Dooley Noted: 10/9/2015
This is a picture of me, on my last night at age 36.
On the long cab ride home, I contemplated my year and what I learned.
1. I felt my heart break early and late this year. The beauty in that statement is that I recovered so fully from the first that I was able to learn to love again.
You will recover. Love hard. Don’t grow cold.
2. Injury doesn’t have to halt your progress. Usually, it gives you what you needed in the first place.
3. Skipping too many meals – even if it’s on accident – makes people gain weight and hinder fitness progress.
4. Try things you’ve never seen yourself doing. Mere moments later, you’ll be associated with the goal you dominated. (Mine ended up being ripping phone books apart.)
5. Learning the barbell powerlifts makes you stronger in all parts of life and fitness.
6. You can do many fancy techniques, but prime patient focus must remain on walking and breathing properly.
7. It’s a gift to yourself and others if you learn to trust.
8. Digestive enzymes must only be implemented once your diet is cleaned up.
Supplements are meant to actually supplement things that already work.
9. Most jaw pain is rooted in mouth breathing. Nasal breathing helps dial down jaw recruitment and up regulate abdominal recruitment.
10. Kettlebells have enormous carryover into gait.
From the scapular retraction/protraction to great toe positioning, the mobility/stability/strength created by solid kettlebell training carries over into life – especially walking.
11. There’s no cure for Australian jet lag. Do all the preventatives. But you’ll have to buck up. Spending time there is totally worth it.
12. The more awareness you have in a muscle belly, the more likely it is already on stretch.
Don’t jump to stretching it. Get assessed.
13. People all around you are dealing with hardship. Tune in. Many hide it out of embarrassment.
Talk openly about your own struggles so others know they don’t have to hide or feel embarrassed.
14. Even if you aren’t gifted with children, tune into them. Watch them move.
Watch how they communicate. Re-learn how openly and humbly they fail and get back up again.
15. Even if they look amazing, avoid raw veggies. Steam them if energy or digestion aren’t optimal.
16. Call your mother. Tell her you need her. If you don’t have a mother, seek a mother-like figure.
She will always want to help, even if it’s an ear.
17. Coconut oil is a staple that needs to be in every household. From stable heat in cooking, to teeth brushing, to skin and hair conditioning, this oil must be in every backpack, piece of luggage, and room where I’m spending time.
18. Get a therapist. Your friends aren’t qualified. You need an unbiased ear that is professionally trained.
19. Write a message when you are upset. Just don’t send it. Give yourself time to shift. If you still feel that way after shifting, send with caution.
20. Show your passion. People get inspired and ignite their own.
21. Empower others to teach. There’s always more to learn. Pony up and teach someone, and you solidify it for yourself.
22. Learn the names of everyone, from the doorman to the patient. Use the name every time you two speak. James, my coffee barista, knowing my name and order keeps me going back to THAT Starbucks.
23. Drink water. Lots of it.
24. You may lose a best friend. Work to maintain friendships. But open your heart to new ones.
25. No patient visit is a viable excuse to skip a workout. The workout is a standing appointment that is non-negotiable.
26. Chinese herbal medicine fills in so many gaps missing in healthcare. I find myself referring almost every patient to our acupuncturist for co-care.
27. The grudges you hold hurt you. Let go for yourself.
28. There are snakes in the water – and they are likely the people nicest to you. Watch your back and never lose your integrity.
29. Listen. Talk less.
30. Australian organic dark chocolate from Adelaide has the world beat.
31. There is no “impossible.” Yes, you can tear a 1,500+ page phone book. Yes, you can blow up a hot water bottle. Yes, you can tear a deck of cards all at once. Yes, steel will yield to your pressure.
32. Your friends will understand if you love your work. But make time for them anyway.
33. Try everything. Say “no” less.
34. You build the culture in which you reside. Build carefully and with heartfelt intent.
35. Anatomy never gets old. Keep learning more about what you love, and it just gets more interesting.
36. If you want to be better at everything, get stronger. It’s the key to feeling less pain and getting more out of everything from cardio to snatch tests to pull-ups.
I’m better than I’ve ever been at age 37.
Bring on one more year.
As always, it’s my call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
