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Showing posts from 2019

The New Year: 10 Motivational Quotes for Athletes

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May you crush personal records, leave race times in the dust, and reach for new goals in the year 2020! Here are 10 inspirational quotes to get you jump-started on your best year yet!  Geannette Wittendorf fully appreciates the camaraderie that often comes with sports . The true meaning behind any sport, are the people who play . Each player has their own passion and spirit that they bring to the game, and it's important to fuel that flame with inspiration. A new year brings an endless amount of new opportunity to athletes old and new. Whether you just started on a new team or you're a seasoned all-star, athletes from all walks of their athletic career could use an inspirational boost , especially rounding the end of a decade. 1.) "Never forget why you started." 2.) "The body achieves what the mind believes." 3.) "If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you." 4.) "Some people want it to happen. Some people wish i

Support Special Olympics Athletes with the Polar Plunge

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Geannette Wittendorf is a strong supporter of the Special Olympics , along with many other sports charities and nonprofit organizations. Among her favorite ways to support the Special Olympics is the through the Polar Plunge.  The Polar Plunge is a spirited winter event involving participants to "plunge" into a body of water despite freezing temperatures - hence "polar" - in order to raise money for a charitable organization. This year there are several Polar Plunges to choose from in Massachusetts  to help raise money for the Special Olympics. Money raised goes towards helping 13,000 athletes with an opportunity to participate in sports training. The Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization that provides opportunities for disabled athletes to participate in sports. Not only does the cause provide training and competition, it helps the athletes live happier and healthier lives. Every dollar raised goes toward aiding an ath

4 Simple and Foolproof Ways to Find Training Motivation this Winter

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Winter can sometimes be a difficult time to stay on track with sports training for even the most experienced athletes. Here are 4 simple ways to stay on track  during those months where motivation is lacking. Geannette Wittendorf can appreciate the time and dedication it takes for her favorite athletes and sports teams to prepare and maintain game-ready physiques throughout every season. However, even elite athletes are susceptible to lack of motivation. During the cold, dark months of winter, some athletes need a little extra motivation to push through their bulking or off seasons, but it doesn't need to be as difficult as we sometimes make it seem.  Here are 4 simple ways to stay active and game ready this winter:  First thing's first, set your goal Setting a concrete goal can help keep yourself accountable and keep your motivation high by visualizing what you're really aiming for. It can also help keep things in perspective of how often and how hard

Hershey Bear Hockey Fans Break Teddy Bear Toss World Record

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Hershey Bears  Hockey fans of Hershey, Pennsylvania helped beat their own Teddy Bear Toss world record on December 1st. A total of 45,650 teddy bears and stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice, surpassing the club's previous world record of 34,798 collected in 2018. This world famous event is all for a good cause. All 45,650 of the teddy bears and stuffed animals were collected to be donated to roughly 40 local charities, just in time for the holiday season. Geannette Wittendorf is a proud supporter of the Teddy Bear Toss, along with several other sports charities .  The Teddy Bear Toss is not reserved solely for Hershey Bear Hockey fans. This popular Christmas season charitable donation is a spirited donation common at most ice hockey games around the globe. Ice hockey fans are encouraged to bring stuffed animals and teddy bears to the  ice hockey  game and celebrate their home team's first goal by throwing them onto the ice. The stuffed toys are then coll

Indoor Rock Climbing: Escape the Cold with this Alternative Sport

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Getting enough physical activity during winter months can sometimes become very difficult when temperatures reach freezing! However, staying active can alleviate the unforgiving symptoms of seasonal depression that is also likely to effect many adults dealing with the hardships of winter.   Geannette Wittendorf is no amateur when it comes to winter sports , but one overlooked option to practice in winter is indoor rock climbing! Climate controlled, challenging and fun - this sport is a perfect adventurous activity that doesn't involve freezing. 1st time climbers can look forward to working with an indoor rock climbing professional to show them the ropes - literally!  Staff members will usually manage a climber's safety while taking them on an easy high wall while they have full control over the climber's ropes to ensure safety while they learn how to climb. Once the climber becomes more comfortable, they could also try their hand at "belay" climbing whic

Remembering Jake Burton Carpenter, Founder of Burton Snowboards

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Geannette Wittendorf is no amateur when it comes to Olympic sports history. Snowboarding came to the Winter Olympics in 1998, pioneered by Jake Burton Carpenter, founder of Burton Snowboards .  Jake Burton Carpenter, 1954 - 2019 | Burton.com In 1977 Jake Burton Carpenter founded what is now a multimillion dollar company, out of a barn in Vermont. Burton Snowboard's humble beginning helped drive snowboarding to be one of the most popular games in the Winter Olympics to date. Geannette Wittendorf has always been a supporter of Burton - his passion and dedication for his love of sports is something that Geannette Wittendorf has in close common with the Olympic winter game king. Sadly, his legacy has come to an end at age 65 following his ongoing battle with cancer. Jake Burton Carpenter's legacy lives on through the Olympic games, and proud supporters like Geannette Wittendorf. 

What's the Difference Between the Special Olympics and the Paralympics?

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Geannette Wittendorf is a steadfast supporter of the Special Olympics , along with many other sports charities that empower their athletes.  Geannette Wittendorf is passionate about supporting sports charities , organizations, and nonprofits that help create a positive and encouraging environment for individuals who are faced with physical and mental challenges. As an Olympic sports enthusiast herself , Geannette Wittendorf understands the sense of community that sports can create for athletes and their supporters. To express her personal interest, Geannette Wittendorf regularly shows her support for both the Special Olympics and Paralympics . Both organization's main purpose is creating an outlet for those with physical and mental disabilities, giving them a place to enjoy their love for sports while participating in healthy competition on a global scale. Both the Special Olympics and Paralympics aim to provide their athletes with life changing tools - freedom, confidence an

Ice Hockey vs. Figure Skating: How do They Compare?

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Growing up, Geannette Wittendorf developed a love for the Olympics at a young age, and has continued to support this worldwide sporting event throughout her entire life. Ice sports are among the some of the favorites that Geannette Wittendorf proudly cheers on as a bystander , though hockey reigns supreme in her eyes. Ice hockey and figure skating may appear to be two similar sports played on the ice, but in reality they lie on completely different ends of the spectrum, sharing more differences than commonalities. Through years of watching her favorite Olympians compete against the greatest on the world, Geannette Wittendorf considers herself well versed i n the commonalities and differentiators between the two. Though Wittendorf may be biased to hockey , she fully understands that an equal amount of blood, sweat and tears goes into each sport. How does figure skating and ice hockey compare out on the ice?    Footwear Figure skates and ice hockey skates vary due to the nat

Hockey is for Everyone

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Hockey fan, Geannette Wittendorf is proud to support Hockey is for Everyone, a grassroots hockey organization that helps to make hockey an accessible and inclusive sport. No matter where you are or who you are, the NHL believes that the love of hockey is for you. That’s why the League supports 26 official grassroots hockey organizations that bring the sport to youths across North America. Founded on the belief that the love of the game is universal, Hockey is for Everyone is dedicated to inspiring youths through hockey. Since 1998, the initiative has provided over 120,000 young hockey players with equipment and training programs. Geannette Wittendorf is a proud supporter of this initiative, not only as a hockey fan, but as someone who truly believes in the valuable lessons that the sport presents. The core values of hockey are commitment, perseverance and teamwork -- all three represent the staples of Hockey is for Everyone. The organizers of Hockey is for Everyone believe

5 New Sports Coming to Olympics in 2020

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Tokyo 2020 is already looking to be quite the thrilling series of events! Olympics fan, Geannette Wittendorf discusses the five new sports set to debut at the summer games. According to many Olympics fans -- including Geannette Wittendorf -- the Olympic Games have been long overdue for a shake up! When Japan welcomes the world to Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics, they’ll also be introducing new sports to the mix. According to the official Olympic Games Committee, the new sporting events are being introduced to keep pace with currently popular athletic activities. The five new sports coming to the Olympics at Tokyo 2020 are Karate, Skateboarding, Baseball/Softball, Karate, Surfing and Sport Climbing. Karate For some fans of the Olympics, the debut of karate at the Games feels long overdue. Many other martial arts have been thriving at the Olympics for decades already. Karate will now join the ranks of judo, boxing, wrestling and tae kwon do. Finally, martial artists

Special Olympians Celebrate With President Trump

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Recently, a lucky handful of Special Olympians were honored with the opportunity to celebrate their wins with POTUS Donald Trump. Active Special Olympics supporter, Geannette Wittendorf shares her thoughts on this exciting highlight. A team of Special Olympians represented Team USA at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The efforts of the team proved victorious, with several members of the team bringing home shiny Gold medals! When they returned home, a special fan awaited their arrival: President Donald Trump. The occasion at the Oval Office was an exciting moment for both the Special Olympians and the President himself. Matt Millett, an athlete representing Special Olympics Massachusetts , described the meeting as “a phenomenal experience.” The atmosphere of the White House was filled with positivity and power as the President congratulated these incredible athletes on their accomplishments. To commemorate the meeting, Special Olympics In

How to Buy Tickets for Tokyo 2020 (Not as Easy as You Think)

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As a major fan of the Olympic games, Geannette Wittendorf can’t wait to cheer on her favorite athletes at Tokyo 2020.  Recently, it was announced that tickets for the games will go on sale May 9, 2019.  But here’s the catch: only Japanese residents will be able to purchase tickets. It’s an interesting part of the Olympics that people often overlook.  Tickets are initially sold only to residents of the host country. Even then, tickets are purchased in a lottery.  But don’t fret, there’s still a chance for you to attend the 2020 Summer Olympics! But there’s a catch: it’s going to cost you quite a pretty penny.  You’ll have to be willing to burn a hole in your wallet if you want to snag tickets at resale prices. Now, you’re probably thinking:   resale?  Isn’t that dangerous?  No one wants to be scammed!  And when the tickets are marked up by more than 20%, this isn’t exactly something you want to play around with.  That’s why under rules set by the Olympic committee , ticke

Courage vs. Cancer: The Empowering Story of Olympic Athlete, Gabriele Grunewald

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Geannette Wittendorf is a proud supporter and fan of the Olympics. She is incredibly inspired by the courageous efforts of Olympian Gabriele Grunewald, who isn’t letting her battle with cancer keep her from running to victory. The Olympic games are always full of inspiration.  The victories, the ups and downs and the energy of the atmosphere is powerful enough to grip spectators in a motivational way.  What’s even more inspiring than the actual events are the incredible athletes who compete. Their backstories are often awe-inspiring, with many Olympians having overcome adversity in amazing ways.  In particular, Team USA’s middle-distance runner, Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald is an Olympian with a tremendous story of perseverance. In 2009, Gabriele Grunewald was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary gland.  In 2010, with treatment for the condition under her belt, she crossed the 2010 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships finish line as national r

Youngest US Olympian to Win Gold: Marjorie Gestring

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As a German-American, Geannette Wittendorf finds herself supporting both Team USA and Germany at the Olympic Games. It makes matters just a bit more exciting! Following two teams of incredible athletes is quite a fun journey. Wittendorf enjoys researching highlights of past Olympic games. Recently, she discovered an incredible young athlete who won a Gold medal for USA at only 13 years old: Marjorie Gestring. Marjorie Gestring is revered as one of the youngest Olympians to ever win a Gold medal. At just 13 years and 268 days old, she competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics, which were hosted in Berlin, Germany. This was an incredible historical feat which made her, at the time, the youngest person ever to win an Olympic Gold medal -- in any event! Gestring was a competitive springboard diver with an impressive career for someone so young. After winning Gold in Berlin, she continued to claim victories at national competitions across the United States. For two consecutive