May 2nd 2011 VOTE!!!! ... If You Don't You Lose Your Right To Complain (ACHTUNG SERIES!)

ACHTUNG THIS!  Yes, I've dared to talk about politics...

This coming Monday, May 2, 2011 is Election Day in Canada.  Anyone who knows me, knows (for better or worse) I’m pretty passionate about politics.  While I may have my preference for which party I’d like to see elected, I think it is important that ALL Canadians with the ability to vote DO so!  In the last election (2008) we had the lowest turnout ever.  Only 58.8% of Canadians voted!!!

If you are unsure of what each Party’s platform is you can go to Elections Canada.   Also, when voting do not forget to consider what issues the candidates in your riding are concerned with.  This could impact your decision even more. 

It’s no secret I’m NOT a fan of us having an election again!  But, I still will be voting on Monday. (For my non-Canadian readers, our election schedule isn’t a formatted 4 year plan, it can occur before that point with a vote of non-confidence or can be has long as 5 years). 

The sad thing is whatever government that is elected on Monday will likely be a minority government and we could end up with another election in a year’s time!  COME ON!  There are better ways to spend our tax dollars than an election.  To me it seems like a case of power struggles and ego.  Sit in at a question period in Parliament to get a taste of what I’m talking about.  I’ve sat in numerous times, and it is both comical and disturbing at times.

  Politics along with religion and money are often considered taboo topics.  Considering it’s been an ACHTUNG Week of blogs, I clearly have no problem discussing politics today.  Interestingly, people may publicly acknowledge their position on religion or money (i.e. I am a Christian/Muslim/Buddhist/Atheist or whatever one’s faith is); however, when it comes to politics people are more likely to be cloaked… They secretly support their party but are not eager to share their position to others.

Perhaps, it’s because of the way we vote (secret ballets) that promote this need to be secretive in one’s party support.  I’m not secretive. I might not shout it from a roof top, but if someone asks me who I am in support of I will answer The Conservative Party of Canada… Yes, I’m a Tory!

Ironically, I actually do find the other parties platform's curious… They are very alluring and attractive (versus the tell it as is Conservative platform) but wonder WHO and HOW things will be paid for that are offered… Well, actually I know how – More taxes…. Yep, defiantly not interested… I just wish party’s told the WHOLE truth when they are running for election.  Not just the attractive side of things.  Politics seems like the only job you can be hired for, fail to do what you promise AND still keep your job.  

No matter your position at the end of the day please turn up and VOTE on Monday.  The last US election had historically the most voters, let’s try and do the same Canada!

PS:  Dear Non-Elected Parties.  Please try to work with the government elected on Monday, so we can avoid another premature election, and put our tax dollars to better use…. PLEASE!!!

Voting on Monday,

Nicole

THAT DISSERTATION

So, I’ve been busily working away on my dissertation and let me tell you it’s a process.  I mean there are times where I may kick into overdrive and start writing like it is nobody’s business and there are times where I will get stuck.  And when I truly get stuck, writing a sentence can feel incredibly difficult and painful.

When I first embarked on this dissertation journey, I was convinced I’d be able to plow through it.  I had heard the horror stories of writing.  In fact, I remember reading somewhere that only 46% of people who pursue a PhD actually graduate.  That’s some scary statistics.  I even read the many articles on “How to Write Your Dissertation,” and felt I’d be OKAY!  Well, who knew the grandness of my naivety?

A dissertation may mean becoming an expert on a research question that has not been explored before.  Ironically, the more I learn the more I realize how little I know.  Quite a contrast from when I graduated with my undergraduate degrees.

I’ve mentioned a few times how excited I am about my dissertation topic.  Yet, at the same time, I often find myself overly cautious.  Whether it is in my methodology or literature review, I want to make sure I’ve considered everything has close to perfection as I can.  Yet, I may doubt my efforts because I am not an experienced researcher like the amazing professors on my committee. 

Additionally, my dissertation involves qualitative analysis.  I’ve come from a background of hard science, whereby research is dominated by quantitative analysis.  Qualitative analysis is non-numerical in nature and is based more on attributes.  For example a focus group or an interview would be considered qualitative.  The responses of participants may be recorded, transcribed and coded into themes.  The process is iterative and progressive, as well as laborious.  Suddenly, multivariate equations in quantitative analysis seem like a joy. 

I guess the truth of the matter, is while one might write their dissertation on their own, we are not on our own.  Most PhD students writing their dissertation will share similar stories of challenges and joy involved.  And if you’re lucky you may have an amazing committee to help guide you in the process to ensure you produce scholarly research.

Like the road to the Olympic Games, it is a journey like no other!

Exploring,

Nicole

Dating A Tall Woman (Achtung Series!)

RELATIONSHIP CORNER (continuation from last week)

As I stated last week, barefoot, I am the blessed height of 1.921m which is roughly 6’3 ½ ...  When I was younger, I did not like my height.  As I sprouted through the 7th and 8th grade I would plead with God to make me stop growing… For any child at that age, you just want to fit in… puberty is bad enough.  But, now as I’ve gotten older, I absolutely love being tall!!!! I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

It is scary how many tall women do not like their height. Possibly, because unknowingly society can do a good job of making a tall woman feel like she doesn’t fit in.  It’s there in the obvious acknowledgement of a women being taller than norm.  (No one ever dares to ask an overweight woman how much she weighs, yet it is acceptable to ask a woman how tall she is.)  A quick search online and you’ll see many tall women blogs discuss the challenges of dating when you are tall. 

If you are tall, you have to embrace it, own it and love it.  If you don’t, how else can you expect anyone else to?  When it comes to dating, there are certainly some advantages and disadvantages.  Men can be easily intimidated by tall women.  Especially, if you are over the 6 foot marker.  

CHALLENGES -

1. Insecure Men - For a man to date a tall woman, he has to be confident!  For one thing, men often like to inflate their height.  Lately, it seems, every man is claiming to be 6 feet.  Even a man who is clearly 5’8 will have the audacity to say he is 6 feet.  Dating a tall woman, may force a man to acknowledge their TRUE height!

Likewise, a man should never assume that a taller woman would not be interested in dating them.  The mere question itself makes you appear insecure.  If you like a woman, you should let her know. Who cares if she is taller?!  Height differences between genders are inconsequential.

2. Attention Getter  - (This actually can be an advantage also) If you are in the company of a tall woman, you’ve got to be able to withstand the attention she may receive… and if you are with someone as tall as me, it will be A LOT of attention… lol … My height can easily be the centre of attention.  If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me about my height I’d be a millionaire… literally!

ADVANTAGES

1. Weed Out The Weak Gazelle - Being a tall woman allows you to weed out the insecure/weak gazelle men.  There is nothing more unattractive than an insecure man, and nothing hotter than a confident (but not arrogant!) man.  I’ve got a big personality and if a man can’t handle my height he certainly will not be able to handle my personality.

2. Hottest Fashion Style - Currently, tall women seem to be in style… And I’m not sure what this craze is about… perhaps it’s always been the case and I am just now realizing it.  I’m not sure I understand this fascination with tall women, but I’m rolling with it.  I can only assume it has something to do with (dare I say) Darwinism, and having tall off springs.  Who knows??? (If you do know, feel free to let me know.)

All I know is we are who we are…  There are certain attributes we each have, that can never be changed… Height is one them.  If you are tall woman, remember to always stand tall and embrace your statuesque appearance.  And if you are a man, don’t ever feel intimidated by a tall woman.  If the height difference doesn’t matter to you, then chances are it won’t matter to her.

For the rest of you (vertically challenged world), continue to live a good life.  And perhaps in your next life you’ll be the front of the line when height is being distributed. ;)

Standing head & shoulders above everyone else (literally),

Nicole

See last week's blog Dating Shorter Men

Brain Lesions, Multiple Sceloris & The Commonwealth Games: What REALLY happened in New Delhi, India (ACHTUNG SERIES!)

On October 10, 2010 I stood at the top of the podium and heard for the first time, the Canadian anthem played in my honour.  What most people probably don’t know is that in the midst of probably one of my greatest achievements in Track & Field I was also at one of the worst moments in my life.

Just a week before boarding the plane for India, I was told I had 10 brain lesions that resembled Multiple Sclerosis.  There is nothing that can prepare you for news like that.  It felt as though my body had turned against me.  I mean I’m a world-class athlete.  I train 30hrs a week and eat well.  Being ill didn’t seem like something that could happen to someone like me.  But, here I was told I likely had MS and would have to undergo more tests.

I had been feeling ill for most of August,and ended up canceling my remaining competitons in Europe and returning home.  Among my symptoms were numbness on the right side of my body and crippling migraines which had a doctor admit me to the Emergency Room.     

While I competed in New Delhi, India at the Commonwealth Games, my symptoms were at their worst.  For the 3 nights prior to my competition I laid awake in incredible pain throughout my body, certain I had Multiple Scerlosis. 

But, something funny happens when you have a goal you are determined to achieve.  You only see the way.  So, while I suffered secretly on competition day, I didn’t care.  I didn’t care that I couldn’t feel my foot.  I didn’t care that my body and brain ached.  I had one goal, and that was to win.  And win I did!

As I ran around the Track proudly waving the Canadian flag, the happiness that I was overcome with, was the realization of how anything is possible, no matter how bleak your situation may appear...  I had a million reasons why I should have performed poorly, and I wouldn’t allow myself to see those excuses.

After Commonwealth Games, I returned home to a series of tests including a spinal tap and many more MRI’s which revealed I actually had over 20 brain lesions.   At which point, all I could do was turn it over to God.  Yeah, it’s safe to say my knees made contact with the ground every night…. And my prayers were answered.   Miraculously, my 20 plus lesions were determined to be the result of an autoimmune virus. I do not have Multiple Scelorsis! 

Can you believe that?  Wow!!!  Truly incredible!!!  Thank you God!  Today, my health has returned back to normal.  The torture I felt feels like a distant memory, though it was only a few months ago.

Ironically, I am grateful for what I went through.  I don’t ever want to forget it!  I really appreciate the fragility of health and life.  I’ve also learned just how capable I am to overcome.  And I don’t believe I am any different than anyone else.

The truth of the matter is that we are all more powerful than we realize sometimes.  As Marianne Williamson stated “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

Facing my fears,

Nicole

COUNTRY ALLEGIANCE, FALSE OLYMPIAN CLAIMS & THE OLYMPIC GAMES (Achtung Series!)

This blog is going to sting a little…. But, it is ACHTUNG MONDAY, so read at your own risk.

The Olympic Games is universally recognized as the paramount achievement in sports.  Many people may attempt to embark on competing at the Olympic Games, but only a few will become an Olympian.  For the longest time, qualifying for the Olympic Games felt like the biggest albatross around my neck.  I had failed twice before, each time feeling devastated and frustrated with the process and system.

In 2000, despite having the Olympic Games’ standard and being ranked number 1 in Canada I was not selected for the Canadian Team.  Canada typically has tougher standards than the IOC’s standard, and in my case I was off the Canadian standard by 1cm.  For similar reasons I also missed out on the 2004 Olympic Games. 

Having experienced the challenges with becoming an Olympian I have an even greater respect for this title.   I understand the temptation for athletes to switch allegiance, so that they may be able to compete at the Olympic Games. Yet, at the same time I can’t help feeling that when athletes represent a country they really should embody what it means to be a citizen of that country.  And the motivation to switch allegiance should not be about participating at the Olympic Games, but because one really feels they are of that citizenship.

I had the ability to represent other countries, but I knew it wouldn’t have felt authentic.  I wanted to represent the country, which every fiber of my being identified with, and that's Canada!  I AM CANADIAN through and through!  So, in spite of not agreeing with our selection criteria, I remained committed to qualifying for Team Canada, missing 2 Olympic Games as a result.  In 2008 when I did qualify (according to the Canadian standards) it felt as though my persistence had paid off.   I believe that the Olympic Games are about the best athletes from each country competing against each other in the name of excellence.  But, perhaps the Olympics are no longer about countries facing off on a grand stage as it was originally intended by Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games. Perhaps, it's more about being an Olympian.

Some athletes will even go as far as pretending they are an Olympian when in fact they aren’t.  This is shameful!!!!  How can anyone make this claim, and feel proud doing so?  One athlete, Okiki Akinremi, for example, has made a business making this claim along with being a 2-Time World Champion.  He is neither! On his website, he looks into the camera and states he will help you achieve success using his experience of becoming an Olympian and 2-Time World Champion. REALLY?!  That’s just wrong!

The road to the Olympic Games is truly a challenging journey.  There are a lot of tears shed, overcoming of setbacks and believing when there are many reasons to doubt.  You develop in more ways than just an athlete.  And once you become an Olympian you are still striving for that podium.  Pierre Coubertin intended for the Olympic Games to be about personal excellence demonstrated in sports but applicable to life.

Let’s continue to honour this vision.

Owning Excellence,

Nicole

ACHTUNG SERIES WEEK

This week I’ve decided to embark on ACHTUNG TOPICS.  If this is your first time reading any of my Achtung Blogs, be warned they can be hot topics and controversial at times.  I enjoy writing these blogs most, because they afford me the opportunity to explore topics most of us may think about and may reserve for close company discussions.  They are honest and direct.  So, this week’s blogs come with the warning of “Read at Your Own Risk.”

I mean not to offend anyone in my blogs, but hope to offer a deeper consideration on various matters while sharing another side to me.

Enjoy this ACHTUNG Series Week!

Achtung this,

Nicole

Lyrics: THIS IS HOW WINNERS ARE MADE

Another great inspirational clip!  MUST WATCH & READ!!!  Each day is a day to start over.  To have and live the life you've always wanted.   That's what's so incredible.  Our past doesn't dictate our future.  But, our will, desire and hunger for excellence does.  On this Easter Sunday, I thought I'd share with you these lyrics courtesy of LIMU to get your juices flowing for a renewed way of living....

Life is tough, that’s a given.

When you stand up, you’re gonna be shoved back down.

When you’re down, you’re gonna be stepped on.

My advice to you doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles. It’s no secret, you’ll fall down, you stumble, you get pushed, you land square on your face. And every time that happens, you get back on your feet. You get up just as fast as you can, no matter how many times you need to do it.

 Remember this, success has been and continues to be defined as getting up one more time than you’ve been knocked down.

If experience has taught me anything, it’s that nothing is free and living ain’t easy. Life is hard, real hard, incredibly hard. You fail more often than you win, nobody is handing you anything.

It’s up to you to puff up your chest, stretch your neck and overcome all that is difficult, the nasty, the mean, the unfair.

You want more than what you’ve now, PROVE IT!

You want beat the very best out there that is, get out there and earn it!

Once you decide that, you’ll know where it is you want to be, then you won’t stop pushing forward until you get there! That’s how winners are made. At the end of the day, success is what we all want.

We all wanna win, and the race will be won. There is no question about that. So c’mon, get out on top, run faster, dream bigger, live better than you ever have before. This is in you. You can do this. Do it for yourself. Prove it to yourself!

SURVIVING INJURIES... The Nature of Being a World Class Athlete





Perhaps my greatest battle as an athlete has been surviving injuries.  As long as I am a professional athlete, and any athlete is for that matter, this battle will continue.  It goes with the territory.  Especially in an event like the High Jump which requires maximal power and speed for each bout… It is a fine line I and most athletes walk…

I have been competing professionally for 10 years and usually at this point athletes may suffer from overuse injuries.  Fortunately, I do not know this language of injuries.  What I am quite familiar with is “random” injuries.  And when I say random, I do mean RANDOM.  For example, 3 days before the women’s high jump at the 2008 Olympic Games I tore all the ligaments in my jumping foot. 

Whether it is being hit with West Nile or having a Messiah Coach distract my workout, I have become quite familiar with the Emergency Room.  So, the other day when I was asked what I needed most to be successful between now and London 2012, I answered unequivocally “to stay healthy.”

I thought I’d take this Thursday to reflect on my survival in the sport of jumping over a bar…. And I’m certain my stories are not much different from the typical athlete…  I’ve seen injuries end too many athletes’ careers, that every time I pick myself up from an injury I am grateful!

Being an athlete is literally about being physically and mentally tough and being resilient to injuries….  Survival of the FITTEST!

Committed to staying healthy,
Nicole

Dating Shorter Men… PART I (ACHTUNG SERIES)

RELATIONSHIP CORNER
I stand a solid 1.921m (approximately 6’3 ½) without shoes….  I love my height (you can have a lot of random fun with people at this height).   In my eyes, the world is heavily populated by vertically challenged people.  But, that’s just my perception.

As a woman of my stature, people will often ask me how tall are the guys I date.  Well, unlike other females, I do not discriminate based on the height of a guy.  That seems ignorant to me, and not just because I’m tall, but, the quality of a person isn’t determined by their stature.  In fact, I’ve known A LOT of tall insecure men… And really who wants to date someone who doesn’t have a sense of self?

Perhaps, stature presents a masculine quality for some women.  Or perhaps it’s simply a case of supply and demand, whereby the lesser supply of tall men, make them appear more attractive (for some women) than their shorter counterpart.  Who knows?

Dating someone purely on the basis of their height seems as limiting as dating someone on the basis of their race.  The world is filled with phenomenal people – yours to discover!  Placing superficial constraints limits the endless possibilities of men who will treat you the way one deserves to be treated.

Likewise, supply is on your side.  When you limit your superficial barriers you have a wider net to cast true potential.   Essentially, you can have a full realm of possibilities; and in so doing really account for the qualities that truly matter.

Dating someone shorter can also be a means of testing a man’s confidence.  Let’s face it; it takes a lot more Kahunas for a man to date a woman taller than them.  For a man who has insecurity issues, it could test their TRUE masculine qualities.  Do they feel dwarfed and feminized in the presence of a statuesque woman, or empowered?   I will choose the empowered man any day of the week.  You become their uptown girl, like Christie Brinkley was for Billy Joel.

As for men out their daring to date a taller woman…. be sure you have your confidence in place. 

Enjoying the friendly skies,

Nicole

Now is Not the Time

It seems throughout the course of a day, I get to experience utter and complete randomness. Thank goodness I have a sense of humour which allows me to laugh at some of the most unbelievable experiences I'll have. I'm not sure if it is because I am 6'3 1/2 or because I am sociable, or because I have something stamped across my forehead. Whatever it is, I thought I'd reflect this passing week of events and share with you a typical week of randomness in my life. Specifically, comments and questions made to me at really inappropriate times... Now is not the time for such questions!

‎​1. Interrupting my practice to proclaim you are the Messiah Coach of Track & Field.

2. Asking me how tall I am as I am hobbling into the Emergency Room.

‎​3. Asking me about my body, while I'm lathering up in a communal shower.

4. You are a complete stranger, walking up to me and asking for a hug because you think I am tall & elegant.

5. Stopping in the middle of traffic to ask me for my phone number.

6. Proclaiming the word of God, standing on my doorstep, while asking me if I play basketball. That is not the way to convert me to a Jehova Witness!

7. Asking me if I'd like your left over spaghetti as I wait for a friend.

Life is too funny! You have to love it!,
Nicole

RELATIONSHIP CORNER: How to Date Someone "Out of Your League"

 I recently blogged about the value of beauty held in society.  For better or worse, people in general appreciate and desire that which is beautiful.

*WATCH VIDEO ON Science of Sex Appeal - Out of Your League? *


The problem with beauty is that sometimes people may only admire from afar, presuming that that person is WAY out of their league.  When it comes to dating, is there an unspoken hierarchical nature, whereby someone may be out of your league?

I don’t think so, but certainly, I’ve been guilty of feeling this way in the past.  When you think about it, it is kind of silly and sad.  And thankfully, I’ve learned how to confront this phenomenon.

At the end of the day, I’m not sure anyone is out of anyone’s league.   I believe the barriers in place are only those created in the mind.  Here are 5 steps to date that certain someone who “is out of your league.”

STEP 1. Humanize Them – As much as you might revere them and can easily list their strengths, you must remember at the end of the day they are a person.  And they have flaws/weaknesses too.  It’s not a good idea to put anyone on a pedestal, for they certainly will disappoint you at some point.  Therefore, with your “chosen one,” draw to mind their humanistic qualities (or weaknesses).  Yes, they may be great… maybe even perfect in your eyes, but you need to be cognizant of the qualities which make them human.

STEP 2. Take a Refresher Course on YOU 

Comparatively, spend some time remembering your strengths. Often when you are in the headspace of someone so amazing it is easy to compare yourself and point out all the reasons why you may be inadequate.  You need to STOP these thoughts and list your AMAZING qualities.  You’ve got them and they should be appreciated, adored and maybe even revered (without being arrogant) by yourself.  As, I’ve said many times now, if you don’t know how great you are, how can you ever expect anyone else to?.

STEP 3.  Be Confident
Having completed your refresher course, practice self-love.  Confidence is not arrogance and should never be based upon your achievements or possessions; these are superficial and transient.  Confidence needs to be deep rooted, the belief in yourself to be able to meet whatever challenge is placed before you.  Indeed you are amazing and a good person.  Know this, believe it and own it!

STEP 4. Ask Them Out
Now that you’ve come to realize how amazing you are and deserving of someone also amazing, buck up and ask that special person out.  The worst thing that could happen is he or she will say no.  You may feel let down, but it’s not going to kill you.  And the best thing he or she can say is yes!  And that’s a risk I believe worth gambling for.

STEP 5. Be Yourself

It is easy to act a certain way because you may presume this may make you more attractive or interesting to that special person.  But, if you are going off of a presumption, that’s not a very reliable source.  Most importantly, you must want someone who is going to value you as you value them.  And the only way anyone can get to know you is by you being yourself.  Chances are if they agree to go out with you, it’s because of “who you are.”

Nonbeliever in "Out of Your League,"
Nicole

THE MESSIAH COACH: "Know It All" AND Answer To Every Athlete's Prayer

This past weekend I had a near death experience… Well, maybe not exactly but I did think I was going to break my teeth and possibly my leg; all because a pseudo coach interrupted my workout.

As much as I love Track & Field, the one thing I do not like about it, are the opinions everybody has about everybody’s training and technique.  The field events are especially prone to vulture coaches who seem to “Know It All”! 

I’m an experienced world-class athlete.  I like to believe I’ve been somewhat successful thus far.  I’m just 1cm away from the Canadian record, banging on the door of one of our oldest records (27 years old!) and still people feel they have the answer as to how I should train and jump. 

I can remember talking with Dick Fosbury (the originator of the current style of high jumping) about how he decided to jump the way he did.  He explained that the other method simply didn’t work for him, so he found a method that did.  And sometimes, that’s what it’s about. Not necessarily a cookie cutter technique, but being flexible as a coach to understand what works best for an athlete.

I’ve been training with my coach, James Henry, for ten years and he gets this.  At this point in my career I am reluctant to change my style.  I’ve wasted a greater portion of my career unsuccessfully trying to do this.  I have been most successful, embracing my technique.  Clearly, it works for me and it has gotten me this far. 

It’s like a Jenga puzzle, for any athlete.  By changing something, to make one’s technique perfect, you may unravel all the other strengths of an athlete and everything falls out of place. 

This past weekend, when I was training, a random man came and stood between me and the exercise I was doing, standing a foot away from my face.  He then proceeded to criticize my style and proclaim he was the Messiah of high jumping that he could make me jump 20cm higher.  REALLY?!?!?!?!?

When this happened I was doing something requiring my complete attention.  So, I shooed him away, but the damage had already been done.  I was so mad at what had just happened that when I returned to my activities I was still thinking about this man and his comments.  As I was jumping on a box, I missed the landing and fell…. I mean I fell HARD!  The hardest I have ever in training.  My day ended with me in the ER.  Fortunately, the bleeding stopped, I didn’t break anything and my injuries should only sideline me for a week.  It could have been serious and a lot worse! 

 What happened this weekend was an accident waiting to happen, particularly when I’m in Canada training at York University.  I’m constantly having people providing their unsolicited opinions AND I’m not the only elite athlete victim to this!  It’s like these pseudo coaches are desperate to hitch their wagon to a star. 

People may see a snap shot of an athlete’s training, but have no idea what was done previously, what will be done subsequently, what the athlete is working on, and where an athlete is in their cycle of training.  Commenting is pretty foolish, rude, ignorant, distracting and disrespectful.

As for me, I am not taking any unsolicited coaching advice.  Thanks for caring but, I’m not interested.

Recovering,

Nicole

Beauty versus Beast a.k.a Brains (ACHTUNG SERIES!)

A follow up to last week's Blog: It's Raining Men/Women: The Art of Being Attractive

Last week I was watching Good Morning America, and I was disturbed to see a woman, named Cindy Jackson, holding the World Record for the most plastic surgeries.  She is 55 and has had 52 surgeries.  She claims she is messing with Mother Nature because Mother Nature has messed with her. 

 Is beauty all that really matters?  I wonder if people had the chance to choose between beauty or being a Noble Peace Prize winner, how many people would choose beauty.  Likewise, how many people would choose beauty in a mate over brains?

It’s a tough question, because you can’t see someone’s intelligence or personality across a room.  But, you can see beauty.  And often, people gravitate to beauty.  Whether secretly observing and believing such a person would be out of their league, or pursuing such an individual as if they were a trophy to win.

Personally, I’d choose brains and a fun personality any day of the week over Mr. Calvin Klein model. (However, Mr. Fun & Intelligent must also value the importance of a healthy lifestyle!)  It is who a person is, which is truly important.  Not what a person is, does, looks like or has achieved. 

But, why does society laud and promote beauty and pay less attention to the people positively shaping our world???  This could be one of the greatest tragedies in life. 

And sadly, sometimes the people who are truly beautiful inside can lose sight of their beauty; feeling insecure by society’s established grade of beauty.  True beauty is that which radiates from the inside out.  This is life lasting and can literally transform one’s appearance.  However, external beauty isn’t…

You know growing up I never liked how I looked… I looked in magazines and never saw anyone that looked like me…  But, perhaps this was a blessing, because my role model became Mother Theresa.  I learned to value the power of the mind.  Perhaps I couldn’t control what I looked like, but I could control how I thought and what I did.  Now, I love who I am and I also love how I look... And I could careless about the opinions of others…  Life is WAY too short for that.

I value myself not on the basis of my appearance but completely because of the content of my character.  If you ask me, Beauty doesn’t hold a candle to Brains.

Get it together society,

Nicole

Sunday's Lyrics - The Paradox of Our Age by by The Dalai Lama

I saw this in my doctor's office and thought I had to share it. Perhaps the act of being content is what we all need to practice more of...

The Paradox of Our Age by by The Dalai Lama

We have bigger houses but smaller families;
More conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicines, but less healthiness;
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We build more computers to hold more information to
produce more copies than ever but have less communication.
We have become long on quantity,
but short on quality.
These are times of fast foods but slow digestion;
Tall man but short character;
Steep profits but shallow relationships.
It's a time when there is much in the window,
but nothing in the room.

When It Comes To Competition Shouldn't We Train The Mind Like We Train The Body?

Each week on Facebook I post a "Random Question of the Day".  I have no idea where these questions come from… (My mind feels like it is going a mile a second and I guess from these idle thoughts pops a random question.. who knows?) 

Anywho, I’ve recently posted a couple of questions with regards to what makes a great athlete phenomenal….  (Incidentally, this is the premise of my dissertation.)  Not surprisingly, mental attributes such as confidence, focus, passion, resiliency and mental toughness were the responses mainly  provided.  Obviously, I’m in agreement with that, and there is strong literature support. 

However, if many people value the mental attributes of athletes why isn’t this area worked on in training as much as the physical elements are?  It seems asinine to expect psychological excellence to just exist without refinement.  Doesn’t it stand to reason that even the most advanced mentally tough athlete would benefit from working on this area in addition to the physical elements?

Often, the athletes that seek sports psychology consultation are those when their performances have gotten unbarably bad.  I’ve worked with athletes’ weeks before a major championship.  At this point, they are desperate and the balance of their season is dependent on this one day looming ahead.

I believe psychological skills training is something which should be incorporated through the course of one’s training.  In the coming weeks I’ll blog more on the various factors – such as improving one’s self-confidence, goal-setting and distraction control.  Perhaps, at the very least it may encourage people to consider a proactive approach to psychological excellence.

Supporter of Psychological Skills Training,

Nicole

 

From Spikes to Books - The Juggling Act of Academics & Athletics

I had a professor once tell me, “Nicole, doing a PhD is like the Olympics of academics.  You are also an athlete training for the Olympic Games.  Don’t underestimate these challenges combined.”

I think when I began my doctoral studies I was naive about its demands.  Indeed, in many ways it is the Olympics of academics.  I’ve never worked harder academically, as I have with my doctoral studies.  Ironically, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. 

I’m currently in the final stages of my studies - My Dissertation.  The dissertation can be considered the masterpiece product for a doctoral student.  Building off of theories, concepts and previous studies, I’m exploring something that has never been studied before.  This can be challenging and exciting at the same time. 

The process is continuous – staying up to date with the latest research revealed, writing, editing, writing, editing, analysis, reading, re-reading, pondering concepts and theories, interpreting data and so on…. It’s easy to get stuck in the process and grow tired of your research.  Fortunately my passion for my dissertation topic has kept me from growing tired of it; however, I’ve certainly been stuck numerous times. 

But, I’m not just a full-time student. I am also a professional Track & Field athlete… that is my job.  There are times when I come home from practice, completely exhausted and wanting to just pass out on the couch.  But, instead I hurriedly shower, eat dinner and rush off to the library to work on my academics to the wee hours in the morning.

Ironically, in spite of being an elite athlete, where diet and sleep are important components, I’ve had to compromise on sleep through the years.  My sleep normality would be a nightmare for most athletes.  The worse it has ever been was in 2007, when I was averaging 4 hours sleep a night. 

As I travel and compete around the world, my studies are always close at hands. Even in my competition bag, ready to be read and/or worked on immediately following my cool down.

I think I have one gear and that’s GO!!!!  But, it works for me.  Obviously I love academics and athletics.  And one without the other would feel foreign to me.

The Olympian Nerd,

Nicole