I've often wondered if I could have been an Olympian.
When I started snowboarding in the 90s, I dreamt I would become a competitive snowboarder. I imagined racing down the slopes looking extremely cool in baggy clothes and a funky toque. Having been born in Singapore from parents holding a Malaysian passport, I strategized that if I were to represent Malaysia or Singapore, I would have a much higher chance of qualifying and competing in the Winter Olympics. I even had a ritual of giving my snowboard a kiss at the end of an exhausting but satisfying day riding 7th Heaven at Blackcomb!
A decade or two later, my snowboard sits in storage. Still a precious possession, it barely sees the slopes anymore. When Canadian Maelle Ricker won her gold medal in snowboard cross, I asked myself, could I have done that ?
So when I spent a day with Dr. JoAnn, world renown sports psychologist and performance coach, I had to ask this question, "Can anyone become a top athlete or Olympian?" This is her response:
Thanks Dr. JoAnn for your encouragment.
If you are like me, let's dust off our tennis racquet, snowboard, ice skates or... (you know what it is)... Let's get out there and find the athlete within us! Whether or not we end up competing in the Olympics, we will benefit from the exercise and live a life of fitness and health.
Remember this: Dimitrion Yordanidis finished a marathon in 7 hours and 33 minutes in Athens 1976. He was 98 years old! Consider his focus, determination, and mental toughness. What is your athletic dream ?
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
Here is Tip #2: The Top 3 Mistakes Athletes Make from Dr. JoAnn, world renown sports psychologist and performance coach. Dr. JoAnn is a sought-after guest expert by ABC, NBC, BBC-TV, and keynote speaker.
Get your pen and paper ready to record Dr. JoAnn's insights from her experience of working with top athletes and her own successful athletic career. These insights not only apply to sports, but also to life, business, and relationships.
Thanks Dr. JoAnn!
On a personal note:
I have and still sometimes get stuck after realizing I made a mistake. In the past, the shame and guilt would paralyze me. I've since learned the art of laughing at myself. I've learned to modify my thinking and behavior so I (hopefully) do not make the same mistake again. Fact is I still make mistakes. We all do. It is what it is. I just choose to pick myself up and keep moving on.
It sounds simple, doesn't it?
Truth is, it takes consistent application of tools like what we heard from Dr. JoAnn here and inTip #1: The 3Ps of Your Performing Edge.
If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you.
You may have a fresh start any moment you choose,
for this thing we call "failure" is not the falling down,
but the staying down.
~ Mary Pickard
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
It's amazing how young these Olympians are (compared to me, of course). Alexandre Bilodeau is 22 years old and already he has made his mark in history as the first Canadian to win an Olympic gold medal on Canadian soil.
CS Ling with Alexandre Bilodeau
Since winning the gold medal in men's moguls, Bilodeau's life has changed dramatically. Now an international sports celebrity, he is enjoying the moment while having to adjust quickly to the loss of privacy and anonymity. When we conversed on Tuesday, I found Bilodeau to be genuine, humble, and honest. He is authentic. I enjoyed our visit together and have gained greater respect for this sincere young man whose world has become a whirlwind overnight.
Bilodeau is off to Japan shortly for another series of competition. I wish him well and continued success.
Written by: CS Ling
Photo by: Linda Thompson
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
One of my most memorable days during the Olympics is the one I spent with Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter exploring downtown Vancouver and taking in the festivities. Many thanks to all the people who let us videotape them being silly and especially to the Silicone Sisters (Polly and Esther Silicone) for making our day even more remarkable!
Dr. JoAnn is a world renown top sports psychologist and high performance coach. During this Winter Olympics, she has Olympians competing in the Luge, Aerial Ski, Speed Skating, and Cross Country Skiing. She herself is a world-class athlete who integrates the mind-body system into optimizing her own performing edge. She has won the San Francisco Marathon and placed 2nd in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.
In this first of three Dr. JoAnn's Tip of the Day for MetroBlenz News Squad readers, Dr. JoAnn talks about the 3P's of Your Performing Edge for optimal results in sports, business, relationships, and life. NBC, ABC, BBC-TV have sought her out as special guest on talk shows so it is with great pleasure that I share her insight and wisdom here.
Thanks Dr. JoAnn! The 3P's and other performing edge techniques are also found in Dr. JoAnn's bestselling book,Your Performing Edge.
Stay tuned for the next Dr. JoAnn's Tip of the Day for MBNS readers!
Credits: Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter (www.DrJoAnn.com)
Written by: CS Ling
Video by: Greg Meeres
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
I am one who loves people, culture, and travel, however, I know very little about the first inhabitants of this land. Do I address them as First Nations people or do I say, Aboriginal people? I'm never sure which is the correct term to use when talking about things related to the First Nations/Aboriginals. I have a strong desire to learn and experience the First Nations/Aboriginals culture. Thus, I was thoroughly delighted when I met Adrian Lewis at the Aboriginal Pavilion.
Lewis is from the Tsimshian Nation located in the northern region of B.C. He was kind to give me an impromptu lesson on his culture when I asked him to tell me about his... ummm...yes... I used the word,"outfit". Thanks to Lewis, I now know the "outfit" is called "regalia". I am glad it is "regalia" because this word describes perfectly the magnificent attire he wore. Very royal.
Watch this video to hear about Lewis' mask, regalia, and drumbox. All absolutely beautiful in symbolism and art.
When I spoke with Lewis, I noticed his inner strength and confidence. He told me that he returned to his roots in the year 2000. I agreed with him that there is something very powerful when we know and accept our roots, and the essence of who we are. Our roots ground us and give us the foundation from which we grow.
Adrian Lewis from the Tsimshian Nation
Though I only just met Lewis and had a short conversation with him, I am left with the impression that this man is a great teacher. Whenever I look at this photo, I see confidence, pride, and honor.
Lewis is married to Melody Lewis. He is currently in his first year studying Aboriginal Tourism at the Native Education College.
Written by: CS Ling
Photo by: CS Ling
Video by: Greg Meeres (using a Nikon D90 DSLR)
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
I've had enough of crowds especially after being sandwiched on all sides by people of all sizes AND who are invariably much taller than me. My goal on Saturday was to get out of Robson and Granville as quickly as possible. Yet, I could only move as the crowd moved... one small step at a time. Yes, I am one of thousands of people who created the wall-to-wall mass of human beings in Downtown Vancouver over the weekend. Exciting but not terribly enjoyable for the 5'3" petite me.
After twenty minutes of being pressed up against people, I finally crossed over Granville Street and made my way down to the Aboriginal Pavilion. There, I found the highlight of my day. There, I found The Sacred Space.
All tension and stress left my body as I watched Chief Mike Retasket of the Shuswap Nation perform a mesmerizing dance to the sound of song and drum; his headdress and regalia breathtakingly intricate.
The essence of his being was evident in every single move, every single action. Chief Mike Retasket danced to the rhythm of life. I was in awe.
When the dance was over, Chief Retasket greeted spectators one by one, shook their hands, and welcomed them to Canada. There was such joy in his face. The countenance was such that he made us all feel like we just entered into his home - a warm welcome home to The Sacred Space.
Written by: CS Ling
Photos by: CS Ling
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Attention Men!
If you have ever complained about "throwing away money" on flowers (especially since you paid an astronomical amount on Valentine's Day a week ago), you will want to make the most of this AMAZING deal !
Attention Women!
If you have ever stopped to admire flower bouquets but walked away after 10 minutes because you could not bring yourself to spending "that much" on fresh cut flowers, I have news for you !
On Sunday, at the northeast corner of Burrard Street and Hastings Street, I discovered that I can buy THREE bunches of fresh, beautiful, healthy tulips for only $ 5 !!! THREE BUNCHES !! That's a MEGA DEAL !
Can you hear my excitement ? Can you guess what I will be doing this upcoming week? And you can be sure that I will be spending more than $5 !
Let's do the math ... for $15 at a store, I get 15 stems of tulips. At Niceto Yalan's tulip stand, for the same $15, I get FORTY-FIVE stems of beautiful, colorful tulips! Imagine the number of vases I can fill! Imagine the number of people I can buy flowers for! (A confession: When I did the math, I calculated it three times because I could not believe I get FORTY-FIVE stems for only $15!!)
A flower's appeal is in its contradictions - so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect. ~ Adabella Radici
Written by: CS Ling
Photos by: CS Ling
Quote from www.quotegarden.com/flowers
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
WHAT A RUSH! There's nothing like being on the street after a Canadian victory!
Team Canada shuts out Norway 8-0 in Game 1.
What will happen when Team Canada wins GOLD ???
You gotta be there!
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Written by: CS Ling
Photos & Video footage by: CS Ling
Video production by: Greg Meeres (Boldfish Video Productions)
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
we are jars of clay
souls within an earthly body form
from whence did we come
to where will we go
we are jars of clay
neither empty neither full
the day we came to be
choices made us so
we are jars of clay
the outer but a shell
within is what really matters
O what stories will he tell
Written by: CS Ling
Photo by: CS Ling
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
It never fails that when a Flashmob happens, unsuspecting bystanders' looks of bewilderment evolve into smiles of delight. Kudos to whomever came up with the idea of Flashmob. It is a brilliant way of bringing strangers together, creating community while having fun.
How about taking it to war zones?
Imagine the surprised looks on peacekeeping troops' faces when Taliban soldiers come out of hiding and break into dance!
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video Production as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
Despite the ugliness of the anarchic protest that occurred in Downtown Vancouver February 13th Saturday morning, Canadians and international guests demonstrated their benevolent spirit and strength in unity by spontaneously singing "O, Canada" after a lively flashmob gathering. Rumor has it that approximately three to four thousand people participated in this unpremeditated demonstration of patriotic pride and goodwill. In the face of malevolence, "God keep our land glorious and free. O Canada we stand on guard for thee".
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
"Watching the Olympics has always been something I have enjoyed. The incredible accomplishments of the athletes never ceases to inspire me" ~ Lori Cyr, 2010 Winter Olympic Torchbearer
Growing up through the 1970s oil crisis and its effects on her family's habits have resulted in a once in a lifetime experience for Lori Cyr. Cyr, a Practice Coordinator for Occupational Therapy with Vancouver Coastal Health ran from the 1100 block of West 49th Avenue to the 1300 block where she passed the Olympic flame on to David Labistour, CEO of Mountain Equipment Co-op.
Cyr's day of fame was witnessed by a multitude of friends and colleagues. Her sister Sherry flew out from New Brunswick to support Cyr's run.
written by: CS Ling
photos by: CS Ling
video by: Greg Meeres
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
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Children have the ability to impact an environment by bringing with them a spirit of goodness, innocence, and wonder. Since I started reporting for MetroBlenz News Squad, my cameraman and I have had the privilege of interviewing celebrities. Interesting as that is, one of things that warms my heart most is the children and parents I meet.
Imagine being a child experiencing the excitement and festivities in Vancouver not just for one day, but for TWENTY-SEVEN days! Imagine the dreams children will set for themselves as they watch Olympians at their best. Jennifer Azzi, Olympic Gold Medalist in basketball, and Johann Olav Koss, four time Olympic Gold Medalist in speedskating have both said that when they were children watching the Olympics on T.V., they said to themselves, I am going to be an Olympic athlete. It is not so much the end goal that is what is important, it is the process athletes go through to become Olympians, medal winners, and World Record breakers; The discipline, the winners mindset, the strength, courage, and mental toughness.
Children need the support of loved ones and other significant people to fulfill their dreams. Koss shared that when he told his grandmother his dream of becoming an Olympic Gold Medal speedskater, his grandmother (knowing Koss was a horrible skater at 12 years old) said to him"You know what, you can be whatever you like. We believe in you". Years later as Koss stood on the podium receiving his first Olympic Gold medal, he knew he would never have gotten there if his grandmother had not believed in him.
Written by: CS Ling
Photos by: CS Ling
Video by: Greg Meeres
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
" I'm not big on heroism... I don't see athleticism as heroism" ~ Stephen Lewis
This morning at The Chan Center for the Performing Arts located at the University of British Columbia, people gathered to hear Stephen Lewis (Chair of the Board of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, bestselling author Race Against Time) and Johann Olav Koss (President and CEO of Right To Play, four time Olympic gold medalist and eleven world records breaker) speak on How Sport Can Contribute to Positive Social Change.
Other speakers include the Honourable Ida Chong (B.C. Minister of Healthy Living and Sport), Benjamin Nzobonankira (a former Burundian child refugee who is currently a Coach Trainer with Right To Play), and Wilfred Lemke (Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace). Professor Stephen J. Toope, UBC’s 12th President and Vice-Chancellor moderated the discussion with humour and enthusiastic support of Right To Play’s vision “to create a healthier and safer world through the power of sport and play”.
During Lemke’s speech, he advised the audience to avoid viewing Olympic athletes as heroes. This raises the question, “What defines a hero?”.
Here is what Stephen Lewis had to say:
Hear how Johann Olav Koss defines a hero:
Interestingly, both distinguished men do not view himself as a hero. Indeed they are world changers and history makers. In the eyes of many around the world, Lewis and Koss embody true heroism.
Written by: CS Ling
Video by: Greg Meeres
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and 2008 USANA Children Champion Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
The air buzzed with excitement. The Olympic Torch will be in the neighborhood! By 2:30pm patients, family, and friends along with healthcare professionals lined West 28th Avenue in anticipation of seeing Mike Hopkins run by G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Center before passing the flame on to Canadian music icon, Jann Arden in front of the Child & Family Research Institute.
Watch the video to hear Arden’s personal comments on being an Olympic Torchbearer.
Being the entertainer that she is, Arden spontaneously led the crowd in singing “O, Canada” with Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson participating enthusiastically.
Within an hour, two-time NBA MVP Canadian-born Steve Nash ran the Olympic Torch Route down West 49th Avenue after flying in the same day from the United States. He was in great spirits as fans loudly cheered him along. Nash passed the Olympic flame on to Vancouver Canucks Vice President of Business Development, Gord Forbes, before leaving for a flight back to the United States to play in the 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend in Dallas, Texas.
Written by: CS Ling
Video by: Greg Meeres
CS Ling is a humanitarian at heart. She is an alumnus of the prestigious Terry Fox Humanitarian Award. CS is an occupational therapist and entrepreneur. Currently she offers her creative services to Boldfish Video as New Media Relations. Follow her on Twitter (@CS_Ling).
Greg Meeres owns Boldfish Video Production. He travels extensively coordinating, shooting and producing projects across planet earth. He can be reached at www.boldfish.ca
February 28, 2010 | Posted by csl 
Categories: CS Ling, Greg Meeres, Uncategorized | 
Tags: 7th heaven, athens 1976, blackcomb, Boldfish Video Productions, children champion, CS Ling, dimitrion yordanidis, Dr Joann, Dr Joann Dahlkoetter, Greg Meeres, Maëlle Ricker, marathon, Olympics, terry fox humanitarian award, usana, Vancouver2010, your performing edge | 
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