CrossFitting at any age...

When I walked into CrossFit Five Cities last spring I had no clue what I was getting myself into. In fact, I was darn right scared out of my mind. I knew nothing about the sport of CrossFit and thought it was just for young and in shape athletes. Don't get me wrong, I'm in shape and I'm an athlete, but I'm far from young. At first, I planned on going once a week to cross train for roller derby. Pretty quickly, after working with Chad Franco, I was in "the box" two times a week. Fast forward six months and I was seen there three times a week, at least. Now, almost a year later, I've even got my roller derby team working out at CrossFit Five Cities. This past weekend I woke up and found myself driving my car to Atascadero CrossFit, and competing in the SLO County Games. A first time beginners competition, set up for those of us that just started practicing the sport. It gave newbies a feel for what CrossFit looks like from a competitive angle. Wow, it was a life changing experience, to say the least. I had a blast, I felt strong, supported and part of something, something different. As competitive as I am in my roller skates, basketball kicks or running shoes, the inner athlete showed up and it was a gnarly adrenaline rush for sure! I finished, I felt accomplished, but more importantly, I'm now hooked on this sport and engulfed in a new community. Anyone, I mean ANYONE can do CrossFit, at any level. As long as you have a quality coaching staff guiding you, and keeping you safe. The family shows up too, the CrossFit family, to cheer you on and encourage you to do and be your best. It's up to you, to dig deep and make it happen. Moral of the story...CrossFit is for everyone and anyone who wants to be fit and healthy! The road to awesomeness begins at a CrossFit box near you, I promise.

Sometimes it's hard to be nice!

I have been doing this a long ass time. Often I run into amazingly helpful Media Relations folks, PR people and Sports Information Directors/staff. But, once in a while, I come into contact with no contact at all. I call, I email, I fax (in the old days) and I send snail mail (in the really old days). Usually, it's an interview request, a meeting idea or hopes for tickets for myself or a listener giveaway. Most of the time I get through to the right person within a day or two. when I was a full time producer in the 90's I got people on the same day, that was awesome. Now, it's a little different, harder to get a live voice, for sure! Then there are the times when I want to pull my hair out or say what I really feel. Two of those instances have come up quite recently. One with an SEC college Sports Information Department and the other with a major player in the communications department of one of the "top four" sports. This second incident also included two professional team media relations departments. I don't like to throw people under the bus or talk crap, but I've come close. If you read my book, you'd see that, because I changed people's names to avoid calling out a few of the jerks in this business. Today, I am frustrated, it took me three weeks to book an interview that happened too late to air on my show. Then it took seven weeks to get a live voice and an answer to a simple question. The answer was 'no.' And now it's too late for me to find other options for my plan. Do I go on my show and rip these people? Do I ignore being ignored and continue to move forward with my career? Do I stop engaging with these teams or businesses and focus on the helpful ones? After writing this and finding it quite cathartic, I will breathe deep and let it go. But, this experience gives me just one more reason to dislike the...

Cheers to 2014!!!

Wow, I'm sure ready for this year! I don't think I know a single person who had a smooth 2013. We've got a fresh start each day, but a fresh year, that's exhilarating! I learned a bunch about myself last year, I grew even more. I went through really, really, sad times and tough moments. My heart hasn't hurt that much in a long time, but I made it through. Thanks to my amazing Central Coast friends; my local family, I can say it was difficult but I NEVER felt alone. I lost love in more ways than I can describe. Yet, I gained a new found love of my true self. Sounds cheesy, yeah maybe. But, I don't care. I am on a new path with a wonderful group of derby sisters, incredible friendships, a thriving new business, a baseball job I absolutely love, the football gig of my dreams, and a new adventure that will take me back into the restaurant business. At Kanpai in Shell Beach, I'll be surrounded by my favorite food, and a family who has welcomed me in, trusting me to help them share their delicious menu with our Central Coast community. So, today I toast the beauty of a fresh start and the love we can all CHOOSE to have in our lives each day. It doesn't always last as long as we'd like, but, you still gotta go for it. Because a strong, deep, but brief love is better than no love at all.

25 years and still going, even if...

I've had ups and downs during my sports broadcasting career. There have been a bunch of "not so nice" guys and a handful of awesome and supportive guys. Not many women have crossed my path over that time in sports radio and TV. The few with whom I have worked have stayed in touch; often we've become friends. Some of the closest allies in my work and in my life have come from this business. But, I would be lying if I said it was ever easy. I'd be lying if I said I would automatically recommend this career to any young females. Certainly things have changed since the late 1980s when I began... but how much? I don't know. From my perspective, you've got to be ready to hear horrible things, be in uncomfortable surroundings, and feel left out of the clique or group or club. Still, if this is what you really want to do with your life, then you've got to go for it and go big. Know more than anyone in the room. Be more prepared than anyone else around. Stay professional no matter how hard it gets. And, always dress conservatively. You'll want to stand up for yourself and protect your integrity, but there will be times when your patience is tested, when your credibility is questioned and when you just want to haul up and punch a boy in the face. But... but... but...if you can get by without losing your cool under pressure, you CAN do this. I 'm proof of that. I've been at it for 25 years. It all began in Syracuse, NY at a student-run sports department inside an NPR station on the campus of Syracuse University. And my days there were some of the worst I experienced. Why is this coming up? Why do I mention this now? Because recently one of my male colleagues made a mistake...a big one. I didn't hear it; I haven't listened to it. Who am I to judge? I know one thing. He's not the only one to say something controversial or offensive. But, if we find the lesson in the mistake, the blessing in the experience and something good to come out of it, we've grown. I don't agree with what he said, but my feelings aren't hurt. I learned about that long ago.

The Joy of Being a FAN!

It never fails sometimes along the way, in the business of sports media/TV/radio/journalism/entertainment, we are told "be objective," "be fair," "be opinionated, but, don't root for a certain team," or "you can't have a favorite team." I disagree completely! Being a "fan" is what got me interested in this career more than 30 years ago. Having my teams win gives me a lot of enjoyment. I've continued to do my best to be objective, when necessary. I have fun with the way I talk about the teams I don't love because of my loyalty to my favorite teams. But, it's all for the love of the game and for the entertainment and sense of humor I try to have every time I turn on the microphone. Because as much as we love it, it's only sports, it's not life, it's not death, it's not disease or hunger. For now, I am having a bunch of fun, extra fun, because my team is still in it, and even has a chance to win it all. The Dodgers have had a rough rough few years recently, mainly, because of bad ownership! I must say, my life has been a struggle at times too, this year especially, but The Dodgers are helping me along. The Blue team that I have been loyal to for over 40 years is here for me, as my escape, as my happy moment as my joy each day. For those out there who have spent their professional years trying to be objective, I'm sorry. What do you turn to, as your escape when times are tough? For me, that time is now and it is the L.A. Dodgers! Thank you Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten and Guggenheim baseball, you have officially brought back the energy to Dodger Stadium. "From the South Bay to the valley, from the west side to the east side, Everybody's very happy, 'Cause the sun is shining all the time, it looks like another perfect day, I love L.A."

Derby Dilemma...

Here I lay on the floor, unable to get up without pain, unable to sneeze without pain, unable to cough without pain...seven years later and I'm not ready to give it up. Slamming my body against the concrete floor, the wood floor, the sports court...being pounded by other bodies. These are the days I wonder how much longer I can do this. My mind and my competitive side says "I must go on, continue...for the love of the game." But, over the last eight days I've had pain, I've had massages, I've soaked in a bath tub and in a jacuzzi, I've seen a physical therapist three times and cut down my activity to almost nothing. "These are the days that try men's souls"...my soul! I can't see life without roller derby. But, I must admit out loud, during times like the past week, I'm wondering how much the pounding is doing to my body, or the concussion a few years back, the torn ACL, the broken collarbone, the shoulder tightness, the lower back pain, the bruises...I'm not ready, my brain is not ready, dang it! I am not ready. Pass me the aspirin, hand me my skate bag, I gotta get to practice!

Famous misbehaving young people...

Back from a fantastic and relaxing vacation and I feel I must send a quick note to "Tongue out yo mouth Miley" and Manzie Panzie...Grow up! You are not that special. You may be able to play football extremely well, or have a famous last name, but you are not changing the world or saving any lives with your craft! I'd like to look at this from a different perspective. Because, I think we, as a society, are asking for this crap, aren't we? In the hours, days, months and years now of reality TV, TMZ, and photographers tracking people's every move...isn't this what people wanted? Doesn't the fascination with under-educated, ignorant, stupid people in Hollywood warrant the types of behavior we're seeing from our young people recently? Some folks in the public eye automatically think they can act however they'd like with no consequences. Talented athletes, singers, actors often get special treatment beginning pretty darn early in their careers. Maybe that's because a majority of our population forgot how to discipline their children. We've all seen it show up somewhere in our families, at our friends houses, on school campuses and out in public. Kids mouthing off at their parents with no punishment, talking back to managers, teachers, police officers and constantly disrespecting each other all over the darn social media outlets. If we continue to give spoiled, highly entitled and socially ignorant young people so much attention, shame on us! When we make them feel like the most important part of society, which they ARE NOT, this will remain the norm. I don't like the direction our youth is headed; in fact, just recently one of my high school interns cussed at me in front of a guest visiting the ESPN studio. If we back off on the amount of attention we give these mediocre people then, maybe that will help curb this behavior. Parents can you please help STOP the MADNESS!!! Am I crazy to think the threat of a bare handed spanking on the bottom coming back might help? Or is that child abuse? Because right now, I feel like we're in the midst of adult abuse!