#33 World Champion At Age 23... What Now? with Trofym ANDERSON

#33 World Champion At Age 23... What Now? with Trofym ANDERSON

Athlete Case Study: Rower for George Washington University; 3 High school National Championships; Winner of 2 Canadian Henleys; 2014 World Champion at coxed four; Under 23 senior Developmental Team for Canada

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March 12, 2015

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BACKGROUND

On today’s show, Trofym will tell us about his journey from where we was as a young kid, to how he got to where he is now. He will share his experiences as an “obese” young boy who was pushed to the limit at an early age and became an elite rower and received multiple scholarship offers from the United States. He explains WHY he decided to compete and receive and education in the US instead of staying home in Canada. We will get many lessons from today’s episode as Trofym expresses the importance of Never giving up and always making sure you are “10x better.”

BIO

• Born, Trofym Anderson, from Ontario, Canada.

• Trofym grew up as an only child.

• Started rowing in the 9th grade; eventually transferred schools and rowed for the best high school in Canada, E.L Crossley High School; has won a total of 3 high school Championships; has won 2 Canadian Henleys; was 7th in the men’s 8 at the 2010 Junior World Championships.

• Received Scholarship offers from the University of California, British Columbia, and George Washington, which is where he attended and received his bachelor's degree in Business

• Finished 5th in the men's coxed four at the 2013 Under 23 World Championships; Won the 2014 World Championship at coxed four

• He is now preparing to get a shot at the next Olympics with the Canadian Under 23 Senior Development Team

• Currently working on masters degree in Sports Management; has done research at the last 2 Olympics; desires of working with the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland

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PERSONAL QUOTE:
“You always gotta make sure you are 10x better than the next guy.”
-John Ruscitti

Key Mentors in his life:

• John Ruscitti: His high-school coach that pushed him through and helped him overcome the adversity of being an undersized rower

• His Uncle Harry (ex-NHL Player): Trofym was obese at an early age and his uncle got him up early in the mornings at 5am and pushed him to the limit

Key Discussion Points:

• When was one of your biggest struggles?

• When was your lightbulb moment?

• When was your proudest moment in life so far?

• Why did you choose to go to a US college over a Canadian College?

Key Lessons:

• You can change if you want to, its all about taking that first step

“My biggest lesson was just never giving up no matter what.” TA @ 16:12

• Nothing ever comes easy, you have to work hard always

• We don’t always know our talents or what we are good at until we branch out and try different things

• Sometimes we need to stop what we are doing, look at our situation and ask ourselves what we are willing to do to get what we truly want

“It was that day that I said...‘I gotta stop what I’m doing. I gotta revamp everything, I gotta look at my training..I gotta get a strict week program..I needed to get serious with my training..it all started there.” TA @ 24:19

• Once we make the decision to make a positive change, we should never look back

• If you’re serious about whatever you’re doing, demand more of yourself, put a plan together, and associate yourself with the best

• Winning at the highest level comes with struggle and obstacles along the way

“It’s not because we won, but its because during the 9 years to get there, there were just so many obstacles and so many miserable days.” TA @ 27:15

• Having a champion like mindset means you know you can always push to be better

• When choosing a school for your sport, it's important to think about what you truly want out of it

“In trying to choose where I wanted to go… ‘ do I want to go to a massive, already established team, and maybe be the guy that helps continue to make the team as good as it is..or do I want to come to a smaller team at George Washington..take them from the absolute bottom, to now finishing 14th in the country last year.” TA @ 36:51

• If we stay in our comfort zone, we will stay where we are; you have to get a little uncomfortable in order to improve

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TROFYM’S TIP JAR

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Nothing is impossible

One thing you like to do when you come to a new arena to compete?
Walk around really slow and look at everything, become comfortable with the area

Sleep & Morning ritual:
In bed by 9 or 10pm, wake up at 5am, stare out the window..check my phone, 2 shots of espresso; 20 minutes to get ready, bike to practice, 20 minutes of core stretching; row for 90min-2hours; get home and have breakfast. “Maximize your day by starting early.” -TA

One way you’d like to improve yourself as a person?
Reading more and further educate myself

One tip on how to live a little bit healthier?
Planning; writing down a weekly plan on Sundays

Knowing everything you know now and having all the resources now available (ESS, Beyond Athletic Podcasts, Mentors), if you had a do over, what would you do differently?
I would have started rowing the single earlier; challenged myself as it was something that I always avoided

INFO

Past/Current Teams:
Current: George Washington University Men’s Rowing; also Under 23 Men’s Canadian Team
Past: Canadian Junior National Rowing Team

Mentioned:
Ontario, Canada
Canada
E.L Crossley High School
Canadian Henleys
2010 Junior World Championships.
University of California
British Columbia
George Washington
2013 Under 23 World Championships
2014 World Championship
Olympics
Under 23 Senior Development Team
Sports Management
International Olympic Committee in Switzerland
John Ruscitti
George Washington University Men’s Rowing
Under 23 Men’s Canadian Team
Canadian Junior National Rowing Team

Resources:
Tim Ferriss; Speed Reading
Audible.com

 

Follow Trofym:
Twitter

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Parting Pieces of Wisdom

"10x better, that’s the way you gotta approach everything, this goes for any sport...even if you’re in a sport that doesn’t require as much cardio or is more technique based..always being able to improve...always FINDING and area you can improve on" -Trofym Anderson

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#32 The Keys To Sleep & Eat Smarter with Shawn STEVENSON

#32 The Keys To Sleep & Eating Smarter with Shawn STEVENSON

Expert GamePlan Session: Background in Biology and Kinesiology, #1 Health & Fitness Podcast “The Model Health Show” Creator, #8 Best Selling Author of Sleep Smarter

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March 3, 2015

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:53:12) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

Music Credit: Ruze - Plan B - "She Said" (16 Bit Remix)

BACKGROUND

Todays show is mainly on how important our nutrition is and how it can be injury proof for our bodies. We will talk about some of the day to day things that people say that are far off from the truth and we’ll dig deep into the sciences and the research behind the many myths in the world regarding health. You’ll receive a ton of knowledge to apply right now in your life to be a healthier human being. Shawn also explains a little bit of his experiences as a young athlete with significant injuries and how they have lead him to the research he does today and why he shares such information.

BIO

• Born, Shawn Stevenson.

• Best selling author of Sleep Smarter

• Creator of “The Model Health Show” featured as the #1 Health and the #1 Fitness & Nutrition podcast on

  • with over 1 Million Listener Downloads, and a huge array of valuable show topics, you’re about to be tapped into a powerful world of health information right at your fingertips.

• Has a background in biology and kinesiology; founder of “Advanced Integrative Health Alliance,” a successful company providing wellness services for both individuals and organizations worldwide; A dynamic keynote speaker who has spoken for TEDx, universities, and numerous organizations.

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PERSONAL QUOTE:
“The most important decision that you make as a human being is whether or not you live in a friendly or hostile environment.” -Albert Einstein

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Key Discussion Points:

• Why did you come into this particular field of research?

• What has you most excited these days?

• How can we prevent injury via nutrition aka REAL food?

• What is your knowledge on what inflammation comes from?

• How do we optimize our recovery after tough training, competitions, jobs, and other stressors in life?

• What knowledge can you share about the importance of sleep?

• What is one of mistake that most of us make during that day that ruins high quality sleep?

Key Lessons:

• When it comes to significant injuries, it's important to get a second and third opinion?

• The REAL root of the word “decision” means to cut away any possibility except accomplishing that thing

“When you make a REAL decision about something, there’s not an option for failure anymore.” SS @ 13:26

• You can learn just about any aspect of life by listening to podcasts, for FREE

• You are what you eat, drink, and breath

“You are what you assimilate” SS @ 23:20

• Our bodies require the raw materials they need in order to rebuild us.

“If you’re wanting to maintain a high quality bone density so you’re not breaking a bone, you need to provide your body with the raw materials it needs to actually create bone.” SS @ 23:30

• We want to give our body real things it can recognize, not just supplements

• The #1 source to getting magnesium in your system is leafy green vegetables

• Spirulina can increase our production of stem cells in our bodies

• Stem cells become anything you need them to become

“If you need to generate some meniscus..acl..muscle tissue from a pulled muscle from your hamstring..stem cells become everything that your body needs.” SS @ 30:20

• Around 60% of all health conditions are related to inflammation (ie. heart disease, strokes, heart attacks)

• Anti inflammatory medications can actually stop the healing process

• The number of hours of sleep you get isn’t what is most important

“Its not about the hours of sleep you get..it’s about the amount of time that you could get your body, brain, entire physiology into the deeper most anabolic stage of sleep.”

• Working the late night shift is a carcinogen, a cancer causing agent

• The body is evolved to be up during the day and asleep at night

“Sleep in a pitch black room, get black out curtains, get the light out  of your room...don’t play the TV while you’re sleeping...that step is going to help you and to stay in a deeper and more rejuvenative sleep.” SS @ 42:34

• We need to be exposed to natural sunlight to help us sleep better at night

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:53:12) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

SHAWN’S TIP JAR

The best balanced breakfast…
If maintaining blood sugar: keep it a low carb breakfast, (60% healthy fats, 30% protein, 20% carbs), ie. pasteurized sausages, half of an avocado, sauteed green, spoon of almond butter or coconut oil

The best thing you travel with..
Ipod, His superfood kit: medicinal mushrooms, spirulina

What book would you give away as a gift?
Becoming a Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett; also Ready to Run
The Hormone Cure by Sara Gottfried

GUEST INFO

Business/Work
Advanced Integrative Health Alliance: Founder
The Model Health Show: Co-Host

Follow Shawn Here:

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Shawn’s DEFINITION OF BEING AN ATHLETE?

"Being ready at anytime; ready to play, ready to perform always training for life!" -Shawn Stevenson

Books Mentioned:
Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson
Becoming a Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett; also Ready to Run
The Hormone Cure by Sara Gottfried

Recommended Items:

How Chocolate Can Save the World
The Model Health Show/Podcast
Cox-II Inhibitor
Noni Plant
Turmeric

Some of my favorite episodes from Shawn's show:

1. How To Create A Sleep Sanctuary And Get The Best Sleep Ever
2. Sleep Smarter – The Connection Between Sleep, Sex, Income, And Fat Loss
3. 7 Fat Loss Herbs That Really Work (And Supplement Mistakes To Avoid!)
4. Natural Treatments For Depression – Share This With Everyone You Know!
5. Tips For Dining Out At Restaurants, Family Get Togethers, And How To Stay Healthy During The Holidays
6. 15 Healthy Travel Tips – How To Stay Fit, Healthy, And Energized While Traveling!
7. Biggest Health, Fitness, And Lifestyle Lessons Of 2014 And What You Should Implement In 2015
8. Improve Your Digestion, Assimilation, and Elimination (And Poop Like A Champion!)

COMMENT FOR THIS EPISODE ON:

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5 Reasons Why I Ask Better Athletes Questions! by RJO

MY TOP FIVE REASONS I ASK QUESTIONS...

#1 I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING! 

18 years I have been a volleyball player! After 13 years playing professionally.. 10 years off & on with the USA national team... Living as a pro in over 15 countries & playing in over 30 countries... I STILL CAN LEARN SO MUCH!

#2 I DON'T WANT TO MAKE MORE MISTAKES THAN I HAVE TO!

I want to learn new things to be the best I can be as quickly as possible. Other athletes that have done something I haven't done can help me see what problems they had achieving that goal and how the overcame or solved the problem to learn that thing or skill! 

#3 I CAN HAVE A SUPPORT NETWORK OF MENTORS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY!

Whenever something goes wrong if I already have mentors that have helped me learn something new or solve a problem I can reach out to them for some help because we already know each other and solve my problem IMMEDIATELY rather than letting the problem get TOO BIG!

#4 IT KEEPS ME INSPIRED!

When I see players & athletes doing things I still have done or better than I do them I am so inspired. I know I have to raise my level to achieve my goals BUT also to have MORE FUN!

#5 BECAUSE I CANNOT & NO ATHLETE CAN BECOME GREAT ALONE!

In my life EVERY SINGLE GREAT.. not good.... GREAT! athlete has had other mentors whether athletes, friends, coaches, teachers, etc surrounding them to improve in every area of life... because in order to be great.. I must be sure I am EMOTIONALLY.. PSYCHOLOGICALLY... PHYSICALLY & SPIRITUALLY healthy... If I don't have balance and positive sources of energy surrounding me from all sides it will LIMIT ME FROM ACHIEVING GREATNESS! That's not acceptable.

“You are the average of the FIVE people you spend the most time with!”

— Jim ROHN

#31 Learn To Silence Your Ego with Gabi KOEVA

#31 Learn To Silence Your Ego with Gabi KOEVA

Athlete Case Study: Bulgarian Women’s National Volleyball Team, Middle Blocker for Beşiktaş Women's Volleyball (Istanbul Turkey).  Elite Sports Students Mentor  

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February 24, 2015

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Listen ON-THE-GO (00:55:44) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

BACKGROUND

On today’s episode we will talk about how Gabi got to where she is today. We will discuss how she decided to play volleyball instead of basketball, as both of her parents are former basketball players, but at her age, volleyball was the only option. She explains some of her struggles and decisions she has had to make over the years, as well as some of the mentors she’s had to help her. She also shares how she handled being a bench player while playing for the Bulgarian Women’s National Team and the importance of silencing your ego and continuing to work hard no matter what situation you may face.

BIO

• Born, Gabriela KOEVA, from Pleven, Bulgaria on July 25, 1989.

• 6’2” (188cm) Middle Blocker, Volleyball player

• Grew up in the basketball gym, as parents are former players of the sport.

• Attendended National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski" in Bulgaria

• Has played professionally in Bulgaria, Switzerland, Italy and Turkey.

• Was invited to join the Bulgarian Senior National Team at 17 years old. Has been a member est. 2007, received the Bronze medal in 2011 for the European Volleyball League, and the SILVER in 2012.

• Business Administration Major

• One of Elite Sport Students founding Mentors

LEAVE A REVIEW & Subscribe to #BeyondAthletic in iTunes so other can find us too! Share this with one person you think could benefit the most…

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:55:44) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

PERSONAL QUOTE:
“Remember that talent is only 1% of an athlete’s life, and the other 99% is hard work, hard work, and more hard work.” -Gabi’s Father

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN HER LIFE:

Dragan Nesic, the first coach to send Gabi an invitation for the Senior National Team, whom she learned the most from volleyball wise; Svetlana Ilic, Gabi learned a lot from her while playing in Switzerland, was one of the only coaches she had to emphasize importance of mental preparation.

Key Discussion Points:

• When was a time you struggled in your sport or life in general?

• How did you mentally handle being one of the bench players?

• When was a time during a match that you made a mistake, and what did you do to move on from it?

• When was your lightbulb moment?

• When was one of your proudest moments?

• What lead you to your studies that you’ve recently completed?

• What is your current plan to be successful in your life and sport?

Key Lessons:

• Accept failure!

“We all fail on a daily basis. I think its important that we learn from our failures.” GK @ 10:22

• We need to learn to silence our egos and look objectively at the situation we are in

“After all, its the National Team and all the best players from your country are playing there..you have to give them respect..good players, they are not just random people on the court.” GK @ 13:16

• Focus on your skills, getting better, and proving yourself at every practice

• Competition within the team is what helps evolve players

• Egos can be good and bad in some ways

• Find a way to compete and add value to your teammates, make them better

• Do your best to move on quickly from the mistakes you make while competing

“I talked to myself.. ‘the set is gone, it was just one point, you made a mistake, it was not your fault, focus on the next set, start over, do your thing, try to keep in mind the goals you have, focus on the small things, FORGET about it.” GK @ 17:28

• The whole team loses/wins a game, not just one individual

• If you dwell on the last mistake, you are most likely to keep making more

• Sometimes you have to change your scenery or location to be closer to your success

• The most successful people are those who challenge themselves, looking outside the box

• Have your OWN vision for what you want in the future and create small goals to achieve that vision

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ATHLETE'S TIP JAR

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Always see the positive in every situation; things are how they are, its in our power to understand them how we want.

What is the first thing you do when arriving to a new team or arena?
Team: I look forward to the first couple of practices so I can see how the coach is working with the team, so I can understand their perspective.
Arena: I check out the lights, they can be disturbing sometimes

What personal habit do you believe has contributed most to your success?
When I start something, I really want to finish it.

Sleep & Morning ritual:
I sleep between 8-10 hours; I have breakfast, coffee/tea, I am up a few hours before practice, on the court half an hour before doing warm up/ mobility exercises.

What is one way you’d like to improve yourself?
Always try to learn something new, reading books

How do you cross-train to stay fit when you aren’t playing your sport?
I go swimming a few times a week

What is one book you would give away as a gift and why?
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday; I would give this book to anyone who is struggling with something in life, sports, business, etc.

If you had a do-over, knowing everything you know now with all of the new resources (Beyond Athletic Podcasts, ESS Mentors, etc.) ,what would you have done differently and why?
I think things would have happened quicker for me, after listening to other’s experiences on a podcast, I would have learned a lot quicker.

INFO

Charity/Organizations They Add Value to:
Elite Sports Students; Mentor
Possibly a summer camp, 2015,  in Braham, Minnesota, run by Noah Dahlman

Past/Current Teams:
Past: VC CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria; Voléro Zürich,Switzerland; Minerva Volley Pavia, Italy
Current: Beşiktaş Women's Volleyball; Bulgaria Women's National Volleyball Team

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Contact GABI

Gabi's Blog | Facebook | Twitter | ASK GABI Q's Here

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Definition of Being An Athlete?

"Very important in our society; sports are famous, entertainment; people feel a direct impact from sports. If you have a role model, you are interested in all aspects of their professional and personal life. We as athletes should be giving a good example to the young kids. We are influential and
should take it seriously" -Gabi Koeva

RESOURCES

Books Mentioned:
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Relentless: The Ultimate Mind & Body Challenge by Tim Grover

Also Mentioned:

Vlado Jaksic; Basketball Peace Ambassadors; Video

Braham, Minnesota
Noah Dahlman
VC CSKA Sofia,
Voléro Zürich
Minerva Volley Pavia
Beşiktaş Women's Volleyball
Bulgaria Women's National Volleyball Team
Elite Sports Students; Mentor
Beyond Athletic Podcasts
European Volleyball League
Pleven, Bulgaria
National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski"
Bulgaria,
Switzerland,
Italy
Turkey
 

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WE WILL GET YOUR REVIEW TO THE ATHLETE! @BEYONDATHLETIC

-Ryan (Owner @ EliteVolley.com)
____________________________
Elite Volley Agency
SRB Mobile: +381628905135 | USA Mobile: +13233623829
Sports Podcast: www.BeyondAthletic.com/listen
Agency: www.EliteVolley.com