Friends/Readers have been curious how I got into
the sports field. So here's my story:

I've always been a skinny sickly kid suffering
from various ailments. As with any kid, I started
biking and skating at an early age.

Later on, I had those learn-to-swim classes @ the
local YMCA; it's very good for the basics. Their
water quality was not good then as I've gotten an
eye infection because of that. Nonetheless, a
good place to learn the basics.

I started to workout with weights when I was 15
years old (I was around 95 lbs. then); A high
school classmate taught me the basics. Shortly
after I enrolled in a gym. I experimented a
lot; tried various routines; continued with
exercises that were productive and discarded
those ineffective (Later on, I'd go back and
revisit the 'ineffective exercises' and try
again..). Progress was relatively fast then.

I loved sports so much that I chose Physical
Education as my college degree. College was
further experimentation. I tried various sports;
table tennis, judo, Olympic weightlifting,
powerlifting, shotput, javelin, discus throwing,
running, badminton, aikido, stick fighting,
basketball, volleyball, baseball, taekwondo,
tennis etc. (Basically I tried any sport that I
had time to practice and was available in college.)

I've done relatively well; I won a few medals. Of
course, like any athlete, I've had my own share of
frustrations, injuries and disappointments.

I realized team sports don't suit me. I also
realized money was a limiting factor (Hence no
archery, equestrian, golf and yatching/sailing.).

I also did well in the sports leadership circles;
I held various positions in the different sports
associations and became coach of various teams.

I'm older now and I'm out of the Physical
Education biz not because I no longer love the
field but I have to earn a living now and sports
is simply not a good long-term wage earner. Good
thing I've got other marketable skills to fall
back on.

It would've been nice to have reached higher
sports achievement levels but alas, my genes and
my environment are limiting factors. I wasn't
blessed w/ good athletic genes and my finances
can't support full-time training.

I've learned a few things along my sports
journey:

1. Keep learning
There's so much information available out there
and the Internet is a big help here. But figure
out what's good information from bad.

2. Find a good coach/teacher
This is a difficult task. Make sure she/he puts
your interest in mind. Coaches (like anyone else)
have different agendas; make sure theirs is in
line with yours.

3. Prepare for life after your sports career
An athletic career is short. We all get old after
all! Get ready to switch over to a lifestyle that
will be vastly different from an athletic
lifestyle.

4. Help the next upcoming athletes
I'm sure there were other people who've helped
you along your way. I consider the time they spent
with you a debt that should be paid forward to the
next athlete.