December is usually everyone’s busiest and most joyous month because of the holidays. For me, it’s extra busy and joyous because it’s also my birthday month. This year, however, is special because it’s my 50th birthday 🎂🥳 I’m not sure how many people reading this letter were with us back in the early days. Does anyone remember when Jessica, Dawn and I threw Master Aiping a big surprise party for her 50th birthday back in January 2005?
And in a blink of an eye, I’m now 50. I have to be honest, the younger me at Master Aiping’s 50th birthday party assumed my strength and vitality would have already peaked at 50. But now that I’m 50, I have never felt stronger, been more fit, and my performance level hasn’t nearly reached its peak yet. I snapped some photos this past Wednesday when my best friend and I celebrated our 50ths with a spa day. The younger me would never have believed that 50 year old me would be so much more fit than her😆
For this, I have to thank my trainer and coach, Damian Neve (aka Dai Lo), for his expert training this past year. When we began our training in November in 2023 he told me we will achieve 3 things: 1) Get my body stronger and fitter than it has ever been in my life; 2) Fix my knees that were wrecked from wushu style Tai Chi alignments and extend my professional career by at least 10 years; 3) And my favorite: Launch some motherf*ers! We achieved #1 and #2 and well on our way to achieve #3. My birthday present to myself was a training trip to North Carolina for some intensive 1:1 training with Damian, building on what we’ve been working on correcting structure and alignment, and moving into the realm of emitting Tai Chi power. It was fun to push him around 😆 We recorded one of our sessions and have made the video available for purchase.
Almost 20 years ago, I threw Master Aiping a surprise 50th birthday party. When it was my turn, Dai Lo was the one who gave me a surprise 😊 (Watch the reel.)
Yesterday we held our last class of 2024 and we’re currently on our holiday break. Our first class in the new year will be Thursday, January 2nd. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas 🎄, Happy Hannukah 🕎, Happy Holidays ❄️, and Wonderful New Year!
Find out about our holiday schedule and other news in our latest newsletter published December 22, 2024.