Swimming with Olympic Gold Medalist Jason Lezak

What fun I had Interviewing and having a Swim lesson with Olympic Gold Medalist Jason Lezak..... one of the coolest most interactive interviews I have ever done...

So If you have ever needed inspiration to workout on your own, talk to Jason Lezak, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Record Holder, Nine Time World Champion and eight time National Champion. He’s a team player, who practices alone.

Lezak started training on his own two years ago when his longtime coach left to take a position at the University of Southern California. “I was at a point in my career where I knew what I needed to do to coach myself. But that does not mean just going to the pool.”

Lezak is a firm believer in quality not quantity, “You’ve got to make every stroke count.” It’s not about having a coach poolside to motivate him. “I swim because I have goals, not because anyone is telling me.” He is as strong in mind and in body, and it certainly was evident in the Beijing Olympic Games.

Lezak was one of the swimmers in the epic 4 by 100 relay. The United States has won this race 13 consecutive times until 2000 and 2004 when they started coming in second place. This year the French were favored to win, and they were having a field day trash talking the Americans. It was also the race the Americans needed to win, if Michael Phelps would keep his dream alive of winning eight Olympic Gold Medals.

Lezak was the anchor and when it was his turn to swim, the Americans, as predicted were placing second. “In the lead up to my race, we were behind, and knew I had to get off the block as fast as I could. I thought I false started, and spent the next five seconds thinking I disqualified team USA.”

The average person might have given up, but Jason smiled as he told me his thoughts, “I refocused and kept going. When I got to the 50 wall, I saw the French swimmer had pulled away and I thought there was no way I could catch up.”

World class competitors don’t make it to the games by giving up, and Lezak was in no mood to come in second place.

“It’s all about the power of the mind. I blocked it out, felt strong and good, it was the Olympic Games.” He grinned and leaned forward, “I was breathing to the right side, so every time I took a breath I could see where he was in the water, when I got to the 85 meter mark, typically the body shuts down, but I had an extra surge of adrenaline. I’ve looked at the replays, I did not go faster, but he tightened up and faded, dying like a dog.”

Lezak broke a world record, stunned even the announcers as he overtook the French swimmer who was a full body length ahead of him, and clinched the Gold Medal for Team USA.

So when you need a little inspiration to get moving.... think Jason and get your suit on and hit the pool.......

Special Thanks to my photographer Matreetta Talsi- who is in the photo above-for all her hard work and great shots.

Fancy Famous Friends...

Hey - being the fun girl correspondent is hard work.... so here I am out having fun with friends... some famous.... some not... certainly fancy regardless.... and well fun!!!

Check out Shawn Pelofsky- in lights at the Comedy store in San Diego..... she's a great friend and a hilarious comedian..... she's been to Afghanistan twice to entertain the troops- as well as Europe and Asia.... so she is spreading good cheer around the world... for people who need it.... as well as here at home....


Here is her website...... check her out...
http://www.myspace.com/hahachick

Some of her funny fans in San Diego at the show..... how cool!
Do you happen to recognize this EXTRA reporter AJ..... met up with him in NYC....

That's the latest..... hope you are having fun- and enjoying your day!!!! :)

Good Times, Good Friends....

THE BEST PARTIES... ARE ONE YOU CRASH..... AT THIS ONE I PLAYED THE ROLE OF STEFANIE MILLER... IT WAS A HIGH SCHOOL REUNION... A HIGH SCHOOL I DID NOT ATTEND.... BUT LOTS OF MY OLDER FRIENDS DID.... AMAZING HOW SUCCESSFUL ALL THESE GUYS ARE.... WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WAY BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL.... GREAT TO HANG WITH JEFF, JON, CRAIG , GREG AND SAM... WE MISSED YOU BRANT- AND CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO COME HOME SAFELY FROM IRAQ..... XOXOOXOX

PENGUINS IN AFRICA

SO I WAS LOOKING AT A FEW PICS OF ANTARTICA.... AS I WANT TO GO VISIT... AND I BET YOU DID NOT KNOW THAT AFRICA HAS PENGUINS.... THEY ARE CALLED "AFRICAN PENGUINS" IMAGINE THAT.... ANYWAY THESE PICS ARE FROM SIMONSTOWN... THERE IS A WHOLE AREA WHERE THEY HANG OUT- BUT THESE WERE IN AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE SWIM- IT WAS SUCH A COOL OPPORTUNITY TO GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL... SO I LEFT MY FANCY LUNCH.... AND WANDERED THRU THE WATER TO GET TO MEET SOME NEW FRIENDS.....
GOOD THING I WAS WEARING A SKIRT.... AS MY NEW FRIENDS ARE FANCY AND IN TUXES...
THESE KIDS GOT SO CLOSE THE PENGUINS WERE SNAPPING AT THEM..
SWEET HUH?
HERE IS A VIDEO.... TAKE A LOOK...

AFRICA

Hi all!

Wanted to share South Africa Stories.... It is am amazing part of the world- stunning- and horrible- wild and free- scary and breathtaking..... a contrast of worlds colliding in so many different ways. I loved the scenery, and a Safari is a must if you can swing it....

I got talked into it by Tuomo, my Finnish friend....and we had the most exciting and amazing time.... (a few articles will be published in newspapers soon- and I will eventually share the stories...) Yeah Tuomo and I- and the uhhh Lions and Elephants- and yeah-- sleeping in a tent.... but no worries- it did have a bathroom- and I did not even mind the huge lizard I found in the shower... he/she was actually quite lovely..... hey running water and a shower.... it's all good!!

The photo above is from a township.... after meeting Sangoma's (I hope I am spelling this correctly) they are healer women who study for 7 years..... and this photo is from kids in the neighborhood who saw us taking photos and immediately joined in....

Speaking of joining in.... a few of us bought school supplies for the kindergarten in the township.... I have loads of photos... they could really use--- pencils and crayons and coloring books.... I have the address of the school- email me if you want to donate items and mail them....

These kids are the lucky ones.... they get to go to school.... The poverty I saw that day... was bad... so even something small makes a difference.... would be great to hear from you....

Oh yeah- on the adventure side of things..... you can not even image.... shipwrecks and waterfalls...... I loved the "Wild Coast"
Here is the waterfall---- just so awesome- I could have spent all day swimming in the water....





There is a wildness to South Africa.... and it extends past the animals.... a vibe in the air- an energy which is powerful and pulls you into where you are.... it's different and wonderful and truly wild.....
So of course I have tons to say.... and have loads of adventures to write about....not to mention the famous South African actress I had dinner with.... completely unintentional and well mixed in with a bit of luck of course...... so more soon.... enjoy for now and let me know your thoughts.... and yeah feel free to get in touch with me to make a difference for some great kids.....

Making a Difference for Josh's Family

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for taking time out to read about Josh. As a writer I am speechless, this is not the way the story was supposed to go. We all like happy stories.... so the best I can think of.... is lets think about Josh's kids and help them save for a college education and summer camp- and all the fun things kids are supposed to experience..... My thought- is send a donation and have it go towards a positive and fun future for Josh's kids..... If its 5 dollars or 5000.... everything will help..... The info is below....
Thanks......
Masada


Here's the options someone could follow for donating.1. Send checks payable to 'The Josh Kadrie Benefit Fund' to my address detailed below. Anybody could contact me (763-427-0055) with any questions to Randy Kadrie11941 Oregon Ave. N. Champlin, MN 553162.Donate any funds directly at any US Bank location. They just need to inform the Bank Teller that the donation is for 'The Josh Kadrie Benefit Fund' . This is a Donation Account accessible throughout all of the US Bank System

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR JOSH.....

Making a difference for Josh


Hi Everyone,

I always post fun stories- and I have a few Africa ones... in the meantime-- can we help make the world a better place..... please read and forward on!!!

My parents next door neighbors 28 year old grandson is ill with cancer and needs our help.... here is his story with info how you can help... Josh Kadrie, age 28, loving husband and father has been diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. This past February 5th Josh had surgery to amputate a toe and remove a tumor caused by the cancer. He had 5 rounds of radiation when it was discovered the cancer had spread to several bones, including two tumors on his legs and to his liver. THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE FOR METASTIC MELANOMA!

In the upcoming weeks Josh will undergo a clinical trial, in hopes of finding a cure for Metastatic Melanoma. Josh has been out of work since February 4th. He is the central financial provider for his family. Josh, originally from Highland Park, is married to his wife Leia and they have two children Tyler, age 6 and Morgan, age 4. Their family lives in St. Paul and together enjoy going to the beach and having backyard bonfires.

Here's the options someone could follow for donating.1. Send checks payable to 'The Josh Kadrie Benefit Fund' to my address detailed below. Anybody could contact me (763-427-0055) with any questions to Randy Kadrie11941 Oregon Ave. N. Champlin, MN 553162.

Donate any funds directly at any US Bank location. They just need to inform the Bank Teller that the donation is for 'The Josh Kadrie Benefit Fund' . This is a Donation Account accessible throughout all of the US Bank SystemThanks for taking time out!!! Please post this to all your friends...

Masada