Feel free to vote as many times as you would like….
http://communicause.com/my-cause/1284

Hi Jeff -
 
Well, I officially “pulled the trigger” on my son’s story/video/mission, and the response has been overwhelming/humbling to say the least… I’d love to briefly connect to share/discuss what’s going on - if your offer to “help” didn’t expire!
 
As you’ll read below, AMPUCAMP is currently in a contest with the potential to win a $25K Social Media Makeover, based simply on my ability to effectively spread the AMPUCAMP word via traditional/social media channels and accumulate votes through the simple click of a button.
 
Wasn’t sure what your availability/interest might be, but wondered about the possibility of forwarding this message in an effort to raise awareness, etc.
 
Please note that I’m not pitching/selling anything through this effort - other than a hopeful shift in attitude and perspective for those that choose to read the story, watch the video, and click the ‘Vote for AMPUCAMP’ button.
 
With just less then a few hours to go, AMPUCAMP has climbed the ranks to the #4 spot out of more than 1,500 CommuniCause competitors!  Currently, Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG Foundation is #381.
 
Read on to discover the AMPUCAMP story…
 
Chances are I have shared my son’s tragic story with you at some point, BUT, I wanted to take a moment and also share the “silver lining” that has come from the previous “storm” we weathered not that long ago.
 
My reason for writing is to let you know I’m on a deeply personal mission, preparing to officially launch our unique non-profit organization/event called AMPUCAMP to help my son and others… and I really need your help!
 
Relax… I’m not asking for money (not yet anyway, lol).  I’m simply asking you (and your sphere of influence) to vote for AMPUCAMP with a simple click of your mouse.
 
The purpose of AMPUCAMP is to provide vital support, encouragement, and resources to anyone, at any age, from any background personally affected by or caring for someone with limb loss/difference via on-site and web-based events.
 
I discovered an online voting contest called CommuniCause, an “American Idol-style’ opportunity for charities to compete for a $25K Grand Prize/Social Media Makeover, consisting of expert consulting and social media services to help improve an organization’s online presence and fundraising/outreach efforts. 
 
At the beginning of the contest, I wondered how a fledgling non-profit (not officially on the map yet) like AMPUCAMP would do amidst so many other well-established organizations…most of them already household names!
 
There are more than 1,500 charities actively involved in the contest, including Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Special Olympics, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Goodwill Industries, St. Jude’s Children’s Research, Shriners Hospital for Children, Compassion International, Humane Society, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, The Children’s Miracle Network, PETA, Team in Training, United Way, and MANY others!
 
Why is this message so important?  As you can see from the partial list of non-profits, AMPUCAMP is a modern-day “David facing many formidable Goliaths”.
 
The primary objective is to see how effectively and creatively the participating organizations can leverage the power of traditional and social media.  The winner will be selected/announced August 15th from the Top 10 list of charities who accumulated the most votes throughout the campaign.
 
Wanting my son to be as proud of my efforts as I have been of his, I’ve been working diligently to spread the AMPUCAMP message far and wide through traditional channels (like this e-mail) and various social media channels such as Twitter @brianjjohnston and Facebook. 
 
Note: AMPUCAMP Becomes the First Featured Charity in the CommuniCause Contest!  (a tremendous honor, considering the number and popularity of other participating organizations!)
 
I have uploaded all the details to my existing business website… as the official AMPUCAMP website is being developed. 
 
Here you will find the story, “My Child, My Hero” which chronicles the events leading up to Brennan’s amputation and, most importantly, the triumph that follows, along with a music video that delivers a message far better than words ever could???
 
*Please Be Advised: Due to the graphic/emotional nature of the story and music video, you may want to view the information privately??? Remember, I warned you.
 
If you are ready for a life-changing “Gift of Perspective” please visit http://www.Evolve-Now.com/AMPUCAMP and then follow your heart! 
 
Time and speed are of the essence!  This voting campaign ends at 12pm on July 31st. 
 
If you are pressed for time and want to review the story/video later, simply click this link to vote for AMPUCAMP immediately:
 
http://communicause.com/my-cause/1284
 
Before I go, let me say “Thank You”? in advance for helping me turn my son’s dream into reality with the simple click of your mouse! 
 
And, please feel free to forward this information via email, Facebook, Twitter, Digg, StumbleUpon, blogs, etc. to anyone/everyone you know.
 
Every vote counts!  And, if you RT (”ReTweet”) this special coded message via Twitter, it counts as an EXTRA vote.  Simply copy/paste the following RT message into your Twitter updates (and encourage your followers to do the same…Thanks!)
 
RT to help AMPUCAMP win a 25K social media makeover http://ow.ly/4pcs @CommuniCause #cause1284
 
Winning the Grand Prize will provide some vital funding to officially and professionally launch AMPUCAMP  with our very FIRST LIVE (and Fr*eE) event scheduled for Saturday: August 8, from 3-5pm at the beautiful Chastain Horse Park in Atlanta.
 
I’m grateful for everything/anything you can do to help spread the AMPUCAMP word, for my son and many others!
 
Sincerely,
 
Brian J. Johnston: The Fitness Purpose Coach
Speaker, Fitness Professional & Best-Selling Author
 
Make a Difference Today - Help AMPUCAMP Win a $25,000 Social Media Makeover!
Connect with me on Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn

Workout for today! Remember you may need to make slight modifications to the sets and reps used.

Warm-up

DB Single Leg Deadlift x8

Jumping Jacks x 50 (3 count jumping jacks 1-2-3-1, 1-2-3-2, etc)

Bent over Row x 6 x heavy

3-4 sets

Push ups  x 100

BW Squat x 65

Crunches x 75

DB Row x 100

SL Reach x 50

Pretty tough but doable!

Till next Time

Make It Happen!!!

Jeff

4.)Point Your Toes In Same Direction of Shoveling

This is a continuation of tip two. Even when you split your stance, you can be susceptible to injury whenever you perform a rotating back extension (e.g. a shovel toss to your rear). So, to further bolster your body, be sure to always shovel snow in the direction that your toes point to minimize excessive spinal rotation that can literally wrench your back. If you need to throw the snow try and throw it forward!

5.) Shovel EQUALLY to BOTH Sides

This is a further continuation on the last two tips. Another big mistake people make is that they always shovel to their strong sides causing further strength and flexibility imbalances that can put your body at greater risk for injury. So, we now know you want to split your stance and shovel in the direction your toes are pointing, but you should also be sure do an equal amount of shovel tosses to your left AND right. Do 10 shovel tosses to your left with your left leg forward and then do 10 shovel tosses to your right with your right leg forward. Repeat until your driveway or sidewalk is crystal clear.

Bonus Tip

Just pay someone to shovel your driveway, unless you like to shovel like me (yeah I am a little crazy but I see it as another opportunity to be active!

The tips will go a long way in keeping your body as bulletproof as possible during the next blizzard. Really, it’s not cool to get hurt shoveling and It can be a sign of an even bigger problem: being overweight and/or highly de-conditioned. And if you do get hurt shoveling, be sure to lie when some asks why you’re in a wheelchair. Just tell them you got hit by a snow plow truck, it makes for a better story and your co-workers or friends won’t rip on you for the rest of your days.

We’re officially in the midst of another winter season here in Rhode Island. I must admit, if there’s one thing that bothers me the most about the winter (besides the ice and lack of natural light), it’s the number of people who hurt themselves shoveling snow. I can’t tell you how many clients of mine have tweaked their backs in their zealous attempts to keep a clear driveway.

Today I am going to reveal my top safe shoveling secrets. For those of you who do not live in the Northeast or another cold weather climate like me, you still need to know this information too. Why? Because with the global epidemic that is climate change you really never know when snow is coming your way. It recently snowed in Las Vegas this past holiday season for the first time in his 25 years.

Here are my top five safe shoveling tips:

1.) Perform a Proper 5-Minute Warm-up Before Shoveling

This may sound silly but hear me out. Just as very few people properly warm-up before intense exercise, so do many people fail to get their bodies ready for the rigors of shoveling snow. Let’s face it, snow, especially when it’s wet, is a real beast to move around. And if your body is tight and cold then you will dramatically increase your chances of short or long-term injury.

I have created a great shoveling specific five-minute warm-up to get your body ready to rock. There is a special emphasis on opening up the hips and chest to save your back and shoulders, the two most commonly injured areas when shoveling:

Perform each exercise in the following warm-up circuit at a slow, controlled tempo for 50 seconds with a 10 second rest and transition between exercises. Do this warm-up indoors to better increase core temperature and total body blood flow:

Exercise#1- Stationary High Knee Run

Exercise#2- Jumping Claps (modified jumping jacks with arms moving across chest level, palms facing)

Exercise#3- Alternating Forward Lunge, Overhead Reach, and Twist

Exercise#4- Alternating Lateral Lunge with Opposite Hand to Toe Touch

Exercise#5- Prisoner Squats (hands behind head with finger interlocked)

2.) Split Your Stance When Shoveling

Back pain is the biggest complaint for snow covered drive way shoveling. In most cases, a sore or tight back stems from restriction at the hips (see the warm-up above to best remedy this). More specifically, using a parallel stance puts your lower back at a greater risk of injury due to the greater likelihood of excessive flexion of the lumbar spine that often leads to back spasms in the short run and herniated discs in the long run. A simple switch to shoveling is with a split stance, where one leg is forward and the other leg is back, will not only help prevent this hyper flexion while bending over and moving snow, but will also actively stretch and open up those tight hips at the same time. Be sure to keep things in balance by doing an even number of shovel strokes with both legs forward by alternating every 10 reps or so. This may seem hard to do at first but if you if you follow step 3 then this will be easier.

3.) Push Don’t Throw

Most newer shovels are designed for pushing the snow like a snow plow. So you should not have to do too much lifting of the snow and throwing…..this is where most people get hurt trying to lift and throw the snow especially when wet. Another great tip is to spray up your shovel with Pam or other cooking spray so the snow does not stick.  If you need to throw follow the next steps to maximize injury prevention.

The next 2 tips will will post tomorrow!

Till then

Till Next Time ….Make it Happen!!

Don’t just look ahead though look back at what you accomplished, what went wrong, what did not go at all.

Fix what went wrong or not at all, and think bigger for 2009.

Think BIG, think outside the box, be different, be kind, be relentless in your pursuits, continue to learn, be respectful, be yourself.

BW Squat x 25
Pull Up Supinated grip (palms facing in) x as many
Lateral Lunge x15 each
Front Bridge 2 minutes
Scap ups x 25
SL Reach x 15 on each leg
Chin Up (palms facing away) x as many
Repeat 3 times

This workout took less than 15 minutes but i was sweating my but off

Front Bridge 1 min
V-twist x15 each with a medicine ball x2
choice of another core

DB Iso Lunge x 30 sec x 2 on each leg
4 split jumps

Iso Push up x 5 sec x 5
Regular pup as 10 x fast

Do that twice then…
Weighted box push
3 way suicide

Then repeat 2 more times

Alot of fun

but hard

Another aspect of this whole thing is that Oprah’s problem has never been diet or exercise but what she thinks about herself, her mental state, the hardest thing to change in yourself no matter how successful you are. I will be talking about this topic more to come!