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jasondorland5441

Saturday morning after a rain. The forest is glist

Saturday morning after a rain. The forest is glistening and the air is thick. It’s a beautiful time to run. Out with the dogs for a long one. Feel so fortunate to have these trails in our backyard and still be running at this stage of the game. #Gratitude

"The point of the journey is not to arrive." Toda

"The point of the journey is not to arrive."

Today is Neil Peart’s birthday—he’d be 72-years-old.

Those of you who know me appreciate that I’m a huge fan of the Canadian rock trio, RUSH. I have been for decades. And Neil was, for the majority of those years, the drummer for the band. And not just any drummer, but one who could create mystic rhythms and pulsing beats with the precision of a surgeon. In fact, he would affectionately come to be known as The Professor. For what it’s worth, he reached a level of acclaim where many in the music industry considered him the best drummer in the world. And of course, those who knew Neil would know he hated those sorts of accolades. What does that even mean? And, more to his thinking, what does it matter? It’s not why Neil Peart played the drums—it’s not what drove him.

Of the many online interviews that exist regarding RUSH, one of my favourites describes the first time that Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee, the two other members of the band, first witnessed Neil play the drums. It was at a “try-out”—their previous drummer, John Rotsey, had retired from playing for health reasons, leaving them without an integral part of what all good rock bands had … a solid drummer.

The audition was in an old warehouse in Pickering, Ontario. It was July of 1974 when Alex and Geddy hosted four drummers all vying for the prize spot. Neil was scheduled third. He showed up in an old Ford Pinto and carried his drums in from the parking lot with each drum carefully wrapped in a garbage bag. As Geddy recalls, “He was this tall and lanky guy—kinda nerdy looking. But when he started drumming, he just beat the crap out of those things—I knew in an instant that he was our guy!”

Continued in my Substack. Link in bio—enjoy!

#rushtheband #NeilPeart
@rushisaband

@rushtheband
#legacy

I turned 60 last week. I turned 60 last week. I tu

I turned 60 last week. I turned 60 last week. I turned 60 last week. I turned … ugh!

Nope—clearly, it’s gonna take a while longer!

Everyone keeps telling me, “It’s just a number!” True enough, it is just a number. But I’d be lying if I said this particular number isn’t hitting a little differently—harder, even. I used to think only old people turned 60—now I’m one of them!

I still remember my parent’s 60th birthday parties and being worried that they were going to die soon! Shit—am I going to die soon? I sure hope not—I’ve still got stuff to do! But, if I’m being really honest and even a bit braggadocious, I think I’m in better shape than my parents were at this stage of my life. And that’s not a slant on them, it’s just a different time.

As much as I loved the fact that they ended their work day with two drinks, crackers and cheese, Planters peanuts and a Tiparillo, I don’t. My day usually ends with a run or a workout.
Despite my disciplined approach to warding off age, I was reminded of the rapid passage of mine on the weekend. I was in a health food store purchasing supplements and while at the till about to pay, the clerk asked me in a long-winded and awkward way if I might qualify for their “mature discounts.”

You bastard, I thought, right before accepting the 10% discount. Hey, maybe that’ll help me get used to this?

Interestingly enough, last week we were in Ontario facilitating one of our workshops. We’re at the end of our process and concluding the day with a discussion about legacy. The participants have just completed an extensive exercise that invites them on many levels to consider the legacy they’re currently building.

It was a diverse group with various roles within the organization, as well as different ages and life experiences. Towards the end of the conversation, a young woman in her twenties put up her hand and shared that she and her discussion partner, another woman in her twenties, felt that they were too young to be considering their legacy. “I haven’t lived enough—I’m not ready to worry about my legacy.”

Okay—bite hard, Jase!

Continued in my Substack. Link in bio... enjoy!

Robyn and I have just returned from another work t

Robyn and I have just returned from another work trip to Ontario where we had the privilege of leading some Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (@cais_schools) schools through our multi-day workshop, The Healthy High Performance Journey.

West Island College Calgary has been a client for three years. Working with Erin Corbett and her team of dedicated educators, coaches, and staff has been a highlight for us. I recently asked Erin to share her experience. Here's what she had to say...

If you're interested in learning more about what we could offer you and your school, please reach out.

Our negativity bias is an innate tool we used more

Our negativity bias is an innate tool we used more than a few million years ago to avoid the likes of sabertooth tigers—good thing, it kept us alive. Today, not so much. However, pointing out the things that can harm us is still a necessary pastime. Beyond that, we have a frustrating tendency to find things in life that aren’t quite the way we’d want them—especially when it comes to identifying our shortcomings.

So, knowing all that and after last week’s piece highlighting what was good about these past Olympics in Paris, I want to have an honest look and point out some of the things that triggered my bias.

Let’s start with the opening ceremonies. Fair enough, loads of viewers thought it was creative, refreshingly different, and very entertaining. I didn’t—I don’t care how French it was. Aside from costumes made from clothes that were thrifted—something I’ve learned to appreciate with our young daughter—I thought it was tone deaf.

The entire premise of the Olympic Games is to celebrate human potential, NOT exploit the occasion with political or social ideologies. I have no problem with anyone’s right to protest or raise awareness; fill your boots, but not during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games—next time, make it about the athletes!

Furthermore, it’s the first time I can recall not getting choked up while watching. It’s not necessarily a box that requires ticking, but I consider it a good indicator of genuine positive intention. When I think of past opening ceremonies that were inspiring, I can’t help but think of 2010—true, it was hosted in Vancouver, Canada—but it still moved me. In fact, I just rewatched the segments with Joni Mitchell and then KD Lang, and fourteen years later, I still tear up—that’s what I was hoping for! For me, Paris missed their opportunity. Continued in Substack. Link in bio... enjoy!

Had the pleasure of entertaining some great questi

Had the pleasure of entertaining some great questions regarding my time rowing at @ridleycollege during the '80s. Someone also found a poem I had written as a student at Ridley, and I was asked to read it... beautiful trip down memory lane. Enjoy!

Missing the #olympics? Me, too—here's what I tho

Missing the #olympics? Me, too—here's what I thought was good... really good! Enjoy! Link in bio...

After Paris, Rowing Canada is bound for some rough

After Paris, Rowing Canada is bound for some rough waters ahead.

If I had a nickel for every time a parent from a high school where I was coaching asked me if I had ever considered coaching on the national team, I’d have at least two-bucks in my pocket! 😉

Joking aside, have I thought about it? Yes. Was it tempting? You bet. Is it going to happen? Nope, not ever—and that’s okay. It’s a tough gig that requires dedication and sacrifice on a level most relationships can’t imagine or handle. It’s why professional sports coaches have the highest divorce rate—for that reason alone, I’m not interested.

Coaching at the national team level can be a brutal and thankless existence. Therefore, it’s with great respect that I offer what I hate offering … advice. Here are the strategies we embraced and why they worked when we built a high-performing, national championship rowing program at two independent schools in Canada. Oh, it’s just high school, you say. Maybe—but my guess is you’d be hard-pressed to find a progressive sports psych who wouldn’t agree that the following advice works for any endeavour—sports, business, or whatever else you can think of.

Why? Because athletes live the same human experience we do—they feel all the same feels; they have doubts, fears, dreams, insecurities, you name it. When coaches make it about that experience—their experience—you invite them along on a journey where they determine the rules of engagement. It’s called empowerment, and it’s foundationally essential when building a sustainable, high-performing culture. Having athletes show up to practice because they love how they feel about themselves when training with their coach and teammates is a powerful—the most powerful—fuel to drive the journey. So, begin with that.

First, however, let’s go back to the rough waters ahead—what exactly happened? Well, aside from the women’s eight, who won a silver medal, the Canadian rowing team didn’t have a great Olympics in Paris. Mind you, the report card assessment began long before the lighting of the Olympic Caldron flame—or whatever that thing is!

Continued in the link in bio... enjoy!

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