Month: July 2020

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55. Pro Sports and Mental Health

Today I welcome Kris Beech, who had a 15-year professional hockey career including being drafted into the NHL at 18 and is now the Founder of AIM Mind Training in Canada. Kris shares his incredible journey as a widely sought out young athlete and managing the overwhelming pressures of going pro so young. Kris talks about his love for the game, the business side of it, and how his journey to dialed in mental health and mindfulness really began (from the inspiration of his Mom!). Over the 15 years Kris was traded numerous times, went from majors to the minors and back again, all while working to keep his personal relationships moving forward and his mental state in a safe space. It was no easy journey, but it did inspire Kris to establish AIM Mind Training, where he works with youth athletes to help flex the mental muscle alongside the physical one. Any great athlete knows, it absolutely takes the physical AND the mental to reach your full athletic potential, in addition to general happiness in life. This is an awesome cast for any athlete working to get to the next level (youth or adult) and seeking that mental competitive edge. Parents, if you have a young athletic star, this is also great for you (and your kiddo), be ahead of the game!

Highlights

Breakdown, breakthrough. A million-dollar contract before you’re 20? Adult pressures on a kid. Questioning a better way. Managing your love for the game in a business environment. Mental health, depression, and self-awareness, real solutions for real people. Life skills through sport. 

A Message from Kris:

Like any athlete, my love of athletics grew as a kid, and my desire to play was driven by pure enjoyment. I developed the greatest appreciation for the game of hockey, and I was fortunate that my skill, dedication and commitment to improvement allowed me to play in the NHL and have Like any athlete, my love of athletics grew as a kid, and my desire to play was driven by pure enjoyment. I developed the greatest appreciation for the game of hockey, and I was fortunate that my skill, dedication and commitment to improvement allowed me to play in the NHL and have a 15-year pro hockey career.  But my experience as a professional was far from always pure joy.

​Like any high-level athlete, there was a mix of success and adversity, and as I navigated that experience as a young adult, it became evident I was not prepared to handle the ups and downs in the mental game. I had unknowingly encouraged and solidified some thinking and behaviors that would all but eliminate my ability to enjoy the game I so deeply loved. The support I received from family and others around me helped me to realize I needed to make some changes.

After some personal research and exploration, I found training the mind in the form of meditation and mindfulness played a significant role in making those changes. Consistently training the mind enabled me to shift my thinking and make choices that uncovered my skill and ability to perform at my best and enjoy the game again. This period of my life had a significant effect on how I viewed athletics and helped me understand the importance of a proactive approach to taking care of the mental side of the game.

About AIM Mind Training

AIM Mind Training is a proactive performance and health system that creates a thriving student-athlete community.

Many things can take away from the true nature of sport and the ability to fully maximize potential, enjoyment and long-term development opportunities. 

How an individual interacts with the student-athlete experience is only part of the equation.

It’s the culture of the community our athletes are subjected too that will ultimately determine potential, enjoyment, and their ability to transition the student-athlete experience into many other aspects of life.

The result is a user that better understands who they are, what they want, the importance of community and how to approach life with a mindset suited for success, happiness and well-being.

● The system analyzes, guides and supports student-athletes, parents, and coaches.

● Provides a personalized approach to cultivating an optimal performance environment. 

● Uses cutting edge technology to determin the strengths, desires, and areas of needed improvement in each user. 

● User information is kept secure and anonymous.

● User information is used solely to enhance the effectiveness of the system for that user.

● The system assures each user is working with the coaches or counsellors that suit individual needs. 

● Creates positive shifts in mindset and leadership that allow our youth to flourish in any environment.

https://www.aimmindtraining.com

@aim.mind.training

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54. Coming To America, BIZ & BFF’S

This is a FUN one and a great listen for anyone that is starting a new business in a new place or revamping/reinventing their current one. I welcome Pavel and Victor to T&T, this was the 3rd interview from PodMax Live #1. They share their journey on coming to America, becoming best friends (forever), loving Europe (even though they are from Russia:), and how they took one successful business model and applied it several others-accommodating different markets, cultures, and evolving product needs. From home improvements to upgrading the audio in your studio, you need to check these guys out now that we are all home WAY MORE. I actually just ordered 16 of their panels for my home studio. They discuss why panels are important (for all my fellow casters) and how they have the ability to customize just about anything to brand your home or business space. These guys do a great job of staying on the trend setting tip while relying on solid core values to carry them to the next adventure or opportunity. These are the business and humans that we need to support- the back bone of America!! We say it all the time on T&T, be conscious on how you spend your dollar it matters! 

Well done Victor and Pavel, I can’t wait to install my panels and continue to see how your companies and all-around impact grow, cheers!

Highlights

Entrepreneurs in America. Questioning a better way. Russia to Europe to America. Making friends and making money. Evolving as the journey does. Listening to the consumer. Keeping your heart space grounded so your business space follows. Being a good person, above all else.

Pavel Chaploutskiy: 

A New Jersey resident, loving father, and husband, Pavel Chaploustkiy, expresses his entrepreneurial drive through real estate, contracting, and e-commerce. Experienced builder and construction consultant, Pavel is a critical player in partnerships that rely on his management abilities and knowledge. He values and honors relationships and big goals in business and life. When he’s not creating value or meditating, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking outdoors, helping others, fishing, and kitesurfing.

Victor Rakovich:

Victor’s experience in contracting and e-commerce allows him to live in an ecovillage at the base of Cayuga Lake, New York. Through innovative partnerships with suppliers, contractors, and artists, Victor brings his marketing and business development skills to their fullest potential.

In business, Victor acts through his avatar – Artpreneur Tantrique. Tantrique is an art-director of an inspirational wall art collection. Together with Pavel, they manage an acoustic panel business and a wall & ceiling covering brand. 

As a father of four, Victor loves the exotic adventures of family life, enjoys Yoga, and research into the depths of consciousness.

Awake Graphics:

At AWAKE we design and print high resolution art on specialty wide span fabrics to create modern backlit installations and acoustic celling and wall treatments. We work at the intersection of art and architecture to provide both commercial and residential with practical, functional, and beautiful ceiling, lighting, and acoustic solutions. Our interior designs are only limited by the imagination. 

@awake_graphics

@popcornceilingsolution 

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53. Open Mic: FOURPOINTS Bar

On the front page of FOURPOINTS Bar’s website is the is the statement (stance) from the Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance (complete statement below). Please take the time to read it in full as it highlights who FOURPOINTS Bar are as people, as a company, and the conversation we have on this week’s T&T episode. You know how passionate I am about disrupting the dollar- where it’s being spent, why, and how, particularly in major corporate settings. We cover big food (major food orgs, KRAFT etc) and their power in the consumer’s market AND in the legislation of our country. The FOURPOINTS team is not only working hard to bring a superior bar with several competitive edges to the already overcrowded CPG “bar” market (prune based fyi and it’s awesome), they are also taking things to Washington DC to play with the big dogs and work for positive social (and consumption) change from all sides. They work with several charitable organizations giving back a percentage of annual sales each year (as a start up!) and align with other fitting industry strategic partners that share in the same core values and passion for Graceful Disruption™:). I’ll leave it there- this is a good one with so many great examples on why it’s so important for businesses to take a stance on social values. That has not been status quo until now. Consumers: fire up your engines and start purchasing accordingly. 

AND the have an Indie GOGO currently launched- support the cause today:  https://igg.me/at/fourpoints-bar/x/23180680#/

A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.

– Henry Ford

FOURPOINTS Bar was created out of our passion for the outdoors, recreation, and clean eating, and was inspired by our family’s fight with diabetes. In 2007, after experiencing an untimely energy crash descending a 14,000 ft. peak in the Colorado Mountains during a lightning storm, we realized it was time for something different.Utilizing our sports nutrition, culinary, and wilderness athlete backgrounds, we began to experiment with different foods & recipes in an effort to craft an on-the-go and nutritionally complete bar that would better support our active lifestyles and a healthier blood sugar. The result – a slow-burn energy bar uniquely powered by prunes, with a low-glycemic load for sustained energy, without the sugar spikes and crashes. A bar isn’t just a bar to us. We aren’t limited by a desire to just getting outside. We also share a deep love of those wild & beautiful places and a calling to protect & preserve where we play. We are a 1% For the Planet business member and partner with other conservation non-profits to protect public lands. The FOURPOINTS:  Real Food, Macronutrient Rich, Slow-Burn Energy, Ridiculously good

Follow our adventures @fourpointsbar and use #whereveryouplay

-Kevin & Patrick Webber

Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance:

The events of the past few weeks have brought our country’s systemic racism — particularly against Black Americans — back into the headlines. Tragically, these recent stories of violence barely scratch the surface of the injustices and discrimination that black people and people of color face every day in this country. 
 

Environmental justice is an integral part of Conservation Colorado’s mission, and racial justice is an inseparable aspect of that work. Outdoor recreation holds a problematic history in that for many, especially people of color, the outdoors and wild places have remained inaccessible. As the Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance fights for a world with protected lands, clean air and water, we know those efforts won’t be fully realized unless every person has equitable access to the outdoors, to democratic processes, and we put an end to systematic oppression against black people and people of color. 

Now almost 300 businesses strong, the Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance has impacted dozens of pro-conservation policy efforts over the years. We realize that with our collective influence comes great responsibility. It is our job to ensure that all voices are represented among our membership and within our leadership, that the Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance is an accessible program to all businesses, especially those who represent communities of color, and that we are only supporting policies that benefit all Coloradans, not just some. 

We recognize and stand in solidarity with the leadership of the frontline organizations and individuals working to end racism and violence against people of color. We want a world in which access to the outdoors is a great equalizer; a place where all people can come together, be at home, and feel safe. As the Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance Steering Committee, we commit to advocating for the protections of lands, water, climate for ALL Coloradans. 
 

Sincerely, 
The Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance Steering Committee 

Patrick Webber – Fourpoints Bar

Chase LaCroix – Durango Outdoor Exchange
Emily Ledergerber – Alpacka Rafts
Forrest Merithew – Merithew Law
John Nicholas – Bonfire Collective
Kathryn Bedell – Roan Creek Ranch and Agriculture Commission
Kate Palmer – JP Morgan
Peter Downing – Suffer Better
Philip Huffeldt – Wool Hat Creative
Stu Swineford – Relish Studio
Ashleigh Diaz – 4Corners Riversports.

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52. One Small Bite

You are what you eat! Today I welcome Registered Dietitian, David Orozco, (MS, RDN, LD).  We met at Podfest (a podcast conference), mid another cast and David happened to walk by (check out T&T Ep. 34to hear it live:), we chatted briefly and now reconnected! Universe speaks- we didn’t have time to dig into many details initially, but on this cast,  you will hear- we have a lot in common. David and I discuss nutrition, lifestyle, the disproportionate access to nutrition in different areas for different races and economic status. In addition, we cover bariatric surgery and the lack of the mental wellness conversation alongside the nutritional conversation. We highlight that living well and eating well are really lifestyle choices and not a diet. David gives 5 things that he thinks every human should do- and I agree!! Listen in and check out the cast that I did with him on, One Small Bite, his podcast! Supporting the pod-fam, only way to go:).  Cheers!

Highlights

Nutrition and race. Nutrition and gender. Nutrition in America. Nutrition and business. Marketing. Questioning a better way. No diets. Making one small change, one small bite at a time. Food is beautiful. Honoring your fuel. Changing your relationship with food. 

One Small Bite (Podcast):

David is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a Master’s in Nutrition and Health Science from Georgia State University. He is certified in Intuitive Eating Counselor, Exercise Physiology, and Quit Smart® smoking cessation, and is fluent in Spanish. David is the owner of TD Wellness, LLC, and believes in food as medicine, balance in life, and in building positive relationships. His passion in nutrition and well-being is rooted in the harmony of mind, body, and the spirit, and, with a little hard work, his clients can achieve a place of harmony. David also loves to cook, travel, and relax with his family, and he teaches indoor cycling, loves to hike, bike, and he holds the rank of Sandan (third degree black belt) in the Japanese martial art of Aikido.

In this podcast, we optimize health One Small Bite at a time. With nutritionist David Orozco as your guide, we’ll chop harmful diet myths and build wisdom based on sound nutritional science. From hot topics like fasting and high-fat diets to listener question on issues like mindful eating and chronic illness – we cover proven methods to fuel your body and nourish your soul. One Small Bite is where men come to shoot the breeze about their health and rumble with vulnerabilities in order to transform their lives. Subscribe today and take the first bite!

@david_tdwellness 

Onesmallbite.net

TD Wellness

We Help You Create a Positive Relationship to Eating

At TD Wellness, we believe nutrition goes way beyond the leafy greens that are relentlessly hyped in the media. We also understand that the chocolate chip fudge swirl ice cream calling to you at midnight sometimes means you might actually need a little instead of fighting it.

We are dedicated to working with people to set realistic and achievable goals. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or an eating disorder, are trying to change your child’s picky eating habits, are finding exercise keeps falling off your daily ‘to do list,’ or are simply needing to manage your high blood pressure, we are here to support you on your life’s journey to finding balance and a positive relationship to eating and your health.

Our Programs Fit Your Needs

We offer our client a host of services and programs. Our services and programs are tailored in partnership with you to meet your specific needs and goals. Whether you are taking off on a new life, trying to take off pounds, or taking care of a medical condition, we will work with you to build a program fit for you.