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HOOG
HOOG stands for HOop blOG! 
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​​Many who embark on a journey of wellness and health, find out all kinds of interesting bits and pieces of information. As I share information, keep in mind, I am not a professional nutritionist, fitness guru, trainer, chef or otherwise. I am an everyday person who was diagnosed with MS at age 49 and I am working to fight it's progression one day at a time. Here are the stories of my life. Maybe you'll like 'em and maybe you won't. But my hope is, someone, somewhere is googling, like I did when I was first diagnosed with MS and so desperately needed information - and here you might find a little hope. Perhaps some nugget of something, that makes the googling worth it and maybe helps to chase some fears away and get some sleep.
Welcome to my HOOG! 

4/2/2020

What day is it? and letting go of DESTRUCTIVE worry....

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Hooping & TRX - I will get back to it! I am missing my classes and looking forward connecting with you! However I can! 
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The HOME TEAM keeping me focused and not stressed! My motivation to NOT worrying my days away.
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The WHOLE gang. Christmas 2019 with the kids/grand children. family in Chicago. Sending safe, distancing and be well vibes.
Good Morning - Today is April 2nd, 2020 and it is Thursday. I actually had to look up, what day of the week we were on, because I have lost all sense of time being at home with the whole family. The Covid-19 Pandemic has turned life upside-down. Our schedules are limited and home based. This is causing all of us to look at the world in a new way and to work differently. My husband works from home and his business is changing with his client environments changing, even if he is not shifting his desk. He works as a recruiter in the IT field with a focus in the Chicago market. Our Illinois employees are now working from home. This changes some tasks and business needs, so we are finding solutions. No longer teaching fitnesses classes where I live in Florida, I have more desks time and that has been an adjustment for me. So far, I am about 5 pounds heavier (sadly) and I have likely spent hours of time worrying (sadder). Worrying is a whole lot of wasted time, I might add. And finally, my daughter, a high school senior, has just returned to her final quarter of high school... online. Likely no prom, awards banquets, art shows, senior "GradBash", or graduation, or even any graduation parties. I would say we are all managing our new NOT normal fairly well, but it comes with a fair amount of living day to day.  

Yesterday was pretty much the first cry I have had over all of this. And I consider that good, since I was running on fear and anxiety for the last few weeks. Crying, I consider a good shift in how I am feeling today. The cry was prompted watching my daughter cry as she read the announcement of the complete closure of my her rowing team's site to everyone. For weeks, as a coxswain she has not attended practice, since only single boats were going out on the water, the club was following all safety guidelines and was the last of anything normal still happening. With the "Stay at Home," for Florida announced until the end of April (likely longer) the club had no choice but to close. It seemed to be my tipping point as I watched my daughter really cry for the first time in all of this. 


My husband shared a column by Harvey Mackey this morning, which really hit me to the core - (https://harveymackay.com)
Harvey started his email today with; One of my favorite “Peanuts” cartoons describes Charlie Brown and Linus sitting on a bench.  The caption reads, “Worrying won’t stop the bad stuff from happening; it just stops you from enjoying the good.” Harvey went on to talk about how harmful worry is, and the benefits of assessing where you are, and planning for difficult times. Accepting challenges, but letting go of worry. As a person with Multiple Sclerosis, I believe that worry is not good for me (or anyone). I also know that "worry" can consume me. I struggle with worry in fairly good times, think of how I have been operating in a Pandemic! UGH. 

Today because of my husband's willingness to share, I am putting my plan into place to add a Zoom Class to my life on Fridays and get back to being with people. As I woke up today I was already moving to that mindset. Finding joyfulness in my day; I am actually grateful that I am not running around juggling fitness work with my recruiting work. I have been more on the font lines of office lately and I am enjoying that connect with Rich. Don't misread that comment my fitness friends - I MISS MY CLASSES! I am grateful I am seeing so much of Cas and that she is actually fairly calm as the end of her senior year is not at all what we had anticipated it would be. Up until now, Cas was a blur running in and out of the house to school and crew. She would leave with backpacks loaded for each, with a long day and many accomplishments in-between, before she walked back in the door for dinner.  
And finally Coco Bean our dog deserves a shout out too. She is 2 years old and confused as to why we are all home, but super happy about it. She is really shaggy and is going to stay that way until we can venture out to the groomer again. I tried my hand at trimming her up and it is fair to say - Fitness is a better career choice for me. 

Today I am saying a giant, THANK YOU to my husband for being Mr. Half Full, and to my daughter for inspiring me.  Over the last few weeks they have remained calm and found joy in their new circumstances. And not having senior spring really stinks from the eyes of a college bound 17 year old. I am proud of you, Cas! And I am going to thank my shaggy, cute dog for making me smile.  

I have to go because with less worry to do today, I have more time to be creative setting up tomorrow's class, work with the recruiting business  and  smile more because today I am lucky to be with my family and I have things to focus on!

3/17/2020

Today is BOOK RELEASE DAY!

Book Release Day for Dr. Terry Wahls!
This is a bright spot in my day! 
Yippee Today Dr. Terry Wahls is releasing her book with new information! LOVE THIS!
This is a shorter version of Wellness Wednesday that was published on 3/4/20.
The new book talk starts - at 6:50.
Up until then - We chit chat about Dr. Terry's diagnosis and recovery story. 
View the whole Wellness Wednesday 3/4/20 on my here!
https://youtu.be/neQvsrlVN3s
Thanks - Amy

3/4/2020

Wellness Wednesday with Dr. Terry Wahls! Episode#4 - March 4, 2020

Wellness Wednesday: Episode #4 with Dr. Terry Wahls - March 4, 2020. I am so honored to chat with my hero Dr. Terry Wahls, about her health journey, her new release of the Wahls Protocol and how she saved my life with her TedTalk, Book, and Seminar. I am so amazed that the world can be such a small place. Iowa calls me back home year after year for her seminar and to see high school friends. From TedTalk to friendship - crazy wonderful. Come on in and have a listen and meet my friend Dr. Terry Wahls.

* The book will be released on March 17 and it will be available wherever books are sold and on online retailers such as Amazon, B&N, etc. You can pre-order on Amazon and B&N.

1/21/2020

Count your blessings and the hoops in your garage!

Since my hoop journey began so many years ago, it seems every year something new happens and the journey continues in a different way. I am profoundly blessed that I have the pleasure of hula hooping with people nearly every day of my life and some how some way, much of what I do is connected to people who hula hoop! I decided that counting my blessings is a good thing to do! And I really enjoy counting the hoops in my garage. Why not count my hoops and blessings one by one!

My business is growing once again as I am getting more involved in making nicer hula hoops. Up until now I have been focused on beginner hoops and basic arm hoops. And nothing I did was fancy. Actually fancy scared me, it involved more expensive tape, rivets and doing things I did not know how to do. Encouraged by some hooper friends (who admittedly like shiny hoops) and one hoop curious friend Kathy, I am now officially in the game making more than just beginner hoops. Working with my friend Kathy makes hoop making fun! Honestly beginner hoops are my passion, because I JUST LOVE GETTING PEOPLE TO jump into a hoop and go! However I am finding great joy in working with different tubing and sizes when it comes to arm hoops. Much of what Kathy and I have been focused on is making pretty hoops, and varying the sizes so people can use what is PERFECT for them. Because all people are different and MY perfect set of arm hoops may not at all be YOUR perfect set of arm hoops. 

Additionally I am also focusing on a new hoop project. - Keep you posted! 

Current Hoops available: 
Waist standard connected ready to hoop - for local pick up
Waist standard not connected ready to ship - DIY connecting at home. Can ship. 

Weighted hoop connected and ready to hoop - for local pick-up.
Weighted semi DIY available - DIY connecting at home. Can Ship

Poly Pro Arm hoops are new and only available locally. Cost and size makes these base if we can coil them down. This means working up to a push button process. Give me a few months. 

Poly pro waist hoops are on the horizon and then these hoops will also be available for shipment. 

Our goal is to bring you want you want when it comes to hula hoops for fun, play and fitness! 
Best, Amy

PS -Thanks for the push hoopers and Kathy - thanks for jumping in with me. It is more fun with two hoop makers. 


1/19/2020

I never dreamed, I would work with ASSISTED living & memory care folks. And I love it!

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I started working with a local wonderful community, Plymouth Harbor this past fall. I landed in their gym and brought in my speaker, music and hula hoops. I did two classes in that gym; one class for the staff folks earning health points for their fitness program and one class hanging out and hooping it up with their independent living community. Those folks were so much fun, and when I say that I mean both groups of people were so much fun. The staff people showed up ready to go, and the community members did too! The time just flew during both classes. 

It turned out that one of the ladies that attended the staff hoop time was the director of the activities. She invited me into view their assisted living community and their memory care community. After visiting, we talked about bringing programming to both of those community groups.

I tweaked my programing to include games, a smilie faced parachute with nerf balls and planned music to bring them back in time to their younger years. I researched the needs each of these communities and planned for my first Saturday at their location in Jan. Honestly I was nervous and excited all at once. 

* The joy of sharing and caring.
My whole goal when working with the people that I do, across the board is to have people be happy, feel successful and enjoy their play time. When working with the assisted living and memory care communities - my goals are the same, bring joy and share play time. With all ages in mind I build this list that guides me no matter where I go. 
  • Share compliments often
  • Encourage constantly
  • Be watchful at all times
  • Cheer loudly for any success
  • Share my smile and energy
  • Walk out grateful for the opportunity
  • And walk out tired - If I am not tired - I did not work hard enough!

I love working with this new opportunity and it spurs me on to be better and more creative. 
It is my hope that if my parents were still with me, they would be especially proud of the work I do here. 
Thank you - HealthFit for Introducing me to Plymouth Harbor. 
​- Amy

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1/2/2020

Wellness Wednesday - Episode #3: Mary Carr - Good VIBES!

     When I began Wellness Wednesdays I needed a place to speak and film my events. My friendship with Mary Carr, whom I met through hooping, made me think of her art studio in Opsrey, FL! When I walked into Larimar Studio Gallery for the first time, I knew it was a perfect match for my needs because she created a space/place that was warm, cozy, welcoming and filled with beautiful artwork of the ocean! 
​     To kick off the New Year I caught up with Mary on New Year's Day to talk about why she opened her studio, and about her many passions. Mary is an acupuncturist, a Groove Dance facilitator and an artist. Her studio is truly a place of Good Vibes! It is a great place to visit, have a private Groove Dance class or host and event for a small private gathering! Listen in.... and HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS! ​
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11/15/2019

Wellness Wednesday, NOv. 7, 2019 - Episode #2

Creating an Inspired and Joy filled Holiday Season! Destress NOW to keep stress away. Meet Joy Bush and Annie Stockdale and hear their tips on making sure the holiday stress and hustle and bustle does not get to you! 

10/3/2019

Hooping at the Ritz - a lesson learned.

While on a business trip with my husband, I knew I would meet up with some old friends. I have talked about hooping with some of them, so I brought hula hoops with me. Tonight in the lobby some nice music was playing and I had my light up hoop with me. I hooped because I am that girl. That gray haired, 56 year old groovy girl! The lobby sort of erupted and seemingly a number of people wanted to use my hoop. 
The sad part is my hoop is NOT for everyone - it is smaller. So some people might be able to do it, while others cannot because really it is too small. So I felt bad knowing some of these people were not going to be successful. But since I have hoops with me and told people I would be pool side tomorrow, I hope to make some “happy hoopers out” of them tomorrow. Here is what I learned tonight - again. People love to feel like a kid. People LOVE to play and movement is good. I am excited I am hooping with people tomorrow.

9/30/2019

Wellness Wednesday - Episode #1

September 11, 2019: Amy Chats with Dr. Fred Harvey and her amazing friend Tony Ferro of Change MS. Give a listen into the evening! 

7/29/2019

Post 2019 summer hoop tour. Wow~

It is the 29th of July and I have officially been traveling for 11 days. I am sitting in a Panera, getting ready for the next few days with family in IL, just regrouping and pausing to reflect on my travels and the seminar with Dr. Terry Wahls. I still have pictures to post with the Hoop Tour updates below from the Wahls Seminar and Retreat along with my last few events prior to speaking and working with my hero Dr.Terry Wahls. I do hope to get to those update later, once I am home. 

I am truly blessed by the gift I have been given through my MS diagnosis, I found a hula hoop in 2012 and in 2016 I made a commitment at the same seminar I just left, "To follow my hoop where ever it goes." The hardest part of that thought is to remove hurdles that creep in, because it is easy to say, "I'm not sure I can do that" when the real opportunity presents itself to follow my hoop. Let me give you an example, a librarian (I do event programming with libraries in Sarasota during the year) said she would like me to come back and work with a larger group of kids and families next summer. My response was, of course! She went on to explain she was talking about 100 plus attendees. I said with a smile, "Yes, I can do that!" And then my brain immediately went into the overdrive mode of questions, Can you do that? How many hoops do you need? How will that work? What would the program structure look like? and those are good questions. And then the next questions that dream killer question crept into my brain, "Can you really do that Amy?" Quickly thing, That is a lot of people! What if, you.... And I think you can see the slippery slope this thought process is heading down. That is the question that brings in doubt. The question that can stop creativity. That is the kind of thought, if you choose to listen to it, will shut down those dreams. So today I am pondering, next summer how to reach more people at events as I travel to my friend Dr. Terry Wahls. I have my brain noodling on that question. I know from what I have heard and read, moving forward is about asking your brain the right questions and removing limiting beliefs/questions. And I say questions because if I choose to go with, "Can you really do that Amy?" I might stop and believe that I cannot do a really large group activity. In my heart of hearts, I know I can do a large group activity. I am envisioning it RIGHT NOW. I am sitting here on a rainy day in IL, excited about making that opportunity work for next summer. 

For those of you who have just maybe landed on my site. I will give you a bit of background on this post. My name is Amy Raspiller Bradley. I am 56 and live with MS. I was diagnosed in 2012 and picked up a hula hoop at about the same time. My husband thought it might help me. I also heard a TedTalk by Dr. Terry Wahls and through food and movement transformed my life. I got stronger, put my cane down and lost 50+ pounds. In 2016 I met Dr. Terry and I returned to speak at her conference in 2017, 2018, and last week 2019 I once again shared my story and hula hoops with her attendees. My joy in being there is watch people realized that MS, or whatever autoimmune disorder  or health issue they have, does not have to define them. That movement can happen even if you have a walker, or a wheelchair. One lady Debi, told me she hoops everyday (we met last year) and she taught her 5 year old granddaughter how to hula hoop. And her grandchildren think she is a  cool grandma, because she hula hoops. I think she is a super cool grandma. I love that she told me that, because the ripples of what you say or do are not always evident. It leaves me kind of speechless. Another woman name Ann, told me she actually gained muscle in her arms as we were talking about her journey. It was wonderful to see because as we talked I told her that I noticed that she has more balance now and seemed stronger then when we first met in 2016. She is bright, strong and growing in strength and beauty each year. Ann inspires me to continue to work out and get stronger myself. I might added the arm strength is through her working out and I cannot say it is arm hoops that makes her arms stronger. But really - moving is the key. I just like it when people say they use hoops! 

I am going home to Florida to find that book where I wrote down, "Follow my hoop where ever it takes me," because I know that is why I am here now writing in my HOOG (HOop blOG) because I have a hoop to follow and I actually put it out there to the universe, Follow my hoop. 

Today I am pondering how blessed I am that my hula hoop has allows me to meet amazing people where ever I go. I get to hear stories about people and share my story. It was the story of Dr. Terry Wahls that made me believe that I had a choice to be involved in my own recovery. That I had a choice to make, regarding the foods I ate. She inspired me to be a better me! And I hope to inspire others to believe in themselves and the power of the mind and the choices they make. Because truly health eating is great, healthy movement is great, positive affirmation are so important, but none of that is possible unless a choice is made. And only person that can choose to eat healthy, move health and think healthy is YOU. 

Here is to your health - Today July 29th, 2019 - go out into the world and choose to be amazing.
​Amy


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    Amy Raspiller Bradley 

    I love hula hooping 
    I love healthy food
    I love getting outside
    I have MS.  
    ​
    And that is why I blog!

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