what he was going to do - and then he did it.

Follow through.

"Just watch me."

~Pierre Elliott Trudeau (1919-2000)

Take responsibility and move on.

More so to the point – if you make a mistake, stand up and admit it…
Learn from it and move on.

We all make mistakes – we all have the opportunity to learn from these mistakes and help ourselves or even help those around us.

‘hey, I fu*ked up – sorry, won’t happen again – I will do xx or yy differently next time’
boy that controls the situation way better and looks way more pro than not saying anything at all and having anyone say, ‘man, they fu*ked up’

It brings the situation under control and shows those around you that you acknowledge that a mistake has been made and that you are aware that those around you notice. It instantly defuses the issue and allows everyone (including yourself) to move on to the next task as hand.

So – as an example – we are driving along and by mistake, cut someone off – we have 2 options – take responsibility and move on…or not even look in the rear view mirror only to feel the glaring eyes burning a hole in our head....(because we know what we did)

Hey, just put up your hand – ya, it’s me, I made a mistake and by me waving my hand like this I’m totally taking responsibility for that and saying, ‘sorry pal!’

What happens next? The driver in the car behind feels instantly better and doesn’t go on to cut the next person off!

Or a personal real time example…

We are mid huddle and 2 coaches arrive late. One coach chooses to say, ‘sorry for being late’ the other – nothing….not a word….even after hearing those simple words…that easy hand in the air ‘hey, I made a mistake and I’d like to take responsibility for it right now’

So, interesting how such a little maneuver can give inspiration for a blog – but it’s that simple – if you make a mistake – take ownership and move on.

Thoughts?

Team Canada

This past Saturday I watched the exciting semifinal Jr. World Cup hockey game between Canada and Russia. I love watching two teams play with 110% effort, with passion and determination while wearing their country’s flag on their chest. For the young Canadian team, the pressure was on for them. Not only is Hockey a nationally watched sport but also the Canadian Jr. Team has reached the final game 8 years in a row. Canada is a hockey nation that we have dominated the ice since 1920, when the first international hockey championship was played in Antwerp.

This game was a battle between two rival countries, going back 35years when the first World Jr. Hockey Championship took place in 1974. Since then Russia has won 26medals (12 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze) and Canada has won 23 medals (13gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze). The history between these two teams goes deep and you could definitely see it on every players face.

I was inspired watching these young 18 year olds playing with everything they had, risking their bodies in front of pucks, finishing every check to the boards and completely exhausted after every shift. With any action packed and intense sporting event, I was into it. I had not been following the tournament but for this game, I could not tear my eyes apart from the television. I honestly felt like I was live in the arena cheering on the Canadian team.

The young Canadian team led the game 3-2 going into the third period. The 3rd period was dramatic with both teams fighting for their lives for a chance to get to the final. The 3rd period was another game in itself, with the lead changing 3 times. With 1min left to play the Russians were up 5-4. You could see the nerves start to set in on both sides, Russia barley holding on to the lead and Canada trying everything to tie the game. With 20 second left, you started to see the relief on the Russians faces, believing that they had upset the Canadian team. However, there is something unexplainable about this young Canadian team, something that is deep within every young Canadian that plays hockey: The drive, the passion and the determination to be the winner and not let your country down. With less than 5 seconds left, the Canadians scored and the game was tied at 5-5. We would go onto play 20min of sudden death overtime and eventually win it in shootouts. The Russian were beside themselves, and the devastation was across every Russian player. However, you have to hand it to the Canadian side, they never gave up, the didn’t let their nerves get to them, they had the passion and the drive that comes from within to play until the clock says zero.

We can all learn from these young players by having heart, passion and the never give up attitude. These are all characteristics that we can apply to our everyday lives, whether it is coming to work everyday, training for your next event or planning time with your family. Have heart and passion to make your day, your goals, and your year more enjoyable, which will increase your drive to finish what you started.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

‘Why not come and chat with me,’ said the Grasshopper, instead of toiling and moiling in that way?’

I am helping to lay up food for the winter,’ said the Ant, ‘and I recommend you to do the same.’

‘Why bother about winter?’ said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present.’

But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’

Take the Lead and Create the Mood

It is crazy to think that a tennis ball can create a change in the mood on the training floor at Innovative Fitness. The tennis ball does not change the mood; however what is done with the tennis ball that can change the mood on the training floor.

Take this example for instance: Leaker gets hit with a tennis ball thrown by Jeff, Leaker then throws the tennis ball at Josh, Josh thinks Richard threw the ball and hits him in the butt. The next thing you know we have a playful mood on the training floor. Creating a playful hour is great for the hours where everybody knows eachother on the floor.

Example 2: Richard is pumping up the fitness challenge with Ian and creating this presence around the targets. What happens, three other coaches follow and do the fitness challenge and Richard continues to call coaches out to take part in the fitness challenge.

Example 3: The training floor starts to get fairly busy but the energy is not quite there. Justine puts in her favorite Britney Spear CD on and starts to bounce around and then Jeff and Leaker start to dance around. Instantly you notice that we all start to project our voices more and create a sense of urgency. As a coach when the energy is low, music is a good tool to create a change in mood.

These are three examples how as coaches at Innovative Fitness we all need to take the lead to create energy or change the atmosphere in the facility throughout the day. If a fellow coach is keeping to themselves, throw a ball at them and give them a wake up call.