Vancouver Corona Open - July 18-19, 2009

I love Vancouver. There’s something magical about the nature and mountains and crispness that I feel whenever I visit. This visit was made extra special because I got to spend time with one of my close friends (and first beach partner) who is currently living in North Vancouver while she works for the COA in preparation for the 2010 Olympics.

While in Vancouver, we took an evening to coach a group of awesome beach volleyball hopefulls that my friend Lisa works with on a bi-weekly basis. I was really impressed at how quickly this group of athletes took to the new things we were teaching them. That same day, we had a practice on our own down at Kitsilano beach - the site of the tournament - and then went up to one of my favourite shopping streets, West 4th, where I was reintroduced to my favourite 'healthy cookie' that I found when my sister was living in Vancouver, and I also purchased a Billabong playing hat!

On our Friday off, Liz, Ray and I vi

sited some sites in beautiful North Vancouver. First, we were adventurous and crossed the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge - it was beautiful, and unlike the Capilano Suspension Bridge, it was Free!!! We then drove down to Deep Cove, which reminded me of a little town in cottage country, only with the most beautiful mountains surrounding it. Friday was one of the most oppressive days Vancouver has seen in a while - I truly felt like I was in Brazilian weather, and was happy we didn't have to play until the next day!

We had a chance to visit the beautiful mountains, the outstanding coves, the adventurous suspension bridges, to coach some awesome athletes and we also got to play on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world - Kitsilano Beach. Liz and I played the best volleyball we'd played as a team to date, with only a small falter in the semi's and bronze medal matches. Things are shaping up exactly how we want them to leading up to the 2009 National Championships to be held at Ashbridge's Bay in Toronto on Aug 28-30. So, not only did we have an outstanding life experience in the beautiful nature of British Columbia, but we also had a chance to play some of Canada's top teams all in a 5 day span. I can't wait to visit again!

Liz & I on the Lynn Suspension Bridge

Hiking in the Sequoia woods with my Vibram FiveFinger Shoes

Liz, Ray & I at Deep Cove in North Vancouver

Liz with a huge stuff block!

Team Mizara on Serve Receive.

Liz & Kara proud of their play under the mountains at Kits Beach.

Be Inspired!

Playing without Attachment
This past 2 months has been the most rapid personal growth period that I can remember in my life. I went from a place where I was a bit angry, way too serious, and not playing the way I truly wanted to play, to where I am now - which I can only describe as a true calmness (that I will admit I have not yet got down to an art;), within which I can still find my intensity. During this period of personal growth, I was fortunate to be reading 'Oneness with all life' by Ekhart Tolle. This powerful book lead me to a point where one day I woke up without the focus on winning or losing, but instead on being. That's when the amazing things began to happen. (READ MORE)

Ekhart literally called me on the ways my ego had taken over. He challenged me to see my ego and to identify it for what it was. So many times I let my ego get in my way: my need to proove how good I am, to be perfect, to have the last word, and all of this was affecting my ability to play free on the court. I would get defensive, hurt, angry and feel judgment, since my ego was revolting since it was not being validated. Ekhart also offered a solution for ego-ness: to lose my attachment towards results or things, and to focus on my true essence - that I am nothing in particular, nor am I defined by my results or actions . . . I am. In reading more, I began to grasp my attachment to things I owned, people I loved, and especially to winning and losing.

It's not to say that I don't care about winning, because of course I still love to win and it is definitely necessary for us to achive our goal of competing at the Olympics. It's just that the result of winning or losing doesn't seem like a huge dilemma any more. I simply focus on the action I am and enjoy my great fortune of being a gifted athlete, and the rest takes care of itself. If I'm playing free, playing my best and better than the other team, than I will win. If the other team plays better, they will win. But, win or lose, I am so caught up in being my best at any given moment, that the results really don't matter.

If I could give advice to any young athlete coming up the ranks it would be just that: to enjoy the process, to enjoy playing well, to enjoy having a hard day where everything seems difficult but somehow you still work hard and do your best for that moment. Because, in doing such the result will take care of itself. And, if at the end of the day you come up a bit short, what does that mean really? To have lost and have done your best is so much better than having won but having been stressed the whole time, without an opportunity to demonstrate your true gifts to the world. I would choose non-attachment to winning and an awesome match that I lost any day to one where I sell myself short by trying not to lose.

Upcoming Events

Blue Mountain CAN-AM Beach Volleyball Challenge- Aug 1-2, 2009
An estimated 11,000-14,000+ visitors will be in the Blue Mountain Village each day of the August long weekend, many of which are estimated to attend the free Beach Volleyball event that will be held at the centre of the Beach Weekend festivities. With a grandstand, sponsor booths, a DJ, prizes, games, clinics and professional beach volleyball action, the CAN-AM Beach Volleyball Challenge will be the event of the summer. Support Team Mizara en route to the their 2012 Olympic goal, as they take on a top-rated US team to determine the Blue Mountain North American Champion.

When: Sat Aug 1 @ 6pm & Sun Aug 2 @ 4:30pm
Where: Centre of Blue Mountain Village, dockside
Other Events:
- Adult & Youth Clinics on Sat & Sun
- Partner booths including: SIGG bottles, La Roche Posay Sunscreen, Bolle Sunglasses, YoPro frozen yogurt, and more
- Contests, prizes and raffles including: Muskoka Chairs, Bolle Sunglasses & XM satellite radios

Canadian National Championships - Ashbridge's Bay Aug 28-30, 2009
Come one, come all to cheer us on at the National Championships that will mark the 20th Anniversary of a National Beach Volleyball Championship in Canada! Liz and I are right on the cusp of a breakthrough performance, one that will be made a lot easier with the support and cheering from all of you, either in person, via email or via positve thoughts! The competition in Canada is getting tighter and tighter, which means that the games, especially starting on the Saturday, will be top-notch. I can tell you that I am already getting excited to play!

FIVB Open Tournament - Sept 9-13, 2009
After hosting a double gender event in 2008, Barcelona returns to the SWATCH FIVB World Tour calendar with a women's stop. Barcelona is the capital and most populous city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain with a population over 1.6-million. Located on the Mediterranean coast between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besòs, Barcelona is a major economic centre, with one of Europe's principal Mediterranean ports. Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona became the capital of the Counts of Barcelona and the Crown of Aragon. Besieged several times during its history, Barcelona is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination and has a rich cultural heritage. Particularly renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Tournament info click here (http://www.fivb.org/EN/BeachVolleyball/Competitions/WorldTour/2009x/Event/Presentation.asp?TournCode=WBCN2009)

Upcoming Events: Blue Mountain Exhibition Matches & Clinics

Liz and I are excited to announce our Beach Volleyball Exhibition Matches and Clinics to be held in the centre of the Village of Blue Mountain on August 1 & 2, 2009. In conjunction with the Village of Blue Mountain, and organized by our event team at Jackson Events, we are thrilled to be able to compete in some high-caliber exhibition matches in Canada, to showcase the sport that we enjoy so much. If you are interested in attending the Beach Volleyball weekend - either as an athlete in our adult & youth clinics, or as a fan, please contact us at info@teammizara.com.

Be Inspired - Let the Mizara 5-Ring Dream Pendant Inspire YOU!

The Mizara 5-Ring Dream Pendant looks good with any outfit (thanks Sydney & Kaitlyn)

What is your passion? What is your goal? What dream consumes, and makes you push past limits you never thought possible. Do you remind yourself of your goal daily? Multiple times during the day? The most successful people keep their vision close to mind throughout the day, so that they keep going when the going is tough and so that they align their actions with their desired end result

In the January edition of the Mizara Monthly, we spoke about how New Year’s Resolutions are really a form of goal setting. In that newsletter, we suggested the staircase approach of setting goals (for a re-cap, click here [http://www.teammizara.com/volleyball/updates/a-dose-of-inspiration] and stressed the importance of perseverance above all else.

As athletes, we know all about the ups and downs of setting and realizing goals. We want our goals to be high enough that we push ourselves, but not so high that we create unrealistic expectations that lead to disappointment. As Liz and I continue to develop as a young team, I have had to revisit my goals numerous times to make sure that I continue in line with our ultimate goal of winning Gold in 2012. I find the toughest part about setting goals is being flexible to change, since my daily and weekly goals often need to be readjusted according to our development and how we are playing on any given day. To be honest, I just want to be the best right now, and sometimes get blinded by this desire which leads to frustration with the process. However, the process is the fun part - it’s the journey that makes everything worthwhile. From this journey, we learn, grow and continue to adjust our goals so that we can bring our best every day.

When I journal about my goals and my daily achievements, it keeps me motivated. When I look at my long-term goal, and remind myself of what it will feel like to be on the podium in 2012, it gives me the inspiration to keep pushing through my ups and downs. I wear my reminder around my neck, in the form of a necklace with 5 rings. Every time I touch it, I remember why I need to keep pushing - when I am tired, far away from home, when I win, when I lose, when all I want to eat is North American Food!

In fact, today I am creating a short list of goals, affirmations and reminders that I am going to read every morning when I get up to keep myself on track. The way I look at it, our attitude and our perspective are our choice, so by reading this list in the morning, it will serve as a reminder of how I want to live my day. I’ll let you know how that goes next month!!!

PENDANTS CAN BE PURCHASED BY EMAILING US AT INFO@TEAMMIZARA.COM
(Cost = $49.99 each; available in Gold or Silver plating)

Visit: www.coolinspiration.ca for more volleyball designs!

Motivational Talks for Me and the Students

One of my favourite things about coming home - besides a comfortable bed, my friends and family, and any food I want - is having the opportunity to present my journey and lessons on success to Toronto-area schools. I am sent out to the schools by the Esteem Team - a National Not-for-profit organization who's mandate is to inspire youth. They select various world-class athletes to be part of their program. I have been fortunate to be with them since I first played on the indoor national team in 2001.

This week I was in 3 Toronto schools talking about the power of a positive attitude, goal setting and perseverance. I incorporate many of my sport and life stories, and some fun exercises as well, into the 45min-1hr talk with the goal of teaching these students thru real-life experiences how they too can find success in their life. However, at the end I often myself to be more inspired by the genuine questions, stories and enthusiasm from the kids.

Now, I let the schools know this week that I would announce the 'Best Listening Schools' of the week (based on keeping quiet when other people are talking and quieting down the fastest when I raised my hand for silence). The top schools can be found in the right sidebar. Congrats to all schools who were very courtious and outstanding listeners.

The Positve Arm Test (powered by SIGG)

SMART Goal = Hold the volleyball ready position for 30s. SUCCESS!

Positve Thinking Makes you Stronger!

Learning to Set

SMART Goal = Volley the ball to me

Kara Sharing her message of Success with the grade 4-6 Students

Keen Listners at the Niagara School (the #1 Listening School of the Week)

Autograph session after the talk. I felt like Miley Cyrus!

SOOOO Close!

VIDEO - BEST PLAYS IN CHINA!!

Wow! What a great tournament we had here in Shanghai! I said last week that when you lose, don't lose the lesson - well it's obvious that we didn't, since we improved on everything that held us back last week.

Our first game matched us up against the top 10 ranked Astrian team of Schwaiger-Schwaiger. We had played them one time before in Thailand last year, and felt confident about the re-match. We started off strong, and then faltered in the first set. However, our second set was unreal. We played like a vetran team, going point for point with the Austrian Olympic team, pushing the game to extra points - 25-23! We were so close to taking a set off this top team. With more experience in these matches, we are certain that the close matches will side in our favour.

In our second game we played against Great Britain, and again we enetered the match with a cool confidence. Despite incredibly windy conditions, we were poised throughout the first set, and won quite easily. The next set saw the tables turn, as Great Britain turned up the fire to take the set. In the third and deciding set, we rallied back and forth, each team holding the lead a different point in the match. The wind played a big factor, as the far side of the court was definitely more difficult to play in since the wind was blowing hard at our backs. We were up 13-12 at the final side-switch, which placed us back on the difficult wind side. We rallied back and forth, and in the end Great Britain won 16-14 in our best match of our career.

In China, we stepped up our game to a new level, and I really feel that we showed our competitors a glimpse of what's to come over the next 4 years. I am more certain than ever before that we are exactly on the right path towards our Olympic path, as we keep on growing, developing and challenging ourselves and our competitors. I am very proud of Team Mizara - still not satisfied ;), but extremely proud.

Check out some of our best plays in China above! Thanks so much for following our progress. xoxox

Team Mizara FOR SALE!

If you look down at our Video Bar in the right margin, you will see a new video we have added to our YouTube Series. Team Mizara is for sale - check it out and pass the link on to anyone you know who might be interested!!!

Be Inspired!

Express your Gratitude, & See How You Feel
It feels like a year has passed since our last monthly newsletter, but it has only been a month. At this rate, I’m pretty sure that if I blink it might be 2012 already. Not that I am wishing away the time, on the contrary I am enjoying and giving thanks for every minute. That’s one of the biggest lessons this journey has taught me so far - to give thanks for anything and everything.
It helps keep me in a positive mindset and to keep things in perspective: that I am so fortunate to be living my dream and sharing this experience with you. Even our loss in Brazil on Tuesday, as disappointing as it was at the time, makes this experience even more real and helps to point out what we need to improve on to become a top team in the world. I remind myself of my gratitude every evening, as I record in my journal all that I am grateful for. Try it out if you want. You’ll be amazed at how it makes you feel.

Mizara World Update

Shanghai, China - April 26-May 3, 2009
We have since flown up and across the world to Shanghai, China. Liz and I have only been here for about 24 hours, and already we’ve had a chance to check out Jinshan City. From our beautiful hotel room at the Seagull Hotel, we can see the water and the site, which is about a 10 min taxi drive away from us. I’m not quite sure who named the Hotel, but to me it’s not the most elegant name, as for us in Canada it’s like calling the hotel ‘The Flying Rodent’!!!
Nonetheless, it is an awesome hotel, with a Western-ish restaurant, which is always nice.

The food in the Wester-ish Restaurant: "Vegetable Bum". Haahaa!

Liz and I have already made it to the TASCO grocery/electronics/clothing store. To experience what we did, minus the funky smells, check out the video on our blog. There were swimming eels, live frogs, and all sorts of fish on ice!! The most priceless part is Liz’s face as she tries not to loose her breakfast.