The Dual Joy of Song and Baking

The Dual Joy of Song and Baking

  Mom stood at the kitchen counter with her sleeves rolled up.  Soft, white flour spilled here and there while she worked a ball of dough in a large bowl.  I remember it was a gray, cold day but I was inside “baking” with my Mom, basking in the glow of her undivided attention.  My

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A Tropical Pilgrimage: the story behind the shoes

A Tropical Pilgrimage: the story behind the shoes

Those familiar with me and my fitness business may know the image of the Plumeria stuffed sneakers.  The picture hangs on my wall at the Studio and for years I have used the image for custom greeting cards to recognize all occasions.  But there is story behind the shoes as it reminds me of the

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Road Maps, Donuts & Dancing: The G Day Experience

Road Maps, Donuts & Dancing: The G Day Experience

I took a friend’s 12 year old daughter to G Day, a daylong rite of passage signaling, celebrating and supporting 10 – 12 year old girls on the cusp of womanhood.  I could have really used an event like this when I was a preteen in the mid 70’s.   My entry to womanhood was a

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The Joy of Choir

The Joy of Choir

What is it about the focused effort of creating something beautiful with a group of like-minded people that is so quintessentially satisfying?  Learning something you didn’t think you could and then having the time of your life nailing it (most of the time) in front of a very appreciative audience?  Multiply that joy by 50

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Cornwall Adventuring

Cornwall Adventuring

As a 6 year old I fancied myself an explorer.  Not the blanket-fort-in-the-living room kind of explorer (although this too was a favourite activity reserved only for rainy days), but a real explorer forging through what my brother and I pretended were virgin forests of the New World surrounding our summer home at King Edward

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Mom’s knitting: the ultimate act of love

Mom’s knitting: the ultimate act of love

Over the years my Mom has industriously knit herself, family and friends everything from socks to hats, ponchos, sweaters, and everything in between.  If you can knit it, Mom will.  So when my sister Sally called Mom several weeks ago to request a knitting project, Mom was all ears.  What Mom didn’t expect was what

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In Honour of Father’s Day

In Honour of Father’s Day

There is something wonderful when the simple act of getting exercise evolves into so much more, the kind of more that lasts a lifetime and spins into healthy benefits beyond the physical.  When I see this happening in my business it makes me stop in my tracks, take notice and admire what’s unfolding.  David Koeplin’s

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It’s Not Pink

It’s Not Pink

Breast Cancer Awareness month is upon us and as one having been through the illness – as well as my mother, my maternal aunt and recently my sister – I am feeling ever so aware of this beast.  I’m certain you too have felt its cold hand either directly or indirectly with friends or family.  

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Why Boxing? By Meghan O’Connell

Why Boxing? By Meghan O’Connell

This Olympics marks the second time that females have been included for boxing. Again, there are three weight classes represented. What a huge milestone!   Throughout the 16 years that the sport has been part of my life, I’ve often been asked, “Why boxing?” My personal motivation has been, paradoxically, to find some inner quiet.

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Cancer’s Sidekick: Fear

A client recently shared with me an article encouraging people to keep their travel plans despite all the craziness in the world, despite any fear one might have. She knows I’m about to embark on an epic European adventure. It got me thinking more deeply about the architecture of fear and that old, over used

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Wellness; a process not an event

Wellness; a process not an event

When I experience a regular, healthy fitness regime blossom in someone where there was none before I’m like a Jack Russell Terrier sniffing out the precise thread of events leading to this sustained eureka. Nail this why and what and I can pass this onto others and share the inspiration. Alas, finding that specific thread

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Fast Friends for Fitness

Fast Friends for Fitness

They say nurturing friendships is integral to our overall health. I say seek out friendships where you exercise together and the healthy upshot is positively synergistic. For all the times you think you don’t have time or the energy, or you will do it later (then not do it all), your workout mates stand like

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