LISA TAMATI HAS RUN THROUGH HELL AND SURVIVED

December 17, 2012 By

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IN-DEPTH NEWS FEATURE:

Lisa Tamati, 44, had severe asthma as a child, broke her back in two places at the age of 21-years and compressed two discs. However, she hasn’t let these conditions stand between her and her love of running. Having travelled more than 60,000 kilometres — almost one and a half times around the circumference of the world — on foot, in some of the world’s toughest desert terrains, Tamati can say she has run through hell and survived.

Desert Racing is Tamati’s Passion

Tamati, the owner of a jewellery manufacturing and retail company, a production corporation, and an event organisation, has been competing in ultramarathon events for 16 years, mostly over desert terrains.

“I have always loved adventure, pushing the limits and the outdoors,” said Tamati. “But after I did an expedition across the Libyan desert in 1997, where it was really on the limits, I wanted to do things in a more controlled environment and discovered desert racing,” she said.

“I have done over 130 ultramarathons,” said Tamati. “Some races are more than 2000 kilometres long,” she said. “I ran the length of New Zealand, 2250 kilometres, in 42-days, and I have run across the Sahara twice and through Death Valley, USA, the hottest desert on earth.”

“Death Valley was iconic,” said Tamati. “It has a huge history and is the unofficial world champion of our sport,” she said. “It was such an honour to get a slot to run. The heat is absolutely mind-blowing.”

The Furnace Creek weather station situated in Death Valley, which is located in the Mojave Desert in Eastern California, USA, typically records average highs of 47 degrees Celsius during summer. The hottest day ever recorded in Death Valley was 57 degrees Celsius, with five consecutive days of 54 degrees Celsius and above being recorded.

Tamati Must Overcome Physical and Medical Issues to Compete

Tamati’s challenges however are not just environmental. She also has to battle with her physical and medical issues in order to compete and finish events.

“I had severe asthma as a child and was in and out of hospital,” said Tamati. “I still have asthma, which has limited my abilities and lung capacity,” she said. “I overcome this by being stubborn, never giving up and learning to deal with it as best I can.”

“I prefer hot dry climates for running as I do better than in mountainous or cold regions,” said Tamati. “However, I recently have been going outside my comfort zone and pushing myself to deal with altitude and cold,” she said. “Last year’s 222 kilometre non-stop race over the two highest passes in the world was an extreme challenge for me. But I made it. I am the second woman to have ever done this.”

“In my last race, I had a few asthmas attacks over the period of two days running but I just had to slow down and keep moving,” said Tamati. “My next run is in Nepal, the Manaslu Trail Race, going up to an altitude of 5000 metres. It will be a problem.”

Maintaining Fitness for Running is a Constant Battle for Tamati

Tamati, who broke her back in a Flying Fox accident when she was skylarking, says that she will never fully recover from her fall.

“I broke L2 and L3,” said Tamati. “I won’t ever fully recover,” she said. “I now have four discs that are totally compressed and I have a lot of pain. But, I try to keep my core strong and do a lot of rehabilitation and physiotherapy to keep at it.”

“I have a willingness to fight on no matter what,” said Tamati. “It is a constant battle,” she said. “With my back I now have to pick and choose my battles. I am staying away from races where I have to carry too much on my back.”

For some, Tamati’s body can be considered as the human equivalent of a well-prepared rally vehicle. In fact, Tamati herself admits that her training does not just include roads, but also includes trails, hill work and tramping.

“I train all-year-round, ” said Tamati. “I do a lot of cross training especially trying to keep my back strong,” she said. “I back off a little at times, when I have no immediate competition, and increase and build into the next event. But I never let myself go too far backwards.”

“I have changed my regime a  little to less junk miles and more quality training.  Hill and speed work,” said Tamati. “I also have to adapt to the race I am facing,” she said. “There is no use training on just roads when you are heading for a trail event. If I am heading for a hot race like Death Valley, then I train with more clothes on and I train in the sauna. If it’s a mountain event, then I do a lot of hill work and tramping.”

‘I typically train between 13 and 25 hours a week,” said Tamati. “I do long, slow distance runs, interval training and speed work, such as hill training and resistance training,” she said. “Then rehabilitation stuff like physio, stretching, chiropractor massage and some aqua-jogging.”

Tamati’s Will to Succeed is Driven by her Accomplishments

Tamati says that for her the ultramarathon events that she competes in are uplifting and drive her to achieve in life.

“These events are life changing and confidence building,” said Tamati. “They are intense experiences filled with every emotion,” she said. “These are days in my life that I will never forget. I find the intensity of having a singular goal also very cathartic and the training keeps my body and mind fit and agile and ready for most of life’s challenges.”

For those who are looking to take up long-distance running, Tamati says the human body is made to run, so why not push yourself and improve your own health and fitness.

“The human body is made to run long distances on a daily basis,” said Tamati. “Our joints can take it,” she said. “In fact, they need it.”

“But training needs to be incremental,” said Tamati. “As it takes approximately a year for the ligaments and tendons to get used to the long distance load,” she said. “The muscles and cardio system adapt relatively quickly, but the tendons and ligaments take time. Be patient and don’t give up at the first sign of niggles or pains, it’s just the body adjusting.”

As a marathon runner, Tamati believes that exercise, of any kind, is good for the body and soul.

“A regular exercise programme is as important as brushing your teeth,” said Tamati. “You wouldn’t go a week without brushing would you? No, and you shouldn’t go a week without exercising, unless sick or injured,” she said. “Our bodies need to move, it’s what keeps us healthy.”

“Our mind and souls also benefit from being out in nature,” said Tamati. “It gets rid of stress hormones,” she said. “The benefits list is so long, I could go on and on.”

If you would like to read about Lisa Tamati’s adventures and challenges as an ultra marathon runner, then you can buy her books Running Hot (2009) and Running To Extremes (2012). RRP $29.99. Published by Allen & Unwin. Books can be purchased from all good bookstores and signed copies are also available from Lisa Tamati.

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MOTORSPORT MUSCLE: CRAIG LOWNDES, WILL DAVIDSON, MARK WINTERBOTTOM AND ANDREW GILLESPIE TALK TRACK FITNESS

October 4, 2012 By

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IN-DEPTH NEWS FEATURE:

Motorsport, of any kind, is physically and mentally demanding. But for those who compete at a professional level and want to be winners, then their fitness needs to be comparable to that of an Olympiad.

V8 Supercar, Australia’s premier motorsport category and Formula Ford, the world’s junior development category in motorsport, are demanding on drivers with them needing a great deal of stamina and endurance to race for hours on end. Plus, according to Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA), these drivers typically burn more than 2000 calories per race, depending on their size and build, and they lose approximately 2% of their body weight due to dehydration and excessive heat.

Being race fit, increasing and maintaining health and fitness levels, and performance is not an easy task for any driver. But it is a necessity, especially if V8 Supercar and Formula Ford drivers expect to win races.

Craig Lowndes – V8 Supercar Champion and Bathurst 1000 Winner

Craig Lowndes, 39, three-times V8 Supercar Champion and five-times Bathurst 1000 winner, is a professional driver that understands what it takes to win. Lowndes who began his racing career in a Go-Kart, then went on to win the national Formula Ford title in 1993 and then the Holden Silver Star class in 1994. He joined the Holden Racing Team (HRT) and debuted at Bathurst later in 1994 and became a full-time V8 racer in 1996.

Lowndes says that his success is attributed to his increased physical and mental fitness.

“Over my racing career I have become more mentally and physically strong,” said Lowndes. “The key for my mental fitness preparation is having confidence in my car, my team and my own performance,” he said. “It is also knowing what the car can and can’t handle during a race.”

“Plus, as I get older I find it’s actually getting easier, as I have become more mentally strong and more aware of what I can and can’t control during a race,” said Lowndes.

Lowndes, who says that heat is a big health and fitness factor during a race, also feels that other factors that can become real issues during long races are fumes from the car and cramping from sitting down for so long.

To overcome these problems and also to increase his health and fitness levels, Lowndes works out, eats sensibly and looks after himself.

“I workout during the week,” said Lowndes. “Most of the work we do is cardio exercises like running or bike riding. I usually do anywhere up to 10 hours or more a week, if I can,” he said. “It is hard to maintain my peak fitness level at my age. I need to work a lot harder to get the same result that I was seeing 10 years ago.”

“I am not on a strict diet, however I make sure I eat everything in moderation and try to avoid the bad foods as much as possible,” said Lowndes. “My diet has changed over the years,” he said. “I have become a lot smarter in knowing what is good for me and what isn’t.”

Lowndes, who rates his current fitness levels as an eight, says that he could be a bit lighter.

“It takes an enormous amount of determination to stick to my exercise and nutrition plan,” said Lowndes. “You have to be dedicated in these areas to be the best,” he said.

“I believe all drivers are elite athletes,” said Lowndes. “You need to have good fitness to remain focused and in control of your car out on the track. But, I don’t follow any food or fitness ritual before I race,” he said.

“After a race we’re usually in transit flying home, so I usually walk around on the plane, do a bit of stretching and, if I can, go for a swim or ride when I get home,” Lowndes said. “It takes me roughly the same time to recuperate, even as I get older, as my body has become used to the demands of the sport,” he said.

When the racing season concludes, Lowndes unwinds, but does not stop.

“I usually wind down my training after the season has finished, ” said Lowndes. “However, I certainly don’t stop. Instead, I do activities like bike riding or swimming to keep my fitness up,” he said. “I think I am lucky that this sport isn’t as taxing on the body like a lot of others. So it does not have a massive impact on my body, especially over the years, but I still need to keep fit.”

Lowndes says his best advice to others who want to get fit is to eat healthy and have everything in moderation. He also believes you need to do regular exercise.

Will Davidson – 2009 Bathurst 1000 Winner and V8 Supercar Championship Runner Up

 Will Davidson, 29, began his racing career in Go-Karts at the age of 12-years. He then advanced to Formula Ford in 2000 and took out the championship in 2001. Davidson first drove a V8 Supercar in mid-2005 and by the end of year had secured a full-time seat.

For Davidson, racing is all about strategy.

“I make sure I am well prepared before every race and I know exactly what I will be up against,” said Davidson. “I read through the team’s plan for the weekend, study how I have gone in the past and go through any engineering or team issues prior to race day,” he said.

“When I race I make sure I am focused and that I concentrate on what I am there to achieve, which is winning races,” said Davidson. “I use trigger words during each race,” he said. “These help me focus on my goals and concentrate on what I need to do to win.”

Davidson encounters two other issues, besides extreme heat, when racing.

“The biggest issue I encounter is fatigue as I am in the car for a long time and need to concentrate on everything that is happening around me,” said Davidson. “Hydration is also a factor. Without the proper amount of fluid, muscles get weak and it’s hard to keep focused during the race,” he said.

“To overcome this I work out during the week and I focus a lot on cardiovascular exercises like running, swimming and cycling,” said Davidson. “I usual do about two sessions a week for about two hours a day,” he said.

In addition, Davidson also follows a strict diet.

“I follow a very strict nutrition plan – I eat a lot of carbohydrates leading into a race then eat more lean meals post-race like chicken, meat and plenty of vegetables,” said Davidson. “I believe we’re elite athletes, as the sport is physically and mentally challenging and we always have to be at our peak during each event, especially if we’re to achieve success,” he said.

Davidson rates his fitness as a seven to eight out of 10 and feels that there is room for improvement.

“I believe I could improve on my strength,” said Davidson. “I do a lot of cardio work,” he said. “However, going forward I believe having good strength will be the key to future success on the track.”

“It takes a lot of determination to stick to this,” said Davidson. “However, I know that if I exercise and eat right it will help me during events and in extreme racing conditions like heat,” he said.

“It takes me about five days to recover from each race and I always make sure I do a light training session like cycling or even yoga to help in my recovery,” said Davidson.

When the racing session concludes Davidson maintains his fitness by doing a lot of cardio work, this includes bike riding and swimming, which allows him to condition his body and prepare for the next season.

“I recommend that anyone looking to get fit exercises and eat healthily as much as they can, and that they focus on the personal goals that they want to achieve,” said Davidson. “I would say eat leaner foods like chicken and meat and never over-eat.”

Davidson’s sporting heroes are Lance Armstrong and Ayrton Senna. But, after having driven an Formula One car he has a great deal of admiration for many of the drivers.

“Cycling is one of the most demanding sports and for someone to have won the Tour De France so many times you have to admire Lance Armstrong,” said Davidson. “He has incredible mental and physical strength and is someone I have always looked up to,” he said.

“Ayrton Senna was such an amazing Formula One driver,” said Davidson. “I believe the best of all time,” he said. “He is definitely missed in the motorsport world and I look to him for inspiration before each race.”

“It was such an amazing experience to test an F1,” said Davidson. “Just to see first-hand the preparation of the teams and the pace of these magnificent machines,” he said. “It makes me admire drivers like Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo even more having driven in one.”

Mark Winterbottom (Frosty) – 2nd in the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship and 3rd in 2006 and 2010

Mark Winterbottom, 31, who started racing Go-Karts at the age of 10, began his V8 Supercar career in 2003. For Winterbottom success is all about preparation and keeping calm.

“Preparation is vital,” said Winterbottom. “Preparation starts weeks out from a race. Watching old footage and looking over data to get familiar with a track,” he said. “When at the track it’s all about keeping calm.”

“Hydration is big part of our performance,” said Winterbottom. “Cramping can cause some issues and with that the inability to stretch as we are locked in the car with a racing harness,” he said.

Winterbottom trains hard and eats well to improve his current level of health fitness, especially after his skiing accident.

“I train everyday with my trainer Paul Turk who also trains the Essendon footy club,” said Winterbottom. “We mix the training between weights and cardio,” he said. “Weights will involve strength work one week then power work the following week. Cardio includes volume runs, Fartlek training and some V02 max work.”

“I eat healthy at home, but I am really into my supplements,” said Winterbottom. “I take Body Science (BSC) Kos pre-workout and BSC fuel protein to recover after a workout,” he said. “The supplements help recovery and general diet helps maintain a good weight, as weight in our sport is vital.”

“Racing drivers are definitely elite athletes,” said Winterbottom. “We used to be labelled with the perception that sitting down driving a car can’t be that hard, but with TV shows and cross promotion other sports are starting to realise we are fitter than first thought,” he said.

“In terms of fitness, I would say my strength is currently a one as I am lifting heavier weights for longer reps,” said Winterbottom. “My running fitness is about a three as I broke my ankle water skiing over Christmas and I am only just starting to get back to a good pace,” he said.

In terms of improving his fitness, Winterbottom says that time is his biggest challenge.

“Time is the hardest thing I have to deal with,” said Winterbottom. “I am always travelling around the country doing promotional work and that stops me from having a set program,” he said.

“I used to find it hard to train on my own but since I started training with Paul it has made a lot easier to hit the gym every day,” said Winterbottom. “Having a fit training partner is the key,” he said.

“I suggest anyone who is struggling with training should find a training partner who is of a similar fitness,” said Winterbottom. “There will be days that you don’t feel 100 percent, but a training partner will push you through it,” he said. ” Also, do things you enjoy and see this as an outlet, not a chore.

Winterbottom has a pre-and-post-race ritual.

“I like to have a big plate of pasta on Saturday night before the big day on Sunday,” said Winterbottom. “I also drink a certain amount of electrolytes and magnesium to help with hydration and cramping,” he said. “In terms of training, I always have the Thursday before a race as rest day.”

“After a race I will jump into an ice bath to help with muscle recovery,” said Winterbottom. “I also load up on the right fluids and protein to help, as we have to back up the next day,” he said.

“When the racing season finishes, as a family we go away water skiing and enjoy some time off,” said Winterbottom. “My team FPR put a training camp on in late January,” he said. “This forces me to train over Christmas so I can’t have too many pies.”

Andrew Gillespie – 2012 New South Wales Formula Ford 1600 Championship Leader

Andrew Gillespie, 21, has been racing since he was 7-years-old. First racing in the 1998 Queensland Midget Rookie State Title in Go-Karting, Gillespie progressed onto Formula Ford in 2011, when Anglo Motorsport tested his aptitude and gave him the opportunity to compete. 2102 has been a year of successes for Gillespie, which he believes is due to his physical and mental fitness and determination.

“I always watch on-board videos to get in the mindset of driving the track while visualising each corner and thinking of different scenarios and how I can react to these,” said Gillespie. “I also make sure I’ve had a good night sleep before, as it’s easy to deteriorate throughout the day if you’re tired,” he said.

“During a race there is a large amount of information you have to process in a short space of time and it can be easy to over-think and analyse,” said Gillespie. “I always try to stay as calm and relaxed as possible while getting into a flow and rhythm during the race,” he said. “Physical fitness also plays a part, you need to be strong so you don’t start to deprive the brain of oxygen. It’s much easier to concentrate on racing.”

Gillespie says that G-force when racing can be an issue.

“While racing you can experience a significant amount of G-force which places the body under a lot of stress,” said Gillespie. “It’s something that can be difficult to train for, as you can’t replicate this in a normal gym environment, he said. “Also in a single seater car the cockpit is quite small and narrow, so simple things like steering and changing gears is slightly harder because you don’t have as much leverage.”

To overcome these issues and maintain his level of fitness Gillespie works out.

“Most of my training is spent on cardio activities,” said Gillespie. “I enjoy running and cycling,” he said. “During a typical workout at the gym I generally do three sets of 12 and alternate between main exercises like the chest press, push ups, dips, shoulder shrugs, front raises, lat pull-downs, wrist curls, crunches, oblique twists and squats. I’ll spend between eight  to 10-hours per week training.”

“I don’t have a specific nutrition plan because I like to have some variety,” said Gillespie. “Although I do eat a well balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and I do have a slightly higher intake of carbohydrates and protein to help build and maintain my muscles,” he said.

“Generally all professional racing car drivers are elite athletes,” said Gillespie. “To be able to compete, at the top, in such a demanding sport you have to be able to drive at 100 percent during any part or the entire race,” he said. “Fatigue is a crucial and determining factor that affects a driver and their ability to physically drive the car as well as their thought process and reaction times. This is why most drivers have a rigorous training program to combat fatigue throughout the entire race meeting.”

“In the days leading up to a race, I have a special training program then I return to my usual so my body is fully recovered and rested,” said Gillespie. “Most importantly, I also increase my water intake to ensure I’m fully hydrated before I even arrive at the track,” he said.

“After a race meeting I prefer to have a day or two mainly doing light cardio, either running or swimming,” said Gillespie. “I find that these lighter exercises help with my recuperation process,” he said.

Gillespie rates his current level of fitness as a seven out of 10 and says that he needs to find more time.

“Personally for myself it’s all about time,” said Gillespie. “Working an average of 50-hours per week I have to find as much time in the day as possible for training between my other commitments,” he said. “Generally my training session are shorter but more intensive to compensate for this.”

“Of course, there’s always temptations and deterrents to put your off your plan, ” said Gillespie. “The main thing is to always remained focus on the big picture and the end goal,” he said. “I always remind myself it’s about ‘short term pain for long term gain’.”

“During the off season I’ll step back into a kart as it can be difficult to train particular muscles, including the neck, and it’s also good for keeping my reaction skills high,” said Gillespie. “I thoroughly enjoy cycling and running, especially in more remote locations, which is where I like to spend most of my time training,” he said. “Although I do spend a lot more time in the gym working on specific areas, so I’m able to step into the car, the following year, fitter then the previous season.”

Gillespie says that when it comes to good health and fitness it is important to enjoy what you do, no matter what type of exercise you chose to do.

“If you have fun and enjoy yourself it makes fitness and training that much easier,” said Gillespie.

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OLYMPIC FITNESS GOING FOR GOLD

July 17, 2012 By

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IN-DEPTH NEWS FEATURE:

The years of preparation, hundreds of hours of training and countless sacrifices have paid-off for Tate Smith, 30, Nina Curtis, 24, and Jayden Hadler, 18. All three will be competing in the London Olympic Games that start on Jul. 27 and go until Aug 12. They will be amongst some 16,500 other athletes. And they will be vying for gold.

Some 200 nations will compete in 300 events at the London Games. Of this number, approximately 400 Australians will pit their mental and physical strength against other athletes, in hope of being victorious. However, it will only be those who have fully-developed their mind and body who will walk away with an ochre medal.

The Olympics is a Game of Wits

Stuart Walter, clinical hypnotherapist and author, has been training Olympic athletes since early 2008. Walter’s philosophy is based on mental preparation so that athletes can overcome any obstacles that can prevent them reaching their goal.

“I love sport. Watching athletes experience the pure joy of winning and also seeing their mind and body tested,” said Walter. “Preparing athletes mentally is so important and often not given the attention it deserves. My work with the mental state of athletes yields consistently high performance results,” he said.

Walter says that he was motivated to follow this line of sports training as he is passionate about sports and relates to athletes because he trained and had success with Tae Kwon Do.

“Having personally experienced the positive difference in performance, before and after hypnosis, I knew that it was something I had to share with fellow sports people who were striving to push the boundaries of their own physical and mental capabilities,” said Walter. “Mixing with fellow parents who are also clinical hypnotherapists and naturopaths has also inspired me to keep helping athletes,” he said.

Walter believes that athletes need to be mentally fit to compete, especially in an event as gruelling as the Olympics.

“Any athlete must begin with the end in mind. What is the end game? What do they want to achieve? Said Walter.  “Next, they must build solid confidence in their ability to achieve the end goal. Do they believe they can and do it?” He said. “Belief is also about understanding their sport. I frequently need to challenge many beliefs athletes hold in order to break through mental blockages they have created, or that parents or coaches have inadvertently instilled.”

“The old ‘that is impossible,’ ‘you can’t do that’ and ‘it’s good to be nervous’ can all create unnecessary limitations to performance,” said Walter. “The ability to relax and get instantly into ‘the zone’ are my focus and my clients learn this through hypnotherapy and practice,” he said.

“Once self-belief has been established, visualisation becomes the key,” said Walter. “It is commonly accepted in sports psychology that sport is 80-90% mental. If this is the case, then it makes sense for mental workouts to be a large part of any professional training regime,” he said. “If an athlete can visualise training using perfect technique, this ultimately integrates into actual practice.”

Walter feels that in the lead-up to the Olympic Games that athletes need rely on trust to achieve their goals.

“Fully trusting their coaches and the work undertaken during training, as well as trusting in their ability to ‘turn on,’ eliminates a huge amount of performance anxiety,” said Walter. “Every client I have treated has learnt to maintain a positive state-of-mind by finding fun and excitement in training. This, then leads to a renewed confidence in the lead up to, and on, competition days,” he said. “Learning to relax and enjoy their abilities is important for any athlete in keeping focus, staying positive and performing at their best.”

“Obviously there is a level of natural talent and physiology required. However, persistance, belief and balance are paramount,” said Walter. “Persistance in knowing they can achieve and are willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Belief in their abilities and the strength to ignore detractors. An athlete must have the right focus in life, not just sport,” he said. “Then establishing a sport/life balance and remaining grounded are essential.”

Walter says training and technology were the concentration of coaches and sporting athletes, but now, the mind is the focus with more than 80% of sporting success being mind related.

“In the past, it was all about training and technology, but the future is in the mind.The person with the strongest mind is going to succeed,” said Walter. “I teach my athletes how to relax, define their goal and eliminate fears and doubts. I also teach them how to manage distractions and establish a strong sport/ life balance,” he said. “It is also important to visualise and set peak performance levels for optimum results and consistency.”

“All my research of sports people, coaches and studies of the mind say that success in sport between 80-90% mind related. For an athlete, having a solid belief in their abilities helps to push through any physical limitations,” said Walter.

“Take for an example a golfer,” said Walter. “He or she, may play the same course for 4-days, yet produce different scores every round. While playing conditions play a part in that, so does the state of mind,” he said. “We have all seen athletes blow up, fall, trip and miss shots under pressure. Keeping confidence and clarity of mind helps to eliminate these errors. When you have the ability to focus and relax, you perform well.”

When an athlete doubts themselves, says Walter, they start to lose confidence and cannot perform as well.

“To illustrate this, I like to use the example of a rubber band. Stress equates to tension on your body and mind, much like the state of a new rubber band,” said Walter. “When you stretch a new rubber band you do not get much movement. Then relax the rubber band and stretch it again with the same effort as before, and you get a greater range of motion,” he said. “When stress responses are activated the last thing the body wants to do is push more. Pushing through can lead to a greater chance of injury and poor results. At this stage it is crucial to relax and refocus the mind.”

“Self doubt often leads to reflecting on past results and your mind reliving the same experiences over-and-over, which can manifest in your performance,” said Walter. “Pressures created through expectations by coaches, parents and other team members can also weigh heavily. It is important that those people around the athlete are mindful of their impact on the athlete’s mental state,” he said.

Hypnosis works to eliminate doubts, says Walter.

“Hypnosis is so successful because it gets right to the root of the issues, doubts and fears that have developed in the athlete’s mind,” said Walter. “Acknowledging the source of those doubts and fears means that the athlete, through working with hypnotherapist, can then effectively eliminate them,” he said. “Hypnosis bypasses the conscious mind and targets the unconscious. Muscle memory is an example of this. We all know how to walk and run without having to stop and change feet mid-stride.”

“Hypnotherapy treatments are relaxing, effective and generally start at two to three sessions,” said Walter. “Following hypnosis an athlete will be competing at their potential and achieving personal bests every time.”

Walter says that the Olympics takes a mental toll on athletes.

“When you look at the bare structure of what it takes to be an Olympian you can appreciate why there is usually a mental toll,” said Walter. “Training for 10 years, 6 times a week, 6 hours a day. Then there is the strict diets, injuries and personal sacrifices,” he said. “All of this, then comes down to a matter of seconds, minutes, weight or length and the emotional pressure of performing is extreme.”

After competition, Walter says athletes should mentally recuperate.

“Working with retired Olympians, I can say that athletes should maintain a gentle training regime [after competition],” said Walter. “To take a break immediately, may cause mental instability and negative reactions in the body,” he said. “Most athletes, I know, get back into training straight away.”

One of Walter’s most nostalgic moments in his career was training the Australian Down Syndrome Swim Team.

“The Team became word champions by a huge margin,” said Walter. “Twenty-eight golds and all world records,” he said. “These athletes are all unknown with no support. They just had pure passion. We can all learn a lot from them and the support of the parents was an example of belief.”

Olympic athletes, Tate Smith, 30, competing in Flatwater Kayaking, Nina Curtis, 24, competing in Sailing (Match Racing), and Jayden Halder, 18, competing in the 100m Butterfly and 200m Medley, all agree that mental fitness is vital to achieving their goal of gold.

Flatwater Kayaking – Tate Smith, 30-years-old

Tate Smith, a plumber, who works on commercial properties on the Gold Coast, is also a ski coach at North Cliffe Surf Club, Surfers Paradise and ambassador of USANA Health Sciences.

“I have been kayaking for 11-years and I’d say I’m near peak now,” said Smith. “I have won a silver medal at the World Championships and also a number of World Cup medals. I have also won many Australian and Oceania championships,” he said.

” I believe I can compete amongst the best paddlers in the world, and I enjoy setting goals and working hard to achieve them,” said Smith. “Mental fitness is a massive part of the Olympic Games, and I have learned so much from my first Olympics in Beijing,” he said. “This will help this time around. But, personally, I will just concentrate on the processes in which I do things, and if I do all the little things right, the outcome will take care of itself.”

Smith says he will maintain his mental fitness in the lead up to the Olympics by relaxing a lot, and not thinking about paddling too much.

“You also really have to have good composure and self-belief in your lead up to a big event,” said Smith. “You have to be determined, focused, motivated and have a very good work ethic. You must also be able to handle adversity and be a good team player in my sport,” he said.

“The biggest issue I face is overtraining and injury,” said Smith. “This comes from pushing your body too hard sometimes. It’s a fine-line of doing too much and not enough. And you will find athletes tend to do too much most of the time,” he said. “To avoid health issues I like to ensure that my body is receiving all of the vital nutrients it needs. USANA has a great range of everything I need.”

Training for the Olympics is strenuous and constant says Smith.

“I always paddle in the morning around 6 a.m. for 1 hour, 20 minutes. The second session will be at 10.30 a.m. This is either a gym session or cross training, such as running. And the third session in the afternoon, on the water. This is either team boats or in my single kayak for an hour,” said Smith. “I do this program 6 days a week,” he said. “I also add in stretching, physiotherapy and recovery sessions every day.”

Smith views ups and downs in his sporting career as he does life.

“I see sporting ups and downs similar to lifes ups and downs,” said Smith. “You just have to learn by them, and understand why things happen. You also have to get straight back-up and keeping moving forward, revaluate and attack it again,” he said.

To help maintain his fitness levels, both physically and mentally, Smith follows a nutritional plan.

“I try to eat balanced healthy meal. Including a lot of vegetables and salads. I also take my USANA products 3 times a day with my meals to get the extra vitamins, antioxidants and minerals I need, ” said Smith. “I tend to cut out saturated fats and increase my protein a bit [as I get fitter]. And I increase the size of meals in accordance to how much [energy]  I’m burning up,” he said.

“But, generally I like to follow a diet I can sustain all the time,” said Smith. “I tend to eat the same meal while I’m feeling good and racing good. And stretching is my fitness ritual before I compete.”

“Sleeps the best [for recuperation]. I also like watching movies and reading. And, I love going to the beach and being in the ocean,” said Smith. “You have to plan your life very well. The better planned you are the easier it is to juggle everything,” he said. “I like to write things down, evaulate them and work out the best way to attack things.”

“I think what I do puts an enormous stress on my body,” said Smith. I’m pretty much pushing my body to its maximum limit every day,” he said. “I don’t think that’s a good thing. But, it’s the price I pay to be an Olympian.”

Sailing (Match Racing) – Nina Curtis, 24-years-old

Nina Curtis, a full-time athlete on the Australian Sailing Team, began sailing when she was 7-years-old and match racing when she was 15. Over the last 4-years she has been focusing on her Olympic campaign.

“Being selected to represent Australia at the London Olympic games has been a massive achievement,” said Curtis. “I have also won bronze, silver and gold medals at the Woman’s Match Racing World Championships and I was awarded Australian female sailor of the year in 2010,” she said.

“I love to push myself to see what I am capable of, and at this level you are tested every day,” said Curtis. “I am also lucky enough to be very close to my team mates Olivia Price and Lucinda Whitty, and coach Euan McNicol,” she said. “We are the best of friends and it’s so much more rewarding doing what you love with great people.”

To prepare herself mentally for the Olympics, Curtis works with a psychologist.

“I work very closely with my fabulous psychologist Rosie Staminirovic,” said Curtis. “She helps me stay sane while touring, as well as developing good communication pathways between me and my team.”

“Just as we plan our physical preparation in the lead-up to an event, I also swear by managing my mental fitness or capacity,” said Curtis. “For me, it’s important to switch-off during my time-off and to slowly tune-in before a regatta,” she said. “This means reading notes, processing training blocks and watching racing footage.”

“Determination, patience and an ability to ‘reality check’ myself help me reach the top,” said Curtis.

But, this does not mean that Curtis does not encounter difficulties when training.

“For the past two years I have been a full-time athlete, and especially this year with virtually nothing else on my plate, it has still been such a juggle,” said Curtis. “Even in my scheduled times for training, there is a massive pile of emails to get through, race videos to watch, debriefing and a sporting campaign to manage,” she said. “I swear by writing lists. Without lots and lots of lists, and calendars, my life would be chaos.”

“We also have trouble with our hands and forearms. We spend so much time holding on to ropes, on water, and then weights in the gym that our hands get trashed and our forearms blow up,” said Curtis. “We spend a bit of time in recovery with ice and having our arms needled to help with this issue,” she said.

“Having an ability to ‘reality check’ yourself in a down time really helps you keep things in perspective,” said Curtis. “Also, I have fantastic support from my family, boyfriend and friends, and in the tricky times I am lucky enough to have people to lean on and talk too,” she said.

To maintain, and improve her level of fitness, Curtis trains hard and always keeps her weight above her natural mass.

“We spend the majority of our time training on water and we schedule our workouts around our sailing load,” said Curtis. “Typically we try to work out six times a week with one day of rest,” she said. “We alternate between weights session and cardio-base work and some more explosive anaerobic cardio work.”

“We have a weight limit, and in a windy venue like Weymouth it’s fastest to be as close to the limit as possible,” said Curtis. “For me, this means maintaining a weight that is above my natural weight,” she said. “We lift weights, eat as much protein as possible and put away a lot of food to stay at the weighted limit.”

“For me, it’s important to put good food in your body if you want to have the ability to perform well,” said Curtis. “Also as we are trying to increase muscle mass, to increase weight, so protein has become very important in my diet.”

“It does take determination. However, I love the training side of sport and eating well, so I think that makes it a lot easier,” said Curtis. “Also seeing results and the changes to your body can be very rewarding.”

Curtis says her trainer and ability to recuperate add to her success as an athlete.

“Every morning, before competing at the Olympics, I will go to my trainer, Andrew Verdon, and warm up with him,” said Curtis. “We make sure all the important muscles are switched-on and I have full mobility before racing,” she said. “I also love riding my bike down to the race course and getting a coffee on the way. It’s a easy way to get in the zone before racing.”

“At the Australian sailing camp, at the Olympics, we will have an awesome recovery centre and it’s the best way to recuperate after a day on the water,” said Curtis. “I also love getting in the water for a swim. It always leaves you feeling fresh, she said.

“Being an athlete has opened my eyes to a more holistic side of sport, exercise and health,” said Curtis. “I used to think it was all about training hard and no rest,” she said. “Now, with the help of the Australian Institute of Sport, I have learned about listening to my body, avoiding injury and managing recovery to be able to train harder when it counts. This has obviously taken a positive toll on my health and fitness.”

Men’s 100m Butterfly and 200m Individual Medley – Jayden Hadler, 18-years-old

Jayden Hadler, who is studying Bachelor of Sports Coaching and Administration at The Australian College of Physical Education, has been swimming since he was a young teenager.

“This is when I started to become really serious about my swimming,” said Hadler. “I  really thought that I could make it as an elite swimmer,” he said. “I have been training seriously, since then.”

“This will be my third year on the National Team,” said Hadler. “In that time, I have achieved all the goals that I have put in place for myself,” he said. “I was extremely proud to make it on to my first Olympic Team in 2012. Another achievement was to win my first National title in 2011 for the 200m Butterfly.  I also had a great meet at the 2010 Australian Age Championships, where I won 6 gold medals and 1 silver medal.”

Hadler’s motivation comes from a determination to succeed.

“I always enjoyed swimming and I thought that I was pretty good at it,” said Hadler. “I had a few people tell me that if I train hard I could really succeed at this,” he said. “The thought of making it on to the Australian National Team always motivated me to get to training on those early and cold winter mornings.”

In terms of mental fitness, Hadler is preparing for the Olympics as he would any other major competition.

“It is important that I don’t become overwhelmed with the idea of competing at my first Olympics,” said Hadler. “I feel that the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and the 2011 FINA World Championships have given me the experience of international competition. This is helping me stay calm and mentally fit and not to get overwhelmed,” he said.

“The best way to maintain my mental fitness is to try and stay calm before an event,” said Hadler. “I try not to get too weighed down,” he said. “I like to imagine that I’m training and not think that I am at a major meet like a World Championships or an Olympics.

Commitment and drive to succeed are what powers Hadler through those tough days in the water.

“Like any job, you need to push through the tough days to get to the top,” said Hadler. “I am commited to my job and I am always looking for ways to improve my race and technique in order to improve my times,” he said.

“The main concern we have when we are training is the risk of an injury,” said Hadler. “We have a proper warm up and cool down, to ensure that we don’t over-work our bodies and cause damage to our muscles,” he said. “My coach, Brant Best, makes sure we always stretch to eliminate any risk of injuries that may cause a setback in our training and progress.”

Hadler’s training is comprehensive.

“I was training 6 days a week for approximately 21 hours,” said Hadler. My training consists of a mixture of swim and gym sessions. Brant ensures that there is a lot of variety in our schedule, so we can see improvements in our fitness and we don’t become bored with our training,” he said.

“I work really closely with Body Science,” said Hadler. “They have created a really good diet and eating plan for me. They ensure that I am eating the correct food at the right time and they help to alter my diet depending on the level and intensity of training I am doing at a certain point,” he said.

“My diet changes depending on the training cycle that I am in,” said Hadler. “I have to change the amount of carbohydrates and protein that I eat, depending on the energy levels that I use during training,” he said.

“I think at the moment, I am the fittest that I have ever been,” said Hadler. “I’ve noticed that I have been getting great results in the pool,” he said. “I place great importance on ensuring that I take good care of my body, in terms of training and diet. If I take care of my body, I will remain fit and healthy and I will continue to get the desired results.”

“I know that London is so close and this is something that I have been training my whole life to try and achieve. Knowing that I am going into my first Olympics, it’s not difficult to stick with my strict eating plan,” said Hadler. “It definitely takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be an elite athlete, but it is worth it and I wouldn’t change it for anything. But, after London, I will definitely be relaxing the diet a little bit,” he said.

“I would like to thank everybody for their support and their encouragement,” said Hadler. “It has really helped me get to where I am today,” he said. “I look forward to racing in London and doing Australia, my friends and my family proud.”

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MELINDA GAINSFORD-TAYLOR IS SPRINTING TO SUCCESS

December 29, 2011 By

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IN-DEPTH FEATURE:

Imagine standing before a crowd that consisted of hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, on not one or two occasions, but three, whilst wearing the colours of your nation and representing your country.

If you can visualise this as well as harness the euphoria and sheer adrenalin that such a moment produces, then you would know how Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games sprinter and Wide World of Sports TV presenter, felt as she competed in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Olympic Games.

“My first Olympic experience was surreal,” Gainsford-Taylor says.

“I cannot forget the 100m and 200m qualification rounds. I was so excited to be there, but it didn’t really hit me until I went to the opening ceremony. I recall looking down at my uniform and thinking, ‘I’m here, and I made it.’ I had dreamt of this moment since I first started Little Athletics when I was nine and it was my dream to be an Olympiad.”

“The Aussies in that crowd were amazing, and I discovered how much I loved performing in front of a crowd and how much I enjoyed the competition. It was so much fun at Barcelona and Sydney, which was my third Olympics.”

“I have told my children stories about competing at the Olympics and have shared with them what it feels like to represent your country in a sport that you are so passionate about,” says Gainsford-Taylor, who is mum to Nicholas, 7 and Gabriella, 4.

“To finally achieve what I worked so hard to accomplish. That’s what made it surreal.”

“One of my financial goals now is to take my children to the Olympics, so that they can get a sense of the magnitude of such an event and how it resonates inside of you.”

Denoted for her smile and wonderful disposition, Gainsford-Taylor, who was born on the 1st of October 1971 in Narromine, a small country town inNew South Wales, can be simply described as one of the most jovial and light-hearted spirits to ever grace the Australian sporting arena. And, even though she confesses to be a humble farmer’s daughter, she has gained an impressive track record that dates back to when she first donned a pair of track shoes.

On a national level, Gainsford-Taylor has taken home bronze, silver, and gold for sprinting events, including the 1994 Commonwealth Games held in Victoria, Canada, and she has won more than 10 individual titles.

Tough Times

However, most Australians will remember her for her courageous effort at the 1998 Commonwealth Games where, in the final metre of the 200m race, her knee gave way to injury and she finished a disappointing fourth after leading the race. But, for Gainsford-Taylor, this made her more resolute than ever to succeed.

“After competing in 1998 and injuring my knee, it was tough. I had a really tough time because the Olympics were coming up in 2000 and I refused to give up. I wanted to compete in these games in front of a home crowd.”

Gainsford-Taylor, who retired from her sporting career in 2001 because she felt that her body had simply had enough and she longed to start a family with her husband, Mark, believes that her sporting career, amongst other things, has given her the discipline and skills needed to reach the top in a professional and investment sense.

“As a professional sprinter, I had a wonderful lifestyle because I was doing what I loved. I worked hard and succeeded, and I got to travel around the world and compete at the Olympics, which was a childhood dream. I had good times and bad times, and this is character building,” Gainsford-Taylor says.

“It’s the discipline and desire to achieve that drives you, and, after you retire from being an Olympic competitor, you reflect on what you have learned and this then builds you up for adult life. This is why I love kids being involved in sports because it teaches them so much.”

Gainsford-Taylor pauses and then adds, “It’s about teamwork. My upbringing taught me this. Parenting teaches you so much. We are a sporting family. My parents have taught me a great deal, and, from this, I believe that, when kids are young, you need to invest time, as good habits established early on give the greatest reward in the end. This can also be said of investment.”

When asked to elaborate on investment, Gainsford-Taylor laughs, stating that she could now be possibly giving herself away.

“I am a conservative investor. I think security, future, and family. I am not ‘a life is too short, so let’s do it’ kind of person. This is why I feel that super is so important, as I have seen people who have not invested in their future and they don’t deal very well with stress as they age.”

“Sporting careers are short-lived so I have always thought it wise to invest my money. We personally invest in property. We have rental properties and save for a rainy day. My husband and I bought a unit when we were engaged and its value has tripled since then. This unit was expensive and people thought we were crazy, but we weighed up the pros and cons and we wrote these down. The pros outweighed the cons so we went ahead and bought it and have never looked back. It was a really good investment back then and still is today.

Big on Savings

“I am big on saving for the future of my children as well, as it is tough for kids to break into the housing market these days.”

“Investment is like sprinting,” says Gainsford-Taylor. “When you run well or make a good investment, it makes you feel good and the reward pays off. Run bad or make a bad investment, and then you just have to work harder next time to be successful, and you must learn from your errors.”

Gainsford-Taylor, who is very family-orientated, believes that happiness, her family, and good health as well as security and being fit and active are the most important things in life in terms of lifestyle, and she also thinks that it is vital to turn off the computer and walk away from technology every now and then.

“I am so passionate about being a parent, though it can be quite frightening at first. As a farmer’s daughter with a conservative father who is smart with money, I learned to also be smart with money. I also want to pass this knowledge on to my kids so that they are smart with money as well. Plus, I want them to be active and fit so that they feel good about themselves and happy. From my athletic and family background, I want my kids to understand that sometimes life is not easy and that they can overcome their problems.” GainsfordTaylor adds, “Once you have kids, your whole financial focus changes. We immediately took out life insurance, income protection, and disability cover so that we covered all bases – do you know that it only costs a cup of coffee per week to cover your future – and this is important if you have a family and a mortgage, so that you cover your debts and provide for those you may leave behind in the event of an accident. You honestly just don’t know what life is going to dish out.”

But, if you thought that life after the Olympics, for Gainsford-Taylor, was all about her family, then think again. Gainsford-Taylor is the Australian national Olympic selector for track and field; she is on the board of Directors for the Manly Sea Eagles; and she coaches kid’s explosive speed sprinting three times a week for N.S.W Little Athletics. In addition, Gainsford-Taylor is also a public speaker, a public relations ambassador for Asset Superannuation, and a TV presenter for Wide World of Sports and Fox Sports.

When asked how she became involved with Asset Superannuation and the Wide World of Sport, Gainsford-Taylor tells two very compelling tales.

“I was working at a firm and I wanted to know more about superannuation, so I asked the accountant for financial advice, and he suggested Asset. I continued to ask around, and I also looked into it myself, and they seemed to be a really good option, so I opened an account. That was more than 14 years ago, and I have been with them ever since,” Gainsfrod-Taylor states. Then, laughing she adds, “Actually, it was funny, because they approached me to do PR for them after I had been a member for many years. Evidentially, someone noticed my name in the member listings and they thought I would be perfect for the role of public relations for their firm. It was an easy decision to endorse their product because I had been using their services for years and really believed in them, and I still do.”

“A lot of people think I have only just begun with the Wide World of Sport, but, once again, I’ve had a long association with them. I progressed to the Wide World of Sports from the age of 16 years. I did a talk for the program when I had stress fractures and was recovering. Then, I ended up doing work experience with them. So, twelve months ago, when I was asked to come on the show, I naturally jumped at the opportunity.” Giggling, Gainsford-Taylor says, “I have learned so much about sport, all different sports, which I find fascinating because I was so focused on my own sport. And, do you know that I discovered that I missed the adrenalin rush from being a sprinter and that live television replaces this for me? It is such a buzz.”

Time Management

So, how does Gainsford-Taylor manage to do all of this, be the full-time mother of two fit and active children, and juggle finances?

“The key is time management. As an athlete, I had to work hard on this. But, when I compare my life back then to now, that was a cruise.  Now, I write ‘must do lists,’ set myself a weekly schedule, and use the Internet as a resource. Honestly, it is vital that you constantly reassess and dedicate time to manage your finances. I usually make this a regular task throughout the week so that is does not become overwhelming and I can keep on top of it.”

And, when it comes to investment advice, Gainsford-Taylor believes that before you consider putting your money into anything, you need to ask questions and find someone you can trust, and then write down the pros and cons of the investment you are choosing to invest in before you start using your money.

“Money is hard to come by, so it is important to invest wisely so you don’t lose it, and you need to get good support and advice. Therefore, I firmly believe that you should start with low-risk investments, and then progress as you become familiar with the territory. Investment can be daunting, but, if you work out your risk level, as in what is suitable for you and your finances and what type of investment you would like to invest in, then it can be less inhibiting. I am really big on investing for the future.”

Gainsford-Taylor, who confesses that she is not one for expensive clothes and shoes or cars, sees her future being stress-free and all about security, comfort, and financial viability.

“I am investing in my life and that of my children. I want to be fit and healthy and be comfortable and reasonably secure. I don’t want to be rich in a monetary sense but rich in a lifestyle sense. I want to have savings and put this into high-investment accounts.”

For more information about Asset Superannuation, please visit http://www.assetsuper.com.au/.

Please Note: This article was originally written by Tricia L. Snell and published in Lifestyle Investor Magazine Vol. 1.5 | Issue March/April 2010. This article has been re-printed with the permission of the Lifestyle Education Group.

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TARKYN LOCKYER’S GAME OF SECURITY

December 28, 2011 By

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IN-DEPTH NEWS FEATURE:

Tarkyn Lockyer, Collingwood midfielder, trains hard and looks after his health and fitness, so that he can be the best he possibly can on the footy field, and he uses the same strategies when it comes to investment, looking for minimal risk and making hay whilst that sun shines.

Born on the 30th of October 1979, in Western Australia, Tarkyn Lockyer, a midfielder for Collingwood Football Club, declares that when he debuted in round 8, on the 15th of May, 10 years ago, he was simply blown away by the size of the crowd and the sheer magnitude of the game.

“Compared to the MCG, I played country football before playing for Collingwood. I remember being I in awe my first game; the size of the MCG, it is massive, and the game pressure was enormous, but fantastic,” Tarkyn said. “I also could not get over the support from members and fans, it was huge. On average there are 60,000 fans at one of our games, so when they cheer you can really hear it.”

Since his debut, Tarkyn has played over 200 games with Collingwood and has scored over 140 goals, earning him the title of ‘a consistent veteran’ amongst his fellow players and peers. In addition to this, Tarkyn has also been awarded four Best and Fairest trophies, being the RT Rush Trophy in 2000, the Jack Regan Trophy in 2001, and the JF McHale Trophy in 2002, as well as the JJ Joyce Trophy in 2007. He also placed as runner-up for the Copeland Trophy in 2000, and has accumulated 16 Brownlow votes.

Thought Tarkyn believes that his success on the field is attributed to a number of factors. “The brand of Collingwood is big, we train at second-to-none facilities, everything is there, and we are spoilt,” Tarkyn said. “Winning is more than just a victory. Post-game recovery is a pay off when you win, and your bruises and scratches are worn with honour. It is about putting the effort in and then getting the reward, this is what drives you week-to-week. I cherish this feeling after the game.”

During the 2009 season, Tarkyn played 22 games, scored 30 goals, and he ranked 1st in total marks taken, with a game average of more than 18 disposals. His season highlights included 29 disposals, 21 kicks, and 14 marks during the Brisbane match on the 17th of April, and scoring four goals in the match against North Melbourne on the 1st of May 2009.

However at only 178cm in height and weighing in at 81kg, Tarkyn Lockyer, who sports the number 24 guernsey for Collingwood, confesses that he is not the largest footy player on the field and this can have its drawbacks, especially when most players have a height and weight advantage.

“I am not overly tall or quick, therefore I have learned to do everything correctly away from footy, so that I can be professional on field and leave no stone unturned,” Tarkyn said.

But what the veteran lacks in height and speed, he makes up for in tenacity. In 2007, Lockyer led the league for marks with an impressive score of 203, proving that even those with a disadvantage can succeed.

“I don’t think I am unique, but I do think what sets me apart from others in AFL, is the fact that I know my strengths and weakness and I work on making these advantageous. My preparation for the game focuses on developing my skills and often this is intense.”

Lockyer has progressively worked toward establishing himself as one of Collingwood’s key midfielders, and at times as a defender. To reach the top in a sporting sense, Tarkyn believes that understanding the game on and off the field is the key to success.

“Purely from a footy sense, a good understanding of structures and good game play enables you to be successful. If you are not smart enough to read the game, then you will not cope with the pressures of the game, it is that simple,” said Tarkyn. “It is important to be able to use and depose of the football under duress. Plus, you need to get your body to a level where you can perform consistently.” Tarkyn pauses and then adds, “For some players, it is so easy to get distracted and off-track, especially when they have to deal with the point of views of the media, the public and the supporter. Therefore, it is important to be a role model and avoid bad publicity, you have to have a level head and make the publicity a fun scenario, so that you don’t get caught up in the Hollywood styled hype. Honestly, it is about coming into the game with hopes, and then developing your skills so that you cope with the game on and off the field, so that you don’t get caught.”

But, Lockyer’s football career with Collingwood has not been without its challenges.

Tarkyn Lockyer injured his knee during the 2003 season (April 12th), in a game against Geelong. He turned awkwardly and tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, during a tackle with Geelong’s David Wojcinski. The club doctor, Paul Blackman, stated at the time that he expected Lockyer to be unable to play for the next 6 to 9 months, and at the worst, it could possibly be as long as 12 months before a full recovery was made. Some 14 months later, Tarkyn returned to the field after having a knee reconstruction, and recovering from stress fractures to his right foot.

When asked about the ups and downs he has experienced in his career, and how he has coped, Tarkyn said, “From an injury point of view, routine and preparation help me get back to my former fitness, I just put everything I can into getting me back on top. I can’t speak highly enough of the sports medicine team at Collingwood they are incredible when it comes to rehabilitation and assisting players to get back what they had, and to feel success again.”

Tarkyn is grounded and family focused when it comes to life and lifestyle. “My whole life is clearly sport and football and the single most important thing I have to put my mind to, but my family is my number one accolade. I remember when my son came along, I then had an opportunity to put everything I had done into perspective,” Tarkyn said. “The five most important things in my life are my family, my health and well-being, football, financial security and assets, and friendships.”

Tarkyn’s son Charlie, who is three, is only but one of the footballers loves in life, his other two, apart from football, are his wife, Benita, and daughter, Leni, who is 18 months old. And it is these individuals that inspire Tarkyn to focus on his future and work toward greater financial stability.

“My driving force when it comes to investment is life after footy. When I exit the game, I want to have a good solid base and equity to support my young family, so that I can pay for my children’s schooling and then be able to sit back and watch my kids grow. I want something behind us, for us to have no mortgage to pay and to not have to be concerned with how the children’s schooling will be paid for, Tarkyn said.”

Predominately a bricks and mortar investor, Tarkyn also professes that he dabbles in shares, and has an investment portfolio and a broker. “When it comes to investment I guess I like to see my investments, this is why I elect to invest in bricks and mortar mostly. Very early on in my career I tried to get ideas and perspectives from the people I trusted, such as my parents, when it came to investment. My mum and dad kept telling me to buy a house. So I did. This was my first investment, and the feeling of home ownership was truly monumental,” said Tarkyn.

Tarkyn believes that when it comes to investment you make hay while the sun shines and this for him means minimising risks and looking at longer term investments rather than short term.

“When it comes to investment, do the research, because if you have enough information you can then work out if the investment is good or bad. I honestly believe in talking to as many people as you can,” Tarkyn said.

“Talk to financial advisors and other people you trust and respect, and ask them questions, get a lot of advice and tips, but just remember that you need to sort out the good information from the bad, and that you need to work out your investments for you and your own personal requirements. Keep your goals in mind, and be disciplined, for example – focus on paying off your house and paying your debts as soon as possible, and don’t get side-tracked with other things that involve higher risks and give you no apparent rewards.”

“I have a lot of faith in my manager, and the financial people who help me. I have my finances set up so I can concentrate on footy, and I don’t have to worry about payments, or financial stress.”

“I firmly believe it is about finding value for money and portfolio growth. Clearly if you are not making money, then you need to change something. I am all about security, I need to know where my money is growing,” Tarkyn said. “I watch stocks with my broker, and I have a hands-on approach. This comes back once again to advice.”

In addition to being a Collingwood player, Tarkyn also owns and runs Elite Lifestyle Solutions (ELS), a health, well-being and teambuilding initiative, in conjunction with fellow Collingwood team player, Nick Maxwell. ELS operates out of the Lexus Centre and includes group and one-on-one training sessions that incorporate running, riding, swimming, free-weights, and football skills, as well as innovative fitness and training concepts to improve lifestyle and the quality of life.

And, it is the philosophies that he teaches at ELS that construct Tarkyn’s ethics for life, as his future is about enjoying a quality of life with those that he loves the most.

“Lifestyle is really important, for me, it is about enjoying my family, watching kids growing and spending time with them when my footy career ends,” said Tarkyn.

“However, when it comes to my future investments I would have to say that I am intrigued with the housing market and how we are going to go in an investment sense, because of the recession. Many people have told me to invest in certain share portfolios, because we have seen the worse and we are out of it, but others say we are still in it and to just sit still. Me, I am sitting on my hands at present, and just waiting to see what unfolds.”

For more information on Tarkyn Lockyer, or ELS, please visit http://elitelifestylesolutions.com.au

Please Note: This article was originally written by Tricia L. Snell and published in Lifestyle Investor Magazine Vol. 1.3 | Issue November/December 2009. This article has been re-printed with the permission of the Lifestyle Education Group.

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COMMONWEALTH GOLD MEDALLIST HAS A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO FITNESS

December 23, 2011 By

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NEWS FEATURE:

James Magnussen, FINA world champion 100m freestyler and Commonwealth gold medallist, is health and fitness focused and firmly believes that it is his holistic approach to his well-being and the support of his followers that has led to his success.

“I think the key word is balance,” said Magnussen. “I enjoy a range of things in my life and I try and make sure I find time and energy for them all.”

Magnussen won the 100m freestyle in the 2011 Australian Championships and claimed his first national title, gold at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in the 4x100m freestyle relay, in 2010.

“Whilst training and recovery is a priority, I also find time to enjoy my life, spend time with my friends and family, and take advantage of some of the great opportunities swimming brings my way,” said Magnussen.

Nicknamed ‘Maggie’, Magnussen’s biggest supporters are his mother and father, Donna and Robert, and his brother, Daniel.

“Work and exercise are basically one and the same for me,” said Magnussen. “It is important that I remain focussed and disciplined, but I certainly like to keep plenty of time aside to live the life of a 20-year-old.”

As a Body Science (BSc) ambassador, Magnussen maintains his health and fitness using a holistic approach.

“I train in the pool and also attend dry-land sessions 6 days a week,” said Magnussen. “I also have a great team of support staff at the News South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS), who help me in areas such as physio and recovery.”

“With the team at Body Science I have developed a holistic program of nutrition and supplementation, which allows me to get through a high volume of physical training and to recover well each day and stay healthy.”

Magnussen says that your personal health should always be your number one priority as it is the most important aspect of life and needs to be attended to on a daily basis.

“I believe the key to moving forward with your fitness is consistency,” said Magnussen. “The biggest gains are to be made on days where you might not be feeling your best. However, you still need to turn up and work to the limit you are capable of.”

A balanced diet has helped Magnussen to achieve success in the pool.

“I have really concentrated on nutrition in recent times,” said Magnussen. “It is important to have a really balanced diet and not just to think about food as a fuel source, but to also really understand the role food plays in your overall energy and immunity systems.”

“I also believe it is important to identify potential weaknesses or areas where supplementation may assist,” said Magnussen. “An example for me is something as simple as taking a daily BSc multivitamin to address my overall vitamin and mineral levels.”

James Magnussen says that he owes his success to his supporters.

“I would just like to thank people for their support of my career to date, and encourage them to pursue their own personal goals, whatever they may be.”

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GUY LEECH STILL TRAINING HARD FOR THE INDIAN OCEAN CLASSIC

December 16, 2011 By

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NEWS FEATURE:

Guy Leech, former World Ironman Champion and professional athlete from 1984 to 1995, will compete in the Perth beaches Indian Ocean Classic on Jan. 28, 2012.

Proclaimed as ‘the fittest 40-year-old on the planet’, Leech, 47, is a promoter of the Ironman Series and a health and fitness expert that runs training programs for men and women as well as high profile sporting identities such as Layne Beachley.

Over the years, Leech has noticed two significant changes in his lifestyle.

“It definitely takes longer to recover than previously. I am 47 now, but I can still train hard. I just need longer to recover,” said Leech. “Life now revolves around being healthy and spending time around family and business as well. I try to work on that balance as much as I can.”

Leech, believes that the key to living a healthy life revolves around balance.

“It is important to think about balance constantly. It is the only way to keep on top of it,” said Leech. “It is an 80/20 concept. Keep 80 percent good intake, and indulge the other 20 percent of the time and keep the fun in the routine.”

Good nutrition is also vital says Leech.

“Eat all the food groups and keep to the basics, low saturated fats, grilled and steamed meats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. There is no such things as bad foods, just eat more of the healthy ones,” said Leech.

For those looking to test their skills of endurance, the Indian Ocean Classic is open to individuals and teams in ski, board, run and swim categories, and costs $150 for individuals and $360 for teams of four. The prize pool for the men’s and women’s open is $15,000 for each category, with other events having an allocation of $20,000 for each category.

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TIME OUT ON THE HIGH SEAS: COME SAIL IN THE SYDNEY TO HOBART

December 5, 2011 By
IN-DEPTH NEWS FEATURE:

The Crew of the Telcoinabox Merit in 2009 | © Leo Rodriguez

Live the Dream, Sail the High Seas and Share Your Passion…

The ocean roars as waves pound the stern, salt spray kisses your cheeks and your nostrils are filled with the fresh air of the open sea. You stand at the wheel of a 60 foot yacht that is competing in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, and you can think of nothing but the sheer excitment of sailing. Your thoughts of work, family and your other concerns drift away on the ocean current, and you focus on being a part of a team, and making it to that finish line.

The start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race as a competitor is mind-blowing; the harbour is alive with activity, so much so that it is comparable to watching an AFL match with hundreds of players, on a much bigger playing field. It is truly a spectacular sight to behold and a very sociable occasion. You are both nervous and excited the hour before you leave, and whilst there, your senses are extended to an all time high, you cannot visually take in everything at once, but you try. The noise is astounding, as everyone cheers and helicopters fly overhead.

Then the race begins, and you have to get down to business. You are concentrating on the boat and its needs so that you and your crew can get farther ahead. It’s about camaraderie and pulling together, to make for smooth sailing, whilst you enjoy the challenges and become at one with the ocean.

The finish line, when it arrives, is emotional, you have battled the elements and sailed for days in big swells and rolling oceans, waves have crashed into your boat, and you have pulled down and raised the sails more time than you can remember. You are physically and mentally exhausted, and in need of a hot shower, but you’re feeling invigorated because you have made it, along with the rest of the crew and the boat, to the finish of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. A race that is iconic in the Australian and International sporting arena. People are cheering, and you are in awe. The Sydney to Hobart is a hard race, and you have completed it, now you can just relax and enjoy the festivities.

Competing in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race for some, is a dream, but this aspiration can become reality with the crew of ‘Telcoinabox Merit’, who finished the 2009 Sydney to Hobart with 16th place Line Honours, after rescuing the crew of ‘Georgia’.

Telcoinabox Merit hails from Queensland and is a 60 foot Volvo round-the-world racing yacht, which has sailed under the names of ‘News Corp’, ‘Line 7’, and ‘Indec Merit’. Today, the vessel is owned by Leo Rodriguez whose passion for sailing is shared with close friend Michael Cocs, other professional commercial sailors, and anyone else who seeks adventure on the high seas and is willing to join them on the Sydney to Hobart.

It’s about living the dream, taming the ocean swell and sharing your enthusiasm, especially if you thrive in a team environment and enjoy being at one with Mother Nature. And, if you fancy yourself as a bit of a sailor you can join Leo and Michael aboard the yacht in the Whitsundays late this year and sail to Sydney to compete in the 2010 Sydney to Hobart.

Michael Cocs, a professional commercial seaman, grew up sailing and confesses that he is passionate about yacht racing, so much so that he wanted to compete in the Sydney to Hobart for 7-8 years before he had the chance.

“Sailing is my life, and I have always wanted to ocean-race because I have such a competitive nature,” Michael said. “So when my friend Leo approached me and asked if I would like to join his crew in the 2009 Sydney to Hobart, I jumped at the chance.”

The 2009 Sydney to Hobart yacht race was Michael’s second, he first competed in 1997 out of a sailing club, and professes that this year’s event was much more enjoyable, because everyone really worked well together and this made it so much fun.  Michael feels that on a personal level the Sydney to Hobart yacht race makes him become a different person.

“I become focused and forget about my work and commitments, and there is always something to do with an excellent group of people,” Michael said.

Whereas on a team level, Michael feels the yacht race is about working together and having a team spirit, regardless of your experience.

As Michael said, “You don’t need to have any knowledge of boating, in fact, most people who joined us this year had little experience; you do however need genuine enthusiasm and want to be a part of a team. This year we had four paying passengers on board, an older gentleman, a young lady and two New Zealanders. You don’t have to be super fit to come on board, but you do have to be an able bodied person, as you are a part of the crew. You will be expected to help pull sails down and put them up, as well as help in the galley with food preparation and serving. This is not a holiday, this is an experience that you will tell your grand-children about; you’re getting the ‘real deal’, you really compete.”

To become a crew member on the Telcoinabox Merit costs between $12,000-$15,000, and you will need to bring warm clothing and your toiletries, as well as sea boots, sailing gloves, thermals, a ski mask, a beanie and sea sickness tablets.

“Some people recover from sea sickness faster than others and I always recommend to people to focus on the horizon,” Michael said. “I personally have only been sea sick once, but you always need tablets when it gets rough, even the best of us loose our lunch from time-to-time.”

The fee you pay to become a crew member in the Sydney to Hobart helps to cover the entrance charge into the race, which is approximately $50,000, as well as the wet weather gear and life jacket that you are supplied with when you come on board. And, it also pays for your meals and orientation sail from the Whitsundays to Sydney before you race.

“The orientation sail is a really nice experience because the waters are calmer, and you get to stop at Southport and refresh. Plus, you are able to familiarise yourself with the boat, and get acquainted with the rest of the crew members so that you feel comfortable in the boat,” Michael said.

As a passenger on board the Telcoinabox Merit you can expect to gain valuable experience and develop confidence in yourself, but best of all you will have an adrenalin filled adventure to share with your friends and family, and an event that you will recall for the rest of your life.

For more information on joining Leo and Michael aboard the Telcoinabox Merit for the next or subsequent Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races, please visit www.adventuresail.com.au. [If this link is not operational, please visit the link to another team under the video].

Telcoinabox Merit Competing in the 2008 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race | By OzRacer

Star Shell Sailing also offer similar adventures, they can be found at http://www.starshellsailing.com.au/index.html.

Please Note: This article was originally written by Tricia L. Snell and published in Lifestyle Investor Magazine Vol. 1.1 | Issue July/August 2009. This article has been re-printed with the permission of the Lifestyle Education Group.

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THE SUN, THE SAND AND THE ADRENALIN

December 1, 2011 By
Natalie at the Beijing Olympics

Natalie puts her heart and soul into competition | © Natalie Cook

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SPORTING NEWS PROFILE – OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST – NATALIE COOK:

Born in 1975, in Townsville Queensland, Natalie Cook, a professional beach volleyball athlete and gold medal winner in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, confesses that she thrives when on the sand and in the sun because she loves the outdoors, gets to see the best beaches in the world, and experiences such an adrenalin rush when she competes.

To date, Natalie has competed in three Olympic Games—Atlantain 1996, Sydney in 2000, and Athens  in 2004, and she is considering the possibility of going to London in 2012. An amazing feat when you consider that Natalie began playing beach volleyball in 1993 and turned professional only twelve months later.

So, what drives this vivacious, 34-year old to push herself to her limits and strive to be the very best that she can in the sand?

“When you make the Olympic team and you are given a competition uniform, it is so significant because you know that you have accomplished so much. You are about to represent your nation and this, for me, was truly a patriotic moment,” said Natalie.

Reflecting on the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Natalie recalls how she felt as the event unfolded. “You work so hard for four years and then, when you get to the Olympics, it is tense until the competition starts, and then it becomes so exciting. Winning a gold medal at Bondi was a fairytale — a real Cinderella story — that I was able to share with my family and friends.”

As Natalie says, playing professional beach volleyball is bringing all of those long, hard hours of training and preparation together and then watching them pay off — much like the hours you put into Lifestyle Trader.

First introduced to Aussie Rob’s Lifestyle Trader by Christopher Howard at a training seminar in Hawaii, Natalie says she was attracted, at first, by the passion and enthusiasm that filled the conference room, and then it was the simplicity of the program that really caught her eye.

“Eight years ago, I bought another trading platform but never opened it. I was into my Olympic cycle and I just didn’t have time. I was under the spell of being an athlete. Aussie Rob’s fits into my lifestyle and allows me to incorporate all that I love into it.”

Natalie feels that sports and trading are comparative in that you can’t walk away for a week, from either, and expect everything to be the same when you return. Your trading, like your sports training, needs to be consistent, and you must be disciplined; otherwise, you will take more losses than you are willing to concede. However, having said this, Natalie also knows that with both sports and trading you have to expect to lose on occasions.

“You get wins and losses in sports and trading, and you have to be prepared for the ups and downs if you want to perform at the level you are hoping to achieve. Ultimately, it is about following a system, training hard to be your best, and consistency. You learn to crawl, then walk, and then run.”

To reach the top, as a professional sports player and as a trader, Natalie believes commitment and discipline as well as passion and desire are the main driving forces.

“If you’re not interested, you won’t follow through. You must have a plan and you constantly need to target this and stay on track. In addition to this, you need a good support structure, as in teamwork, coaches and family in sports, and a good educational system with trading. Without such a structure, you cannot be successful.”

In addition to her sporting career and trading interests, Natalie is also a member of the Athletes Commission on the Australian Olympic Committee, which she perceives as being monumental in the development and success of future Australian Olympiads. And, as such, Natalie is extremely interested in the fact that Aussie Rob, founder of Lifestlye Trader an investment organisation, is currently considering the establishment of an Australian athlete sponsorship program to help athletes achieve their sporting goals.

“Lifestyle Trader can offer Australian athletes an ongoing sponsorship whereas most sponsorship is not like this; in fact, it can sometimes be very frustrating, not to mention disheartening,” Natalie said.  “As sporting identities, we continually have to ask our sponsors if they’d like to sponsor us for the following season, and, of course, when they say, ‘no,’ we feel rejected and can take it personally. Whereas, Aussie Rob’s is offering a perpetual sponsorship program, and this gives Australian athletes a future.” Laughing, Natalie says, “In this light, as an athlete, I tend to think of Aussie Rob’s as an Aladdin’s lamp; if you keep rubbing the lamp, it will continually grow wealth. In this capacity, I think Aussie Rob will be a fantastic mentor for Australian athletes as long as the sponsorship program is managed properly.”

Natalie also feels that Aussie Rob’s Australian athlete sponsorship program will offer athletes a great deal more, especially when it is so expensive to compete internationally.

“It is challenging as an athlete. Air fares are becoming more expensive, so if you’re flying here, there, and everywhere to compete, your bank balance soon depreciates. Lifestyle Trader will help athletes build confidence, which will then reflect in their performance. The athletes will be able to reach their goals financially and on a sporting level because the system will fund their interests.” Pausing to consider the outcome of such an idea, Natalie said, “My only fear is that losing money may harm their confidence, but then I think this is where we really need to educate them about the system so that they don’t become too greedy and go outside of the guidelines. I mean, I know personally that athletes’ goals are astronomical, so we tend to think big on all levels. We need to keep it real. I feel that Aussie Rob’s needs to assist athletes to really understand the product, probably more so than other users, so that athletes learn from their mistakes, manage their risks, and grow to be better athletes because they have harnessed life skills and become better people.”

As a trader, Natalie feels that diversity is the key to success, and this means not putting all your eggs in one basket in a trading and monetary sense.

“Trade the whole basket. Don’t just pick wheat or corn. Look at all of the commodities. And, don’t put all of your money into your trading account; put what you can in there. Start small, understand the system, and always ask yourself, ‘can I afford to lose this money?’ If you can’t, then don’t do it.”

The most important lessons Natalie has learned during her trading education is to research and gather her own market knowledge and not to listen to other people’s views and opinions.

“Don’t listen to the butcher or the baker, do your own thing, and really understand the process. Start small and learn from your mistakes and always follow through. Finish your education on the simulated trade before you go to live trading, and watch out for the side streets because sometimes there are boogey-men.”

Natalie sees the boogey-men as the little things and more intricate aspects of trading techniques and skills that she initially overlooked, and it is these that she believes can hurt your account balance the most.

For more information on Natalie Cook, or her book, ‘Go Girl’, please visit http://www.nataliecook.com/

Please Note: This article was originally written by Tricia L. Snell and published in Lifestyle Investor Magazine Vol. 1.1 | Issue July/August 2009. This article has been re-printed with the permission of the Lifestyle Education Group.

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LOVE DRIVES LOWNDES

November 29, 2011 By

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SPORTING NEWS PROFILE – CRAIG LOWNDES:

When you think of Craig Lowndes, you think of a charismatic, perpetually smiling character, who has been fortunate enough to rub shoulders with some of the best in Australian racing, and who seems to be naturally gifted in the art of manoeuvring a 460-485 kilowatt four-wheeled beast, in amongst thirty other victory hungry V8 Supercar drivers.

And yet, when asked what defines him from other V8 Supercar drivers, Craig Lowndes simply says, “luck.” Lucky to have worked with and been mentored by Peter Brock, lucky to be naturally talented at driving and lucky enough to have a passion for the sport, and also a love…

Born on the 21st of June in 1974, in Melbourne Victoria, Craig Lowndes began racing go-karts when he was just 9 years of age, and then progressed on to Formula Ford before debuting at Bathurst, in 1994. And from there, his racing career has evolved to see him become one of Australia’s most loved racers.

Claiming victory in the V8’s only 2 years after his debut, saw Craig take his first Championship win. He then went on to win again in 1998, and in 1999. In addition to this, he also has taken out the famous triple-crown with Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 victories in 1996, and consecutive Bathurst 1000 wins in 2006, 2007, and 2008. The most monumental of these victories, for Craig, was the 2006 Bathurst 1000, as he felt that Peter Brock, the Australian racing legend, and his friend and mentor, who passed away the month before, stood with him on the podium.

“My biggest victory was winning the Bathurst in 2006 because of Peter Brock,” Craig said, confessing that he had goose-bumps just talking about the win. “We had a mutual respect and he was there for me at that race. That was my moment in motorsport; the whole atmosphere was electric — the fans, Pete’s family and mine — and I felt that Peter was such a huge part of that victory.”

Craig was first introduced to Peter Brock in his younger years, as his father, Frank, was what Craig refers to as the ‘mechanical engineer’ for the Holden Racing Team, which Peter drove for. In fact, Craig was born two years after Peter’s first race win at Bathurst.

Without a doubt, racing and a love of cars courses through Craig’s veins. He has tinkered with many a car and followed in his fathers footsteps to become a qualified mechanic, before moving on to race alongside Peter in 1994. Though, Craig does confess that racing, back then, was much more simplified.

“Over the years that I have been driving it has changed immensely – when I started professionally racing V8’s in 1996, things were much quieter. Now the competition has doubled in terms of fan and car attendance, plus sponsorship has become more corporate. In fact, before I even get to put on my race helmet, I have to visit many corporate boxes. I have 20 minutes to talk to some 100-150 people in one box, and then I have to move on to the next one.” Craig then goes on to describe his race lead up. “I need to prepare the hour before driving because I visit the physiotherapist, as do most drivers, to make sure the lower back is feeling good. Then I get to strap-in and focus on driving.” Taking a moment to reflect, Craig then says, “Driving the car is the most exciting event of the day. A couple of tenths is the difference between pole position and being 8th on the grid, whereas as, years ago the gaps were further apart and you had more leeway. Today, I do a lot of debriefing pre-and-post-race; I talk with the team boss, and the engineers, as well as the data-man, who downloads the car’s performance data, and the chief mechanic. We talk a lot about car set-ups and car components to see if it’s working, and then discuss changes. Of course, being a mechanic really helps here.” Craig laughs and then adds, “It is full-on; constantly doing appearances before racing, and trying to do as much as possible sponsor wise, then having to focus on driving the race car.”

When asked what it was like inside that car the moment before racing, Craig said, “Noisy; imagine being surrounded by 30 cars that are sitting on rev limiter, waiting to go, it is really noisy and there are so many distractions. But, you have to focus because you want a good start off that line, you need to concentrate on your start procedure or you will get a bad start and lose positions. Then when you get away on the start line, you need to shift your focus to finding a good race line, so you get away from the dirty line. The first turn and the first lap are the toughest, because we are all looking for that ‘one’ best position, and this means having to avoid rear and front bumpers and any form of contact. You need to get around cleanly and to communicate with your team. Then you concentrate on pace, and the weather. All of these things are all in the back of your mind, the whole time you are racing.”

Winning, or placing in the V8 Supercar Series is a release for Craig, as he said, “I feel relief when I am on that podium, because it means that I got the race right, had a good start, and got the job done. It is a humbling feeling on a personal level, one that I really enjoy because I get to share this with the fans, and for me this is what it is all about.”

For Craig, being an Australian racing champion is not just about winning, it is ultimately about the fans, his and that of the V8 Supercar Series, and it is about friendships and partnerships, with fellow team-mates and sponsors.

“Brock was a huge influence on me in a professional sense. “Always move forward,” he would say, “Because the only thing you get from looking back is a sore neck.” He was very philosophical. Peter Brock was a half-a-glass full man, not half-a-glass empty.”

Craig uses this philosophy when investing in his future, and likes to focuses on traditional investments that he can visually see and touch.

“I crave security when it comes to investment as there is a lot to invest in. People will always give you a rosy outlook, but what are the pros and cons? I am a bricks and mortar person, I like to see what I have invested in. I know the risk and I know the reward, and I understand this.”

Craig’s children, Levi and Chilli, are very much a part of his investment plans. In fact, Craig has adopted the same principal as his parents when it comes to financial planning for the children’s futures.

“I auction off my race gear, on EBay, at the end of every season, and the money I make from this then goes into building my children’s financial future. My parents did this for my brother, and I, and it meant we had financial backing early on. I wanted to follow this tradition for my children,” Craig said. “My driving forces for investment are long-term, I want to make sure my life and income is secure, so that if I am injured I will have enough to live on, and when I finish racing I am then able to sit back and relax and enjoy my family.”

For Craig the most important things to him in terms of life and lifestyle are balance, priorities, enjoyment, friendships and travelling.

“Balance is the key, and it changes as you grow older because your priorities are changing constantly, especially when you have kids.  And, enjoyment is a must. If you can’t enjoy life, then what can you enjoy?” Craig asks. “Friendships with my team and fans, are vital, in fact I love hearing what my fans think and talking with them as much as I can, especially when I travel, because it allows me to connect with the cultural vibes.” Craig laughs and then states, “Trust me, as a racing car driver you don’t get to see much, even though you are constantly travelling. There is no time to go sightseeing, you are busy, busy, busy, but it is something that I really love doing.”

For those who are looking to invest, regardless of what they are investing in, Craig’s advice is simple.

“Be one-hundred percent happy and comfortable with what you are entering into and be committed. Only invest what you can afford and don’t take risks, especially if you cannot afford them. You need to be confident, and it is so important that you don’t put everything you have, financially, into the one investment, or you will lose in the long run.”

Being a V8 Supercar driver, like an investor, has its ups and downs, and Craig believes that a lot can be learned from life experience, whether on the race track, or considering your next investment.

“Lows make for better victories, because winning is then that much sweeter; if you haven’t got the fastest car you look at where you can achieve and then aim for that, instead of being first. Lows teach you a great deal, you need to learn from them, and look at what happened and why it happened. In an investing sense, I have either come out even or in front. I always use the same philosophies when we invest and stick to these. And, if I don’t make as much as I expected, then I always look on the bright side and learn from my mistakes.”

“Overall, I am just looking to have a comfortable lifestyle and to be able to watch my kids growing up, and sit back and enjoy my life.”

For more information on Craig Lowndes, please visit his official website and fan club at http://www.craiglowndes.com.au

Please Note: This article was originally written by Tricia L. Snell and published in Lifestyle Investor Magazine Vol. 1.2 | Issue September/October 2009. This article has been altered to suit the changes in Craig’s life and has been re-printed with the permission of the Lifestyle Education Group and Craig’s management.

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