Yesterday I competed in my second ever official Noosa Half Marathon.
I went with my good friend Cheryl who was competing in her first ever 10km run that I had trained her for.

Cheryl went Sensational! She smashed over 13mins off her training time which she had only ever run 7.5km of and ran the whole course nonstop with a PB of 1:10:24 mins!! Well done Cheryl, I’m very proud of you, especially from someone who once said, “I’m NOT running a step!” It’s Fantastic to see someone take not only their fitness but their MIND to another extraordinary level!

I also smashed out a 21km PB of 1:59:24 mins!!! I took 4:11mins of my old PB and did what I set out to do which was crack the 2hrs. Results here.
Cheryl being a massage therapist was awesome and gave me a quick rub down before the race to warm up my muscles and being on a 10 day Detox I was hoping to be in prime form!
I started out strong and felt it! But I was disappointed when my right knee went ( patellofemoral pain syndrome ) at the 13km mark and the Nurophen I had down my bra in case this happened was not there!! OMG! I had to run the last 8km in extreme pain which slowed me right down by 30+ seconds per km.

But at least I still achieved my goal of cracking 2hrs, which is Excellent, even if I could have taken a couple more minutes off (there’s always next year) and being on Day 6 of my Detox, I can’t celebrate for 4 more days LOL.

We stayed at the Sheraton Noosa and enjoyed luxury and excellent service from the staff, porters and chauffeurs and enjoyed a sauna and spa, great for our bodies! We also just stepped straight out of room to the start of the race, talk about convenience!

Another OUTSTANDING weekend of goal achieving, thanks Cheryl, Awesome Work! x

I started walking 10km, twice weekly with Jeanette Maynes. I was getting quite breathless at times, just doing this at a brisk pace. It took me about 1:55 mins to complete.

I loved walking, as I could take in glimpses of our Hervey Bay beach, and started to feel more motivated. I had no intentions at this stage, of running however, as I thought I didn’t have it in me to run anymore. I was into Zumba, Tai Bo, Dancing, but no running.

I had not done any running, in at least 20 years!

Over a period of about 1month , I gradually decreased my walking time.. I noticed that the labored breathing I had begun with, was disappearing, and that my lung capacity was improving. After about a month and a half, Jeanette had gone on a weeks trip, and I wondered what it would feel like to run. I was curious to see if I still could run. So, I very hesitantly tried to run 200m. Yes. I could do it, even though the lungs didn’t like it much. I tried a couple of 200’s together. Now, I really felt my lungs working!

When Jeanette and I resumed walking together, I let slip that I had tried “the running thing”. Well, that was it. Jeanette, started to increase our walks to running time. She quickly increased the 200m to 500m, even though I though “this was really pushing it”. Then up again to 2 x 500m. The next week it was 1 x 500m and 1 x 1km. The next 1  x 2km. Over a period of about 2 months, we increased this to a 7.5kms running which left 2.5km to walk. I was so amazed, as I felt the “block” in my lungs lift, and felt myself getting stronger.

Jeanette, was always encouraging, and gave me some positive “self talk”, which I keep using every time I run. This keeps me focused when my body tries to tell me “I can’t do it”. When I really was ready to stop on a few occasions, Jeanette made me push through it. I’m so glad she did this, as otherwise I don’t think I would have made it to the next level especially when I ran 10km nonstop in 1:10:24 hr at Noosa on the weekend.

In the beginning, I didn’t think I was fit enough or strong enough to run. I also believed you had to have a certain physique to be a runner, Thanks to Jeanettes’ coaching, I now know I’m made of tough stuff and have thrown away those preconceived negative thoughts about running. Besides feeling fitter, trimming down and breathing better, running has also enabled me to think of other areas of my life, and ask “what more am I capable of?” A big THANKYOU to Jeanette!

Cheryl Virgo – 8^th May 2012

Last weekend I participated in one of the most amazing experiences of my life, ‘Unleash The Power Within’, a 4 day seminar with Tony Robbins in Sydney.

The main reason of attending was to firewalk which we did on the first day, I didn’t feel any heat what so ever. From then on what happened was so profound.

I completely reprogrammed my mind and have removed negative experiences from my life / childhood and created a new timeline.

I realised I was living my life with excellent standards but to reach the next level in life you must have ‘OUTSTANDING’ Standards which is only a 2mm gap you need to close. This will be beneficial in all aspects of my life especially my business.

On the last day we heard about nutrition which I also learnt some very profound new information and found this extremely interesting as I am studying to be a personal trainer.
I am now on day 7 of a DETOX Tony put us on and am loving it!!! No alcohol, caffeine and an alkaline diet + a few other new healthy & positive habits to incorporate.

This seminar was such a precious gift I gave to myself, the information was priceless and the results truly invaluable!!
Thank you Tony, you certainly did create value and more than expected!!!

Please, please, please start teaching your program in schools you could revolutionise the world even more by programming correct mind, body and nutritional habits from an early age!!!

Some other information I learnt from my notes:

- Emotion is created by Motion.

- Put yourself in a PEAK STATE!

- Who you spend life with is who you become.

- People lives are a direct reflection of the expectations of their peer group.

- Find a peer group that has higher expectations that your own.

- Find a team that is going to challenge you.

- Every single person has 2 primary fears: 1. You are not good enough  2.  You won’t be loved

- The only thing that stops you getting what you want is the story you tell yourself.

- Problems & Happiness have no relationship.

- Wire yourself for certaintly and you will find the skills

- We live what we hold in out subconscious

- Secret to wealth and happiness; to be a team player

- Treat people well who treat your poorly

- Life is about LOVE

- Proximity is Power!

- “If I can’t, then I MUST!”

- The secret of life, STANDARDS!

- Want to change your life then raise your standards.

- Raise your standards means turns your shoulds into musts.

- Compete with yourself.

- See things completed in your mind first.

- How much you earn or who you are in a relationship with comes down to your beliefs or values.

- Our rules & values can make it impossible to feel good.

- More joy = less or better rules

- When you are grateful there is no anger or fear.

- The secret to HAPPINESS is PROGRESS!

- I am not what I eat, I am what I digest & assimilate.

- 5mins of anger suppresses your immune system for 6-7hours

- Stress is the basis of what makes the body break down.

If you want to know the tools and strategies for an OUTSTANDING LIFE, book your spot for the 2013 seminar, it will change your life forever!!!! Click here to book!

- Learn the secret to peak performance that Anthony Robbins has used to transform the world’s elite athletes, entertainers, and business leaders.

- Discover how to break the unconscious fears that are holding you back.

- Storm across a bed of hot coals between 1,200 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. (You don’t have to, but you’ll want to!) Once you start doing the impossible (or at least what you thought was impossible), you can conquer the other fires of your life with ease.

…You’ll test and amaze yourself. But, most of all… you’ll grow.

Letter to the Editor (Fraser Coast Chronicle)  in Full:
Having lived in Hervey Bay for nearly 34 years and owned and operated Design House, a successful graphic and website design and marketing business for over seven years, I’ve witnessed the Fraser Coast go from THRIVE to complete Nose Dive!

We need Clear Vision! New Ideas! Positive Energy! Excitement! Fresh Enthusiasm! Creativity! Leadership! … from a Mayor.

Don’t get too excited about going shopping or having a meal out as a large proportion of the businesses I thought were strong have had to shut up shop. You only have to take a scenic drive down the Esplanade to see this. Working in the business and marketing industry, I feel we should create opportunities and provide  seminars to train and educate our local businesses. Something as simple as a business plan can clearly forecast whether a business is viable or not.
Strong and feasible businesses create local employment.

Is it a matter of play spot the tourist nowadays?
Hervey Bay used to be the place to be!
Where are all the promotions for what we have to offer on the Fraser Coast for locals, interstate and overseas visitors?
I know we have Staycations but is this really working? There are only a handful of businesses registered on the website when there are thousands of businesses on the Fraser Coast? What are the figures? Are our tourist attractions and tours affordable?
People are doing it tough with everything going up except for our wages or senior pensions.
Why are we not promoting regional ‘package deals’ including and combining accommodation, meals, restaurants, free outings suggestions and a tour for a set fee, saving our tourists heaps of dollars and doing the hard work of planning for them?

When I was a teenager I briefly moved to Brisbane for work and entertainment as there was certainly none here for those under 18! From what I can see twenty years on, not much has changed and some of our teenagers are either bored, unemployed, leaving, drinking in the parks or sadly resorting to crime and violence. Let’s get them engaged, involved, trained with new skills, excited about life plus have more supervised youth recreational facilities. I started working at 14 and a half and feel as a teenager it is important to be working whilst still at school and learning life skills, not idle.

Upon leaving school, I couldn’t study my field of interest – graphic design here at the TAFE or University and twenty years on there is still not that option. A high majority of our locals whether younger or mature aged students are fortunate to be highly creative, let’s see what courses we can offer to keep them local.

I understand that current Councillors may have done their best to keep rates low, as this affects them also, but perhaps we could make changes within the operational budget?
A staffing review could ensure staff positions are achieving KPI’s and outputs, benchmarking the outputs and ensure that staff provide input into making their departments continue to run better, more efficiently, economically and are achieving results.
When rates go up so does rent, putting our residents under financial and emotional stress.
I personally know thousands of dollars have been wasted by Council on their advertising and marketing with jobs going outside the Fraser Coast and not a single local designer or printer being offered the opportunity to quote on tenders. By obtaining a professional opinion in this area the Council could save a fortune! How many other industries does this happen to?

Where are direct flights for all the mine workers, business people and tourists eg. to Gladstone, Rockhampton, Townsville or Cairns? What is the current figures and research? Let’s get to our destinations quicker, with less fatigue and road causalities. One could then spend that time with loved ones plus be home to spend your money locally. Why no local mining skills training?

More consideration needs to be given to community safety through improving partnerships with law enforcement agencies and the community. There is a definite need to lobby State Government for increased Police numbers for our safety and theirs.

Why are our severely ill and elderly residents travelling for treatment to other towns or even Brisbane?
We should be making life as comfortable and affordable as possible for these unwell people and have the  latest technology medical machines and resources local, if possible.

Let’s start some proactive regular large scale community fortnightly or monthly events targeting fitness, fun and wellbeing while promoting a positive mind and healthy lifestyle!
“Strong Mind, Strong Body!”
Time to start preventing illness, obesity and unnecessary health issues!
Our health professionals do a magnificent job so let’s not make them responsible for us. Instead as members of the community let’s be proactive and help to take the pressure off them by having excellent health and fitness!

Sadly there are many VICTIMS within any community (children, women and men) whether it be from sexual assault and molestation, domestic violence, victims of crimes, bullying, alcohol or substance abuse, depression, divorce, separation, abandonment etc.
Let’s support, promote and facilitate recovery, healing, counselling, education, growth, inclusion and the biggie ‘Self Love’! Make people aware they are not alone, people do care, healing is achievable and enable these people to become SURVIVORS and have confidence within themselves and the community.
Until we love ourselves we are unable to love others.

I understand all these issues are not at local government level but none the less they need to be addressed and I feel the local, state and federal members should be working together on achieving the same common community GOALS!
Please note I strongly say GOALS; something that is specific, measureable, action based, realistic, time bound, executed and recorded.

Unless the boys club are going to hit me with some ‘WOW  FACTOR’ Mayoral GOALS not policies, I may have to run myself!

My life motto…’Failure is NOT an Option!’

What a way to start 2012 with a 14 day road trip to Darwin visiting current and making new clients & friends! Hervey Bay, Mackay, Cairns, Townsville, Mt Isa, Tennant Creek, Adelaide River then Darwin!

The picture to the right was taken when we hit the 130km section of the Barkley Highway in the Northern Territory – Jeanette “Queen of the Desert!”

My friend Jackie that I used to work with at the Casuarina Club in Darwin was visiting her parents on the Sunshine Coast for Christmas and we thought what a perfect opportunity for me to join her for a road trip back to Adelaide River where she is a teacher.

And so the fun had begun!!! I really had the time of my life and may need to make this an annual event! If you really want to see our beautiful country hit the highway!

Thank you Jackie for the awesome company, adventure and goal setting!!! xoxoxo

Awesome to see Lee and her family in Cairns with some amazing photography being taken by herself (One Little Picture) and Jackie on our adventures. They are both very talented with their SLR camera’s!!!

It was fantastic to see my friend Helen in Adelaide River also and her gorgeous children plus use the secret gym.

It was also sensational to catch up with all my old friends and work colleagues from The Casuarina Club (Lucy, Jackie, Julie-Anne & myself the original Rockette’s from 10 years ago! + Kimmy, Tommy & Fred!) xoxo

Also a big thank you to everyone for their hospitality on the trip, without the support crew this trip would not have been such a smooth and outrageous adventure!

Through use of the Internet, I / Design House am able to service clients statewide and nationally, staying in touch as if they were right next door. Utilizing today’s modern technology and freight services available a dynamic design and print can be delivered promptly straight to your door!

Contact me today for the best design and service Australia wide! jeanette@designhouse.com.au

In January 2009 I was 6months older than my real age!! OMG story here.

In August 2009 I was 2.4 years younger than my real age due to diet and exercise! Story here.

Today in December 2011, I am 5.3years younger than my real age!!

What’s your Real Age?
Take the test today and start turning back the years!!! Test here!!
Make sure you read your full report, it’s very interesting!

Last weekend I had an awesome time away with my friend Cheryl and her twin daughters. We went on a half day horse trail ride that included morning tea and lunch (kangaroo) followed by a swim in the pool. I rode Matilda. We stayed overnight on the farm in the lodge and the girls slept outside in swags. We cooked a BBQ dinner and breakfast plus also enjoyed marshmallows at our bon fire with a couple of beers. More info on Giddee Up Horse rides here.

On the way home we dropped in the Fraser Coast Sporting Clays Shooting Club to fire off a few rounds at their open day. It was great fun and I hit 4 targets out of about 9 shots so that wasn’t too bad for my first ever go. Club website here.

OMG I would be SO lost without my Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor!

It cost me $125 and is the best money I ever spent! (Thanks for the tip T)

I use it every day to accurately gauge my calories burnt exercising and feel naked without it!!!

I even wear it when cleaning and gardening! (Obsessed!)

This Heart Rate Monitor is now down to $114 on ebay and delivered the following day!

Body measurement features

• Average and maximum heart rate of training
• Heart rate – bpm / %
• HR-based target zones with visual and audible alarm
• Manual target zone – bpm (upper limit)
• Polar EnergyPointer
• Polar OwnCal® – calorie expenditure
• Polar OwnCode® (5kHz) – coded transmission

Data transfer

• Compatible with polarpersonaltrainer.com – opt. with Polar FlowLink
• Recording features
• Totals
• Training files (with summaries) – 99
• Weekly history

Training features

• Graphical target zone indicator
• HeartTouch – button-free operation of wrist unit

Watch features

• Backlight
• Date and weekday indicator
• Display text in English, German, Finnish, Swedish, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian
• Dual time zone
• KeyLock
• Low battery indicator
• StopWatch
• Time of day (12/24h) with alarm and snooze
• User replaceable battery
• Water resistant – 50m

“An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.” - Buddha

Fraser Coast Chronicle News on the event here and gallery here!

For 3 days I have listened to some of the most amazing and inspiring millionaires from our country and the world including Anthony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki and DONALD TRUMP!
Event details here.
Talk about being on the biggest high ever!

As a motivated professional business woman it is extremely important to me that I learn from the absolute best for dynamic self improvement and that I am an EXPERT in my field improving what I can offer my clients in solving their business advertising problems to increase their confidence, profit and client base.

I like to set huge goals and go for them to inspire others to shoot for their dreams also and my latest goal was to have a photo taken with my business IDOL the legendary DONALD TRUMP currently valued at SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS!

Trump was introduced to the stage by Australian Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins.

I just LOVE Trump and especially his TV series The Apprentice. He is such a wise, educated, funny  and intelligent business man with a hardcore, can do attitude and to me a great mentor.
He is inspiring, motivated, professional, successful, speaks his mind on all matters, extremely family orientated and I felt a real kindness in his presence.

Trump said, “I believe, get even with people, if they screw you, screw them back ten times as hard!”

This reminded me of how local managing Director Malcolm Quinn of the Fraser Coast Independent Newspaper stole $2,505 from me for a ticket to meet and greet and have a photo taken with Mr Trump three years earlier. Mr Quinn failed in his attempt to put on this similar event in the past with Donald Trump and still owes him $950,000 plus Australian business people $1.5 million! (More info here, here, here and here).

From that day on it became a goal that I must achieve to have my photo taken with Trump! I even photo shopped a photo of Trump and I two years ago to begin the Law of Attraction process.

After Trump finished his speech at the event, I went back for a question / answer session with him.  When I had pushed my way through 150 VIPs and security, bravely attracted Trump’s attention to ask for a photo and was given the go ahead he was wearing the same pink tie he had on in my photo shopped image!
I said to him that Malcolm Quinn had ‘screwed’ me for money in the past as he also had done to Trump. Trump then said to me, “Who’s that?” … I laughed in agreement!!

He looked me in the eye and asked me directly if I had enjoyed his speech to which I replied with honesty I thoroughly did!!! We also made a few other small comments. I then made my way to the back of the room, where I was on such an adrenalin rush that I had achieved another long term goal that my knees began to shake!
Of course I have no doubt we will meet and converse again on many occasions.

Meeting my business idol and finally achieving my goal to have a photo taken with him has made me believe even more in the Law of Attraction, being positive and that anything is possible in life!!! What an absolutely amazing, thought provoking and sensational experience! One of many more to come!

A big thank you to Michael Burnett from Empowernet for successfully organising such an Amazing event!!

Before the seminar I also ran 9km in the Sydney Running Festival across the Sydney Harbour Bridge plus checked out the beautiful Sydney Chinese Gardens afterwards!

Some of Trumps’ quotes from his speech:

-       “Be totally focused, you can’t take your eye off the ball”
-       “Rich people don’t like rich people, historically, well I don’t”
-       “I like Losers to be my friends”
-       “The harder I work the luckier I get”
-       “You can make yourself Lucky”
-       “You need passion, go against the tide”
-       “Go with your gut, go against the tide, I like that”
-       “Get even with people, if you don’t they will continue to go after you”
-       “If someone screws you, screw them back in spades!”
-       “Always get a pre-nup!”
-       “Think Big, it’s much easier”
-       “Focus on the positive”
-       “The word momentum is very important”
-       “Believe in yourself, see yourself as a one man band, see yourself as victorious, you have to think like a WINNER!”
-       “Can you take the pressure!”

More news on Trumps visit here.

I had a fantastic run on Sunday at the Bridge to Brisbane, smashing my time from two years ago even with a sore strapped right knee (PFPS).

This really is a fun event and so well run and organised, I’ll definitely be back next year!!

My charity was Fraser Coast Meals on Wheels and $60 was raised, a big thank you to those who donated (Myself, Rosie & Karen) You can still donate here till the 11th of October 2011.

Time: Saturday, September 24 2011: 10:00am 

Location: Meet at the Torquay Sailing Club & walk to the Sea Front Oval Hervey Bay (3km)

More Info:
No Dogs.
Children Welcome.
Everyone is invited to support a great cause.
Registered with the foundation and asking for a gold coin donation to help a great cause.
Parents responsible for their own child on the day.

What to bring:
Water Bottle
Joggers
Sunscreen
Hat

MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A RED SHIRT PLEASE

Facebook Event here.

RSVP HERE!!!

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation, purchase shirts here.

Yesterday myself, Jeanette Maynes | Model (first time ever) from (Design House - graphic and website designer) and Lolita Valerga | Artist from (Shades of Inspiration - henna and face painting artist) came together as Model (canvas) and Artist to create an Organic interpretation of the theme “Wired for Sound” based on elements and forces of nature for the Melbourne Body Art Competition 2011.

Lolita and I have been friends for 15 years since we did a ‘Certificate in Arts’ together.

We were in the BRUSH & SPONGE category and started painting at 11am, with brushes down at 5pm, then made our way to the judge’s room for judging at 5.30pm and hit the catwalk at 7pm.

Unfortunately we did not come a place as the competition was fierce but we had an absolute ball taking on such a fun adventure that took a couple of months preparation. We were certainly a crowd favourite and as they say “Art is in the eye of the beholder”!

We were also quite the crowd pleaser at Crown Casino having a couple of wind down drinks after the event!

Please read our concept and development for the ’Wired for Sound!’ theme here!

Melbourne Body Art Competition at Carlton Brew House, Abbotsford Saturday 20th August 2011, The Melbourne Age Newspaper Image Gallery here.

Fraser Coast Chronicle News here.

How cool is this iDarkroom app for your iPhone!
Turn your images into creative masterpieces wihtin a minute  …. iDarkroom on Facebook.

iDarkroom can add amazing effects to your photos. It support six types of effects: color filter, paper, light leak & bokeh, vignette, noise, frame. You can shuffle these effects by just one tap, or choose each type of effect manually.

● 20 color filters 
● 11 paper effects
● 13 light leak & bokeh effects
● 5 vignette effects
● 4 noise effects
● 7 frame effects
● Shuffle effects
● Sharing by Mail, Twitter, Facebook
● Save to Photo Album
● Various photo size

Only $0.99 from iTunes, download here.

Wearing RED for you today Daniel, thinking of you and your family with tears in my eyes and heart! Thank you for making me think of others.
Your life was taken so young, no child should feel that fear! … the Lord has gained a very special Angel, you will not be forgotten!
Your parents courage, teaching me, we must never give up on those we love! May you all find peace… xxx

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation, purchase shirts here.

A huge THANK YOU to Lisa Holmes editor of ‘Runner’s World’ (my favourite mag) for a mention, 2 images and editorial piece in this September’s edition!

On Sunday I ran in the second ever Cane to Coral fun run with my friends Scott and Tania who did the run with me last year.
I’m very proud to say we all did a PB this year! Race results can be found here.

I came is at ‎1:21:32 mins!! 5:33mins faster than last year. My run was really good and felt great. A couple of friends told me they struggled a little.

As per last year the heat was hideous but not quite as bad!
I really have no idea why the race is run at 8.30am so late in the day, a statement made by many.
Every other race I’ve done has started no later than 7.30am.

Also over an hour’s wait in the midday sun for a bus back to Bundaberg is not on. We were all quite sun burnt by the time they arrived, especially having fair skin. There was three buses for a race with nearly 3,000 people, common sense would suggest having a few more??

Sadly a competitor passed away during the run at about the 8km mark, a very sad ending to a happy race day. My condolences go out to Rod Young’s Family, Colleagues and Friends. [NewsMail]

The race was very popular with over 2,900 entrants and was extremely well run and organised. Thank you to all the sponsors, organisers and volunteers!
Can’t wait for next year’s!

2010 Cane to Coral story here

How cool is this little bargain I bought on eBay.
I don’t listen to the radio, I find the advertisements so annoying they nearly drive me to have an accident!
… so how wonderful to be able to use my radio station to listen to my IPOD while charging my IPHONE at the same time!
The kit plugs straight into the lighter socket and will also be great to listen to my Metro View GPS!
Average cost is about $15 – $20. PRICELESS!

- Comes with remote control!
- Hands-Free function through car stereo
- FM Frequency from 88.1 – 107.9 MHz
- Charges iPhone, iPod, iTouch with dock connector
- Music playback on your car stereo
- USB Socket of Standard 5V 1A Electical Power (Charge via USB on many brands of MP3 players, mobile phones & GPS)
- Flexible Goose-pipe makes it convenient to find the best position for your device
- Flexible Clamp Holder keep your device in place

This is one of my favourite meals so I thought I would share it with you …  I think usually they say a cup of, not two hand fulls LOL!!!!  ‎4 ingredients …. any more then that and I FREAK OUT! (My Caesar Salad has 6, that’s tops for me!)

10.08.2011: Since I wrote this story my Dad said you can use up to 4 or 5 eggs.

I’ve registered to run in the Bridge to Brisbane 10km run this year on Sunday 11th of September and have decided to raise money for a local charity also, being Meals On Wheels Fraser Coast Inc.    

Meals On Wheels Fraser Coast Inc strives to provide delivered fresh nutritiously balanced meals and fellowship to frail, aged and younger infirm on the basis of need.

Please click here if you would like to help me raise money for this worthy cause! Thank you!

Or better still, enter the event also!!!