"Anything is possible"

"If you feel stuck where you are, you're mistaken. Anything is possible, when you engage the power of your imagination." 

This quote by Ralph Marston is so true to my life right now, as I'm sure it is to many others.  I haven't quite found the words to describe the last month of my life (probably why I haven't written at all)... but this seemed all too relevant. 

That's kind of it for tonight!  Sorry to bum y'all out... but I think that quote kind of says it all.  If there's one thing I know about life, it's that life is all about the journey.  Sometimes the journey doesn't move as quickly as we'd like, from one low to the next high, but I know that one day we'll all look back and wish life had moved a little more slowly.  So on that note, I'm going to enjoy where I am at this exact moment.  I'm going to pour myself a glass of wine, and think of all of the things in my life that I am truly grateful for.  

And I recommend you do the same... red wine and all! ;)

Love True,

Allison

Thank You, Mom

The Olympics are in full swing, and the country is sitting, waiting, watching for team USA to bring home as many medals as possible in all of the various sports.  It is such a magnificent time that occurs every four years that truly brings this country together.  One of the highlights of the Olympics is always the Gymnastics competition; a sport that completely eludes most individuals, but is nothing but comfort to me.  I have sat on my couch for the past 5 days, watching opening ceremonies, and every gymnastics (and many other sports) competition that has aired, each day finding myself in tears.  I don't know what it is about this sport that draws out so much emotion, but day after day, the tears continue to flow.  Though the gymnastics itself get's me all kinds of emotional, the commercials, this year, have been doing a damn good job soliciting my tears.

P&G has had a series of commercials featuring different athletes and their moms titled "Thank you, Mom."  These images are so raw and so touching that I have no doubt that a former athlete must have directed them all.  There is something about an athlete's relationship with his or her mother that only makes sense to them.  All of the early morning wake ups, driving to and from practice, shelling out money for this uniform, or that competition fee, private lessons, and team practices, specially cooked dinner well after the family has eaten, spending entire weekends cooped up in a gym or on a field, counseling sessions when we all wanted to quit (and let's be serious, we all did.), countless doctors appointments, casts, surgeries, rehab and doubting ourselves; EVERYTHING was made easier knowing that one person was there, one person didn't really care if you took first, one person unconditionally loved you and supported you and only wanted to see you enjoy the thing you loved most.  

Okay, I know I'm dreaming when I think that every kid must have had a mom as great as mine, but honestly, it saddens me to think otherwise.  I know not every mom would have been okay with second, or third, or tenth place, or not qualifying to nationals, or even wanting to quit the sport she had sacrificed so much for me to do.  I also know that not every mom would let their kid go back to a sport that ravaged their body into two reconstructive surgeries, because I wasn't ready to let it go.  

My amazing Mom and I at the last meet of my collegiate career.

My Mom was with out a doubt, the definition of a great mom.  She still is.  I have no idea where I would be without her and everything she has done for me.  She has taught me kindness, compassion, strength, perseverance and courage... all things that I needed to be a good athlete, but more importantly, all things that I still need to be a good person.  I would share her with the world if I could, because I think that every kid deserves to have a mom like mine.  

I've posted two of the Proctor and Gamble videos that truly touched me.  Although, I invite you all to head to the P&G website and check out all of their "Raising an Olympian" videos.  They are truly inspiring.  I love the "kids" video, but I truly adore the second one.  I think it speaks so true to what Moms do each day.  Thanks to my amazing mom (and spectacular dad!) for allowing me to chase my dreams in the sport that I love so much.  They have even supported my goals to be a great coach!  Nothing has been easy, but I guess nothing that is worth it ever is!  I learned that from my wonderful, inspiring and loving parents- and I am very much looking forward to the day I can share this love with my own kids!  Thanks, Mom (and Dad!) I love you both more than words will ever say!

Kids

The Best Job

Love True,

Allison

ONE YEAR!!

Hello Friends!
I hope you are all doing splendidly on this lovely Monday morning!  I am posting today from under the big blue sky in my parent's back yard.  This week called for a little rest and relaxation, as I wrapped up the third session of my new gymnastics program.  The summer seems to be flying by as 9 weeks of gymnastics are now over, and I am looking forward to the next two weeks of Warhawk Gymnastics camp, followed by what is sure to be a magical wedding between two of my dearest friends.

Though things have been incredibly hectic over the past few months, I wanted to at least acknowledge the one year anniversary of my journey on this blog.  June 28th, 2011 was my first blog entry.  I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support over the past year.  Whether you just stumbled upon this blog, or have been with me since the beginning, I am so grateful for the messages, the comments and the encouragement you have shown me.

Everyone has dreams, and I cherish the support you have shown me on my way to achieving mine.  Words will never be able to express how grateful I am to each one of you.  There is no quote today... All I can say is thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Love True,
Allison

Dove

Hello Friends!
I apologize for being MIA for a while! Sometimes life just catches up with me, and I put this blog on hold.  Funny, though... because writing to you all is exactly what I need when life gets to be too hectic!  I recently saw a commercial on TV that brought me to tears, and I wanted to share it with you all.

Dove Self-Esteem "Growing Up"

Dove is an organization I have admired for years for their Campaign for Real Beauty.  Instead of focusing on "anti wrinkle" creams, or "anti aging" serums, Dove is devoted to encouraging a healthy body image, and promoting self-esteem to young women.  Dove actually has workshops dedicated to helping girls see themselves as beautiful.  In a study they conducted, only 4% of women around the world considered themselves to be beautiful. 4%??? That means that 96% of the women on this planet are wishing and hoping to change something about themselves.  I am completely horrified at that statistic.  Thank goodness for organizations like Dove, who are taking steps to change the way society interprets beauty.

It is so important to spread positive messages to women of all ages.  To inspire them to be themselves, to create themselves and empower themselves.  Maybe this video touched a piece of my heart because of the little gymnasts and athletes involved.  But maybe it just reminded me of the little girl I used to be.

This little Allison to the left sure did feel beautiful!  I have been so lucky to have strong women in my life who helped to do for me what Dove is doing for girls all over the world.  I think it's time to spread the wealth.

Day 28: Tell someone she is beautiful.  Share Dove's message and reach out to someone.  Start a chain reaction... and put a smile on someone's face!

Love True,

Allison


Guess who only uses Dove products!?>>>>>> THIS GIRL! I am a very proud Dove consumer... and I hope to join in their campaign for real beauty!

Skewed Vision

I got angry today.  I'm not the type of person that gets angry easily, but let me explain what happened this morning.

I came home from teaching my morning class (I teach a parent-tot gymnastics class... and yes, it's as cute as it sounds) and began to get ready for the rest of my day.  A habit I've developed while living alone is to have the TV on for background noise.  I never feel completely by myself with the TV on.  Anyway, cue background noise, and me at my computer... when I hear a conversation about body image.  Naturally, my curiosity spikes and I tune in to what is being said.  A talk show was discussing a "look better naked" issue of a magazine.  Apparently, several celebrities posed nude for this particular magazine issue.  Included in the issue, the celebrities talk about their own "body issues" and what they have struggled with.  The hosts of said talk show mocked these celebrities asking, "what body issues?" They went on to discuss how they don't think that the average woman would benefit from reading this article, because all of the celebrities pictured are very thin.  One of the talk show hosts said she wanted to see "a woman like me! But nobody wants to see me naked!"  Who says that is true?! And, why do these hosts automatically think that skinny people can't have body issues!

First of all, yes, these women are beautiful... you can't argue that Heidi Klum, Maria Menunos and Debra Messing aren't gorgeous.  However, who are you to say that they didn't struggle the way you have.  Sure, you may think they are beautiful, but body image is an INTERNAL thing.  Just because a person is overweight, or underweight, or has scars or pimples, doesn't mean they hate themselves... it doesn't mean they are happy either.  It doesn't mean anything... except that they are overweight or underweight or have scars or have pimples.  Just because a woman smiles doesn't mean she is happy... and just because a woman cries doesn't mean she hates herself.  Appearance is just that... APPEARANCE, and life isn't always what it appears to be.  I really despise judgement.  And I'm not going to judge the women who said these things, because who knows what they deal with internally on a daily basis... not me.  I would never assume anything about them.  But I would hope that they could learn to do the same someday.  That is what frustrates me.  Can we all just show a little compassion for one another regardless of size, beauty, or celebrity?  We have been objectified long enough, and conversations like the one I saw on TV today are only adding to the confusion in the media.  Stop assuming things about people, and start standing up for women.  Not fat women, not thin, JUST WOMEN!  We can make this change if we want to... we just need to start speaking out!

Day 27: If something irks you the wrong way... don't be afraid to speak out.  Don't hold your tongue... "you must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Mahatma Ghandi

Love True,
-Allison

Change

It has been 21 days since my team changed history.  My last blog was written just hours before the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawk Gymnastics team won it's first ever National Championship.  I have waited three weeks to write this entry... in part because the celebration only ended yesterday... but also, because I have been so overwhelmed with pride, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find the words to do it justice.

Before I came to Whitewater, the team struggled to win meets.  After I came to Whitewater, the team struggled to win meets.  It was an uphill battle from the beginning, but my teammates and I had incredible leaders.  Our coaches were fearless in pushing us to our limits, sometimes past them, but all in an effort to create a family that could depend on one another, and believed in each other.  In 2007 we participated in our first ever national championship and placed 4th.  We didn't qualify for that meet, we hosted it, and as the host team earned an automatic bid.  Placing 4th proved to us that we belonged there.  We were a team on the verge of breaking through a wall that felt 7 miles high.

In 2008, we qualified for Nationals by placing 2nd at our Regional meet.  A significant dent in the wall was  established.  This was the highest Whitewater had ever placed at the Regional meet, and the first time to ever qualify to the national championship.  It was a huge deal for us!

In 2009, we dug a little deeper into that wall qualifying for the second year in a row.  Only this time, we made a huge statement.  Whitewater came away with a third place trophy that year, as well as the National Coach of the year.  Everyone knew it... we were well on our way.

2010, brought a monumental accomplishment.  The Warhawks won their first ever conference and regional championship.  The wall was coming down around us.  I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment on that day.  Again, we placed third at Nationals.

We took another step forward in 2011, as we captured another conference championship.  This time, inching closer to the ultimate goal.  We placed second at the National Championship.  This was my first year in a new role.  I had always been a gymnast, a teammate and a friend.  Now, I was a coach.  It was a strange sense of pride... one I had not felt before, but incredibly satisfying.  The little team that could... was proving in fact, that they would.

This year things went a little different.  For the first time in 5 years, we weren't sure if we had what it took to go all the way.  We struggled a lot during the season, with injuries and illness.  So much so, that we were unable to capture our third regional title.  We fell to second at that meet, and an unspoken disappointment was clearly evident among the team and the coaches.  Though the coaches were incredibly proud of what the team had accomplished... it was a small let down after the previous two victories.

The next three weeks were spent completely reinventing the way we coach, and the way we ran practice.  It was obvious there was some concern about what we were doing, and to be completely honest, I had my own reservations.  Not for long, though.  After the first few days I started to see the changes in the girls.  Their attitudes were different, the way they practiced was different.  It was as if every turn they were taking, they were imagining competing on the national stage.  BINGO.  That is exactly what we were hoping for.  I never doubted these girls for a second, but I was completely baffled by what some of them were capable of.  In one entire week of practice, two of the girls only fell of the beam once.

Going to nationals, I felt an incredible calm.  As I stood listening to the national anthem, praying for guidance, support and confidence for my girls, I could feel the magic that was about to happen.  I was right.  From the very first routine, they proved that NO WALL was too high for UW-Whitewater.  No one was going to put limits on what they were able to do.  One after another, they continued to soar through their routines, adding to the electricity that could be felt throughout the entire arena.  Sure, there were mistakes, but it was the way they rallied each time... never letting down, never placing blame, only encouragement in its purest form.  There was no way we couldn't win.

By the time we made it to our final rotation it was a matter of 0.15 that separated first and second place.  We had to be as perfect as possible on vault... and that had not even come close to happening for us this year.  It was like someone said to them... Fly... just fly.  Because that's exactly what they did.  Each girl got up and did THE BEST they had done all year.  Have you ever heard of peaking at the right time??  Meet the UW-Whitewater vaulters.  The crowd was on fire... literally.  Our fans were "starting the fire" before each vaulter started her sprint down the runway.  Everyone else in the arena knew just how close it was... and every person was sitting on the edge of their seats, watching, waiting.

As soon as the last vaulter landed, the crowd went nuts.  The team was so fired up, they probably could have competed all over again.  After we finished our post-vault huddle I stepped out into the hallway and burst into tears.  Happy tears.  Tears that had been waiting 7 years to fall.  I felt so incredibly blessed in that moment... and I had no idea we had won.  In my heart... I knew that no matter what, I could not have been more proud to be a part of this program.  In my head... I was trying to calculate whether on not we pulled it off.

We did.  We actually tied.  And that felt just as good.  Watching the girls hear their names called for first place is something I will never forget.  EVER.  We returned to Whitewater with a Team National Championship, an individual National Championship, 11 All- Americans and 3 Academic All- Americans.  Whitewater was proud, and we were proud to be a part of an athletic department that is full of champions. This year, we brought home the 5th National title to UWW, joining Football, Men's Basketball and Men's and Women's Wheelchair basketball.  Yesterday, the Whitewater Fire Department took our team for a memorable ride through town on top of the town fire truck.  Sirens blazing, the whole town stopped to wave at the newest national champions.  It was amazing.

A few years back I fell in love with a song that I felt defined the journey ahead of us.  Three weeks ago, the sound of it brought me to tears.  It is so true to any athlete working year after year towards a goal.  Perseverance and dedication trumps all... regardless of the outcome, because, "in the end, the journey is the destination."

Taylor Swift, "Change"

And it's a sad picture, the final blow hits you
Somebody else gets what you wanted again
You know it's all the same, another time and place
Repeating history and you're getting sick of it

But I believe in whatever you do
And I'll do anything to see it through

Because these things will change, can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
It's a revolution, the time will come for us to finally win

We'll sing hallelujah!
We'll sing hallelujah! Oh

So we've been outnumbered, raided and now cornered
It's hard to fight when the fight ain't fair
We're getting stronger now from things they never found
They might be bigger but we're faster and never scared

You can walk away and say we don't need this
But there's something in your eyes says we can beat this

'Cause these things will change, can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
It's a revolution, the time will come for us to finally win

We'll sing hallelujah!
We'll sing hallelujah! Oh

Tonight we standed on our knees
To fight for what we worked for all these years
And the battle was long, it's the fight of our lives
Will we stand up champions tonight?

It was the night things changed, can you see it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back fell down
It's a revolution, throw your hands up, 'cause we never gave in

We'll sing hallelujah!
We sang hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Love True,

Allison

Warhawk Gymnastics

"One mind, one heart, one chance, one team, one dream..."

That is what our Warhawk Family believes in.  We are one family, training as one team, with ONE dream.  That dream could happen tonight.  The crazy dream that has somehow managed to allude us year after year.  The dream that has guided one Whitewater gymnast after another.  The dream of a national championship.  Whitewater has had several national champions in the sport of gymnastics, three of which I was so proud to witness, and even more proud to call those girls my teammates.  But never, has Whitewater been able to capture the coveted TEAM Championship.

The team has produced some amazing gymnasts, and even more, some amazing people.  People that I feel blessed to call my friends.  And through all of the success of this program we have been building... crafting... creating... believing, that one day, will be our day.  Every person who has been a part of this program whether a gymnast, coach, manager, administrator, or fan has brought another piece to the puzzle that is being assembled.  They've all contributed, tirelessly and without anything in return, and for that I am so grateful.

I feel incredibly blessed to be sitting here, writing about a team that I should have left nearly 3 years ago.  An injury that could have caused some incredible anger in me, provided a strange opportunity, that has allowed me to remain a part of the organization that changed my life.  Though the faces have changed from the familiar smiles of the sisters I grew to love (and still do!), the essence of the team, the familial struggles are identical.  Like I said, every person has added something to this team.  The gymnasts who have come and gone have laid the groundwork for the current competitors.  I know, this team would be nowhere without them.

Today the girls are going to take another crack at winning this thing.  As a coach, I have never been more proud of my team.  It took us a while to get here, but they are ready.  They know what it takes, and they know what is at stake.  We are the underdogs today... and that's the perfect place for us to be.  I can't even begin to describe how much faith I have in these girls!

So thank you, to all of the supporters!  Former coaches, parents, fans, administrators and especially the gymnasts that have poured their heart and soul into this team.  I love you all, and I know that you will be with the girls today... here we go!

LET'S GET WEIRD! << crazy warhawk saying this year... it worked for football and basketball... so we'll see how it goes! =)

Love True,
Allison