A Brief chat with Janeen Salim GHL Team leader.
Thoughts about what it takes to make leadership happen in CariFin

On Thursday January 12, during a short chat with GHL team manager Janeen Salim a lightbulb moment. It just came across to me what it takes to make leadership happen in the sports arena of the financial services sector and CariFin in particular.
On entering the white painted building of GHL at West Shore the obvious serious business outlook from the outside was transformed to a more friendly lobby area by the pleasant receptionist and courteous security officers in the lobby area.
Down came the smiling Janeen with that ray of confidence to greet me and escort me to what turned out to be really fun, exciting and insightful. She was full of understanding of how she wove her magic wand in making a team that started CariFin a day into the activities into a fully confident, enthusiastic, competitive outfit.
For one getting members out to events is important, but also your best talent has to be onboard to ensure your best performances on the given days and especially when it counts on the big day.
Good leadership in CariFin is not just being able to bring out your troops to the Torch Relay and Urban Challenge. It’s in getting them prepared and motivated for other events like cricket, football and All Fours. Also, getting them past Grand Bazaar down to Sevilla Golf Course in Couva for CariFin’s cross country and family fun day.
It’s not just about getting them involved but also ingrained with CariFin’s three watch words – Fun, Fitness and Friendship in a manner that can demonstrate authenticity and spirit from the theme.
So it was no surprise in 2011, when we added Xplosion to the Fun, Fitness and Friendship theme, GHL team membership took to it as a moth to a flame. They literally transformed the opening ceremony to an outstanding spectacle that had everyone’s jaw dropping. They gave a riveting performance portraying their interpretation of the Xplosion of Fun, Fitness and Friendship.
Everything was not fun and games because there weremany challenges to face along the way. Missing the first event meant rallying the team together and bringing them forward with a sense of purpose to compete in the remaining ones.
They rallied on even though they didn’t get full points for the missed day of the Urban Challenge. Not letting it bother them they took part in every other event and showed why they have been one of the great teams since they started participating in CariFin.
Janeen is not a leader that leads from the sidelines but is in the heat of the battle leading from the front. At every event she was there in the mix, warming up with the team, showing them concern, sharing in the laughter, fun and jokes.

Even when the spotlight was focusing on her every move in the opening ceremony, in the final event of the Games at Sevilla Golf Course she showed what real leadership is all about. In that critical moment, when most leaders would find a plausible excuse to duck the main stage and the public glare and say it nicely to let another member shine… She was on the production line ensuring the highest quality output. If it’s to be done right, then sometimes the leader has to be there to ensure the highest quality.
Already she is excited as ever as to how GHL training and participation in CariFin 2012 would unfold as she look forward to a bumper year for team GHL.

I love this video as it shows how over pulling affects your running and understanding cadence in running. It is something I am working on at present in my running so i am grateful for this video tutorial.
For those who want to take their running to the next level this is for you.

Well here it is… The last CariFin newsletter of 2011.
It’s crazy how fast this year flew by, isn’t it?

Luckily, we get a fresh start next week. We get
a brand new year to say this is going to be my
best and show my best performance year yet and then actually
go out and make it true!

2012 will be the year of setting massive goals
that seem almost unattainable and then doing
everything you possibly can to go out and
make them happen.

2012 will be the year the excuses disappear and
massive action take over. You know you are
capable of doing what’s necessary to make this
coming year the most successful year of your
life. Health, Wealth, Love… Whatever it is,
you know the power to get whatever you want
is in you and this is the year you’re going to
prove it!

I’m not always doing exactly what I know I
need to be doing when I need to be doing it.
I know that… But it doesn’t matter. This is the
year that I get everything done that I’ve been
saying I’m going to do for years.

I wish everyone a safe and fun New Year.

But be ready! 2012 is the year you get the things
done to get everything you ever wanted out of life!

Best wishes to you and yours. May you attain great heights in 2012.  Keep up the good work for better health.Yours in fitness.

The following is at our very core. I would make the case that everyone can be happy or be a runner, but it is a choice. I would also make the case that there is an art to both of them and a certain amount of skill is involved. However, the skill part is not a deterent….it is your invitation. It is your invitation to take control of what your running and your life looks like.

Enjoy!

-Patton
_____________________________________________________

“Could I be a better runner by utilizing the same tools I would for the pursuit of happiness? Could I train to be a happier person in the same way I would train to be a better runner?”

One of my favorite physiotherapist and strength trainer Kelly Starret http://www.mobilitywod.com/. Google had a seminar where they invited certain well known leaders in fitness to share to their staff. Here Starret talks about…. Everyone knows that prolonged sitting at a desk is hard on your body and health, and an inevitable part of being a functioning modern human. The problem is, sitting is a high-skill and creatively demanding activity. Everyone should be able to perform basic maintenance on themselves. This includes knowing how survive the high risk, high stakes game of being “desk bound”. Armed with a pinch of game theory, a dose of anatomy, and a picture of one of the all-time best sitters, you can transform any desk into a platform for thriving. I enjoy this series so I will be posting most of the series of these talks on this website

Hi everyone CariFin is aiming to introduce crossfit in the Carifin Games, these are functional movement, which require multiple joints to do the movement.
These are good example of some Crossfit exercises done to time… Enjoy

I would really like to introduce Crossfit to Carifin in 2012. The first question shooting to your mind id what is crossfit? I would like to suggest it go after the Family Day and as part of the CariFin Games and have it own day and be called the CariFin Crossfit Challenge.

Crossfit encourages a higher level of fitness, strength and endurance through the use of functional, every day human movement. It draws some of its main ideas from Gymnastic and weight training.
Here you would discover the need for effective core and midline stabilization as part of improving your ability to executive all movements better.

Please read a good account of what is crossfit?

Click Here

Proposed dates for CariFin 2012

1. Torch Run – Saturday April 14^th 2012 at 7.00 am / Port of Spain to Couva
2. 1 Lap savannah – Wednesday April 18^th 2012 at 5.00 pm
3. Green Mile – Wednesday April 25^th 2012 at 5.00 pm
4. Chancellor Challenge – May 02^nd 2012 at 5.00 p.m.
5. Aerobics Burnout – May 09^nd 2012 at 5.00 p.m. / CBTT Plaza
6. Cricket, football & All Fours – May 12^nd 2012 at 5.00 p.m. / Republic Grounds Barataria
7. CariFin Fun Family Day – May 27^nd 2012 at 5.00 p.m. / Sevilla Golf Course
8. CariFin Crossfit Challenge – June 10^th 2012 at 1.00 p.m.  / Q.P.S

CariFin News caught up with Ms. CariFin 2011 – Ms. Central Bank – Esla Anthony and CariFin News had a frank heart to heart chat with her. She revealed quite a lot about her experience participating in Ms. CariFin 2011 and what it meant to her. We are pleased to share this  rare moment with you.

CariFin News: How was the experience of Ms. CariFin 2011?
Esla Anthony: Ms. CariFin 2011 has been a fun and learning experience. I was exposed to an environment that I am not familiar with.
CN: What helped you to make up your mind to do this…”I would not normally think you would take up a role like this?
EA: The support, confidence and encouragement from my co-workers had in me. The weeks leading to Ms. CariFin, various co-workers suggested that I would be a suitable representative. They said I had what it takes to be Ms. CariFin. I guess they saw something in me.
CN: Did you talk to any of the previous Ms. CBTT/Ms. CariFin prior to you participating?
EA: Yes, I did, I spoke to all the representatives. Central Bank has won the title ____ times. In fact the winners of Ms. CariFin 2010 and 2011 offered advice on my outfit and question and answer segment.
CN: What you thought gave you the edge to win this competition?
EA: I believe it was my overall toned physique and my execution of the aerobics routine. Ms. Guardian Holdings answered her question well, so I believe we were on equal footing in that area. Ms. First Citizen’s exuded confidence, I was timid.
CN: Ms. CariFin competition had a little more responsibility /activity… meaning you had to be part of the opening act for the Opening Ceremony… I heard you handled yourself well … how did you enjoy this?
EA: My main role at the Opening Ceremony was to make a presentation to the Lupus Society/Foundation. I am a firm-believer in supporting charitable medical organizations, so I felt proud very that CariFin supports this organization I was able to be a part of this initiative.

CN: What or when were the most nervous moments in the show for you
EA: The most nervous moments in the show for me were:
1. Best Dressed Tent and Dance Competition – highlighting the Central Bank tent. The routine was prepared 15 mins before the judges came to view our tent and dance routine. I have 2 left feet and prefer backstage than front stage, but I was the main lead!!!!!
2. The Question and Answer Segment – the fear of the unknown always makes me nervous. I did a lot of self-talk to calm myself.

CN: What was your approach to the Q & A part?
EA: My approach was to remain calm, listen carefully and answer exactly what was being asked and don’t ramble on.

CN: What was your mindset and did you see this as your biggest hurdle?
EA: My mindset was one of anxiety but the over-whelming support of the CB Family kept me grounded and I thought to myself “if they have the faith in me, I should have faith in myself”

CN: The judge’s decision
The judges was doing their deliberations, the CBTT supporters were confident and shouting positives from the sidelines. Were you there standing brimming with confidence that you would win Ms. CariFin?
EA: “Brimming with confidence!” far from. I was listened to all the other contestants and I was impressed with the responses from Ms. Guardian Holdings and Ms. First Citizens, and I thought to myself “they are my competition but it is all in God’s hands now.”

CN: What was your initial reaction – when you saw it was between you and Ms. FC
EA: I was shocked! i was in a daze! I tried to maintain a cool, calm and collected façade.

CN: She then was declared 2nd …… It meant that you had won …… Your supporters (Team CBTT) were jubilant, jumping, screaming …. One was evening seen kneeling and paying homage to you….. What you felt there and then…..
Could you for once capture that moment for us?
EA: Relief……I was able to keep the Ms. CariFin crown in Central Bank. Grateful……all the persons who believed in me, I did not disappoint them. Shocked and disbelief……….I actually won a beauty competition, who would have thought!!!!!

CN: How was the reception from the average staff member to you when the news spread?
EA: Congratulatory. Expected results.

CN: As Ms. CariFin 2011 what encouragement or what would you say to people in general in the financial services sector to make fitness part of the daily life?
EA: The world of work is getting more demanding and it is easy to put your health on the back burner by working longer hours and even weekends. I urge everyone to make a lifestyle change – incorporate fitness in your life.
When – make the time – before work, at lunch-time, after work, on weekends. Who – co-workers, friends, family, even strangers it is a great way to meet new people
What/Where – walk/run the Savannah…..it is free, join a gym, learn to a new sport
How – just get moving

CN: Any last words.
EA: I hope that responsibilities of Ms. Carifin continues to increase as it relates to Carifin’s motto – Fun Friendship Fitness.
I would like to thank the following persons:
All members of staff of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago for their support and words of encouragement before and during the competition.
Linhurst Cole for assisting me in selecting my outfit.
Ms. Carifin 2009 – Melissa McAlister and Ms. Carifin 2010 – Krystle Gomez for assisting me on competition day.