The Power of Coaching.

Lately I have been "moved" by the soccer coaching staff at Muhlenberg high school. I have seen changes in my son on the field, in his school work and at home. I know they are more than coaches to these kids, they have formed a bond of trust, and determination to become respectful and hard working  young men as they approach the end of their high school season as seniors.  Coaches are never given enough credit.

Remember when you were a kid growing up and you had to do yet another drill, or run another mile, or swim another lap. You wished the coach called off practice, you wished the season would end. Then we look back on the fun we had, the friends we met and the coach that we respected and learned to believe that all of our hard work would one day pay off.

I had the opportunity to coach Junior high track for a few years at Muhlenberg .  It was last weekend I was at Subway and ran into one of the kids who has since graduated, is now in the Marines and was so happy to see me and tell me how well he was doing and I listened as he told me how proud he is to be a United States Marine. I still remember him "goofing off" and never wanting to take things seriously. It reminded me.......of me.

Today I came home from a four mile run, I opened my email, and there it was, a letter from my Cross Country Coach who taught me that hiding in bushes while training for my next race would get me no where 25 years ago at Pottsville Area High School. Let me share:

Jackie,

You made my day this morning when you told Scott that you were "going for a run" later today. I once watched an outstanding Blue Mt. runner in the last 2mile race of his senior year. He ran the first 6 laps at the front of the pack and then just about walked the last 2 laps. I later found that there was nothing wrong with the kid, he had just had enough. This convinced me that a coaches job is to push his athletes to do their best but always let them enjoy what they are doing. When I see someone on the road who ran for me in the past I feel like I did my job all those years ago. Thanks for allowing me to feel good.

John Liddle
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

I have goosebumps right now as I read it over and over again, I'm going to send Mr. Liddle a note just to say "Thank You" and I will encourage my son to do the same with his coaches. Mr. Liddle certainly made a difference in my life, He never gave up on me. No matter how poor I did, he always told me, there will always be a "next time" Its never to late to say Thank you. even if its 25 years later.

LOOKING AHEAD: FITTING IN YOUR HOLIDAY BEST

Ok, I admit its been awhile...The soccer season has been quite busy and very proud to say, NOT over yet! So, here it is, we are in the middle of October...start thinking HOLIDAYS. No, not the shopping, not the baking......The SQUEEZING into your holiday best! You know those jeans that scream...."yea that's right, look at me" But you know damn well you had to lay down on your bed and you saw stars when you buttoned them.

I have the answer, I have the solution. You can all thank me later. You hear me talking about running, working out, my new diet I start every Monday, my "cleansing" ( which by the way taught me ALOT)
However, there is someone so very near and dear to me I must share her with you, for as much as I dont want to share , I will because she is truly amazing. STACY BROWN.

Stacy owns SUNSHINE WELLNESS RESOURCES where I work out when the time allows, otherwise these days I have really taken up and am reliving my love of running. Stacy gives Berks County a whole new meaning to keeping fit, and being in control of you. The really good news is coming....

At Sunshine Wellness Stacy is NOW offering ONLY 99.00 FOR THREE MONTHS. TWO CLASSES A WEEK. Listen to me...This is a GIFT. From the TRX classes I talk about, to SPIN, to Willpower and Grace, to Yoga Sweat. You have to see for yourself and if you do the timing, you will see that before the new year is here, you will have a new you. 99.00 is NOTHING. For THREE months!!!!

I have been to numerous gyms, I have taken numerous classes, I have met alot of instructors, There is no one that compares to Stacy and her staff at SUNSHINE WELLNESS RESOURCES. You will start to hold your head high and your negative becomes positive, you cant wait until your next class.

just do me a favor , take a look www.sunshinewellnessresources.com

And guess what. That fancy little holiday party you are going to? You WILL be able to fit into the fancy little number!

Trust me, I wont go anywhere else. There are no blown up egos, or attitudes. They are your friends from the moment you walk through the SUNSHINE door!

I would never steer you in the wrong direction.  Be happy Berks County has a Stacy Brown, because no one else does.