Sergeant Tony's Blog

Saturday night I got Riverdanced!

I absolutely love that show!
It is a FEAST for the eyes and ears!

It’s strong and powerful, beautiful and elegant, majestic and unbelievably athletic!
It’s the kind of excellence that makes you start applauding even before a number is over.
And the kind that makes you sad when it’s over.

In 2002 I was a guest on FOX 13′s Good Morning Memphis show. They regularly had fitness professionals come on the show and talk about exercise and other related topics. Since several FOX 13 folks were boot campers at the time, I was invited to be a guest on the program almost monthly. It was a lot of fun and Valerie Calhoun is great!

It just so happened that Riverdance was in town one week when I was on the program. I really didn’t know too much about Riverdance at the time. And as luck would have it, the male lead dancer was also a guest on the program the same morning that I was.

He and I made small talk while we waited on the set of the studio where our interviews would take place 30 minutes later. He was a really nice guy but, again, I didn’t have much of an appreciation for what he did.

That was about to change.

During one of the breaks, Val came over to the studio to say hello to us while we waited and to make introductions. Still off camera and off air, she casually asked him to show us a “little something” of his dancing. Like asking one of the Harlem Globe Trotters to spin a basketball on their finger or something. So he stood up and then what I saw next was something I will never forget. Without hardly any movement it seemed, he started to dance and I’d never seen anything like it in my life! This incredible athlete/dancer started moving and tapping his feet faster than I had EVER seen the human foot move … with a rhythm and precision and a sound that was immediately mesmerizing and hypnotic. It was like magic! How did he DO that?? I was amazed, entranced … and hooked!

When I left the station, I went directly to Davis Kidd and bought tickets for the Saturday performance!

The things that appeal to me about Riverdance are some of the same things that appeal to me about air shows, well executed football plays, basketball fast breaks, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team … precision, timing, athleticism, discipline, focus, dedication.

With the possible exception of the first three, the last three are the footprints of all successes. A case could probably be made for precision and timing too.

There is no substitute for discipline, focus, and dedication.

Yesterday at the pool I met a guy who’s trying to cut 5 seconds off of his swim time. We had both just finished swimming laps and had started talking about trying to get a little faster in the water. He’s training for a big event this summer and is hoping that his dedication and hard work will pay off. He’s training in the pool 3 to 4 times a week for an hour and a half each time.

My new buddy is 92 years old … and I liked him immediately when he called me “young man!” Later he told me I was just a “young whipper snapper!” I REALLY liked him then! But when I discovered that he’s a former Marine, well … you know.

There’s no statute of limitation on excellence or achievement or ambition. Your life isn’t written in stone yet and the description of your life is still being written! The person you are today isn’t the person you have to remain. The most interesting people I know are the ones who sort of reinvent themselves every so often!

My 92 year old friend intends to compete in the Senior Olympics this summer and WIN!! Bless his heart! He could have given up years and years ago! But he pushes on!

Let’s all push on! Let’s all push up against the margins and boundaries of our lives and make new discoveries, new achievements, new horizons!

And the next time Riverdance is in town, buy a ticket!

——————————————————–

SPRING HALF MARATHON TRAINING!

No organized training run this Saturday. Instead run the first annual MOVE IT MEMPHIS 10K!
www.moveitmemphis10k.com

————————————————————–

THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES

I try to promote and patronize Boot Campers in their businesses. I am also a member of a business networking group (BNI – Business Networking International) that meets weekly to promote one another’s businesses.

Beginning today, I’m going to introduce you to three businesses every week, either owned by one of you guys or one of my BNI buddies. Maybe you’re not a business owner, but you work on commission and would like to be mentioned, please send me your info!

Today’s Big Three are:

Ginny Craig (Boot Camper): Pageboy Salon, 650 S Perkins Rd, 901-767-1268.
Kevin Savage (BNI): Picture Perfect Plumbing, 901-674-3637.
David Strong and Nikki Strong (Boot Camper, BNI): Piano’s Flowers & Gifts, 901-345-7670.

——————————————————————

Shameless, Shameless, SHAMELESS PLUG

My son, Nathan, a starving college student at MTSU has become a sales rep for Cutco, a knife and flatware company. He just started last week. He makes $15 every time he makes a presentation, irrespective of whether he sells anything or not. Nathan needs opportunities to give his 35 minute presentation when he’s home on the weekends. If you’d like to listen to a cute young college boy and help him out, or you’d just like a chance to heckle my kid in person, please give Nathan a call at 901-289-2738. Thank you Scot, Margaret, and David!

——————————————————————

Your Thoughts and Prayers

Diane Thackery lost her father on Monday. Diane, as many of you will know, is a veteran Boot Camper. I had the privilege of meeting Diane’s father at a Christmas party a couple of years ago. He was a delightful man and will be missed by all who knew him. Please remember to keep the tender heart of our friend in your thoughts and prayers.

We’re thinking about you D.

————————————————–

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

To your continued good health and fitness,

Tony

Sergeant Major Tony Ludlow
USMC Fitness BOOT CAMP, Commanding
4888 Southern Ave
Memphis, TN 38117
901-644-0145

www.usmcfitnessbootcamp.com

www.shaklee.net/tonyludlow/main