Fitness Journeys

A Lift4life podcast: Interview with Moses of High Feild Gym in Harare, Zimbabwe and his work as a strength coach and community leader for over three decades. Recently 11 athletes competed in The Strength Guys Virtual meet Moses has focused lately on expanding access to youth and female athletes as well as physically impaired athletes.  To make a donation click this link  https://www.lift4life-worldwide.org

Hear snippets from interviews with children in Harare, Zimbabwe involved in the Lift4life Covid relief project as much of the economy is shut down and school is closed from the impact of Covid 19.  Education classes taught by Rue (from episode 14), and online fitness classes taught by Lift4life Ambassadors.    Videos posted on the instagram account @Lift4life_worldwide    

Lifting, Language and Navigating the Covid lockdown in Zimbabwe:  Rue shares stories of creating impact in her community and building empathy through words  Lift4life Podcast, FundaAfrica

Audrey Svongwa is a powerlifter, mother, and community leader.  She has competed internationally, teaches workshops to youth on powerlifting and strength, and is a partner with Lift4life to expand access to more people in Harare.  

Jamila Owens shares how she stumbled across powerlifting through a personal trainer, and why she is currently traveling around South America. In this episode you'll hear more about: - Upcoming trip to Zimbabwe on a powerlifting outreach trip with world record holder Kimberly Walford - what she likes about competing and the sense of community she found at her home gym - managing to train while traveling - how she wants to leave an impact through daily positive interactions - what self care looks like to her - thoughts on mentors and role models 35:00 focusing on the day to day: "I want to be the type of person that people feel some type of positive energy through interactions and hopefully that adds up to something meaningful over time." 37:00 On actively not choosing a mentor and role model - "People are people.. and I prefer to see communities and a variety of things that inspire me and to go my own path" 38:00 On people who inspire her: “I like people who stick to their word, who are have selfless actions, and try to help everyone around them, and practice self care" 39:00 "Self care to me looks like exactly where I am at now: In a room by myself… prioritizing quiet versus the most fun place to be" Instagram @jamilaemani and @thetravellingpowerlifter

This week I spoke with Patrilie Hernandez about rediscovering joy in movement and in food, her advocacy on weight neutral health practices and body positivity. 

Special Interview with my Dad, Jim Ammen: We venture into themes such as the role that backpacking and travel had on his life, the appreciation of experiencing new countries and cultures, and what advice he would give his kids to live a meaningful life.

Dre discusses how stumbling across powerlifting helped her get to a healthier place both physically and mentally.  In this episode you'll hear more about:  - Upcoming trip to Zimbabwe on a powerlifting outreach trip  - how powerlifting helped her combat family history of heart disease and diabetes  - what she likes about competing  - belief that powerlifting is for everyone, and helps you become self reliant  - how she wants to leave an impact on the world 

One of the benefits of pushing the edges of our comfort zone is that it brings to light the things we tell ourselves that often are in the subconscious running on autopilot. Its not that the sport creates it, but it creates the opening for our awareness.  This can be educational, but also be intimidating and scary to start confronting those feelings. This episode introduces a 4 step framework to tackling negative self talk that comes up during training  1.Awareness,  2.Understanding  3. Replace  4. Repeat

Got a chance to interview a friend and inspiration for me, Aldo Larita.  He had an incredible story of how running helped him grow and change as a person and get through very challenging circumstances.  He uses his experiences as an athlete an seeing people around him who didn't get the care they need for creating a vision and a mission of the impact he wants to have in the world. 

This week I spoke with Kayla, and her winding rode of falling in love with Tahitian dancing and writing at a young age and being a competitive dancer, then re-disovering her passions and her voice through her divorce.  A theme in all of these interviews has been one of tackling negative self talk and self doubt, and going after things even when you are scared.  - Life of a competitive dancer - passion for writing  - re-discovering herself, her voice, and her passions through divorce  - why teaching culture and history is an important aspect in her classes 

Michael Jin is an athlete, coach, and all around good person. He grew up in Dallas, Texas, the son of Korean immigrants, and studied exercise science and is now pursuing a Masters degree in Sports administration. Michael is also the Jr. Bench National Champion for 2018, and secured a spot on the USA Junior World Team going to Tokyo.  - We talk about having a process oriented mindset, and balancing training with grad school, hobbies, and personal life to be happy.

Laura discusses her wide ranging experiences from trying her first Tough Mudder, first marathon, becoming a black belt in Taekwondo, and following the feeling of things that made her feel alive. - never feeling like an athlete - "When i look at stuff that I want to do, I get scared.  All the time.” I am terrified.  But i know that i’ll find whatever it is I need to get through it inside me as long as i throw myself into it.”  - "I have learned that the lessons I’ve gone through aren’t only meant for me.  Those lessons are meant to be shared."

I sit down with Mitch Buyson to discuss powerlifting, food photography, self development and defining success. There is a worksheet to compliment this episode on www.fitness-journeys.com

Linsi Broom is a public health advocate, endurance runner,  yoga practitioner, and has a background in counseling and conflict resolution.  Today we’ll be talking about fitness, mental health,  and the type of mindset it takes to run 70 miles. 

Nicola Paviglianiti is part of the Canadian powerlifting team, a powerhouse of 5’ and competes in the 52kg weight class and part of the Lift4life to support powerlifting in Zimbabwe.

In the Fitness Journeys podcast, I delve into my guests’ personal stories of growth through fitness and adventure. There will occasionally be action items and guides for developing your skills to help you push yourself to the edges of your comfort zone, develop your passion, and make things that excite you happen. The question for this episode is: What is something on your bucket list that feels daunting?  You can respond on the website www.fitnessjourneys.com