Ms. Jones
Found Oprah’s interview of Marion Jones yesterday enlightening. What particularly struck me about the exchange was when Jones talked of no longer having “athlete” as her fallback identity. With that stripped along with her gold medals and Olympic records, people are left with the real Marion. I so enjoyed the depth of that and Oprah was clearly drawn in by it as well — it was undoubtedly a moment.
I never saw Jones run track in person, but I did see her amazing speed on display on the basketball court when I was a sports writer. She was electrifying in what was essentially her secondary sport.
All the best to her as she sheds her public persona and reconfigures her life.
A big wink to Mr. Blackwell
It should be illegal to have this much fun writing a column. In today’s Game Plan, I express my very different take from the mainstream on Sarah Palin’s pricey clothes. And there are even shoutouts to Oprah Winfrey, Gloria Steinem, Marianne Williamson and the late Mr. Blackwell.
Strut that Valentino, honey.
Lunge this
Today was my first official day with the personal trainer. His name is TJ. I love him and I hate him. I can still hear his voice. Five more. Three more. Come on, you can do it. You hate lunges? We will do them every day then.
Aaaaaaaargh!!!!!!!
I feel good.
Truth or scare
I’m just not into Halloween. Maybe it’s because it’s taken me a long time to shed all my masks. Or because I don’t want to live in the make believe or pretend to be someone I’m not.
Sign me up when we have a holiday celebrating unencumbered truth.
I’m there, chocolate and all.
Only in Times Square
Today I found out the only thing funnier than guys hawking John McCain and Barack Obama condoms is tourists’ reactions to it.
Personal trainer
Recently I was working out at the gym when a personal trainer approached and said he saw me there a lot and that I was dedicated. I said I liked coming in about four days a week. Then he said he noticed I do the same routine much of the time. Very true, too, I said. He asked if I wanted some suggestions and I said, “Maybe next week. I’m very busy this week.”
Well, I found myself avoiding him the next few days. There was even resistance coming up. Finally, I saw the merit in change and approached him the following week. He took me into an empty studio, put a mat on the floor and started showing me some exercises.
“I’m not doing that one,” I said.
“Why not?” he asked.
“I don’t like it,” I said. “Let’s find something else that works that body part.”
This went on every time he showed me something new. At one point, I got on the floor to try something he suggested and then just looked up at him exasperated.
“What are your rates?” I said.
He burst out laughing, as my response had come from seemingly nowhere. But really, it came because my inner life coach realized all the resistance meant something big and that I needed to pay attention to it in a big way.
So I hired him on the spot. And was sore the next day. And it was glorious.
From fear to freedom
Sometimes I just draw inspiring people to me. This was definitely the case with actor Kathi Carlson, who told me a story last week that became today’s Game Plan column. Read about how she conquered two great fears and how it all started with her work with personal trainer Roger Ansanelli in One Step From Fear To Freedom.
If not now, when?
In today’s Game Plan column on FOXBusiness.com, I talk about my powerful experience in an Accomplishment Coaching training session and how that might translate in life. Check out Living Your Dream: If Not Now, When?
Across party lines
A liberal columnist interviews highly respected conservative Colin Powell.
Maureen Dowd at her finest: Moved by a Crescent.
Life coach in motion
Check it out! I’ve added a Google video component to my website and I’m excited about sharing it. To hear my thoughts on how tough times can actually be a positive, a bit about my outlook on life and, of course, to see my Italian-American hands gesturing a mile a minute, take a gander …
