The financial truth of pro athletes

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102302881

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102326100

Do we do a disservice to our pro athletes by paying them outrageous fortunes and providing them with little to no education about how to manage their money? Do we do a disservice to our pro athletes by treating them as celebrities and creating an expectation for them to "live large" rather than live thoughtfully? How do these financial challenges affect how our retired athletes think about themselves, their sports careers and their lives.

Perspective

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103246132

Joe Queenan offers his perspective on growing up poor . . . it's not quite as glamorous as the view of the "streets" that has been propagated by our pop culture and Hollywood movies.

Change and domestic violence

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102056732

Can we change? Are we able to change those behaviors which hurt those we love the most? What role does willpower play in human change?

Willpower and discipline

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102728123

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89434945

Is there such a thing as discipline? Can we really control ourselves? Are we strictly impulsive creatures or do we have the power to affect change in ourselves and in our lives?

Mind-body connections in mental health

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102344514
Do you think that the physical expression of anger is cathartic, or is a merely an distraction technique? Does the physical aggression and expression "release" the anger within us or does it simply give us something to do that is engaging and physical. In this physical act, perhaps we are increasing our heart rates and, in a sense, exercising our anger away? I wonder?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102373662
In dealing with trauma, I have always wondered how mind-body work like meditation, mindfulness and even exercise may help. It was interesting to hear that for some monks, the quiet of meditation actually increased the frequency of feelings of anxiety related to past trauma. This psychiatrist seems like an incredibly intelligent and sensitive man and seems to offer some wonderfully alternative treatment methods to help monks regain a sense of calm and connectedness through meditation.

Wolverines

Thank you Courtney Faller . . . any TRUE Michigan fan has got to stay up with WLA! This combines the intelligence, wit and sports knowledge that I expect from EVERY Michigan alumna/alumnus and fan!

http://www.wolverineliberationarmy.com/blog/

Coach Bob Hurley - Coaching Hero

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/03/sunday/main4917067.shtml

Coach Bob Hurley, the renowned basketball coach at Saint Anthony's Catholic High School in Jersey City, New Jersey is a coaching god. He is a tremendous coach and an incredible humanitarian. He is a community leader. He shows his athletes that, with commitment and dedication, they can succeed in this world. Coach Hurley is a true hero.

Check out the book:
The Miracle of St. Anthony: A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball's Most Improbable Dynasty (Hardcover)by Adrian Wojnarowski
http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-St-Anthony-Basketballs-Improbable/dp/1592401023

"The Student Body" - University of Michigan Today Slideshow

These are fantastic photos of early fitness facilities and programming at the University of Michigan. It is amazing how times change - males and females are now about to exercise with one another in any kind of clothing they prefer. It is also amazing how things stay the same - the primary fitness value of maintaining proper posture throughout exercise. Moreover, it is always fun to celebrate anything Michigan! GO BLUE!
http://michigantoday.umich.edu/2009/03/gym-slides/