THANKFUL

FEATURED NIKE SPOTLIGHT BLOG ARTICLE

my biggest accomplishment yet

though there are a few things that were "left out" of the article

i would like to clear them up

as a trainer, to me, it is about experience, knowledge & repore

"I started studying nutrition and obtained a nutritional coaching certificate, as well as becoming a certified STC trainer"

this one statement has much much more than that between the lines

I grew up as a cometitive dancer in Northern New Jersey. Since the age of 7, I was competing all over the country. We went to conventions to work with different choreographers & event performed right here in California at Disneyland. I remember it like it was yesterday, though it was over 10 years. I was wearing a dalmatian costume in 90 degree weather doing back handsprings in the most magical place on earth. Dancing taught me the dedication & discipline that is required to keep reaching for want you want to achieve. I am so thankful that I had such wonderful parents that made sure I could be there EVERYDAY, and teachers that pushed me as hard as they did. After graduating high school in 2001, I spent a few years in NYC I decided to move to Los Angeles to go to school & work as a professional dancer. The combination of being too tall & wanting to shy away from being judged for my personal appearance, I became a group ex instructor. This came natural to me, multitasking, correcting posture; I thought that I may be on to something. About 7 years ago doctors found a blood clot in my father's leg. I was very annoyed with all the pharmaceuticals, even though they were necessary. There must be a better way. To give someone who needs to change his lifestyle prescribed, medication is just masking the true problem. That is when I began burying my nose in nutritional almanacs & eventually starting on my holistic journey. This lead me to Clayton College. Prevention vs Intervention. Let's get to the root of the problem, before it becomes a problem. For a man in his mid 50s that sits at a desk most of the day, where do we start? GET YOUR BUTT MOVING. Moderate exercise & changing up your intake. From there people just started looking to me for advise. I went from a dancer that taught group ex ,to getting my NASM certification as well as IBNFC cert for Nutritional Coaching while still in school working toward my B.S. of Natural Health. Quite a ride. My passion for health & functional training led me to the TRX community in 2007 when I was certified as an STC trainer. Since then I have been request & completed my TTT course with the TRX family. I now teach the STC certification to spread the love about standing up to train! Power Plate was my next project. To learn the ins & outs of vibration technology was fascinating. A majority of 2008-2009 was spent at the Brentwood Power Plate pop up location. There I worked closely with one of the top vibration specialist as he worked on a grant for WBV for rehabilitation. We were rewarded Workout of the Year, by CitySearch for 2009!

So form, function & food have been my top priorities for many years. As hold true to my Nike obsession.....that started early. As a kid I always wanted the boys shoes.......they have way better colors/styles. During the early years of personal training I had watched NIKE Master trainers with admiration. Those as fabulous a the lovely Lacey Stone. I really wanted to get to that level where I could have a larger impact. Some how I have arrived. I have been lucky enough to have taken everything full circle to use movement & determination to help people find their balance & confidence. My passion for wellness as well as the NIKE brand was shining brightly enough to have taken me where I am today.

Everyone has the power to do what they love, they just have to love it ENOUGH to do whatever it takes to get to the finish line.

there have been many milestones this year

-a 2 year contract with NIKE

-the opening of my gym

-being spotlighted by NIKE WOMEN on their blog

-Urban Daddy doing a write up on the collaborative "futuristic gym"

this thanksgiving was a special one, spent in OMAHA, NE

i got the chance to spend time with the bolton/vowell family.

I am thankful for every second of it. LOVE TO ALL OF MY NEW FAMILY & MY BOSCHEN FAMILY I GET TO SEE FOR CHRISTMAS!

Have you ever noticed

(how can you not) that

Traveling makes people so

EDGY!

Here are my friendly

helpful

traveling tips

TRAVELING ETIQUETTE

101

1. cover your mouth

if you cough or sneeze....

jeez close quarters kids

be kind

2. try not to slam your chair back to indent the extremely tall person behind you.

easy does it

3. boots that lace up to your nipples.....leave them at home or in your case

nobody wants to wait behind you

4. if you are carrying a cat around the airport, try not to sit next to a person that is allergic.

if you MUST travel with your cat, please ask those around you if they are aware so they don't think they are RANDOMLY having a uncontrollable fit.

5. when exiting the plane do NOT try to push in front of someone in the previous isle.

i will clothesline a fool.

6. if you are politely asking to switch seats so a couple can sit together AND there is an eldery (92) woman in the only other isle see please dont attempt to make HER move.

JUST TAKE THE DAMN SEAT

everyone does at one point or another, it's called taking one for the team.

7. when eating in the airport; foods such as fish, mexican & other smelly entrees

EAT THEM IN THE TERMINAL please please please do not punish those around you with your poor choices on the PLANE

8. farting though you can't hear it, DOES STILL SMELL

9. when walking off the plane through the jetway into the airport, dont just STOP.

This causes a pile up.

Whether you are aware of it or not, it is very annoying.

To be flat tire-ed after a long flight is that last thing i would call enjoyable.

10. at baggage claim, resist the urge to stand directly in front or behind another person.

Personal space guidelines still apply in airports

Just something to keep in mind for your next holidy travel experience.

Merci

Gracias

Dranke

PRIME

I WAS IN MY PRIME..........

of what?

making money?

being sought after?

having successful relationships

living on the edge?

are you ripe like the perfect california grown avocado?

what does this phrase mean?

I'M WAY PAST MY PRIME......

blah blah blah

so fine another

like wine, we as people, should only get better with age

we have more experiences under out belt

we have learned both useful & ridiculous factoids

our patience with ourselves increases

the time we spend focusing on our individual self should deplete

while the moments spent on anther's best interest the takes over

let this time,

now, today, right this minute,

be a time that you commit to yourself:

that you are in the ALL. out. throws, of your CURRENT prime!

that is; of being fully open & accepting of everyone

even if you dont understand or agree with them

listen with your brain,

not only with your ears

the knowledge you learn from listening,

both useful & ridiculous

helps you.

molds you.

into a better person,

a wiser teacher

& hopefully a more compassionate lover/friend

we all do the best that we can

what matters to you, wont necessarily matter to the next guy

& that doesn't mean that it should not matter to him

choose your battles.

stand up for what you believe.

hold your head high.

Today you are in your PRIME.

KIDS CLASS while adults SWEAT

SATURDAY MORNINGS ARE THE MORNINGS YOU DREAM OF!

get your workout in, while the kids are supervised in the SAME LOCATION!

let's just call it

"FAMILY DAY AT ALPHA"

9am & 10am classes are too good to be true

not just becuase they are taught by YOURS TRUELY but....

you get 60 mins of a killer NIKE TRAINING CLUB sweat

while the kids play freeze dance, learn hip hop & play up in the yogi loft!

(this will all be run on a donation bases)

Eventually with the older kids we will offer a mommy & me or father & son athlete class.

In this class you will team up & work on the fundamentals of functional movement as well as skills & drills for team sports! STAY TUNED

For now, enjoy your Saturday workout ONE STOP SHOP.

reserve your class NOW at

ALPHAVENICE.com

shoot me an email with the names & ages of the kids you will be bringing

we will have a concent form at the front desk when you arrive.

be the healthy example for your kids

teach them that is fun & beneficial to take care of your body

the habits we see as kids are the habits we cant kick as adults

now there are really no more excuses not to start your weekend off right!

you can even take a family ride right up the bike path!

for every 10 times you ride your bike you receive a free class!

CANT BEAT THAT!!!!

SHARE THIS LITTLE GEM YOU'VE FOUND WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY, THE MORE THE MERRIER

SEE YOU SATURDAY!

x

your healthiest holiday yet!

what are some steps you can take this year to make it different from last?

halloween

thanksgiving

christmas

new years

all filled with food, drinks, family & love

things that carry us away.

social situations cause us to eat more, drink more that cause us to sleep in & miss those beneficial morning workouts

family & travel lead to raising stress levels

airport food, change in schedule, jet lag, water retention, uncomfy beds....the works

let's have a plan Stan

1. enjoy family time....it's a short time

allow time for yourself to blow off steam

the gym or long walks, yes even if it's cold, get your blood pumping

& your digestion going.

if you walk first thing in the morning you are starting the fire,

getting it burning to increase that metabolism!

2. bring healthy snacks for the plane & travel time

trail mix, fruit & protein bars

DRINK LOTS OF WATER ON THE PLANE

(unless you are the window seat)

hard-boiled eggs, salads, pretzels, pita and bagel chips, dried fruit, granola bars, fresh fruit and rice cakes.

you can even bring individual packets of oatmeal & ask for hot water once you are in the air!

3. workout if you normally workout.

round up some of your family for that morning walk,

take the kids outside to play some touch football,

head to the gym,

get creative with at home yoga!

stretching is the best thing when traveling

get down on the floor & open that S$#T UP.

piriformis, hip flexors & hamstrings are a MUST after flying & long periods of sitting.

4. bring/make a healthy side dish or entree

to a party or meal.

make sure to get your greens,

stay away from the processed "goodness",

gravies = bad new bears,

request to salt your own food, & then dont, it will bloat you.

5. wine & sweets should not be consumed at the same time

nuff said

6. laugh, sleep, relax & breathe it all in.

ALL WE HAVE IS EACH OTHER HERE & NOW

give us some healthy tips you have for your friends & family:

do you have a Wii to "play"?

do you buy smaller plates for proper sized helpings?

let us know.....

xo