If you tried to stay in shape as gyms closed across the nation, you probably experienced a few snags. Now, imagine being one of the world’s most elite athletes!
The novel coronavirus pandemic halted the NHL season after several players tested positive. However, the pause didn’t keep members of the Chicago Blackhawks from using the time to get thoroughly playoff-ready. Instead, they used a variety of innovative techniques to stay on top of their game as quarantine continued.
Image: NHL.com
They Adopted Rollerblades
How can you skate if you can’t get on the ice? If you’re Tom Cruise in “Risky Business,” you can make do with a hardwood floor and some socks, but players need something that mimics a skate. The answer? Rollerblades.
The craze started when hockey greats Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin had a joint interview, and the former indicated that he would use rollerblades to stay in shape during the pause. So many players took up inline skating that you might have trouble finding a pair if you want to imitate their regimen.
The activity makes sense. No matter how fast you run uphill on a treadmill, your ankles don’t enjoy the range of motion ice provides. You might have mighty quadriceps, but they won’t spare you a severe strain if you aren’t used to pirouetting on a slick surface quickly.
Inline skating also burns significant calories. If rollerblading kept the Chicago Blackhawks ice-ready, you can bet it will burn off the “quarantine 15.”
They Embraced Mother Nature
Nature offers the ideal way to get in your workout while maintaining social distancing guidelines. You can do so much more than going for a run — although, if you enjoy that activity, feel free to indulge! You can also walk, hike, bike or engage in more exotic sports like parkour.
Going outside lowers your risk of catching the novel coronavirus. According to Dr. Gary Green, medical director at Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital, outdoor exercise decreases your chance of spreading germs by a magnitude of 10 compared with the same exertion indoors. The primary means of contagion occurs when people congregate at trailheads or parks for large-group activities, but a solo run presents little danger.
They Looked to the Virtual World
If you tried to keep up with your fitness during quarantine, maybe you dropped your gym membership for a fitness app that lets you sweat it out in your living room. Did you know you were in good company? Many NHL players likewise went virtual to keep in game-day shape despite the pause.
Chicago Blackhawks strength and conditioning coach Paul Goodman decided to embrace the power of the internet to keep players in fighting shape. He used the Zoom video conferencing app to create a weekly routine and keep the ‘Hawks in shape during the three-month shutdown. While it took him two weeks to get his groove on in the new format, he now feels comfortable with the medium.
If you remain sheltered-in-place because you have an elevated risk of complications from COVID-19, you can draw inspiration from Goodman’s innovation. Find an accountability partner that you can check in with — or even workout “alongside” — using video conferencing software.
Playing Elite Hockey Means Keeping in Peak Condition Despite a Pandemic
As elite athletes, Chicago Blackhawks players needed to stay ready to return to the ice at a moment’s notice. They used the three innovative methods above to keep in peak form, and you can follow their lead.
Juliette is a sweet, brave, friendly, and loving 10-year-old, 15-pound, female blue-eyed pastel tortoiseshell Persian/Siamese-mix looking for a loving guardian.
Juliette came to Friends of Petraits Rescue when her human moved and could only bring two pets; so he brought his two dogs, her best friends.
Juliette greets new pets – both cats and dogs – with not as much as a hiss. She’s chubby, so she does need to lose some weight. But despite her size, she can easily hop over a baby gate.
She uses her litter box faithfully and is not one to hide. While she might not jump in your lap, she tolerates those who want to cuddle her without complaint.
Juliette is healthy, spayed, up-to-date on vaccines, virus-tested and micro-chipped. She even had full bloodwork done and all her values were normal. She easily lets you trim her nails and she does have all her claws.
To meet and possibly adopt this sweet cat, please contact [email protected] for an adoption application. Her adoption fee of $150 benefits the rescued pets of Friends of Petraits Rescue.
She is being fostered in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood.
450 E. Waterside Drive, Unit 3001, Chicago: $1,989,000 | Listed June 16, 2020
This Near East Side condo in the Loop has three bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms. The penthouse features 11-foot-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows with remote-controlled shades. Custom millwork is on display in the living room, along with a fireplace, recessed lighting and portico wood flooring. An island and Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances make up the Snaidero kitchen. The primary bedroom faces Lake Michigan and features a tray ceiling, a dressing area and a bathroom. The balcony offers views of the Chicago River. Two parking spaces are included.
Agent: Carla Walker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, 312-264-1236
Getting prepared to attend college typically isn’t an easy feat. Especially not when it comes to finding the right scholarships and qualifying for grants that could make the financial college experience much easier to manage.
I recall entering DePaul University in 2002 as a Freshman. Being excited and misinformed about so much; especially grants and scholarships. Although I received a few scholarships, it wasn’t enough to successfully get me through 4 years at a private Vincentian University in Chicago. I graduated with debt that could have been avoided. I wish I knew Theresa Harris, the “Scholarship M0mma.”
Who is Theresa Harris?
Theresa was born in Chicago and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. When she returned to Chicago, Theresa attended school part-time to focus on raising her children. As her children got older, she began to work full time while still attending school part-time until she was laid off from her job. Not to be deterred, she transitioned to going to school full time and graduated in 2001 with her Bachelor’s degree in Business.
Theresa Harris is the secret weapon to many familes and organizations who have college bound scholars. She is a woman to call to source all financial aid information required to get into college. Everyone isn’t so fortunate to be provided with the necessary information required to succeed during the college application process, but fortunately times have changed. With those changes, things can get still become quite confusing. That’s where Scholarship Momma comes to the rescue!
Theresa Harris helps familes save thousands of dollars for college! She does this by focusing on helping the youth of America develop a game plan to complete their college career with less debt. Being someone who has successfully raised 3 children who are now college degree holders, she definitely has some insight on what it takes to “get to the money” when it comes to entering and exiting college with little to no debt!
Theresa earned over $32,000 in scholarships towards the completion of her Master’s degree in Higher Education, which she was awarded in 2013. When she began her career as a College Financial Aid Advisor, she never considered another career path. Theresa found the Financial Aid industry to be fascinating. She truly enjoyed educating families about smart ways to plan for college. In her 15+ year career, Theresa has earned numerous awards and designations including Employee of the Year and the Dean’s List for the Financial Aid Department. She is also a member of several professional organizations. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the Illinois Association of Admissions and Counseling are two organizations on that list.
This upcoming weekend, Theresa’s business, Scholarship Momma is thrilled to present “A Scholar’s Playbook” Virtual Summit.
Attendees can prepare themselves for 10 (ten) powerful presenters who are subject matter experts in their respective fields.
The goal of this virtual summit is to equip and empower parents, students and, families with tools and resources to thrive in their secondary and post-secondary education. COVID-19 has presented worldwide challenges. This summit will ensure that parents, students, and families take away some actionable steps to keep pushing through this pandemic to reach their goals. “A Scholar’s Playbook” will be hosted on Saturday, August 8th from 10:00 am-1:30 pm (CST).
Each session is 15 minutes with a four-minute Q&A.
Students and Families are welcome to stay for the entire summit or log in to each session that is of interest to them.
I remember going to college with limited resources and guidance.
It would be a dream to go back in time and be equipped with the tools and resources that Theresa provides for youth and families.
To have the desire to go to college virtually debt free is a dream for any American these days.
Here are some of the bases Theresa covers as a Scholarship Strategist:
SCHOLARSHIP RESEARCH
By providing detailed research for scholarships that closely matches major, academic achievements and/or skill set.
FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOPS
By providing resources and relevant information about financial literacy, finding money for college,
FAFSA Preview and how to complete the FAFSA.
SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOPS
By empowering our future generation with strategies and tips on how to find scholarships to fund higher education.
ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE
As a Financial Aid Expert, Theresa provides strategies for Award letter review, FAFSA questions/issues, and assist with completing the FAFSA.
To learn more about Scholarship Momma, please check out: www.scholarshipmomma.com
Brady Singer: Brady Singer has thrown 162 pitches that have been tracked by the PITCHf/x system in 2020, all of them occuring in the MLB Regular Season. In 2020, he has relied primarily on his Sinker (94mph) and Slider (84mph), also mixing in a Change (88mph).
His sinker generates an extremely high number of swings & misses compared to other pitchers’ sinkers, results in more flyballs compared to other pitchers’ sinkers, has less armside run than typical and has slightly above average velo. His slider has exceptional depth and results in many more groundballs compared to other pitchers’ sliders. His change is much firmer than usual, results in more flyballs compared to other pitchers’ changeups and has slight armside fade.
Sean’s note: Singer is currently a top prospect. The 2018 first round pick generates a ton of grounders with his power sinker.
Final Thoughts: Little bit of a lineup change for the Cubs today. Steven Souza Jr. faces a righty and Jason Kipnis is in for Nico Hoerner. Kyle Hendricks was a bit off in his last outing after dominating opening day.
It’s time to dream again! Go back and get those dreams you’ve laid aside and dust them off and make them a reality Now! What are you waiting for? For the economy to bounce back? For the pandemic to end? For a new job, house or spouse? You have the power to make your dreams come true and the right time is now! Stop putting it off! Regardless of how long it’s been or how much it’s going to take until it manifests, the sooner you start, the closer you will be.
One thing for certain is our days are numbered. We don’t know how much time we really have, so why not make it count and be intentional about doing something that’s deep inside of us to do? Do it NOW! Tomorrow may be too late.
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