Photo from The National Post.What are we going to do about Sochi 2014? Boycott? Protest? Move them to Vancouver? (No thanks! We had our turn.) Ban Russia from competing? Personally, I think the last option would be the funniest. I imagine Putin rolling up to the gates in style and security … [Read more...]
We make exercise scary: A failure of the physical education system
We make exercise scary. By 'we' I mean everyone involved in sport, physical activity, and health. I mean that 'we' as a collective group have failed at fostering a love for physical movement. A couple of posts ago I wrote about how excited I am to be able to impact how people … [Read more...]
The Rabbit Hole: Should we expect athletes to be role models?
Northeastern University's Sport in Society organization attempts to use sport to create positive social change. I follow them on Twitter and usually I agree with most of the tweets that they create but today they tweeted the following tweet concerning Ryan Braun's suspension from Major League … [Read more...]
Balancing the sociologist with the personal trainer: An autoethnographical reflection
I recently attained my CanFitPro personal trainer certification and completed a boot camp instructor course. These decisions were based on (not necessarily in the following order) (1) the fact that I have spent so much time and money in the gym that I it would be nice to earn some of it back, … [Read more...]
Book Review: Rethinking Thin
Rethinking Thin: The new science of weight loss - and the myths and realities of dieting by Gina Kolata.As someone who once believed in the 'calories in = calories out' maxim I found Rethinking Thin to be a fascinating read. Logically, the math makes sense: the more you eat the more you should … [Read more...]
To Turban or not To Turban?
The Quebec Soccer Federation (QSF) recently announced that turbans will be banned from soccer fields and that those who do not like the ruling can "play in their own backyards." From my observation this ruling has brought mostly backlash from Canadians calling the decision blatant racism. … [Read more...]
Strong is the new skinny? Enough is enough
Strong is the new skinny. You've probably seen that mantra splashed across social media, magazines or on television. Muscular (attractive) young women in workout gear telling YOU that muscles are in and waif thin bodies with no definition are out. While I appreciate that muscles on women … [Read more...]
Balancing Angelina Jolie’s Breasts
Angelina Jolie as Mrs. Smith.Angelina Jolie has been my hero for the past eight years. Her work with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) was the first domino in a series of life choices that has led me to pursue a doctoral degree with a focus on social justice. There is little in my eyes that … [Read more...]
Why women’s only gym hours aren’t sexist
Peter Lloyd of the UK's Daily Mail recently wrote a rather inflammatory article titled, "Why I'm suing my gym over their sexist women-only hours". He argues that providing women's only hours is a gender bias that is unfair AND "pathologises masculinity while simultaneously repressing it." … [Read more...]
The Boston Marathon: Revisiting the non-event
As I write this the sole surviving brother of the alleged Boston Marathon bombings duo is probably being interrogated by Federal Agents in some dimly lit warehouse in Boston. At least, if you watch enough television crime dramas that's what one would assume to be happening. Every Internet news … [Read more...]