| Fall 2000 | Volume II, Issue III |
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Is It In Your Toolbox? by Guy LeMasurier, MSc |
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Some teachers have it, some teachers don't! That was always my feeling about teachers, and I consider myself an expert student having spent the last 22 of my 29 years in school. The 'it' I am speaking of is enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is infectious, and it's a bug most students love to get. I remember being in an upper level biochemistry course which had different professors teach different units. One morning while beginning a unit on glycolysis and metabolic regulation, Professor Mommsen took the floor. During most morning classes at University many students can barely keep their heads from doing that nasty whiplash dance, a world somewhere between asleep and barely awake. However, the energy, excitement and genuine curiosity Dr. Mommsen exuded in that lecture about enzymes and insulin's action on the liver had everyone listening and talking about him and the subject material after class. He was truly interested and passionate about the material he was teaching. That rubs off and demands immediate respect. (Passion is an anagram for 'I pass on' and Dr. Mommsen passed on his knowledge to all of us.)
I'm proud to say that my mentor and friend Dr. Howie Wenger is a wild man at the lectern. How often do you see a class joking with a professor by wearing snorkels and masks in the front row at a lecture? This is in response to the sporadic and uncontrolled spray that comes from Howie's (he prefers Howie to Dr. Wenger) mouth when he gets too excited about the turnover rate of ATP during substrate level phosphorylation. His students can visualize the turnover rates as tempo of his body language fluxes in direct relation to his subject matter. Howie has been President of the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, an exercise physiologist to NHL teams for over 20 years and has received the Award of Excellence for Teaching at the University of Victoria (an award bestowed upon one teacher each year at the University). He has worked with Wayne Gretzky to produce 'Training to Win' a video on fitness training for hockey players. He has a unique ability to take scientific concepts and make them meaningful to students and athletes alike.
Howie coaching Martin's technique in our Boccie Finals Because of this ability, Howie has worked for the Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers. While working with the New York Rangers, they won a Stanley Cup, making Howie the proud owner of a Stanley Cup ring. In spite of all this, Howie puts on no airs but does put on a show when he lectures to his students and athletes about the topics he loves. The origin of the word enthusiasm comes from the Greek word 'en theos' meaning the god within. Howie taps into his god within and shares that with his students. The results are amazing.
In my undergraduate program, I took a class taught by Dr. Collis and can remember that as a truly great time during my education. In addition to his enthusiasm about health and wellness, Dr. Collis' love for his students was evident. He practiced what he preaches in the 'Boring Song' by saying "yes" to a video term project that I wanted to do so badly. I had a memorable time in the process of making the film and showing it to the class. Our class became a very close group and when we were planning a party, Dr. Collis overheard the buzz and volunteered to host. He created a memorable environment by giving students freedom, encouraging enthusiasm, displaying unique creativity and often saying "yes." I work for Dr. Collis in his home as I write this. It's 6 years later and he is still the same teacher that I remember. The only difference is I get to learn everyday. I have always been enthusiastic and that has helped me throughout my life and has drawn me to the individuals I have mentioned. However, as an elementary student through to a high school graduate there have been many teachers that have fostered that enthusiasm by sharing their passion of the subjects they taught, their passion for learning, their love of students and their positive character. Incidentally, these teachers are not all schoolteachers. Many were my employers, who have become my friends. A few that I would like to remember are Jan Wenger, Bill Green, Mrs. Green, Ms. Boucher, Mrs. Cox, Bill Ross, Mrs. Douglas, Roger Rajotte, Tim McKinnon, Dale Hallier, Dave Vranjes, Patty Fletcher, Ross Glover, Ian Zaharko, Lynneth Wolski, Paula McFadyen, Dona Tomlin, Dave Docherty, Kirstin Lane and Kari Nye. As a result of my enthusiasm for physiology, Dr. Wenger afforded me the opportunity to work for the New York Rangers at their 1995 training camp. A year later, the end of my undergraduate degree, my enthusiasm was further rewarded by Howie as he put me in touch with the Los Angeles Kings, where I worked for 4 years as a fitness consultant. I am now enthusiastically spreading the word on wellness working for Dr. Martin Collis. I come by enthusiasm naturally as my Dad has always shared his excitement and energy for sports, music and a healthy lifestyle with me. At the age of 39 my Dad began competing in short course triathlons and 9 years later culminated with a personal best Ironman time of 11 hours and 3 minutes to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. Quite a role model for enthusiasm and an example for the song 'It's Never Too Late'.
We are all so excited by the enthusiastic example of Steve Nash in leading the Canadian basketball team to 1st place in their qualifying pool at the Olympics. (Steve Nash leads by example and what you do shouts so loud that people rarely hear what you say.) Steve, his family and friends were with Simon Ibel (one of 3 Unreasonable People) for our inaugural Boccie and bonding night and you'll find the remarkable Simon's name among those to whom Martin has dedicated his CD.
In high school Steve led his small private institution, St. Michael's University, to it's first 'AAA' Provincial title. At another relatively small institution, Santa Clara University, Steve led them into the 'Big Dance' of the NCAA Tournament 3 times and was then drafted in the 1st round of the NBA entry draft to the Phoenix Suns. Against all odds he led the Canadian national team to beat Peurto Rico in Peurto Rico to qualify for the Olympics (two other NBA players had trouble returning phone calls when asked to represent their country). So Steve with his team in the Olympic Village (unlike the Dream Team), and after stunning the powerful home team from Australia on opening night, has just been part of a surprise win over Yugoslavia, which leaves Canada winning the qualifying group and moving into the medal rounds with a good draw. What is remarkable about Steve is his undying enthusiasm, and his unrelenting dedication. It's so refreshing to see a young star that is not jaded, proud of his country, thrilled to be playing in the Olympics and is so appreciative of the help he has received from his family and coaches. Particularly his high school teacher and coach Ian Hyde-Lay, who like Steve, was an over-achiever of epic proportions. With Steve's enthusiasm don't bet against the Dallas Mavericks this year. Martin will be in Dallas to speak at the Cooper institute in November and has arranged to see a couple of games. In any field be it sport, teaching or business, loving what you do, and doing it with unbridled enthusiasm will lead to success for yourself and those around you. Is it in your toolbox?
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| Contact Information |
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Phone: (250) 721-6997 Fax: (250) 721-6929 Email: mcollis@speakwell.com |
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