Authors
We have five talented writers on staff contributing to the success of this site. Click on the name of the author to learn more about their favorite activities.
TANYA STANFIELD
Favorite sport to watch: Basketball
Sport played most often: Running
How did you get started: After playing basketball (horribly) and volleyball (semi-horribly), I decided to give the track team a try in eighth grade. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a great track runner either, but I really fell into my stride probably about four years ago. Now I’m kind of a race addict…
Pump you up song: For some reason, I turn into a club kid during my workouts. A lot of Kylie Minogue, Freemasons remixes, Fedde Le Grand, Madonna…
Favorite sites to visit: Runnersworld.com, BBC.co.uk
Words of encouragement: Any time you feel discouraged during your training, remind yourself that you are better today than you were yesterday, last week, or a year ago! It really helps to put things in perspective.
LAURA HOFFMANN
Favorite sports to watch: swimming, basketball
Sports played most often: swimming, biking, yoga, hiking
How did you get started: I was a scrawny but competitive child with a much bigger and tougher twin brother. Swimming was the only realm where my size wasn’t a detriment — I was a quick little fish!
Pump you up song: Over & Over, by Clap Your Hands Say Yeah; Electric Feel, by MGMT
Favorite sites to visit: ESPN.com; athletic clothing sites: Lululemon, Adidas, Nike, Speedo, Sierra Trading Post, Steep ‘n’ Cheap, and I am a huge sucker for Victoria’s Secret yoga pants on sale!
Words of encouragement: “You’re halfway done!” “Let’s go!” “Nice ass!”
LORI HIGHBY
Favorite sport to watch: Ice hockey and baseball
Sport played most often: Ice hockey
How did you get started: My dad got me started when I was about 6 or 7. Left the sport for a while and returned when I was in high school. Have been playing ever since.
Pump you up song: Definitely prefer the heavy head banging, hard beating bands such as Chevelle, System of A Down, Prodigy, etc.
Favorite sites to visit: UWBadgers, Facebook, LinkedIn, Metro Milwaukee Women’s Hockey
Words of encouragement: Have fun with your goals. Work hard for what you want and it will come.
CARRIE ZAGZEBSKI
[PICTURE]
Favorite sport to watch: Gymnastics, ice skating
Sport played most often: Running or Yoga
How did you get started: I decided I needed to get into shape and started walking to lose weight. Once I got more conditioned, I started running, weight training and doing Yoga
Pump you up song: Currently, anything from the Mamma Mia or the Hairspray soundtracks. I love working out to showtunes.
Favorite sites to visit: Facebook, Brew City Mamas, Weight Watchers, Shape
Words of encouragement: Take it one day at a time and you will achieve your goals.
DANIELLE GIBEAULT
Favorite sport to watch: Hockey and hurling!
Sport played most often: Right now running, but by next week it’ll tie with hurling, and by next month, hockey again!
How did you get started: I started running to try to wear out my Siberian Husky. I can now outrun my dog. That is a major accomplishment! Anyone else out there with a husky knows of what I speak;)
When I was young and bold, I made a pest of myself until I got a job driving the Zamboni which opened the door to hockey, something I’d always wanted to try.
A friend of a friend conned me into trying hurling which is a fabulous, similar addiction. Did you know that Milwaukee has the largest and most successful hurling league in the world?!? Milwaukee is also the proud home of 2 Camogie (women’s hurling) teams.
My outsized sense of fun and curiosity tempts me to dabble in myriad other athletic pursuits, so stay tuned for the odd and delightful adventures that seem to come my way…
Pump you up song: Pretty much anything by Natacha Atlas or Ladytron
Words of encouragement: “Somehow, I don’t see that being your thing.” Being contrary to a fault (and occasionally beyond), words of discouragement seem to get me moving faster than anything else. If this wasn’t working out so well for me, it’s probably the kind of thing I should talk to a therapist about!
JACLYN KELLY
Favorite sports to watch: Hockey or football. Lacrosse is also insane, although not often televised.
Sports played most often: Running, cycling, hockey.
How did you get started: I started playing hockey in college after being encouraged by an ice skating teacher. I showed up at the university club team’s practice with half a set of borrowed gear and have been hooked ever since.
Pump you up song: I set my iPod on shuffle and click through until something strikes me. Sure bets are usually Modern Love by David Bowie, Rehab by Amy Winehouse, Do Your Thing by Basement Jaxx and all kinds of random stuff. Country to opera, and everything in between.
Favorite sites to visit: Uh… Facebook?
Words of encouragement: BUT THAT’S WHY WE’RE CHAMPIONS!
Obsession is what the lazy call dedication.
