Fitness Tips

The Concept of The Business Athlete

Fitness tips with Leanne Spencer | www.bodyshotperformance.com

This month I’d like to introduce the concept of the business athlete. What is a business athlete, how you can become a business athlete and tips and habits we can learn from professional athletes that we can apply to our everyday lives.

What is a Business Athlete?

I think we would benefit from seeing ourselves a little bit more like an athlete does. In terms of managing stress, improving our longevity, of being healthier and more energised day to day. Minimising our risk of burnout. An athlete will look ahead to their schedule and they will identify when their peaks are, when do they need to perform at their best? When’s the competition? When’s the event, when’s the tournament. And they’ll then make sure they really doubled down on sleep, mental health, energy, nutrition and hydration. All the things that are important for performance.

How to Become a Business Athlete

If we were to emulate that thinking and that approach to our own lives, we would do a lot better. If as business people we were to look ahead and think where are our Wimbledon’s? When’s the next big work event? Or even wider than just our business lives, when’s the next big family event? When is the next exam? Whatever it might be. Planning prior to that event, like an athlete would, so we doubled down on all the things that are important for health and performance. That’s the essence of the business athlete concept. Preparation for big events is vital, but also closely aligned to that is that is what we do after that event. It’s vital we get enough recovery. We need to de-load. Just like an athlete would, so they would take their foot off the gas a bit. Serena Williams, for example, would not be grandslam fit all year round. Post event athletes focus on massage, sleep, hydration, nutrition, a lot of the same things, but with a view to recovering rather than building up. So in the same way as business people, we need to plan in our recovery, make sure recovery is prioritised and we assign time to do so.

Burnout Prevention

The Business Athlete idea is that if we did more of that and we were able to plan and pace for the ups and downs, the peaks and troughs of life, that we would be healthier, happier, and more energised. We definitely wouldn’t be burning out as much. So my observation is that most of us expect to be at peak performance all year round, and it simply isn’t sustainable. So that’s the idea of the business athlete.

Questions to Consider

My question to you is what are your Wimbledon’s? What are your big events coming up? What do you know is in the diary, that’s going to be draining or demand a lot of your time and attention and how can you get ready for that? So that’s what I’ll leave you with.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES AT LONDON’S NO.1 OUTDOOR LASER TAG FACILITY

Laser Combat takes the best of paintball, indoor quaser and computer games to create a new mind blowing outdoor experience. Working in teams, players “shoot” using eye safe, harmless infrared beams, so you can experience the thrill of paintball without the need for googles, pain or mess! Adrenalin Rush Laser Combat, based at The South London Scout Centre, in Dulwich, specialises in kid (6+ years old) and adult birthday parties, team events, family events and fundraisers etc Alternatively, if you can provide suitable space (private garden, sports centre etc), we can bring the fun to you!

Contact Brenton for more information: info@arush.co.uk 07773 775445 www.arush.co.uk

Thursdays 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 March: Dulwich Folk Dance Club-Thursday Dance

8pm - 10pm. The days are getting longer and we all feel better. Are you getting a spring in your step? Come dancing! Keeps your mind active, your body fit and a smile on your face. You are invited to come country (aka folk) dancing at St Barnabas Parish Hall. A chance to meet new friends and have some fun. 3 March: Caller - Michele Odell 1o March: Caller - Gwen Godwin 17 March: Caller - Les Wallace 24 March: Caller - Sue Hastings 31 March: Caller - Jane Lowe. Covid-19: The Club abides by Government Guidelines. Please do not attend if you believe you may have covid-19 or if you have recently had a positive lateral flow test. ULEZ: Please note, the Club’s Hall lies within the south circular.

ENQUIRIES:

John Blase: 020 8693 2873 johnhblase@aol.com Wendy Newall: 07821 089861 wendy.marsh@hotmail.com £5 (£4 Club Members). Pay at the Hall.

Thursdays 3 & 10 March: Supporting your Dyslexic Learner 10am - 12pm

Tina will help you understand how you can best support your dyslexic child at home and at school. Children with dyslexia may learn differently from you. This course has been designed to help you understand how you can best support a child at home and at school. We will cover how to recognise different learning profiles, multisensory learning, age-appropriate reading matter and tools, note taking, mind mapping, making numeracy more visual and how to gather evidence that a child needs help and support. Bell House, 27 College Road, London, SE21 7BG. https://www.bellhouse.co.uk.

Friday 4 – Friday 11 March: International Women's Day: Week of Inspirational Events

6.30pm. Eve Therapy will be hosting a week of free workshops and sessions in celebration of International Women's Week. The week of events start on Friday 4th March with a launch celebration and run through to the 11th of March, culminating in a closing celebration and art exhibition. The events are free to attend, though booking will be required to manage numbers.

The Events:

• Healing Eve: Self-Awareness For Women (Tuesday 8th March, 10-1pm) • Emotional Currency for Women (Wednesday 9th March, 10-1pm) • Art Therapy - Exploring Womanhood Through Creativity (Wednesday 9th March, 2-5pm) • Women & Nutrition (Thursday 10th March, 10-1pm) • Exploring Healthy Relationship Through Creativity for Women (Thursday 10th, 2-5pm)

Albrighton Community Centre, 37 Albrighton Road, Dog Kennel Hill Estate, East Dulwich SE22 8AH. https://www.evetherapy.com.

Friday 4 March: Live Band Karaoke

7pm - 11:30pm. Belt out classics from Dolly Parton to Metallica, live on stage, backed by a sensational 5-piece band, in front of an electric crowd at Peckham Rye's historic Ivy House. Pick from around 300 tunes. Lyrics are provided on screen, and our compere will be on stage with you to provide additional support and / or add those critical backing vocals. Doors + signups from 7pm; £6 (adv) / £8 (door, subject to availability). Ivy House, 40 Stuart Road, SE15 3BE.

https://live-band-karaoke.designmynight.com/

Saturdays 5, 12, 19 & 26 March: parkruns in Dulwich Park and Peckham Rye Park

9am-10am. Free, weekly timed 5k run, jog or walk. Every Saturday at 9am promptly starting from Queen Mary’s Gate (Dulwich Park) and Colyton Road Entrance (Peckham Rye Park). Register once and bring your printed barcode (can be used at any parkrun across the world). First-timers briefing at 08.50.

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/dulwich/ https://www.parkrun.org.uk/peckhamrye/

Saturday 5 March: Callia Quartet Concert

7pm - 9pm. Callia Quartet will be returning to perform at All Saints, West Dulwich with a programme of Haydn op 33 no. 4. Florence Price quartet no. 1 and Schubert's quartet no. 13. "Rosamunde". All tickets are £12.50. Children 12 years old and under are free. Full details https://www.calliaquartet.co.uk. All Saints West Dulwich, Lovelace Road, Norwood, SE21 8JY.

Saturday 5 March: Zumba Gold Free Taster

11:00am - 12:00pm. Zumba Gold - the gentle version of Latin dance aerobics and great for complete beginners. Fun, energizing music including a little Salsa, Flamenco, Charleston plus lots of world rhythms. Booking essential. Call 07785 762145. United Reform Church Hall, East Dulwich Grove, East Dulwich SE22 8RH.

Sundays 6, 13, 20 & 27 March: The weekly Horniman Market

10am–3pm. The weekly Horniman Market is open to provide food items including fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread, cake, meat and street food. Alongside food stalls, you’ll find body care, clothing, jewellery, design and craft; most are locally produced, ethical and many use environmentally friendly materials, natural and organic ingredients. www.horniman.ac.uk. 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ.

Mondays 7, 14, 21 & 28 March: Words Aloud: A Reading Group with a Difference

11am-12.30pm. No Homework! Weekly discussions exploring stories and poems for sheer enjoyment, looking at how writers achieve their effects, led by author Lynn Knight. No pens, no paper, no prep, no pressure. FREE, but numbers are limited. To book a place or find out more contact lkreadingrlf@gmail.com Brought to you by the Royal Literary Fund Anerley Town Hall, 123a Anerley Road, Anerley, SE20 8AJ.

Wednesday 9 March: Goose Green Coffee Morning

11:30am. Do drop in to Goose Green Coffee Morning. We are open every Wednesday from 11am until 12:30, offering tea, coffee, cake and chat. We are a friendly group where you can meet others from your local community. All are welcome! St John's Church East Dulwich, 62A East Dulwich Road, East Dulwich SE22 9AT.