I had trouble sleeping the night before and was up at 5 am to ensure a timely arrival for the Rookie Rumble at IDEA World Convention being held at the San Diego Convention Center (along with the RBC in halls A-C) and the Manchester Grand Hyatt, floors 1-3, where I got to get elbow-to-elbow and hip-to-hip with other noobs in this large professional arena. The introduction style would be led by Brett Klika, a likable   personality and CEO of SpiderFit Kids.

read the slide

My second session on Thursday was led by Len Kravitz, a doctor with awards to prove his awesomeness and intelligence, some of which he shared with us.

crooked picture of a crowded room

The Opening Ceremonies where people are recognized for sharing their passion with others. I sat on the floor and ate a large sandwich of protein peanut butter, tomato, egg, and goat cheese on sourdough while moving my head around the guy swinging his ass from side-to-side in front of me and blocking my view of the screen. I left early.

view from the stairs

Seeing all the pictures the international travelers and locals took makes me feel bad that I didn’t take more. I thought I was so focused on the event, which is why I didn’t take a picture of every slide, but they wanted to share everything with their clients and followers. I too want to share what I saw and learned.

La Croix helping hydrate the gains

Elizabeth keeping me company through the Nutrition Pavilion of the Expo where locals could exchange their name and email for a free pass and plenty of samples.

mechanical movement

We expected more equipment in the Mechanics of Lifting and Strength Training by Michael Cunico. What we got were buddy pictures of how we hold a bar and a video of how easily an arm breaks when you do it wrong. Another networking opportunity.

view from the second floor balcony

I appreciate the time between lectures, workshops, expo samples, workouts, and networking to take in the view and step away from the crowds.

downtown views

When you want to park for free you’ve got to walk, cycle, scooter, ride share, and use other event timings to your advantage. It’s been a long time since I’ve put that many steps on the downtown sidewalks.

I forgot my swimsuit

I was ready to go in, but was waiting on Deborah so we could prep for the One EPIC Night Party and reorganizing my bags to find the leaking bottle. Turns out an old friend now manages this Marilyn Monroe Spa, so I will be back for a relaxing day.

One EPIC Night Party

Free food and I’m too full from all the free samples — Yoplait yogurt, Good Culture cottage cheese, Daiya quesadilla, chips from Quest, Barnana bites, and coffee from Chike, etc.

Top of the Hyatt

When all the dancing starts and the cake pops are gone at the party, we head upstairs for the city view and fireworks with more quiet conversation.

BOSU Pilates Core Power

Thank you Erika Quest for the jokes and Jessica Maurer for the moves on this incredible piece of equipment and showing this class (with two guys, one of them Jessica’s husband) how to incorporate more of a workout using both sides of the BOSU while standing, sitting, kneeling, lying prone and supine and sideways.

Elizabeth and Kaisa

When you get to be twinsies with your role model, Kaisa Keranen of KaisaFit on Instagram, before she makes you sweat in her Signature-High-Intensity Body-Weight Training. Kaisa has a master mind and energy to motivate people to move in a way that keeps them smiling while sweating.

selfie for Chike

I will trade a selfie for swag any day, especially when it comes in comfy blue and bright pink shirts and coffee with protein. Look for ilikechike on Instagram.

Cassey Ho with fan

I have done Cassey Ho’s “On Fire” series on YouTube among the many others she’s posted and got the opportunity to meet her fiancé, Sam Livits, and their dog Sir George the Magnificent, but didn’t feel like waiting in another line for another photo opportunity when I’m hoping to meet her in August where there will definitely be another line.

mini paradise

So many things going on and I take a minute to smell the fire and little plastic tree at the BlogFest buffet as I grab a bite, and not a bag, of granola.

Padres vs Pirates

The view from the Fit Athletic Club balcony where members can take equipment out and watch on the big screen or be inside on the couch, foam roller, or window cushions and watch from the many TV’s inside. This place is fantastic and complete with hot tub,  hibiscus rose kombucha, and tiny caffeine candy.

pre-sweat selfie with Jacob and Elizabeth

It’s always great to see familiar faces in a crowded place, whether you spent two semesters with them, sometimes shirtless, or just met them walking down the sidewalk.

breakfast seminar calories

From the yogurt bar and large coffee pot comes bran cereal, raspberries, blueberries, banana, cottage cheese, and granola with a medium roast and soy milk. We listen to Christopher Mohr, a food doctor, about eating nutrient dense foods — it is ok to replace your nightly box of Cheez-It and wine with some canned veggies.

k-tape party

Not only was I able to get my left knee, lower back, and right shoulder taped, I was able to return the favor to my taping partner Deborah and leave with some pink rolls and packages of pre-cut tape (about $6 each). The knee came off before I left the hotel and I painfully peeled off the rest before getting into my midnight shower.

I won a prize!

Another class with Brett Klika, with his wife watching and daughter dancing, is a great experience in friendly competition that can be done with partners in small groups — perfect for kids during PE. We use agility ladders, beach balls, soccer cones, bodyweight, and a SKLZ weighted med ball with maximum grip and bounce back (about $40 for one).

a princess balcony feel

Deborah decided to celebrate another successful day with dinner at Sally’s Fish House & Bar. I helped eat the rosemary bread, a more upscale version of Red Lobster biscuits, before we grabbed her car and drove to find mine by 7:30pm.

Touch of Grey

When the blue skies turn to grey just keep on walking towards the bay and say hey to the homeless you meet along the way.

bodies and balls

Just a bunch of fitness professionals getting in touch with all the layers of their core via balls available at tuneupfitness.com — purple Coregeous, grey Alpha, green Yoga Tune Up, and the blue Roll Model therapy pair — with guidance from Jill Miller, the creator, on proprioception, mobility, and breath mechanics.

the view between convention center and Grand Hyatt

The organizers guessed the walking time based on the closest walls of these two buildings, but I’m ok with the extra steps and sunshine.

set up for group photo with Alex McLean

It’s not every day you get to workout with a professional dancer and educator of TRX, Schwinn, and Strong by Zumba to name a few. He turned the adults into a room full of creative children ready to learn and share too.

good words to live by

Grabbing a late lunch with Deborah and we stop by the market in the street. I was hoping for food, but it’s mostly positive clothing and shiny jewelry to not compete with all the open restaurants.

poolside summertime

Finishing a productive morning with some relaxation by the pool with the baseball game in the background, another round of Pirates vs Padres, (another loss for the home team), but a win in the World Cup for Russia and Croatia.

samples much

The California Almonds tin is my favorite because it’s reusable and a perfect portion size. I appreciate the samples, though I’m more likely to buy these foods whole to reduce my intake of additives and use of plastic packaging.

work in progress

After a protein packed dinner of greens, beans, and sweet potato the night before from a husband who missed me while I was in convention mode and a motivated sweat session I attempted the Sleepy Side Crow; an amazing way to finish an awesome 96 hours.