Compete October 2016 by COMPETE Magazine

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JAKE NODAR'S

EXTREME SPORTS LIFE

WORLD GAY RODEO FINALS TURNS

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OCTOBER 2016 Volume 10, Issue 10

PUBLISHERS Eric Carlyle • eric@competenetwork.com Patrick Gamble • patrick@competenetwork.com COMPETE MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief Connie Wardman • connie@competenetwork.com Style Editor Bobby Ciletti • bobby@competenetwork.com Graphic Design Assistant Matt Boyd • mattb@competenetwork.com Field Ambassador Alfonzo Chavez • alfonzo@competenetwork.com Contributors Harry Andrew, Ian Colgate, Jared Garduno, Jeff Kagan, Ali Kay, Miriam Latto, Bryan Lee, Michael Losier, Kevin Majoros, Dr. Rob Elliott Owens, Brian Patrick and Sarah Woodward Photographers Thomas Fleisher, Leland Gebhardt and Robert Mercer Sales & Partnerships sales@competenetwork.com Administration Camille Powell • camille@competenetwork.com Copyright © 2016 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC All Rights Reserved. Corporate Office 4703 South Lakeshore Drive, Suite 3 Tempe, Arizona 85282 • 480-222-4223 Compete is a trademark of Media Out Loud, LLC MISSION STATEMENT Compete unites the world through sports.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COWBOYFRANK.NET

16 • THE GREATEST SHOW ON DIRT! KICK–OFF

7 LEFT FIELD

Grandstanding, Speed Read,Thumbs UP/DOWN

9 COMMUNITY HERO Laura Scott

DEPARTMENTS 24 MVP

David Lawson

26 INTERVIEW

Professional Soccer Player Joanna Lohman

30 ATHLETE

Jake Nodar - Horse Trainer and Extreme Reality TV Star

SPORTS 34 36

Destination Scuba Planning Delays for 2017 World OutGames

OVERTIME

COMPETENETWORK.COM

38 NUTRITION

FACEBOOK.COM/COMPETEMAG

40 FITNESS

@COMPETESPORTS

COMPETE MAGAZINE

9 Facts For Coffee Lovers Fitness Tips from Pro Bowler Scott Norton

INSTAGRAM.COM/COMPETEMAGAZINE

42 GYM BAG 44 EVENTS 46 STYLE

Athleisure Dos and Don’ts

COMPETE ONLINE

Check out Compete stories, videos and more online at: competenetwork.com

www.CompeteNetwork.com

COVER ATHLETE David Lawson SPORT Rodeo PHOTOGRAPHER Jak Wonderly

| COMPETE | 5

FROM THE SKYBOX BY ERIC CARLYLE, PUBLISHER/CEO

SKATEBOARDER BRIAN ANDERSON’S COMING OUT STORY

@CompeteEric

had another letter ready to go for this column when professional skateboarder Brian Anderson came out publicly. On September 27, right before Compete was scheduled to go to print, Brian announced in a video on Vice Sports that “My name is Brian Anderson, and we are here to talk about the fact that I am gay.” Once the 40-year-old athlete from Queens, New York made the announcement, social media exploded with an outpouring of support and encouragement. Major media outlets such as Time Magazine and the New York Times picked up the story as did niche outlets such as Instinct, Out, Advocate and Outsports, among many others In the video Anderson also said “I consider myself a skateboarder first, gay second. I’m a skater; that’s all I know.” Anderson joins a growing number of openly gay athletes. His story is similar to that of Gus Kenworthy, the Olympic freeskier and X Games star who came out just last year, because Kenworthy’s coming out story also triggered an avalanche of media coverage. Earlier this year Kenworthy said he is hopeful such stories will be more commonplace and cause less media frenzy in the future. Anderson’s story is making headlines after a record number of out Olympians participated in this year’s Olympic Games in Rio. In fact, at last count as many as 56 openly gay athletes participated in this year’s Summer Games. With the number of athletes being willing to be true to themselves by coming out, like Brian Anderson and the number of openly gay Olympians reaching a record number, perhaps Kenworthy's wish will come true sooner rather than later. Sport On,

Eric Carlyle Publisher/CEO eric@competenetwork.com P.S. While professional athletes' coming out stories are important in moving sports diversity forward, it all starts with everyday athletes. That is why we encourage all of our readers to support the World OutGames Miami 2017 by donating to their fundraising campaign online. Simply visit their website at outgames.org and click on "support" for more information.

| COMPETE | October 2016

KICKOFF

GRANDSTANDING LETTERS TO COMPETE MAGAZINE

MIRROR, MIRROR (September 2016) I was so glad to see Compete preview Gay Bowl 16. I was most impressed to see a man of color on the cover. As a black man I don’t often identify with many cover models but was really impressed you selected Derrick Johnson for the cover.

James Thomas San Diego, California

COMPETE READER SURVEY Favorite Pub Sport? Air Hockey 10% Foosball 15%

FOOTBALL FEVER (September 2016) Women in football? Hell yeah! I loved your article about women flag football players.

Billards/Pool 45%

Darts 30%

Carla Orman Jacksonville, Florida

TALK TO US! Submissions to Compete should include the writer’s name, address and contact phone number and should be sent by email to letters@competenetwork.com. Letters may be edited by Compete and become the property of Media Out Loud, LLC.

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| COMPETE | 7

FROM THE CATBIRD SEAT BY CONNIE WARDMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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his issue celebrates the 30th anniversary of the World Gay Rodeo Finals® (WGRF), part of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). It brings back memories of my childhood campaign to own my own horse. My grandmother, a confirmed fan of all things western, lived with us as I was growing up, taking me to every western movie that came to town. Since we lived in the heart of town with a postage stamp backyard filled with her flowers, I wound up with a cat that I named Trigger in honor of Roy Rogers’ beautiful palomino. Not quite what I was expecting but a trauma I managed to overcome. Seriously, like all the long-standing national and international LGBT sports organizations, the rodeo offers a sense of family – of friendship, fun and most important, acceptance. And the number and different kinds of events that are part of a rodeo make for a wonderfully wide variety of volunteer positions for people wanting to get involved. For 30 years the WGRF has been keeping alive the wonderful values and traditions of the country western lifestyle. We also share the latest on horse trainer and IGRA member Jake Nodar, recently back from his latest survival experience in the South African bush on “Naked and Afraid XL.” He was the first openly gay man to be featured on a television show on the Discovery Channel back in 2009, something that’s very special to him. It’s important to him that he can represent the LGBT community in a positive way. Don't miss the insightful interview with soccer pro Joanna Lohman or the article on scuba diving. It's a great way to travel for adventure and excitement while exploring the two-thirds of our world that’s covered by water. And when you’re ready to relax, Compete’s style editor Bobby Ciletti gives you the dos and don’ts of the new athleisure style that’s here to stay. Enjoy! Keep Smiling,

Connie Wardman, Editor-in-Chief connie@competenetwork.com

Anthony Collova, Owner

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| COMPETE | October 2016

COMMUNITY HERO

KICKOFF

Laura Scott Rodeo director for World Gay Rodeo Finals® (WGRF) Sport: Rodeo By Miriam Latto

s the World Gay Rodeo Finals® (WGRF) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, the person holding the event reins is Laura Scott, director of this year’s very special celebration. This also marks her 25th anniversary as a member of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) and she says it’s her last active year. As you can see from all her rodeo-related activities, her boots will be hard to fill. Laura was born in California where her grandfather had a couple of horses that he used to patrol the beaches on horseback following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. It began his love of horses that he passed down to Laura. "I used to love to muck the stalls at their little farm in Pomona," Laura said. "All these years later, nothing has changed." Laura has certainly invested a lot of time and effort into the sport she loves over the last 25 years. She’s served as the rodeo director for the rodeo finals for three years; rodeo director for the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association (NGRA) for five years as well as being its fundraising director; and a three-time assistant for the Arizona Gay Rodeo (AGRA). When asked what the best thing has been about working with IGRA and its WGRF, Laura say it’s “the people, pure and simple. They are my family.” IGRA isn’t the only group to benefit from Laura’s commitment to the LGBT community, however. Over the years she has worked the Pride gate for years and has also worked with the royal court and the LGBT center. And for a couple of years she was also the entertainment director for National Coming Out Day in Las Vegas. But Laura’s involvement in rodeo life actually began when she lived in New Mexico, first as a dance team member and then, after she moved to Las Vegas in 1994 Laura started doing some roping and camp events. However she eventually realized that her strengths were more geared to the organizational aspect of the events. Once living in Vegas, she made a bucket list of sorts – all the things she wanted to achieve in both the Nevada and the International Gay Rodeo Associations. “From royalty and arena crew to rodeo director for NGRA to the director of finals, I’m happy to say they’ve all come to fruition.” She’s been recognized for her efforts, receiving the IGRA Directors Award and the Member of the Year award from NGRA. And in 2014 she was chosen as the Grand Marshal for that year’s BigHorn Rodeo.

When asked about any role models in her life, Laura quickly mentioned IGRA past vice president Andrew Goodman, saying he won’t believe it when he reads this. “He once Photo courtesy of Laura Scott said to me that we must face everything with grace even if it kills you. I didn’t really get it … until I needed to get it. It was a great lesson and one I strive for daily.” As the sports diversity movement has changed the way many people now view LGBT athletes and their sports, Laura sees IGRA and its WGRF reaching out more globally. Attributing this in part to IGRA’s participation in the 2014 Gay Games 9 held in Cleveland+Akron, she thinks it made the organization hungry to reach out. It also got it noticed by participants from all over the world, even prompting some girls from Australia to join IGRA. It’s no wonder that gay sports have such a powerful and positive impact on people’s lives – it provides a sense of family, a community where you are accepted without playing “let’s pretend.” According to Laura, “When I walked into a gay rodeo in Phoenix back in 1991, I didn’t expect the feeling I got; it was as if I had taken my first breath. “I am so grateful for every moment, good and bad. I have made amazing friendships with people who will last a lifetime. I have been witness to great athletes both human and animal in the sport of rodeo. I have seen the competition aspect go away when a fellow competitor gets hurt because at that moment, they are our family. That’s what I will take away from this. Albeit a little dysfunctional at times, this is family.” Although her day job is web design and online marketing, Laura says that her work with the rodeo is “the hardest job I'll ever do and not get paid for. We are all volunteers here. Many people don't understand it. They see the stress we endure for that year of planning out a rodeo. What they don't see is my heart beaming because I just saw someone walk into a gay rodeo for the very first time and they had that same look of awe on their face like I did 25 years ago. That makes it all worth it.”

DO YOU KNOW A COMMUNITY HERO? Community Heroes is a regular feature in Compete Magazine. Nominate deserving individuals by emailing us at heroes@competenetwork.com and include a brief biography of or a link to your nominee.

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| COMPETE | 9

Congratulations to the 2016 GSWS Champions A Division Champions

nagaaasoftball.org (636) 3NAGAAA B Division Champions

Dallas Texas Force â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Powered by Woodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Los Angeles Thunder

C Division Champions

D Division Champions

Kansas City Cocktails

GSWS Division Place Winners Congratulations to all the teams C Division that participated in the 2016 GSWS. 2nd - Austin Outlaws Below are the teams that placed 3rd - San Diego Firestorm 2nd-4th in each of the five divisions.

4th - DC Envy

A Division 2nd - Atlanta Elite 3rd - Portland Brewers 4th - Palm Springs Rounders 2.0

D Division 2nd - DC Titans 3rd - Las Vegas Wranglers 4th - Nashville Avengers

B Division 2nd - Orlando Unicorns 3rd - Seattle Los Gallitos 4th - Twin Cities Freak

Masters Division 2nd - Seattle Silverbacks 3rd - Ft Lauderdale Alive & Kicking 4th - Austin Bat Boys 5.0

Phoenix Saints

Masters Division Champions

New York Cranky Yankees

KICKOFF

LEFT FIELD

SPEED READ OPINIONS/DEMONSTRATIONS BY OUR SPORTS HEROS

In a recent poll, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been voted the most hated player in the NFL for taking a stand against the growing number of nonthreatening black people who have been shot and killed by law enforcement. He’s not standing during the “Star-Spangled Banner.” As the number of athletes from pro-to-high school level in a variety of sports are following Kaepernick’s lead, the amount of vitriolic rage it has unleashed is reminiscent of the nation’s emotional upheaval during the protest marches and race riots of the 1960s. With Kaepernick now receiving death threats for doing what many military people died to protect – his right to freedom of speech and to protest—and with police departments whose officers take an oath to protect and serve threatening not to provide security at a game where a protest of our national anthem might take place, the flames of our national emotional hysteria are burning bright. Everyone, it seems is itching for a clear-the-benches brawl. And sadly, the media fans the flames not only by reporting every word a pro athlete in any sport has to say about it but also by pushing others, like Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton to finally speak out. His call for everyone on both sides of the issue to be held accountable and to not be a hypocrite was countered by firebrand Shannon Sharpe of FS1’s “Undisputed.” The African-American former NFL star says that Newton’s is trying to “play both sides of the fence.” All this creates a lose-lose scenario when what is needed is a win-win! We need to call a national time out to recognize that everyone has … and is entitled to an opinion, even professional athletes. Follow your conscience but do it with the understanding that the ability to protest something is part of what makes the U.S. so unique –quit attacking those with an opinion that doesn’t match yours. Then let’s start a REAL conversation at the hometown, grassroots level to start to address the actual problem instead of just “shouting into the wind.” Put your passion and constructive energy to positive use.

DEIFICATION OF A SPORTS HERO GONE TERRIBLY WRONG In a move that is hard to comprehend outside the Penn State community of hero worshipers of former Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno, the university announced in a very low key way that it was honoring him at its September 17 football game against the Temple Owls. In its 2016 season promotions listing under that game there is a bullet point that says, “Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Coach Joe Paterno - Activities during the game will take place to commemorate Joe Paterno's first game as the head football coach at Penn State -- September 17, 1966.” The celebration included two short videos during the game.

| COMPETE | October 2016

There is no doubt that Paterno is one of the all-time great football coaches who was also a strong proponent of education. However, he fell short in his role as program administrator by caring more about the program than about confronting a sexual predator on his own staff. At the end he had to leave the school and football program he loved under a cloud because he didn’t take appropriate action concerning allegations of sexual assaults on 10 underage boys by his assistant coach Jerry Sandusky over a 15-year period. While Penn State is trying to appease boosters and former players as well as ticket-buying fans who continue to push hard for honoring Paterno, it’s also trying to downplay its actions in an effort to keep a reputation of moral courage and rectitude in the world beyond the small town of State College. Neither side is doing the right thing.

NORTH CAROLINA’S “BATHROOM BILL” CAUSES LOSS OF NACC, ACC, CAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES Thanks to North Carolina’s odious House Bill 2 (HB2) that makes it unlawful to use a restroom different from the gender listed on one’s birth certificate, the NCAA is moving seven championship events this academic year from the state. This includes the first and second rounds of the 2017 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The organization’s board of governors cited as the deciding factor that the law "invalidated any local law that treats sexual orientation as a protected class or has a purpose to prevent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals." The ACC also announced that it is moving all neutral-site conference championship games out of the state due to HB2. A statement issued by the conference council of presidents said that its decision "reaffirmed our collective commitment to uphold the values of equality, diversity, inclusion and non-discrimination. "Every one of our 15 universities is strongly committed to these values and therefore, we will continue to host ACC championships at campus sites," the statement said. "We believe North Carolina House Bill 2 is inconsistent with these values, and as a result, we will relocate all neutral-site championships for the 2016-17 academic year." While the decisions by the NCAA and ACC followed on the heels of the NBA moving its All-Star Game to New Orleans, basketball isn’t the only ACC sport to be affected. Other sports include baseball, women's basketball, women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's golf. And now the Colonial Athletic Association has announced it will pull its women’s golf championship from the state unless the bill is repealed or voided by January 10. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the CAA has 10 member schools in eight states.

SPORTS QUIZ

LGBT PARALYMPIANS AT THE RIO GAMES

A. Barrel racing is for women only during the NFR. But the women have a Womens Rodeo Association where they compete in all events.

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Q. In the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), which event is for women only?

Source: funtrivia.com

THE SAN DIEGO PADRES

… for winning 75 percent of the medals. Nine of the 12 openly gay para athletes won five gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

… for trying to be in a better position for potential trades by hiding medical information from the MLB database. Keeping a double set of records will definitely bring them punishment from the MLB that is yet to be named.

THE SEATTLE MARINERS

SERENA WILLIAMS

… for disciplining an employee who told a non-binary couple to stop kissing at the team’s very first Pride night because it was a “familyfriendly” event. The team also issued a public apology.

… for making history by winning her 308th Grand Slam at the 2016 U.S. Open, breaking Roger Federer’s record.

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 15

Steer Riding Photo by CowboyFrank.net

| COMPETE | October 2016

It’ The World Gay Rodeo Finals®

to The Greatest Show on Dirt BY CONNIE WARDMAN

ave you ever been to a rodeo? There’s simply nothing as exciting as watching a rider and his or her horse performing as one unit or watching someone riding a bucking bronco or steer, to say nothing of dressing a goat. And when the best-of-the-best rodeo contestants and fans come together this month in Las Vegas to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the World Gay Rodeo Finals® (WGRF), the excitement will be intense. From October 20-23, people from across the U.S. and Canada will be on hand to participate and/or to cheer on their favorites. It really is the greatest show on dirt. The WGRF is part of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) that is the sanctioning body for all gay rodeos held throughout the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1985 and currently headed by president Bruce Gros, IGRA approves 13 events in four categories and you’ll find all or most of them at any IGRA-affiliated rodeo, depending on the local arena conditions:

Rough Stock that consists of bull riding, bareback bronc riding, steer riding and chute dogging Roping Events that include calf roping on foot, mounted break-away roping and team roping Speed Events including the barrel race, pole bending and flag race Camp Events that include steer decorating, wild drag race and goat dressing The entire Thursday-through Sunday night schedule is filled with events you won’t to miss. Thursday evening kicks off the celebration with the WGRF welcome and the beginning of the IGRA Royalty Competition with western wear on stage. During the day on Friday contestants get registered and everyone can catch up with old friends while the Royalty competition finishes with interviews and horsemanship that are closed to the public.. Come Friday night you get to be part of the Las Vegas Pride Night Parade. It is SNAPI’s (Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc.) 18th Annual Pride Night Parade presented by MGM Resorts International. It’s bound to be spectacular! This year’s Pride Night Parade features the kind of diversity support we all hope to see on a regular basis – the local gay and straight business community, non-profit organizations, LGBT service agencies and civic groups and churches all joining in. After the parade, it’s time to head to the official after-parade party Saturday morning marks the official start of the 30th anniversary of the WGRF with the doors and vendor areas opening at 9 a.m. Competition begins at 10 a.m. with the grand entry set for 1 p.m. When the evening rolls around it’s time for the 2016 IGRA royalty court to step down and the new court to step up and be crowned. And by 9 p.m. it’s time for a concert featuring country music artist Donnie Lee Strickland followed by a dance. Sunday starts the second day of the rodeo with a 10 a.m. start time and a 1 p.m. grand entry. Then at 8 p.m. it’s time for the awards to be presented. Once the awards are handed out, it’s also the time when people start thinking about all the fun they've had, trying to remember tomorrow's checkout time and wondering what excitement next year's rodeo will bring.

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| COMPETE | 17

Rodeo: It’s Family

F The World Gay Rodeo Finals

or those who didn’t grow up on a farm or ranch, many of us still long to be cowboys or cowgirls, own our own horses and somehow participate in the country western lifestyle so happily portrayed in countless movies and television series. And that desire is at the heart of IGRA and its members. While the rodeo is absolutely competitive at every level, still, there’s a welcoming, easy camaraderie at a rodeo. But one of the big surprises is that not everyone owns a horse, not everyone competes. Many people attracted to the country-western lifestyle aren’t necessarily interested in riding. Lots of people start by volunteering to sell tickets or working as security, and they quickly become hooked on the warmth, friendliness and acceptance they experience. IGRA is a unique sport because it has so many different things going on at the same time; there are volunteer spots to fit anybody’s interest and chosen level of involvement. In fact Doug Graff, IGRA president in 2011-2012 calls himself “a big ole’ sissy.” He’s done some rough stock and camp activities over the years but now spends time as a funny rodeo clown (not a bull rider clown) and as an announcer. He loves IGRA because he says it doesn’t require him to portray the macho stereotype most people associate with rough and tumble rodeo to be part of it – he loves it because, as he says, “there’s a place for people like me.” No matter who you are, you know you belong – you really are family. With its beginnings at the 1976 National Reno Gay Rodeo in Nevada, IGRA’s mission is to support the various rodeo associations that support their communities. And IGRA does that by providing its member associations with the necessary tools to produce quality events, by positively promoting the LGBTQ country western lifestyle and by supporting amateur sportsmanship through participation, competition and recognition. For the many people who belong to IGRA and its many state-wide associations and local chapters, it’s the fun and exhilaration of meeting new people and making new friends who are equally devoted to maintaining the country western lifestyle through rodeo events as well as educating and training new people so they can compete in the various events. They also sponsor lots of social events that include trail rides, country music, dancing, going to horse shows and any other type of horse-related events.

Raising Money

to Help Others

The Greatest Show on Dirt

Photo by CowboyFrank.net

| COMPETE | October 2016

Raising Money

The World Gay Rodeo Finals

to Help Others The Greatest Show on Dirt

Pictured: Mary Honeycutt, Compete Magazine MVP for October 2015 as Ms. TGRA (Texas Gay Rodeo Association) for 2015

ne of the most meaningful things for the diverse gay and straight athletes and fans who join IGRA is the commitment to using rodeo as a fundraising vehicle to benefit many worthwhile charitable organizations. The LGBT community has long been known for its generosity to its local communities and organizations, and IGRA has two internal groups that raise money – members of the IGRA Royal Court and the Men of Charlie’s, representing the four Charlie’s establishments in Denver, Phoenix, Chicago and Las Vegas.. Jason Bernard, who oversees the royalty program, says that it’s the royalty court ambassadors and their sashes and crowns who are the marquee sign of IGRA. Beginning in 1986, the original benefactor of the money raised by IGRA Royalty was the Muscular Dystrophy Association but over the years it has grown to include other charities, like HIV/ AIDS organizations, Miles For Smiles and a variety of local organizations providing meals, clothing and rehabilitation services. This year’s court includes: Madison Deveroux (Mason Lyon), Miss IGRA 2016; Tom McCarthy, Mr. IGRA 2016; Mary Honeycutt, Ms. IGRA 2016; and Macc Country (Lize MacDonald), MsTer IGRA 2016. Members of the 2016 outgoing royal court have raised more than $27,000 for IGRA, its charities and local associations. Guy Puglisi is chair of the IGRA Trustees who serve as the conduit between the local associations and the international organization, sanctioning and approving local rodeos. But he is also very involved with the Men of Charlie’s that got started in 1985 and has been recognized as a “man of the month” for his fundraising efforts. Although he says he got “dragged into being part of it” back in 2007, I suspect no one had to twist his arm too hard to join since Guy is very engaged in the rodeo at many levels, including being a certified rodeo scorekeeper. John King, owner of the Charlie’s establishments has long been a tireless supporter of the rodeo and is himself, a member of IGRA’s 2005 Hall of Fame class. So it’s no surprise that you’ll find a Men of Charlie’s group at each of the four locations busy raising money for non-profit organizations in their areas through their man of the month contest. There are over 250 members of this group spread throughout the four locations and their combined efforts have resulted in over $750,000 donated to the LGBT community. They also donate time to the rodeos and Pride events.

www.CompeteNetwork.com

| COMPETE | 19

inals

Raising Money

Education and Welfare of

to Help Others

Animals and Competitors Alike

Dirt

hrough its state and regional associations and its IGRA University education classes, the organization places education high on its list of important purposes. In addition to supporting honesty, fair play and good sportsmanship, participants can learn rodeo basics, starting with good body mechanics, learning how to ride and what is required to participate in its various events. A love of animals is simply at the heart of the rodeo and new members learn how to respect and care for the animals that are an integral part of this extremely physical sport. IGRA members know that without well cared for horses, steers and goats that are part of the sanctioned rodeo events, the sport they love would cease to be. In a time when lots of people no longer live a daily lifestyle that includes these larger animals, IGRA members are an important part of passing along the knowledge and skills required to care for them. But when it comes to bull riding, it’s the riders who often need protection from the bulls. And here is where rodeo bull rider clowns come into play. Back in the 1920s bull riding competition switched to using bad-tempered Brahma bulls and the role of the clown took on new importance. By waving things at a bull, throwing a hat, shouting or running away from an injured rider, the clown enables the rider to get out of the ring with as little injury as possible. To protect a fallen rider, like fire fighters and police officers, these clowns race into danger, not away from it. Needless to say, this role isn’t for everyone, highlighting once again the wide variety of necessary rodeo roles in which people can participate. Talking about the role of rodeo bull riding clowns with Laura Scott, director for this year’s WGRF, she mentioned her friend Jerry Cunningham of Denver. He’s both a firefighter and a rodeo clown; someone she says is “honorably crazy” and, I suspect most of us would agree with that definition.

Pictured: Jerry Cunningham, rodeo bull rider clown Photo by CowboyFrank.net

| COMPETE | October 2016

Rodeo: It’s Family

Finals

Raising Money to Help Others

n Dirt

He’s My Best Friend

o matter how many rodeo people you talk to, it still boils down to talking about the friendships they’ve made. Some of them seem like absolute matches from the start while other friendships seem more improbable, like the friendship between Greg Begay and David Lawson. What on earth could an initially shy Native American who works in a Scottsdale, Arizona casino have in common with an outgoing Anglo horse trainer who lives in California’s Sonoma Valley? It’s the rodeo, of course. The friends met four-and-a-half years ago at a Palm Springs rodeo. They had seen one another around but hadn’t exchanged more than a few words until they danced together one night and really began a conversation. As occasionally happens in the sport, David’s roping partner quit before the San Francisco rodeo and he needed someone quickly. He called Greg who is one of the best ropers around and said that if he’d fly out to San Francisco, David would provide the horses. Because of that experience, they now pair up for all the multiple-participant events. Yet when they compete against each other (and that happens all the time), both say they are determined to win. When an event is over, though, the competitiveness goes away. It’s the rodeo and their passion for it that enabled them to meet but it’s also their mutual desire to help others that stands out when you talk with them, a deeply-held personal value of both men that's reminiscent of the western pioneer tradition of helping neighbors in need. Greg says it’s a family tradition he grew up with and one of the things that makes his bond with David so strong. They’ve now become such good friends that both say they’re best friends who have blended their lives and families together. David says a lot of people ask if they’ve dated but the answer is no. Their bond is stronger; they’re really brothers from different mothers and fathers, all thanks to the rodeo.

Education and Welfare of

Animals and Competitors Alike

Pictured: Greg Begay (l), David Lawson (r) Photo by Laura Scott

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| COMPETE | 21

Wild Drag Race Photo by CowboyFrank.net

| COMPETE | October 2016

To learn more about IGRA go to www.igra.com and for more information on WGRF go to igra-wgrf.com.

e Seventh Annual Petey Awards

November 10, 2016 - Denver, Colorado

Honoring the Best in Sports Diversity The evening will celebrate individuals and organizations that help fullll the publication’s mission of uniting the world through sports. Registration Opens: 6:00 p.m. VIP Pre-Event Reception: 6:00 p.m. Main Event: 7:00 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Denver 3203 Quebec St., Denver, Colorado 80207 Tickets General Admission $125 General Admission Table $1,250 VIP Admission $150 (includes VIP Reception) VIP Table $1,500 (includes VIP Reception)

Dave Pallone Former Major League Baseball Umpire

For More Information 480.222.4223 sportsdiversityawards.com

DAVID LAWSON

Photo by Laura Scott

Photo by Marcie Lewis Photography

AGE: 41. HOMETOWN: Fort Madison, Iowa. CURRENT RESIDENCE: Santa Rosa, California. SPORTS: Barrel racing, roping, rodeo. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single. FAVORITE ATHLETE: Logan Murray – my nephew who is a state champion cross country runner FAVORITE TEAM: Kansas City Royals. INTEREST: Training horses and matching riders with horses who fit together to make awesome competitive teams. BEST PHYSICAL FEATURE: My body’s ability to thrive off of adrenaline! WHY DO YOU LOVE SPORTS? I have a very competitive nature and I love teamwork, so sports are something I’m naturally drawn to. SPORTS PLAYED: Basketball, baseball, track, and various disciplines related to horses. GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: Building a horse training business from the ground up following a move to California. A failed relationship/personal failure led me to focus back on my work/passion. And I now have a very successful training business. GREATEST ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT: Training horses that not only I can be successful riding in the rodeo arena but that others can easily step on and also meet with success.

To be included in our MVP section, e-mail: MVP@competenetwork.com

INTERVIEW

JOANNA LOHMAN: THE ATHLETE WITH THE JOHAWK BY BRIAN PATRICK AT AGE 34, OUT PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER Joanna Lohman is one of the oldest players in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as a midfielder for the Washington Spirit. But she certainly doesn’t come across that way, especially if you look at her hair which she credits as her best physical feature – the JoHawk. Compete had an opportunity to learn more about this amazing athlete and we want to share it with you.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOANNA LOHMAN

Compete: Thanks for sharing your story with Compete readers, Joanna. First, tell us about your background, favorite sports teams and athletes and whether or not you’re taken. Joanna Lohman: I was born in Silver Spring but now live in Bethesda, both in Maryland. My favorite athlete is Serena Williams and my dream job is to be the GM of the NFL’s Washington Redskins, my favorite team. As far as sports, in addition to soccer I have also played basketball, tennis and softball as well as swimming and cross-country running. And I am single. C: We love your hair. What about the various changes you make in it? JL: I think my hair – The JoHawk – is my best physical feature. I shave a side of my head in various shapes that have meaning for me; one of them is the HRC symbol. C: What is it about sports that makes you love it, what is it that motivates you to play? JL: I love sports because it forces an athlete to be incredibly honest with his or her own strengths and weaknesses and provides opportunities to consistently work on both. Sport also teaches invaluable lessons about loss, adversity and failure. It allows an athlete to pick him or herself up after falling and encourages him or her to problem solve and try again. C: So please tell us more about you currently, about who you are. JL: I have played professional soccer for 12 years. My journey has taken me all over the country and world pursuing a passion that I dreamed of as a little girl.

Throughout those 12 years I have overcome injuries, setbacks and uncertainty to land with the Washington Spirit, my hometown team. As an out professional soccer player known for being unabashedly herself, I use my incredible platform to encourage others to love their authentic selves. I realize that we all struggle to find acceptance and belonging. But together we can create a beautiful community filled with unconditional love. Sport is not only my day job but also my vocation. I see the way it breaks down barriers and I want to use sport as a vehicle to make a positive difference in this world. C: What do you consider to be your greatest personal achievement? JL: Being uncontrollably happy and realizing that it takes work, hard work as well as relentless and realistic self-reflection. I am also proud to be one of the oldest players in the National Women's Soccer League, meaning I have not only achieved my dreams but I am living out that dream each and every day. (Contiunued on page 28)

| COMPETE | October 2016

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INTERVIEW

C: You’ve called yourself a professional athlete few people know about but you’ve had a lot of success as an athlete. Can you share your athletic achievements with us? JL: Yes, here they are broken down into international, college and professional eras: International • Seven caps for U.S. Women’s National Team • Trained with USWNT during 2004 Olympic Residency Training Camp • Member of U21 U.S. national team from 20002005; squad captain for 2003-04 • Helped lead U21 team to three Nordic Cup championships earning MVP honors in 2002 • Captained U23 squad College – played for Penn State University 2000-2003 • Scored 19 goals with six assists in senior season, finishing career No. 5 in all-time goals scored (41), No. 2 in assists (37), No. 4 in points (114) and No. 1 in game-winning goals (8) • Named Big Ten Player of the Year in 2003 • First Team NSCAA Academic All-American for 2001-2003 • Two-time Mac Hermann Trophy and Honda Sports Award finalist for 2002-2003 • First team All Big Ten for 2000-2003 • Three-time NSCAAA All-America selection • 2000 Big Ten Freshman of the Year • Named NCAA Woman of the Year in 2004 • One of three recipients of Penn State’s Outstanding Senior Athlete Award in 2003 Professional • Currently tied for second leading scorer on topranked team [Washington Spirit] in the NWSL (at the time of this writing).

C: With all this acclaim it’s hard to comprehend that you feel you aren’t well known. What would you tell your younger self if you had the opportunity? Would you change your life in any way? JL: No, I would not change my life. I did a TEDx Beacon Street video in October 2014 where I shared my life’s story, “The uncomfortable ride to the top.” In it I talk about how soccer is a niche sport and how twice, professional soccer leagues have gone under. So I now earn $18k a year but it is a job I love even though there is no job security and stability doesn’t exist. But I feel like a millionaire. There is immense value and fulfillment in pursuing your interests with every ounce of your heart, body, mind and soul. Do not be afraid to care; to care so much that it is terrifying. While you will never get everything you ever wanted in life, you will find happiness in the process of getting better each and every day. Nothing you will ever accomplish will come without an incredible amount of hard work and perseverance so keep grinding. The glory will come from looking back and seeing the total sum of all the incremental improvement. And finally, love with your whole heart.

| COMPETE | October 2016

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ATHLETE

JAKE NODAR’S LATEST EXTREME SPORT – SURVIVING BY CONNIE WARDMAN NATURALIST, ADVENTURER, ACTOR, ACTIVIST, environmentalist and horse-trainer – all of them appropriate words Jake Nodar uses on his website to describe himself. He’s also an out athlete and member of the International Gay Rodeo Association’s (IGRA) Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association. He has his own horse training business in Maryland where he does a lot of free lance training and also works for 15 different farms in the area. One of his specialties is dealing with horses with behavioral issues. The last time I interviewed Jake was in 2012 not long after he had completed a run on The History Channel’s show, “Full Metal Jousting.” At that time I called him a modern-day Indiana Jones. However, I now realize that description was too limiting. To say he has a penchant for adventure is a gross understatement – he’s now into perhaps the most extreme sport around, the “survivalist” category. Growing up in a very religious family in a rural area of Maryland, he says that “I would not let myself even think that I was gay, would not even let that word go through my head.” Talking about his strict upbringing, he says that some of the things he’d hear people say in public about gays were “a little alarming and made my struggle that much worse.” Volunteering at a local horse rescue in exchange for riding lessons after high school, in 1999 Jake traveled to Parachute, Colorado to attend horse training school … and try to deal with his growing need to resolve the mounting realization that he was gay. When he returned to Maryland he began his own horse training business. While Parachute was not the place to come out, the gay rodeo certainly was. Jake really has a deep appreciation for IGRA, the Atlantic State Rodeo Association and all the truly kind people he’s met there, and he’s competed in chute dogging, barrel racing and bull riding in a number of rodeos. From not knowing many gay men where he lived, he went to an IGRA rodeo school and suddenly met 30 guys who were going through or had already gone through their own coming out struggles. He was able to be himself. His self-confidence and belief in himself he attributes to finally accepting that he was gay and being able to come out. No doubt about it, Jake loves horses, the outdoors and wildlife photography, maybe even obsessed with them. But just to keep life interesting, he tries to take an adventure trip at least once a year. He’s been backpacking through

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JAKE NODAR

the Canadian Rockies, camping out with the Maasi people in Kenya and taken a solo bike ride from St. Augustine, Florida to Santa Monica, California. But now some of his adventures are part of the Discovery Channel’s assorted survival reality shows. Now back home and fully healed from participating in season two of the Discovery Channel’s eight-part “Naked and Afraid XL” series that aired this past July, Jake is back training horses again. But don’t be lulled into thinking that

(Continued on page 32)

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ATHLETE

just because it’s a “reality” show that it’s all fake, using the shock value of having naked men and women shown on TV just for ratings. It is, according to the 37-year-old Jake, “the most hard core survival show around.” And he should certainly know. Prior to this 40 days and 40 nights challenge spent in the bush of South Africa, Jake’s first experience with the Discovery Channel was its “Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment” in 2009. While making plans to travel to Mongolia to photograph horses, something popped up on his Google search that didn’t have a thing to do with “Mongolia expeditions.” It was about Alaska. Although the description was vague, he emailed an inquiry and got a call from casting the next day asking him to overnight them a video of himself. Within two weeks he was in Los Angeles and three weeks later Jake was “dropped off by the side of a lake in the middle of Alaska.” If you saw any of this series, you know that it was a very real survival setup. A group of strangers were dropped into the Alaskan interior with only the clothes they were wearing and a backpack at the end of autumn/beginning of winter. Their challenge was to survive long enough to find civilization. Discovery never lets participants get to know one another before a series begins so there are no built-in preconceptions; they get to know one another at the same time the viewing audience is getting to know them. At that point Jake was the first openly gay man to be featured on the Discovery Channel but his fellow-survivalists and audience didn’t know that until episode seven. The production company had him read a personal letter that dramatically let everyone know that he, the rugged hunter and one of only four members who survived the entire journey, was gay.

| COMPETE | October 2016

The same production company recommended Jake as a cast member for Full Metal Jousting that aired on The History Channel in 2012. But his next two survival adventures have been back with Discovery and both in 2016; the Naked and Afraid 21-day challenge with a one man/ one woman pair where Jake and his partner were dropped off in Amazonia, and then the recent Naked and Afraid XL with four mixed groups of three who were dropped into the South African bush. Through all these adventures, Jake is always a favorite cast member. He’s funny and can pretty easily break any tension going on. But his survival skill set is really strong despite no real hard core training. What sets him apart above all is his mental toughness that often counts more than physical toughness in these situations. He was unable to finish this last challenge because he wound up with liver damage from eating fruit tainted by either bat or monkey saliva/urine. But he fought going to the hospital until the last. There’s not a lot of money for participants in the TV survival series he’s been part of like there is in a program like “Survivor.” But it’s not about the money for Jake who’s not into the drama of plotting and backstabbing that’s involved in most reality shows. He loves testing himself to see what he can accomplish. In an early interview he did following the Alaska experiment for METROWEEKLY, Will O’Bryan asked him if he did this only for himself or was it also for the LGBT community. Jake’s response to him is the same that he’s given to me and it reflects how important organizations like IGRA still are in promoting sports diversity: I’m very proud of how I represented myself and how I handled myself. And I am really, really proud that I could represent as an openly gay man. That is huge to me. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I’m very hopeful that it is helping some people out, just seeing me out there, and certainly to be Discovery’s first openly gay man on the air, that’s huge.

SPORTS

DESTINATION EXCITEMENT, ADVENTURE OR TRANQUILITY? TRY DESTINATION SCUBA! BY HARRY ANDREW ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOME SPORTING excitement and adventure, something a little different than the standard sports you’re used to? Or maybe you’re looking for some peace and tranquility in this hectic world while still looking to get away? If you’ve never tried scuba diving, this is a good time to try a new sport. Think about what you’ll experience – the total quiet, the lightness that comes with zero gravity, the chance to explore underwater life, coral reefs and old shipwrecks; maybe even take pictures of them. If you’ve never tried scuba diving or are looking to gain your certification as a scuba diver, try Destination Scuba, a total one-stop-shop in Glendale, part of the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. Located in an unassuming strip mall, the store occupies two side-by-side suites that serve as the only place you need to go for diving. From learning how to breathe underwater to obtaining all levels of professional certification, you can do it all at Destination Scuba. Offering classes and professional certification through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the store also rents and sells equipment and has an on-site equipment repair shop. Additionally, it has classroom space and an indoor pool where you can gain your first underwater experience wearing all the equipment. You don’t need to invest lots of money up front to find out whether or not scuba diving is for you. At no cost, you can try out all the equipment while actually in water to see if the sport is one you’ll want to pursue further. If you become hooked on scuba like so many others, you then can take classes to become PADI certified. This can be done as part of a group class or on a one-on-one basis where you progress at your own pace. According to owner Mark Caron, you can earn your professional certification as a scuba diver in four days or in just two weekends as part of a three-point program that includes: 1. Some bookwork and home study. 2. Classes in the pool. 3. Diving certification that’s done in an open water dive accompanied by your instructor. General manger CG Durda is a PADI master instructor while Caron, who is a PADI divemaster is now going for the higher certification of instructor, as well. Caron actually began diving and was certified by his oldest brother, Lenny right out of high school thanks to Lenny’s graduation present. After his brother passed away, Caron set a goal to

| COMPETE | October 2016

dive in all the places Lenny loved to dive – one of them on his list is Iceland. Travel is another reason to check out Destination Scuba. They organize approximately 40 scuba diving trips throughout the year to an assortment of diving locations that include the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, San Diego and San Carlos, Mexico to name a few. These sites are chosen to suit the various energy levels and expectations of divers – some laid back divers want beautiful destinations they can leisurely explore, some want to do underwater photography of sea creatures in a specific location, some want to dive old wrecks while some hard core divers want to pack in as many dives as they can get in one trip. Scuba diving is much safer than in the days of Lloyd Bridges in the old TV series “Sea Hunt.” Equipment advances mean a much safer sport, one where you get more time to enjoy the adventure. And it’s not the prohibitively costly sport for the rich that most people think it is. If you average out the amount you spend on equipment and travel, according to Durda, it’s cheaper than golf. While it may seem strange to talk about a scuba diving experience in the desert of Arizona, the state actually has a lot of lakes as well as the Colorado River that can be great diving destinations. If that’s not enough, within just a couple of hours driving, you can be in favorite nearby dive spots of San Diego or San Carlos. So spice up your sports life and give scuba diving a try. To learn more about Destination Scuba, go to www.destinationdivers.com.

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SPORTS

PLANNING DELAYS IN SECURING VENUES FOR 2017 WORLD OUTGAMES BY BRIAN PATRICK DELAYS IN SECURING SWIMMING VENUES FOR the 2017 World OutGames in Miami have caused the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Association (IGLA) board to write its members, assuring them that the board is working to resolve the situation to “ensure the integrity of the IGLA Championships for IGLA participants and member teams. We encourage athletes who intend to register for Outgames 2017 to please postpone doing so until questions around the status of the championships are fully resolved." The Ransom Everglades School Aquatics Center and the University of Miami had been listed as the host locations by OutGames organizers prior to August. However, the Washington Blade reported on August 19 that Florida International University Stadium would host the finals, and not long after that, any reference to swimming venues was removed from the World OutGames website. But organizers have reported that they are confident they can hold the swimming, water polo and synchronized swimming events that are part of IGLA’s annual Champi-

onships. According to IGLA’s letter, OutGames organizers have a signed contract for one venue and made a substantial deposit on it; they have a similar contract “in the works for a second aquatics facility.” With only eight months to go before the festivities begin on May 26, a number of athletes admit being nervous based on past problems with the sports portion of the OutGames’ three-prong approach that also includes a cultural portion and a human rights conference event. Speaking on behalf of the Miami OutGames organizers, Robert Wagenseil of Goodman Public Relations said he doesn’t know registration numbers for the Miami event yet but organizers are still hoping to have 8,000-to-10,000 sports participants and 1,000-to-2,000 in each of the cultural and human rights portions. But money may be a problem. Asking for a combined total of $300,000 on its indiegogo and generosity fundraising pages, at the time of this writing the OutGames has only raised a combined total of just under $13,000. Only time will tell the outcome to this.

Pictured above, Henry Beam, Beam Law, PLC

| COMPETE | October 2016

NUTRITION

9 FACTS ABOUT MANY PEOPLE’S FAVORITE DRINK – COFFEE BY MIRIAM LATTO WHILE THERE ARE MANY WHO BELIEVE THAT coffee isn’t good for you, particularly the caffeinated brew, there are a number of already-run studies that have been updated with new facts from 2016 studies thanks to a Live Science article by their staff writers. This gives a more balanced picture of the drink that has long been called the “nectar of the gods.” This looks at both the plusses and minuses of the favorite brew of many.

1. Caffeine Can Kill You While the caffeine found in many drinks, now even in a powered form can kill you, you’d have to be drinking 80-100 cups in a hurry to accomplish this, according to health experts. Unless you’re trying to prevent an imminent alien invasion of the planet, it’s very unlikely you’ll be doing this.

2. Coffee Can Be Good For You Coffee beans contain antioxidants called quinines that fight free radicals, and they become more potent after roasting. A number of studies from 2014, 2015 and 2016 found that coffee is actually good for your liver. It may also lower your risk for heart attack and may even reduce the risk of colon cancer. According to the journal Circulation, one-to-five cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of early death and a 2016 study also linked coffee to a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis.

3. Caffeine Might Boost Female Sex Drive Researchers know that this worked on laboratory rats and suspect that in humans it might work the same … but only in people who aren’t habitual coffee drinkers.

4. Caffeine Might Cut Pain While a small study reported that moderate doses of caffeine (two cups of coffee) can relieve post-gym muscle pain, it was done on a group of people who don’t regularly drink coffee. Another study in 2012 found that people who drink coffee before sitting down to work at a computer reported less neck and shoulder pain. While this article says there isn’t enough research in large enough studies to gain any sort of firm conclusions, WebMD says that caffeine helps reduce inflammation and that it boosts the effectiveness of common headache remedies.

5. Caffeine Can Keep You Up at Night Since the effects of caffeine can last for hours, health experts say to avoid coffee for six hours before bedtime due to those long-lasting effects. Caffeine can affect different people in different ways so if you’re one that has

| COMPETE | October 2016

trouble sleeping, this is good advice to follow. Findings from a 2015 study showed that caffeine can confuse your body’s internal clock’s signals that tell the body when to sleep.

6. Decaf Coffee Has Caffeine Sad but true. If you drink five-to-ten cups of decaffeinated coffee, you can wind up with as much caffeine as you get from drinking one or two cups of the caffeinated brew according to another study.

7. Decaffeination Uses Chemicals If you’re adverse to ingesting lots of chemicals, you need to know that the decaffeination process uses an organic solvent, methylene chloride. When the coffee beans are steamed the caffeine dissolves and rises to the top where it’s washed off by the solvent.

8. Great Coffee Depends on Roasting and Brewing Food and drink preparation really boils down to chemistry and when it comes to coffee flavor, it comes down to the roasting and brewing processes. Oil locked inside the coffee beans starts to come out during the roasting process when the temperature hits about 400 degrees. The strength of the flavor is equal to the amount of the oil. And the caffeine content rises as the water spends more time in contact with the coffee grounds. So regular coffee often has more caffeine than espresso or cappuccino while darker roasts have more caffeine than regular coffee.

9. Coffee Was Discovered by Goats Yet another study shows that coffee drinkers in the U.S. get most of their antioxidants from their daily coffee consumption. with one or two cups a day being suggested as a beneficial amount. If you don’t like coffee, however, you can switch to black tea which is listed as the second most consumed antioxidant source followed by bananas, dry beans and corn. Ending with a story of the discovery of coffee, the article says that over one thousand years ago on an African mountainside a goatherder was kept awake all night after his herd of goats had been eating red coffee berries. He supposedly took his animals’ discovery to some monks who prayed over it. Whether or not that story is true, the phrase “nectar of the gods” seems much more appetizing than the “nectar of the goats” so I’m choosing to go with it. How about you?

We’ll leave you thinking ...

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IN THE AIR SO MANY GAY SPORTS LEAGUES — >>>> WITH STAY UP TO DATE WITH OUR MOBILE APP FIND US ON

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FITNESS

BOWLING YOUR BEST GAME WITH SCOTT NORTON BY BRYAN LEE

WITH FALL BOWLING LEAGUES STARTING UP, I asked my favorite PBA pro bowler Scott Norton for fitness tips. Scott gave me the six best fitness tips for bowlers at all levels of the sport to improve your game by keeping your body in peak fitness for bowling.

1. STRETCH Since your lower body takes a beating, it’s very important to not only stretch before you bowl but also after you’re finished since many injuries can occur post-game. One of the best stretches is for the quadriceps: Standing Stretch • Stand on your left foot and grab your right shin behind you. • Tuck your pelvis in, pull your shin toward your glutes, making sure your knee is pointing to the ground. • Hold for 30 seconds and then switch sides. Another common problem facing regular bowlers is carpal tunnel. To prevent or lessen carpal tunnel symptoms, it’s important to also stretch your arms and wrists by doing the “Stretch Armstrong:” Stretch Armstrong • Place one arm straight out in front of you, elbow straight, with wrist extended and your fingers facing the floor. • Spread your fingers slightly and use your other hand to apply gentle pressure to the downwardfacing hand, stretching your wrist and fingers as far as you’re able. • When you reach your maximum point of flexibility, hold this position for 20 seconds. • Switch hands and repeat. • Do this stretch two to three times on each side and try to do this stretch each hour to keep your wrist and fingers loosened up.

3. CORE EXERCISES Keeping your lower body grounded or “rooted” in place as you release the ball requires a stable core. Crunches, planks and balance exercises with a stability ball ensure that your core becomes strengthened enough to maintain proper body mechanics.

4. STAMINA/CARDIO I swim, play tennis or do some other sport that involves cardiovascular work. This keeps my workouts from feeling like “exercise” and makes it a little more fun.

5. PRACTICE Play in local tournaments. Even though I’m a pro, I still play localized tournaments just to get in practice and challenge myself. Since bowling is such a mental sport, the best way to work on that aspect of the game is by DOING IT!

6. DRINK LOTS OF WATER It seems like every fitness article or workout plan always urges us to drink water. But this is very important to keep your muscles from getting tight and starting to cramp. Even though a majority of us just bowl on the weekends with family and friends, this advice from PBA champion bowler Scott Norton can help each and every one of us prevent potential injuries so we can bowl our best game.

2. LOWER BODY WORKOUTS The key to being a successful bowler is having a strong lower body. The most common injury sites for both professional and amateur bowlers are the lower back, knees and hips. That’s because the power generated actually comes from the bowler’s lower body and not from the arms and wrists. The best exercises for strengthening the lower extremities are lunges and squats using more repetitions and less weight. I exercise my lower body at least twice a week. BRYAN LEE is a National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) certified personal trainer, life coach and author who has lost over 130 pounds. Please check with your personal physician before using these health and fitness tips.

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Bryanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Upcoming Appearances Oct. 22, 2016 Words Of Wisdom Live Event Phoenix, AZ Oct. 24, 2016 Speakeasy Success Series Phoenix, AZ Nov. 9, 2016 Sports Diversity Leadership Workshop Denver, CO Nov. 10, 2016 Compete Sports Diversity Awards Sponsored by Orbitz Denver, CO Jan. 12, 2017 Sports Diversity Leadership Conference Las Vegas, NV

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OVERTIME

EVENTS

FOR A FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS PLEASE VISIT COMPETENETWORK.COM/EVENTS

CURRENT EVENTS IN OCTOBER BOWLING Palm Springs Desert Invitational Classic Palm Springs, Oct. 20 Capital Halloween Invitational Tournament Washington, D.C., Oct. 28

San Diego Doubles 2016 San Diego, Oct. 22-23

VOLLYBALL Circle City Fest Indianapolis, Oct. 15

Cincinnati Tri-State Invitational Tournament Cincinnati, Oct. 28

Vegas Baby! Las Vegas, Oct. 29

DODGEBALL

2016 GLSEN RESPECT AWARDS LOS ANGELES

WeHo Charity Halloween Tournament Los Angeles, Oct. 22

FLAG FOOTBALL Gay Bowl XVI Washington, D.C., Oct. 7-9

RODEO World Gay Rodeo Finals 30th Anniversary Las Vegas, Oct. 21-23

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 THE GAY, LESBIAN AND Straight Education Network, better known as GLSEN, will hold its 2016 Respect Awards – Los Angeles at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. The organization, which focuses on ensuring safe and affirming schools for all students, will honor YouTube star Connor Franta for his deep commitment to youth welfare and LGBTQ advocacy with the #Gamechanger Award.

RUNNING 12th Annual Pride Run Oakland, Calif., Oct. 8

SOFTBALL Show-Me Showdown Kansas City, Mo., Oct 7-9

According to GLSEN Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard, "Connor Franta has carried the message of respect to millions of young people online, and his authentic self-expression is the type that we envision for all of the youth we serve.” Through his online presence that touches millions of youth, he has elevated GLSEN programs, such as GLSEN’s Day of Silence, and is collaborating with GLSEN on a charitable campaign in partnership with Connor’s Common Culture lifestyle brand. Also being honored will be Jess Cagle, editorial director of Time Inc.’s Celebrity, Entertainment and Style Group for his advocacy on behalf of GLSEN’s constituents. He will receive the Visionary Award for bringing attention to issues of race and gun violence among others through People and Entertainment Weekly that is under his direction. Begun in 2004, the GLSEN Respect Awards are held annually in Los Angeles and New York to showcase the work of students, educators, individuals and corporations who serve as exemplary role models and have made a significant impact on the lives of youth.

Autumn Classic San Diego, Oct. 8 Buckeye Softball Classic Columbus, Oct. 8 Ocean State Cup Classic Providence, RI, Oct. 8-9

TENNIS Crape Myrtle Tennis Classic Raleigh, Oct. 8-10 Aloha Tennis Open 2016 Honolulu, Oct. 21-23 FleurDeLis9 New Orleans, Oct. 21-23

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| COMPETE | October 2016

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STYLE

BY BOBBY CILETTI, STYLE EDITOR

ATHLEISURE DOS & DON’TS BOBBY IS A TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE EXPERT AND FOUNDER OF THEDAYSOFTHECHIC.COM. TWITTER @BOBBYCILETTI

AFTER A SUCCESSFUL 2016, THE ACTIVEWEAR, streetwear, fashion-forward hybrid, ATHLEISURE, is here to stay. This latest fashion trend expands the role of clothing designed for workouts and similar activities to being appropriate in other settings, such as work, casual and social occasions. Instead of dressing up, we’re looking at the rise of comfort and the concept of dressing down.

This is in part thanks to its appeal to the style conscious and the continued uptick in the scene of “being seen” in fitness classes. The $97 million dollar athleisure industry has infiltrated all levels of the market, from the H&Ms of the world [Swedish high-fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz] to celebrity-backed brands like Ivy Park & Fabletics. There is no doubt that this is an accessible trend. But with accessibility can come some pitfalls, especially with a fashion category which is neither here nor there. Avoid the grey area of just looking acceptable and instead, look exceptional by keeping in mind these tips when athleisuring.

STAY SEASONAL Staying seasonal is important. That means dressing appropriately for the climate in which you live. While shorts and tanks are perfectly acceptable year-round in a gym, once you step into public that does not give you a free pass.

KEEP IT CURRENT If you are going to invest in the athleisure trend, do exactly that. Observe similar standards for selecting pieces to incorporate into your wardrobe. Super trendy items may be good for a season, but need to be rotated out accordingly.

ACCESSORIZE AND STYLE IT Adding accessories enhances the clothes you wear, so you cannot skip this crucial step just because you are wearing an athleisure outfit. Styling the look is important as well. That means proper grooming — keeping up your hair and makeup standards. Athleisure is not an invitation to slack in these areas.

MIX AND MATCH As with any trend, dripping head-to-toe in it may work for some occasions and may not work for other occasions. Do yourself a favor and integrate non-athleisure items into your outfit to add more variety and interest in your wardrobe choices.

NEUTRAL Staying neutral is a safe and chic concept for most fashion trends and athleisure is no exception. Often times we are drawn to bright colors and graphics but those items tend to feel more activewear. That may make them less appropriate as the transitional garments they are intended to be.

IT‘S CALLED ATHLEISURE FOR A REASON Let’s address the elephant in the room. It is called athleisure because it is the combination of athletic wear and leisurewear. So if you consistently concentrate on the leisure aspect but never incorporate the athletic part, maybe you should reserve the athleisure trend for bingewatching weekends and other around-the-house activities.

BOBBY SAYS … Always have an extra layer on hand for the times you misgauge a situation. We’ve all had at least one experience going somewhere and finding ourselves underdressed for the occasion. The comfort of athleisure simply cannot compete with the discomfort of being underdressed. A smart blazer can usually conceal casual attire and elevate your outfit to a more appropriate dress code.

| COMPETE | October 2016

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