by Don on October 1, 2009
The following is a brief profile of one of the interviewees in the upcoming book, Dream It, Live It, Love It. The full interview and insights gained by the author will be shared in the book to be published at a future date. To see future interviewee profiles via email and to stay updated on the status of the book, use the widget at the bottom right of this page to subscribe.
Gerard Moreno Geared Up
Gerard Going For It!
Gerard Moreno is a 52 year old Paralympian who lives in Los Angeles, California, where he operates his own accounting business. Gerard played many sports while growing up including football, track and field, skiing, and fencing. At the age of 18, he suffered a gunshot injury, which left him partially paralyzed. After about six months, Gerard ventured out and tried playing wheelchair basketball with a team at the hospital he went to. Gerard enjoyed seeing that he could enjoy sports again, despite his injury, and went on to take up snow skiing, water skiing, tennis, downhill off-road wheelchair racing, scuba diving, and fencing. Doing these sports grew Gerard’s self-confidence, and has led to a life full of fun and adventure. These days his focus is on basketball, off-road racing, and fencing. Gerard has been on the United States Paralympic fencing team three times, and won numerous national championships. I found my interview with Gerard to be very inspiring because Gerard not only has an extremely positive attitude, but he also has made it his purpose to give back to the newly injured who are transitioning into their new lives. Gerard has learned how to adapt to new situations, considers this one of his strengths, and works to pass this lesson on. Gerard feels truly blessed to be part of a national team and the Paralympics’ team, and finds joy in other people and being on this earth.
I heard back from Jack Lalanne, and due to an exclusive agreement Jack has with a publisher, he cannot contribute to my book. Hey, I tried – “Dream Big” you know. OK, so onward and upward.
I’m excited about a talk I’m going to tonight by Dr. John Ratey called, “Exercise and the Brain – a crucial connection.” I’ll post about it next week, so stay tuned.
I’m also very excited about a multi-media video I’m putting together that features some of the athletes I’ve interviewed. It will premier on 10/24 at a book release and 50-k Active/Athlete Challenge launch event I’m holding in Fort Collins, Colorado. I can’t wait, although there is a lot to do between now and 10/24.
Last night I spoke to Murray Hornick from Murrells Inlet, SC because he won a drawing I held for people who joined the 50-k Challenge on 50-k.net before 9/21. He won a copy o fmy book and a 50-k T-shirt. You can get the book on this site, and the T-shirt at 50-k.net if you’re interested. Murray’s goal is to run 50 marathon in 50 different US states. Wow! He told me of a mentor he has in his home town who is a dentist and still practices dentistry full-time at age 84. Besides that, he has run 120 marathons, one of them last year. Thanks Murray, and all of you who keep me inspired. Dream Big!
by Don on September 28, 2009
On Friday September 25th at noon, I interviewed Suzy Devers who is an in-line and ice speed-skater. Suzy is the 50th athlete over 50 that I have interviewed, and this is a major milestone for me and this project. My first interview took place on May 26th with Carl Bamforth, also an in-line skater interestingly enough. Doing the interviews has been an amazing journey for me. I have learned a great deal from the athletes I’ve interviewed, and I also feel like I’ve made a bunch of new friends around the world. One of my dreams for this book, is that it is successful enough to enable me to travel around and meet the athletes I’ve interviewed. I want to thank each and every one of them in person for changing my life.
So, please celebrate this milestone with me in whatever way works for you, whether it be high-fives, the Wave, yelling woo-hoo…whatever! For me it’s high-fives, so here’s a virtual high-five to all of you!
Now, the focus for me is taking the interview content, analyzing it, and synthesizing it into a book. I hope to publish the book by March 2010.
OK, topic shift. Several of the athletes I’ve interviewed mentioned Jack Lalanne by name in their interview. In my eyes, Jack Lalanne is to US health and fitness, what Elvis Presley was to rock and roll music. It is one of my dreams to meet Jack and work with him on a forward to my book. I mailed Jack a copy of my first book, and hope he responds. I’m sure Jack is a very busy guy, because even at 94 years old he’s got a lot going on. To improve my odds of reaching Jack, I’m trying to find someone who knows him. I thought I’d reach out to those who read my blog to see if anyone knows Jack and would be willing to make an introduction for me. I will give an autographed copy of my final book (along with eternal gratitude) to the person who knows Jack Lalanne and puts me in touch with him.
I’ve received a few updates from athletes I’ve interviewed and I thought I’d pass them on.
Jerry Smartt sent this link to an interview he did while at the World Masters Championships in Finland. http://masterstrack.com/blog/005897.html
Don Ardell, who I interviewed last week won the Triathlon World Championship Title in the 70-74 age group, and sent me this podium photo. Congrats Don!
Don Ardell, World Triathlon Champion
Don has written many books on Wellness, and during our interview, Don explained to me that the world’s great philosophers have a lot to teach us about athletics and wellness. Nietzsche talked about how suffering is required in order to achieve great fulfillment, and sports provides that for many of us. This really got me thinking.
Sid Howard, who I interviewed last week, won the World Championship 1500 meter title in Lahti, Finland back in August. Sid is an amazing guy and I can’t wait to share his profile in an upcoming blog. You can read an interview with Sid by Runner’s World at http://dailynews.runnersworld.com/. Scroll down to “A Brief Chat with Sid Howard.”
I’ve begun to put more effort into getting the 50-k Active/Athlete Challenge ramped, and some things are really beginning to click. I plan on having a launch event in Fort Collins, Colorado on October 24th, which will feature a multi-media video I’ve been putting together. This video features some of the athletes I’ve interviewed, and I’m very excited about it. I will share it on this blog shortly after the 24th. I’ve had great response to the 50-k T-shirts that are available at the 50-k.net store. Cheryl Ragsdale who is a student at the Florian Martial Arts Center, in Boston, MA really likes them and emailed me the following photo and posted on her blog about the 50-k Challenge http://thatgirlisfunny.com/2009/09/fountain-of-youth-5-healthy-habits-of-athletes/
Cheryl and crew in 50-k T-shirts
If you think the 50-k Active/Athete Challenge is a worthwhile crusade, one of the ways you can support it (after joining on 50-k.net of course) is by purchasing a T-shirt at 50-k.net, taking a creative photo of yourself doing your thing, and emailing it to don@50-k.net. I really appreciate the support and will use it on the 50-k.net website.
