EspnW Summit Part 2

Athletes do better in school, athletes achieve more, sports cause more education, and athletes gain better opportunities in the job market. All of these were points made at the espnW summit opening presentation. These results are remarkable, they prove the importance of sports and athletic programs at a young age and throughout life. What are you doing in your life to enhance your involvement in athletics and in the lives of those around you? EspnW is dreaming big, dreaming of a world where women's sports have achieved equality with men's sports. This summit brought together leaders in Women's sports from all over the US in an effort to spark a movement to achieve more in women's sports. "Together we're stronger" said Laura Gentile the VP of espnW. This is so true! The speakers were amazing and inspiring. I wish I could explain it all here, but it would mean so much more if you watched the presentations for yourself. Check out the recorded presentations at www.livestream.com/espnw. There is even a q&a session with the USWNT and Abby Wambach! You don't want to miss this.

espnW

From afar I have been keeping up with the espnW summit in Tuscon, AZ. This conference is amazing. The speakers I have heard via live stream put their heart and soul into advancing women and sports. From Billie Jean King to Julie Foudy, the speakers and athletes have shared their experiences from the past and their hopes for advancing women's sports in the future. If you get a chance check it out at ESPnw.com/summit. I'll share my reactions in my next post.

Exercise of the Day

Crossback Lunge to a Power Press with a Leap

Fitness App Review-NTC

I have tried numerous fitness apps and my new favorite is the Nike Training Club app. This app has to be the most comprehensive app on the market. It features 3 levels and hundreds of different workouts that can be customized to my needs. Whether I want to focus on strength, cardio or toning, there is a workout for my mood. Also the workout can be from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the length of time I want to spend working out. For every session you log on the app you cam get special rewards and unlock celebrity workouts and healthy recipes. NTC pushes you to keep reaching for the next level. Best of all this app is free! I have even been able to do the 15 minute workouts during breaks at work and recruited other coworkers to join me. This app can do the work of a personal trainer without the hefty gym fees. International trainer Marie Purvis developed this workout for Nike and she didn't leave any muscle group out. When you get a chance check this app out. Right now it is only available on apple devices but with it's rising popularity I am sure it will be available for every device soon. These workouts are catching on everywhere and you can even experience them in person at select 24 Hour fitness clubs. Check out NTC today, you don't want to miss this! For daily tips and workout ideas featuring the NTC app follow @nikewomen and @nikegetfit on Twitter. Get NTC today and make yourself unstoppable!

Nutrition Challenge

Nutrition is so important to fitness. Here is one thing I have done recently to improve mine. Vegetables are necessary for so many reasons-vitamins, fiber, minerals. I have implemented a 2 veggie policy at dinner. I can't eat unless there are at least 2 different vegetables on my plate. It's not always easy, but I feel so much better after dinner, I feel refueled and healthy rather than full and sluggish. Veggies are my new nutrition challenge. What's yours? If you can't think of things to do with veggies try making kabobs, a veggie burrito, stir-fry or mix veggies in your pasta sauce. There is no wrong way to eat vegetables, the secret is you have to eat them to get the benefits!

Living in the Moment

Some things are easier said than done and living in the moment is one of them. I seem to be held back by my uncanny ability to over analyze. Recently I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to participate in the EspnW Women+Sports Summit. The only problem is my lack of vacation time from a job that has never been my dream. Being involved in sports marketing has been my dream since I was 10, over 14 years ago. The opportunity of a lifetime...can I afford to miss this? Should I quit my current job to peruse my dream? My heart is telling me yes, but my head is saying no. Should I live in this moment, should I throw caution to the wind and throw myself head first towards my dream? Can I live in the moment? I'm terrified of what will happen if I give up a practical job in pursuit of my dream, but I don't think I can afford to give up on myself! This moment will be fleeting, but I want to be involved in the moments that make athletics great. The only way to achieve my dreams is to give up my practical life and just live in the moment. Live like tomorrow may never come.

Challenge Yourself!

I need challenges in my life to make me stronger, to continue learning, and to help me realize my potential. One of my recent challenges was signing up for a Taekwondo class at the local studio. I have always been interested in martial arts, but never had the guts to try. After recently moving to California I decided now was as good of a time as any. I did some research, found a studio and signed up for my first class. The girls in this class were intimidating. They were fierce and fiery when sparring, but at the same time good friends with everyone, laughing and enjoying themselves. After that first class I knew I wanted more. The first few classes were very challenging and I questioned my decision to stay. But now, a year later and halfway to my black belt I couldn't imagine a better fitness activity. My strength, flexibility, and memorization skills have gotten so much better. I even have a gold medal, silver medal and a trophy from tournaments I have participated in. I just love this sport! What activity have you always wanted to try but never had the courage to start? I challenge you to take a risk, the rewards will astound you.

Exercise of the Day

Push-up to Side Plank with a Medicine Ball

Feeling Your Best

I recently got married and the weeks before and after the wedding were filled with planning, moving, and travel. I usually workout 1-2 hours a day and these past 3 weeks I have hardly done any exercise. Needless to say, I am a bit addicted to exercise and the lack-there-of left me a slightly unhappy person. Just this past week I have begun working out again and my legs have been aching from the strain. But I have never been happier. The old saying "no pain, no gain" could not be more true.

Ah exercise, how I have missed you... Keep this in mind when you feel like you want to stay in bed and skip your morning workout. Exercise will give you endorphins to make you feel happier, will give you more energy, and the health benefits are astounding!