Three Things I Learned – Part 3
This is the final blog in a 3-part series on my key learnings from 2011.
Key Learning #3:
At our sessions in the summer, we have typically made pizza and Gatorade available to athletes each evening.
Both items are convenient, easily accessible for us in whichever city we’re in, and popular with athletes and coaches.
But, if asked if either items are good, healthy choices for an athlete, without hesitation I would say no—especially if consumed on a regular basis.
Most people recognize that a typical pizza is less than ideal due to its white flour, sugar, and other highly processed ingredients.
Sports drinks like Gatorade on the other hand, which are generally considered to be healthy—and even necessary for athletes—are filled with high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, and colors, which are extremely damaging to athletes’ overall health (or any person’s health for that matter), despite the fact that they are marketed as ‘healthy sports drinks.’
So, we’ve decided to align our actions with our belief that nutrition is critical to an athlete’s long-term health and performance by replacing pizza and Gatorade this summer with organic energy bars and drink powders.
While we can’t necessarily change the general perceptions that exist, we can and will do our share to provide healthy options for athletes.
As a side note, there is a lot more I could write about the marketing of sports drinks and their real impact, but I’ll let you do your own research if it’s of interest. In case you’re searching for alternative options, here’s a link to a plant-based drink powder that I am presently experimenting with after work-outs (and no, we are not affiliated with them in any way). But, as I discovered this weekend from Lee Taft, a national leader in sports training who I had the privilege of meeting at our PGC short course in Indiana, the easiest way to replace electrolytes is by making a banana, celery, and strawberry smoothie—as you’ll get all the sodium, potassium, and natural sugars that your body needs. There is no set amount for each item.
That’s it for this three part series on my key learnings from the past year. Once again, I appreciate you being a part of our PGC community and I hope to see you in the summer.
Sincerely,
Mano Watsa, President
PGC Basketball
Related Articles
The Beauty of the Game | The Leadership Podcast
Mano joins Jan Rutherford & Jim Vaselopulos, on The Leadership Podcast to talk about his sports and business experiences with stories and advice on thinking like a coach, communicating, and making a difference in people’s lives.
The Way I End Each Year
For the past few years, I have taken time over the holidays to do the same two exercises: On New Year’s Eve I take time to reflect back on the year; then on New Year’s Day I take time to create my plan for the coming year. These few hours have become really special to me. In fact, I look forward to them with great anticipation. Looking back on the year gives me the chance to pause to celebrate and appreciate all that transpired. My reflection process is the same each year.
A Leadership Lesson Most Never Get
If there is one crucial concept that is important to living well, it’s learning to live between your own ears.
About PGC
PGC Basketball provides intense, no-nonsense basketball training for players and coaches. Our basketball camps are designed to teach players of all positions to play smart basketball, be coaches on the court, and be leaders in practices, games and in everyday life.
We combine our unique PGC culture with a variety of teaching methods and learning environments to maximize the learning potential of those that attend our sessions. In addition to spending 6-7 hours on the court each day, lessons will be reinforced through classroom sessions and video analysis.
Our goal at PGC is to empower you with the tools to fulfill your basketball dreams, while also assisting you in experiencing the joy of the journey.
To learn more about PGC Basketball, including additional basketball training tips and videos, visit our YouTube Channel or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Share This Post