smm---capital-region

Muscle Up Charity Fight Night T&Cs

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 07:16:01 GMT

Muscle Up Charity Fight Night Terms and Condition of Entry to Muscle Up Charity Fight Night 8

• The Organiser reserves the right, with reasonable cause, to refuse entry or remove any person without entitlement to a refund, including any person who causes a disturbance, or refuses to comply with reasonable requests made by the Organiser.

• The Organiser reserves the right to ask you to present proof of purchase or receipt for tickets presented or held

• Patrons must comply with all terms and conditions of entry of the Hellenic Club

• Patrons agree that purchase of a ticket to the Muscle Up Charity Fight Night does not give them any access to gambling or other facilities of the Hellenic Club.

• You must comply with any reasonable directions given by the Organiser and the security arrangements for the event and the venue which may include searches of clothing and possessions and prohibition of certain items such as knives, umbrellas, glass, illegal items, vehicles or other transportation devices (except as required because of a disability or the aged), alcohol and items which may cause nuisance or danger.

• All children attending the event must be under the supervision of an adult guardian at all times.

• Persons gaining unauthorised access to the event will be removed and may be liable for prosecution.

• The Organiser reserves the right to cancel, withdraw, postpone or reschedule any bout, presentation or display in the event.

• The fight card is subject to change without notice.

• The Organiser does not represent that there will be space for you to observe any particular displays in the event.

• No photography is allowed within the event precinct unless pre-arranged with the Organiser.

• The Organiser and/or a representative of the Organiser will be taking promotional photography and videos at this event for promotional purposes. Visitors and exhibitors who do not wish to be photographed or filmed at the event should advise the photographer at the event. Photographs taken at the event by the Organiser and/or a representative of the Organiser may be used on social media websites, on the Organiser’s websites and other social and news media. Photographs and video may also be used within promotional material such as newspaper advertisements, TV commercials and promotional material.

• Unless authorised by the Organiser in writing, you must not conduct any commercial, political, soliciting, promotional, performance, surveying, canvassing or demonstration activity at the event, nor collect contributions or distribute any material.

• The Organiser will not be liable for any injury, loss or damage suffered by you in connection with the event and the venue, including liability for any injury, loss or damage caused by the Organiser or its employees, contractors or agents.

• Patrons enter the event at their own risk. The Organiser is not liable for any injury, loss or damage caused by any matter outside the Organiser’s reasonable control.

• Nothing in these Conditions of Entry is intended to exclude, restrict or modify rights which you may have under consumer protection legislation which may not be excluded, restricted or modified by agreement.

Muscle Up Charity Fight Night

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 11:40:45 GMT

AN INVITATION TO MUSCLE UP CHARITY FIGHT NIGHT 8

6.30pm Saturday 26 August 2023, Hellenic Club, Woden

This popular fund raising event is an opportunity to support the local community, sponsor a major public event and enjoy a great evening. If you only go to one Charity Fight Night, this is the one.

All proceeds from the evening will go towards the work of Capital Region Muscular Dystrophy, to support people living with a neuromuscular condition, their families and carers. This includes the provision of equipment and support to families and school sport and weekend programs like our power chair football league.

The evening is not only about boxing, music, lights and entertainment, raffles and sporting memorabilia auction, including the somewhat famous samurai sword show.

Tax deductible corporate sponsorship packages include a table for ten, with a two course meal, beer wine and soft drinks, corporate signage and promotion are available before 30 June. You can build your sponsorship package through ringside tables, bout sponsorship or design a package to suit.

To purchase a table, discuss sponsorship opportunities or to discuss any requirements you may have please contact Rob Oakley on

0429 382 502

Eating Well in Lockdown

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 23:18:24 GMT

During a COVID-19 lockdown, it’s easy for our health and fitness goals to feel derailed or disrupted. But when it comes to eating well, lockdown doesn’t have to be a big disruptor. There are lots of ways you can adapt your patterns, or even take advantage of the change in pace, to support your health through nutritious food.

Have a plan

It’s easy to find ourselves gravitating toward the cupboard and reaching for a small snack whenever we are bored. Mindless eating like this is a big contributor to lockdown weight gain and feeling off track.

Having a rough plan of when and what you are going to eat can not only stop the mindless grazing, but it can also help with grocery shopping. If you know that you want to have crackers and avo or a homemade muffin for morning tea in the coming week, you can add all the ingredients to your shopping list and have it ready to go for a quick shop, click-and-collect or delivery.

While planning can feel like a drag and that you have to set aside lots of time, it doesn’t have to take forever. Try setting aside 10 minutes while you have your morning cuppa to jot down 2-3 ideas for next week’s meals and snacks. Then leave it and come back to it later. You will be surprised by what a few short bursts of planning can achieve, and how it can make food choice so much easier over the course of the week.

Focus on Fibre

Making a healthier choice in lockdown doesn’t have to be complicated either. Consciously choosing a high fibre option or adding a high fibre food is a simple way to know you making a nutrient rich choice.

Fibre is the indigestible part of a plant, which means that it’s going in one end of your digestive tract (your mouth) and coming out the other (you get the idea). It moves right through, and we don’t break it down or absorb it into our body. So, what’s the point of that?

Fibre has several key benefits to your health:

It fills up your stomach so that you can more easily recognize fullness.
It reduces the energy density of your meals so that you can worry less about overeating.
It makes your gut work hard to access the carbohydrates in your food, which helps to even out your blood sugar levels and energy levels.
It binds to saturated fat in the gut, carrying excess fat out of your body in your poo and helping to lower cholesterol.
It feeds the bacteria in your gut, which supports a regular poo as well as having impacts on immunity, inflammation, and mental health.

To top it all off, when you choose foods and meals that are high in fibre, you are generally going to get more whole food, which comes with the benefits of many other vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.

AMAZING!!

We get fibre from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and wholegrain foods. Picking a meal or a snack that’s built on these foods is the most efficient way to support your health in lockdown.

Add some nuts and seeds to your breakfast cereal or porridge
Snack on some fruit and yoghurt
Serve your toasted sandwich with a side of snow peas and dip.
Steam or stir fry some veggies to have with your takeaway
Have some fruit salad chopped and ready in the fridge

Temper your treats

Food and drinks are a nice way to treat yourself on a day stuck at home. A glass of wine in the afternoon, a take-away to reduce the pressure of cooking, a special dessert or baked good because you have the time to make it. Yet the frequency and volume of ‘treat’ foods can easily add up and result in a disruption to your patterns of eating and cause lockdown weight gain.

Take a moment to think about how often you want to treat yourself and give yourself a budget. You don’t have to miss out or abstain. Just be clear about how frequently you are willing to indulge and then keep track so that you stick to it.

Do you want to have chocolate multiple times a day or just once a day?
Do you want to have dessert every night or just on the weekend?
Do you want to have alcohol every day or keep it to 2-3 times a week?

There’s no right answer, but unless you as the questions, the habit will form without your awareness, and you will find it harder to change.

Accrue some alternative comforts

With all of the risks and uncertainties in the pandemic, it’s so easy to feel anxious and overwhelmed. Food can be a quick and easy comfort. But if you’re finding yourself relying on eating as a form of comfort or buying take away and junk foods as the only way to boost your mood, it may be worth building up your arsenal of other options.

What are some other activities that soothe your state of mind?

If you can have a list of these things ready, it can save the mental load of thinking of an alternative when you’re craving something sweet or salty.

These are some common ones to consider, but it’s essential that you make your own list of favourites:

Taking a hot bath
Reading in the sun
Having a short nap
Listen to a podcast
Have a cup of tea and catch up with your partner / family
Call a friend

Build a new habit

Lockdown is the perfect time to reflect on what is and isn’t working in your health journey and plan to improve certain habits. Are you in the habit of eating lunch at your desk or dinner in front of the TV? Or, are you in the habit if having something sweet at 3pm every day? What other aspects of your food choices do you want to change?

To build a new habit, you need to be specific about what you want to change and why it’s important. Don’t pick ‘drink 3 litres of water’ if you don’t see any point or benefit to focusing on that habit. However, drinking 3 litres of water may be a great goal if you are regularly experiencing constipation or struggling to manage your appetite.

Be clear about what and why. Then, decide how you are going to make it happen. It can be valuable to consider these things when you’re working out the ‘how’:

Can I give myself some form of prompt, or reminder?
Can I pair that habit with something else that I regularly do?
Can I make that habit more enjoyable or appealing? Are there things I can do to make that habit easier?
Is there a way to reinforce the habit or pat myself on the back? A reward or a treat (that doesn’t undermine the habit itself)

If you are looking for ways to take advantage of lockdown and build new habits for your health and wellbeing, the team of Accredited Practising Dietitians at The Healthy Eating Clinic are running video consultations and can help you to priorities what to change and how.

To book an appointment with one of our team, head to healthyeatingclinic.com.au or call us on 02 6174 4663 .

COVID-19 AND PEOPLE WITH NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:58 GMT

This is worth the read and is a great help for all of us as we continue to try and understand how to keep safe during this time. Ensuring we keep our social distancing, hand washing and of course limiting our contact with others in our community we can get through this time and look forward to getting back to our usual routines.

WMS Covid-19 recommendations

COVID-19 – HAND WASHING TIPS N TRICKS

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:56 GMT

In light of the current situation we are all living in here are some tips for hand washing and general care for all of us to follow. Please take care when out and about and where possible stay at home and ensure you are keeping yourselves busy, be that chatting with friends on the phone, learning something new, studying or ensuring that you keep up your regular exercises. We are all looking forward to getting back to a normal state when we can resume clinic activities, power chair football and of course catching up in person. Stay Safe.

Handwashing Poster for Wheelchair Users

ONLINE AUCTION NOW OPEN!

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:55 GMT

Muscle Up Charity Fight Night 6 – The Real Code War – The Last Table
Terry Campese (Canberra Raiders) V Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies)
6.30pm Saturday 29 August 2020, Hellenic Club, Woden

The Muscle Up Charity Fight Night is going to settle the code war once and for all when Terry Campese, Canberra Raiders steps into the ring to take on Ben Alexander, Brumbies. There is one ringside table left and it is up for auction at Allbids.com.au

The Muscle Up Charity Fight Night is the major fund raiser for Capital Region Muscular Dystrophy. This year we have teamed with Terry Campese and his Foundation to stage our biggest event yet. All proceeds from the evening will be shared between Capital Region Muscular Dystrophy and the Terry Campese Foundation.

The evening will also feature a strong card of high quality bouts with local and interstate boxers, raffles and a sporting memorabilia and general auction. If you only ever go to one fight night, this is the one.

We are very lucky to have some strong support from our sponsors. Our major sponsors this year are JW Land, Harvey Norman Commercial, Queanbeyan Rodeo and One Stop Auto and Tyre.

We have been overwhelmed with demand for tables. There are no ringside tables left.

In response to the popularity of the event, the Board of the Hellenic Club have generously donated their ringside table for the night. This table is now up for auction online and will be sold to the highest bidder.

The package includes the Chairman’s Table seating ten people for a two course meal and drinks included. If a business wins the auction, you will also enjoy the benefits of a sponsorship package. Our sponsors enjoy exposure for their business during the event and in the lead up through our extensive social media and publicity campaign.

We look forward to you joining for this great event. If you would like to speak to us about the evening, please contact Rob Oakley 0429 382 502.

FIGHT NIGHT VI – CLASH OF THE CODES

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:54 GMT

Muscle Up Charity Fight Night 6 – “The Real Code War”

There’s been plenty of talk lately about which football code is best. In Canberra, it’s league versus union, Raiders versus Brumbies.

The Muscle Up Charity Fight Night is going to settle this once and for all when Terry Campese steps into the ring to take on Ben Alexander.

We will sort out this code war once and for all, said Bill Baker, President of Capital Region Muscular Dystrophy which is holding Muscle Up Charity Fight Night 6 at the Hellenic Club, Woden on Saturday 8 August.

Terry Campese, Canberra Raiders Captain, State of Origin, Kangaroos, 139 games for the Raiders, and Ben Alexander, 154 games for the Brumbies, 72 Wallaby Caps will both make their boxing debut when they contest the Real Code War.

Alexander has stayed fit since retiring from Rugby and is sporting a slimline 100kg frame these days not unlike when he made his start with Uni-Norths Colts. He’s going to employ his fitness to outlast Campese. “Campo is rugby league and Queanbeyan tough and I’m just a soft North Shore private school boy who played rugby union so he will definitely start favourite” said Alexander.

Campese on the other hand describes Alexander as being intelligent, enigmatic and more strategic in his approach, “not unlike scrum rules in Union.”

Mr Baker confirmed the worst kept secret in Canberra when he announced the bout. We have been over run with demand for tables on the night. The Board of the Hellenic Club have generously donated their table for the night. It is the last ringside table and we have decided to auction it to give anyone interested a chance for the best table in the house. You can bid at Allbids.com.au. The auction will close on Friday the 13 ^th of March.

More information will be available on the Muscle Up Charity Fight Night event page on Facebook.

Tickets are on sale HERE

The evening will also feature a strong card of high quality bouts with local and interstate boxing, dinner and drinks, raffles and a sporting memorabilia and general auction.

If you only ever go to one fight night, this is the one.

POWER CHAIR FOOTBALL AT FESTIVAL ONE

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:52 GMT

Muscle Up Charity Fight Night 6 – “The Real Code War”

There’s been plenty of talk lately about which football code is best. In Canberra, it’s league versus union, Raiders versus Brumbies.

The Muscle Up Charity Fight Night is going to settle this once and for all when Terry Campese steps into the ring to take on Ben Alexander.

Campese on the other hand describes Alexander as being intelligent, enigmatic and more strategic in his approach, “not unlike scrum rules in Union.”

More information will be available on the Muscle Up Charity Fight Night event page on Facebook.

Tickets are on sale HERE

The evening will also feature a strong card of high quality bouts with local and interstate boxing, dinner and drinks, raffles and a sporting memorabilia and general auction.

If you only ever go to one fight night, this is the one.

CHARITY FIGHT NIGHT VI

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:51 GMT

We are now set and ready to go for Fight Night VI – coming soon is the launch followed by ticket sales for our biggest fundraiser of the year!

Keep up to date via the Facebook page…

MDF’S NEUROMUSCULAR DIGITAL RESOURCE ONLINE SURVEY NOW OPEN

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:49 GMT

We are now set and ready to go for Fight Night VI – coming soon is the launch followed by ticket sales for our biggest fundraiser of the year!

Keep up to date via the Facebook page…

FIGHT NIGHT 4 – TICKETS ON SALE

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:48 GMT

Fight Night 4 is just around the corner and the team are putting together another great show of Boxing and Kick Boxing! Add to this the usual entertainment show and this is the ONLY Charity Fight Night to attend in Canberra! Tickets are now available HERE or Call Rob on 0429 382502 to discuss table options and sponsorship packages!

MUSCLE UP

CHARITY FIGHT NIGHT 4

6.30pm SATURDAY 4 AUGUST

AINSLIE FOOTBALL CLUB

(Wakefield Ave, Ainslie)

DOORS OPEN AT 6PM

Program includes the best of local and interstate Kickboxing & Boxing

Muscle Up Challenge bout: George Kapine v Amaeze Enyai

Ticket Prices:

Table of 10, including 2 course meal, beer, wine, softdrinks: $1500

VIP ringside seat including drinks and finger food: $90

Ringside Seat: $60

General Admission tickets available at the door $35

Tables, Corporate Sponsorship Packages or group discounts contact Rob 0429 382502

All proceeds from this event go to support the work of Capital Region MD

For enquiries regarding the event:enquiries@capitalregionmd.org.au

Terms and Conditions of Ticket Sales: This is an all ages event.

Ainslie Football & Social Club follows the responsible service of alcohol guidelines

Photo ID required for alcohol consumption.

Dangerous activities or behaviour will not be tolerated

The advertised program may be subject to change without notice

COUGH ASSIST CRUISE

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:46 GMT

In February the Pedal 4 Pierce team rode from Canberra to Murrumbateman to deliver a new cough assist machine to young Pierce! The team regularly ride in races across New South Wales and the ACT but on mountain bikes….but for this special trip they swapped the fat tyres for skinny road tyres and enjoyed a ride in country followed by morning tea and then Pierce demonstrating how the machine works.

It is great to see how money raised is helping those in our community.

FIGHT NIGHT III – THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:45 GMT

Let’s get ready to Rumble! Yes it’s that time of year when we get busy putting the finishing touches on to THE night of fundraising where we see a number of amateur boxers jump in to the ring and “Muscle Up For Muscular Dystrophy’

Join us at the Hellenic Club in Woden on Saturday 21st October for our third edition of “Fight Night” – Tickets available on-line HERE or for table bookings call Rob on 042938502 – but be quick or you might miss out! If your business would like to get involved also talk to Rob and find out how you can help those in our region with Muscular Dystrophy just by attending the night!

DANCE FOR DYSTROPHY – 1ST JUNE

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:44 GMT

The “Sorry Mum” crew will be returning to The Basement for another Thursday Night of Club Classics, Disco Delights and Groovy Garage! As always we’ll decorate the venue with our hand painted artwork and then we’ll let the music play from 8 til late! We know it’s “a school night” but hey…come for an hour, or come for more….just make a donation at the door! night!

DANCE FOR DYSTROPHY FRIDAY 5TH MAY

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:43 GMT

Thanks to the good folks at Mooseheads Pub & Nightclub we’ll be dancing for dystrophy from 8 til late on Friday 5th May! Join the team as we take the “Sorry Mum….I’m Going Out and I May Be Some Time!” night to a new venue! With the same great mix of music from yesteryear to some of today’s unreleased tracks will be pumping up the sound system and dancing the night away!

Full details on the Facebook event and below;

Mr.Moose, Raw FM & Mista Nige are joining forces with Capital Region Muscular Dystrophy to raise much needed funds by way of their “Dance For Dystrophy” initiative!

This will be one of the BIGGEST fund raising nights Mooseheads has ever held with:

* Canapés for all attendees
* Mista Nige & other amazing Moose Resident DJs
* PLUS lucky door prizes to be won from our sponsors

What’s this gonna cost you ask?! A donation at the door and a smile on your face knowing that you’ve done something to make someone with muscular dystrophy’s life just that much better!

Come join us as we spin club classics right thru to the current club bangers to get you in the mood for a very special Loose Moose Friday!

♥ Mr.Moose

SORRY MUM I’M GOING OUT TO “DANCE4DYSTROPHY”

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:41 GMT

A series of events kicks off on 9th February when The Basement and DJ Mista Nige team up to bring the latest club sounds to Canberra and raise funds for us! Full details on the Facebook Event or check out the flyer below! Dress to impress and dust off those dancing shoes…..

SORRY MUM I’M GOING OUT TO “DANCE4DYSTROPHY”

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:40 GMT

Music and dancing go hand in hand, so we thought it would be a good idea to get people dancing to help those with Muscular Dystrophy. Luckily, we have a DJ on our team and what better way to do some FUNdraising than get a venue, play some music and dance away!

The concept is simple and can be done in two ways:

1: We join forces with local venues and have our DJ and his guests play to the crowd. Admission is by way of donation (minimum $10) or;

2: You host a party at your house, work, venue of choice and those attending make a donation (then post a short video of you all dancing to Facebook!) and all proceeds help us support those in our region.

The first in a series of events will be held at The Basement in Belconnen and further events will be scheduled as soon as we have venues locked in. Full details of dates are on the Event page of the website and also on Facebook.

Would YOUR venue like to get involved? Contact us and we can arrange a meeting to discuss the options – we have a sound system and light show or we’ll use your equipment, no venue too small or large, we’ll have your patrons ready to “Dance4Dystrophy” in no time!

Muscular dystrophy is a complex but not well known disease for which there is no cure. In its most severe form it can dramatically limit mobility and shorten lives. There are no specific services in Canberra to assist those suffering from muscular dystrophy. CRMD is working to address this situation, to support people with muscular dystrophy and raise awareness of the condition.

Website: www.capitalregionmd.org.au

e-mail: enquiries@capitalregionmd.org.au

Tel: 0418440481

NEW COUGH ASSIST MACHINE FOR YASIN

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:39 GMT

So this young man’s name is Yasin, he’s 16 years old. He has Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. He attends high school in Canberra and one of the things he enjoys is old cars, particularly Holden’s.

He has recently been diagnosed as needing a cough assist machine to help clear his lungs and Capital Region Muscular Dystrophy has been able to use some of the proceeds of the “Muscle Up Charity Fight Night” to purchase one and provide it to him.

Thank You to all those who have supported and donated in 2016, this is Part 1 of our deliveries….another Cough Assist Machine is on its way to Jindabyne

ROB’S BLOG – LIVING WITH FSHD

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:37 GMT

I am sitting on the deck of a water ski lake in California. It feels a little surreal and I wonder how I got here.

I am Rob Oakley. I am 54 years old, a Paralympian, a member of the Australian Disabled Water Ski Team, and I have Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). It’s been a long road for me with some lucky breaks and a lot of hard work.

I’m lucky because I’ve been surrounded by positive people. It’s a good thing too, as like most people with FSHD, I’ve heard plenty of doctors tell me I’m wasting away and there’s not much I can do about it. It’s a difficult thing to continually hear negative things about your future and not give in to the temptation to accept them.

My FSHD was obvious in my teens but it was not enough to stop me doing most things I wanted. I played football, surfed and waterskied. Maybe not always well but I had a go. My real passion has always been horses. I’ve ridden horses for fun since I was a boy, without realizing just how important and beneficial this would be for me.

I reached a point in my life, in my mid thirties, where I wondered what was next. I saw the dressage competition at the Paralympics and thought why not. I was lucky that I had some ability and experience, including some balance and a “good seat,” believe it or not. This got my foot in the door.

Dressage is a sport like any other, and talent is only part of the deal. It’s hard work that gets it done. All successful athletes understand this. You need to love what you do, and do it to your best everyday. I love this environment so I dove in head first.

I tried to copy everything the professional riders did, including riding up to 5 or 6 horses a day. This meant driving a lot of miles between horses, some pretty rough rides, and rough landings. I didn’t really think about what might work for me but rather just what I saw working for other able-bodied riders.

As I started to have some success, I gained access to better training facilities, better information, and strength and conditioning trainers. It was when I started to work with S&C coaches that my eyes were really opened as to what might be possible.

I can still remember the conversation I had with my first trainer at the ACT Academy of Sport. “I don’t do the gym, I don’t do massage, I don’t have any muscles. What’s the point?” I can still remember the answer to that question as well, it was blunt! I had already decided I would approach my time with ACTAS with an open mind and try anything they suggested, so I jumped in. Their approach was to question everything I had told myself. “How do you know it won’t work?”

The first thing was to change my approach to training. I needed to spend more time working on the ground to give myself the capacity to ride rather than just riding.

It seems so obvious now but at the time I was very reluctant to change my training routine and the benefits were not immediately obvious. It was very slow progress: the classic one step back to take two forward. Slowly but surely, the benefits started to appear. My focus changed and I started to understand the benefits that were available.

The real turning point came when I met Dr Nick Ball from the University of Canberra. We trained together for about two years leading up to the London Paralympics.

The focus of my training with Nick became very much on developing and maintaining my patterns of movement. I think he describes it as functional training. I like to describe it as training to be “normal.” It starts with simple movements and then builds complexity. For instance: building the capacity to do squats but then add other components like squatting on a trampoline and rotating with a medicine ball. My personal favorite is dragging a weighted sled.

If you’ve got FSHD, there’s a good chance you’re wondering how that might be possible. This was not an overnight process. It was a slow process with many frustrating days and much time spent wondering what am I doing. It’s hard work and I’m lucky I had people like Nick that believed in me, and I had a goal (at that time the Paralympics). To me the benefits of this training are so many, and so good, I’m annoyed at myself that I didn’t find this earlier.

My career as a para-equestrian spanned 15 years and did ultimately culminate with the London Paralympics. It was a series of many little steps, hard work, set backs and successes. I loved every minute.

These days my training has another goal. It’s simply to ensure I can meet the challenges day to day living throws up. I train to give myself the capacity to function as normally as possible.

I didn’t stop looking for ways to challenge myself after the Paralympics. It was not long before I found my way to other pursuits. I rode the Tour Duchenne for MD in 2012 from Thredbo to Sydney (with a little help from an electric motor on my three wheel racing bike). I also started rowing. This is a great way to challenge your body to find a way to move.

I also found my way back into water skiing, this time on a sit ski. It was just for fun, after all I’m fifty something now, but as is the way I found my way on to the slalom course. I wasn’t too bad at it and without thinking about it, before long I was competing. One thing led to another and I was lucky enough to compete at the 2015 World Championships. I’ve made some great friends in this sport and I’m sitting on the deck of one of those, in Chico California training while it's winter back home in Canberra.

Looking back, I was originally embarrassed to walk into a gym, sometimes just walking down the street was overwhelming. Now, I’m proud to do either, and it’s got me a long way. I’m not trying to lift big weights or build muscle, I’m maintaining my patterns of movement.

I know the benefits that are available to me from training like an athlete and I really enjoy working to achieve them. The training does not always have an obvious connection to the outcome and it can take time for improvements to come. I think I’ve used the words slow and frustrating already but just like any other athlete training for a goal, that is the reality of what you’re doing.

The battle with FSHD is a difficult one, no doubt, but if you’ve got it you’re fighting it whether you like it or not. A large part of the battle for me is fought in the mind, overcoming all the negative thoughts that are easy to build up. You only need one positive thought to make a start. You have to be persistent and patient. You can’t judge yourself by others but by the little steps you can take. You have to be an athlete.

The type of training I do is not a cure but it allows me to ensure I continue to live the kind of life I want to and to continue to be positive. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s my turn to ski.

MUSCLE UP CHARITY FIGHT NIGHT

hello@honeybadgersme.com (Neil Tanner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 10:17:36 GMT

MUSCLE UP CHARITY FIGHT NIGHT 2017

Details of the 2017 event available soon.

Program includes K1 Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Boxing

For enquiries regarding ticket purchases or the event: enquiries@capitalregionmd.org.au

Terms and Conditions of Ticket Sales
This is an all ages event. Vikings follows the responsible service of alcohol guidelines
Photo ID required for alcohol consumption.
Dangerous activities or behaviour will not be tolerated
The advertised program may be subject to change without notice