The 2012 Kidney Kar Rally is Outback Bound

January 6, 2012 By

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IN-DEPTH NEWS FEATURE:

If you love the Australian Outback, have a passion to try something new and adventurous that is challenging and want to support a worthwhile cause, then Kidney Health Australia’s Kidney Kar Rally is just for you.

The Kidney Kar Rally is a charity event like no other, because it is organised by individuals who have rallied competitively for most of their lives, it follows the traditions of the Australian reliability trials of old, and it caters to everyone no matter your age, driving experience, or vehicle type.

Those who are successful in life are often adamant about giving to others, becoming more community focused, and contributing a portion — often 10% — of their earnings, to help those that are less fortunate than they are. However, gone are the days where a philanthropist simply writes out a cheque and posts it, in order to support a charity that they feel warrants their financial assistance. Today’s philanthropist can now make giving an activity where they become involved in a fun-event, get to know a little more about the organisation, and connect with like-minded souls from all walks of life.

One such event is Kidney Health Australia’s Kidney Kar Rally, which challenges the mind, revives the soul, and gives the body time-out from its normal everyday existence. This event is unique, because it not only supports Kidney Kids, an initiative that focuses on giving children affected by kidney disease, and their families, a much-needed reprieve from the rigors of kidney illness, but it also follows the traditions of the Australian reliability trials from the 70s. Trials, which test the driver and navigator as well as the vehicle and have results recorded on time-distance averages.

The overall beauty of the Kidney Kar Rally, however, is that it caters to all entrants regardless of their rallying experience, and it can be as competitive or as relaxed as you like. Some entrants take longer to traverse the 4,000 kilometres event than others. Nevertheless, all entrants are involved because they believe in the cause, are passionate about cars, and do not mind getting down and dirty, especially when their fundraising initiatives and entry fee support Kidney Health Australia and their endeavours.

Kidney Health Australia, originally known as the Australian Kidney Foundation, opened its doors in 1968. Today, the not-for-profit organisation seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals and their families who are suffering, or affected by, kidney and urinary tract disease. In addition, Kidney Health Australia endeavours to raise community awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease, which, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, contributed to almost 10% of death’s in Australia during 2006 and more than 1.1 million hospitalisations.

Kidney Health Australia’s Kidney Kar Rally enables the non-government funded organisation to plan and implement children’s programs throughout the year. These programs include Kidney Kids National Camps, Kidney Kids Capers, and Kidney Kids Family Fun Days, all of which, allow children suffering from debilitating illness to enjoy those joyous and pleasurable activities that other children do daily.

Natalie Lansbury, mother of Maddi, an angelic 7-year-old girl recently diagnosed with ‘Dense Deposit Disease’, a rare and aggressive form of kidney illness, knows first-hand what Kidney Health Australia’s support means.

“When your child is on dialysis, you are so restricted. Everyday life revolves around their treatment and normality is gone. When Maddi went on the Family Fun Day, held at Luna Park, it was the most amazing thing to see. Her whole face lit up”, said Natalie. “Maddi went on the roller coaster time-and-time again, and had a huge smile on her face. Kidney Health Australia’s support made it doable and affordable, which we are so grateful for, especially when we are country-based.”

Maddi, according to Natalie, went into renal failure only three months after her diagnoses, and had been on dialysis for some 14 months. She had a donor kidney transplant on the 21st of March 2010 and spent a number of onths in hospital. Therefore, the happiness that the family were briefly able share, on the Family Fun Day, is a moment in time that they will hold very dear.

Peter Lanyon, whose daughter, Jodie, battled kidney disease for much of her life, also knows how supportive Kidney Health Australia can be. Peter, who is the Kidney Kar Rally’s longest competitor, has been with the rally since it began in 1989, some 22 years. For Peter and his daughter, Debbie, Jodie’s younger sister, the event is something that they cannot afford to miss.

“My initial involvement with the Kidney Kar Rally was through the inaugural event in 1989, which was then named the Kidney Kaper. My eldest daughter, Jodie, was a kidney kid. Diagnosed at the age of six, Jodie’s illness quickly developed into end-stage renal failure and, for the rest of her shortened life, she dealt with dialysis, transplantation, and rejection of donor kidneys. Throughout those early years, my wife, Wendy, and I were working with hospital social workers to foster support groups for other families of kidney patients. After reading about the upcoming event in the Sydney Daily Telegraph newspaper, I saw it as an opportunity to combine my desire to become involved in motorsport and a chance to contribute and learn more about kidney disease, function and support,” said Peter. “The feeling of family and mateship, which comes with every rally start, when all the participants come together for another year, is most memorable. The greatest thing though, is the continued support that my family give me throughout the year, and to have my youngest daughter, Deb, who waved me off as a seven-year-old in the first rally, become my navigator, which she has done now for the past six years.”

Over the years that Peter has competed in the event, he has seen competitors come and go and the event evolve into a popular “must-do” affair for the young and old.

“The first couple of events, although they were a competition, were more of a social event. Impromptu “bonnet parties” were held along the track with groups of competitors spreading out their goodies on a bonnet and the rest ‘digging in’. However, the problem with that was we weren’t getting into town ’til way after dark and we were missing all the meals,” Peter said. “The Rally of today offers different things to different people. It is still social in the evenings, but can also be competitive during the day if that is desirable. We also have cars that just come along for the ride, cruising through the day and enjoying the nightlife. Although people have come and gone over the years — some returning a few years later — the character of the people remains. All competitors have a strong community spirit and desire to help others, and this drives them through their fundraising efforts, with the goal at the end being an enjoyable “road trip” like no other.”

From city-to-town via some of the most remote outback locations, the Kidney Kar Rally has travelled across Australia from all compass points, and back again, more times than anyone can remember, and best of all, no two events are the same.

Kim and Arthur Davis, the rally’s road directors for the past 12 years, believe that the event is such a resounding success because of its safety record, comprehensive planning and diversity, and the shared camaraderie of each event.

“The Kidney Kar Rally has evolved into a much more well-known event in rally circles, especially with the number of charity events now being organised. The event prides itself on its unblemished safety record and the popularity of this rally speaks for itself with the number of participants taking part”, said Kim. “We have a very interesting and varied life, meeting new people on our travels around this wonderful country of ours, and each year we thoroughly enjoy the company of all of our “rallytives”, when we get together for yet another Kidney Kar Rally adventure.”

Kim has been involved in the administration-side of rallying, and a service-crew member for Arthur for over 30 years, and, Arthur has competed in rally events and organised them for more than 40 years. In fact, the couple met on a rally — Kim was administrating while Arthur was competing — and, from there, they built a lifetime together surrounded by wheels.

“Arthur and I actually met at a rally in the early 70’s when he was a competitor and I was assisting with admin. I have been the service-crew member for many of the rallies Arthur has been involved with, and of course the administration side-of-things. The most demanding being the NSW State Rally Championship in 2000. Our eldest daughter attended her first rally at the age of 4 weeks and has been involved ever since,” said Kim.

Arthur’s car rallying history is impressive, having competed in the International Southern Cross Rallies from 1972 t0 1980, the London to Sydney Marathon in 1977, and the Repco Round Australia Reliability Trial in 1979 as well as the N.S.W State Championship from 1982 to 1988, which he won in 1987, and the Mobil Round Australia Rally in 1996. In addition, Arthur has also organised many rallies for the Bathurst Light Car Club, including the N.S.W State Championship at Bathurst in 2000 and has been on the organising committee for the Wynn’s Australian Safari.

When asked how it felt to be involved in competitive car rallying, Arthur said, “As a competitor it is one of the most exciting things to do, tearing through the forests at 200kph in the middle of the night. The highs and lows of rallying are dramatic – from the highs of winning, to the lows of breaking down and being forced-out of an event.” Pausing to reflect for a moment, he added, “I feel extremely privileged as the sport has taken me right around-the-world, I have been to countries where no-one would dare go these days. Rallying is certainly ‘the sport’ for the biggest adrenalin rushes. The trust between driver and navigator is paramount. One cannot work successfully without the other; it is a real team effort.”

Listening to Kim and Arthur speak about their involvement with rallying, it becomes clear why the Kidney Kar Rally is so well-organised.

“We plan a rally by working out where the event hasn’t been in the past, where we think we can find suitable roads, and then we start the mapping process. Arthur does a huge amount of preparation before each rally, especially studying maps of the areas that the rally intends to run through. We spend up to 20 weeks a year ‘on the road’ searching for a suitable course,” Kim said. “We make a point of liaising with farmers, State Forestry officers, National Park rangers and government bodies to secure permits for the event to travel over their roads and tracks. We then drive backwards-and-forwards over the areas that we intend to use and finally chart the course.”

Once planned, Kim and Arthur then publicise the rally in all of the areas that the Kidney Kar Rally will travel. They carry out radio and press interviews, drop flyers into letterboxes throughout the rural areas where the rally passes, organise all of the catering for the eight-day event, and send out a list of all available accommodation, at each overnight stop, to the participants.

“The rest of our time is taken-up with the enormous amount of administration involved with running such an event – from taking entries and keeping accurate accounts of each participant’s fundraising money to answering enquiries from prospective entrants. It is important for us to keep the participants informed of all that is happening with the event each year, and we accomplish this primarily through a newsletter that we publish several times a year,” said Kim. “We make a point of being accessible to everyone at all times, either in person, by phone, or via email.”

Then, there is the preparation of the Kidney Kar Rally ‘Road Book’, which many competitors refer to as the “Rally Bible” because, without it, you are simply lost for direction. The Road Book contains instructions for all roads travelled during the rally and allows competitors to find and complete all stages.

“Creation of the ‘Road Book’ is huge,” said Kim. “As all our charting of the roads and tracks firstly needs to be put into the computer. Then, once complete, we print the whole lot and copy this and make it into books for all participants. Some 20,000 to 25,000 pages of paper make the ‘Rally Bible’ possible each year.”

The 2012 Kidney Kar Rally, which starts on August the 14th and finishes on the 24th, will travel from Mandurah to Bendigo via the Nullabor, and pass through many states. Typically, more than 50 vehicles enter the rally, and many of these will be looking to be the event’s highest fundraisers.

In previous years, the rally has raised more than $500,000.00 for Kidney Health Australia, with some of the highest fundraisers contributing more than $20,000.00 per vehicle. The beauty of being amongst the top-ten highest fundraisers for the event is that you start each day in the position that you obtained. For example, if you were the fifth highest fundraiser then your vehicle will start in fifth position daily.

The Kidney Kar Rally runs annually in August and the entry fee of approximately $4,500.00 per vehicle covers all meals and insurance for the driver and navigator. Additional team members can entry the rally for $850.00 each. If you do not want to compete in the rally but wish to follow the event or be a support vehicle for a competitor, you can enter as a ‘Kruise’ participant, or back-up vehicle for $2,500.00.

For more information on the Kidney Kar Rally and how you can be involved in this year’s event, or subsequent years, please contact Kim Davis toll-free on 1300 300 544 or email arkida@hotkey.net.au, or you can visit www.kidney.org.au.

Please Note: This article was originally written by Tricia L. Snell and published in Lifestyle Investor Magazine Vol. 1.6 | Issue May/June 2010. It has been updates and re-printed with the permission of the Lifestyle Education Group.

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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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Emotional Freedom Techniques Helping to Reduce Australian Obesity

December 21, 2011 By

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NEWS FEATURE

More than 56 percent of Australians are overweight or obese and some 72 percent lead sedentary lifestyles with little or no exercise.

Obesity in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, has a significant impact on the health and social lives of Australians, and affects economic conditions. All, of which, can be linked to a lack of exercise and a poor diet.

Rod Sherwin, an energy therapist at Tap4Health, an innovative weight loss medium, believes that weight and emotions are connected.

“I help people with emotional issues and peak performance,” said Sherwin. “Emotions drive our behaviours a lot of the time and this can apply to eating disorders and weight issues – the emotions that drive us to eat what we know we shouldn’t. I also work with the limiting beliefs and self-talk that holds people back from achieving their potential.”

Sherwin uses ‘Emotional Freedom Techniques’ or ‘EFT’ principles that were developed by Gary Craig, a Stanford engineering graduate and ordained minister, to help reduce Australian obesity.

“I came across EFT in my own personal development journey and thought it was so powerful that I needed to share it with others,” said Sherwin. “This method is a form of energy therapy, a generic term for the fields of energy psychology and energy medicine, which work with the body’s energy system to create mental, emotional and physical changes.”

Sherwin, who holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Science and is, currently studying Kinesiology, feels that EFT is an excellent weight loss motivator.

“EFT helps by dealing with the emotional drivers and sabotage patterns that are causing us to eat,” said Sherwin. “Whether we are depressed, angry, bored, anxious, or something else, eating supresses these feelings. Energy therapy can help identify, clear, and heal these emotional patterns. This then allows us to make conscious choices about when and what to eat, rather than doing so on autopilot.”

The proof is in the results says Sherwin, who does not believe in a ‘perfect’ lifestyle balance.

“Well, for starters, I don’t believe in ‘perfect’. There is ‘good enough’ and ‘what works for now’. Life is complicated and changes on a daily basis,” said Sherwin. “By making our goals and routines too rigid, we are actually imposing more stress on ourselves, which is counter to what we are trying to achieve in terms of health and wellbeing. Today, you might only be able to fit in a five minute workout because there is a deadline approaching but, tomorrow, you might be able to go for an hour’s exercise or to a meditation class because the deadline has now passed and the kids are all staying at a friend’s place.”

Sherwin, who balances his own energies using a variety of gentle exercises and martial arts, says that his number one health and fitness tip is to be gentle with yourself. He also believes that it is important to find out what works best for you and your body, especially when it comes to nutrition.

“Pay attention and notice what works for you. No diet works for everyone,” said Sherwin. “Some people do better with carbs for breakfast, some people, like me, do better with protein for breakfast. Take a scientific approach. Experiment with different food types and groups, and one hour later notice how you feel.”

Sherwin’s overall philosophy on health and fitness centres on three areas.

“Our health is a combination of our thoughts, emotions, and physical wellbeing,” said Sherwin. “We all tend to focus on one or two of these areas, but we need to pay attention to all three areas to gain optimal health and wellbeing.”

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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.

Filed Under: Sport Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Art Auction to Benefit Elton’s AIDS Charity

October 2, 2011 By
Elton John Performs

British singer Elton John performs during his concert in Istanbul July 5, 2011 | By Osman Orsal REUTERS

EXPRESS NEWS LINK:
Art works by famous painters will be auctioned by Sothebys with all proceeds benefitting the Elton John AIDS Foundation [EJAF]. Zorianna Kit has the story.
 
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SUCCESS, HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS GO HAND-IN-HAND

September 14, 2011 By
The jigsaw for success comes together

Health, happiness, and success come together. Source: iStock Images

EXPRESS NEWS LINK:
 
Shane Jacobson, actor, Lee Nelson, poker player, and Jeremy Sims, movie producer and director share their secrets to living a healthy, happy and successful lifestyle. Sacha Molitorisz, Andrew Taylor, and Jacqui Taffel have the story.
 
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Filed Under: Entertainment Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

CALLING ALL HEALTH ROLE MODELS

September 14, 2011 By
Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama a Positive Role Model | Source: Sydney Morning Herald

EXPRESS NEWS LINK
 
America has Michelle Obama and Condoleezza Rice as health and fitness role models, but who does Australia have? Find out who represents Australia in the health and fitness stakes as a role model. Paula Goodyer has the story.
 
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Filed Under: World News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Nestlé To Conduct Health Study in Australia

September 14, 2011 By
Living life to the fullest

Study will motivate Australians to think about their lifestyles and how they can better live them. Source: iStock Images

EXPRESS NEWS LINK:
Motivational psychologist, Dr Anthony Grant and Nestlé Australia have developed an interactive survey that will encourage Australians to think about their lifestyles and how they can improve their quality of live. Nutrition Horizon has the story.
 
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