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The title makes it sound like I need a special cream or
salve. Maybe I do, but that is not what I am talking about. Every 4 years the
Olympics roll around. And every time I get the itch. I think to myself, there
must be one sport I could do in the Olympics. There just must be. Each time I
get a little but older and the hope fades a touch, but I still hold on to the
dream: Dreaming of scratching the itch. . One potential stumbling block is that I have no natural talent for any sport that I am aware of. So that alone gives me pause, and yet the feelings persist. One could argue weightlifting as a potential candidate, but I'll touch on that impossibility in a moment. I can't stand being cold, so all winter sports are out. If there were a sport like curling but done in the summer, say at the beach, I would be all set.
I guess my main point is every time the Olympics roll around I get inspired. Inspired to be better than I am. As I write this the sure to be spectacular (and spectacularly boring) opening ceremonies are 24 hours away. I'll still watch. As of now my 2 main sources of inspiration come from media standouts. Two women: Dara Torres and Melanie Roach. Dara Torres
Two things struck me at that time. One was the incredible volume of food she consumed. This colossal consumption was of course offset by the massive daily energy expenditure. Her training volume was exceptionally high (at least to me). The second thing that struck me was at age 33, she was already 10 years older than the majority of the aquatic competitors in her field. And many believed she was just too damn old. Those people can kiss her 5 shiny medals won at those games.
Fast forward 8 years. Dara is now 41, and still "too damn old" and yet is kicking the asses of competitors young enough to be her offspring. On August 4th 2008, she twice broke her own American record in the 50 meter freestyle, a record she herself set when she was only 15 years old. For those of you doing the math, that was 26 years ago. She earned her spot on the US Olympic team and in the next two weeks will in all likelihood be the oldest person to medal in a swimming event at the Olympics. Did I mention she is the mother of a 2 year old?
To Dara I say best of luck, go kick the crap out of those cocky whipper snappers. You are without a doubt an inspiration to me personally, and many others to be sure. FYI- I don't swim (well). It would be more accurate to say I sink. Melanie Roach Melanie is an Olympic style weightlifter and an inspiration.
You might be surprised to know that I really do not know that much about Olympic style lifting. I know the basics, and how I can apply some of those techniques to fat loss etc. but it is truly a different animal. Just like I'm sure you can drive a car, that does not mean you know how to handle an Indy car. Back to Melanie... In 2000 she was all but guaranteed a spot on the US team, but a few weeks prior to the US trials she herniated a disc in her back. From the stands she watched others compete for the place that was once to be hers. That must have really sucked. Bad. As so often happens, life played out. Her husband is a Washington State Representative and they own their own business called Roach Gymnastics. In the years following her missing the 2000 games, she also had 3 children, one of whom was diagnosed with autism when he was 2. In 2005, with 3 kids (one of whom was only 4 weeks old at the time) she decided to get back into the iron game. Her husband and family in full support mode she went into high gear . On May 17, 2008 at the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, a now 33 year old Melanie qualified for the US Olympic Weightlifting team. One of the oldest competitors in the sport I might add. I'm sure her biggest numbers are going to be put up in the next few days, but at the trials she put up (over her head) near 240 lbs in the clean and jerk.
Did I mention she is 5'1" and weighs 117 lbs? Oh yeah, there's that. (BTW- That is why I will never be an Olympic weightlifter. A woman who is literally half my size can lift more than I can dream above her head. I'll keep looking for my ideal sport. And looking...) Go get'em in Beijing Melanie. When I grow up I want to be strong like you. In Conclusion Here is what you can take from this: Find inspiration where you can get. Anywhere and everywhere. I take inspiration all around me: from the boundless energy of my kids, the endless love and support of my wife & family and the unwavering determination of my geriatric (zing!) training partner. That is just to name a few. What inspires you? Find it. Take it. Use it. See you in 2012.
PS: Want to see something really inspiring up close and personal? How about free tickets to the Olympics? Just send them to me and I'll tell you all about it. Just kidding, I am talking about taking a tour of my Carter Fitness training facility where everyday men & women just like you are getting in the best shape of their lives. It is a truly inspirational site. To schedule a time for a free tour or consultation GO HERE. |
Joshua Carter The Body Transformation Expert 818-337-6175 Successes
Blog I have a new blog. Yippee! I know, I know. When you just can’t get enough of me drop by and see what I am up to or what I am doing or just come by and heckle me. Don't know what a blog is? It is basically a newsletter that is updated regularly. I have been posting every few days or so. Check it out: |
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