A most thought-provoking book One of my most recent reads is Built to Move by Kelly Starrett and Juliet Starrett. I feel compelled to share this book with you because it’s taught me so much. In this article I review the first chapter – a summary of what it’s about, and what I’ve learned about my own mobility. Ten essential habits Here’s a link to the authors’ website, The Ready State, with all the info about the book. Note the subtitle – THE 10 ESSENTIAL HABITS TO HELP YOU MOVE FREELY AND LIVE FULLY. The ten essential habits are linked to ‘vital signs’ and there’s a chapter for each one. Vital ..read more

It’s that time of year A fresh new year is the time when many of us think about aspects of our lives we’d like to change and make resolutions accordingly. Resolutions about exercise are very common because we all know that exercise is good for us and something we should do. But stating resolutions doesn’t mean we’ll follow through. This is okay, we are all human and setting resolutions is an inherently flawed process. There’s a different approach we can take to make the changes we desire. Happy new mindset Rather than a happy new year, I wish you a happy new mindset. Swap out resolutions for a ..read more

That was unexpected! This year has turned out nothing like I expected – in both good ways and bad. I started the year with clear intentions for both personal and business growth, but everything went out the window very early in 2023 and the year took a completely different path. It’s a reflective time of year and I’m a reflective type of person. In this blog I’ll share my personal story of six major influences that had a big impact on my life in 2023. 1. I lost my brother The wheels came of my well thought out 2023 bus very early when my brother, Mark Andrew Rowen, passed away in February. Mar ..read more

I love running and I have osteoarthritis I am also a nerd, so it should come as no surprise that I sometimes read about running. Being a runner with osteoarthritis, I was thrilled to find this great research article about running and osteoarthritis. In this blog I’ll be sharing with you the main points of the research article. What is osteoarthritis? Most people have an idea of what osteoarthritis is, but it’s worth giving the formal definition for context. I found this one on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website. ‘Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterised ..read more

Three aspects of fitness or four? As a fitness enthusiast and personal trainer, I practice and advocate exercise as a major vehicle for wellbeing. My initial intention for this article was to outline the three aspects of fitness, commonly known as the three Ss, and explain how they are all important. But I realised that there is far more to exercise than these three things. I believe that there is a fourth and equally powerful aspect of fitness that is a critical factor in the bigger picture of personal wellbeing. A different perspective I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that exercise is ..read more

The suppleness aspect of fitness There are three aspects of fitness which are commonly referred to as the three Ss. Strength Stamina – also known as endurance Suppleness – also known as flexibility There’s also ‘serenity’ If you’ve seen other articles from my blog, you may know that I believe in another aspect of fitness – serenity. This is all about how exercise can make us feel – physically, mentally and emotionally. In my opinion, serenity should be the fourth aspect of fitness because it’s just as important as the three Ss. I set an intention earlier this year to share articles that high ..read more

Dilemma The final point in my previous article was that exercise is one of several factors that can increase intra-abdominal pressure, which puts pressure on our pelvic floor muscles. This presents us with a dilemma because it’s vital for us to exercise, but it can contribute to pelvic floor damage. In this article I’ll explain ways that make it possible for us to take care of our pelvic floor while exercising. These are the key things we can do Start with great posture Mindful breathing during exercise Where possible, do variations of exercises seated or lying down Incorporate pelvic floor c ..read more

Champion pelvic floor – not just for keeping us dry In some previous articles I’ve written about incontinence and the role that our pelvic floor muscles play in keeping our pants dry while we exercise and go about our daily lives. As well as giving us control over the flow of wee and poo, the pelvic floor muscles play a role in supporting the pelvic organs and keeping them in place. Prevention of pelvic organ prolapse is another reason for keeping our pelvic floor in good condition. Pelvic organs and prolapse The bladder, uterus and bowel are the main pelvic organs and the word ‘prolapse’ desc ..read more

An epic European adventure I recently returned from a trip of a lifetime in Europe. I was away for FIVE WEEKS! Epic. Extra special because it was a trip that was supposed to happen in 2020. We all know how 2020 turned out. It was a complete break from the routines and stressors of regular life and a truly unforgettable experience travelling through Switzerland, Rome and Croatia. A break from regular exercise routines I did not partake in my regular exercise routines – running and strength training – while I was away. While some are shocked by this fact, it’s actually a perfectly acceptable thi ..read more

I have high blood pressure – shocking! Did you know that I, a personal trainer with a very high level of fitness and healthy lifestyle, have high blood pressure and I take medication for it? I know, it’s shocking! Let me explain the full story, starting with some facts about blood pressure. Blood pressure Most people have had their blood pressure measured and know that the reading is given as a larger number over a smaller number – 125/70 – for example. Systolic blood pressure – the larger number Indicating the pressure inside blood vessels when the heart is contracting. Diastolic blood pressu ..read more