A New Beginning

I lie awake feeling a rhythmic pulse, now a nightly ritual.  A quick jab left and a right, and a one two,... I thought maybe she'd learned a new move.  I've since learned my unborn daughter has the hiccups, and informed my husband, after encouraging her to keep on punching.  Its never a bad thing to have some zip, to have fight in you, especially as a young women who is faced with so many challenges and decisions in today's complicated world.   As a young athlete, I learned that working hard can result in many victories both on and off the field.  The sense of accomplishment after a winning season, led to greater strides in my academics, and also in attaining relationships.   Although she will follow her own path and passion, I want to instill the eye of the tiger instinct, some how, some way, so she too can compete in life.  Discovering her passion will come, its my duty to give her the choices and freedom to find it.  

Consistently,  I've been day dreaming about burpees and mountain climbers.  Never, did I imagine this would happen.  The intensity of which I was able to perform has for good reason decreased, but my desire to work hard is overwhelming, and I'm waiting for the moment to sprint around the track and perform a full set of push ups and jump rope.  I knew I wouldn't lose that feeling, but I never did want to break this long,....until learned what I was waiting for.

  My cardio sessions at the gym these days allow me to watch the members "work out" and to my delight, Ive seen a new trend in my club,  as more and more women have acquired the confidence to step into the racks, or onto the floor and display power, and speed.  Its not long before I can join them, and I'm anxious to gain momentum quickly.  Pregnancy has taught me to take a step back, to relax, and to shift my focus.  To many women who enjoy training it can be a challenge, but its also a blessing, teaching you that you have different strengths, but also how to protect yourself and another.  I've been blessed with  a healthy pregnancy, and attribute that to maintaining balance in my programming, and through general physical preparation.  Given I have just a few more weeks, the days become longer, but the payoff will be something I have never experienced before; a new goal, and new set of playing rules.     

just slightly off topic

It is an old story that many have heard me tell during one of my conferences but it is worthy of retelling here because it has an interesting twist at the end.

It was a number of years ago, not quite my fair-haired days of youth but a lot closer and I was busy working with a number of elite athletes. It was a cool January morn, the kind that tourist marketing types don't use in the advertisements where dark clouds lined the horizon and heavy winds whipped off a storm-filled ocean. As the workout was about to commence with the standard fair of jovial attitude and bravado-laced commentary, a young athlete came up to me.

I had spoke with the athlete before about coming to a session but still I questioned whether when push came to shove, they would show up. However after a quiet introduction and little pomp, the workout commenced. From some of my high-flying regulars a few eyebrows were raised but they knew my modus operandi so little was said. With hot java swirling in the cool morning I sat back and watched them going through their training session. Little was said, as is customary in my routines but seamlessly the new entry was accepted into the session as she proved that she had the mettle to stand with the best. That day my athletes, all males who had never trained in professional sport alongside a female athlete learned a great deal. Years went by and that young athlete went onto a great career and tremendous accolades yet one of her great accomplishments might just be how everyday she proved how the playing field in life and sport must be equal.

In the moment

I noticed that almost all of the Reese's Peanut butter cups had been snagged from the candy bowl last night.  I only noticed because I wanted one this morning.   I'm sure I'm not the only one.  Oh well, its Saturday,.... isn't that acceptable?  

A couple sips of juice later, and the idea of an egg or two, my little girl is kicking inside of me.  Its real, its our special connection, and it might be one of the most natural feelings I've ever experienced;   incomparable to that of  slow sweat after my first run in spring, or the last moment of my last consecutive squat as my heels root to the floor and I press up with all I've got left.  Some day this little peanut will be a woman- strong and confident. I can wait to meet her. I hope she likes broccoli as much as Hershey's.  

My husband and I plan to give our daughter the best shot- nutritionally, emotionally, physically, and any way that we attain balance and strength in during our lifetime.  As a mother to be, I can only focus on the positive aspects in society in order to raise a healthy daughter.  Each of us has a unique, and personal journey, one of which I can share,...and I'm sure some will relate, but here, what I'm hoping to reveal are the transitions, and transformations that are allowing me to be in the best time and place of my entire life, and why I will never look back.  Allow me to be a resource to women looking to make changes or stay on course to achieving optimal health.

Welcome to Renegade World for Women

With great pride I wish to welcome everyone to the new Renegade World for Women blog. Sarah DiNatale and I will be discussing the specific health, fitness and diet issues that are of concern to women today in a no-nonsense and real-world manner.

So please add this blog feeder to your menu and get ready for Renegade World for Women.

Thank you,

John Davies
Founder Renegade Training International