Source: Undisputed via Fox Sports
Category: Guidance
Lately, I write an article about what a female athlete would do if she was a boy. But today, I am going to defer to Serena who has penned so beautifully what all female athletes, and women in general, must do to succeed:
Tuesday 29 November 2016 02.00 EST
To all incredible women who strive for excellence,
When I was growing up, I had a dream. I’m sure you did, too. My dream wasn’t like that of an average kid, my dream was to be the best tennis player in the world. Not the best “female” tennis player in the world.
I was fortunate to have a family that supported my dream and encouraged me to follow it. I learned not to be afraid. I learned how important it is to fight for a dream and, most importantly, to dream big. My fight began when I was three and I haven’t taken a break since.
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But as we know, too often women are not supported enough or are discouraged from choosing their path. I hope together we can change that. For me, it was a question of resilience. What others marked as flaws or disadvantages about myself – my race, my gender – I embraced as fuel for my success. I never let anything or anyone define me or my potential. I controlled my future.
So when the subject of equal pay comes up, it frustrates me because I know firsthand that I, like you, have done the same work and made the same sacrifices as our male counterparts. I would never want my daughter to be paid less than my son for the same work. Nor would you.
As we know, women have to break down many barriers on the road to success. One of those barriers is the way we are constantly reminded we are not men, as if it is a flaw. People call me one of the “world’s greatest female athletes”. Do they say LeBron is one of the world’s best male athletes? Is Tiger? Federer? Why not? They are certainly not female. We should never let this go unchallenged. We should always be judged by our achievements, not by our gender.
For everything I’ve achieved in my life, I am profoundly grateful to have experienced the highs and lows that come with success. It is my hope that my story, and yours, will inspire all young women out there to push for greatness and follow their dreams with steadfast resilience. We must continue to dream big, and in doing so, we empower the next generation of women to be just as bold in their pursuits.
Serena Williams
(Credit: Serena Williams via The Guardian)
Source: Last Week Tonight
When you enter a stadium or arena, do you ever wonder where your food comes from? Do you consider whether or not you can actually partake in the food being served at the arena? Well, there are those who actually do consider these things either due to dietary restrictions or personal convictions.
Fortunately, there are some arenas and stadiums who have made an extra effort to assist these individuals. For example, there are 17 professional sports venues that offer organic food and 14 that offer meat routinely untreated with antibiotics.
But being green with food also includes the donation of leftover food to local shelters to help those less fortunate. It includes those stadiums and arenas who utilize local farmers to grow, or better yet, grow their own food to nourish the hungry souls who come through their gates for entertainment.
Overall, there are 5 components in acting green with food:
(a) menu planning – manage and track portions and demands to avoid waste plus offer vegan/vegetarian meals as well as determine local/seasonal ingredients offerings;
(b) packaging – reduce packaging as well as offer recycleable, compostable and/or reuseable serviceware;
(c) preparation efficiency – mininize food waste plus create efficient ways to prepare to reduce energy and water consumption;
(d) procurement – choose to use USDA organic, antibiotic free, seasonal/locally produced food as well as certified sustainable seafood; & (e) waste diversion – education of fans and staff, implement recycling and composting of waste measures, and donate unused food to local shelters and food banks.
The way food is produced, transported, prepared, and disposed of has a profound impact on our environment which directly affects public health. It allows us all the opportunity to be innovative, and reward others who are innovative, with our health and the Earth’s resources.
Why does it matter that a stadium considers going green with food? Well, one reason is the Earth has limited resources, and we are responsible for taking care of its resources respectfully. Plus, it feels good to be wasteful and be able to help others at the same time. Sports venues have an opportunity to educate themselves and their fans to assist the Earth in its health as well as our own.
