Getting the Season Started!

Whew... the last little while has been very, very busy but I'm loving it! As most of you know, this is my first year as the University of San Francisco women's basketball coach. I've spent the past several months preparing for the start of the season, which tipped off on Friday.

It's been so much fun getting to know these incredible players and getting them ready to compete against some tough teams (here's a quick interview I did with Gary Radnich of KRON 4). I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season.

Being a coach, I've learned, is more than just instructing on the court — it's about teaching these players to live a healthy lifestyle off the court as well. So far, with the help of USANA, we're heading in the right direction.

Tonight we are at home against San Jose State. I encourage members of the USANA family in the Bay Area to come to the game and see these amazing athletes. Plus, as part of the West Coast Conference's "Be a Part of It" program we are conducting a "Fitness Day."

After the game I will be speaking briefly with Rosie Bank, a certified nutrition and wellness consultant, about fitness and nutrition (and I'm sure we'll talk a little about USANA).

Visiting the Kids of Northern Light School

My team at USF and I visited the Northern Light School in Oakland recently. We had an incredible experience with the kids! They sang to us, we danced in their “circle” and we laughed and cried! It was an emotional experience to feel the love and gratitude at the school.

Many of the kids don’t know their parents, but Northern Light provides them with hope and a chance at a successful life. The school is K-8th grade, but they have a 98% graduation rate from college!

They boast a Navy Seal, Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers, and amazing young graduates who are making the world a better place as they fulfill their dreams! We left completely inspired and hopeful about our own lives. Thank you Northern Light!!

Leading a WNBA Fit Clinic

I was asked to lead a WNBA fit clinic with Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird. Health and fitness is a huge initiative for the WNBA as well as our program at USF. We all have an amazing platform to inspire youth to be healthy and active!

WNBA Cares in Connecticut

Donna Orender, right, and the WNBA All-Stars

I hosted a WNBA Cares Fit event with several WNBA All-Stars and Olympians at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

A big part of the WNBA Cares mission is to help teach and educate kids to be healthy and active. I also had the opportunity to watch our next Olympians practice. The level of play and talent is outstanding!

Geno Auriemma, head coach University of Connecticut and Olympic team coach

Geno Auriemma, UCONN’s head coach, is our Olympic team’s head coach as well. I like his intensity and his teaching style with the players. As I prepare for next season coaching my team at USF, it is invaluable to learn from the great coaches around the country.

July is recruiting month and most coaches, including myself, are out nearly 20 days this month watching tournaments all over the country. We were recruiting at a huge tournament, End of The Trail, in Portland prior to my quick time out with WNBA All-Star.

Now it’s back to recruiting in Chicago! As I watch the young women compete in hopes of getting a college scholarship, I am so grateful that women have these kinds of opportunities to fulfill their dreams.

It was not that long ago that women did not have opportunities like this....

Jayne Appel, WNBA All-Star from Stanford

Tamika Catchings, WNBA All-Star and Olympian

Teresa Edwards, 5-time Olympian

A Great NBA FIT Event

We started the new year with a bang — 4 events in Boise, Idaho, as a part of the NBA’s D-League Fit Challenge.

NBA FIT is the league's comprehensive health and wellness platform promoting healthy, active lifestyles for children and adults. The initiative encourages physical activity and healthy living through products, events and programs for children and families. In doing so, NBA FIT strives to engage one million kids, adults and families to pledge NBA FIT during the 2009-10 season.

Frank Lopez (one of the NBA’s top trainers) and I, along with players from the D-League worked with 400 middle school and elementary school kids in Boise, talking with them about the importance of being fit and healthy and showing them hands on activities to keep them moving.

Participating in NBA FIT is part of my role as an Ambassador for the NBA. It is one of the programs I am most passionate about. We are at a real crisis in this country with regard to our health. One of the greatest solutions is to empower and educate youth on the value of taking care of their bodies. I am happy that the NBA has taken a lead in this effort.

Mom's Workout: 4-Week Update

I was in Salt Lake City for the weekend visiting my family and got the update on my Mom’s progress (here's the first blog).

Six weeks ago she had a routine blood test and her cholesterol was 285! She had two choices, medication or exercise. She chose exercise.

Five weeks ago, she committed to walking at least three times a week for at least 15-20 minutes. While that may not sound like a lot to some, it has made a big difference! She teaches school full time and it has been challenging to find the time and motivation at the end of a long day to walk.

I was able to join her on two walks and she is getting stronger and more fit each week! She will retest her cholesterol at Thanksgiving.

Mom's Workout: Day 1

After the USANA convention in Salt Lake City, I visited with my parents who happen to live in Salt Lake. My mom shared that her cholesterol is 285!!! I have worried about her for years since the number one killer of women is heart disease and she has been relatively sedentary.

Her doctor told her she had two choices — medication or exercise. Well...my mom does not want to be on medication, so she is choosing to exercise.

I got her to commit to exercise (walking) 3 to 4 times a week (something she has never done!!). I hope her story will motivate other people who think it is too late to start exercising. It is never to late to take control of our health and our lives!

My Mom is keeping a calendar of her workouts and we are going to re-test her cholesterol at Thanksgiving. Go Mom!