Transformed via Spartan...

Going into my first Spartan Race, I was completely unaware, blind really. I had no idea what was coming, no clue what my body would go through, and no concept of the training I needed to succeed, let alone finish. During our annual Tri-Tip Challenge in September my friends Robert and Mario randomly threw out, "hey, CJ why don't you do Spartan Sprint with us in December?" I was totally against it, never thought I could do it and pretty sure my body couldn't handle it. Well, three months later, weeks of training, and I DID IT! I took my body passed my comfort zone, at least 15 times Saturday. I challenged myself mentally a hundred times or more. I fought through the mental breakdown while I pushed through the physical pain. I stopped myself if a movement hurt, or seemed dangerous. I rested when needed, even if my overly competitive habits resisted. I heard my coaches Chad Franco (CrossFit Five Cities) and Rob Yontz (True North Fitness, Ventura, CA) in my head when something didn't feel right; while making adjustments to attempt the challenge correctly.

It's been incredible, the emotional, spiritual and psychological benefits have been EPIC!!! I feel like I've conquered something bigger than just the race. I worked with myself throughout the entire race, to be mindful and cautious, yet fierce and competitive. There's something to be said for being a mature athlete and really truly listening to your body and your advisors/coaches. I recently wrote a blog on www.crossfitfivecities.com about how we all have a support staff. I have a big one, Chiropractor Rex Stevens @ The SLO Wellness Center, Massage Therapist Rachel Valliere, CrossFit and Life Coach Chad Franco of CrossFit Five Cities, and Spartan Coach Rob Yontz of True North Fitness. Without this team of people I would not have done the race, let alone finish it. I cannot articulate the lessons and blessings I have received since Saturday December 5th at Castaic Lake, CA. Bring on Spartan Super 2016, five more miles, many more challenges and hopefully, much more personal growth. Each time I conquer some sort of physical challenge in my life, I move forward and my heart gets fuller. Each time I conquer some sort of emotional challenge in my life, I get deeper, I am driven to be better from the inside out, and I continue to fully connect with my authentic true self. I am far from finished with my own personal transformation. I am not a winner, but I am a competitor and I am solid. I am grateful, sore and tired. Amen! AROO! #STFU #spartan #girlpower #neverstopgrowing #neverstoplearning #nevergiveup #inthemoment #thisisit

Looking back: 9 years of Roller Derby

As we close out our 2015 season with the final Cal Skate Roller Derby doubleheader this past Saturday night and our end of the year league meeting last night, I find myself searching through my memory. I reminisce about the people, the laughter, the sisterhood, the fans, the travel, the injuries, the growth, the friendships, but most of all the rewards. How lucky I am to have found this sport. It truly did save me from myself at times. Derby has helped me celebrate the accomplishments on and off the track, experience my growth in life and at practice while enjoying all that we'd learned during games. Derby has been with me through pain, sorrow, change, loss, and celebration. Derby has created a family for me, from my brief time playing in Washington to my 9+ years in California. I've watched hundreds of women come and go, with the most resilient sticking it out to find balance in their lives to fit skating in and discovering the best in themselves to succeed. We say the game is 33% physical, 33% skill, and 34% heart/mental. The heart component is what the sport is all about. If you don't have any skills or experience before you start skating, derby offers it to you, from day one; hours of volunteer training. As women, we have very few opportunity to continue playing sports after high school, if some are fortunate enough, college. Roller Derby gives us that chance. Derby gives women who have never played a sport, something new for themselves, for their bodies and their souls. Though sometimes derby has brought stress, or challenges, the positive has far outweighed the negative. I am grateful, blessed and honored to call myself a derby girl, a teammate, a skater, a jammer, a sister! I am a proud one time member of Central Coast Roller Derby, visiting skater with Slaughter County Roller Vixens, a part time member of Pacific Coast Recycled Rollers and a current member of Cal Skate Roller Derby. Cheers to all of the skaters, ref's, NSO's, derby wives, derby husbands, derby kids and the women who came before me! Thank you for giving me this amazing sport. Now, bring on 2016 my last, my 10th and my final year of competitive Roller Derby. Pride...Honor...Courage...Respect...Who are we? CAL SKATE!

Celebrating all women who talk sports...

It's so cool to me that women are showing up in sports broadcasting more than ever recently. Though we've been here for a while. You just might not have seen us, since the late 80's actually. I'm grateful it's happening! Sometimes I get bummed that it's now rather than when I started out in this business nearly 30 years ago. I am celebrating today, the fact that women are finally being noticed and getting a chance to talk sports in every medium. First, years ago, it was okay for women to write about sports, then TV sideline reporters started appearing more often, and later studio hosts/anchors were tolerated. Unfortunately, radio is moving a little more sloooooowly than the others. I am enjoying seeing these women succeed, hearing strong knowledgeable opinions and witnessing men accepting us a bit more. I hate to say, it's not exactly what I'd like it to look like, but it's a start, better than no movement at all. I guess my mom was right when she said I was ahead of my time. Today, I woke up thinking about these women, and it's cool how our sisterhood is growing. Women will support each other, we have that to keep us going. We will encourage each other to push through the bad moments. We lift each other up and can congratulate one another for our accomplishments. I am proud to be doing this 26+ years later. I'm enjoying interacting with all of the women out there who are working in this business around the country. The positive outweighs the negative...most of the time. While we celebrated Jessica Mendoza doing a playoff game, others looked to criticize her. But, to most of us the insults are normal, but sometimes it gets pretty darn ugly! Sports Anchor Julie DiCaro in Chicago writes: “When it comes to sports, women are big targets for abuse because the resentment is two-fold. Some resent us for our confidence and beliefs. But there also is an added resentment because we are supposedly infiltrating a space that has been decidedly male. There are some men who don’t want to share that space, because our presence changes that dynamic. Suddenly they have to be 'civilized.' It’s no longer a no-holds barred environment. Because women are not only present in sports, we’re demanding something from them. We’re demanding respect, and some just don’t like it. There’s no reason that I—and the thousands of other women in the field—should have to tolerate things online that no one would ever accept off it." DiCaro, a former attorney who is currently a writer for The Cauldron and an anchor for Chicago sports radio station 670 The Score. Check out her entire article, it does contain a bunch of vulgar words, just sayin'. www.si.com/cauldron/2015/09/27/twitter-threats-vile-remarks-women-sports-journalists. Instead of wallow in the negative and yucky stuff, today I toast so many successful women in the world of sports media... Cheers to DiCaro, Jessica Mendoza, Amy Lawrence, Christine Lisi, The Fabulous Sports Babe, Spain & Prim, Shelley Smith, Peggy Kuzinski, Shireen Saski Starman, Elise Woodward, Shannon Drayer, Kimberley Martin, Jessamyn McIntyre, Suzyn Waldman, Katie Nolan, Jamele Hill, the list is long, and that is the AWESOME part!!!!

I wanted to help...Katrina...10 years later

It's been 10 years, but to me it will stay with me as if it was yesterday. I remember how I felt the morning of August 29th, 2005. I'd been up most of the night watching the coverage, the anticipation of Katrina hitting the gulf coast region was everywhere. Not a network in the country wasn't there. Every reporter was decked out in storm gear and holding on to a light post, a tree, something, anything to stay safe while bringing the devastating video to us all around the world. It was sensational, but it was also significant. Nothing this big had hit our country in years! And, as I look back, I know we weren't ready, none of us were prepared to handle what came next. My heart was affected that day and I was driven to help...make a donation, answer the phones, something. I went to the local Red Cross office in San Luis Obispo, CA and about 10 days later I was gone, on a plane headed to Baton Rouge to do whatever I could to support the recovery efforts. I was devastated and shocked, when I arrived. It was like a ghost town. As our car, full of volunteers from Iowa, Wisconsin and California traveled from Baton Rouge into New Orleans the roads were empty, stores were boarded up, homes abandoned. It was spooky and so so sad to me. We drove in silence, four strangers brought together by the storm. We each walked away from our lives to head south and do anything to help. My life changed dramatically that year. And still 10 years later my heart breaks, the memories vivid of my time in Louisiana. I came back with the "Katrina Cough" we called it. I hacked for weeks during my waking hours and while I slept. Once in a while, still, if I dream about it I wake up feeling like I've lost my breath, the memories clear in my mind. Wow, I hope nothing, nothing like that ever happens again to any of us. As bad as it was, to be away from my job at ESPN, my family, my dog, my friends...if it happened again right now, today, I would drop everything and head out again. Because, that's who I am. In my heart I know people would come here to help if we needed. Please, don't you forget, I will NEVER forget!

Women in Sports, 2015...

What a month for celebration, Girls DO Sports & Girls TALK Sports!!! It started with the Women's World Cup Championship... Then the Serena Slam... Then Becky Hammon Coaches the NBA's San Antonio Spurs Summer League team to a Championship... Then Jen Welter got hired by the Arizona Cardinals as a pre-season Inside Linebacker Coach... Then Nancy Lieberman was hired by George Karl and the Sacramento Kings as an Assistant Coach... Then Ronda Rouseys MMA fight was what everyone in sports radio was talking about... Then Inbee Park wins the British Open, her fourth major on the LPGA Tour... Early in the spring the NFL hired Sarah Thomas as its first permanent referee/official. I want to say "it's about time." But, that wouldn't be fair, instead it seems like it's happening at the exact right time. I have been waiting on this for years. I started in this business in 1988 and my mother has always said I was ahead of my time. I disagree, I think I started at the exact right time. The growth and movement is slow, for sure. But, look at the civil rights movement, it started in the 1950's. And now in 2015, people of color are still NOT always free. Things move slowly in our country. I may have been one of the firsts, but, I'm not sure women truly have really even broken through in sports? In sports TV...maybe, in soccer...maybe, in tennis...maybe, in golf...maybe. But unfortunately, I may not be alive to see complete growth. I may not be alive to see a woman do play by play for Monday Night Football, but if I am, I want it to be ME! I may not be alive to see a woman as successful in sports radio as Jim Rome or Mike & the Mad Dog. But, if I am, I want it to be ME! Racial barriers are real, gender barriers are real...not gonna stop me! If I am ever called a pioneer, I'll know I've earned it!

Why 10,000 reps...

A couple of my buddies from Cal Poly Strength & Conditioning, Chris White and Chris Holder, have been swinging 10,000 kettlebells a couple times of year to perfect their swings and I guess, just because. In the spring of this year we talked about doing it together. I suggested, I would do it with them and why don't we make it a fundraiser. I mean, my goodness, if you're going to do something random and wacky like this, why not make some money for a great cause too? Did I mention, these guys are certified kettlebell trainers? Did I mention they're both the athletic trainers for Cal Poly? Did I mention they want to find any way they can to give back? Did I mention they're beasts? Here's my story. When my nephew Tanner was diagnosed with brain cancer at 10 years old, my family was shocked. When he died eight months later, we were devastated. That was over two years ago and I've had a lot of time to think and grieve. In my own grieving process I have been driven to do something. Maybe keep other families from dealing with the evil c-word. That's my story, what's yours? How can we help stop the disease madness on our planet, in our communities and amongst our closest family and friends? I don't have any factual evidence, but I know the world has changed and there are hundreds of sicknesses and diseases affecting our society that didn't exist before. How can we make a change and stop the downward spiral? I think if we all try to live a healthier lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating more fresh, local and organic produce/foods, it's a start. If you're feeling like I am about the decline of the health of our people, try making a few changes in your own life. We're raising money for B4BC (Boarding for Breast Cancer) this month in support of a group of folks who spend all of their time traveling to colleges and universities to educate young people on healthy eating and healthy living. Please, join our month long event, by exercising and/or donating to support what we're doing. www.classy.org/10000forprevention. Let's live in a prevention frame of mind rather than a reaction frame of mind!!! Thomas Edison once said, "The doctor of the future will give no medicine; instead he will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, nutrition and the cause and prevention of disease.”

Another year...

I love June, summer is here, the best fruits and vegetables are in peak season and it's my birthday month, Woot Woot! As I creep closer to 50, reeeeaaaally close, I sit present in my perspective, my life, my surroundings and my heart space. Looking back on the last year I have learned many lessons and received even more blessings & gifts. I did my first Triathlon, and probably my last. I went back to my alma mater (Syracuse University) for the first time in 24+ years. I visited my east coast family for Thanksgiving and fell in love with all of them. I vow to see that part of my Silas clan way more often from now forward. I learned a few things too; love isn't always what we want it to be and loving ourself is the MOST important love of all. I know my precious dog is in the second half of her life. This means, I will spend even more time with her as the months pass. I figured out how to listen to my body, take better care of it and rest at least one full day a week. I vow to laugh and smile as much as humanly possible! I vow to think with my heart, not with my mind. I vow to save my time for those who appreciate what I have to give. I vow to breathe fresh air often, from the top of a hill most of the time. I vow to give love to those who will honor it and love me back, unconditionally. I vow to only allow people close if they are trustworthy, honest, transparent and true! I vow to treat people kindly and stand up for myself to be treated kindly. I vow to love myself more now than ever because I have to be with me from start to finish. I'm even thinking of vowing to swing 10,000 Kettlebells during the month of July (to raise money for B4BC). Now, that one sounds CRAZY! But, I just might do it. What are your vows?

Prevention BEFORE Reaction...

I like this plan! Being healthy feels good and your future depends on it. It seems like most people want to be healthy, but some just don’t know where to start. You get caught up in life, and settled into bad habits year after year, then don’t know what changes to make or how to make them. First of all, exercising and moving on a regular basis is an important component to a healthy life. Eating right, with most things in moderation, is another factor to a long, full and healthy life. Sleeping enough, because that’s when our bodies heal, is crucial! Taking care of yourself is the whole story, your own personal journey. The energy you put into being well, presently, means a heck of a lot later. Easier said than done, you think? I disagree. Yes, change is hard, eating right and exercise takes planning, motivation and commitment. Most of us commit to waking up, getting out of bed, going to work, paying bills, eating, etc. Taking real care of yourself should be just as important as our other everyday commitments. Don’t live in “reaction” anymore, let’s focus on “prevention.” You are not alone, you don’t have to figure it out for yourself. I invite you to an expo coming up this Sunday. It’s called Prevention on Purpose. It’s where like-minded folks will get together to share information and encourage all of us to live now at our best while educating for our future generations. It's about preventing, before having to react! Check out the website: www.preventiononpurpose.com Hope to see you 4pm on Sunday May 31st @ The Clark Center in Arroyo Grande, CA. Cheers, to health, happiness and a long life!

I want my MLB back...

It's been such a weird beginning of the Major League baseball season. I thought last years memory of no TV would be just that, a memory. I hoped the cable/TV issues would have been resolved by April of this year, for sure. I was wrrrrrrrong. (Anyone remember when Greg Brady refused to admit he was wrong?) This is just the second time in my life when I didn't count the days until my first game at Dodger Stadium, or the first game I was going to watch on TV. And I've been mad about it. The problem is baseball is part of my history, it's part of who I am. My connection with The Brooklyn Dodgers, The L.A. Dodgers and Jackie Robinson goes deeper than my love of the game. My derby Coach, Pete Ybarra, made a fantastic point last night when he told me he doesn't think the Dodgers even realize they are taking baseball away from an entire generation. Kids aren't going to listen to the games on the radio, most of them don't even know what AM radio is. If their parents have it on at home they can't concentrate on it when their minds are stuck in their video games, TV or hand held devices. Kids need to SEE the game to enjoy it, live or at least on TV. This obnoxious corporate battle between a bunch of money hungry businessmen has NOTHING to do with baseball or our LOVE of the game. Unfortunately, it affects how all of us continue to write the history of the Los Angeles Dodgers and it's youngest fan base. If you think about it more analytically, the TV thing is SO much bigger than money. If we don't find a way to bring the games back to television, our young people, who are so connected to their phones, may never come back. I've decided to start planning my nights around my team again, even if it's only on the radio. Because it's more than just the game on the field, it's history, baseball helped change our country in the 40's and 50's.

I owe it to Jackie Robinson, Hank Thompson, Sam Jethroe, Monte Irvin, Roy Campanella, Larry Doby, Don Newcombe, etc. to stick by the boys; even if the team owners and Major League Baseball allow the greedy folks to keep me from SEEING the games. They, we, you, all of us, owe it to the kids to get the Dodgers back on TV, and SOON. Otherwise, another foundation of US history may be lost forever.

My heart touched by a Marathon...

Wow, I've announced professional, college summer league, and collegiate baseball for nearly 30 years. I've announced A-League Soccer in Seattle. I've announced Semi-Pro Football in Syracuse, NY. I have announced awards ceremonies for The SLO County Special Olympics. I have done bike races, fun runs, roller derby, competitive 5K's, fundraising walks and even a fashion show or two. But, never in my nearly 30 years in this business have I done a three day Marathon event. I've run them, but I have never announced a 26.2 mile Marathon or a 13.1 mile 1/2 Marathon. This weekend's festivities included a packet pick-up expo, a 5K, a kids 1-mile run, a kids dash, a half marathon and a marathon. It basically put our small beautiful California city on hold for hours and man was it worth it! I have never seen more determined athletes of every age, setting goals, pushing through the pain and making it happen even in difficult weather conditions. The rain on Saturday didn't stop anybody running in the 5K, 1-mile or kids dash. I was competing in a personal marathon myself, challenging my vocal cords for 10+ hours on Friday, 15+ hours on Saturday and 9+ hours on Sunday, and it was awesome! The faces of the competitors before, during and after their races inspired me to push through my own exhaustion. Watching the teams compete together, waiting at the finish line for their teammates was so cool! Seeing the Team for Riley of over 70 people running, walking, and crying all in memory of teenager Riley O'Donnell who died in February of 2014. They battled tears and sadness all weekend long. But, it was healing for me and warmed my heart as I remembered my family's loss, my 11 year old nephew Tanner less than two years ago. No matter what they ran for, no matter who they ran for, folks of all ages kept me and my voice going and alive for the 35+ hour marathon. Here's to next year, hours and hours on the microphone at the 5th Anniversary of the SLO Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. Kudos, congrats, good on you. Without the runners and walkers, I may not have made it all the way through my own finish line at 5pm Sunday night.

Staying professional...

I hate to say it, but sometimes in my business people aren't so nice. I keep telling myself that it's 2015, times have changed, people are good at heart and want people to have a fair chance to succeed in this life. Men want women to make strides to earn equal pay. People of all colors, of all lands and of all ethnic histories have given up the hate and everyone looks to be treated the same. Women are free everywhere to be and do anything. That's when I'm thought of as an idealist, a dreamer, a little naive. Well, I'm okay with those labels, but I'm not okay when anyone is treated badly, patronized, condescended or disrespected based on color, gender, status or how big their pile of stuff is. Recently, I was proven wrong...darn it! I've been in this business, a predominantly male field since 1988, when I started at an NPR radio station in Syracuse, NY. The sports department was run by students. I was the only female on the staff. Since then, 26+ years ago, less than 20 women have trained and worked in that department. Radio is a slow business to accept females. Sports TV is far ahead of the game. But, either way, on a regular basis we run into men that aren't interested in hearing what we have to say. It doesn't bother me, I'm used to it. What does irk me is when I am looked down upon, ONLY because I am a woman. I can't change people, I can't adjust their attitude or behavior. I can only do my best, be my best and not take it personally. There are those moments, and one happened to me just a week or so ago. I did take it personally and it was uncomfortable and I thought better of the person who treated me that way. He apologized, I think he meant it. But, I cannot wait until those moments are behind me. I'll stay optimistic that I won't have to deal with it forever. I must admit and be transparent...I'm doubtful. Especially when it's someone in power and considered a leader. I will move on, I will persevere and I will continue on my journey. Because I sure love what I do, even if I run into folks that don't get it or treat me differently just because I am a woman. I hope for the younger females in this business that they enjoy full careers without many of those negative moments. Because sports radio and TV can be so much fun. It's those few that are insecure or threatened by us that make it less than fantastic. Walk tall, keep your head up and remember who you are. Be bigger than the moment!

Goin' back to College in Syracuse

The take away from my trip back to Syracuse University for the first time since December 1990...everything happens for a reason, at the exact right time and the exact right moment. It sounds cliche, but stay with me here... I was invited to be part of a journalism forum called "Sports Matters." Being chosen to join some of the high caliber graduates from SU was an honor. While on campus last week, I had a chance to share stories from my career with young people and encourage them to keep dreaming and never give up! I had the opportunity to spend time with other Syracuse grads in the business, my peers. We created a dialogue around three very important topics in the "sports journalism" spectrum today. I guess you really never know you've succeeded until you go back where it all started and get unspoken confirmation from your alma mater. Success isn't about money, or ratings, or how many toys you have when you die. Being rich isn't about the numbers on your bank account. Rich is how you feel? How is your life everyday? Are you at a peaceful place? Do you smile and laugh often? Are you energized by each moment you experience? Your personal answers to these questions and others will enlighten you about your life. Just take a minute and ask yourself, you might learn something. When it all comes down to it...how do you feel each day in your own skin, in your neighborhood, in what you give back to the world. I returned to the west coast a changed person; thoroughly enjoying my week in Central New York. I have some of my answers to these questions, and for now...I'm complete. And you?

Epic & Divine Timing...

Wow, sometimes we think we'll work our entire life to climb the ladder to the top of our profession, make it to the pinnacle. Or we travel up and down along the way to some pretty mighty "highs" and some often deep "lows". We strive to make the big money, be the best at what we do, garner the most respect from our peers and live "happily ever after." Well, I'm here to tell you that can all be true at some point, but sitting in and enjoying the present awesomeness, or an awesome moment, is a must. Getting quickly through the yucky spots is always helpful. Using lessons of the aches and pains to become a better form of you, the professional you, is crucial. Can I take my own advice, is it possible to hold onto the good stuff while working through the bad stuff? I think so, yes! I need to hold onto this lesson right now, at this moment. Because, this past week was EPIC for me in a number of ways. Let's be honest with ourselves; when life is good we feel amazing, but when it turns we forget that we will go back to positive, it just takes time. I vow to use this feeling to get me through the next low or set of lows. I vow to forgive myself if things don't go as planned. I vow to celebrate my strengths and be at peace with my weakness. Please, help me stay accountable and keep me to my word. #IHaveaVision #inthemoment #thisisit