By: Darrell W. Butler
- TFW/Parisi Sports Performance Coach; ACE, NFPT CPT
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Okay, now I’m beginning to get a little nervous… I can’t seem to find my friends! Admittedly, I haven’t known them very long. Actually, we just met back in January, but I really thought they’d stick around forever. I mean, I used to see them literally every single day, sometimes even two or three times – with their brand new workout gear and their shoes as clean and white as new fallen snow.

They seemed so passionate about fitness and ready “to really make it happen this year”, but before the groundhog could even look for its shadow, they disappeared into the night. Have you seen them?

At least a few of you reading this article might have seen them… as recently as this morning… in the mirror while brushing your teeth. How’s that? Because I’m talking about you my friend.

What happened to that New Year’s resolution you made just a few months back? How is that going? Are you getting the results that you want? If not, here are several ways to get yourself refocused and back in the game!

1. Clearly define your short and long term goals. Before you can take things to the next level at the gym, you’ll need to figure out why you’re even going in the first place. Many will say that they just want to “get healthy” or “get fit”, but those answers are too general and won’t be enough to provide you with that extra push you’re going to need to drag yourself to the gym after a long day at work.

Instead, you’ll want to get more specific. Define “healthy” – what does that mean to you? Does that mean that you can do a certain number of push-ups or run five miles? If so, when would you like to accomplish this task by? And why is that important to you?

Once you’ve figured out the answers to those questions, don’t just stop there. Do you also have a wedding, family or a class reunion coming up? Perhaps you’ve planned a vacation and want to look good on the beach? Maybe there’s an outfit that you’ve buried in the back of your closet that you’d like to squeeze back in to?

Feel free to get as shallow and superficial as you’d like with these goals. You don’t have to share them with anyone else, so now is not the time to give cookie cutter pageant answers or be politically correct! Figure out what really motivates you to get in better shape and write those reasons down.

Of course, you’ll want to make sure that the goals are realistic. For example, if you’d like to drop six clothing sizes by the end of the week, that’s not going to happen, and you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment. So give yourself an adequate amount of time to achieve your long term goals and create short term check points to keep yourself focused and on track throughout the entire process.

2. Take your measurements. Before you can start working on your goal, you’ll need to know your starting point. Consider this as the “you are here” moment that will help you plot the path you’ll need to take to cross the finish line. If your goal is to do 50 push-ups in a minute before the summer, how many can you do now? If your goal is to run five miles straight, how long can you currently run without stopping?

You’ll also want to take your body measurements, body fat percentage, weight, blood pressure and resting heart rate. The more that you can track; the better off you’ll be; so take advantage of all that your gym or health center has to offer. This will allow you to take a holistic approach toward your current goal and create new ones for the future.

Again, write all of these numbers down so that you can compare them to your results the next time that you take these measurements. Also make sure to educate yourself on the significance of these numbers. For example did you know that every 10 pounds lost equals an approximate clothing size? Did you know that a healthy blood pressure is 120/80? What is a healthy body fat percentage for your age and gender?

Taking the time to ask these questions will save you time, energy and confusion in the long run so as they say in the construction business, “measure twice and cut once.”

3. Schedule your workout time. The biggest excuse for missing the gym is that “there isn’t enough time in the day to workout.” In many cases however, the reason there isn’t any time is because you haven’t made time! Look at your calendar – you probably have meetings, lunches and parties blocked off so why not your gym time? Isn’t it just as important?

Sure, I realize that sit-ups and crunches won’t pay the rent (although that would sure save me a LOT of money each month), so there will be times when work has to take precedence over working out. My challenge to you, however, is to analyze your day and see if you can’t find at least 15 minutes that you were doing absolutely nothing. Some examples would be watching your favorite tv show, gossiping at the office or the extra 10 minutes that you stood in the shower staring at the tiles.

Most likely there is time, so put it to use! Jog in place during commercials, walk up and down the stairs instead of hanging out by the water cooler or do something to actually justify that long shower first. Even if it’s only five minutes, something is always better than nothing, so when you can’t get to the gym, cheat fitness into your routine and keep chipping away at your goal until you make it happen!

4. Eliminate excuses! We already eliminated the time excuse, however the human mind is a powerful device and will always come up with more. Some popular excuses are that you “can’t eat healthy at work because the cafeteria only serves bad foods.” This is easy to fix, because you can pack your lunch and save money in addition to calories.

How about the old “I forgot my workout clothes” excuse? Start keeping an extra pair of sneakers in your car or office.

“My gym is on the other side of town”? Find one closer or come up with a routine that you can do at your house.

When you analyze most excuses, you’ll realize that’s all that they really are. It’s just that little voice in the back of your head that’s sabotaging your results and telling you that you can’t do it. My challenge to you is to tell that little voice to ‘shut the hell up” and push forward anyway!

5. Tell a friend what you’re doing. Of course, when you can’t tell that little voice to shut up, it might help to have a friend who can do that for you! Tell a friend that you can trust what you are doing so that they can help keep you motivated on those days that you just might not have the strength to make it on your own.

Even better, if your friend has a similar goal, you should try working together as a team. Or you can treat it like a competition and place a bet to see who can reach their goal the fastest! Either way, your friend can provide that extra motivation and support system that you’ll need to make healthier choices when you go to lunch together or for inspiration to keep going when times get rough.

6. Give yourself a break. Hopefully by this point you’re beginning to feel that same fire in your belly that you felt on December 31. That’s a great thing, but don’t overdo it. How so? As I mentioned, many people start off really strong by rushing into the gym two or even three times per day, but eventually burn out and disappear. You simply can’t keep that pace up all year long, so all things need to be done in moderation.

Sleep, rest and recovery time are just as important as the time logged inside of a gym, so you’ll need to schedule those times as well.

Depending on the style of workouts you’re participating in, you may want to allow one or two days rest in between your strength training routines. Cardiovascular exercise, flexibility training and abdominal exercises can be done more often, however you’ll still want to give yourself at least one day of complete freedom to relax and recover. This will allow you to prevent injury and come back stronger the next time that you workout.

Remember, it’s not the amount of time that you spend in the gym that will ultimately make the difference, it’s how efficiently you make use of that time so get in, go hard then go home.

7. Stop sabotaging your progress with poor nutrition. Cardiovascular exercise and strength training are obviously important and necessary; however the majority of your success will be determined by how well you’re eating. Think about it, how many times do you plan to work out each week? Now think about how many times you’ll eat or drink something in a given week? On average at least three times more right? So which do you think influences your body composition more – nutrition or exercise?

With that said, your best approach is to write down everything that you consume for at least two or three days.

Sure, food journals can be a pain, but seeing everything in written form will allow you (or a trained professional) to play “Food CSI” and figure out what areas of your daily routine may need to be tweaked. For example, are you eating enough fruits and vegetables? Are you having a balanced breakfast or having a high quality protein within 30 minutes of working out?

As tempting as it may be to skip writing at times, you’ll need to do so after every meal, because most people seem to have “food amnesia” and forget what they consumed shortly after eating it. One minute the tin of cookies is full and the next minute the tin is completely empty, but you don’t remember eating them all!

Quick! What did you have for dinner last Tuesday?

See, I told you! So just write it down, it’s only two or three days, however those who continue to track their nutrition even beyond these initial days tend to see greater results, so that may be something you’ll seriously want to consider.

So there you have it, I’ve said my piece and now the rest is up to you. Nothing is more frustrating than spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere, so incorporate these tips and your fitness goals will be back on track in no time!

I hope to see you again soon my friend!

Find out more about Darrell W. Butler’s work at DBPTonline.com and follow him on Twitter @DBPTonline

By: Dove
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You may remember his face best as a co-star of the box office smash film Dreamgirls, but Keith Robinson was no newcomer to entertainment when the movie hit theaters in 2006. An active songwriter and performer for most of his life, Robinson has spent the past few months preparing new music and film projects for fans to enjoy.

On February 3, 2012, Robinson celebrated the debut of Dysfunctional Friends, in which co-stars alongside familiar faces like Stacey Dash, Meagan Good, Terrell Owens, Reagan Gomez-Preston, Wesley Jonathan, Persian White, Jason Weaver, Hosea Sanchez and more. Keith also contributed to the soundtrack for the film, and recently shot the video for “Same Rules.”

With roles in several upcoming films, Keith still found time to start recording a new album. Even then, he’s sure to make time for himself with some travel to some of the most interesting destinations in the world. In this exclusive Carry On feature, Keith Robinson gives us his Top 7 favorite vacation spots, and explains why making music from his heart is often much more difficult than becoming another person on screen. Read on!

What are your Top 7 favorite getaway spots, and what do you enjoy most about each place?

1. Anguilla

The water is completely clear blue. The scenery is great, the weather is great, and the price for a hotel is incredible. It’s right on the ocean, it’s like paradise for real.

I like staying at The Viceroy of Anguilla. And they have good golf courses.

2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I love the people and the weather and the scenery. Carnival is amazing!

3. Buenos Aires, Argentina

It’s beautiful. They have great eats and great wines. Tango dance is very big there, it’s like a really big part of the culture.

There’s this one restaurant where the owner had aspired to be a famous tango dancer, but for some reason didn’t make it. He built this Tango restaurant, its three stories. At the bottom they do this Tango play and you eat dinner, he’s the star of it. All of these Tango dancers are waiters, they are amazing. I don’t know the name of the restaurant, but the food is amazing. The show is very passionate and pretty amazing. It’s like a stage play with Tango.

4. Turks and Caicos Islands

I just like to lay on the beach with someone that I’m really digging and drink rum punch. It’s a very relaxing place and very romantic.

5. Miami, Florida

I like to hang out on the beach. I like the clubs, the nightlife is very full. And I love the deep sea fishing.

6. Santa Barbara, California

Everything is great out there!

7. New York, New York

I would recommend catching a Broadway play. My favorite of all time was Tap Dance Kid, which I saw as a kid.

What got you into the mode that you want to just go hard with music?

Keith Robinson: I’ve been into music my whole career. Music is first, people are just finding out about it. My acting career is second, music has always been first.

Do you intend on re-releasing some stuff that’s been out in the past so people can learn more about your music?

KR: Yeah, I do plan on it, right now it’s just about letting people know that it’s there. I definitely would like to re-release some stuff as we progress. The more you mature as an artist, the better your material is so I’m excited about this new material.

What do you feel this record says about where you’re at in your life and in your career?

KR: I think it represents a personal understanding of life and love from my perspective. Through trial and error you kind of learn newer and greater ways to express it. So hopefully the music reflects that.

Do you have any intentions of doing any theater or movies in the near future, or are you going to stick with music?

KR: I’m in Dysfunctional Friends, and I’m working on others. I’m actually scoring, a lot of the projects I’ve had in the past I’ve had some musical influence, but now I’m trying to focus on having a perspective musically and dramatically.

What would you say is harder, making an album or filming a movie?

KR: Making an album, because there’s no script or no direction. The direction has to led by you creatively and the power that you’re working with. Whether that connection with the public, it could be elusive. It’s such a big never-ending talent, creating from your perspective, the blueprint is infinite. Those of us that can make a great song and capture it in an album that people can identify with, that’s why they call it a hit, because they figure that’s what everybody likes.

“Same Rules” video from the Dysfunctional Friends Soundtrack

Dysfunctional Friends trailer

“My Hustle” video

Follow Keith Robinson on Twitter @KeithSings and like him at Facebook.com/KeithRobinsonSings

By: Dove
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Clothing designer Chilly-O has a way of blending street style, extreme sports, music, dance, art and pop culture in his clothing like no other. The Atlanta, Georgia-based Gen-X tastemaker has created intricate visual stories on his designs, and now he is putting his skills to work with the new “Quotes” video series to capture the magic of what he calls “Atlanta Creative Urbanites”.

“Even though Atlanta is a new city, it’s time for our city to demonstrate progression as well,” Chilly-O told UrbLife.com. “This initiative is not only for the urbanites who add to art, innovation and progression of our city, but for America. Talent matched with the mighty power of the tongue simply gets the point across.”

Known for his stunning photo campaigns and clever cross-genre styled video look books, Chilly-O describes his line as a “Dichotomous Apparel Brand Triggered By Emotion, Color, Height, Shapes and Art.”

Take a look at the first video in Chilly-O’s “Quotes” series, which features Bboy Mr. Cool of ATL Funklordz and Zulu Nation ATL dancing to George Clinton’s classic “Atomic Dog.”

CLICK HERE to learn more about Chilly-O Clothing at ChillyO.com, and follow him on Twitter @ChillyOClothing

By: Dove
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When you think “communal table”, you might imagine family, friends and neighbors sharing food and happy times together. Or if you agree with the Zagat team, you might think it’s the most annoying recent trend in restaurants. No matter what your opinion is about sharing table space, Brooklyn Commune Executive Chef Chris Scott is here to make your experience in communal dining the best ever.

Chef Scott appeared on The Food Network’s Chopped in June 2011, and has seen his business grow leaps and bounds in the past year with more family-friendly events added to Brooklyn Commune’s already diverse repertoire. If the kudos from Yelp.com are any indication – with a cumulative 4 out of 5 stars – Scott’s movement toward neighborhood unity isn’t slowing down any time soon.

As it turns out, Scott is a romantic kind of guy underneath that business mind, so we tapped him for some perfect Valentine’s dinner tips. But can you make it healthy? And what exactly is healthy on a day of love and indulgence? That is the question!

In this exclusive interview, UrbLife.com also learns more about the communal table philosophy, what Chef Scott is doing to heat up business, and how to prepare the perfect oyster!

Tell us a little about the philosophy behind the community tables and what that means to you.

Chris Scott: Well me and my girlfriend Eugenie run Brooklyn Commune together. It’s a community based restaurant focusing on organic foods, locally grown products, a lot of things that are manufactured, grown, and created in Brooklyn such as syrups for sodas, coffee, juice, salsa, on and on and on. We carry about 10-12 products that are made right here in Brooklyn that we sell at the store, as well as the ingredients we get from farms in Long Island and upstate New York that goes all over the place on our menu.

We’re very focused on the community, we hold cooking classes for the kids, soon we’re going to be doing Pilates classes here in the store as well. There are a lot of the new moms in the area who can now come in on the day that we’re closed, on Mondays, and do some Pilates.

How do you feel about community tables becoming a trendy situation? Do you feel that people have been inspired by what you’ve done?

CS: I think it all depends on who you talk to. Even though we’re in Brooklyn, even if we go to Manhattan, there are probably so many places that do the communal table. Where we are on our block, we’re one of three, and one of them is about to close, so in order to get anything good you have to jump on the train and go about four or five stops out of your way, or pick it up as you’re going home. Plus, the people in our neighborhood don’t necessarily have a place where they can come together.

There have been people that have come in and said to each other that, “I didn’t even know that you lived next door to me” or “I didn’t know that you only lived down the street, I only saw you on the train or bus.” This is kind of like a meeting place for everyone, and, at least for our clientele, they really dig it. Not only do they come together and sit there and eat and read and communicate with each other in the area, but our place now has become the meeting center for different events in the neighborhood.

There were some guys in the area that were messing with women in evening, groping and raping and all of that. The people in the neighborhood came here to get together a group of people that would meet women and walk them home from the subway, because we’re right next to the subway (F and G). We hold different meetings and events based on that. Just yesterday we had some 5th grade kids from PS10 come through, and they made scarves.

I think that the whole table thing is a small part of the community thing that we’re trying to put together. It’s truly what we’re all about, so if it’s a trend to some, it’s more of a lifestyle to us and the people that live in this area.

Given the rate of obesity of kids, what are you teaching people about how to eat right through your menu and events?

CS: A lot of the things that we teach them is about growing things that are sustainable and things that you can grow right in your backyard, you don’t have to go down the street to [fast food], or even go to the bodega and get tasty cakes or what have you. You can create a diet and a lifestyle based on good food that you create.

Now I know that everyone can’t put a seed in the ground and grow it – they just don’t have the time – but you can begin to eat well. A lot of things that we have here, just coming to our place looking on the menu selections as far as whole grains and organic vegetables, even if they aren’t organic, they are local and healthy. Down the way you can’t even buy a good head of romaine lettuce, let alone iceberg or apple.

I try to instill mainly to eat right, and then show them how to eat right, and then cook with them directly and take it even further in the summertime with the community gardens and the farm that we have across the street to grow your stuff and eat well. Eating well is important.

What type of classes do you offer people?

CS: During the holidays we had an entire class based on spice; spices that you can make on your own, spice rubs, the origin of various spices, how to make curry. We had one recently on knife skills and then we had one on gifts that you can make in your kitchen. We had one where we would make a hot chocolate mix, and then we had one where we made various spice rubs and marinades. We had one where we made preserves, jams and jellies.

They’re all over the place, but what I’m going to move into for 2012 is keep this as a primary class, we’re going to have others, but this I want once a month, I’m going to call it “Kids Feeding Kids” and what that’s basically going to be is introduction to food for young kids and teenagers showing them the nutritional values of various ingredients and how to prepare them. With the finished product, we’re going to give that to homeless shelters for women and children.

The more that we do that, then we’ll invite those women and children shelters to come by and they can be involved in it, as well as summer programs with the farms across the street, just getting everybody deeply rooted into it. It’s in the making right now, I’m going to try to have it complete by March or April.

Can people sign up for your classes online?

CS: They can. With the Kids Feeding Kids, that’s going to be a free class. We’re trying to get as many kids in here as possible. With the knife skills and jams and jellies, and different things we might have moving forward, they can go onto the website and check us out and see what’s up and coming. Our place isn’t so large, the maximum space is up to 8 students, but with the kids thing I’m going to try to make it from 12-15.

With Valentines Day coming up, are there any suggestions you have for preparing a cool, healthy romantic dinner?

CS: What’s really good about Valentine’s Day is that it’s also my girlfriend’s birthday, so I really have to be extra special. Usually around here it’ll be very cold but we just bundle up and we’ll take a walk around the park, she likes that. I’ll have different [gifts] in my pocket that I’ll pull out in various parts of the park.

But healthy? Wow. When I think about it, I kind of indulge; indulge with the food, indulge with the love, indulge with the words. Valentine’s Day is definitely a day to indulge. I guess if I had to indulge with the healthy aspect, I guess healthy being healthy words of the mind, healthy food for the body, healthy vibe for the spirit.

Of course I would hit all of the traditional things, the oysters and the champagne. My girl actually enjoys carrot cake, so every year I make her a carrot cake with honey rather than sugar. She likes that with the normal cream cheese frosting. It’s not as deeply rooted in sugar like most, it does have a little bit of a healthier aspect to it. We do the oysters and tons of flowers all of the time.

How can I tell a good oyster from a bad one? What is an easy way to prepare them?

CS: There are different types. There is the Kumamoto, there are Malpeque oysters, there is this whole thing going on with east coast versus west coast, but the colder the water the better tasting and sweeter the oyster is, at least that’s been my experience with it. When choosing them I’ll speak to my [supplier] about it and he’ll tell me what he has available, and usually I’ll know the region where they’re from and that’s how I’ll select them with that.

Then I usually go with the basic tobassco, lemon, and horseradish, but a lot of people, like my girl for example, she likes various vinaigrettes, and that’s made from Champagne vinegar. When I make them for my clients, I usually make various gelées, almost like a little jello square on top of the oyster, but when you shoot it that jello melts in your mouth. [You can use] jasmine tea, rose water, champagne vinegar, or a balsamic. When you shoot it, that little cube no bigger than your pinky nail will dissolve into your mouth and kind of has the gooiness and freshness from the oyster, but at the same time this burst of flavor.

If it feels good in the mouth, then it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. When you run out of love, you gotta stop and make some!

For more information on Chef Chris Scott and his work, go to BrooklynCommune.com and like Facebook.com/BrooklynCommune

By: Isha “Ice” Cole
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In 2007 approximately 110,000 people started treatment for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or kidney failure in the United States. In 2010 3.9 million adults were diagnosed with noninstitutionalized kidney disease, and more than 20 million people age 20 and older were diagnosed Chronic Kidney Disease.

Author Theodore Goyins knows what it feel like to be a part of those alarming statistics. After being diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome years ago, his doctors prescribed Goyins a medicine that later damaged his kidneys and nearly ended his life. 

In his new book Expressions of a Man: Expressions of Faith, Family, Life & Love, Goyins discusses his physical and emotional journey in dealing with kidney failure. Expressions of a Man was a vice for Goyins, who shares many other personal moments dealing with family, love, and much more.

In addition to his writing career, the New Jersey native is also an academic adviser and adjunct professor at Camden County College. In this exclusive interview with UrbLife.com, Theodore Goyins offers advice for first-time authors, gives us some insight on his bout with kidney disease, and shares a tip on how we can all express ourselves better.

What events in your life inspired you to write your new book?

Theodore Goyins: There were many life threatening and life altering events that shaped every word in this book. As a child and young man I was unable to express myself, I held a lot of pain in. I needed to find an outlet and I needed to find it soon because my life depended on it. Writing is cathartic for me and has pulled me through some really tough times.

Just a few of those tough times included divorce of my parents, an ailment called Ulcerative Colitis and the diagnosis of kidney failure which eventually caused me to have a kidney transplant.Through writing I was also able to express the depth of love I have for my family and friends who were there for both good and bad days. Fortunately, because of my family, my good days more than outweighed my bad days.

This book was my liberation from all the pain and anguish that was going on inside. More importantly this anthology expresses the faith I had to get through tough times, the family who held me up when I wanted to give up, the love that allowed me to overcome my pain, and a life worth living because of the rewards that came with overcoming. My writing became my life line and I truly believe that it saved my life, that and my mother being my kidney donor.

In the book, how detailed do you get with the story of your health issues?

TG: This anthology is full of many free verse poems that discuss very poignant moments in my life. I discuss my near death experiences, faith that got me through those moments, and the family that supported me through the whole ordeal. But this book is not only about one man overcoming challenges; it is also about every man and woman around this country who are hoarding their emotions and pain.

I am on a mission to help expression come naturally for both men and women. So in fact I have been very vulnerable within the pages of my book, in hopes that readers will see themselves in the words and realize how important releasing of negative emotions are to the state of both their mental and physical health.

You were diagnosed with kidney failure, what was the actual disease that caused your kidneys to fail?   

TG: Some would call my diagnosis with kidney failure a “freak accident”. At a young age I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, namely Ulcerative Colitis which can be very debilitating. After several years of trying to find a medicine that would ease my symptoms, the doctors came upon a medicine which they said would help.

Unfortunately, after years of taking this medicine and lack of check up by my doctor, the medicine left me with severely damaged kidney tissue. So after years of kidney failure it was finally time to receive a transplant. It was a blessing that every immediate family member was a match to be my donor, which is a miracle. In the end it was my mother who donated her kidney, giving me life twice.

Did you have any symptoms that led to this diagnosis?

TG: Yes there were many symptoms. Some of those symptoms included severe fatigue, pain in lower back, fever, weight loss, skin discoloration, and many other symptoms.

Do you have any health advice that you may have received from your doctors on how on how to keep your kidneys healthy?

TG: All individuals need to get a routine check up by their doctor annually. Always be aware of the side effects of any prescription medication that you are taking. Proper exercise and healthy eating are the only ways to ensure you are healthy and in the best shape of your life!

Explain how going through this health scare changed you as a person?

TG: My kidney transplant is a constant reminder of how precious life is and that it should never be taken for granted. I will forever have a scar to remind me of the life battles I have been through and the visual image to also remind me that those life battles are now in the past. I live every day like it is my last and eagerly pursue my passion, writing.

I have a personal mantra I live by; I’d rather struggle doing something I love than to be miserable doing something I hate. My health scares have reconnected me with my love for writing and I never plan to divorce this love. Life is for the living and I have chosen to live it to the fullest.

What do you hope people will gain after reading your book?

TG: First, I want all to know that this book is not only for men but for women as well. I am determined to help expression come naturally for both men and women. I want men to know that it is not emasculating to express yourself in order to release some of your most inner thoughts.

Lack of communication and expression is ruining relationships of every form. Furthermore, it is very important for women to release the hurt of past relationships and traumatizing abuse. Releasing this inner most pain will allow you to live freely without weights holding you down.

It is my prayer that men and women see themselves in these words and are encouraged to express themselves more in order to allow it to take its’ natural course. Readers should know that there is a man that went through some challenges and out of those challenges a dream was birthed.

Do you have any advice for any first-time authors?

TG: Never give up on your art. Protect it, believe in it, and stick with it. Nobody will believe in your art more than you do and that will prove true when you start promoting your book to readers. You must research all avenues to allow your voice and words to be heard.

The whole process may seem long but nothing feels better than the birth of a dream.  My book was a several year long dream and it all is still surreal that I am now able to hold it in my hands. Remember your art may save a life one day and that is the greatest satisfaction.

Can you give us one tip on each of the areas that you discuss in your book – Faith, Family, Life and Love? How can we all improve in the way we express ourselves in those areas?

TG: Faith for each individual is different. Find something to believe in and give you hope no matter what your religion. Faith is a strong tower to lean on when things get rough. Family is the greatest support system. Never take them for granted.

My family has kept me even when I felt like the rest of the world was against me. Forgive and love those you call your family. Life is something we are blessed with each day. Live life without regrets. Love is the greatest gift. Love replaces pain, it heals hearts, and it is what binds us together. Keep love at the center of everything you do.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

TG: This is the million dollar question. Every time I choose to set up a plan for the future God always has the better one, but I will give it a try. My plan is to change the world one word at a time. I pray that I am able to create art that changes lives whether it is through books, plays, or movies.  I seek to become an all around writer. I am just trying to improve my art each day.

You can definitely look for a play and another book within the next five years. For me to see another five years would be a blessing being that just a year and half ago death came knocking. These years will be spent making my company Art of Expressions Inc one of the premier companies to produce the written arts.

Click here to purchase Expression of A Man: Expressions of Faith, Family, Life & Love.

For more information on Theodore Goyins, visit ExpressionsOfaMan.com and follow him on Twitter @TRG_3.

By: M. Antonio Silas
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Since its introduction in 1996, the Soul series has enjoyed a successful run as one of Namco’s flagship fighting game series, alongside Tekken. A successor to Namco’s Soul Blade series, SoulCalibur is known for its impressive soundtrack, breath-taking visuals, and a weapons-based fighting system that focuses less on combos and more on precision. One of the series’ traits is definitely consistency; this can be a good or a bad thing depending on who you ask.

With the latest incarnation of the series, SoulCalibur V, Namco sticks with what made the series memorable: a wide variety of unique fighting styles, colorful characters, and flashy special moves. The games all have a production quality similar to that of a movie, and SCV is no different.

As with the other games of the series, SCV focuses on the Soul Blade, a soul-stealing sword that most of the characters in the game are after. The possession of this possessed blade sets the stage for all of the fights that take place during the game’s campaign. Since SCV takes place 17 years after the events of SCIV, several characters that are well-known in the series are nowhere to be found; they have been replaced by new characters with similar move sets. Many favorites are still present, however.

So how does SoulCalibur V measure up? Here is our evaluation of  Gameplay, Controls, Graphics, Sound and Replay Value. Let us know if you agree or disagree with these scores!

Gameplay  - Score: 6.5 out of 7

SCV does not disappoint when it comes to gameplay. The game is flexible enough to appease both newbies and hardened veterans alike. Each of the characters has their own unique back story that immerses you further into the game.

While Namco didn’t touch the fighting engine too much, there are a few new changes. For instance, the fighters now have super moves, similar to those found in the Street Fighter series. The thing that previously separated the SoulCalibur series was actually the lack of elements like this. While super moves may make some fans weary, they do not hinder the game. With enough skill, you can set up and combo into these moves, taking away a large amount of your opponent’s health if done properly.

In terms of game modes, SCV takes a different approach to the typical Arcade Mode found in most fighting games. The “Story” campaign found in this game has expanded substantially on the Story mode found in SCIV. It’s a refreshing alternative to the typical ladder progression you find in most fighting games.

SCV also includes other fighting modes, including Online Play, Arcade Battle, and Character Creation.

Controls – Score: 7 out of 7

The controls haven’t changed at all, and that definitely is not a bad thing. By alternating and combining the horizontal slash, vertical slash, kick, and block buttons, players have a wide variety of moves at their disposal. Since the game is in 3-D, players have an “8-way run” at their disposal, allowing characters to strategically position themselves for special moves or sidestep incoming attacks.

As always, the controls are tight and responsive. While many of the moves can be performed fairly easily, many of them require precise inputs. Luckily, the learning curve for the majority of the characters’ moves is not too steep.

Graphics – Score: 7 out of 7

The combat flows smoothly at 60 frames per second. Namco always ensures that the characters have the highest quality of detail. For example, when armor is broken, you can see shrapnel flying from the characters’ body. The start-up animations of super moves are accented with colorful graphics. You can see the characters wincing as they are struck with a blow and a bright animation when weapons clash with one another.

The various arenas you will fight in also tell their own stories, including a battered pirate ship that falls apart as you do battle, and villagers doing battle with a giant ogre. It was difficult to believe that Namco could surpass the graphics that were present in SCIV, but once again they outdid themselves.

Sound – Score: 6 out of 7

The sound for SCV is high quality, sporting Dolby Digital Audio. The game allows you to set your sound preferences according to the abilities of your sound system. Even on a flatscreen television with default speakers, the game sounds superb. The voice acting is spot-on for the most part, but sometimes the characters sound somewhat generic or uninspired in their dialogue.

If you would like a more genuine feel to the characters, you have the option of changing all of the dialogue from English to each of the character’s respective languages.

Replay Value – Score: 5.5 out of 7

This is one of the only areas that the game even remotely struggles in. Aside from the things you would expect to be in a fighting game, there isn’t much else. There’s no Team Battle Mode, no Tag Team Mode, no Endless Fight Mode. These modes aren’t required, but variety is always a plus.

The modes that the game does have are being done extremely well, however. The “Character Creation” mode is likely one of the most robust ever featured in a fighting game. By fighting in various modes, you earn additional garments and accessories that your custom character can sport. If you don’t have the creative genius to design your own fighter, you can select one of the game’s various fighters and change the color scheme however you see fit. There are endless possibilities within this mode, and unlocking everything for the characters will likely take you quite a while.

“Online Mode” is where the action is. Putting your skills to the test against another player online has never been more fun! You can set your preferences to find an opponent and then go to war. The lobbies are well-crafted, allowing you to watch other players battle while you wait for your turn. There are too many positives about the nearly-lagless online mode to list; it’d be in your best interest to experience it yourself.

The Bottom Line

Soul Calibur V is worth your money if you are a fighting game fan or if you just want to try something new. With a robust fighting system, gorgeous graphics, an ease of accessibility, and a modest amount of well-done game modes, SCV is a worthy entrant to a great series.

Total Score: 32 out of 35
UrbLife.com Rating: 91.4%

For updates on Soulcalibur V, go to SoulCalibur.com

By: Isha “Ice” Cole
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Are you ready for the sequel!? Yes, it’s that time of the year when football fanatics everywhere are anticipating the big game. After a great regular season and an exciting playoff, the stage is set for Super Bowl XLVI. On February 5, 2012, the NFC Champions the New York Giants will go up against the AFC Champions the New England Patriots at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Who will reign supreme this Sunday? Sure, we could have asked all our man friends about who they’re betting on, but to shake it up a bit, UrbLife.com gathered up some football-loving Gen-X women for straight pigskin talk!

Who can forget the last big match-up between the Giants and Patriots four years ago in Super Bowl XLII, which ended in a thrilling victory for the boys in blue! But this is a new year! The Giants are on fire and have the momentum, while the Patriots have their superstar quarterback Tom Brady at the helm of a great offense.

In the post-season the Patriots and the Giants are ranked number three and four in passing yards, respectively. Defensively the Giants have the upper-hand in rushing with 120.3 yards per game compared to the Patriots 130.0. The Giants have been on a revenge streak during their playoff run. They lost to both the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers during the regular season, but these are the two teams they beat leading them to the Super Bowl.

Most would agree that the Patriots are out for Giants blood this time around. Of course the previous Super Bowl loss is still vivid in their minds, but they took an L to the Giants earlier this season as well.

Let’s meet the ladies we brought in for this chat! Read on as they discuss who they think will win the Super Bowl XVLI, final scores, and more, then let us know your thoughts!

– Trina Smith – Amusement Games Licensing Supervisor, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs

– Anne Torres – Director of Communications, City of Newark

– Diana Cotoroi – Personal Chef and Event Coordinator

– Terri Bloomer – DIMACS Workshop Coordinator, Rutgers University

– Eb the Celeb – Digital Content Producer and Marketer

– Spantaneeus – Entertainer, Model, and CEO of Pleasure Life Music Publishing, Inc.

– Dawn Jackson – Medical Records, University Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

– Liris Crosse – Model, Actress and Event Host

Who will win Super Bowl 46, and what is your prediction for the final score?

Trina Smith:  31-28 – New York Giants

Anne Torres: 28-21 – Do you have to ask? Big Blue of course!!

Diana Cotoroi: 17-7 – Giants, of course!

Terri Bloomer: 14-10 – New England Patriots – revenge!

Eb the Celeb: 28-10 – I really really hate both teams, but being a Cowboys fan, the disgust for the Giants is more then my disgust for the Patriots. The Patriots will win solely because they are coming for blood. This will not be a repeat from the Super Bowl in 2007 where a fluke play with seconds left in the game ended in a Giants win. Because of that, the Patriots aren’t even going to let it be a close game. They are going to blow the Giants out!

Spantaneeus: 34-24 – I think New England Patriots.

Dawn Jackson: 31-28 – Really?! Is that a legit question to ask one of the biggest Giants fans?!

Liris Crosse: 28-22 – My NY Giants of course! We’re ready to give Tom Brady more Super Bowl lost nightmares!

What does the team that you chose have to do in order to win?

Trina Smith: [Giants] Put pressure on Brady, with his favorite tight-end Gronkowski probable (high ankle sprain) it will be interesting to see who he will throw to.

Anne Torres: [Giants] Giants defense will have to put the pressure on Brady fast to shut down the passing game. Keep the running game strong and let our “big 3″ – Cruz, Manningham, and Nicks do their thing.

Diana Cotoroi: [Giants] I would think stay focused.

Terri Bloomer: [Patriots] Protect Brady– he can’t take the sacks!

Eb the Celeb: [Patriots] They just have to have Tom Brady on point. Every time the offense is on the field they have to score either a touchdown or a field goal. Their defense has a lot of loop holes in it so the key to winning this game is going to be the offense just making it so extremely hard for the Giants to match.

Spantaneeus: [Patriots] Both quarterbacks need to focus under pressure especially if it’s a close game going into the 4th quarter.

Dawn Jackson: [Giants] The Giants have to do the following in order to win the game: a) Block your quarterback!  I can’t say that enough!  b) No interceptions c) No fumbles d) Run the ball into the end-zone!

Liris Crosse: [Giants] We have to get our running game going from the start!

What is one thing that each quarterback should or should not do the night before the Super Bowl?

Trina Smith: Both quarterbacks should talk to the offensive lines those guys are key to keeping you off the ground! Look at highlight reels and see where you can expose the defensive coverages.

Anne Torres: Avoid hanging with Cundiff and Williams the night before.

Diana Cotoroi: Don’t drink alcohol, but drink lots of water!

Terri Bloomer: No partying! Stretch, warm up and relax.

Eb the Celeb: Well, players have a curfew so they won’t be able to do anything anyway.

Spantaneeus: They should not listen to the media!

Dawn Jackson: Eli needs to attend all practices, relax, have a clear head during the game, and don’t party. Save that for after we win the game!

Liris Crosse: They should get a good night’s rest, pray, and they shouldn’t stay up late on Twitter or on their phones! They need to block all friends, family and media out and focus. Get your eyes on the prize!

Any more comments or trash talking you want to add?

Trina Smith: I’m proud to be a New York Giants fan, been one since ’84! By any means necessary Big Blue bring the Lombardi trophy back home!

Anne Torres: I said the Giants would make grilled cheese in Green Bay, Rice-a-Roni in San Francisco, and now we’ll be making clam chowder out of New England. I mean, really, would you trust a quarterback who posed in Uggs ads?

Diana Cotoroi: Devin Thomas is gorgeous, the Patriots will lose, and I am baking 300 delicious blue cupcakes for the game.

Terri Bloomer: Looking forward to the game, but I would have liked to see some other teams in it.

Eb the Celeb: Win, lose, or tie, Cowboys fan till I die! I have a bet on this game where if the Giants win I have to buy and wear Giants gear head to toe, and take a picture – so go Patriots!

Spantaneeus: Let’s go Eagles! Make my birthday gift a reality and be in the Super Bowl for 2013!

Dawn Jackson: I just want to say congrats to the New York Giants!! I am extremely ecstatic that you’re in the big game! I have won six bets on your games this season, and I must say that I’ve had a lot of people delete me from their Facebook friends list! Go Giants!

Liris Crosse: My Giants will once again show why we’re number one, and send the Patriots back with the same empty feeling from our last Super Bowl meeting! They can come party in New York with us next week, drinks on the champions! If your team isn’t in the Super Bowl, don’t fret! Come join us next season and cheer your favorite team on at Football Le Femme:  For the women who love football and the men who love both!

The ladies have spoken! So who do you think will win Super Bowl XLVI?

By: Terrence Nelson
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It’s that time of year when the grass is frozen, the wind is blistering and most people’s TVs get more of a work out than they do. Now, escape with me to the smell of freshly cut grass, deeply inhale the 75-degree air and walk carefully so you don’t spill your favorite over priced draft beer of choice! It will soon be Spring in the gaming universe with the March 6, 2012 release of MLB 12 The Show for Playstation 3 and Sony Vita.

MLB The Show has been the flagship baseball gaming franchise the last 12 years. The Sony Computer Entertainment team has continued to innovate both the animation and game play each year without skipping a beat, and 2012 is no different as several new features have been added to an already ridiculously detailed gaming platform.

MLB 12 will feature the primary source of MLB bloopers and near-bloopers in player collisions all over the field. Each player will have a new rating attribute called “collision awareness” that will dictate their aversion ability in regards to on field collisions.

For example, in terms of defense, collision awareness will dictate whether Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano will collide when fielding a fly ball over 2nd base. Offensively, it will enable savvy base runners such as Jose Reyes to avoid collisions by sliding around tags and even spiking (a.k.a. taking people out). Having a low collision awareness rating will have its down sides, such as players dropping fly balls, runners missing bases and fielders missing tags.

Developers have re-worked the “ball physics” in order to make gameplay more realistic. This enhancement will result in increased ball speed off the bat, more topspin on groundballs, and more movement in high motion pitches. Yeah, that’s a lot to swallow, but it seems as though the new ball physics will not favor offense or defense, so all things will remain even. You may have to become more instinctive and quicker to react as a result, so the jury is still out on how it will affect your gameplay.

For the mobile gamer, Sony has also added one of the greatest enhancements in sports gaming history. Gamers will be able to share all games, seasons and stats on their Sony Cloud, which means gamers will be able to share games between their home-based PS3 and Vita. You will be able to play seasons or online games from any location without using different profiles for each platform. Vita users can sign into their profile from any Wi-Fi connection and pick up games where they left off on their home PS3.

Check out the MLB 12: The Show reveal trailer and gameplay action below!

For updates on the MLB 12 The Show, go to TheShowNation.com and follow them on Twitter @Playstation

By: Dove
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On February 11, 2012, the multi-talented Kevin Smith will unleash his latest stand-up special Burn In Hell exclusively on EpixHD, with access for Epix On Demand and Xbox 360 and Roku Epix app users. Filmed in Austin, Texas, Burn In Hell is flooded with the type of candor Smith’s fans expect from the quick-witted Jersey Gen-Xer.

Smith’s first comedy special with Epix, Too Fat for 40, was actually a Q&A with fans released in October 2011. Smith often does daily Q&A with fans via his twitter page (@ThatKevinSmith), and had a lot to talk about last year after his beef with Southwest airlines, so taking it all to the stage made perfect sense.

You can get updates on Burn In Hell before the premiere at Facebook.com/EpixHD or on Twitter @EpixHD. Take a look at the uncensored clips below for a sneak peek!

By: Dove
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From sub-conscious reasons behind fear of failure (or success), to piles of excuses for lack of follow-through, there is no doubt that we often sell ourselves short when it comes to realizing our goals. In fact, in recent studies researchers found that 88% of people fail to keep any of their New Year’s resolutions. So what is the secret behind making this “your” year?

As founder of the RADICAL Success Institute and Get RADICAL Women’s Conference, Doreen Rainey has made it her life to help others overcome their personal and professional obstacles. Her career as a “RADICAL Success Coach” has been built on helping others pull themselves together.

A graduate of Spelman, Rainey received a Masters of Science in Conflict Negotiation and Conflict Management from the University of Baltimore, then went on to obtain certification from the world renowned Coaches Training Institute. Through her work, Doreen has been able to bring formidably successful women to Washington, DC each year to inspire women from around the country at the Get RADICAL Women’s Conference.

At the conference, over 500 attendees are encouraged to face their fears and expectations (or lack thereof) in order to move forward with new ideas and ideals. There is always an impressive line-up of talent to draw inspiration from, and for March 2012 presentations include health and wellness expert Jillian Michaels, financial guru Suze Orman, motivational speaker Lisa Nichols, entrepreneur Ali Brown, and author/editor Monique Greenwood, to name a few.

To get our goals On Point, UrbLife.com asked Doreen Rainey for some advice on how we can make the most of our 2012 resolutions, and found out some good reasons why participating in a motivational conference like Get RADICAL may help us with goals far beyond this year. Read on!

What are some key pointers to keep your New Year’s resolutions moving positively forward for the rest of the year?

Doreen Rainey: 1. Take responsibility. ”Fresh start” means that you need to be ready to take responsibility. That means responsibility for the outcome, responsibility for the actions, and responsibility for making the plan. Just have within yourself that your success and your ability to achieve what you want is your responsibility. Not to depend on, blame, or look for others to do for you for what is, in fact, your responsibility.

2. Set an intention. So many people talk about their goals or milestones, but before you can do any of that you have to set an intention. What I mean by that is the “why” of your goals. Maybe your intention for the new year is to actually be joyful. Maybe your intention is to find happiness, or to have some peace or clean up messy relationships once and for all. Maybe your intention is to be more of a giver and a sharer.

Before you set any goal, I always tell people to set an intention.

3. Attack some goals with those intentions. Obviously you have more than one intention and more than one goal. Think about where you want your life to be at the end of 2012. It’s very easy to make a long list or to think about career, finance, relationships, and all of those different areas, but I would only choose like two or three major goals for the next year. That way, you won’t get overwhelmed.

Also, when people have a long list, they tend to jump around. When things get hard with one goal, they say, “Let me go over to this.” When it gets hard with that one, they go over to this. They’re giving themselves an ‘out’. Keep it to one or two, and then you’re focused.

4. Write down your plan. Once you have those two goals, you actually need to write down the plan. Many people will have a plan in their head, or they’ll think about, “Every week I’m going to do this” or “Every month I’m going to do this.” The reality is that you have to take out a piece of paper or take out your laptop and actually document those action steps. Then put those where you can actually see them on a daily basis.

5. Take action. The best way I feel to take action is to find an accountability partner. Someone who you can trust to support you through implementing your plans. Going back to number one, be willing to take responsibility when that relationship goes south. You have to be responsible enough to get it back on track, or find another responsibility partner.

6. Manage setbacks, disappointments, and obstacles. The best way is to pre-manage. Most of us already know what our obstacles will be before they show up. For example, if one of your goals is going back to school and if you are a single parent, you have a child and all of these things to do, and then you not only need a plan, but a contingency plan. So when things don’t work out, you know how to handle it.

If your goal is around weight, and you know that all of your friends like to go out and drink and happy hour and things like that, then you need to already know what you’re going to say. If you’re in debt, there is no extra money, so when people want to go out to dinner, you know you can’t go because you don’t have any extra money. I don’t care how much you have available on your credit card or whether you just got paid today. If it’s one of your goals to get out of debt, then you don’t have any money.

You shouldn’t be caught off guard when someone wants you to go out to dinner, or you see it’s a great sale going on at the store. You should already know what you’re going to do in those situations. There will be some things that you can’t predict, but if you can manage the ones that you can predict, when the ones come up that will blindside you, you have more clarity on how to handle it.

7. Celebrate small successes. Sometimes you get so caught up on the big goals that we forget to enjoy the journey. The first time that you actually run a 5K without stopping, that’s a celebration. The first time you do tell someone, “No, going out to eat is not fiscally responsible and I can’t go,” you should celebrate that. You should be excited about that!

If you’re trying to finish your degree and you complete the first class, don’t think about that you have two more years to go. Think about, “Oh my God, I just completed my first class, how exciting!” Every small step is a reason to celebrate. It keeps you excited and motivated about the next step and it gives you something to look back on and remember when times get hard or when you want to give up.

What inspired you to create a conference around your work?

DR: That interesting thing is most people at the top of the pyramid have some sort of “lack” and that’s why they come to coaching. A lack of confidence, a lack of success in their career, a lack of clarity in their relationship – and I come in to help them fill that gap, build them up, and plug those leaks that create that lack in whatever area that is.

When I do that with coaching, my reach is one-to-one. When I do it in group coaching, my reach is one-to-twelve. To have an entire conference where the main objective is to help you overcome that lack, then my reach goes to one-to-hundreds and hundreds and hundreds.

All of the people that I bring in have a contribution to helping the attendees really be able to say, “This part of my life, I need help.” This environment not only gives the information, you also get actual belief that, “I can leave this room and actually make it happen.”

You have everything within that when those holes are plugged up, that confidence is there, the right information is there, and the right accountability is there, then you go out and give to the world what you were created to give. The conference allows to me to do that to a much bigger audience than my coaching practice does.

What are some key things that you have done or the attendees have done to help it grow?

DR: I think that number one, there is an excitement that I try to convey when I talk about the conference, that people experience when they come to the conference. A lot of the feedback that I have gotten is that, “This is not what I expected!” Not knowing what they expected, but I know that you have to be fully engaged in every aspect of your life and you get all of that from the conference and that just resonates with people.

Yes, we have celebrity speakers, like Jillian Michaels and Suze Orman, but the environment itself generates excitement and generates growth. We have a large percentage of repeat attendees because of the learning that they get. I’ve had people say that they come every year and “Everything is better in my life – my finances, my relationship, my business, my health, everything is better because the content is so good and the information is so good.” I think the idea of excitement and there’s a lot going on, but also the content.

How do you, as a person that helps other people out, find the mental and emotional fortitude to stay on top of your game every day? Do you ever get sad or stressed?

DR: Oh my God every month I’m like, “I’m just going to get a job. I’m going to check out the wanted ads and send out resumes!” Absolutely. The beauty of what I do is that I can use it on myself as well because there are times when I feel like this isn’t working, I’m tired, all of those things that we all go through. Then I have to remember, if I was a client what would I tell myself? That’s one way.

Another way is finding help, so I’m a strong believer that everybody needs a coach periodically in their life. I don’t just talk my talk, I walk my walk as well. I have coaches that I have the opportunity to say, This is what’s working for me, this isn’t working for me, what’s going on with me, why am I feeling this way, what steps can I take to get back on track?” The same thing that every other person goes through, I go through as well. The same suggestions that I give it people, that’s the same thing I got through.

Also, you have to take time for some yourself. Sometimes that’s very hard if you have children, if you’re taking care of an older parent, you have a job that you work 50-60 hours a week. All of those things crunch into your time, but you have to find time for self-care. I mean literal time, not multi-tasking time. Some people say, “When I’m driving I listen to my favorite motivational CDs” – that’s multi-tasking not self-care.

Self-care means even if it has to be at 4:00am and whatever you do… for some people it’s working out, meditation, a massage, a spiritual experience, reading their Bible or something meaningful to them. Whatever it is, it has to be a priority. So many times we’ll let that be the first thing to go. We’ll skip a workout because, “Oh my gosh, I have to take a child to school early today” or we’ll cancel a massage because, “I’ve got to go and do something for a family member.”

The reality is that you’re only as good to other people as you’re good to yourself. That may come across as selfish to the other person, but then that’s their problem not yours.

What do you feel are some good justifications for someone to say, “I’m going to travel to Washington, DC and I’m going to spend what may be an exorbitant amount of money to some people on a conference?”

DR: I always say there are five reasons that women should come to this conference. The first is you’re in transition, you are stuck, you are literally wondering, “What is next for me?” It can be in your career or your relationship, you could just be feeling unsettled, your finances could be a mess, you could be thinking, “If I don’t do something about my health soon it can come back and bite me on the butt.”

A conference like this sparks the creation in your imagination. Not just from the people on the stage, but from other attendees. You’ll start think, “Ok, I know what direction I need to take next” or “I see what I want to do next” or “I see what that next move will be.” If you’re feeling stuck, then that’s the type of woman that should attend the conference.

Secondly, it’s those women that actually know what they want. They can roll their goals off in a heartbeat, but they don’t know how to do it. They tried to do it on their own and they haven’t figured it out, whether it’s get out of debt or try to start a business or take control of their health.

I mean weight loss, it’s simple, calories in calories out. Getting out of debt, the formula is simple, stop spending. So it can be the formula. Even though you have a goal and think you know what to do, there’s a piece missing. The speakers and experts that we have can fill in the missing pieces for you.

The third type of person, someone looking for your people. You’re looking for people that are doing something and are about something, who are on the move. You want to connect with people who can become resources for you, that can become your network, even can become ultimately your friend, because you are like the people that you hang around. The people who attend this conference are people who want to do more, be more, have more, and give more. If that’s you, then you want to be able to surround yourself with people who align with those same values and philosophies.

Number four is, you need to be educated. This is a content-rich conference. We’re going to have fun, we’re going to laugh, we’re going to have the whole production, it’s going to high for networking and getting to know people, but the reality is that you actually need to know what to do.

Your finances or relationships may be a mess, you may be scared to death, you may not trust your instincts or intuition. How do you trust yourself again, how do you make tough decisions? How do you get the guts to go back home and do the things that you know you need to do to make the life you say you want? You actually need step one of this, step two of this, and step three of this.

This year we have expanded it, we have “breakout sessions,” so there are two different tracks. If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur who wants to start a business or grow their business, you have specific sessions for that. If you’re someone that needs to focus on their relationships, life balance, and self-worth, then we have specific sessions for that. I tell people that you need education, you need to know what to do.

The last reason I tell people that they should come is plain and simple: we have fun. You’re going to have a good time! Sometimes we just need to have a good time. We need to leave that man, significant other, those kids… “I’m out!” You don’t care about who’s speaking, about learning anything, about networking, I’m going to go and enjoy myself. I’m going to order room service, enjoy the speakers, make some friends, and just have a good time.

For most people, it’s a little bit of all of those. There is not a conference like this, especially not on the east coast. There are business conferences, entrepreneur conferences, and industry events, but this is for the woman and creating the life and lifestyle that you want. We give you all of those tools to do that.

CLICK HERE to find out more about Doreen Rainey on her official site DoreenRainey.com

Follow Doreen on Twitter @DoreenRainey and click here to like her on Facebook

CLICK HERE to find out more about the Get RADICAL Women’s Conference, March 30-April 1, 2012