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MESSAGE FROM TODD
I hope your February is off to a fantastic start. With Valentine's Day rapidly approaching this weekend, I hope you have wonderful plans to relax and enjoy time with your loved ones.
 I was fortunate to attend the Super Bowl just a couple weeks ago and had the opportunity to see my old teammate from William & Mary, Head Coach Mike Tomlin, lead his Pittsburgh Steelers over the Arizona Cardinals. I was down there with two Fitness Quest 10 employees, Brett Klika and Anna Renderer, to help with the Under Armour "Combine Experience" at the NFL Experience. We had a great time and thousands of people came through our expo that had everything from a 40 yard dash, vertical jump, bench press, broad jump, and agility drills. Be sure to read this month's feature article stemming from an awesome experience I had while I was at the NFL Experience.
As you continue your quest for continued balance and serenity, I encourage you to continue seeking success in all areas of your life. You can achieve this by committing to your physical conditioning, fostering a positive mindset and attitude, and connecting with people that bring out the best in you. Keep focused on the things you can control and stay in the moment to continue getting 1% better everyday.
Create a wonderful week!
Todd Durkin, MA, CSCS, NCTMB
Owner, Fitness Quest 10
Head, Under Armour Performance Training Council
FEATURED ARTICLE: "MANAGE YOUR MOMENTS"
By Todd Durkin
Sometimes you meet people who make a big difference in your day, your week, maybe even forever. Last week was like this for me. I was in Tampa, Florida, for the Super Bowl festivities and working with Under Armour at the NFL Experience. While we were there for five days, putting thousands of fans of all ages, shapes, and sizes through an "NFL Combine" experience (i.e., 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press, and agility drills), I met two people who made a lasting impression on me. It was the last day - Super Bowl Sunday.
Just a few hours before the biggest game of the year, activities at the NFL Experience were winding down. I was eager to get into the stadium to see the underdog Arizona Cardinals take on the favored Pittsburgh Steelers. I was pulling for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they are led by a former William & Mary teammate of mine, Mike Tomlin. It was just then when I saw two military-looking men leaning over a barricade three yards away from the bench press where I was spotting participants. One gentleman was wearing his military camouflage uniform and another other younger man stood near him. The younger man had a prosthetic arm with a Steelers insignia in the bicep region and some scarring on his face. I couldn't help but notice these two guys and I wanted to go over and connect with them, as they seemed extremely interested in all that we were doing.
As I walked over to introduce myself and say hello, I immediately knew these two men were different from the other fans, young and old, I had been working with for nearly a week. One man was in his late 40s to early 50s and the other was in his early 20s. We greeted each other and I asked if they were wounded in combat. They proceeded to tell me their stories. We stood and talked for only 15 to 20 minutes, but their words have left an indelible mark on me.
Sergeant William Hisghman, Todd, & Sergeant Michael Kacer
Staff Sergeant Michael Kacer was injured in a firefight in Afghanistan on June 18, 2008. He lost his left arm and had significant shrapnel scars on his face. Assigned to the 28th Infantry Division out of Scranton, PA, he was ending a shift of "Personnel Security Detail" on what had been a fairly quiet day, when a rocket landed just 10 feet from him. He was in a building at the time and lucky that there was a cement wall between where he stood and where the rocket landed. There was a small window nearby, about 2x2, that the rocket could have entered through - but it hadn't; no one was injured with the first rocket explosion. As he and several of his friends huddled in the room, feeling fortunate to have been protected by the wall and contemplating their next move, another rocket was launched by enemy fire. This time they weren't as lucky.
Sergeant Michael Kacer performing a one arm bench press
CLICK HERE to read the rest of this amazing story.
ATHLETE CORNER: "Sport Specific" Training for Youth Athletes and Parents Beware
By Brett Klika
"Sport Specific" is the new marketing buzzword when it comes to strength and conditioning programs for youth. Uneducated masses of parents and coaches herd their sports teams at a young age into "athletic performance" programs that supposedly address the strength, movement, and speed demands of one specific sport. The idea looks great on a marketing flyer, particularly in the American youth sports culture of "win right now". Unfortunately the notion of early specificity ignores well established pedagogies of child development and motor learning, the foundation of youth sport skill acquisition and application. The fact is that most trainers implementing these programs aren't qualified to implement programs for anyone, more less youth. Most of the time they are ex players in the specific sport who find exercises they think are "cool", slap the term "functional" on them, tie some colorful equipment in, and bingo! A sport specific program! Their "program design" if any, is based on the cool toys and "secret exercises" they employ, with kids who can't do a push-up!!! That's like teaching a child to read by giving them "US" magazine! No valuable content, no skill acquisition, just stuff to get their attention.
CLICK HERE to continue reading Coach Klika's advice.
Todd Durkin Recommends
The Fitness Jeanie Five Day Detox
You wouldn't drive your car 50,000 without getting an oil change. Then, why would you do that to your body? Even if you eat well, you still ingest thousands of toxins that can negatively affect your metabolism and energy. The Fitness Jeanie Five Day Detox is a gentle cleanse that allows you to eat real food, so you won't go hungry plus you'll experience the other great benefits of a detox (flatter stomach, release toxins and weight, dissolve cravings, gain energy). In this unique mind-body-spirit program, you actually have more energy and will be able to work and exercise during the five days.
The Fitness Jeanie is offering a rare opportunity to do this program live with her if you sign up today. This will ensure you achieve results, even if you've never done a detox before. CLICK HERE for more information.
"Your Balanced Body, Your Balanced Life Ebook" by Todd Durkin & his Personal Trainer Mastermind Group
Are you frustrated with your current health & fitness progress and looking for a way to:
- Get in better shape?
- Improve your nutrition?
- Achieve long-lasting results in health and wellness?
- Stay motivated so you can create the life of your dreams?
If so, there is an "instant access" resource for you to improve your health, fitness, nutrition and overall energy. Whether it's to lose weight, improve your nutrition, overcome obstacles & challenges, or just to create a positive mind set for success, Todd has the answer for you. This e-book that is delivered digitally upon purchase is a synthesis of Todd's top articles of all time along with many new articles from the standout group of trainers from Todd's Personal Trainer Mastermind Group.
Fuel Your Mind with Motivation & Inspiration Shared in "Your Balanced Body, Your Balanced Life"
For the low cost of $37.00, this special e-book has over 20 fact-filled, fun, educational, and motivational articles on topics that deal with weight loss, physical conditioning, pain management, disease prevention, and motivation. The compilation of such content for you is worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for you. These are Todd's and his group's favorite articles written by them to help you reach your goals.
Best of all, when you purchase it, it simply gets emailed to you and you can read it immediately at your computer or you can print it out to read at your leisure.
 TRX Train Like the Pros DVD & Guide
Pros know: it takes the right moves to take your game-or your fitness level-to truly superior heights. Now, elite professional athletics consultant, Todd Durkin, is here to share them. CLICK HERE to purchase.
TRX Team Sports DVD & Guide
Ready to train with professional coaches? Suit up for a tough and exhilarating DVD workout featuring elite strength and speed-training consultant to the NFL and NCAA, Todd Durkin. CLICK HERE to purchase.
GUEST ARTICLE: "Off Season Volleyball Training"
By Ryan Rogers
Even though it's "winter" here in California, that doesn't mean it's a chance to sit on the couch and relax until summer returns. Now is the time to hit the gym and the beach to work on your strength and conditioning to improve your game. The game of volleyball is a combination of power, strength, and endurance - so make sure you add aspects of all this into your training for optimal improvement.
First off, in order to make an impact on the court, you have to be on the court. Injuries are an inevitable part of every sport, but if you work on your stabilizer muscles in addition to the prime movers, you will reduce the likelihood of an injury. You also have to be able to stabilize your joints before you can produce power. Your rotator cuff is comprised of four small muscles in the shoulder joint that add stability to shoulder movement. The same is true to a certain extent in your hip joint. There are small muscles that add stability to your lower body that, when strong, will make your jumping and moving in the sand that much better. CLICK HERE to read about few of my favorite exercises you can use to train these muscles effectively.
"Total Performance Volleyball Strength & Conditioning" DVD by Ryan Rogers
Are you a volleyball player or coach looking to take your game to the next level?
 Total Performance Volleyball Strength and Conditioning is a total training package for the volleyball player. It combines a warm-up, joint integrity and core work, plyometrics, strength work, and recovery and flexibility work in one package. Each DVD contains two complete workouts and a 9-week plan that shows you how to enhance your strength and power for on-the-court performance.
GUEST ARTICLE: "The Art of Warrior Leadership"
By Troy Fontana
Are you a leader? Of course you are. Each of us is a leader. Whether it's being a leader to your clients, co-workers, team members, friends, or your kids, you lead. Your ability to lead can be an asset or detriment to those to which you do provide leadership. In this article I will share how to develop a winning culture within your team, critical characteristics successful leaders must posses and I will help you develop the skills of a warrior leader.
Warrior leadership is a powerful, selfless, motivating and unique leadership style, which if properly studied and practiced can bring about desired results in your business. The roots of warrior leadership can be found in many places. Much of the warrior pedigree stems from nations, countries, tribes, civilizations, individuals or organizations that perfected the art of creating a 'One Team-One Philosophy-One Heartbeat' persona. The heart of warrior leadership ultimately funnels into one trait: selfless love. True warriors always have common goals of protection, increase, service and a purpose to create the best for all involved. Many have led, but few have done so with the heartbeat of a warrior.
CLICK HERE to continue to become a Warrior Leader!
Troy Fontana is an author, motivational speaker and owner of Fontana Fitness Personal Training Studios. Ask Troy about his empowering leadership series "Building Champions for Life" and other business and career building tools. Visit him at www.fontanafitness.com.
Want to use the article above? As long as you include the blurb at the bottom of the article, you are welcome to use the article in your own publication.
---TD RECOMMENDS:
 Would you like to be an Under Armour sponsored facility or trainer?
You now have that opportunity if you are looking to be part of a bigger team! Under Armour is currently selecting top-notch trainers and facilities to help with their mission of "Making athletes better through relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation." Our job is to make humans perform at higher levels physically, mentally, and emotionally, and Under Armour is committed to transforming the lives of kids and athletes of all ages.
Please CLICK HERE to download the application.
Do You Need CECs/CEUs?We are proud to announce a new CE partnership between Todd Durkin Enterprises and DSWFitness, Center for Continuing Education, to offer my best-selling TD Performance DVDs as home study continuing education courses.
Train your clients to be faster, stronger, quicker, more powerful and more flexible. These DVD courses will definitely teach you to unleash their full athletic potential. Learn all the exercises, drills and techniques I use to train the pros. Each CE course includes an instructional DVD packed with exercise and drill demonstrations designed specifically to build your training arsenal. The study guides include comprehensive and thought-provoking DVD reviews and specific application and programming ideas.
 Available now in this series:
Flexibility for Performance
- Learn the six best stretches to use with your clients and athletes.
Dynamic Warm-Up - Prepare your clients and athletes for superior sport performance.
Joint Integrity
- Build a strong foundation in your clients and athletes.
Core Conditioning
- 30 exercises to strengthen and improve core muscles to prevent injury and enhance performance.
All you need is Love...
Kind of hard to digest sometimes, isn't it? How does Love pay the bills, fix dinner, do the errands, etc etc etc? Here's the great secret.........the energy of Love can make anything better......any situation better.......everything doable and achievable. It works because it's the big, huge eraser for stress, worries, and just about any concern that gets in the way of our happiness. Here's how to shift from whatever issues may dominate you thoughts to the higher, most uplifted healing vibration of pure Love. It all begins with our attitudes. First, just decide to give Love a try. It's so very easy.......
Visualize: Sit still or lie down to think of someone (maybe a pet) you adore. Close your eyes and remember a time you were together. Feel the feelings, reliving this loving experience. See their face, where you were, what was happening at the time.....relive all the details of how wonderful it was. Silently say "I love you" to this person/pet in your life. Place your right hand directly over your heart so you can feel it beating in your chest. Place your left hand directly on your belly so that you can feel your gentle wave moving within your body. Hold this memory as long as you like.
Mantra: I Love You, I Love You, I Love You...
Breath: Slow, rhythmic inhalation matched with a slow, gentle exhalation. A gentle wave of breath that allows you to melt into your loving feelings.
This technique of visualizing a loved one in your life can be practiced over & over again to shift away from issues that keep us trapped in unhealthy thoughts of any kind. When we generate a more loving attitude, our words and actions become more loving as well. We become more kind and compassionate to ourselves and others. What was once a worry becomes easier to handle as your mind grows clearer in the gentle, healing energy of Love. Let February be the month you dedicate to Love and feel your life shift around you...........It's so easy!
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