I have witnessed a young man work hard at his academics and at his sport.  In high school he was an average performer that always had to apply himself to maintain around a 3.0 grade average.  He joined cross country in his junior year and fell in love with it but was not a top performer in that area.  He trained hard and got better and was very respectable.  His dream was to attend a university and run on their cross country team.  He got accepted by the school and pushed himself to unbelievable degrees and made the team after being denied the first year.  A side result of his training discipline is he became very focused in school and now maintains a 3.4 grade average at a top university.  Also after making the cross country team he joined a triathlon for sport and found this is where his heart really is.  His first major tri he placed second!  He had a coach reach out to him to help him train, he has a major sponsor.  He is breaking rookie records and is more fulfilled than he has ever been.  He put the work in.  Even when you are not completely sure what the work is going towards or you don't feel completely fulfilled any work you do, any strength you build is yours for future use.  I raise my glass high to know this young man and I know that anything he does in life will be successful.  I knew that from his first training sessions that junior year in high school when I had the pleasure of working with him because he's had the heart of a lion from the beginning.  The best part of this story for me is now he knows it is only going to get better - and he earned it all himself.

Love Always - Coach J

What a marvelous day of exhausting relaxation!  We started early to go to a neighborhood event with a bounce house, kids games, caulk art, snacks, beverages, and great company.  We came home took a quick nap then back out to the store, then park for playground run around, took a nice stroll over to the reservoir.  Headed home at dusk to tune into boxing that ended swiftly (round three) and mercifully to end the day.  I was hugging my pillow with the day of non stop relaxation and participation behind me. 

Love Always - Coach J

Do I need more than to take my first conscious breath to acknowledge this is a beautiful life?  Simply waking in the comfort and care of my health and sound mind should be enough to start the day on the right foot.  Once I am alert, focused and back to my physical plane I can seek other goals and pursuits, but genuine joy is as simple as gratitude in that first breath.

Love Always - Coach J

I have a few friends that are ill or recovering from an illness at this time.  I like to think of them returning to their complete and optimal health immediately when I think of them.  One recovering from a digestive issue, another battling lupus, one out of the hospital from extreme exhaustion.  I recall them in full form, as complete and restored.  I wish not for the expelling of an illness but the return to complete health.  For them to be whole, healthy and complete.  Today in place of focusing on your loved ones illnesses just meditate and pray with the visualization of them completely whole, renewed and recovered.  In optimal health.

Love Always - Coach J

Imagine a potted plant in dry soil, soil so dry that when it finally gets some water it doesn't even form mud because the entirety of the soil was so depleted it distributed the water as quickly as it could throughout the pot.  Imagine the plant looking yellow instead of green and limp, half dead from lack of water.  Imagine the same plant, the same soil in the same pot and this time imagine it is so full with water that the top soil looks like a pond.  You can't make out any soil due to so much water.  Now imagine the plant looking half dead, yellow instead of green due to overwatering.  Think of this when you want to work 80 hours a week.  Past a certain point you become less effective without time to digest, rest and soak.  Think about this when you want to be lazy or not put in the extra effort on a project.  You've got to find the sweet spot of hydration without saturation.  Too much of something is no good. Not enough is detrimental.  Stay hydrated, know when to chew, when to swallow and when to digest the information you are feeding yourself.

Love Always - Coach Julian

What does prayer mean to you?  Is it a repeated set of words?  Is it deep concentration and stillness?  I offer that prayer simply be a connection to your source.  A refresher and renewal of your call to action.  If your parent gave you a set of directions to accomplish the family mission and you stopped to check in do you think it would be refreshing if you found out there was a more efficient way of moving forward with your task?  Why would you wait until your work is done to see if there is another way or if you are on the right path.  There are many distractions in daily life.  Check in and reset for clarity and peace of mind.

Love Always - Coach J

The process of birthing a child is called labor.  Sometimes this can last a few hours and others it can last days.  Sometimes the woman is cut open to have the baby removed.  Reflecting on the labor it takes to birth a child how amazing is it that a woman will have more than one child, or even just the first one?  This shows us the beauty and connection created during this process.  A selfless service that brings life to Earth.  The beauty in the Mother child relationship is an awesome thing to consider.

Love Always - Coach J

When physical and mental forces collide the body can be at dis ease.  To know the healing nature for yourself is beautiful.  To know how to assist others is divine.

Love Always - Coach J

As we draw closer to an age where we will be more and more connected to each other through the use of cameras, internet and social sharing we are faced with a simple need, the need to recharge your battery.  I am speaking of your internal battery.  If you are always looking for external stimulation you will forget how to give stimulation.  Take time with yourself in quiet reflection.  Recharge your battery so you can perform at peak states.  Go "off line" or spend some downtime to find your inner inspiration.  Cultivate it and bring it to the world to shine bright.

Love Always - Coach J

Take a deep breath.  When you take a deep breath roll your shoulders back as you are inhaling and bring your shoulder blades together.  Keep inhaling past the point you normally would and really fill your lungs and hold for just a moment.  Exhale gently.  Repeat this pattern of breathing throughout the day every time you think to do so.  Fill your body with life. 

Love Always - Coach J