When training Diane I use exercise balls, medicine balls, the foam roller, the rebounder, and a few other ’round’ training items.   Diane chuckled that it was the ‘Round Workout’.  I thought that was pretty clever –  As long as we take the round on our bodies and make it tighter and toned!

I know Diane is having fun although our work-outs can get tough.  I love to integrate fun and play into exercise.  After all, if we are going to integrate exercise into our lives forever, we want it to be something we look forward to – not something we dread – otherwise it will never become a forever thing! Happy Exercising!

When I worked at JPMorgan Chase, one of my co-workers owned a horse and always mentioned Lisa Gatti, the Executive Director of an amazing organization that helps people with disabilities, with the help of horses.  As an animal lover and active supporter of many animal non profits, I always remembered the story about this organization. Almost 4 years later, this same organization was mentioned to me again.   But this time I wanted to take the time to learn more

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is an organization dedicated to teaching therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with disabilities.  Riders benefit through stretching both mind and muscle.  They have the opportunity to improve their posture, balance, coordination, muscle tone, focus, confidence, and self worth.  For someone who cannot walk, see, communicate or succeed at the simplest tasks, riding a horse allows them to experience a new sense of freedom and the openness to fulfilling their dreams.

Pal-O-Mine has a 20 stall barn on 8 acres in Islandia, NY, an indoor arena, and plans to create a state of the art therapy and conference room.  They have a stable full of specially trained horses to meet the needs of all of their riders.

The inspiration for this innovative non profit came from the Danielle Steele book Palomino.  The book prompted Lisa Gatti to integrate her passion for riding horses with her passion for teaching.  In turn Lisa wrote to Danielle Steele, letting her know about the impact of her book. Ms. Steele unexpectedly and graciously funded some initial Pal-O-Mine programs. Lisas kind gesture and proactiveness in writing to Danielle Steele and letting her know about the unique and inspirational impact of her book, led to an unexpected financial donation to help make her dream come to fruition.

I asked Lisa what advice she might give to an entrepreneur with a dream.  Lisa explained that she never gave up. Through the good and bad, she kept going and never gave in because her passion far outweighed anything that might have come her way. Determination and persistence are critical to the success of any business, whatever type of business you are pursuing. I am confident that the many parents, adults and children who have been positively impacted by Pal-O-Mine are very grateful for Lisas determination and persistence.

Check out Pal-O-Mine at http://www.pal-o-mine.org and learn about the diversity of therapeutic programs they offer.

After several active networking events that included salsa dancing, volleyball, laughing yoga, hiking, zumba, kayaking, organic drinks, and walking, we really wanted to create a signature ActivEntrepreneur event that combined everything we represented with significant value for all participants.

Walk & Talks at local parks have become part of the ActivEntrepreneur culture  it is the way we do business.  But we wanted to take the Walk & Talk concept to a new level, especially in this unique economy.  So Walk & Talk America was created!

The first piece was to change where we were walking & talking.  Why not take the walk downtown, where actual business occurs and may need a boost?

Secondly, instead of businesses taking their wares to a table in a conference room tradeshow, we wanted to bring people to the actual business locations, allowing business owners an opportunity to showcase their business at their actual place of business, in their very own environment.  This would leave a lasting impression about where the business is physically located and a first-hand impression of the inspiring & creative people behind the business.  As a marketer and previous retail business owner, I realize the tremendous value derived from a face-to-face marketing opportunity and wanted to integrate that into Walk & Talk America.

This new Walk & Talk includes moving, networking, connecting, and learning.  So why not add a fun competition to the mix and allow someone to win a prize that could directly impact the growth of their own business??  Great idea, but we needed some significant prizes and a relevant contest. Fortunately, we connected with several sponsors such as The Long Island Press, Kioli.org, MyLITV, Generations Beyond, and Barlowe Interactive, to name a few, who have generously donated marketing prizes.

ActivEntrepreneur has an underlying green foundation because we care deeply about the environment we are active in.  The competition we developed asks a green question related to the town that is hosting the Walk & Talk  a question that demonstrates what that town is doing to help their businesses and residents go green.  (Since the green question appears in The Long Island Press, this presents some extra exposure for the local town)

Our March 2009 Walk & Talk  Huntington kick-off was a great success.  It was described as, not just informative, but wonderful and project-developing too, and a great, fun, and productive experience.  The event was launched with some zumba stretching and an introduction by Huntington Town Supervisor, Frank Petrone.  We visited the Cinema Arts Centre, Heckscher Museum, Footprint Media Group/Canvas Magazine, and Treat Suite Pet Boutique, and ended the event with a winner of the $4000 marketing package, Ralph Mandarino from Ticketlicious.net.  For me, Walk & Talk America is a great way to get entrepreneurs on their feet and help boost local economies, helping to keep businesses, in business.

Join us at our next Walk & Talk in Islip on 4/28 and find out how easy it can be to build your business, be active, and go green.  Visit http://www.walkntalkli.com to register in advance.  And if you have any interest in creating a Walk & Talk in your area, send me an email at activ@optonline.net.

ActivEntrepreneur®, an entrepreneurial networking and health minded community, and Clubhouse of Suffolk, whose dignified programs in psychiatric rehabilitation help people to rebuild their lives to recovery, hosted the 2nd Annual LI Kayakathon on Saturday, June 20th, 2009.

If you recall, June 2009 was a very rainy month.  However, the weather held out perfectly for the 2nd Annual Kayakathon.  Beginner to expert paddlers launched from the Riverhead Waterfront and paddled 5 miles on the Peconic River with a stop at Iron Point where everyone participated in a planting of native grasses with Kevin McAllister from Peconic Baykeeper.  The group all pitched in and finished the planting in less than 15 minutes  a great collaboration!  Kayakers returned to the waterfront for lunch from Whole Foods and experienced reiki, massage, music, and lots of fun and networking!

We had 2 beginner paddling sessions out on the water that day which included a lesson and a shorter excursion on the Peconic River.  It was a great experience for those who were new to the sport and wanted to experience it with a great group of people.

Net proceeds benefited Clubhouse of Suffolk, Peconic Baykeeper, Long Island Sierra Club, and The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation.

For pictures and more information, please visit http://www.LIKayakathon.com or contact Jennifer Ross at activ@optonline.net  or 516-343-6247.

One of my goals was to do a triathlon through Team in Training.  With 3 very young kids and a career, I didnt think that I could commit to that goal for a few years.  When someone mentioned a mini triathlon, my ears perked upthat sounded very doable, at least during this time of my life!

The Mini Mightyman Triathlon in Eisenhower Park on August 1, 2009 is organized by Event Power.  It is made up of a 400 meter pool swim, 6 mile bike ride, and 2 mile run  a great first experience for someone contemplating doing a triathlon!  Event Power organizes several Long Island triathlons with varying degrees of difficulty.  Steve Tarpinian, President of Event Power and Total Training, is a triathlete and fitness consultant,

So, on August 1st, I successfully achieved my goal and completed my very first Mini Mightyman Triathlon along with 2 fellow ActivEntrepreneurs, Diane Falvey (Fat Girl 2 Fit Girl) and Jeannette Fata (Interior Redesign).   Not only was the triathlon a great accomplishment, it was also a great way to cross-train and condition your body!  If youre contemplating a triathlon, check out the events at http://www.eventpowerli.com.  The minis are a great way to get started and experience the tri experience!

Check out this great new athletic, cardio, stress-reducing class offered at Finest Fitness in Patchogue.  I have always wanted to try boxing, but in a safe environment and this is definitely the way to go.

Dancing Dogs & Friends, a campaign to raise money and awareness for local animal rescue organizations, hosted a zumbathon and pet adoption event at the Tikki Bar.  All funds raised went to Forgotten Friends of Long Island, a non profit that rescues dogs and cats from local Long Island Shelters.  These are the dogs and cats that are least adoptable.  The animals are placed into safe and loving foster homes until Forgotten Friends finds then a forever home.