• Please vote to give this idea $100K: Find an answer to homelessness, 1 young person at a time. #pepsirefreshcanada http://pep.si/c7vd6R #
• Asthana Inspired opened me up to a whole new world of yoga – have you flipped the dog yet? (@ YYoga Yaletown) http://4sq.com/5T0fVv #
• The new Gastown Aveda is having a special! I'll report back how my 1st colour bleeding turns out. (@ Aveda Institute Vancouver) #
• NO line-up – just awesome friends & the BEST martini ever! Try the Secret Garden when you visit (@ The Revel Room) http://4sq.com/5OBhaz #

• Mmmmmmmm…! Nuba! (@ Nuba) http://4sq.com/3IgpPP #
• I just ousted @emh as the mayor of Obakki on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/aw2HQ8 #
• Reading Assessment 2.0 on Scribd http://scr.bi/cKGSe8 #readcast #
• Watched, pondered & commented – thanks for sharing! RT@briansolis Six Pixels of Separation by Mitch Joel http://post.ly/tlbB #
• Steve Cunningham summarizes Six Pixels of Separation by Mitch Joel. V. interesting ! http://t.co/CqzNdz6 via @briansolis @stevecunningham #
• I really needed to hear this today!! Continue to Strive Fearlessly Towards Our Hopes, Dreams, Goals, and Objectives ☺! /via RT@eleesha #
• If I write e-mail (vs email), 'Net (vs Net) & web pages (vs webpages) does that make me a #digital #immigrant or grammatically #savvy ? #
• Congrats! Must feel great! RT@briansolis Just left a signed copy of Engage & Putting the Public at Santana Row! http://twitpic.com/2hvf0n #
• I want your opinion! Do you say 'email' or 'e-mail'? Webpage or web page? #
• Just discovered there's a difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web… I feel like I'm one step closer to enlightenment #
• Just finished watching Gill's brilliant oral defense – it sparked an hr of rich discussion on the concept of Physical Literacy in sports #
• It's nearly 4AM & I'm hard at work writing my final paper – munching on my new favourite brain food: raw #zucchini Keeps me going! #
• Mark Smiciklas (@intersection1) makes amazing graphics! Social Media Tip Tools vs Strategy Intersection Marketing Blog http://bit.ly/bCjjue #
• OMG – it is SO loud outside in Gastown tonight & it's not even 3AM yet. The bars haven't even emptied out onto the streets. Waaaah!! #
• Astounding story!! Wonder how long it took to make? BIG BANG BIG BOOM – the new wall-painted animation by BLU! http://vimeo.com/13085676 #
• This cracked me up good! #Twitter Movie Trailer Parody by Barely Political. http://t.co/9jfqOer via @youtube #
• No plug-ins make this starbucks a miss for long study sessions – wish I had known that before I ordered! (@ Starbucks) http://4sq.com/6RQuG4 #
• #FF Researchers whose work I admire @briansolis @danhooker @devogt @dtapscott @ggrosseck @jess3 @sparkbouy @TomFranklin @UBCMET #
• #FF Researchers I <3 @briansolis @danhooker @devogt @dtapscott @ggrosseck @jess3 @sparkbouy @TomFranklin @UBCMET #
• #FF Biz I believe in: @globeandmail, @myyogastory, @TheRageToronto, @CritInternet, @macrowikinomics, @aplaceofmind, @grindforkids #
• Ha ha ha! Oh dear…. RT@NickCobb The Worst Places to be The FourSquare Mayor: http://su.pr/1nW104 #
• Glad I'm on-board! #Globe amp;Mail Catalyst program was developed to raise the bar on the level of quality & to guide the online dialogue. #
• Vote to give this idea $100K: To find an answer to homelessness, one young person at a time. #pepsirefreshcanada http://pep.si/c7vd6R #

• Drinking the waters + waters tonight. 0 cal, 0 dollars, refreshing! LoL (@ Cactus Club w/ 2 others) http://4sq.com/4i50g5 #
• Drinkies with with Accenture team (@ Kingston Taphouse & Grille) http://4sq.com/4qKO4a #
• They have this new drink – pinapple & mint & it's sooo delish! Tacos just got elevated to a summer lunch treat (@ La Taqueria) #
• Follow @grindforkids & RT to win 1 of 5 Eye of the Wind tours http://ow.ly/2rzfV Ends Aug 31 #grousegrind #grind4kids #vancouver #
• Woaaaaaah!!! Everyone's following/followers list were re-set to ZERO!! WTF, mate?? #
• RT @Jason_Pollock A NOTE FROM TWITTER: “We’re working on restoring your tweet counts and user list.. http://bit.ly/c3S4w6 #
• Vote to give this idea $25K: Educate 150 000 students about taking action on climate change. #pepsirefreshcanada http://pep.si/dgicj7 #
• Vote to give this idea $100K: To find an answer to homelessness, one young person at a time. #pepsirefreshcanada http://pep.si/c7vd6R #
• Ahh… One of the best swims of the summer – had the lane to myself for most of it & didn't count laps – just swam. (@ UBC Aquatic Centre) #
• This hidden gem is full of HOT art! (@ Ayden Gallery) http://4sq.com/5oqZSW #
• Back at my fav study spot, across from @nhandcock's. I like to think when we work in close proximity we channel synergistcally brainwaves :p #
• Picked up new facewash & can't wait to try it! (@ Kiehl's) http://4sq.com/9pLttL #
• Came out in support of my friend Kate defend her final graduating paper on the state of professional coaches in Canada. Fascinating topic #
• I'm here for some quality study time! (@ Vancouver Public Library w/ 3 others) http://4sq.com/7QcVY7 #
• Another hard all-nite work session made more enjoyable by bumping into @joshbuddy again. (@ Blenz Coffee) http://4sq.com/7TgkVa #
• Reading the collection of tweets ('food prose') from @RuthReichl has made me achingly hungry for summer tastes http://twitter.com/ruthreichl #
• http://tweetphoto.com/39239885 I prefer my two-wheels to be motor-free, but these bikes are kinda fun. #
• Van's #Gastown is a vroom, vroom place to be today – Motorcycle Show & Shine comes to town http://tweetphoto.com/39239885. #
• Lotsa scary chemicals go into fast 'foods' RT @smedly Ingredients in fast food – KFC, Subway, McD's etc. http://ow.ly/2pRwy #
• Sweet msg! …although a fist is kinda funny metaphor for 'love' RT @jess3 Check out our new Prop-8 shirt http://twitpic.com/2f47ce #
• Why haven't I studied here over the past 4 months?!! It's a sexy place & the coffees are sooo delicious. (@ Caffè Artigiano) #
• There's a few new items out but no gems like the Spudnik. (@ koolhaus design) http://4sq.com/aMCfZD #
• RT @r_ramirez: Top 16 Unusual #Foursquare Badges: http://mashable.com/2010/08/04/unusual-foursquare-badges/ #
• Check out the #FourSquare special at Steamworks Brewpub in #Van this wkend. A bit o'leg work for a free beer! Wonder how many will do it? #
• New fav: yerba matte iced tea. 0cal & keeps you buzzing & focused for work sessions. (@ Blenz Coffee) http://4sq.com/7TgkVa #
• Best spam-comment I've ever got at http://lightfooted.ca: "A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your sister." Heh, heh. #
• Handy auto-correction tips for hte iPhone. http://www.brighthub.com/mobile/iphone/articles/29139.aspx #
• I'm convinced: I want one now! RT @carolyncoles Just discovered the 32nd way to wear the the Iconic Wrap! http://twitpic.com/2ejlr1 #
• Late lunch of Najib's special in the sunny park with Mel made my day! Great seeing you, bella. (@ Nuba) http://4sq.com/3IgpPP #
• Koolhaus is bankrupt & all furniture is at least 40% off. Exciting atmosphere here! (@ koolhaus design) http://4sq.com/aMCfZD #

I awoke at 6:20am this morning to climb the Grouse Grind - Nature’s staircase. The 2.9km trail from the base to the top of Grouse Mountain consists of over 2,830 steps, which makes for one tough, sweaty hour of bounding around roots & rocks and staggering up steps to the glorious view at the top.

"The remainder of the trail is extremely steep & difficult"

The climb this morning seemed like a selfish act when my partner had to get up at the same time just to go to work, but I’ve dedicated 10 climbs between June 12 & Sept 15 to BC Children’s Hospital, Grind for Kids campaign, and your donations will make my act less selfish all the more

“In about the same degree as you are helpful, you will be happy.”

~Karl Reiland

The Grouse Grind also provided an apt physical metaphor for my life at this moment:  I’m one month away from completing a professional Masters of Human Kinetics (MHK) degree at the University of British Columbia and right now, finishing my final papers feels something like attacking this mountain; a epic climb that requires me to focus all my energy on putting one-foot-after-another, eyes to the ground with only a few quick glances at the sun-dappled ceiling – my mountain-topped glory.

I entered the MHK program last September to advance my fitness expertise to further my personal training business, Lightfooted. I’m exiting with much more than a few courses and good marks under my belt: I’ve took a career turn to dive into the realm of social media**, a home of my own overlooking Gastown, and great friends, inspiring colleagues & mentors to help guide my way.

And with these thoughts, I will return to the grindstone of tackling this very, last step of my academic mountain. See you at the top!

** For Dr. Rob VanWynsberghe‘s Sustainability and Citizen Transformation & the 2010 Olympic Games seminar class,  I studied how Vancouver citizens used Twitter to leverag the #vo2010 vibe as a tool for place promotion and regeneration of their city. This was the beginning of my fascination with social networking tools as a way to bring people/ideas/communities together.

Social media platforms promotes the democratization of knowledge and information, transforming people from content consumers into content producers.

(Social Media. Wikipedia, The free encyclopaedia. November 12, 2009).

Even though the “prosumer“ concept has been around for 40 years (Toffler, 1970), my experiences as an active, involved content innovator as opposed to the traditional passive recipient of a product or service are new-found.  I first became aware that I was flexing these powerful muscles as I blog, leave comments, and tweet, after reading Grown Up Digital, written by someone who Al Gore has called, one of the world’s leading cyber gurus, own own Canadian, Don Tapscott. GUD is a relevant and inspiring ‘Field Guide’, of the Net Generation, outlining the survey findings of 11,000 NetGenners (11 – 30 years old), whereby connecting the dots and colouring in the big  picture as to how young people are using social media platforms to influence and shape their world.

To get a sense of the prosumer power, watch the YouTube clip of “In Conversation with Allan Gregg” (for those who want quick sound bites, watch 15:33 – 18:00). In a nutshell, Tapscott asserts, “if you understand the Net Generation, you will understand the future.”

Since this first read back in April, 2009, I have become increasingly aware of the innovative ways in which NetGenners contribute to the development, improvement and dissemination of products & services. For a very recent and radical example, pick up a copy of  Yes We Did: An inside look at how social media built the Obama Brand (Harfoush, 2009).

Even more rewarding, I am now cognizant of being both participant & recipient of new media techniques that amplify the ways in which we are able to use our voices to advocate change in institutional pedagogy, politics and practices.

What empowering realizations!

Imagine the electricity consumption at 24-hr fitness centres!

I now turn my prosumer-gaze on the fitness world – which is both my workplace and playground. While sport has the privileged reputation of being healthy and green, the fitness industry is a far cry from environmentally conscious. For lack of an academic urge at 2:00 am* this morning, I will cite the Biggest Loser reality television series recent  ”Green Week” workouts on unplugged fitness equipment to illuminate the copious electricity consumption of millions of treadmills across the world.

The buzz-word of today is eco-innovation and with that in mind, I encourage everyone to watch this green fitness centre concept video from Casey Shaaf of EcoDev Engineering, LLC, created for the 2009 Kettering Innovation Challenge and to appreciate the implications of this technology. Astoundingly simple, elegant and brilliant solution to recycling energy. Viewing it, I had to wonder, how is it that only 185* people have watched this video since September? Why am I the first to rate it?

I am hereby making it a personal goal to have this video reach 1,000 by the end of the year. 3 weeks left…

You in for the challenge?

* This blog post was originally published on Lighfooted.ca on November 27, 2009 at 2:00 am. Current YouTube count is 259.

• Where can athletes go to find safe supplements? RT @lightfooted The Inadvertent Doper http://bit.ly/5xu3cZ #
• As an athlete, it’s important you know what’s in the supplements you’re taking – just in case your aspirations lead… http://fb.me/6I4rpbq #
• Do you work out with Wii Fit? Share your insight with Lightfooted! RT @lightfooted Is this exercise? http://retwt.me/1J0GK #
• Rediscovered how amazing the #iPhone app “Spend” is: a very customizable budget on the go. Get’s me all excited to SAVE this holiday season! #
• Can’t believe ppl like Sarah Palin are defending #Climategate – the opposition seems complete asinine when change is SO vital & necessary. #
• Eating terribly healthy today after sweet treats the last week. Have a withdrawal headache but am pushing through with tea + snap peas. #
• Hey, sweet: #Netfirms now able to register your domain name via twitter! http://www.netfirms.com/twitter-domain-registration/ #
• 

  1.7 million shark fins in the last 5 years ended up in soup

  Shark Fin soup: a dying delicacy. The PM’s response to a Gr. 8 science project http://bit.ly/6j5XJ1 RT @carreralee /via @FullySustainabl #

• In love with snap peas & Mandarin oranges this week. Change your diet often to keep things exciting & to get max nutritional benefits #
• http://bit.ly/8OqWFN Huffpost – ClimateGate: The 6 Most Dubious Claims About The Supposed “Global Warming Hoax” #
• Started my day with a lrg glass of H2O + tbsp silicea + sqz of lemon, followed by a whole grapefruit. 20min intense wkout, now oatmeal+ egg #
• Congrats! “Huge thanks to @adrienoleary who called Yes We Did, web business book of the year!” http://bit.ly/4JA6kT /via @rahafharfoush #
• A whole lot of great advice – not just for the holidays: Christmas Nutrition By Angela Olsen http://bit.ly/6ZWaQq /via @FitnessTown #
• Christmas Nutrition By Angela Olsen: In most families, the holidays are filled with the three F’s … http://bit.ly/6ZWaQq /via @FitnessTown #
• So excited/nervous: took the first step towards pursuing a #PhD at #UBC‘s Schl of Human Kinetics. 2.5 yrs of my life = endless rewards! #
• http://twitpic.com/plq9m – It’s feeling definitely fall-ish out there. What do you wear to run? Here’s my pared-down fall race kit. (The win #
• Picked up some cilantro & parsley from the grocery store & can’t wait to add it to salads, soups & stir-frys. I’ve been missing my spices! #
• Awesome to hear! “I’m loving all the opportunities I’ve had this year to use social media for travel” /via @Miss604 #
• 

  Threadless Infinitity Tee-shirt

  Did a whole schwack of Christmas shopping on #Threadless! Holiday Sale: ALL Tees $9 – can’t get better than that! http://www.threadless.com/ #

• All dried out from swimming. Will be drinking H2O all day to rehydrate. #
• So what is the keyboard, or the iPhone touch pad? “The pen is the tongue of the mind” -Miguel de Cervantes (via @EduifyQuotes) /via @Gar1n #
• Hmm… RT @rick_vosper Are Cyclists Secretly Using Viagra? England’s World Cup football doctor seems to think so http://ow.ly/JHze #
• 

  Sun setting over Whistler Mountain

  End of a gorgeous day at @WhistlerBlackcmb courtsey of @nhandcock’s iPhone. http://yfrog.com/4f166sj #

• Sweet! Chicago Marathon (@themarathon) just followed me! Pretty stoked about that. #
• RT @BreakThruGuy The thoughts dancing in your mind toady are choreographing your tomorrows. #
• Just discovered Naam on 4th Ave – 24hr veggie/vagan restaurant w/HUGE survings & crabby waiters. Perfect for a Fri night!!http://is.gd/5cTht #
• Really considering continuing on to do a PhD at UBC in HKin- the learning culture is amazing & I’m really inspired by my research… #
• Banff Mountain Film Festival – 2009 World Tour – http://tinyurl.com/ydu7cev (via @karlwoll) Playing at Vancouver this weekend! #

While cruising the ‘net for information on the ‘criminalized’ athlete whose doping activity has either harmed or advanced their careers, I came across a CTV article (April, 2009) Banned sledder helps combat inadvertent doping. I was floored to read that Canadian bobsleigh pilot Serge Despres was banned from competing until August, 2009 due to the consumption of a single contaminated supplement in 2007.

Unfortunately, this case is not an anomaly. In 2001, the IOC lab tested 634 supplements from around the world and found that some were incomplete or inaccurately labelled. For instance, more than 25 per cent of the supplements collected in The Netherlands yielded positive tests for banned substances undisclosed on the packaging. An yet, in light of these findings, Despres’ ban for an infinitely small positive – less than a single nanogram of steroids – was not revoked.

What can an athlete do to ensure that the supplements they require to support an intensely active, rigorous and demanding training program are contaminate-free?

Currently, a company called NSF International provides a Safe for Sport Certification analysis program, whereby manufacturers submit nutritional supplements to be tested up to 130 banned substances on the World Anti-Doping Association’s drug list before they are consumed by athletes.

NSF Certified for Sport Product list available here, and includes such Canadian-made products as:

• COLD-FX® Daily Defense
• Myoplex® Advanced Protein Ready to Drink (Vanilla)
• Activ-X Multivitamin for Active Men and Women by Platinum Naturals

Even though Despres’ 2010 Winter Olympic podium dreams have been publicly and humiliatingly crushed, he has used the situation to become part of the solution.  In April he helped launch the Clean Sport Initiative sponsored by Platinum Naturals, to campaign for increased knowledge and information on supplements approved by the NSF. Help support Despres’ cause and join the Facebook group: Clean Sport Initiative.

Bill Graveland/The Canadian Press

Relating the Innovation Management Process to Organizational Theory in Sport & Leisure via poor Ricky Berens‘ polyurethane swimsuit malfunction at the July 27, 2009 World Swimming Championship

Failure to manage the Innovation Process

(PC/The Hollywood Gossip )

I’m interested in following-up the incident with a few questions:

• How did the Italian design company, Jaked, handle the incident? That is, how are they monitoring the results of their innovation?
• How are they handling the Olympic ban of the super-slick swimsuits?
• What is their reaction to the allegations of providing an unfair advantage akin to ‘technological doping’?
• How are they communicating this reaction to their athletes and the public at large?

I’ll start my investigations here, at the Design News July 2009 article, “Ban on Polyurethane Swimsuits Makes No Sense” and report back.

• 

  Twittering about Twitter

  Explaining #twitter to my HKIN 591 class. So FUN! #

• Totally inspiring – I want to learn how to do a breaststroke like that! Completely effortless. #
• I’m enjoying working in the warmth of the UBC pool balcony. That & the great VIEW: UBC men’s swim team practice time! So graceful + smooth #
• Those box of Mandarin oranges are dangerous things to have around the house. I have consumed 6 today & there’s still tonnes more!!

• Can it be possible I’m STILL working on my Wii Fit study protocol? At 1:30 in the morning? Maybe I’d better take a break and PLAY some Wii! #
• 20 people have watched the #Green #Fitness Centre Concept video since posting it this morning – have you seen it? http://bit.ly/8hC8Pa #

• RT @lululemon Dance like the photo’s not tagged, love like you’ve never been unfriended, tweet like nobody’s following. [@Aydsman] #
• Own your own fitness studio? Consider eco-fitting the treadmills + ellipticals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKBfovuwH8A&feature=autofb #


Eco-Fitting Treadmills

• Trying to work in eco-innivation into my Tech&Innovation seminar lec next week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKBfovuwH8A #
• Need to focus this afternoon: sipping on a sm, black coffee & working under headphones at the Van Library. #
• While happily munching on cucumber, I am startled by a loud beep from the fridge – left the door open! What a novel, energy-saving concept. #
• Great idea! RT @WhistlerBlckcmb: #Whistlertweetup is today at the GLC starting at 2pm. Appetizers are on us and cool prizes up for grabs. #
• Wish i was skiing!! Whistler was AMAZING on the wkend RT @WhistlerBlckcmb: Come celebrate official opening day http://bit.ly/5ovhGA #

Dance like the photo's not tagged
RT @lululemon Dance like the photo’s not tagged, love like you’ve never been unfriended, tweet like nobody’s following. [@Aydsman] #
Amen to that!! RT @BikeTOforum: You Can’t Be a Cyclist and Pedestrian at the Same Time!! http://bit.ly/8wKO2E #BikeTO #cycling #
Swam 100 lengths this eve. Feeing physically drained but mentally calm & energized. Can get back to my readings now. #
Going for a much-needed swim. Unwind from today’s work! #
First ski day at Whistler-Blackcomb – Brought the Garmin 405 Forerunner watch and had fun deciphering the altitude… http://fb.me/3dZyg0D #

Spirit of the Skeena Swim 2009
Anyone in the VANcinity of Robson St. on Thurs, Dec. 3rd? Come learn about Ali’s epic adventure http://fb.me/3gy3t8L #
Want to go hear Ali’s story on Thurs, Dec 3rd? I sure do! http://lightfooted.ca/2009/11/one-woman-one-river-620kms/ #
#Eco-fitting: greening sports facilities – can’t wait until #EcoDev #innovation hits the market http://tinyurl.com/yhrt46o #
What do you think makes up an “Innovation Champion”? Anyone come to mind immediately? #
Woohoo, got my first “Listed” today! #
Q: Who do you think is the greatest ‘Innovation Champion’ in the sports world today? Please answer & RT #
Brilliant, simple concept – ecofitting the treadmill & ellipical machines in gyms to produce electricity! http://tinyurl.com/yhrt46o #
Just bought an “Edge” pass for #Whistler-Blackcomb ski hill (yay!) but boy, does their purchase process need an overhaul – so confusing! #
My PM snack of choice these days: sm salad with strawberries & goat cheese, dressing of olive oil + balsamic vinegar + toasted almonds. #
Wearing my #Garmin 405 on the ski hill, I found out that I travelled 40km (lifts + runs), with a max speed of 41.8 km/hr & a max HR of 179 #
Neat-o! #Mountain Dynamics (http://www.mountaindynamics.com/en/) links up with my #Garmin 405. Thanks, @hemantbist #
http://twitpic.com/qgtpz – Brought my #Garmin 405 to #Whister Ski Hill today. Check out the Elevation chart! Any guesses as to the number of #

Whilster Ski Day Elevations
RT @SNOWGA: You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. — Plato via @storystalker #
The snow is AMAZING today up at #Whistler. Can’t wait for the whole hilll to open up. #
Up & at ‘em early for the 1st ski day of the year! #