Tag: Health

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365 Coaching Tips: 262nd, 263rd and 264th

September 19th Coaching Tip: Keep The Faith.

Let’s go down history lane for some context regarding what has been happening recently.

On 8/21/1960, my parents were married and by 7/4/1961 and 11/8/1962, they were the proud parents of two young boys. During the Fall 1963, my mother (Barb) tragically lost her dad to a heart attack. A month later, the President of the USA (JFK) was assassinated. Mom and Dad maintained hope and pressed forward thru those two deaths and had me on 8/22/1964. I’m so grateful that they were resilient and pressed forward with optimism about growing and raising their family. By 1968, more political strife happened with both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy being assassinated. Three behemoths were murdered as my parents were raising their young family. And my mother lost her dad, knowing that he would never spend time with us as we grew up.

In the early 1970’s, the Vice President of the USA (Spiro Agnew) resigned in Oct. 1973 from his VP role due to a variety of problems. Keeping up hope, my grandmother (Bernice) and her gal pals went to the January 20, 1973, Presidential Inauguration for President Nixon. By that next summer, President Nixon was being investigated, and he also ultimately resigned in Aug. 1974

During that same timeframe, my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Not knowing how MS would impact our young family, my dad realized he needed to be much more available to help raise us kids and work at home on the farm, so he bought 20 horses and started his hall of fame career in harness racing. He raised, bred, trained, raced, owned, and sold 100’s of harness horses until the day he died in 2023.

Keep the faith, people, keep the faith. Just about the time we think we are the only ones going thru something horrible or depressing, step back, pray, reflect, and look at history. We humans have a tendency to repeat our same sins over and over. Keep the faith.

September 20th Coaching Tip: Provide A Moment.

It’s Dad’s weekend at Indiana University. Although I would LOVE to go to the highly anticipated game (#9 Illinois versus #19 Indiana at 730pm E), I’m making the decision to rest some more, so that I can keep on enjoying this Fall weather even more.

I have two great tickets, and one of my cousins let me know that her girlfriend and dad (at IU) needed two tickets. I quickly made the decision to sell them for $100/each, knowing this was a moment for this father-daughter combo. A memory they both will never forget. It’s a perfect autumn day on IU’s campus, warm weather, and an evening game with two ranked opponents. Doesn’t get much better than that. I’m glad to help provide this moment to them while watching the game on TV and resting.

September 21st Coaching Tip: Sort!

Today was a day to sort thru someone else’s stuff. I had waited over 10 months to do this, and today I needed some natural movement exercise without doing too much (since I’m recovering from a cold). I gave myself two hours to do the sorting, and I got to work. Piles for 1) trash, 2) Goodwill donations, 3) keep and utilize, and 4) pickup by others. By the end of the two hours, I was pleased to find a few items that I can utilize. In the evening, I took a carload of items to Goodwill. I still have a pile of trash, and we will get too that over the next month. I need to make a call to an organization who will come on site and remove it for free.

My tip for anyone is to set an amount of time and SORT. You’ll be glad you did. I think people can delay this important sorting due to emotional ties and memories to the things; when your head is clear and ready, set a timer and SORT.

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365 Coaching Tips: 217th, 218th & 219th

August 5th Coaching Tip: Take Care of Your Mind.

As we returned from the intensity and competition of the National Senior Games in Des Moines, I prioritized recovery this week. I took it really easy yesterday; only took a couple strolls and got a few shots up in the LA Fitness gym nearby. This evening, I went to bed earlier than I normally do…even though I wanted to stay up and watch a key WNBA game that started at 10pm E. My mind is still on a bit of a high and buzzing with joy and excitement from my results at NSG; my blood pressure last week was un-usually high (130’s-150’s/97). I checked my BP multiple times this week, and it’s right back down to my normal levels of 107/68.

To prioritize my mind today, I really got organized this week (returning from vacation is always filled with a slew of emails and follow up). I prioritized what emails MUST be followed up quickly; I flagged them with a “red” flag. For medium and lower priority emails and calls, I requested connecting with them the weeks of Aug. 11 or Aug. 18, and even proposed the week of Aug. 25 or after Labor Day. A number requested, “after Labor Day works great for me, too.” And for me personally, I scheduled a massage and pedicure for this week, before we head to the lake this weekend for some downtime. Prioritize your mind; clear thinking will help you make sound decisions.

August 6th Coaching Tip: Take Care of Your Body.

As mentioned above, it was very important for me to get a massage early this week. And I splurged. Instead of getting my normal 50-minute massage, I got a 90-minute massage. Very glad that I prioritized this, as I have less soreness now and no injuries from last week at the NSG. While I was competing last week at the NSG, I made it a priority to eat and hydrate very well, drink zero alcohol, and get plenty of sleep (approx. 8 hours/night). I also had access to an indoor pool that had a surprisingly cool water temperature, so after each competition, I got in it and just walked around and swam slowly to help cool down my body a bit. We also brought a foam roller, and I used that to help roll out my hamstrings and calves. Take care of your body; you’ve only got ONE! (Note: we were in Des Moines for the NSG in three different venues for six days. I’m pleased to report that I did not see one injury while I was there. That’s a remarkable statement, since all athletes were 50-101 years old).

August 7th Coaching Tip: Take Care of Your Feet.

Our feet take the pressure of every single step we take; there’s nothing like our feet. When we lose our feet or our ability to walk, it can be quite depressing and debilitating. I’ve witnessed colleagues, friends, and a couple of my family ignore their feet/toes/ankles until it was “too late”. Now they have to wear unique shoes or special inserts or compression socks every single day. It was a priority for me to get a pedicure today and talk to the nail tech about a couple small areas on my toes that were tender. She really listened, inspected, and then helped those two areas, along with making my toes look pretty in Hoosier red nail polish. As I have moved from 50 to now over 60 years old, I’m learning a lot about how my body and feet like certain footwear. Don’t laugh, but I must have about ten pair of Nike Pegasus jogging shoes and Oofos sandals and slides. My feet like them, and my feet don’t hurt. Why change it up if it is working. Take care of your feet.

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365 Coaching Tips: 214th, 215th & 216th

August 2nd Coaching Tip: A Full Day.

Today was my final day competing at the 2025 National Senior Games. At 11:40am, I ran the 200m and finished 17th overall, after being seeded 38th out of 41 entrants. Most proud that I ran the 200m approx. 2.4 seconds faster than I had run it in June 2025 and more than four seconds faster than June 2024.

Then it was on to the basketball shooting competition. Over 30 women in my 60-64 age group entered the free throw shooting contest; I was able to make 22 out of 25 free throws and win the National Senior Games silver medal. The local Iowa woman was the gold medal winner; she made 23 of 25 of her free throws. In the three-point shooting contest, I was able to make nine of the 15 attempts, which landed me a bronze medal. Silver also made nine, but the tie breaker was that she hit more in a row than me. The gold medal went to the women who hit 10 of 15 three pointers.

For two months, I’ve been wearing two rubber bracelets on my right wrist that reminded me of this phrase: Nothing is impossible. Exceed your own expectations. These two bracelets had been in my jewelry drawer for a few years, but something made me grab them, wear them, and because it was two of them, to double down on my effort to do well at these NSG. I’m beyond thrilled in how this journey has gone, especially meeting some new people, refining my wellness, doing new and hard things, and having part of my “fam bam” there to see me compete today. Out of 12,500 senior athletes in the 30 different sports (and many events in the track & field), I’m so happy to be bringing home two medals and setting three new personal records (new lower times) in the 100m, 200m and 400m runs. It was a full day; full of fun, competition, and yes, throw in some nerves and anxiety.

August 3rd Coaching Tip: One of 12,500 Senior Athletes.

12,500 senior athletes qualified and registered for the 2025 National Senior Games. And, I was one of the lucky 12,500! Central Iowa did a superb job of hosting over 30 sports in over 20 locations across the towns of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, Clive, Urbandale, Waukee, Grimes, Altoona, Polk City, Johnston, and Pleasant Hill. These 12,500 senior athletes came from all 50 USA states and 11 countries. Iowa helped us athletes by having volunteers everywhere, who were friendly and helpful.

As of this evening, the state of Florida leads the way with their senior athletes or teams receiving a total of 293 medals (123 gold, 83 silver, 87 bronze). Ohio has 246 total medals, Texas has 229, Tennessee has raked in 214. Indiana has 65 medals (24 gold, 22 silver, and 19 bronze). I’m proud to be the recipient of one silver and one bronze to help represent Indiana’s 65 medals.

August 4th Coaching Tip: Prioritize YOU.

Over the last few years, I’ve noticed that a number of friends and colleagues had wonderful careers going. Then, acting as an adult (senior) care giver turned their life upside down. The career goes away, while the care giving consumes them. And then the career is damaged, and some of these great people were laid off, others retired or simply quit. Through all of this, I’ve noticed that the ones (mostly all are women) who focus on providing care giving to a loved one also focused on their own health and overall wellbeing. In my opinion, it’s hard to care for others and be a role model if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Please prioritize you, especially if you get asked to care for others urgently or for the long haul. Care giving is tasking physically, emotionally, and mentally; caring for a loved one might even cost you your job. Take care of you and prioritize you, so that you can be at your best for others.

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365 Coaching Tips: 211th, 212th & 213th

July 30th Coaching Tip: Your Fans.

Going to the National Senior Games for the very first time in my life (I’m 60 years old, in August turning 61) has been a journey of training and challenging myself…pretty much by myself. Throughout this journey, it’s been pretty darn cool to see who are my fans. Some of my fans are the 100% no brainers, i.e. mom and my besties. But the surprises have been extended family and some remote friends. The common thread in all these supportive people is that they too have a common interest in wellness, staying healthy, traveling and running. Know who your fans are and also be a fan of others. They will never forget when you’re their fan!

July 31st Coaching Tip: Show Up For Life.

As in life, so goes the National Senior Games. Although senior athletes qualified and then registered (paid a registration fee), a number did not show up. For example, in the 100m sprint that I ran today, 19 of the 50 registered runners did not show up. I was proud that I did show up. Today at 8:55am, the weather and track were cooler today versus yesterday’s heat at the Iowa State University Cyclone Sports Complex. I felt great and scoped out my competition, and I could quickly tell that my recent eight to nine weeks of training was going to allow me to sneak up on some people. Indeed, that was the case. Although I was in the first heat, in lane 1 (as the slowest seeded-runner), I was able to finish fourth in my heat and ran my fastest 100m by a second and three seconds faster than I ran my 100m that qualified me in Indiana in June 2024. Thus, I was beyond thrilled to have finished 15th overall out of 30 competitors. I’m happy and also relieved that I did it. Tip for today is a simple but a bold one: show up for life.

August 1st Coaching Tip: Take The Call.

When people need to talk to you, really try hard to take their call. They need something or need someone to talk to. Today, I finally was able to chat with a longtime work colleague and now friend; he is growing his business and wanted to run a few things by me.

I consider it a privilege and an honor if someone is reaching out to me. But I must also be ready to listen and be fully present when we are talking; I would want the exact same thing. Kindness may be an overused word or them in these times of today, but it is truly a gift to give someone time. Take the call.

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365 Coaching Tips: 208th, 209th and 210th

July 27th Coaching Tip: Make It Work.

We are on our way from Indiana to Des Moines, Iowa, for the 2025 National Senior Games. As we prepared our trip, we really didn’t want to drive 7-8 hours in one day. To make it all work, I reached out to some of my gal pals in Illinois and we gathered for a homemade two-hour dinner at Molly’s home. Little did two of us know that one of our gal pals had some serious info to share with us. She shared some gut-wrenching news, we listened, and that’s what we do as friends: we got thru it all together tonight. We four have been thru the rigors of life these last two decades together of being friends. We’ve lost husbands, homes, and jobs; helped our kids beat addictions and making poor decisions, rebuilt our brands and legacies, finished half marathons, etc.

We made it work today for this quick but important homemade dinner and meaningful conversation; please, make it work. Squeeze in these types of important visits. My partner and I stayed overnight and slept on their couches in their basement. The other two gals said, “wait, wait, tonight was so much fun. We want to do a sleep over soon.” I know you’re all very busy, but make it work.

July 28th Coaching Tip: Heat Dome Dangers.

When there’s a heat dome, hydrate. Whatever amount that you are drinking, keep drinking. This heat dome is scary stuff and it is hitting millions of Americans as we head in to the last week of July. We were driving on the interstate for over 3.5 hours today, and we kept the speed closer to 72mph. Why? To help keep the tires just a lil bit less hot (so that they don’t split or shred) and to keep a very close eye on the road surface itself. We heard that in Peoria, IL, a section of the interstate had “bubbled up” and had created a very unsafe bump on the highway. Imagine hitting that bump doing 85 mph! That could potentially wreck-up your car, then you’re alongside the road in the hot sun with a heat index of 100-110. Another tip is to grab a gallon of water and put it in your car. You just never know when you may need a drink or need to drench your head on days like these. Be aware and be proactive when heat dome dangers are present.

July 29th Coaching Tip: Six Seconds Faster.

My first event today at my first-ever National Senior Games here in Des Moines, Iowa, was the 400m run. My previous times in the 400m at the Indiana Senior Games were 1:47 (June 2024) and 1:43 (June 2025). Today, my goal was to run 1:40; I even dreamed about it. As I lined up today, I got dry mouthed/thirsty and nervous but kept my legs moving. Once the gun went off, the anxiety quickly disappeared as I stood in my starting lane two. My pace was spot on; I finished my first 100m before my count of 18 (which is approx. 25 seconds), so I knew I was off to a good start in this 400m race. Plus, I had already passed someone in the first turn. Then, the second 100m was just fine, and I appreciated the strangers cheering for me along the backstretch. In the third turn, I quit counting and focused on two things: the gal in front of me in lane four and on my running form. I set my eye site on her and got back up “on my tip toes” and started chasing her down as we came down the final stretch. I happily finished third in my heat, with a 1 minute 37.51 second time. I was thrilled to beat my goal of 1:40, and very happy that I finished six seconds faster that I ran at the Indiana Games on June 8, 2025.

How did I do this? Prayer and also practicing differently. The last six weeks, I have been running one-minute sprints, that are a jog for the first 30 seconds, then faster and faster the remaining 30 seconds. I would do this for two minutes, too. Lastly, I worked on my form and improving it. I’m so excited that I went six seconds faster! (Note: showing up, staying in shape, allowing your body to rest, eliminating injuries is a big part of participating. Of the 31 registered runners in the 400m, 18 showed up. I finished 12th!)

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365 Coaching Tips: 199th, 200th & 201st

July 18th Coaching Tip: Early Dinner, then Walk.

As we wrapped up the week, we decided to do our early Friday evening dinner. Eating earlier in the evenings and enjoying lighter foods helps us both 1) feel better, 2) sleep more soundly, and 3) spend less money. When we arrived back home, it was only 6:00pm. I headed out on a walk and grabbed my phone to give a call to my mom to check up on her. Why walk after a meal? It’s a new routine/habit that I have implemented after wearing my glucose monitor this past Spring and also learning about ways to help reduce glucose spikes after eating. A stroll of three to five to up to 15 minutes helps me bring the spike back into the normal range. And since I grabbed my phone, I got two things done.

Wellness is more than going to the gym. It’s connecting with those that matter; it’s taking a stroll after eating; it’s winding down with friends on a sunset cruise. My tip for today is eat earlier and eat less, then go on a walk. You never know, you might even begin to notice that you see your neighbors outside more, too.

July 19th Coaching Tip: Laugh Daily.

We all have “stuff” that hits us daily or weekly, at the very least. We make it a point to laugh daily, especially as we are getting older and been together for eight years now. We don’t want to become the crusty, grouchy old people. We want to embrace life and what comes at us, but we also are making the choice to laugh a lot every single day. For example, a couple nights ago, we stayed up until 11pm recapping the day, hysterically laughing about all the stuff that happened. We could have chosen to whine, be upset or even angry, and quietly go to bed. Today, I’ve laughed multiple times watching a funny video that was set up by the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. Their two mascots went in to the crowd, acted like they were a couple, and then ducked when the “Kiss Cam” got them on camera. It’s now a national meme that the nation is laughing about, as a married CEO was embracing his company’s HR leader at a Coldplay concert in Boston; once they noticed they were on the “kiss cam” they both ducked and turned around. Oops! They got caught which is serious business. But the meme and set up for the Phillies’ mascot was downright hilarious. A must see for your daily laugh!

July 20th Coaching Tip: Two Weeks To Go.

In two weeks, we pack up the car and head to Des Moines, Iowa, for my first-time competing in five events at the National Senior Games. Yes, I’m a bit nervous because I’m doing my research on what it will take to advance in the 100m, 200m and 400m sprints. I’m also realizing that I will need to hit 23/25, 24/25 or possibly 25/25 free throws and more than 9/15 in the 3-point shooting to place in the top three or potentially win the basketball shooting contests.

What am I doing to reduce my nervousness? Prep, just like in my coaching. I’m practicing with more intention and higher demands of myself. I was shooting around 21/25 in my FT’s recently, but the last two days, I hit 23/25. That’s what it will take to medal, and I want to medal. In my running, I’m working on my start, relaxing my face and hands more as I’m “sprinting”, and I’m trying to run faster at the end of the sprint.

I’m not sure how this will all turn out, but in two weeks, I’ll have the results. I’ve put in the work for more than 18 months, and I hope to reward myself for all this practice and prep. Two weeks to go…is not the time to stop. Now is the time to make it ALL count.

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365 Coaching Tips: 196th, 197th & 198th

July 15th Coaching Tip: Safety First.

Although I wasn’t feeling well on Sunday (a couple days ago), I took the time to really go thru my life and evaluate where I could easily improve some things that might improve my personal safety as I head into August (and turn 61 years old). The first thing I noticed was that my tires on my Tesla had not been rotated for more than 22,000 miles. As the daughter of my father (who owned a tire and battery shop when he was in his 20’s-30’s), this was unacceptable risk. Get the tires rotated, this week. I quickly opened my Tesla app, scheduled an appointment and a technician came to the house and efficiently rotated the tires and checked the tire pressure…all while I was at work. Safety improved and it was easy for me.

I also was noticing that my Apple watch battery was running out of charge between 5-7pm, which is not a good time, as I’m out usually running errands, on a walk, or working out. Laying in bed on Sunday, I ordered a new watch and arranged to trade-in my old watch. The Apple watch is up and running, and the battery is lasting much longer. Trade in’s are in process.

My auto insurance is coming due in mid-August, so I transferred the money to get that paid on time, so there will be no lapse. I don’t want to be in a car wreck, nor do I want to hurt anyone if I cause a car accident. I do however want to ensure that I’m covered, as well as others.

In the last month, we switched our internet provider to save money and get faster speeds. In doing do, I needed to update a few things in the home with the new network. All things are now connected, which includes my ability to lock/unlock my front door, check the CO level, and temperature of the home. Take time to ensure safety is first in your life.

July 16th Coaching Tip: Leadership Styles.

A couple of my coaching conversations today were about leaders who knew that they needed help in how to develop others. I was so pleased they reached out to me for coaching and advice. As we learned more about these leaders, this leadership role was new territory for them. We discussed how they might clarify and role model their preferred leadership style, i.e. what type of leader do they want to be. I asked them some questions: do they want to be a “work hard, play hard” leader, a family-first leader, a results-oriented leader, a magnet for talent leader, a laissez faire type leader, a collaborative leader, etc. As we worked thru these coaching calls, it was clear to them that before they develop others, they needed to work on themselves and role model what they wanted and expected in others. Leadership styles can influence the type of people that might be attracted to your team; it can also drive some people away. It was an important first step in many coaching sessions ahead for them.

July 17th Coaching Tip: Adjustments Are Necessary.

My mother has stated this numerous times: “getting old ain’t for wimps.” She has also stated to young couples: “don’t get old.” Her wisdom is spot on. As my partner and I are aging, we are very in tune with our bodies/exercise/wellness/nutrition/sleep/health. For example, over a year ago I realized that I could simplify my life, improve my health, get the calcium that I need for my osteoporosis if I made my own coffee at home in my trusted 12-cup brew machine, and then add ice and some Fairlife chocolate milk to it. Why the adjustment after five years from what I was drinking every morning (Califia almond milk latte cold brew)? First, Califia was difficult to find consistently in the grocery stores where we live and visit frequently. Second, it contained too much sugar for my liking. Third, it is bottled in plastic. And, fourth, it was approx. $5/bottle. This small adjustment had a multiplying positive effect: less costly, less sugar, easy to make, and readily available (with the Fairlife chocolate milk). My partner today announced a change/adjustment to her morning coffee routine, due to a noticeable change in her body when it is very humid. Due to a leaky valve, she is now going to reduce her caffeine and sugar intake, and make her own decaf coffee, add some of my regular coffee and chocolate milk. This too should help her with her heart health, much like my adjustment should help with my osteoporosis. Stay in tune with your body and make necessary and intentional adjustments for your ongoing wellness.

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365 Coaching Tips: 187th, 188th and 189th

July 6th Coaching Tip: Weather Smart.

It was 5:47pm, still hot and steamy, so I decided to walk over to get an indoor workout in before heading out for a sunset cruise around 8:30pm. After my workout at 6:30pm, I walked out of the health club and noticed that the weather had changed dramatically. It stopped me, and I turned around and looked west and saw very dark clouds that were spooky looking. In one minute, I made the decision to cancel the sunset boat cruise. We called both of the couples who were going to drive about 1/2 hour to get to us. Sure enough, by 7:15pm the rain, thunder, and lightening started and it didn’t stop for three hours. Be smart. Be weather aware. Take precautions about where you are and where others are. I did NOT want our friends driving in bad weather; I wanted them to remain near or in their own homes, safe and sound. Be weather smart.

NOTE: I am deeply grieving today for the loss of now 81 people due to the flash flooding in the Texas Hill Country. Little girls and their camp counselors were swept away in a flood that raised 30 feet in less than an hour.

July 7th Coaching Tip: Stay Present.

In my last coaching session of the day, I was virtually meeting with a colleague in San Antonio, TX. Instead of jumping right in to “the work stuff”, something told me to slow down and ask the difficult question: “Mike, were you impacted by the flash floods in TX over the weekend?” Yes, he was. He shared with me that he had a friend’s daughter who had died (a camp counselor), a niece who was rescued and he shared what this lil 10-year-old girl witnessed as she was being rescued by a military helicopter. He shared which kids didn’t go to camp this past weekend but were planning to go in a few weeks. I asked a couple questions, so that I could pray for people by name. Mike admitted he was a mess, did not come on the virtual call at first and then later in our conversation he did turn on his video. He thanked me for staying present, asking how he was and grateful that I asked for their names to pray for them. It was the least I could do. Being and staying present is the best gift that one can give to someone else during times like these. Stay present. (Grateful for all those who responded to help with the recovery of this tragic disaster.)

Note: Since my line of coaching work has me coaching colleagues and leaders from all over the country and some from around the world, I make it a priority to be aware of what’s happening in their area and then slowing down to connect with them, instead of jumping right into the work.

July 8th Coaching Tip: Birthday Calls.

It was 8:45am E/7:45am C, and yes, it was time to call one of my gal pals and wish her a happy birthday today. We talked for about 10-15 minutes and are planning to have dinner together later in July. Make the call for birthdays; it’s so easy to just text or send a Facebook message. Phone calls matter today; they send a different vibe, much like a hand-written card or note. Although it takes a few more minutes, relationships matter so make those minutes count. Make birthday calls.

Note: I’m so thankful that my iPhone allows me to put in annual repeating reminders like key birthdays and anniversaries. When I looked at my schedule for today, there was Molly’s birthday at 7:00am. Use technology to intentionally help you stay connected with your favorite people. Friends are good for your overall wellness.

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365 Coaching Tips: 163rd, 164th and 165th

June 12th Coaching Tip: Get Insurance Proof.

Ever hire a contractor and ask them, “can you please provide a copy of your valid insurance?” If you don’t, you should. Recently, we hired a contractor to remove some dead and splitting trees. Before he started, I requested a quote in writing and a copy of his insurance. Fast forward to the day that the contractor and his crew were working in the trees. And yes, you guessed it, the lead man was up in the tree when the other side of the tree started going down (these trees were splitting and the threat of them coming down unexpectedly is exactly why I was having them removed). The lead man was taken down as the entire tree came crashing down. Immediately, the entire job stopped; thankfully, the crew quickly called for an ambulance, the lead man was checked out at the hospital and released with nothing more than a scrape. Everyone was ok and for that we are all grateful. A couple days later, a copy of the valid insurance was emailed to me. Lesson learned: ask and receive insurance before contractors work on your job.

June 13th Coaching Tip: Go Til Then End.

It’s game four in the best of seven game series in the NBA Finals. The Indiana Pacers have a 2-1 lead in the series, they are playing at home in this 4th game, the crowd is roaring and the Pacers are winning by 5 points starting the final quarter. But something happened, and the Pacers lost their mojo. The OK City Thunder reached deep and tied the game with eight minutes remaining. Then Indiana made a run with three minutes left. But then the Pacers let the game slip away again in the last couple minutes and ended up losing by seven points. Think thru this: up four, lost by seven, which is an 11-point swing in a matter of minutes. Leaders, teams, people, kids, and everyone else: go til the end. It’s never over until it’s over. Be resilient and keep your dream of winning alive. Note: That loss led to OK City winning the next 3 of 4 games and helping them win the NBA championship.

June 14th Coaching Tip: Connect.

Mom and I made a plan of connecting and heading to my brother (Grant) and his wife’s home on the lake nearby. Three of his daughters and their men joined us for a yummy early Father’s Day afternoon dinner. Then Mom wanted to go see her horses race at Hoosier Park. Instead of just the two of going, I decided to reach out to friends and we had a total of nine of us at the track. Although the horses didn’t win, we had a full day of connection with family and friends who really matter. Was it on “Father’s Day”? Nope, it was the day before. But we made it work. On Father’s Day, we intentionally drove out to visit the cemetery where my father is buried. We connected with him, the good Lord, family and friends this weekend. Connect. Being isolated and reducing social connections can lead to dire situations; instead, intentionally connect, with purpose, and it may just bring you better health, resilience and wellness.

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365 Coaching Tips: 157th, 158th and 159th

June 6th Coaching Tip: Get Your Sleep.

Tomorrow is a big day. I’ve been training for months to hopefully compete and run faster than I did one year ago in my first ever Indiana Senior Games. This being my second time, I knew that I needed to eat properly, hydrate well, and get my sleep (over 7 hours). When I left my house for the 3-hour drive, I loaded up the cooler with “my food and my drinks” and checked in to the hotel around 6pm. And I was resting, in bed, by 8 pm, and woke up the next morning with exceptional sleep and resilience.

Prioritize your sleep for top performance. Lack of sleep can have many side effects, including reducing your life longevity. Get your sleep.

June 7th Coaching Tip: Compete With Yourself.

I challenged myself and competed against no one. That’s correct. No one.  BUT, I ran faster in the 100m, 200m and 400m than I did last year (June 2024) at the Indiana Senior Games. Sure, we had competition, but I had no one in my exact age bracket (60-64 years old) to compete against, so I just set out to beat myself. And that I did. I ran the 100m nearly two full seconds faster than my 2024 time, and I ran the 200m two seconds faster while running the 400m almost four seconds faster. So proud of myself for improving even though I’m a year older. It’s amazing what you can do, if you simply compete with yourself in a healthy manner.

June 8th Coaching Tip: Talk It Over.

Lots to do? Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Having a hard time prioritizing? Maybe your stuck? Talk it over with your partner or friend or spouse, and you may be surprised just how quickly a plan comes together. Why is that? Because most of us know exactly what we need to do and sometimes, we just need to say it out loud to someone we trust. Research indicates that when we write down priorities, and then share them with someone, we are much more likely to complete them. We feel this innate responsibility to honor the commit to thy self and your trusted person. In my situation recently, my partner had a lot going on, a lot. We were able to get my partner’s three key to do’s done in less than an afternoon. Although I wasn’t feeling the best (lil exhausted from the senior games), me simply allowing my partner to talk it over helped out bunches. Talk it over.