Author: jeff noel

Retired Disney Institute Keynote Speaker and Prolific Blogger. Five daily, differently-themed personal blogs (about life's 5 big choices) on five interconnected sites.

Why the World Championships?

Why do I have this crazy dream of running in Lane 8, in the 400 meter finals (Men 50-54), at the 2009 Master’s Track & Field World Championships?

I don’t know exactly.

There are several factors:

1.  Hereditary high cholesterol.

2.  I get bored easily.

3.  I have a tendancy to dream BIG!

4.  I’d like to live to see our eight-year old son graduate High School in ten years.

5.  It’s absolutely impossible!

There, I said it.

It IS impossible.

Yes, and….

The only reason it’s impossible is because the odds say so.

After a decade of obstacles, simply to get and stay healthy, I’ve come to realize that the hard work and the time commitment, have elevated my running from ordinary to something unexpected – extraordinary.

So, while I’m healthy and motivated, I’d like to revisit a childhood dream of being an Olympian.  Thank you Randy Paush (The Last Lecture), for the permission to hold onto childish dreams.

Dream big.  Get there.  Stay there.

Make it a great day, because if you don’t, who will?  Carpe diem.  🙂

What’s the limit to a BIG goal?

Tiger Woods has a new, world-class goal.  Know what it is?

Can you guess?

To be the best Daddy in the Universe? He has a newborn son, and an almost two-year old daughter.

First of all, I currently hold that title, “Best Daddy in the Universe”. My human son (eight) and canine son (9) voted, and it’s official.

Guess again? Here’s what he said, and I quote it from yesterday’s USA Today front page:

“I want to become better than I was”.

This made me think, and maybe you too, “What’s my BIG goal this year, and for the next couple years?

Funny thing. I actually have an answer.

Do you? If so, great. If not, why not?

I always think, “Dream Big.  Get There.  Stay There.”

Wishing you the passion, will, and opportunity you need and want, to dream big dreams.  And more importantly, to go after them.

Carpe diem!

Who’s more passionate?

Who’s more passionate about your health than you?

In case you haven’t noticed, the answer is no one is more passionate about your health than you are.

If this comes as a surprise to you, please hang up and dial 911.

Hey, I’m joking. Sort of.

The emergency you may have, like I did, was a wake-up call from a routine blood test from my 1999 annual physical.

My “good” cholesterol was dangerously low. It was lower than the lowest acceptable level. This got my attention. It got my mid-life attention because it was something I never, ever thought would be an issue.

Guess again.

So I decided to be the most passionate person I know about my own health. This had made an enormous difference. Like night and day. My HDL is now consistently 56 – 60.

I’m still struggling with my overall cholesterol, but am currently maintaining 190 – 210.

I ran a nice and easy five miles this morning. Worked out at the gym yesterday – to strengthen my core, and then parked at my Church and ran four miles on Apopka-Vineland Road, near Conroy-Windermere Road. It’s decently hilly.

As the Mastercard commercial saying goes, “What’s in your wallet?”

Translated, it means, what did you do today or yesterday to prove you are the most passionate person about your health, on this planet?

Make it a GREAT day, because if you don’t, who will?

Carpe diem, jeff

Worry about your health

What’s the most common thing healthy-looking people hear from others?

“You don’t need to worry about your health. You’re in great shape.”

Exactly.

Denial, eh?

It’s denial on the part of the people saying this – the “unhealthy” people.

Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to be hurtful. I’m just calling it the way I see it.

I’ve struggled with my health – weight, cholestrol, addiction, muscle atrophy, triglycerides, Body Mass Index, cardiovascular system, energy level, etc – all my life. Seriously.

And during my five decades, there have been varying degrees of focus and “success”.

I have found many “secrets” to health and I wish to share them with you.

The sad truth is that only three percent reading this will actually figure out a way to stay connected to the insights and practical tips – and the hope and purpose this blog will offer them.

Are you one of those people?

Hey, I get to go for a run. Or, I could go eat some donuts…..