3 types of people you should have in your circle

 Let's face it, we are drawn to people like us, to remain in our so called "comfort zone." While I think that this is great and that most of these "comfort zone friends" will be some of your very best friends while other may not, is it possible that they may be holding you back from reaching certain goals in your life?? Kind of a tough question to answer, huh?

Well, take a moment to think about your closest friends, work colleagues, etc. Now, do they fall into one of these 3 categories?

1. Dreamers and the Doers

2. Believers and Thinkers

3. Those who see greatness within you, even when you don't see it yourself.

I'm glad to say that some of my friend would definitely fall into one or more of these categories and I can confidently say that these people are the one's that have had the most positive impact on me and my family. I've got to admit, there's nothing better than a true friend! 

Remember: "It's very important to surround yourself with people you can learn from." ~ Reba McEntire

Keep the dream alive #WildChildStyle ~The Wildchild

Learning to Leave Your Comfort Zone

Written by the Wildchild

Over the years, having worked and participated in the action sports industry I've had an opportunity to meet a lot of great athletes both Professional and Amateur. I've learned so much in terms of the mindset behind how these athletes become so successful in such a variety of very difficult sports to master in the way that they have. What’s even more interesting is what we all can learn from these athletes by applying some very similar concepts in our own lives regardless of our endeavors.

It all starts with stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying to accomplish something that was initially intimidating or scary for you or maybe even seemed impossible at one point in time. By testing those limits you are able to push yourself to a new level and in many cases discover talents and abilities that you never thought possible.

You must also have a passion for that pursuit of progression in an effort to move towards mastering your skills or reaching your goals. Without that passion it would be nearly impossible to ever have the courage to step out of your comfort zone and even more difficult to step out again and again if you encounter failure. But remember that failure is feedback and strength can be drawn from that source as well.

Lastly, remember that whether or not you succeed or fail, the only way to go forward is by taking that next step. Thomas Edison summarized this concept perfectly. I quote, “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

So the next time that you are faced with a situation requiring you to step outside of your comfort zone, what kind of outlook and attitude will you have? Will you try to apply these concepts in an effort to have the strength to take that step forward and possibly enter into a new world of opportunities that you had previously never thought possible? Or will the fear of the unknown or the path less traveled be too overwhelming for you to see what could have been? As always, I wish you the best of luck with your passions, goals and endeavors but most importantly the strength to continue to move forward in a positive way in whatever you do!

Image courtesy of: seodesignpictures.blogspot.com/2012/05/action-sports-icons.html
Quote courtesy of: www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasaed109004.html

Face Your Fears... It's Good for You!

What almost kills you makes you stronger.Extreme sports and dangerous physical challenges boost your mental makeup, finds a new study in the Journal of Health Psychology.

Australian researchers defined extreme sports as those activities that involve “the potential destruction of the physical self”—basically, your ass is on the line. (Think BASE jumping, waterfall kayaking, and big-wave surfing.)

Travis Rice during the Art of Flight

Here’s the good news: You don’t have to jump off a building or surf Mavericks in order to experience the fulfillment outlined in the research. Whether you’re quitting your job to start a new business or simply signing up for a Tough Mudder, if the activity scares the hell out of you, fighting through that fear will provide psychological benefits similar to those observed in the study, Brymer says. Just don’t be reckless. “Do your homework, and make sure you’re physically and mentally prepared.” 

After a series of interviews with 15 experienced extreme athletes—that is, not dead—the study authors found that overcoming intense fear leads to “transformational” changes in confidence and sense of self. Put simply, overcoming physical terror increases life-fulfillment and psychological well-being, the study shows.

When you get down to it, fear stems from a lack of faith in yourself and your ability, explains study coauthor Eric Brymer, Ph.D., a psychologist at Queensland University of Technology. And so when you defeat your fears, you’re proving to yourself that you’re capable—an experience that has major psychological advantages that will ripple throughout your life, he adds.

(Courtesy of Markham Heid http://news.menshealth.com/why-extreme-sports-make-you-a-better-man/2013/04/14/) 

Keeping in Shape During the Summer for Snowboarding

Well with summer just around the corner, I thought that this might help all us snowboarders out there to keep in shape during the off season. Check it out!

Nowadays it's really hard to lump snowboarders into a group of "athletes" that spend their days training hard and staying in shape for competition. There are probably hundreds of different kinds of snowboarders from the kids who can't ride with out being intoxicated to the kids who go snowboarding and then straight to the gym to hit the heavy iron. This article is for those of you who want to stay in some sort of shape for snowboarding this summer, and I'm happy to report that it really IS a thirty minute workout at most!

Lose the Iron

You can absolutely forget about lifting any weights. I know a guy who was a bodybuilder and once he was hired to a local landscaping crew. You figure that with all that strength he would have no problem digging and lifting all day. By the end of his first day he couldn't really do much work. He could barely even pick up his shovel. Why, with countless hours a day at the gym did this happen? Lifting weights might build muscle, but it is a completely useless kind of muscle… slow twitch. Slow twitch muscles are built due to continuous expansion and contraction of the muscle throughout the day… i.e. slow, controlled, repetitive motions. Slow repetitive movements have no place in landscaping and absolutely no place in snowboarding.

You are a snowboarder… you aren't looking to be moving nice and slow and controlled. You want to build up the fast twitch muscles. Fast twitch muscles contract quickly and explosively. They are there when you make a quick switch from your snowboards heel edge to your toe edge. They are helping out when you get to the lip and do that explosive pop into the sky! They are especially there when you mess up and have to rely on quick reflexes to either fix your situation or brace for impact.

Snowboard Workout Routine

Absolutely no gym membership required folks! Besides, chances are you guys are at this snowboarding site because you snowboard, which also means you are probably broke like me and can't afford a gym membership anyway. So on to the workout. It takes like I said less than thirty minutes and you can do it pretty much anywhere. Do it every day cause it's really not that hard. You won't need rest,

Pushups

I try and go for around about 100 a day. You don't have to do it all at once but shoot for finishing it up in three sets… so if you do three sets of 30 pushups a day then you should be in pretty good shape! 

Pushups serve two purposes in snowboarding. One is to keep your upper body and wrists loose and limber. The other is to brace you for impact. I don't know about you guys but when I fall snowboarding its usually towards my stomach and it's nice to have a little bit of muscle built up to catch yourself.

Sit-ups/Crunches

It's all in the core. Again shoot for around 100 per day. If you been snowboarding a lot before you found this guide, then doing three sets of 30 sit-ups will seem like bitch work.

One thing I want to say about sit-ups is that this is really about your spins and general movements. Everything you do in snowboarding will be initiated from your core, so strengthening it up may produce a drastic difference in your riding.

If basic sit-ups are lame to you then put a twist in them at the end. Now you are really working the muscles that are going to literally spin you in circles next season!

Standing 360s

Way better than squat jumps although those work too. I would say 4 sets of 10 alternating frontside and backside. You want to stand similar to your stance on your snowboard and concentrate on exploding high and fast. The 360 should be done in the image of what you want them to look like on the snowboard slope. In other words they should be really nice, floaty jumps with the full 360 degrees of rotation completed.

The benefits of this exercise should be pretty obvious. It trains your quads for jumping nice and high and your core for quick, controlled rotations. Not only that, it might help you out if you are having trouble getting yourself oriented during your spins (Where is the board? For that matter where is the landing? Well hopefully after this exercise you'll be able to figure it out better).

Think Snowboarding

Snowboarding is so much more mental though than it is physical. That is why these exercises are for the most part quick and painless. Sure they will get you up to speed physically, but the mental aspects of the sport of snowboarding may still hold you back.

Since it is summer, now is the time to start putting last seasons' hit videos on repeat in your DVD player. Absorb every aspect of the tricks you see pro snowboarders do. From how they prepare, to their drop, the set up, the pop, the rotation… it all matters. Once you can practically replay these tricks in your head just replace that pro snowboarder with an image of you. Really take the time to imagine how you would look making those same movements and trying that same trick.

If you see a nice, high ledge don't be embarrassed to pretend you have a snowboard strapped to you and try a 270 or two. Get on a trampoline and imagine you are staring at the transition to a jump, and then hit it! The more you repeat and attempt these motions the more familiar they will become
The 08/09 season is just around the corner so get to work guys! See you on the slopes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/snowboard-workout-for-summer-433122.html
About the Author
Visit my site for snowboarding articles, trick tips, videos, and more!
http://www.desertsdontsnow.com/

Thanks for the Shred Tom!

Longboarding - Smoothest Standies I've Ever Seen!

This Video speaks for itself. One of the smoothest riders I've ever seen!

Trick Tip: BIG stand up slides by Kyle Chin



Longboarding USA - Raising Awareness

I've been in touch with Caleb and Tanner Childs and had to spread the stoke on the longboarding trek that they are planning on making. He's their story:

On May 14, 2012, two brothers from Concord, NC plan to take off on a trip of a lifetime. Caleb and Tanner Childs are leaving from Wilmington, NC and are walking/longoarding to San Francisco, CA. The brothers’ main goal for the walk is to raise awareness and funds for three charities of their choosing and, of course, for the adventure aspect of it all.

Tanner Childs just turned 22 years old and is in his final year at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, finishing up a degree in Criminal Justice. Caleb, the older of the two, just turned 26 and graduated from North Carolina State University in 2008 with a degree in Turfgrass Management of all things. The idea of walking/longboarding across the country came from Tanner, apparently the dreamer of the two brothers. Caleb, who just recently spent some time living in the mountains of North Carolina, which kindled his love for the outdoors, stated that he would accompany Tanner but that they should do it for a good cause of some kind. The good cause turned out to be the three charities they chose to support.

The three charities consist of The Semper Fi Fund, The Vickie S. Honeycutt Foundation, and the North Toxaway Food Bank. The Semper Fi Fund helps ease financial burdens for hospitalized or wounded marines and other military personnel who support the marines. Both brothers believe this to be an important charity to raise awareness for, as many of the wounded soldiers are overlooked upon returning back to the U.S. The Vickie S. Honeycutt Foundation is a charity that was started to honor Mrs. Honeycutt, and gives financial aid to teachers, and their family members, who are battling cancer. Lastly, the North Toxaway Food Bank is an organization that helps families meet their basic needs on a week to week basis in an area that is greatly affected by the economic downturn. 

The brothers plan on having an amazing journey, but are still lacking in a few areas. They are still looking for as much publicity as possible, and could still use some help in raising money or supplies/gear to help them with their budget. If you would be willing to donate, you can contact them at tanner@longboardingusa.com, or caleb@longboardingusa.com. The main thing to keep in mind is the charities though, because that's what it’s all about. Don't forget to check out their website at http://www.longboardingusa.com/, and "like" their facebook page, longboardingusa. They are shooting for 1,000 likes before they leave!!!

Longboard your way to Success

I had to throw up another video of the WCS Crew bombin hills here in AZ. This is our playground... Enjoy!

"So basically it's up to you mentally whether or not you are going to up your game. If you want to land that trick  on your longboard or win more games, think it out and visualize every aspect from the approach, the takeoff, movements necessary during the trick or game and a perfect execution. It doesn't matter whether you compete in action sports or mainstream sports, mental imagery will increase your chances of success." ~Kyle Bingham~

And most importantly, remember:

"From every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story. A story that says, I survived."

- Fr. Craig Scott

Mental Toughness in Sports - Up Your Game with Mental Imagery

How Mental Imagery Works

When an athlete imagines himself performing to perfection, he is physiologically creating neutral brain patterns that are similar to small tracks engraved in the brain cells. This enables the athlete to perform certain stratgies, moves, tricks, etc. by mentally practicing those tasks first in his mind. Mental imagery is intended to train the athlete's mind, thus showing the body exactly how to react or perform when during practice or competition

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Practical Application of Mental Imagery

It’s true that we move closer to what we focus on. If an athlete imagines missing a shot, or how good the other team is, or even fears injury, it harms his game concentration and affects the outcome. It’s absolutely essential that athletes visualize success and victory.  Steven Balzac, a psychology professor and former nationally ranked fencer says, “If we imagine success, we prepare ourselves for success because that’s what’s in our heads.” Remember that we if don't beleive in ourself and our abilities, no on else will for us.

It’s important to remember that athletes use imagery in different ways. Their imagery may not involve just visual images, but sounds, smells or touch. It really depends on the person. Another important aspect of mental imagery is for the athlete to watch and study his sports heroes and imagine that he is making those same shots with precision. Does this mean the athlete will always perform at top level? No…we’re human and we all have bad days on occasion. But visualization and mental imagery increases the chance of increased and sustained success.

Results of Mental Imagery

Of course physical practice is always the best way for an athlete to improve his skill level and race to the top of his game. However, mental imagery is better than no practice at all and, incorporated with physical practice, is the best way to see optimal results. Continuous studies are always being conducted to determine just how much mental imagery plays into the increased success of athletes. And, for the rest of us, imagining ourselves more successful is never a waste of time if we are also spending equal or more time physically developing our skill set. The time spent in mental imagery is beneficial not only to the athlete but to the business person, the student, the entrepreneur, and anyone else who desires to develop and increase their level of play. The more mental imagery is studied; more effective techniques can be developed and adapted by athletes…and the rest of us.

 

"So basically it's up to you mentally whether or not you are going to up your game. If you want to land that 1080 on your snowboard, think it out and visualize every aspect from the approach, the takeoff, movements while in the air and a perfect landing. It doesn't matter whether you compete in action sports or mainstream sports, mental imagery will increase your chances of success." ~Kyle Bingham~
 
(Portions of article courtesy of Michelle Hill http://www.winningproof.com/)

SMP Skatepark - Insanity

Despite my years of skateboarding and longboarding I had never come across the SMP Skatepark.

SMP Skate Park is an enormous outdoor park spanning 44,936 square feet and represents China’s largest skate park. Each year SMP holds an international skate competition known as “The Showdown.” If you’re a skater, its hard to think of a more fitting place to compete. Not a skater, not a problem! Enjoy the activities from a 12,300 square foot viewing deck and plaza!

The Good Ol' Days

Longboard Skateboard only $79 at RazorReef.com

I was going through some old longboarding videos and had to post this one on the crazy good group of longboarders that we have here in Arizona. I loved watching the sport progress so much here in Phoenix and I know that the longboard scene is only going to get bigger and better. WCS for life!