The Long Road

"Everything we do we will it to be done!" -Ray Eliot One of the most successful college football coaches in American history was Coach Ray Eliot from the University of Illinois. I've spoken on Coach Eliot before, but in this show, I'll be sharing some of his thoughts from a book written by his grandson in 1995 entitled, "Ray Eliot: The Spirit and Legend of Mr. Illini." Coach Eliot had some amazing...

On the tragic eve of another female runner violently attacked and murdered, here are my thoughts on the rights and issues surrounding female runners in America. *Photo by Ron Jones

As the world learns of the passing of Queen Elizabeth, it is worth reflecting upon what we can learn from her sense of decorum, poise, sense of honor, and tradition. Here are a few thoughts in respect and my best wishes to all my friends in the UK tonight. *Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II#/media/File :Queen_Elizabeth_II_in_March_2015.jpg

Some random thoughts of the day from an armadillo report to the demonic imagery of Biden's propaganda speech and more...

I've been observing my PE girls this last week during some free play. Their movement skills are stunning! It got me thinking about the values of barefoot fitness and how people can learn better through their feet and movement in general--it's a nice bright spot to polish today.

American author Will Rogers had some brilliant thoughts on taxes a hundred years ago...here are a few to consider when understanding that "free is NOT free" when it comes to free money from the government. *Photo Credit: Wikipedia

I started noticing a bunch of holes in my yard a couple of months ago. I found out they were being dug by the resident armadillo! Most people here uses traps and take them away or kill them--however, is there a better way to think about this? Can I become one with the armadillo? Here are a few fun armadillo facts and deeper reflections. *Photo by HunadamTomfriedelderivative work: WolfmanSF - File:...

Here are four bright spots to polish coming out of California teacher education at the university level. My friend and teacher Dr. Rocannon MacGregor put up a post about some of the work being done by education professor Dr. Marga Madhuri--I've also worked for years with Dr. Madhuri and have been impressed by her instruction and character. There were four critical points cited that are worth discu...

A few weeks ago, the historic home of Bonnie Prudden in Tucson, AZ was flooded for the second time in one year. The home is inhabited by Bonnie's long-time assistant Enid Whittaker who has been my mentor for many years. The damage is so extensive that Enid had to vacate the home. Many of the historic reference materials were damaged. Enid needs help with repair and restoration costs that are not g...

I've been reviewing some of my vintage running manuals since returning to XC coaching this year. Here are some great running tips from the US Navy "V-Five" pilot aviation program in WWII. The USN V-Five was legendary and represented state-of-the-art physical and mental training during WWII. *Source: "Track and Field" by The United States Naval Institute (1943)

I met all of my 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade PE students yesterday on the first day of school. What a difference! Here are my observations over the last couple of years regarding pre and post-pandemic movement quality in American children and some thoughts on why country kids move differently.

A few education quotes from American author and thought leader Will Rogers as Americans head back to school this month. *Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Like many Americans, I've been monitoring our southern border crisis with increased concern if not total horror. The amount of illegal drugs coming into our country is beyond belief, yet what is driving their deliveries? Is it really the Cartels? No. Let's talk about root causes to the chronic suffering in America...then begin to take real action to UPlift ourselves and our neighbors.

Do you realize that many American youth today do not even know their shirt size, height, or weight? Even teens! What are they paying attention to besides a basic connection to their bodies and biometrics? It's worth a show and chat. *Photo by Ron Jones

Vin Scully was a baseball and American icon. Today, I use his passing to discuss a deeper issue related to baseball culture and how a classical type of baseball "could be" used as a healing agent in American culture. Sit back, get a ballpark dog and drink, and enjoy the show. *Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

The last week of the 2022 school year, I offered these tips to my 8th grade US History students...they are worth a share outside of the school too.

In just three days, my XC kids are making amazing progress in improving their form and biomechanics. It's so positive that I felt it worth sharing. So often we think kids cannot do this or that, but many times the real problem is the lack of opportunity to learn what needs to be learned in the first place! We have a great group of dedicated runners from 6th-12th grade. What a joy to be working and...

I finally finished my gazebo deck rebuild project. It was scorching hot here over 100 degrees all week, and I was out in all of it covered in sweat and sawdust. What were the real values of this project beyond just having a better deck to sit on? Maybe more than you think?

The "hygiene" area in classical PE programs includes weather acclimatization to ALL kinds of weather--hot, cold, wet, dry, calm, windy, etc. The idea is to at least have some sort of baseline weather toughness so you are used to different types of weather. Today, we have a predicted ambient temperature of 107 F and 111 F heat index...it's HOT! I'll be outside working on my deck project in the hott...

About a year ago I was observing my new 8th graders trying to place a soccer ball on top of a safety cone during a new school year activity day. They were having a difficult time getting the ball to stay on top of the cone. After closer observation, I realized they were not using their hands properly to place the ball...here are some historical thoughts on the importance of teaching hand agility a...

Another important share from the 1914 book "PEP: Poise, Efficiency, & Peace" written by Col. WM. C. Hunter. Today, we take a look at Section 3 which goes into the physical and emotional cost of "worrying" and how this can cause a "congestion" that produces disease and illness, etc.

Here's another share from NYU's legendary Professor of Physical and Health Education JB Nash's 1942 book entitled, "Building Morale." In this show, I share Nash's historic wisdom on how to layer in skilled movement efficiency in order to create more "energy reserves" and caloric efficiency. These are HUGE concepts out of history brilliantly simplified by Nash in his practice writing style. "Skille...

In 1942, NYU Physical Education and Health Professor JB Nash wrote an amazing book entitled, "Building Morale." Today, I'm sharing a brief excerpt from Chapter II on "The Hand on the Back" where he goes into what drives human survival, existence, and how a combination of drives can UPlift and elevate culture through things like "art in utility" and striving for excellence or improvements, etc. *Ph...

"PEP: Poise-Efficiency-Peace (A Book of Hows Not Whys For Physical and Mental Efficiency)" was first published in 1914 by Col. WM. C. Hunter. Today's show is Hunter's layout of his book and how to read and follow along.

I've been reading a lot of critical history on the psychology of mass genocide and medical killings by the Nazis and had a flashback to a personal training client of mine many years ago...she kept complaining about her feet, so when I inquired deeper, I found out a doctor had sewn all her toes together! If you have blind faith in the medical community, maybe you should listen to this real story an...