...I have become a little jaded over the years of training Canada's best athletes...

...from Stegall to Lisa Fraser (world handball champion), from 9 Ms Manitobas to a throng of NHL players and thousands of other ELITE athletes...I realize that the world that I live in (and very grateful to, by the way)...is saturated with a certain level of genetically "gifted" people...

...don't get me wrong, hard work, perseverance and ELITE helped these people achieve their level of success...(and we couldn't be more proud of that)...but, often when you are repeatedly exposed to something it becomes a little more common-place...

...I am sure you have noticed if you have been at the box lately...it is not your regular PERFORMANCE CENTER...we have many..many phenomenal physical specimens training hard for their next season or this season (depending on the sport)...and daily, I am impressed by these folks and what they do...

...on the other hand, I am also equally impressed by the gifts that some people have that may not put them physically in the "national" or "world category"...but with Determination and Persistence...compete and often dominate even the most talented of athletes...

...here is a quick story...as you know, my business partner, WADE MILLER squeezed an 11 year pro-football career out of a "collegiate level" and sized body...with focus, and the ability not to bow to a tough hurdle...he has parlayed that drive into a life-model that has been phenomenally successful...both on the field and off...

...that being said...I have seen it before...I would imagine that the vast majority of us in THE NATION, have MUCH more than our share...but that being said...the extreme of anything ALWAYS impresses me...

Yesterday, at "the box", while treating a client...who, though has only been a part of the NATION for a number of months...reviewed his very aggressive training and race schedule for the next year with me...

...this fine gent, has not only walked into "the box" everyday for the past greater part of a year in a "fantastic" mood...the ferocity that he devours his workouts often puts him in the situation where he is competing or beating many of our ELITE athletes training in the box along side of him...he has reached his goals through FOCUS, UNRELENTING EFFORT AND what I call the "Miller Phenomenon"...

...as our conversation wound down...admitting he may not be the most genetically gifted athlete (through ELITE eyes...that is...) his FOCUS AND DETERMINATION....but even more than that his "LUST FOR LIFE"...allowed us to finish of the conversation with this piece of wisdom...

'....MY GOAL IS TO BE A STRONGER FINISHER THAN A STARTER...'

...YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK ! No matter who you are, gifted or non-gifted in any aspect of your life...if your DAILY goal is to finish a stronger at the finish than when you started...you are on the right path...and hopefully pull some people along with you...

...to our friend who imparted that wisdom upon me...NAMASTE.

ELITE NATION

JOYCE WEIDEMAN- at CBBF Nationals snagged a 4th Place in Fitness...followed closely by COCO KISSACK in 6th place...great effort, great placing and we are very proud of you and what you have accomplished...now, quit sitting on your laurels and let's refocus! your pal...fISH

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS- RACHEL COCKRELL AND TAYLOR PISCHKE RETURNED FROM TORONTO WITH SOME SERIOUS HARDWARE AROUND THEIR NECKS!!! THE BEACH TEAM OF R&T, CAPTURED THE NATIONAL BEACH TITLE THIS WEEKEND...NO EASY FEAT! Rachel and Taylor...thank you for allowing us to be part of your team...the both of you truly deserve it...your pals at ELITE NESS...fISH and Melanie, Mo, Leigh, Erica, Kayla, Dane, Matt, Karly, Stephanie and Rachel....

Be a stronger finisher than a starter.
your pal,
fISH