Dooley Noted: The Blogs

I was on the playground, swinging kettlebells and working fervently on my pull-up. I used to be one of those girls who stated, “I guess I’m just too heavy to pull my own weight up. I’m a big girl, and I’m not strong. I’ll never be able to do a pull-up.” Yeah, that bull used to come out of my mouth. Hard to believe, yeah? As I soldiered up and grabbed the bar, I hung … Read more

I consistently work 12-14 hour days. On those particular days, the last thing in the free world I want to do is spend an hour straight at the gym. But I need to move and get stronger. So, how does one do this with such an intense schedule? You build it into your day. I walk to work or dash between the subway cars. I do breathing drills while waiting in line. Build it in. … Read more

I am the queen of getting over things. But, I don’t always know how to communicate how I do it. I think it may be as simple as this mantra: I don’t pine, whine, or waste my time. My friend told me a story about working with people with mental disorders. She said many of them are homeless. When they hear of her struggles, she says they often state, “I’ll pray for you.” They pray … Read more

You don’t need to eat as much as you need water. You don’t need to drink water as much as you need breath. So, why are you asking about diet and hydration, and not watching how the client breathes? Most of you have been coached in CPR technique. Do you ask the troubled person if they are hungry? Or thirsty? No. You check the airway. If this is a vital portion of life, you might … Read more

David: You’re moving too fast, Jo. Dooley: But it doesn’t feel all that fast. It feels good. David: It’s fast. It’s all happening fast. So you have to be the one to slow it down. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a best friend like mine. This man will HeyTell message me, just to remind me of this: “Take a break, Jo. Five minutes. No work. No weights. No school. Just you.” People may … Read more

Yesterday, I carried half my bodyweight to the park. As I put down the KBs, I rewarded myself with handstands. In between reps, I looked around at the playground at all the rambunctious, giggling children. None of them were sitting – nor jogging. They sprinted, climbed, chased, crawled, jumped, hanged, and slid. I counted 37 of them. So where were their guardians? They were sitting on the benches. They sat with crappy, miserable posture. Those … Read more

Yesterday, I walked to Chelsea in the fog. What’s fascinating about fog is that from a distance, it appears nearly impenetrable. But as you walk through it – step after step – you can’t really see it again unless it’s a good distance in front of you or behind you. My strength guide told me I need to learn to clear my mind. He said, “The only thing on your mind should be that one rep.” … Read more

If I’ve learned one hard truth this week, it’s this: words are easy. It’s so easy to state things like the following: “We are a team.” “Honor, loyalty and respect are in our core. We never have to worry about those.” “I’ll be there.” “I will not quit.” Ideas are beautiful and interesting, but they have no form without follow-through. “I’ll start tomorrow.” “I want this, so this is how I’ll get there.” “I have … Read more

Patient: “I need to lose 30 pounds.” Dooley: “I need you to make new lifestyle commitments and set short and long-term goals so you can be successfully challenged.” Patient: “Oh, I don’t want to do it the hard way. I need to lose it by the end of the summer.” This is when I might tell you I’m not the right doctor for you. But it will sound like this reads: Dooley: “If there is … Read more