Vancouver, BC TED Conference to be live streamed at 24 locations for free viewing

So by now, I'm sure you've heard the news (even your dog has heard it), the international TED2014 conference will be coming to town next week.   That is exciting news for our growing city. 

This is the 30th anniversary of TED, and is the first time it is being held in Vancouver.

If by chance your new to TED, here is a short break down:  TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world.  To check out more, visit there website at www.ted.com

“We’re thrilled to welcome TED to Vancouver and look forward to the range of innovative ideas and debate that will emerge from the week-long talks and presentations,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.  He continues to say “Whether you’re a long-time TED fan or someone learning about it for the first time, you will have the opportunity to watch some of the world’s top minds present their ideas in community spaces across Vancouver.”

TED is now sold out, but that doesn't mean you can't watch it live.  Everyone of else that didn't dish out for a $7,500 - $125,000 ticket will still have the opportunity to watch the event for free at live web streaming locations throughout the city.

The web stream will run during the day starting Monday, March 17 through Friday, March 21 at the following locations:

Public plazas

1. BC Place Stadium, Terry Fox Plaza, Jumbotron outside, Vancouver
2. Grouse Mountain,  6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver

Libraries

1. Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
2. Surrey City Centre Library, 10350 University Drive, Surrey
3. Douglas College’s New Westminster Campus (Main Concourse)
4. North Vancouver District Public Library, 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver
5. Port Moody Public Library, 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
6. Richmond Public Library, 100 – 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
7. Coquitlam Public Library, 575 Poirier Street, Coquitlam

Colleges/universities

1. British Columbia Institute of Technology, 3700 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby
2. CityStudio, 1800 Spyglass Place, Vancouver
3. Corpus Christi College, 5935 Iona Drive, Vancouver
4. Douglas College, 700 Royal Avenue, New Westminster
5. Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 12666 72 Avenue (Cedar 1240), Surrey
6. Langara College Library,100 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver
7. Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby
8. The University of British Columbia, Vancouver
   • UBC Scarfe Building, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver
   • UBC Cecil Green Park Coach House, 6323 Cecil Green Park Road
   • UBC Life Sciences Centre, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Room 1372
   • UBC Sauder School of Business, Angus Building, 2053 Main Mall, Room 165
   • UBC Sauder School of Business, Robson Square
9. Makerspace at the UVic Tech Park, 4a-4476 Markham Street, Victoria

Non-profits and community centres

1. Potluck Café Society, 30 West Hastings Vancouver
2. Trout Lake Community Centre, 3360 Victoria Drive, Vancouver

The TED live stream is also being shown at some secondary schools and other non-profits for their constituents, and more locations are still being added. Please check with locations to confirm their details.

SYMFIT Team hikes scheduled for the last Sunday of every month

If you're a reader from Vancouver, BC come join me and the SYMFIT team for our monthly hikes.  There is no charge to join in on the fun.  Come out and say hi, meet some new friends, and feel free to pick the brains of two elite personal trainers.       

Hiking Notes: Please Read

• Hikes begin at 10:00am from a predetermined place
• Preregistration is required: to register for a hike please email dj@symfit.com or leave me a comment (and i'll get back to you personally).
• All Levels Welcome (Black Tusk is available for intermediate-advanced hikers)
• All hikes and trekking require proper footwear, hydration packs, and are guided by one of your coaches

The Hikes:

Lions Hike | Sunday May 26, 2013
Chief | Sunday June 30, 2013
Black Tusk | Sunday July 28, 2013
Garabaldi | Sunday August 28, 2013 

For more info CLICK HERE - There is in fact a typo with the time on the page, it should  say 10 am.  Everything else on that page is correct.  Website is not 100% complete yet, we are slowly putting the final touches on it - check back soon!! 

Finding Your Groove Again When Your Training Gets Disrupted

Sometimes we can find a groove in our training, during this time we’re motivated to workout every day, we’re feeling optimal and hitting our fitness goals – what could be better! – And then everything comes to a screeching halt.  Any number of unforeseen events can come along and pull you away from your groove: Getting an illness, an injury, a family emergency, personal crisis, prepping for a special event, moving, your favorite running route getting blocked off, or a relaxing holiday that becomes extra relaxing.

When this happens, best advice I can give - Go easy on yourself.  Many people tend to revert to berating themselves when they lose the path.  Beating yourself up is not going to get you any more motivated.  There’s nothing more taxing that feeling guilty and ashamed.  Instead, you can choose to embrace it and find a way through it.

Recently, I acquired an illness that disrupted my whole system.  My favorite physical activities - yoga, running, & fitness were inaccessible to me for a few weeks, after having been in a comfortable groove for some time. I had a choice: I could wallow and think wistfully about the good old days, or… I could find a way through this. In choosing the latter, I was faced with the task of being willing to try new forms of movement that wouldn’t compromise my injury or cause me pain. It was an opportunity for growth, in that I practiced willingness, adaptability and stretched out of my comfort zone.

 Here are some lessons I benefited from (and teach my clients):

1. Reduce your attachment to one way of doing things.

Although you may be really connected to the routines you have, or one type of movement; it is really essential to apply a key life skill here: the ability to adapt. Shake things up every once in a while by squeezing in a different workout.

2. Create a backup fitness plan.

Think of a fitness back-up plan as an insurance policy: Our fitness activities keep us in top form (emotionally and mentally as well) for handling life’s events and challenges.  If you relied solely on one activity, then everything would fall apart if that gets disrupted in any way.  If your body is used to output, you may risk becoming a little depressed when it stops movement; so be sure to have a small list of alternative ways you can get movement in, and most importantly, practice these every once in a while.  Schedule in one “Plan B” workout every 2 weeks, even if it’s not your favorite.  It’s kind of like a ‘fire drill’ practice: its good to be prepared for anything.

3. Be willing to get creative within your limitations.

Even though you may have found what works for you, if you are disrupted or limited somehow, then it’s time to think outside the box. There are many, many opportunities for physical movement, or high-impact mini-workouts for those who face time constraints.  For instance, ask fit friends about their workout preferences.  Also, consider asking a personal trainer to help you discover new exercises or activities - they are great resources for bringing in new forms of physical movement into your life.  Don;t be afraid to ask me lol :)

4. Tolerate a learning curve for your new forms of movement.

If indeed you have said yes to an exercise back up plan, be aware that you may take some time getting used to it.  All mastery requires a stage of awkwardness.  Also, keep your ego in check.  It may convince you that because this new movement is awkward or difficult, that it’s not worth pursuing.  Ignore it and keep on moving.

"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” - Bruce Lee

All throughout life we will be faced with distractions, disruptions and unforeseen events. Nothing can ever stay comfortably predictable. The facts: committing to physical wellness involves much more than finding a routine you like and sticking with it.  The ability to adapt with the punches, combined with determination, topped with a consistent readiness to step out of your comfort zone -if need be- are traits of individuals who live active lifestyles.  Hope you found this interesting and helpful :)

A personal trainers workout: Post-Food Poisoning (I'm back bitches!!)

Before I begin, sorry that it has been a while since my last post.  Like usual, life has been busy.  Happy to say, that lots of work has been going into the SYMFIT website - it is almost finished!!!  Fingers crossed for end of the month :) 

As for the title - Part of my disappearance was due to an illness, this time around, food poisoning.  How bad was it - it took me out for nine days.  In fact, four of the nine days I couldn't even eat.  Once all the poison was gone, my body was left feeling very weak.   

After an hour of feeling crushed by this feeling, I quickly refocused and marched to the studio.  I knew there was only one thing to do about it - GO BACK TO TRAINING!

Here is what I did:

Hanging Lat Pull Ups
Olympic Clean and Press
Gravity Machine Jacknife & Pike
Followed By...
Battle Ropes & Agility Work down the rope and back 1-2-3
1= Alternating waves & Lateral in and outs hops with 180 spin half way through
2= circles waves & chris cross scissors hops with 180 spin half way through (meaning I move forwards and backwards)
3= Smash Waves & 360 Lateral forward and backward hops
And to finish it off... rope climb!!

I felt like I killed it like a champ lol -  3-4 sets of the first half, 2 sets of second half - all done under an hour!! Not bad for the first one in over two weeks. I'm back BITCHES!!!