May 14 & 15 I will ride 150 miles round trip from Lake Wales to Orlando to help raise money for those struggling with Multiple Sclerosis!

Please consider making a donation to my team “Body By Barb” to help those struggling with Multiple Sclerosis.

bikeflc.nationalmssociety.org/       team “Body By Barb”

Why We Fight MS

Having multiple sclerosis means that you may suddenly have blurry vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. Or that you may not always be able to walk, let alone ride a bike. The symptoms of MS are different, and devastating, for everyone – the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

Why I Ride

For many years, I have wanted to ride in the MS 150.  After my 2010 Olympic experience in Vancouver, I have decided THIS IS THE YEAR!!  I want to make a difference and help those who are struggling with MS.

My husband’s oldest brother died with complications from MS at the young age of 49.  Three of my Fitness Center members have MS. Much like the athletes I train, I have witnessed their struggles, their strength, their determination and their will to STAY STRONG!! I have been touched by their “never give up” attitudes and have been blessed to be able to lend a helping hand when they’ve needed it.  They share the same burning desire, they strive to live their lives to the fullest, to the best of their abilities, without giving up!!  They have motivated me, given me strength, and taught me many lessons about life.

I feel I have been truly blessed to be able to “DO WHAT I LOVE AND LOVE WHAT I DO” as the Fitness Trainer at Ellenton Ice & Sports Complex for nearly 12 years.  I have worked with so many incredible young athletes!  Again, they motivate me!  I have challenged them, I have cared for them and I have loved each and every one of them!

One of the challenges I have used in the gym over the years is “Barbie Bike Ride.”  The kids know it, they love it, they hate it!!  They are all challenged by it and walk away with a real sense of accomplishment!  It’s hard work but I have proven to them it’s worth the effort.  I am a true believer, that you have to work hard for whatever it is you want.  I have a “give it all you’ve got” attitude!  You have to put your HEART into it!  If it’s in your heart, I believe nothing is impossible!

I have always loved biking, it brings me peace, it makes me happy!  Which brings me to the MS 150….it seems perfectly fitting for me to ride….I WILL RIDE FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T!  Along with me, will be my family, friends, athletes, my Boot Campers, Fitness Center members, every person who has touched my heart.  They are the ones who have helped make me the person I am today!  I believe, we’re all in this together and I thank you for supporting me in my efforts to make a difference.

I TRULY DO LOVE WHAT I DO!! Thank you for your support and encouragement!

Barb

I thought I had it all figured out, my plan was to write about the upcoming MS 150 which I am training for.  However, I’ve decided to put those thoughts in the back of my mind for the time being.  I consider myself a pretty strong person.  I’m able to push myself beyond my limits.  I’m able to motivate, encourage and inspire people I train and come in contact with throughout my days.  I’m thankful to have the strength to do what I do and to truly love what I do. My kind of STRENGTH is a different kind of strength.

There are many kinds of strengths, I believe it’s important to be as strong on the inside as you are on the outside.  This is what I try to teach the athletes I work with.  I also think being physically strong is easier than being mentally strong.  However, I do believe they work together. I’m trying to get to a point here….

Tonight I watched the movie “Soul Surfer” with a very dear friend, Chrissy.  Originally, she wanted to see a comedy, but heard this was a good movie and since I had gone to the beach today, she thought I would like it.  It’s a true and inspiring story about a young surfer girl who survives a shark attack.  I was touched by the storyline and shed more than a few tears.  The story seemed to parallel with my dear friend Chrissy’s life at the present time.  In January, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and is now beginning her third month of Chemotherapy. As I sat next to her, with tears streaming down my face, I said “Boy, Chris, this is so sad, why did you pick this movie?”  (Remembering she only wanted to see comedies)  She said “it’s about survival and strength and it’s inspiring!”  So very true!

As I sat next to her, I thought about STRENGTH, real strength, and wondered about myself, could I handle what she’s going through, Breast Cancer?  Could I handle the loss of an arm due to a shark attack?  How strong am I, really?  Chris is a nurse and a massage therapist, she’s a caregiver, a very kind, giving and fun person.  I’m thankful to have her as  my friend.  She asked me not to laugh at her because she’s fat, and she has no hair.  These things don’t matter right now, my main concern is that my friend is STRONG and has the STRENGTH to get through this!

Her attitude is amazing and I’m so inspired by her.  When we got in the car, she said “okay, are you ready for this, I’m going to take my wig off, it makes me so hot!”  I looked at her round, bald head and with tears in my eyes, said she looks like one of the kids from St. Jude’s!  We both laughed! I thought to myself “she’s so strong!”  She told me 1 in 8 women are now diagnosed with Breast Cancer so she’s taking the hit for me, for us girls (more tears!) WOW!  Talk about STRENGTH!

It’s now my turn to be strong, to find a new strength within myself, to help my friend Chris, in her time of need.  To be the best friend I can possibly be.  I believe we’re all in this together.  To be there for each other, to support each other, to laugh together, to cry together, to be strong for each other!  I’ve always said and written to my athletes “STAY STRONG!”  I will now say these words to my dear friend Chrissy!

I knew there was something special about these guys as soon as they stepped foot in the gym.  They’re Canadians, which after my amazing Olympic experience in Vancouver, I  believe ALL Canadians are the nicest, kindest people!  They’re down from Canada for the winter and can be found most mornings training at Ellenton Fitness Center.  I’m sure these tough guys wouldn’t mind my referring to them as “snowbirds,” but I wouldn’t dare!  They are former Bodybuilding Champions!  Over the course of the winter, I’ve enjoyed listening to their stories of training from “back in the day.”   They continue to train together, just as they have for more than 25 years!  It’s obvious to anyone who crosses their path that they are Champions, as they still look the part. Not only do they talk the talk, they walk the walk!

This week, my “Champions” brought me a copy of FLEX Magazine, dated Nov. 1986, in it were articles and pictures of Rick Brown and Norman Webb.  They both competed in the 1986 Atlantic Canada Bodybuilding Championships.  Rick, 42, took first place in the lightweight class and was described as “the most ripped bodybuilder, not only in the lightweight class but in the entire contest.”  He was known for his “famous ripped look.”  Norm,40, in his first competition, dominated the Masters’ Over-40 division with his “ultra-ripped” look!  He easily walked away with his division, as it was said “his deep separation and tremendous vascularity were a highlight of the entire competition!”

As I said, I knew there was something special about these guys!  Today Rick, 67, and Norm,65, are still pumping iron….they have the muscles, good health and great attitudes to show for it!  In my opinion, they could compete today and definitely do us proud!

As for their training at Ellenton Fitness Center, they definitely do “Train Like An Olympian, At The Coolest Gym In Town!”  They are role models for all of us and they are an inspiration to me.  They represent what I want to be in 20 years….the picture of health, strength and happiness! I hope, that, in 20 years, I am still able to inspire and motivate people of all ages just as these tough guys do!  As for now, I couldn’t be more thankful to be able to “Do What I Love and Love What I Do!”

Thanks also to those involved in getting jerseys to the teams and then bringing them back to the pro shop.It was like teamwork!  Actually it was and that’s what it is all about a team working together with smiles! Thank you to all !!!  You made the first game night successful….looks like parents were happy, players played a great game, etc!

Game Highlights: Bantam/Midget:

Score 7 Blue Rhinos-3 Ice Wolves

Period One: Ryan Witucki, unassisted

Caleb Wash, unassisted

Ryan Witucki, unassisted

Period Two: Brett Wessel, assisted by Alec Zec

Michael Corletto, unassisted

Ryan Witucki, assisted by Brett Wessel

Period Three: Alec Zec, unassisted

Ian Deckard, unassisted

Matt Bennett, unassisted

Cooper Stitik, assisted by Brett Wessel

Congratulations to Ryan Witucki’s hat trick!  First one of the season.  Another congratulations to the goalies:  Stephen Husel and Kelly Nicholson for great goal tending.

Go Hockey! Arlene

This is the third part of our correspondence with Coach and Skating Director Lyndon Johnston as he chronicles the experiences of the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver:

2/13/2010 (via email)

Just a couple of things,

Caydee and Jeremy drew 4th to skate and Amanda and Mark are 8th to skate.

Had good practices this morning as well, by tomorrow they will be ready.

We have one more practice today at another rink and then done for the day.

Going to try and see either short track and or long track speed skating in the next couple of days.

You wouldn’t believe the security around here. Not only is the RCMP but also local city police around, and then on top of that is the Canadian Military and last but not least the US secret service is also here. And they are at all of our practices. Early or late.

Wow, crazy.

How is everything around there? I hear that the newspaper is still doing some great articles.

Well, off and running again.

Lyndon