2+1=3 Things to move you toward your goals today

As promised, I would continue to share some of my notes from the classes I recently took with some of foremost thought leaders of today.

This is really cool, as reviewing notes and sharing is really helping me (and I hope you) really solidify these concepts into my consciousness.

Eric Loftholm's class had 2 particular things that really spoke to me:

#1 When you wing it, you get wing it results.
Ooof, that one hurt! LOL! Why? Because how many times I have gotten caught with winging it, and had crappy results. The results don't lie. This would mean consider the concept of planning.

#2 You cannot fake preparedness.
Another great one! For me as an athlete, I totally get this one. When on the start line of any event, either you have done the work, or you haven't. Period. It is that simple.
What I am starting to do is apply some of my athletic concepts into my other compartments of life. This concept is so true for business. I cannot show up to a buyers meeting, tradeshow, investor presentation without being prepared. The funny part is you are NOT fooling anyone, just like in school growing up, you think the teacher knew which students were prepared and which were not, oh yes they did!
I finally figured out in college how painful it was to procrastinate and not be prepared, and even in my adult life, whether it be athletics, business, classes, relationships...that when I am putting myself out there with the right preparation, I feel better about me. This ultimately builds my own self confidence, and that for all of us is a good thing. There is nothing wrong with being confident, in fact, with humility, it is attractive.
Being prepared will attract exactly what you seek.

Last note of the day is my own, and not from class:
#3 ACTION: take daily ACTION
It is GREAT to have "big hairy audacious goals" but, what is it that you can do today to get closer to them? I must admit, I have gotten caught up in overwhelm after setting a "big hairy audacious goal" and then I got paralyzed....eh? Yup, paralyzed-not knowing what to do next.
I can now see focus needs to be simple, and DAILY.
Now I ask myself, what is it I can do today to get me one step closer to that goal?
And guess what? There is always something, a phone call, an email, research....etc.

The best part about action, is after you take it, it feels good! Cause you stepped up to move toward your goal, instead of just dreaming about it.

2 life concepts to apply 2day

Today I wanted to reiterate some of the notes I took in Les Brown's class a week ago.

Yesterday I wrote about a philosophy or two I live by....and here I would like to share some of the gems I got from someone I feel is an "Olympian in Business", or should I also note, "Olympian in life" (meaning he lives life to the fullest, top notch!)

As I review my notes from class, these are just two of my favorites that really hit home for me:

#1 LEAP! and spread your wings on the way down
Oh this one just screams at me! In other words why wait til all is perfect before you take your risk? FAITH is not about safety, FAITH is living BIG, seeing BIG, and then believing so BIG that you just go for it....leaping, and figuring it out as you go.
IF I had waited until I knew how to perfectly create a business, make a swimsuit, make a website...I would never would have had the lessons of growth within myself if I had not stretched myself and gotten uncomfortable. Yes, it is uncomfortable to LEAP, but the journey of the spreading the wings is AWESOME! The lessons of humility, gratitude, grace, dignity, laughter, uncoditional support, faith and love would never have come about they way they had had I not LEAPED. I am happy to come across this today as the start of the NEW YEAR is upon us...so...I deem 2010 as the LEAP year for me....you in?

#2 COINCIDENCE is GOD's way of staying anonymous! I laughed when I heard Les Brown say this quote. I am big on FAITH, trusting that all is good, and all is going to work out...but I also know that my end of the deal is to take action. Some think the Law of Attraction is just to sit, think, and it will show up....hello! THE ACTION PART IS WHEN IT WORKS....after the meditating on what you want to attract the action of moving towards it, the making of CONSISTENT choices and decisions to move towards what you want is KEY. There is no genie....but there is a GOD (that is my belief, I am not sure what you may call your Higher Power, Universe, Buddah etc, we are essentially talking about your spiritual creator).
So back to my original point....coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous really is about you and your God working together, you staying focused on the good, and taking action on the results you want...and when it shows up by coincidence you know that God's hand was in it...your reward (if you will) for staying on track "to live an inspired life"-Les Brown

More notes tomorrow from other teachers I got schooled by:
Lisa Nichols
Les Brown
Alex Mendossian
Berny Dohrman
Jack Canfield
Bob Proctor

These are the top thought leaders of our time....this is so cool!

GETTIN' SCHOOLED

The fun part (depends on how you look at it) of being an entrepreneur is to continually keep yourself open to gettin' schooled.

As an athlete we have a saying, "if you want to be an Olympian, then go hang out with the Olympians, if you hang on the street corners you are going to get the wrong information, and just by osmosis take on street corner attitudes which is far from the winning attitude of an Olympian".

In other words, "go where the best are, and learn from them". I just spent some time with the Olympians of Business, and WOW...how enlightening!

It amazes me that this saying is also true, "your friends who are not doing well are not necessarily the ones who want to see you do well, because you changing and doing well makes them uncomfortable, they want you to be there with them in their misery....your biz peers who have done well, truly want you to do well, in fact they are not only your cheerleaders, but they are the ones who will connect you with who and what you may need next to excel" ....cool!

I live by both of these philosophies, and as hard as it is, I have to weed out the "street corner" influences and "those who are miserable and looking for commiserates to hang with". I can be there as a friend and help when I can, but I do not have to let my energy be taken down by someone elses choices, yes, I said CHOICES to be miserable.

It has been proven scientific fact that it takes just as much energy to be miserable as it does to be happy...so why not spend your energy on the happy stuff, heck, we only live once!

Setting Goals, and then surpassing them!

I heard this concept recently, and was excited!

To not only set a goal...but surpass it.

A philosophy that I thoroughly have embraced, only at different times of my life. In sports, no problem, set a goal, surpass it was the norm.

Truth be told, I did not immediately cross that philosophy over to my biz life. After a few failures and falling short of goals....time and time again, I got discouraged. I did, and in a big way. I am smart, and aware that failure is good. It means you stretched outside your comfort zone, and there was a lesson involved....BUT....I got tired of the feeling I fell short again. BLEK! I went through the highs of success and low lows of failure.

I now know I was only operating on what I knew, and I only knew what I knew at the time....so the willingness to appreciate the lessons and learn had to happen.

For this week, it is back to embracing into my life set a goal, a big audacious goal, and don't stop there...keep going until you get it, and then surge forward and surpass it.

How Fun!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Fun for me is meeting new customers who are excited about the Sportkini product! It really affirms for me how fun it is to bring such a cool product to market.

yay!

Today was total success! (SALE)
Not only getting to know my neighbors who stopped by, but also getting to see some of new and returning customers hang out, and even enjoy a cup of coffee (as I did brew a GREAT pot).

I have epiphany's and lessons every week.
Today's lesson, everything I need is right here.
All the customers are right here, all the monies needed to expand and grow to the next level of business are right here. The right connections are right here...not in some far away land...but here.

I don't know how else to describe it, but we are prepping for presenting our opportunity for investors to be part of the company with presentations in Dec., and that too, is an opportunity that is right here.

This is the ride of a lifetime, stay tuned!
Having you be a part of it, is special to me, as I really have not done this journey alone, I have all of you with me!

2ND Sale Date: Sunday Nov 29

Yahoo! I LOVE sales!
Meeting new customers face to face, some I have only spoke with on email, and others returning for more Sportkinis as they have had true success!

7am to 1pm Sunday
Nov 29
1684 Temple Hills Drive
Laguna Beach, CA
92651

NEW THIS YEAR: Gift Certificates available as well which have no expire date, and your cert can be used on any product we carry, at anytime of the year. Keep in mind, I do small orders of fun cool stuff randomly....so having that gift cert is like gold!

Happy Day!
Come up if you are in the area, and say hello!

SWIMSUIT SALE 2009

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Finally a mannequin photo shoot with photos to post of this Eno Crossback Sportkini Top...with others that will be at the sale on Friday.

REMEMBER these are Sportkini's and ALL swimsuits are made for function, and of course well thought out colors and patterns for flattering style lines.

INFO FOR SALE:
If you live in Southern California you can shop swimsuit sale Friday from 7am to 1pm
OR if you are not local you can shop the www.zswimwear.com/store site
OR call 949.632.9969

ADDRESS:
1684 Temple Hills Drive
Laguna Beach, CA
92651

Some new just in Eno Crossback Sportkini Tops all sizes, OP's (One Pieces), Rinback suits, Backpacks, and Gift Certificates in $50, $100, $200 increments.

Moving suits you can M O V E I N ...literally!

YYIIPPPEE for Thanksgiving weekend!

Jumpin' out of my skin!

Today is one of those days when I FEEL the flow of life, and all energies of life synergistically working together. It feels right, and things have COLOR again...sometimes in the trenches of being an entrepreneur...things look grey....with no light at the end of the tunnel.

Today feels different, and long overdue...I see colors again, they are bright and bold, hence the photo choice of this beautiful, elegant lotus flower.

I am excited because I KNOW, LIKE I KNOW, LIKE I KNOW, the direction that the EXPANSION of Zsuzsi is going, and it is surreal, but so real!

My DREAM TEAM is coming together, my sphere of biz friends has evolved into the most amazing people and gifts....wow, ultimately becoming a new family.

Maybe this is quite appropriate as we head into a holiday we celebrate and reflect on thanks...ultimately, GRATITUDE.

I am grateful for the long haul, the things I did right, and things I did wrong, and lessons that went with both...for if it weren't for those, I would not be where I am today.

Attitude of Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving!

THE BEGINNINGS

Yes, this is a BRONCO, filled to the tilt with swimsuits (or better yet, sportkinis!).

This photo was taken 3 years ago, and I stumbled across it today. The photo was taken in Hawaii at my good friend Rebekah's house.

I sold suits that weekend at the Queen Liliokalani Outrigger Canoe Race in Kona, and got my first account with Four Seasons Hualalai.

I had brought product over to get feedback, pictures and accounts. A big part of my R & D is getting in front of my target market, and literally interviewing them....how can I make these suits and or styles even better? It is a personal mission of mine. I am creative and got lots of ideas, and sometimes what is expressed to me as needed by my customer is something I have already thought of and started working on, true synchronicity.

Being an entrepreneur is tough, but there are so many moments that make it worth while. Providing a product and continuing to make it better is the challenge I love.

So here's to more fun times in creating and expanding the brand of Zsuzsi and our premiere product, the SPORTKINI (registered trademarked product of Zsuzsi Internationl). We are growing and FAST!

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome, either here on this blog, or you can email me personally at: stephanie@zswimwear.com

For The Gracious Athletic Female: A video for you

IMAGINE that...I conquered making a video, with music and cool pics...I can ad PRODUCER to my list of "jack of many trades" title. LOL!

It took a month, cause I am not a self-proclaimed "techy" by any means...I actually read the directions for the kit I bought on how to do this by taking one task at a time ...WHO? ME? Did I do that?...ME, Miss A.D.D.? I DID! And why I stuck it out to finish it was because I really really wanted to have a GREAT video.

I wanted a GREAT video that exemplifies what I feel our media totally misses....about athletic women.

pictured: Jenny Finch Olympian: Women's Softball

Enjoy!
www.youtube.com
Search: Athletic Beauty (by Swimsuit Girl so you have the right one)

What you think?

TRIATHLETE Swimsuit edition JUNE 2009

Here it is for those who have asked several times to see the photo of Zsuzsi's most popular Sportkini this summer.

GREAT photo!

Lots of orders from this very photo...in fact, just sold the last one! Keep an eye out...new site coming VERY SOON, user friendly site, with so much much more.

Thanks for hanging in during our growth this summer, what an amazing year! I appreciate all of our athletes, clients, and friends who have been the greatest cheerleaders!

HERE WE GO! Keep following along!

Zsuzsi Swims in St. Croix

I love this shot!
It is a shot of Sara and Jen in St. Croix jumping into the pristine blue waters of the Virgin Islands.

They are both sporting Zsuzsi OP's (one pieces) that happen to look like a 2 piece from the back.

One pieces, I believe (and I design with this in mind) can really flatter a woman if the colors, prints, stripes, florals or other graphic designs are in the right place! period.

The proof is in the pudding, yes, a flattering and beautiful one piece swimsuit that can go the 5 mile distance of an ocean swim with no troubles regarding it's function. Lest not forget that many o' activity is to be done in this suit, whatever your pleasure!
Outrigger canoe paddling
kayaking
swimming (ocean or pool)
wakeboard-water ski
surf
windsurf
and many many many more!

Thanks girls for looking hot!

Mommy's wear Sportkini's too!

For those who are curious....are Sportkini's good for Mommies?
Why YES they are!

I know lots of Mommies, and I understand their plight.
Wanting to look good as a mommy, wearing fashionable cool swimsuits...but struggling with finding one that is functional...yes, Mommy's need functional swimsuits. After many an interview with my Mommy friends who do not "lay" on the beach and spend 100% of their time active, moving, picking up, putting down, playing in sand or water, being hung on, etc....you may not realize it, but these movements do require a functional garment! If you have a little one, the only thing you really have time to be fussing over is the kids, not over your insecure nightmare of a traditional cute swimsuit.

Simple, I have met mommies who will do one of two things:
Wear a sports bra with bikini bottom( to accomplish some sort of function actually only achieving a two piece swimsuit) OR they will just break down and wear a yuck yuck boring athletic swimsuit just so they can have piece of mind for garment security. OH MY! How unflattering to our beautiful Mommy's! (We all know about those racerback tanlines!)
Let me also say, if a Mommy wants to wear a one piece...that is cool, wear a flattering one (psst, we make those too)

Read the Mommy blog, it is awesome!
http://peaceloveandmomminess.com/soulful_style_fullstory/stroke_of_genius/
And we had a true Mommy win the peace and Momminess swimsuit contest as well!

Role Models

In photo: Brenda, Me (Stephanie), Beth, Patsee, Lynn

As I watch what is in the press....(can't help it...it is shoved in our face everyday) and WHO is in the press....I am astounded by WHO and WHAT get the most air time...I don't like half the stuff I see and hear...as I get this strange feeling, like "that's just not right".

I tend to be choosy about who I invest my mind, soul, and spirit with. What info I let in, and what info I let pass by. As I know now (as some wisdom has set in) that life is both a weeding out process and full of choices.

I look at today's younger girls and women, and who their primary influences through media are. hmmmm...let's see....what's her name? Something Lohan? and a few tennis chicks in little skirts who get slapped on the wrist for bad sportsman like behavior to judges on the court? Throwing a hissy fit followed up by lame public apology was in my opinion...pathetic.
Lastly, today's young women have the media's obvious obsession with "perfection" or should I say air brushing coming at them every second of everyday...giving our young ladies, once again, a false sense of what it really means to be beautiful. (by the way, older women are just as effected as the young ones!)

There are more quality women out there that are great role models.
Why don't we hear more about them? Because most media business is about sensationalizing BAD news...my thought for the day, notice the good role models around you, and thank them. As it does take just as much to have a good attitude as it does to have a bad attitude.

I love to support and find ways to find better messaging for our young ladies (and for some others who are not young anymore who may need reminding) that beauty is not defined by a magazine cover or make up ad.
Check out DOVE's Self Esteem/REAL Beauty programs. Very cool.
www.campaignforrealbeauty.com
Go to gallery, find video titled EVOLUTION..takes 1 minute

Little RIPPER!

For those who don't know...Zsuzsi sponsors several top notch athletes in various watersports.

We ladies who LOVE the water understand how important our GEAR is. We know your swimsuit is one of the MOST IMPORTANT pieces of gear you have to have! It needs to look FAB and FUNCTION amazing to allow us the freedom to do our activity whatever it may be.

Here is my "Little Ripper" Shelby Detmers.
A local So Cal girl from Newport Harbor High School who is working her way up the surfing ranks. She is quite the "Little Ripper" who comes with a star studded resume at only 15 years old!
She Surfs at Newport Harbor on their Varsity Surf Team, surfs the USA Prime, NSSA, ASP Surf comps locally and Internationally.

We are proud to sponsor and work with our young ladies as another example of how to excel and have life balance....she also quotes that yoga and her academics are her other passions as well.

We salute you Shelby! Go girl go! (Her Zsuzsi suit is her favorite...no straps to come undone during her most prescious surf moments!)

Sportkini holds up to ANOTHER tough sport!

Another sportkini siting!

1st check out this rad canoe sailing video...the canoe hauls A*@!! woo hoo!

I love seeing women participating in AMAZING watersports, and here is Jane McKee, in video speaking, wearing her Sportkini! Phenomenal water woman...she lives it up in Hawaii, and is always out on the water in the various watersports she does...sooo cool!

Canoe sailing is a killer sport requiring functional apparel that does the job, and damn straight her sportkini also looks great!!

Go Jane Go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0kU1fxEyeE

We have Burned our Bras, Fought for Equal rights...NOW

We have burned our bras...fought for EQUAL rights...and NOW we are swimming across channels in a Sportkini!!

Lynn has accomplished a feat that I couldn't imagine doing myself.

She S W A M across the Catalina Channel! (I have paddled in an outrigger canoe many o' time and shared the experience with the other women on my crew...it was not done solo)

Lynn swam it solo! I just find that amazing! I couldn't imagine swimming (and I LOVE swimming) and starting over on Catalina Island, in the middle of the night...SCARY! and then proceeding until land was hit on the California side...it is hard enough to RUN a marathon, or even to paddle this channel...but to SWIM it? WOW!

I believe it takes quite an individual to accomplish this, and I do know her support team played a vital role in keeping her fed, on track, and motivated to finish no matter the muriad of challenges along the way in both training and the day of the crossing.

My salute to Lynn, and for also being the FIRST female ever to complete the swim in a two piece swimsuit, and we at Zsuzsi are honored to know and have you as one of athletes that we support and LOVE!

congrats Lynn!

And look out....more sportkini news on the horizon!

Blogging is a Funny Thing

I find blogging to be "funny".

I write some stuff, some insightful thoughts I have....some fun facts, enthusiasm about good stuff, and life lessons along the way....and a plethora of other topics...

Hmph. (wheels are turning in my mind)

So the "weird" part about blogging....does anyone read it? Do I have an audience? Is it info or Stories people want? If I bare my soul (show my nerdy side) in these blogs...would it be too much? LOL! Would you really want to know what it is like to grow a business in a full blown recession? Would you want to know the athlete in me who has to use some of my athlete mental training and life skills to succeed?
OR is it the journey of the evolvement of the sportkini? where and who is wearing the Sportkini?

For today I am going to post some sportkini news!

One of my athletes, Lynn Kubasek is S W I M M I N G across the Catalina Channel tonight! It is a goal she has set for herself...she has helped others make their channel crossing supporting in a kayak and swimming along side other swimmers...but tonight is her night!!
She swims and trains all over Southern California in the ocean and the pool in her sportkini! She is amazing! (my photog bro took a fab photo and blogged about her on www.stephenkozowykphotography.blogspot.com )

Women have burned their bras! We got equal rights so that we could vote! We are now swimming across Channels in Sportkinis! AMAZING!

Tonight is the night! Go Lynn go!

Accomplishments versus long daunting to-do lists

Today was good.
Grade C+

Lesson today: Be sure to look at what I have accomplished...it is okay to occasionally look back...
(Funny how this is so poignant right now...seeing as how we paddled the Catalina Channel Crossing on Saturday...and yes it is true...to look back and catch a glimpse to see how far you have already gone...and then look ahead to what is left is pretty cool!)
That glimpse back is surprising..."we really went that far already?!" and refreshing...YES! We really went that far already!

My Biz Coach said asked me today to tell of my accomplishments...funny...I stuttered....as I truly had to THINK of what my accomplishments have been. The reason why that is so hard for me to answer is that I always see the "to do LIST" and it is LONG! It is overwhelming also....I could rattle off that list without a hitch....but an accomplishment list?...hmmm....that is harder for me to see.

After we got into the things I had done and accomplished...I started to feel better, and some clarity came on what might possibly be the next important thing to cover.

Simply:
Feeling accomplished is when it is easier to move forward.
When I am just seeing more of what needs to be done...I feel glum.

So tonight I will take Option A: note what I have accomplished...then move forward.

Full day

Whew!

Entrepreneur picking up speed!
Again being connected with amazing individuals, making myself available to connect, talk, and follow thru. Cool. (I like this part)

Then a quick trip to LA...I got the traffic down...ya! Back and forth to LA during a low traffic time -midday on a Friday- makes for a FAST trip! Under 2 hours...I was very direct and deliberate with my purpose of this trip...MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
I crack up at myself when I am really "focused" cause I can achieve volumes! But the truth be told (Heck isn't that why I am here) I have to really stretch myself to have more focus days in a row!
aaahhhh...another blessed lesson of the workings of an entrepreneur! (you will hear my tactics-yet sometimes RIDICULOUS to the average human- to keep on track...be ready for a good giggle)

I am signing off for the weekend, big race...for those of you who know me, I race outrigger canoes, and it is our big local race of the season. Paddling an outrigger canoe from Newport Beach California to the island of Catalina (28 mi. trip!)

A hui ho til Monday!

A Moment of Silence

This morning I have chosen not to blog.
I will return later.

For today, a Moment of Silence.
We all know why...they are layers of reasons why.

Close your eyes...........breathe...............Send a love energy to the families who need it today.

Let a true minute go by.

Transition from NUMB to Gratitude

Yes, you may have read my post yesterday..oof...it was a rough day.

Everything happens for a reason, and I believe prayers are answered...but not without action.
Have you ever heard "PRAY: then move your feet"?
That means put it out there, pray, ask your Universe-Your God-Your Buddah-Your Higher Power- for what it is you want...but then, take some action in that direction.

I have a project, I have been working on...no clue how it is going to come out...but I took a chance and got on the phone with someone who has experience with these types of projects...he then immediately put me on the phone with someone who is a BIG Player in an industry I only know wee-bits about...WOW! Then the conversation flowed, and it was amazing!

NOTE TO SELF: had I just prayed, and not taken the action to call this person, the opportunity and the gift that resulted never would have happened.

Lastly, my Universe and my God have a sense of humor...still reeling from yesterday's not-so-productive-numb feeling day...I went to the coffee shop this morning and in front of me stood a man that I only know of through his voice. I have only heard him, having been at several events locally that he has spoke at (although everytime I saw him, he seemed small...cause I sat WAYYY out in the audience). BUT today, there he was, life-size in front of me!

He is a spiritual man, I introduced myself, he sensed my glum state, and asked me a few questions...I responded...he relayed to me a few simple concepts:
Worry gets you nowhere.
Instead of worrying pray, talk to your God, Thank Him for what you do have today, ask for what you need, and best of all, know that He will provide.

Last thing: Stop the fight...Let it happen.

This is EXACTLY what I NEEDED.. a Gentle reminder.
I am grateful.

:(

Okay...
So I told myself...90 days.

To express, share what is up with my biz...the real behind scenes growth, pains, fun, and bummers of owning your own biz.

To start off, honestly...today, is a day I can't see or feel the excitement as I am overloaded with stress. HOW?! HOW? HOW? will this all come together?
I have no clue.

I did get a miracle today, and according to the Laws of Attraction, I should emanate that excitement 10 fold to attract more of that!....more of that excited energy...but I feel numb.

Both yesterday and today I find myself having to lean on my "booster friends"...meaning: friends who believe in me when I can't believe in myself.

Hence the roller coaster of being a self employed biz person.
For the sake of simplicity, I will keep it simple, pray, and walk forward, even though I feel like I am literally standing in ONE spot with cement at my feet. uugh.

I got to make it through today.....just today.

Clarity brings about change

I have decided to make a slight shift in this blog...

I have come to realize over and over that being an entrepreneur is the toughest, but at the same most blessed place to be.

My use for this blog is to challenge myself to STAY FOCUSED for 90 days, write everyday...

For those of you who follow this blog, and do not own your own business, my future posts will enlighten you as to what journey, awarenesses, brick-walls and breakthroughs happen here as I blog about my journey to bring this ultimate product to market.

Is it risky? why yes it is...don't we all just want to look like we have it all on the outside...who would really want to know what goes on in the background?
Most success stories are just that..They are happy bright and successful...almost as if the rose colored glasses glaze over the "real stuff". Maybe that is why I like Bill Bartman, a guy who yes, is wildly successful...but his journey was FAR FROM smooth...and he shares it exactly how it went.

From here you will read the progress of this company, product and the "evolvement of me" in my wild attempt to keep myself in "balance" and surge forward no matter what.

If you don't mind a little honesty, and some of the harsh realities, challenges, trials and tribulations...(there is a bit of fun too) then tune in.

(Oh, my, and now I opted to do it online and let you in!)

THAT MOMENT

This moment is one of my favorites...

Battling it out in a race, the team pulling together...even when it might look bleek....and pulling off a WIN in a BIG WAY!
The moment is crossing the finish line first, turning around and seeing all of my teammates "beaming" from the win! That is the moment...a moment of fun, accomplishment, excitement, and knowing WE all did our part, and then some to have the desired result.

I thought to myself after the fourth time we dropped back a little bit..."that is it, we are winning this thing"....and sure enough, with the most amazing, "quiet strength"-I want to call it, we pulled ahead, and then surged ahead. POWERFUL.

Adrenalin at it's height! and these are the moments that are fulfilling after knock-down, drag 'em out, tough workouts...ouch! Many o' nights as I start to fall asleep, my body just aches...but let me make it clear...I wouldn't have it any other way...there is pay off for the body aches and mental toughness that you have to have to GO to practice and PUSH your self at each practice.

Payoff: THAT MOMENT

Breakthru to Destiny

I had an interesting comment made to me yesterday....

Yes, I been feeling stuck in ONE particular area of my life for a very long time...just feeling like I could never catch a break....and I have been seeking a "breakthrough" if you will....a leap to the other side...not really knowing HOW to do it, just wanting it, and knowing it would be awesome to get there.

The actual leap to the other side I now know would require a breakthrough for me. A breakthrough that would require me to be both coachable, and willing to be uncomfortable, taking the necessary action steps for a breakthrough to occur.

Yesterday, I found a supporter, who I did not realize was in my "camp" to support me. I was floored, amazed, speechless and in awe at this persons presence and ability to just support me with NO judgements whatsoever. She had reasons to, I had royally screwed up on a commitment I made and I was expecting amputation of one of my limbs to put it lightly. God showed me, I was wrong.

Her comment to me was: "this breakthrough will help you step right into your destiny".
I believe she could see the bigger picture, one that had eluded me, as I was head down with disappointment in myself and focused on the minute problem at hand.

I am now finding a different motivation. I am excited for this breakthrough, and even more willing to get uncomfortable, for the bigger picture is WORTH IT.

Have you had a breakthrough lately...if so, no matter it's size, it is all part of the bigger picture.

Kewl!

water addicted

I am addicted to water.

Yup, my statement of the day.

Water is the one thing in life that really calms me. I went for a walk on the beach (would you believe I forgot to wear a sportkini, and for the first time EVER, did not have one in my car!) and the water was so serene and clear..I would swear it was calling me.

And it was.

I couldn't stand it...had to go in...clothes and all!

For today I recognize that when my spirit is calling me, it is useless to fight it....but yet, so many times in my life, I have KNOWN what it is that needs to be done, or what it is that is best for me to do...and I over-analyze it, rationalize something other then what I am feeling...and heck...I am finding myself feeling out-of-sync.

So, my new promise to myself, pay attention to my true instincts, what my body and heart and soul know is the right and next step for me.

Ya, that's right...jump in the water if you want...who cares swimsuit or not...and by the way...
IT FELT REALLY GOOD!

workouts to push you

So today I was swimming (in my sportkini) with swimmers who are lifeguards and past swimmers (most now fireman).

Whoah, these guys are hardcore.

And might I say, what an awesome and humbling experience to swim with these guys...not many under 30...yup, mostly late 30's, 40's and up. I find that impressive.

Why I am impressed? It is because they chose a lifestyle of fitness, and not only chose it, but have remained dedicated to it. I started going down to this pool to swim with these guys when I was 24...it is now 15 years later, and they are still cranking out sets and an amazing workout.

There is another essence about this group that I also find refreshing, no egos. Yup, you read that right! These guys are faster then faster, pump out great workouts (a few gals I might ad) and then they go about their lives...making their livings, fatherhood and the lot. None of them seem to do it to boast how gnarly they are, or fast they are still swimming despite high school and college were long ago...they just do it.

It is like the secret workout, and I am humbled to join in, and try my best to keep up, chase them down and get a killer workout myself.

Isn't it great when you can appreciate workout partners who, sometimes they don't even know it, by them just being themselves helps you to stay motivated and step up?

Right on!

where is sportkini?

This is such a GREAT question!
Sportkini after our mag photo in the June Issue of Triathlete magazine has definitely picked up some steam! How fun!

I am finding that I am meeting the most amazing women in business and we are all out there with the goals of living our dreams...dreams of biz, relationships, family, athletic life (for some of us)...and the life of balance!

I haven't quite achieved the life of balance, but continually work on it.

If you have questions where Sportkini is, or would like to see them in your local swim shop, or a store you frequent to purchase swimsuits, by all means, give me a jingle or an email. I am looking for reps across the country who want to take on a high quality global brand.

Then I can get more suits to you!!

Stephanie@zswimwear.com

Self Correcting

ut oh.
You know when you make a mistake...and it took you awhile to catch yourself making this mistake...there were red flags, there were signs, but somehow rationalization and denial set in eluding reality, the reality of the fact that it was a mistake that could have been prevented. My mistake even effected others, and that did not feel good either.

I had a moment this week...and had to go through the array of emotions that also went with the reality of the choices I made along the way that lead to this off kilter end result. I had to be brutally honest to not only have a moment of self awareness, but to move past it. Taking action instead of brooding and beating myself up.

At this moment I still feel odd, and have had to Let Go and Let God, Forgive myself, and then allow myself to take action in the solution.

As an athlete, I have always been tough on myself. Not leaving much room for error, as I am always looking to get better, faster, more efficient...etc....continually chasing self correction to move forward.
To make corrections were always acceptable in my sports...but when it came to self correcting in my other life situations...I wasn't so kind to myself or quick to change.
The knack of making corrections without beating myself up was an area that eventually turned grey....blurred if you will.

All I can say is, thank goodness for choices, and today I recognize that:
I can still learn.
I can still make corrections.
I can make adjustments no matter if it is in sport or other departments of my life.

Whew!

One Woman Brings A Tear and a DREAM

I personally do not like to get caught up in internet fodder, media, negative messages and over-sensationalism....

But since Monday, I have been so caught up in watching and re watching one particular video on You Tube. And it is purely because one woman, who had a dream, found herself living it.

Yes, I am talking about Susan Boyle of Scotland and the show she decided to try out for, Britain's Got Talent. She knew she had her moment to fulfill her dream and that was simply to sing in front of a large audience, and did she ever! She caught the audience of the world.

I am happy I did not, and do not get into the media frenzy, I saw it for myself.

She is an inspiration. She brought chills and tear.

What courage she has displayed, to walk out of her ordinary life, and unknowingly spread hope through out our world.

Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmbJzH93NU&feature=related

:)

Lessons on letting your inner beauty shine!

I feel like I just got an education on inner beauty.

I spent a week around women who just shined from their inside, and I am so grateful that we were all in a space where that was the focus. What a magical thing to experience!

There is something to be said also for caring enough about yourself that you present your best self, through voice, energy, attitude and presence. To be present with no fear of judgement, show your style as you wish, be free to express it.

How fun! This is sheer delight.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure....
We ask ourselves,
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?"
Marianne Williamson

EVERYTHING...

"Everything happens for a reason"
"Nothing happens by accident"

I know that there seems to be a lot of mystery in life, but then again, after being schooled by the most forward thought leaders on the planet, I was taught that is not necessarily so.

Life is simple. You DO get back exactly what you put into it.
You DO attract exactly what you are thinking about. You become what you think about most.

So, if you are thinking you are not worthy, not enough, or that the economy and family members are the reasons why you have not succeeded...then you are wrong. To be wrong is okay. To embrace it is even better. When you can admit that you have been on a path or had a thinking process that has not fully served you, then you become open to change, and that willingness allows for new thought processes, lessons, and experiences to enter into your life.

Another of my favorite sayings "when one door closes, another opens". I love it because to me it gives me the sense that I don't have to HANG onto things, letting things go allows the space for the new to come in. And if the old wasn't working, then yes! I want the new to come in.

For me becoming aware of when something is not working is the most important step, but to really solidify a result, I must take action in a new direction. WOW! Now that is powerful.

Have a Powerful day!

Looking for POLKAS

If you are looking for the suit featured in the Triathlete Mag Swimsuit Edition it is posted on the site: www.zswimwear.com
If any issues with the site or you have any questions, email me at:
stephanie@zswimwear.com

TRIATHLETE magazine Swimsuit edition JUNE 2009

YES!

It is official, a SPORTKINI has made it into Triathlete magazines Swimsuit edition June 2009. Suit photographed on page 82!

This is just awesome!

We are very excited here at Zsuzsi that our premiere product is making it out there into the world! woo hoo!

We will keep you posted on more news!

If you are in Southern California, my suits can be found at Keli's Outrigger on PCH in Dana Pt.
OR the Tribuys.com showroom in Irvine.

LOVIN' SPRING!

OH! this time of year is just awesome...you can feel the heat of summer not too far away...and the cool breeze is still here which is just perfectly pleasant.

The other thing about this time of year is that the winter duds are being shed, and on come the thoughts of parading around all day in summer outfits. My favorite summer outfit is the swimsuit. I love being in the water and on the water, and around the water. I just love it. I wear it all day, just throwing a cute little t-shirt style dress over my suit, or a little tank and a pair of boardies.

Ahhhhhh....the water-woman's lifestyle (pools count, so do lakes and ponds, I am orginally from the East Coast, so to me, a woman's lifestyle can be lived anywhere! )

I hope you are feeling it, the feeling of the warm sun on your skin, and the smell of flowers and birds are all part of this refreshing change of season.

Check out today's news reel, a story about the SPORTKINI at:

http://peaceloveandmomminess.com/soulful_style_fullstory/stroke_of_genius/

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Growing up

Sometimes life's lessons are simple...and they require a little growing up.

I have noticed that I have had a funny feeling inside about that phrase "growing up". It sounds demeaning, or at least that is how I, in the past, perceived it.

But guess what?! It was just my perception.

I had been fearful of "growing up" in my business, and doing things on a larger scale....but today I see "growing up" in my business as EXCITING, and ADVENTUROUS...as there is lots of unknowns, and NEW TERRITORY ahead!

I wrote about the lesson I learned from one of my mentors just last week (happens to be on my other blog www.zsuzsiswim.blogspot.com ) about CELEBRATING, and living in that vibration instead of living in the fear vibration-which I have done in the past as sometimes the unknown stuff lead me to a fear based existence.

Today is different, I can celebrate the unknown, and have FAITH all is working out, my job is to just keep doing my part.

YYIIPPEE!

(I am learning a lot about blogs and postings, so stay tuned, there is new exciting stuff in the works, and I look forward to hearing from you!)

Staying on Focus

Today I realized that I let a situation that happened yesterday take me off focus.

The fun thing about self awareness is that when you do something that is not in alignment with what your goals and life's purpose is, you get "funny" feelings happening. For me the feelings resonate in the pit of my stomach, almost a low hum of anxiety if you will.

Lately I am getting better at recognizing when I am off focus, and having better results with a quicker turn around. Thank goodness for the lessons life and my God (I don't what you may call the Higher Power in your life) that I have recieved.

A light heart and a sense of humor is also imperative.

I am keeping it short today, as I have major things to accomplish, and I am going to Stay on Focus!

Lifting or Squashing?

I love to write, and as stated here and in my other blog http://www.zsuzsiswim.blogspot.com/ that I like to write with a bit of bold honesty and and what my experiences are.

I believe in karma-essentially what you put out, comes back at you. If you are genuinely kind, and literally want others to do as well as you want for yourself, then you are living in an energy of continual nonstop blessings. If you are full of ego, and fight, then you will recieve more situations from the universe that will show you that is how you get where you want to go.

Simple concept: understanding that we are all on the same playing field, no one person's experiences make them more or less then anyone else. Each person's "resume" is just as valuable as the next, although a "resume" is just a "resume"...you will never know WHO that person is until you invest a moment to ask, and have an immediate underlying respect for the fact they have valuable information too, in fact, you can learn something from everyone.

This concept is so simple that people just don't get it. It is also called a genuine respect for others and humility laced with sincere gratitude. Some of the greatest, most successful people I have been around, for example John Assaraf-look up who he is if you don't know-never treated me like I was less then him when we first met, we spoke and shared stories like two humans sharing time...very cool. Never once did he play the "I know more then you, or have more then you" card. Definitely a man of grace, and he earned my respect for it.

I heard a great thing last week...there are NO SELF MADE MILLIONAIRES. No one does life "on their own"...NO ONE. If you think you have, then you haven't any gratitude, respect or conscience to notice that there have been people along the way that have supported you, and you didn't even see it. I feel that squashing others to get to your podium is something that only comes back at you in the long run...most likely an underlying sense of that no matter what you achieve, you are not happy.

My journey has shown me that grace, dignity and respect in others are core characteristics.
Since I have learned that life is a weeding out process, I know to look for these characteristics in those I choose to share my life with.

Question: do you lift others up? inspire with who you are? lead by example? or do you look at others as means to your end? be honest.

Suprising myself

That's a fun one....when you absolutely suprise yourself!

So yesterday, I thought to myself as I went into my 3rd hour of working out (2 hours in the morning and the third late afternoon) "wow, how am I going to have the energy to do this?"

Guess what?! I suprised myself as to how I did it, I talked to myself in a positive way, took one minute and task at a time, and finished it!

The reason I found this so astonishing, because I reflected on how many times I have actually cut myself short...hmmmm. Thinking I could do "no more", and psyching myself out before I even got to the task at hand. Now mind you, I also am not just talking about working out, I am talking about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in life. How many times have I cut myself short?

As athletes and active athletic females, have you ever had this experience? And the realization that you did cut yourself short? or the realization that "it wasn't so bad" after you got going?

This would bring about my next thought, today...I am just gonna do it. Whatever it is, I will have confidence that I do have what it takes in energy and spirit to do whatever I want to do.

Close your eyes...

Today I reflected on a tactic that one of my swim coaches taught me when I was younger ...I NEVER understood the value of this tactic....until now. I have recently studied a lot about the brain, and the Law of Attraction, and how everything is sooooo intermingled.

My coach used to have us visualize our events laying on the pool deck, from start to finish. He would cue "on your mark" (we would come down on the block into position to explode and dive when the gun went off) BANG! We were to lie there with our eyes closed, envisioning every second, every breath, every stroke, lap and turn of our event, until we finished it..hitting the timing pad on the wall, he wanted us to know and "see" our finish time as well...when we were finished, we were to then sit up...but unknown to us, he was actually timing us, starting the watch when he cued the BANG!, and stopping the watch when we sat up.

When I was 12, I had no idea why he did this. We did get to see how close to, or how far off we were from reality when we sat up and got our "deck time"...wow!

Now I know the power of this drill, and the power of visualizations, and I am absolutely FASCINATED by it.

I watched "the Secret", I watched "what the bleep do we know anyway?", and remember a very powerful quote from the two of them I will leave you with tonight:

"what the mind sees, it can achieve"

Now do you understand the power of the "deck drill' by my coach?

New Things Happening here!

In the land of the Sportkini, new things are happening!

This year is already GREAT! I have spent my winter designing sportkinis for spring/summer '09 and already finished spring/summer '10!

Your feedback has been amazing, and this has allowed me to really look at functional design, quality, fit and the end use of each style. I love finding ways to improve.

New products on the horizon too (you will get sneak peeks on our new website, I will keep you posted!)

I look forward to spreading my wings this year, and soaring like never before! How fun!

It is a short one today, more later!

Believing that all good comes to me

I have been learning a lot about energy...and how your negative thoughts produce an energy, and your positive thoughts also produce energy (or also known as vibrations).

When you produce positive vibrations, then you recieve back positive vibrations...how cool is that concept! It also sounds simple...but let us remember that same for the opposite...

If you are having lots of negative thoughts and actions...then you are vibrating negativity....therfore attracting more of it....HMMMMMM....

So throw in all the logic, and therefore you can see exactly how important it is to continually make an honest effort to vibrate a positive vibration....so for me today, that is saying to this to myself...

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO ME....In every situation there is an opportunity.

I have been inspired by Florence Scovel Shinn, if you have a minute to read a cool short book, "Life is Game, and this is how you play it" is worth the read...life changing to be honest.

Steph

A tight knit community

Swimmer's are an eclectic group...who else gets up at o'dark thirty to stand on a deck (whether an outdoor pool or indoor) basically in skibbies (a small piece of cloth recgonized as a swimsuit) and jumps into the utter bliss of water totally encompassing the body?! And we do it with a BIG Smile!

I am in this small community and would like to cheer on my friend this month who is participating in the Feb Fitness Challenge. My company sponsors her and she swims 10,000 to 30,000 yards per day, and she is 50!!!

Her blog post for Feb 1, 2009, first day of the challenge is worth the read!

Go Lynn!

http://www.swim-through-it.blogspot.com/

WOW!

I did it!

Another post from the self proclaimed non-techy girl...
I made a video! ME, I did it!

And the best part, it is dedicated to all my athletic friends!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AD2DvqxSiI

Woo hoo!

Steph

SOOOOO I heard

I am just not a "techy girl"...I am an "outdoorsy" girl, who flies by the seat of her pants, rigid schedules drive me crazy...making and keeping appointments-I like to move them at the last minute if I am preoccupied with something else (sounds like I have a case of the "it's all about me" syndrome) is more my style.

SOOOOO I heard all about this social networking stuff, sitting at a computer, to socialize...hmmmm....

I have mixed feelings....first of all, that is an INDOOR activity, 2nd where is the eye contact? body language? contagious smile? and funny body language? I find these parts of being social FUN...sitting at a computer...not-so-much....

I heard that social networking is also good for business networking, (I do own my own business) and somehow I feel forced to become part of this INDOOR activity....mind you, I live in SUNNY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA and this seems to go against my internal grain...duh? the sun is out EVERYDAY!

SOOOO....now what?!

I will make an honest attempt...but if I do not respond to a post or something, just imagine, I am outside!

LOL!