USAT Level 1 Coaching Certification

                                 

I got in! Thank you for all the support. I look forward to learning a lot at this clinic and seriously cannot wait until February when I get to go!

I've love training athletes. Its my biggest goal in my career as a trainer to train high level athletes. From conditioning fighters to creating a training plan for endurance athletes. one of my hobbies is to read about different theories of training to become knowledgeable of the different aspects of getting to peak performance. Every athlete is not the same and I love the puzzle of trying to figure out what works for each and create a plan based off that. I am definitely excited to take my triathlon knowledge to the next level with this clinic and pass my certification exam after. 

Again, I cannot be more thankful of all the support from all my current clients and athletes to my family and friends and even those that have followed me through my journey and stumbled upon my page from social media. Thank you!!! 

Visualize the goal. Embrace the path. Conquer the struggle.

Healthy and Fun Food Facts!

I bet there are a lot of things you didn't know about the things you eat everyday! Here are 12 fun facts that will help get you eating nutritious meals and keeping your body healthy!

1.  In 2010, the Journal of Pain found that ginger can help reduce exercises-induced muscle pain by up to 25%. 
   
   
2. Strawberries, raspberries or blackberries are NOT berries!
3. What do bananas, tomatoes, watermelons and pumpkins have in common? They're Berries!
4. Grass fed beef contains 2-5x more omega-3 than grain fed beef.
   
   
   
   
   
5. range and cage free eggs contain 1/3 less cholesterol, 1/4 less saturated fat and 7x more beta carotene than commercially produced eggs
6. Cinammon is a potent antioxidant that can help reduce the risk of blood cotting, control blood sugar, and improve insulin sensitivity which can prevent fat gain and diabetes. 
   
   
7. Garlic may help prevent various types of stomach, GI, and colorectal cancers.
8. Honey is the only food that can never rot, it can last 3000 years!
9. The seed inside a peach contains an almond-like nut which holds a potent anti-cancer medicine called laetrile.
10. Bell Peppers are full of vitamin A which helps in healthy, glowing skin
11. Lemons are the most healthiest food in the world, One lemon contains your daily dose of vitamin C, it cleanses the liver, boosts your immunity and aids in weight loss. 
    
    
12. Peanuts are actually legumes and not nuts!

There are many more fascinating things about the foods we consume. Its really important that we become knowledgeable of the pros and cons of these foods so that we can help ourselves live a long heathy life. Even reading some of the facts about fast food chains, sodas or even just overall unhealthy cooking techinques can scare us enough to put us on a path to better living! Thanks again for stopping by to read my blog and remember:

Visualize the goal, Embrace the path, and Conquer the struggle!

Sources: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, OSU, Cancer.gov; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry;  NY Times, Journal of Pain; World Botanical; Nutrition Journal, 2010; Mother Earth News; ORAC; http://www.naturalnews.com/027088_cancer_laetrile_cure.html http://www.naturalnews.com/025427_almonds_nuts_weight.htm; 

Ironman Success Story!

This past year I had the opportunity to train a group of guys new to the sport of triathlons. These guys have been in my life since I was a kid. They are my brother's friends and have always been like older brothers to me. Its pretty funny because they always tell me that every time they see me they still see that little 10 year old little brother. It was only right that I help my own family get set up for success.

I've been a swimmer my whole life (since 5 years old) and competitively swim since i was about 8 years old from summer league to being part of a year round swim team. Through the sport I've gotten to travel to places like Canada and Hawaii for swim meets and have been coaching since I was 13 or 14 years old. My swim team Mission San Jose Aquatics hold a swim lesson program through the summer for children and teaching kids a life saving skill has always been a great feeling for me. I stopped or shall I say, I retired from swimming at the age of 19 to pursue a career in the culinary arts. Thinking I would never be part of the swimming world ever again but something always pulled me back to the water.

Fast forward to about today, 8 years later and I was given the task of coaching the guys who have been role models to me throughout my life. Let me tell you day 1 was not pretty at all. Every single one of these guys could not swim a full 25 yard without stopping to gasp for air. About a month later they all agreed to have a goal to race one of the most difficult Half Ironman races. Located in Las Vegas, the Silverman race starts with a 1.2mi Lake Mead swim then to a 56 mile of a total of 4000 ft. elevation gain hilly ride and finishing with a loop course 13.1 mile run all while doing this in the extreme heat. NUTS!! Looking at the time frame we had leading up to this race, I had 8 months to get these guys from 12 yard swimmers to 1.2 mile beasts who conserved enough energy to bike and run.

I was completely hands on with these guys from February to October. Being present at every session and getting their technique dialed in. I even put in so many hours in front of my computer just watching videos of their swim from every angle and breaking down their stroke. After their strokes were dialed in we went straight into endurance. There were a number of people who really went against me giving these guys (sprint and olympic distance athletes) so much yardage (2600-3500yd) in the pool. but when you take guys who have never swam like this before and get them ready for a long race such as Silverman, these are the kinds of workouts they NEED to do. It really wasn't because I wanted them to go fast or anything or I wanted to kill them for the sake of giving them a really hard workout but going from never being able to swim 1 lap to swimming 1.2mi, I need them to get used to long distances. My approach was simple, lots of yards (around double the race) so that when it came time for the race, 1.2mi wouldn't be much for them and they would have conserved enough energy to power through the bike and run. fast forward through all the hell in the water....

Race day: Silverman, each person I trained in the got out of the water with lots of time to spare! As soon as the last person got out of the water some feeling came over me. Its really hard to explain but seeing every single guy come out of that choppy and crowded lake made me so happy that my knees almost gave. That was one of the best feeling I have ever had in my life! To now that just 8 months before that these guys could barely swim and now they are Ironmen!

I am definitely looking forward to next season with these guys. I no longer have to coach them to survive but rather to progress to be faster athletes, swim even more efficiently and have an amazing sophomore triathlon season! I am currently in the process of getting my triathlon coach certification with USAT and I would appreciate any help. Right now I have a gofundme campaign going on to help me with all the expenses for the certification. Please, check out my campaign page at https://www.gofundme.com/3786ng84 any and all help is appreciated! Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog and as always Visualize, Embrace, and Conquer!