 Isn’t it ironic that the same “sense of connectedness” Gen Z and Millenials were once criticized for is now the primary means of connection we’ll rely on to adapt? Isn’t it ironic that come Monday at 9:00 a.m., it’s the professors that won’t be able to keep up in the classroom? Departments will struggle to justify keeping their students’ fees due to inequitable provision of services? And before you think I’m an overt pessimist, let me stop you there. I’m not. I’m just a marketer that knows you should have listened. Yes, these times are unprecedented, but the technology at our fingertips is not. The concept of “social distancing” isn’t, either. It was just viewed by the stubborn as a flaw. A flaw that assumed physical and social connectedness has to coincide to excel. See, marketing in today’s world is all about empathy. Understanding your audience’s worldview to adapt, connect with, and seek to serve them. Rather than trying to correct the flawed and incorrectly-negative opinion on social distance, educators could have been adapting, and using it to their advantage, to provide the best experience for those we seek to serve. Education, and society for that matter, is just different than when you were in college. It may have its weaknesses, but so did your times too. Where this generation struggles with loneliness, it succeeds with access to resources. If you listened, you could have been prepared to use your resources adequately to provide social connectedness in a physically-distant environment. And what we’re dealing with is just that. Not social distance, physical distance. It’s time you listen, and time you catch up. You could have already been using these resources to reach a more diverse audience. Now, you’ll be forced to.
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Back to school season is upon us. Whether you’re just starting school, returning for another semester, or are an old alumni reminiscing about the old days (me); you can sense when another chapter of life is about to begin. This “feeling” got me thinking... what advice would I give to myself starting college if I could do it all again?  Dear younger me: 1. Get out of your comfort zone There are over 20,000 people at this university. Get out and meet people. Stop being shy and stop catering to other people. Yet, I pretty much kept to my hallmates my first year. Fast forward, met my now husband my junior year because I joined an organization. 2. Do NOT study in your dorm room For peeps sake, the library is next to your dorm and it’s the PERFECT place to study. Seriously, anywhere can be a study spot - the cafe table, the atrium lounge, or outside! I wouldn’t find this out until the 2nd semester, as I was almost failing out of college and trying to figure out what went wrong. 3. It is okay to change your major Freshman year is about finding out what you enjoy and what you aren’t good at. Biology, Microbio, genetics, and chemistry aren’t your thing. From engineering, to psychology, to human nutrition, foods, and exercise…you’ll be okay. I really wish students had more guidance and counseling in this because choosing your career right after high school is too much pressure. 4. Utilize the things you’re already paying for: career services, counseling, gym GIRLLLL, things in the real world are EXPENSIVE! Start using career services, mental health counseling, and the gym sooner. I didn’t use these until my junior year and man, how life would be different! 5. Sprinkle the fun classes into your schedule, don’t save them for senior year School is not a sprint, it’s a marathon; so enjoy every step of the process. I saved the educational prep classes of “Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Training” for my senior year because I thought they would be “fun” classes. And I really wish I didn’t do that because this, THIS right here, helped me discover my passion and now career. In the end, you have to accept that things happened how and when they did to get you to this very point in your life...but being the person that you needed when you were a shy freshman today, makes a big difference for someone else tomorrow. What advice would you give your younger self? Let us know in the comments.
About two weeks ago, leaders in campus recreation gathered at the beautiful Embassy Suites in Wilmington, North Carolina. Knowledge bombs were dropped, laughs were had, complimentary breakfast was devoured, and most of all, connections were made. At first, the summit was once a “what if”, an “oh that would be so cool to do”, and a “maybe one day” idea. This is the recap of the day Globetrotter Wellness Solutions drew its line in the sand. Eastern Carolina University, Wake Forest University, UNC Charlotte, Radford University, Virginia Tech, University of Illinois, UNC Asheville, and Matrix were in attendance. This day and a half event was packed with lifelong lessons, networking, and fun of course.  Day 1 started off with insight on organizational culture, presented by Steven Trotter, Principal of Globetrotter Wellness Solutions.  Liz Greenlee, Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness at Radford University, presenting on Generation Z.  Later on, we discussed developing world class programs and facilities.  After a long first day, we celebrated with an incredible view on the rooftop bar and of course, had to hydrate and refuel.  Kia Williams, Assistant Director of Fitness Programs at the University of Illinois and Master Trainer for Barre Above, enlightened us on Customer Service vs. Customer Satisfaction.  Will Trent, Marketing Manager for Virginia Tech Recreational Sports, presented on strategic marketing.  We ended the day on goal setting, self evaluation, and professional development. Then off to the beach the Globetrotter Wellness Solutions team went!  Thank you to all attendees, as well as our co-sponsor Fitness Asset Manager for making this event possible. We hope the connections you made in Wilmington extend beyond boundaries and act as career resources. The ultimate end result of this event was for you to be able to bring back your new found knowledge and put it into practice right away despite your setting or situation. Globetrotter Wellness Solutions strives to bring you local solutions that make a global impact. Our goal is to help you achieve yours. Interested in bringing an event like this near you or us facilitating a workshop? Drop us a note and let us know where we should globe trot to next at [email protected].
 I recently wrote an article on self-love/self-care and with my birthday recently this week and Valentine’s Day coming up tomorrow (and based on my #repost on Instagram from last night) I think it’s time we discuss something very important: It is time for folks to start loving their damn selves! I set the intentions for the month of February to not include any negative self-talk into my vocabulary. Which, for someone with a long history of having a type-A personality with a touch (or more) of perfectionism and self-esteem issues is a hard thing to do. So buckle up folks, and you can do that by inserting the metal end into the buckle and pull the strap to tighten because this might be a long ride. Whether we believe it or not, the world is a beautiful and loving place; love has shown its way to me over and over through 2019 in many different ways. So let’s get real, raw, and discuss self-love. We have got to love ourselves. We can get started by letting go of what no longer serves us, setting boundaries, and making subtle improvements. #LetThatShitGo In 2016 a close friend kept telling me “you have got to start taking care of #1.” We would often have this conversation on my 30-minute drive back from my night job because my day job (which required a masters degree and consistently exceeding 6+ revenue lines -without bonuses I might add) didn’t pay the bills. I wrestled with the meaning of that phrase for almost a year while at the same time while the Universe consistently showing me the theme “Let. It. Go.” over and over again. So that’s what I started doing; I started getting clear on what let it go actually meant. Throughout the last 7 years I’ve started letting go of toxic relationships and friendships that no longer serve me, I let go of jobs that caused me more stress and anxiety than what they were worth, and I slowly begin letting go of the thoughts that I’m not good enough, not worthy, and whatever other stories I was telling myself. We are very creative people. Most of us fabricate stories (as Brene Brown so eloquently calls them our shitty first drafts). I live an entrepreneur lifestyle. For the longest time when people would ask me questions (even before the entrepreneur lifestyle), I would hear something totally different. Here are a few examples to get your brain working: Someone would ask “What do you do with Roxy when you travel so much?” What I would hear is “What are you doing with a pet? You are always gone and you’re a terrible dog dad”…. Now I hear something totally different. I hear the question itself. When someone asks that, my response is “Well I’m actually very lucky, my parents are in good health and they only live 3 hours away so she will go visit them or she will go to daycare. Any more questions?” When I first moved back to Wilmington, I went to young professionals networking events (and I am very lucky to have met both my accountant and financial advisor there because they keep me in line) and people would ask me “Wait, why do you travel so much and why are you gone all the time?” I stopped fabricating the question and I would simply respond “Well, you know how you get in a car to drive to work? I do that 2 days a week and the remaining time I get on planes to fly to work because I have clients all over the world. Any more questions?” Another question I get asked often is: “wow, I can’t imagine all the things you do. How and when do you sleep?” My response now is “very well actually. I’m usually in bed by 10 and up by 6. Sometimes it’s in my bed and sometimes it’s in a Marriott somewhere. Any more questions?” My point is that no one will ever criticize us the way we criticize ourselves. As many of you reading this, I’ve spent my entire life telling myself things that I would never say to someone else…yet why do we treat ourselves this way? Throughout my life, I have had obesity and I have had disordered eating patterns with a touch of exercise addiction (and possibly a mild addiction to ephedra when that was on the market - jeez those were the days amirite?). I know that sometimes I do not appear to look like the Hollywood version of a fitness “professional.” I put quotes around the word “professional” because it’s a fake word that we don’t have time to get into right now. A little over a year ago, I received a phone call from the owner of a high-end boutique fitness studio frantically asking me to come to help them open because they didn’t have enough staff. I went and met with the regional fitness manager and to her dismay, she said I didn’t “look” like “their" coach material. Years ago I might have let that break me but now I have a different response. Don’t get me wrong, no matter watch position you are in, negative comments will never completely go away and will always sting at least a little. I quickly reminded her that they are the ones that called me and I didn’t call them; I have a job and I do not need one. I also let her know that if we did engage in any type of working relationship that I would not be signing any NDA or non-compete agreements; I wished them a successful studio opening and said if they needed any consulting services to give me a call but I won’t be an employee. I decided to start setting boundaries on what’s acceptable and what’s not. #SetBoundaries AKA #NoTimeForTheBullshit Setting boundaries and getting clear on expectations can be a scary thing to do. Some people fear that setting boundaries might appear as if they are burning bridges. Well, if you think setting boundaries and burning bridges are the same things, then I tell you “may the bridges you burn light your way.” Setting boundaries is about determining what is acceptable and unacceptable. In my example above about having a night job to bring in extra cash... I also used my moonlighting at local colleges and gyms as a boundary. Having a night job and a “side-hustle” guaranteed that I was going to leave my office at a specific time. It helped me create a boundary so that I didn’t become so married to a job to the point where I would stay until some un-Godly hour when the work still wouldn’t be done and would still be waiting for me the next day. In salaried positions, it doesn’t matter how late you stay; your paycheck isn’t going to go up. Setting boundaries can mean determining how and when you will communicate with others. Sending out internal office emails in the middle of the night or in the early hours of the morning is unacceptable. Actually, if you want me to be completely honest with you...using email as a means of communication inside your organization should be completely unacceptable altogether. If you are curious why that is and what is the solution to that, I would be happy to give anyone a FREE 30-minute consultation call. If our call is scheduled to start at 2pm and you call in 5 minutes late, our call still ends at 2:30 pm. After 2:30 pm I bill by the minute as those are billable hours; those are my boundaries. Over time I’d say I’ve improved about setting boundaries. I try to be clear with people about what is acceptable and what is not; topics we will discuss and topics we won’t discuss, and so forth. After leaving my full-time job and the safety net of a steady paycheck, I had to get extremely clear on setting boundaries. Time is money and you cannot manage time but you can manage priorities. As an entrepreneur, priority management is essential to me. I strategically plan my schedule so I can maximize my priorities. I will not waste energy going back and forth via email with leads or clients trying to find a time to schedule a call; I simply give them a booking link to my calendar where they can find a time that is convenient to them and book directly. Automatic reminders occur to remind both of us when is our call and what method we will use to achieve that call. I weigh everything on my schedule. Real life example, I had to spend the day at the car dealership and was also scheduled to teach a fitness class that morning. I chose to get a sub for my class because paying $30 for a day car rental or taking an uber across town and back to teach a class for $20 wasn’t in the cards. I set boundaries. If you are having trouble figuring out where to set boundaries. Make a list with 3 columns - Non-Negotiable, Give In, and Give Up. In the non-negotiable column, list the things that are so important to you that you will not budge on. In the “give in” column, list the things that are important but you can compromise on. In the “give up” column, list the things that you would exchange for something of equal or more value. More people should take this approach in job searches (both the employer and the candidate). #GetBetter Each and every day we make subtle improvements to get better. It is so easy to get stuck in the vicious cycle of trying to prove ourselves and because of that, we operate from a place of shame and then we end up withdrawing. Let’s strive to get better. Let’s strive to be better. When we show up already approved, we operate from a place of no shame and therefore we are able to be present. Self-love isn’t something you can immediately change your mindset into. It takes time. It’s about making small changes every day. Just because the boarding door of the 9am flight to self-care is closing, it doesn’t mean you can’t hop on the next flight out. So this year, buy yourself flowers or candy. It’s time for us to love our damn selves. Happy Valentine’s Day friends!
Keepin’ it 100 with Willy T Earlier this week, I had the chance to lead a professional development session with a group of extremely bright and talented State Student Leaders of NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation. As we approach our Association’s Annual Conference in Boston (this weekend!!!) I was asked to focus the conversation on networking. During this session, we covered why it’s important, best practices, and networking-related quotes from “NIRSA Legends” that I gathered from some of my friends in the field. There’s one segment that I want to share with everyone because of its relevance to daily interpersonal touchpoints. It’s the concept of managing an “emotional bank account” when communicating. I’ll explain: When networking, it’s important to understand that the term itself is predicated upon mutual benefit. Similarly, to benefit a bank account, you’d want to put in deposits. Deposits in this sense can include being polite, positive nonverbal communication, remembering names and details, and sharing information that could benefit the other person. Withdrawals on the other hand, refer to the things that would take away from the positive experience of others such as being rude, interrupting, sharing too much, and pushing a personal agenda. Dr. Stephen Covey originally came up with this analogy, and he states that it is the base of all human relationships. We need to be cognizant of the deposits and withdrawals we’re making to maximize our communication with others and provide others with a positive experience. And as a financial advisor might suggest, it’s usually nice to make deposits before seeking withdrawals! With the NIRSA Annual Conference approaching - I’d be remiss if I didn’t post a throwback set of photos that exemplify one of the greatest experiences of my life. Serving as the NIRSA Student Leader, I had the chance to learn and grow with six student leaders and nine professional Member Network members as we represented the NIRSA member body for advocacy, development, and communication. I want to take the opportunity to thank this group for pushing me to be the networker, leader, and human that I am today. Pictured: (Jordan Bishop, Earl Cabellon, Margie Cole, David Davenport, Heather Foster, Jess Gentry, Vicki Highstreet, Kelsey Jones, Andy Lemons, Tiffany Murphy, Megan Normansell, David Parker, David Peters, Pat Shank, Brian Smith - Photo creds to my friends from StevenMillerPix) Peace, Love, and Networking,
Keepin’ it 100 with Willy TFor a Super Bowl that set a record-low in points, not all was lost for me on Sunday. As a college graduate from the field of public relations, I grew up analyzing Super Bowl Ads to the highest degree (in class and just for fun). I grew a major fascination for it, and since then I’ve always enjoyed the mystery of the SB commercials just as much as the mystery of the game’s outcome. This year, the ad that stood above and beyond the rest was Microsoft’s “We All Win” commercial that promoted their new Xbox Adaptive Controller. I urge you to take a moment and watch the commercial, which “illustrates Microsoft’s commitment to building accessible technology that levels the playing field and creates opportunity for all of us.” (Microsoft). (If Owen stood out to you, it’s because he starred in Microsoft’s commercial released around Christmas that first promoted the product. I’ll link it at the end of the blog.) You can tell from his introduction alone that Owen is charismatic, witty, and inspirational. At 00:59, he exclimates his excitement that, thanks to this controller, “now everyone can play!” His dad, though, brings it home with his emotional take on his son being included. “One of our biggest fears early on was ‘How will Owen be viewed by the other kids?’ Let’s keep it 100, fam… THIS is what it’s all about. Thank you Microsoft for helping us all play. Thank you Owen, Grover, Sean, Ian, and Taylor for reminding us that when we all play, we all win. Peace, Love, and Inclusion,
Additional Resources:
Microsoft’s 2018 Holiday Ad: Reindeer Games (featuring Owen): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v70Fu2WU8-w More information about Microsoft’s Adaptive Xbox Controller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fcK19CAjWM Keepin' it 100 with willy t.
On my drive to Virginia last weekend, I grabbed my handy-dandy GoPro and timewarped the most beautiful part of Afton Mountain’s ascend toward the skies and descend through I-64 West overlooking one of the most mountainous and gorgeous parts of the state.
It drove me (pun intended) to write a poem and share:
A Haiku for Road Trips
The drive may be long. But, to enjoy life’s journey, Look out the window. Deep, right? Peace, Love, and Enjoying the Journey,
Keepin it 100 with Willy T.  Do you remember how invigorating it felt as a kid to count down from 100 and leap into “detective mode” amidst your neighborhood game of Hide and Seek? How about the excitement of counting down the New Year? Adults even wear diapers in NYC to partake in this bliss... If you haven’t made the connection between these moments and your workout routine, today’s the day. I was introduced to this tactic a few years ago and it’s assisted in successful completion of high-rep workouts ever since. Here are a few quotes for explanation and motivation: “Research published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that starting with the max number (i.e. 15 reps) and counting down shortens the perceived duration of the activity, which may make it feel easier. So, don’t count from 25 sit-ups; count from 25 to 1. And, maybe you’ll hate the task a little less. Happy counting! Resources:
Keepin' it 100 with willy t. Happy New Year, fam! Thanks for patiently waiting a couple weeks for me to hop back on the blog grind. I was globetrottin’ around over the holidays and needed some time for self-care and reflection before taking 2019 by storm. Over break, though, I came across a pretty dope social media post that’s stuck with me since the moment I saw it. The holidays aren’t easy for everyone… Whether it’s the stress of final exams, the loneliness of missing a loved one, or the burdens of finances and travel. Tom’s take on this is absolutely foundational for motivating myself out of stressful situations in the future:  “Life is funny. At times I feel utterly overwhelmed and unable to handle the stress that life throws my way. It's at those low points that I have felt that I am the farthest removed from the things that bring me joy in life. Flash forward to this past weekend watching a sunset in to the Gulf when I had a little bit of an epiphany. The sun rises and sets every single day, but it's at its lowest point is where people stop to appreciate its beauty. I found comfort in this thought that even at your lowest points, there is still an abundance of beauty in this thing called life. Keep it up, Tom - Your words inspired me and I hope they inspire many others!
Tom Giles is currently a Graduate Assistant for Competitive Sports at the University of Florida. Originally from the beautiful state of Michigan, Tom attended Oakland University (which is north of Detroit) for his undergraduate degree in exercise science. Tom’s passion is collegiate recreation which he has been heavily involved in, spanning multiple departments and schools. While working for RecSports at Florida, Tom is pursuing a master’s degree in sport management which he is excited to use as a future professional in the field of collegiate recreation. When he’s not working or studying, he LOVES being active. Once he’s worked up a sweat, Tom’s brain needs a workout too. His nightstand has a large stack of books waiting to be read and he is always appreciative of book recommendations.
Keepin' It 100 with Willy T. As the calendar year comes to a close, I’m focusing my blog on healthy goal-setting for those who are looking to make new commitments to themselves when the ball drops at Times Square in 13 days.  To cap off the series and as we head into the new year, I thought it would be beneficial to share goals from the awesome humans who make up the Globetrotter Wellness Team. 2018 was a wildly successful one for GWS, and lots of things are headed in the right direction for 2019. But first, I wanted to share some goals from the humans behind the organization. Steven Trotter: Principal One of my main goals for 2019 is to increase the brand awareness and reach for Globetrotter Wellness Solutions. I’ll take a strategic approach to this and make sure the goals and objectives align with our core mission, vision, and values. Let's breakdown the large goal: 1. Increase brand awareness and reach for Globetrotter Wellness Solutions in 2019. 1.1. Develop consistent, relevant, and accurate content to share with audiences. 1.1a. Create quarterly blog calendars with guest bloggers. 1.1b. Launch the Trotwell30 Podcast 1.1c. Create and deliver online courses 1.1d. Present at conferences around the globe. 1.2. Strengthen authentic relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues. 1.2a. Partner and sponsor events when appropriate 1.2b. Create monthly and quarterly newsletters to be delivered to clients and contacts. 1.2c. Feature clients in a spotlight on successes and achievements whether it be for personal or for work. 1.3. Grow and develop the Globetrotter Wellness Solutions team. 1.3a. Maintain constant communication with potential colleagues. 1.3b. Recruit guest bloggers to write for GWS. 1.3c. Place people in contract positions that align with their strengths. Alicia Lunsford 1. Incorporating regular self care weekly.
2. Find the joy in all my jobs.
Will Trent Goal: By the midpoint of the calendar year, I will have registered and completed a Spartan Race Sprint.
Goal: At the conclusion of the year, I will have a journal that completed with logged acts of kindness and entries of life’s appreciations.
--- Aaaaand that’s a wrap for Keepin’ it 100 with Willy T in 2018! Hopefully this series (and this blog in general) has encouraged you to think, to dream, to create, or to just have fun. Hopefully, we’ll all make 2019 the best year yet. One last quote as we ride off into the sunset: “We only have one life and one body to care of, and we better do it right. You never know what tomorrow may bring and so we better live this life the best we can and be grateful for everything we have.”
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Who we areJust a team of round pegs in a square hole changing the world one interaction at a time. Look back at it
March 2020
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