The world of health and health care has become a turf war - and a rather aggressive one at that. It's a significant problem on many levels - some more obvious than others. After you've been a part of it for 20+ years, you see some rather ugly scenarios underlying all of it.

Start out on the political level. "Health care" has become a battle between Republicans and Democrats. Who will provide us with a universal health care plan that is feasible and can gain bipartisan support? Or do any of the politicians really care to see this occur anyways? Will the lobbyists manage to coerce the politicians yet again? Will they convince them that universal health care "can't be accomplished" and "isn't a feasible solution" yet, strangely enough, it seems to provide pretty darn good results in many nations around the world?

Read more...

Welcome to the official book release party for "RunSmart: A Comprehensive Approach To Injury-Free Running" - live from Austin, Texas at 7:00 pm central time. The live videostream should begin at approximately 7:15 pm central time with introductions and some words from the author, Allan Besselink, PT, Dip.MDT - Director of Smart Sport International and the Smart Life Institute.

For those who weren't able to make it, here it is!!

The Smart Life Institute network feed can also be found at www.ustream.tv/channel/smart-life-institute.

"A rolling stone gathers no moss" ...

... but THE Rolling Stones show us the true meaning of life, the timeless beauty of music and the blues and the musical hooks that just never fade with the sands of time. Tonight was a special moment in time - in which I got to experience (once again) what music is all about, what true performers bring to the stage.

Let's face it - the Rolling Stones are, as they say, the Greatest Rock And Roll Band - ever. Sure, they can put on a spectacle - and both times that I have seen them in action have indeed been "spectacles". The stage show is high-tech - but in the same breath, is just plain down-and-dirty, back alley, rock and roll grit.

But it's when you get down to the music and the performance of it that you realize what sets these gents apart. They've been a band since the early '60s - so yes, they are a tight musical force to be reckoned with. When you play with folks for that long, you get an undeniable groove that digs deep. It's that ability to play behind the beat, that greasy quality that is just so right - yet not sound off time or out of tune.

Read more...

The commercial will go something like this ...

I don't think words would suffice for the look on my face and the joy in my heart when I opened the package. At 6:25 pm, it was real - finally - my first book in print, right there before my eyes!

I can't say that it has really sunk in just yet. Part of that is because of the sheer mental effort required to simply get it out the door. Let's face it - I'm pooped from it all. Six months of writing wasn't a big deal, in all honesty. The writing part was truly enjoyable - challenging, but enjoyable. It was the month of editing that took it's toll!

Twenty years ago this month, I graduated with a degree in physical therapy. Now, twenty years later, I have seen the birth of my first book. I guess that after at least 25,000 patient visits, I could muster up at least 48,447 words. Those are some crazy numbers - in hindsight.

The next chapter ... has already started writing itself ...

Priceless, it is!