Let's Play: Why You Always Need A Fresh Challenge

From the smallest tasks to life's toughest obstacles, identifying meaningful goals gives you the sense of purpose and direction you need to keep growing strong throughout the lifetime. 

My training partner at University of Toronto who stroked our varsity freshman boat–Tim Jarsky, recently discovered a few photos from the Head of the Charles regatta and the San Diego Crew Classic that he shared with me. Our coach at the time was Olympian John Houlding who told us, "It's hard enough in life to get where you want to be even when you're crystal clear where that place is. It's near impossible to get there if you don't know where you are going."

Humans are like boats. If you take the rudder off, the boat doesn't perform well. But if you put a rudder on and row with purpose, with determination, with goals, suddenly there's direction and speed – as witnessed here with the mighty eight oar Vespoli shell in the process of defeating Harvard at Head of the Charles Regatta.

Without a challenge we are all at the mercy of the forces. As humans we perform best when we have a focus, it gets us through the storms, the struggles, the steep mountains – and brings out the best in us. Rowing in a boat with eight men giving their all at full tilt may be painful for some, blisters may appear, but like any struggle, they make us who we are. This boat went on to become one of the top crews in North America. Most of us made it to the Canadian National team in three years time. Many crew members went on to win silver at the World's after the fourth year. 

I celebrate the beginning of each new day at 5:30 am with a :30 minute 7,000 meters pull on the ergometer and then either a 7.0 mile uphill run or weights. I am presently training for the Big Sur Half Marathon. 

When I see people training or running races – myself included, it energizes me. I love the fact that it pushes us, shocks us, scares us and ultimately leaves us empowered, proud, laughing and revitalized. To me, it's proof positive that people like to have obstacles to conquer – but not just physical challenges. These principles cover so much of life. In your relationships, in your work, in your studies, in all arenas: aim high, accept it's not going to be easy, relish the struggle and go for it. Blaze a trail towards those obstacles and remember: if you've set yourself up for a real challenge, and you're doing it right, there should be only one path, and that's the one behind you.

Impressive On Paper, Extraordinary On Water

I like my boats fast, lean and mean. It's like plugging in. I would say that the place I relax most on planet Earth is in a boat. First of all, it is in a moving boat, in an environment I don't control, in an environment that can do anything it wants and I am not the ruler. The key to speed in sailing is achieving continuous stable "flight" through changing conditions of wind and water. So we must constantly adjust the trim of the windsail and rudder which requires us sailors to have a sustained supply of athletic power. I think we can learn a lot from sailing and apply it to life on land. I think the secret of success is concentrating interest in life, interest in health, interest in positive friends and good times, interest in your evolution, interest in your fellow humans, interest in the small things of nature, insects, birds, flowers, leaves, etc. In other words to be fully awake to everything that surrounds you. The more you learn the more you can appreciate and get a full measure of joy and happiness in life. Sea people are far more interesting than those from other industries because they have seen the world, they have travelled. And, generally speaking, they are curious people. It's great to do things, to build things, but the real key to the future is generosity. By generosity, I mean generosity in thought, in action, in kindness, in resilience, in helping people grow to their potential. Generosity as a parent and as a lover. Generosity is not the key to my future, it's the key to our future.

Say Captain, Say What

"Faster, faster!" my passenger shouts as I helm the steering through a maze of boats in a crowded marina. I don't need much encouragement. This boat is designed for performance with 440 horsepower engine on tap. Once clear in open water, I push down on the throttle and feel the 9.6 meter composite slip faster through the water. In open water, I spin the wheel and encounter the slope of our wake. The deep V hull means we slice right through the waves. In both looks and experience, this speedboat is simply fun. As we take a lap around the harbor, the wind whipping through my hair, my smile couldn't be much wider. Even at three-quarter power, the hush in the wheelhouse is intensified by the murmured appreciation of a few rapt guests, as the tally of the knots on the screen ticks upwards. Obviously, I have to slow down and share the wheel with the new Captain. My son is nautically inclined, wishes to drop anchor and take a leap into the big blue, loving embrace of nature. 

Aphrodite: A Day Of Glorious Celebration

The aquatic festival is a divine celebration jammed packed with fun at our summer home on the East Coast. Summoning our clique for the summer festivities on the water for our tribal gathering. The long days of summer are so gorgeous and serene we barely notice the heat.