-Sorry I haven’t written in a few weeks. Let’s get caught up. I met with Lisa Stewart, the nutritionist I was telling you about. She is really sweet and easy to talk to. Our first meeting was just an introduction. We discussed my goals, what I have done in the past, and what she can help me with. One of the most interesting things that we talked about was the “ultimate athlete diagram.” She drew a triangle and in the middle she wrote, the ultimate athlete. On the left side she wrote, physical, the right side, mental, and at the base, nutrition. Simply put, these factors are what make up a strong, balanced athlete. For so long I have just been working hard on improving and maintaining my physical and mental health, and not putting as much effort into nutrition as I should. As my dad says, everything is tied together, every piece is important to the puzzle. You have to eat right so that you can perform at your physical and mental best. You have to have the right mental approach and discipline to eat right and push yourself in workouts. I want to make sure all sides of my triangle are addressed and taken care of before I leave for Oz. That way I will have no questions left unanswered and will have nothing to second guess when I am there. Our second meeting we took a metabolic typing test. This test is used to figure out what kinds of foods will best fuel your unique, individual body. It was an extensive questionnaire that took about an hour and a half to complete. I can’t wait to find out the results…

-Things have not been as frustrating lately because I am really trying to find the positives in things. Even if a practice wasn’t how I wanted it to be and my dad says something that I don’t necessarily want to hear, I try to think about why he is telling me that and how it will help me become a better surfer. School has been good. Being a second semester senior ROCKS! There is less academic pressure and more time to cruise with friends. I am finally venturing from my silent zone hang out and am socializing. I am feeling good and can’t seem to stop smiling.

-I have finally gotten the opportunity this past week to try out and dial in some new Mayhem boards from Matt Biolas with the south swell. I took out a 5’9” to Lighthouse the other morning before school and loved it. This morning I tried a 5’3” rocket and 5’4” squashet out at Rennicks and I am styked on both (styked = stoked + syked; definition: super excited; origin: Luke:). My dad is now drawing all over them with paint pens and I can’t wait to see the finished product.

-Yesterday Pancho came into town and we ran some mock heats together. I knew going into it I was the underdog and was most likely going to lose. I wanted to try to win at least one against him so as an incentive, Pancho agreed to wash Stouter’s car (the filmer) in a Speedo at Sunset if I did. It was a great learning experience for me. I definitely felt a little bit of pressure and was sort of over surfing some sections because of it. After we debriefed and talked about different heat strategies and tactics that I can work on which should be fun. I am pretty sure Pancho won all three heats so instead I have to wash his car the next time I am on the north shore. Good news: Pancho’s daughter had her surgery earlier this week and is recovering well. Continue to send her your prayers and “posi-vibes.”

-Oh, guess what tomorrow is? Valentine’s Day!! Yippee… I just so happen to have a special someone this year so I am actually looking forward to this lame holiday, haha just kidding. Hope you all have a fantabulous day filled with love and happiness…