July 2012

Third time’s a charm

Opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympic games in London kick off on July 27 and a familiar face, representing the U.S.A. Women’s Soccer team, will be two-time gold medal winner Heather Mitts.

Mitts, who has played the last seven years professionally for the Women’s Professional Soccer league, finds herself without a team as the organization has halted play for 2012, citing internal struggles for their demise. All the more reason Mitts is excited to return to the Olympics for the third time as part of the National Team. But is it still thrilling the third time around? “Absolutely,” says the 34-year-old Cincinnati native. “Every time is unique and special. I figured if I made it this time around it would be my last time,” says Mitts, who is hinting at retirement. “To be able to say I had three, and on top of that to be ending my career at the Olympics, is the ideal way to go out of the game.”

How it Started

Mitts drew initial interest in soccer playing as a kid along with her older brother. Later, she attended St.UrsulaAcademy and played on the high school team. But she learned to develop her talent from her mentor Charlie Cooke, a former Scottish footballer who gave private lessons to Mitts in Cincinnati. “Probably the first person that ever taught me most of my skills and really encouraged me to want to be the best was Charlie Cooke,” she says.

Career Highlights

Mitts went on to receive an athletic scholarship from the University of Florida and was part of the Gators first ever Championship Team in 1998. By the end of her college career she had the most starts and minutes played in the team’s history. In 2000, she started her professional career with the Tampa Bay Extreme, as a defender/right back, then went on to play in Philadelphia, Central Florida, Boston and Atlanta. In between she made appearances in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games as part of the National Team. In addition, Mitts was named the “Hottest Female Athlete” by ESPN in 2004 and made the 2005 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

Her career hasn’t been all glory and roses though. She had several setbacks over the years, including an ACL injury in 2007 and partially torn hamstrings in 2011. But they were enough to keep her at bay in these Olympic Games and working with some of the younger players.

Back to the Olympics

Mitt’s advice to new members of the Olympic Team? “Nerves are natural. It just means that you care and eventually those will go away. Embrace the moment because it is such a grand stage. Make the most of the moment and try to enjoy it,” she says. Mitts is also excited that the games are in London this year. “I truly love it. Soccer is huge over there and I think they will be a great host; there is so much to do and so much to see. I was able to go over there with the Olympic Committee and see the best of London. It is so beautiful and has so much to offer and will be a great place to hold the Olympics.”

Age Accommodation

Preparation for these games can be an exhausting challenge at any age. Mitts works with a strength conditioning coach, runs six days a week and fits in a weight lifting regimen as well. “It’s pretty crazy and very demanding,” she says, and age is a factor. “The one thing that I’ve learned because I am older is that I have to monitor my body better. Sometimes less is more. I try not to overdo it because I don’t recover as well as I use to, so I’m just trying to be a little more efficient in my training fashion. I do use a heart rate monitor and it makes a big difference for me,” Mitts says.

For athletes who are getting older, Mitts gives this advice: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Take it slow and try to enjoy whatever you are doing. It’s never fun to work out if you’re dreading it. So try to pick something that interests you and you want to work hard at.”

Although 34 may not be retirement age for most, for pro soccer players, it’s within the average range. Retired American soccer player Kristy Lilly set the bar high when she hung up her cleats at age 40, but Mitts has other things on her mind—such as raising a family someday. “Girls now days are having kids and continuing to play. I personally couldn’t do both. That is my full purpose for stepping away from the game. I had a great career and it’s time for what’s next,” says Mitts, who has been married to NFL quarterback A.J. Feeley since 2010. And because the football and soccer seasons clash, this gives Mitts even less time to spend with her St. Louis Rams QB hubby. “We rarely see each other. We both have been able to do something we love and support each other 100%, but it has also been pretty trying on our relationship,” she says.

Nutrition and Motivation

Two other key factors for athletes at any age is keeping motivated and eating right. Mitts says she is her own worst critic. “I just want to be the best I can possibly be. I just try to go out there everyday and get better. My days are limited, so I try to enjoy my teammates and enjoy the traveling,” she says. As far as eating healthy, “I consider myself pretty health conscious. I definitely eat different at home as opposed to the road. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables when I am competing. Nights before a game I load up on carbs,” Mitts says.

New Goals

So what is in store for Heather Mitts after retirement? Maybe coaching? “I hold a summer camp every year and I love working with the kids. I love being able to come back and give back. It’s something that’s a lot of fun for me. It’s something that I really enjoy.” As for her own kids to coach someday, Mitts says, “It’s on the agenda!”

 

May 2012

Jennifer and Kyle inspire moms to take control of their lives and get fit.

Being a mom is truly a full-time job. Whether you have a newborn, toddler or teen, balancing time between two lives can be a great challenge. And finding the time and the motivation to lose weight after pregnancy can seem like an impossible task.

Sometimes the motivation we seek can be drawn from other people. That’s just what happened with Jennifer Pinder and Kyle Furlow, two friends and moms, who realized their need to change diets and start exercising after adding extra pounds once they had children. “We committed to work out together at the Y, and by supporting and encouraging each other we began getting in shape,” said Furlow, mother of a five-year-old boy. Along the way they met AFAA certified personal trainer Paula Ruff, who Furlow credits with giving them the extra push they needed. “She became our mentor. What started out as a need to get healthy, became a hobby, then a passion…and with Paula’s help, a career,” Furlow said.

Furlow and Pinder lost a total of 100 pounds between them, which for some, may have been satisfaction enough—but these moms took it many steps further. They both became AFAA certified and started Boot Camp Moms to inspire other women, especially busy moms, to take control of their health and get fit.

“Becoming healthy and stronger is more than a physical change. It positively impacts your mental and spiritual well-being and gives women confidence,” Furlow said. “It’s our hope that our program and the community of women involved will provide the resources needed for each participant to accomplish this complete image of healthiness.”

But it wasn’t easy. During the start-up program at Harrington Grove Clubhouse in Raleigh, N.C., the two friends faced more challenges. “Our first challenge was how to get the word out about our company,” recalled Pinder, mother of a five-year-old girl and three-year-old boy. “We did not have any equipment! We put up flyers in neighborhoods, preschools, diet centers and any location that would allow us. We told potential clients all they needed was a set of hand weights, bottle of water and a mat. The rest is history,” Pinder said.

Bootcamp Moms!

Now, a year later, Furlow and Pinder have a solid, energizing, group exercise program that concentrates on cardiovascular and strength training, all presented in a fun atmosphere. Pinder feels this boot camp program is unique and that their clients truly benefit from having two AFAA trainers guiding them through their workouts. “We notice the subtle milestones in them and are able to encourage them,” Pinder said. “When they are able to do 10 extra push-ups or sprint faster…we notice and sing their praises.” Ages and experience vary—Boot Camp Moms participants range in age from 25 to 65 and from the elite to beginner exerciser.

In addition, these two moms set the tone with different styles to help motivate and get the most out of their clients. “Jennifer is often recognized as the cheerleader while I am considered the drill sergeant,” explained Furlow. “That balance allows us to get participants beyond their comfort zone in a way that creates a relationship of trust and respect, not intimidation.”

Both moms feel their own story has inspired their children as well. “I am so thankful that this world is all my kids know. Growing up, diet and exercise was never instilled in me. For years I struggled with my weight and had no form of fitness regime. I can honestly say that I never truly ‘got it’ until my 30s,” Pinder said. “My children are outside playing, running, biking every day. That is all they know and all they want to do.” Pinder said they have also instilled good eating habits in their kids with diets that include a portion of fruits and vegetables in every meal. With such high rates of childhood obesity in America these days, Furlow and Pinder hope to pass on good values and lessons to their own children.

“The most important thing for our children is to understand that you need balance in life—and physical fitness is the foundation for that balance,” Furlow said. “A healthy body leads to better mental, emotional and spiritual health which will allow our children to be successful in whatever way they choose to define success.”

In the future, these two Boot Camp Moms are hoping to expand into different programs, as well as different towns. They have already added TRX^® Suspension Training, BOSU^® and the Lebert Equalizers^TM into their classes, and Pinder has added a Zumba^® certification to her repertoire. “Expansion would likely come in the form of more classes in surrounding neighborhoods, but we want to keep classes at less than 20 people, so they can remain personal,” said Furlow. “It’s the relationships with each other and with our participants that make this special. Without that bond we wouldn’t be Boot Camp Moms.”

 

 

October 2011

The ’81 World Series MVP likes what he sees in Kemp and Kershaw 

When it comes to baseball, you don’t have to be from Los Angeles to recognize the names Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey—one of the greatest assembled infields ever to play the game. This quadruple threat helped lead the Dodgers to win the NL Pennant in ’74, ’77 ’78 and the World Series in ’81 against their heated rivals, the New York Yankees. Who was the MVP of that World Series? Ron Cey.

Cey met with many fans at Hall of Fame Cards to sign autographs, pose for photos and, most importantly—talk baseball. Enthusiasts of all ages showed up to meet and greet the 6-time All-Star, ranging from those who followed his career from the beginning as rookie with the Dodgers in ’68, to little leaguers who aspire to be major league players themselves someday. “It’s very gratifying,” Cey said of the fan turn out on the corner of Foothill and 5^th between 11 and 12:30 Saturday.

“The Penguin,” as Manager Tommy Lasorda called him due to his waddle-like run on the base path, Cey was a staple at third base during the fantastic run the Dodgers had in the ’70s and early ’80s. During his impressive career with the Dodgers, Cubs and A’s, Cey posted a .261 batting average, hit 1,139 RBIs and belted 318 home runs. The 228 home runs he had in a Dodger uniform is the 5^th highest in the club’s history.

 

Still remaing very much active with the Dodger organization in a marketing, sponsorship and community affairs capacity, C ey still keeps in touch with former teammates including Steve Garvey (1B), Davey Lopes (2B) and Bill Russell (SS) who he played eight seasons with. It was the longest any infield ensemble played together in major league history. “I’m very pleased with the era of baseball I played in, and the group of players I played with,” Cey said. “We had the individual and team success that lived up to the history and tradition of the Dodgers. Anything less than that would have been a disappointment,” he said.

Disappointment is a word that Dodgers fans have gotten use to these days compared to glory days Cey spent with the team.  The 2011 team barely finished above .500 in September, 11 ½ games out of first place, with a cloud of uncertainty looming over them thanks to the ownership woes that still are still waiting to be settled.

But despite tough times, Cey sees a promising future for the team. Especially with names like Kemp and Kershaw in the mix. “I was very pleased with the way that Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw performed this year under some difficult circumstances,” he said. “I thought both Ned [Colletti] and Donny [Mattingly] did a good job during this period of time. We had a club that was well under .500 midway through the season…and finished above .500 playing very well the last month of the season,” Cey said. Cey went on to say tha Kemp is “very deserving” of the MVP award for the National League and hopes that Kershaw follows in the footsteps of other Dodger pitching greats, such as Newcombe, Drysdale and Koufax by bringing home a Cy Young award.

In a bit of advice to all the youngsters playing ball today in hopes of making it to the big leagues some day, Cey says “Have fun!” “If it works out to where you are pretty good and have a dream, you should follow it and see where it leads.”

Hall of Fame Cards owner Bob Newton has hosted similar events with Steve Garvey and Bill Russell, as well as Maury Wills. He hopes to have Davey Lopes at his family-owned card shop soon…the missing piece of that ’81 World Series infield.  For more information about upcoming events at Hall of Fame Cards, visit .http://www.halloffamebaseballcards.com.