Slowly but surely men's tennis is heading towards a change of guard, from its evergreen 'Holy Triad' to the consistently blooming NextGen. Yes, the Majors are still being dominated by Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer could well pull off another miracle (circa 2017) when he comes back. But the younger guys are knocking on the door louder than ever.

Most recently, men's tennis got a first Grand Slam champion born in the 1990s in Dominic Thiem. Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev have also been just a hair's breadth away from tasting gold. And Stefanos Tsitsipas once again made a solid impression at Roland Garros, with a spirited fight against Djokovic.

But among these high-profile, flashy names, there is one that has quietly flown under the radar. That name is Andrey Rublev, the most consistent player of the year next to a certain Novak Djokovic.

The 22-year-old Rublev has won a whopping four titles this year, the latest of which came on Sunday at St. Petersburg. But he didn't just burst on to the scene out of the blue in 2020; the Russian was actually one of the hottest properties in the world as a junior, winning the 2014 French Open boys' singles title.

In fact, Andrey Rublev was the earliest among his peers to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal, doing so at the 2017 US Open aged just 19. But things started going south for the young lad soon after that, as a back injury forced him to skip the French Open and Wimbledon in 2018.

When he returned, his peers had left him far behind. Alexander Zverev had added a couple more Masters titles to his kitty, Daniil Medvedev had won three titles and was about to have a Texas-sized 2019, and Stefanos Tsitsipas had reached a Masters final (beating Novak Djokovic) and registered a path-breaking win over Roger Federer at the Australian Open.

Among all those stellar achievements, Rublev was quickly forgotten. A couple of opening round exits at the Slams, and another missed French Open, didn't help his cause either. But the soft-spoken Russian quietly kept working on his game throughout 2019.

His efforts started paying dividends in the latter half of last year. He had his biggest career win over Roger Federer in Cincinnati, before going on to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios at the US Open.

Rublev ended his year on a high by winning the ATP Kremlin Cup. And that was a sign of things to come.

Since last October Andrey Rublev has won five ATP Titles, with his last two coming at ATP 500 events. He has registered some statement wins in the process too, over the likes of Tsitsipas, Roberto Bautista Agut, Casper Ruud, Denis Shapovalov and Borna Coric.

The Russian has reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals in that span and made his debut in the top 10, while also gaining a strong foothold in the Race to London ranking.

But more than his results, it is the improvement in his game that is earning him praise from all corners. The big-hitting Russian has seemingly been improving with every match he has been playing; he is showing a penchant for hard work and dedication that is rare to find among most from his generation.

Andrey Rublev's forehand has always been seen as a big weapon. His ability to consistently hit deep off that wing and finish points with the huge inside-out bullet always seemed destined to keep him somewhere near the top.

But the other parts of his game seemed to lack substance. And those ancillary aspects are usually the difference between being one of the top players and the cream of the crop.

The Russian has, however, worked relentlessly towards adding those missing elements to his game. Rublev is no more clueless the moment you hit to his backhand side. He is now hitting much deeper and heavier off that wing, especially down the line; the Rublev backhand is not just a rally shot anymore.

Rublev has also started getting a lot more cheap points when he needs them. His first serve is now one of his biggest weapons, helping him coast through service games almost like a bot. And the second serve weakness, while still a concern, seems to be gradually fading too.

During his recent title run in St. Petersburg, Rublev also showed immense confidence at taking the ball out of the air and finishing points with big drive volleys. The net game is a work in progress, but at least he's showing an inclination to move forward now.

That's not all. Andrey Rublev has also largely improved the physical aspects of his game along with his technical ability. The 22-year-old now has much better footwork and a stronger overall physique; he has rarely shown signs of fatigue despite playing almost non-stop since the end of the COVID break.

The young Russian is still suspect to mental lapses, often getting frustrated when he misses makeable shots. But even in that area he has taken a big leap from his junior days.

However, the evolution isn't complete yet. Andrey Rublev now needs to concentrate on developing a stronger big-match mentality, as well as adding more variety to his game. The serve and groundstrokes can help him dominate the players at or below his level, but against higher-ranked opponents on the biggest of stages, he will need more.

The Russian resorts to the backhand slice only when forced to, and almost never uses it aggressively to work his way out of a long rally. He also struggles while defending against the opponent's slice, as seen during both the US Open and the Roland Garros quarterfinals.

In those two beatdowns at the hands of his NextGen colleagues, it was clear just how much Rublev lets even a minor blip affect him mentally.

Against compatriot Daniil Medvedev in New York, Rublev was never the same player after missing three set points in the first set. And against Stefanos Tsitsipas in Paris, the Russian dominated the first set before being broken while serving for the lead and then collapsing in straight sets.

Rublev still runs out of options when a rally against a shot-tolerant opponent is stretched beyond 7-8 shots. And that is because, even with everything he has added to his game, he still lacks options in comparison to the rest of the Next Gen players.

It is absolutely essential for Andrey Rublev to develop a slice, and also to learn to play against the slice. Rublev could also take a leaf out of his idol Rafael Nadal's book and recognize that it's not necessary to always hit the ball hard; sometimes, it is alright to just loop it back in the court.

Once Andrey Rublev does add these elements to his game, he can dream of bigger things and pose more of a challenge in the deeper stages of Grand Slams. He's made at least the fourth round at all the Majors this year, and the quarterfinals of the last two; he should now be looking to take the logical next step and make a semifinal soon.

Despite having a stunning win-loss ratio of 84.44% in 2020 (second only to Novak Djokovic), Andrey Rublev still doesn't seem to have got out of the shadows. In fact, Rublev is the only player in the current top 15 without a racket sponsor; he plays with a blacked-out racket.

That could be down to the fact that the Russian is yet to produce an iconic performance at the Grand Slams against the Big 3, something that most of his peers have done. It could also perhaps be due to the lack of variety in the Russian's seemingly limited game, which has made pundits wonder whether he has a ceiling.

Or it could simply be because Rublev lacks the flashy personality of a superstar.

Andrey Rublev always sports a no-nonsense demeanor; one look at him either on the court or off it, and you know he means business. The Russian doesn't try to be cute with drop shots or fancy tricks, and he seemingly has no time for niceties.

Like Dominic Thiem, Rublev will perhaps always be chided for being a 'ball-basher'. But that didn't stop Thiem from achieving success, so why should it stop Rublev?

The Austrian gradually added variety to his game over the years, and he is now a Grand Slam champion. There's no reason why Rublev can't emulate or even surpass Thiem's success.

Andrey Rublev doesn't have as much of an 'ooh-aah' factor to his game as Denis Shapovalov or Stefanos Tsitsipas. He lacks the solidity of the much younger Jannik Sinner, and the explosiveness of the (admittedly erratic) Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Russian also cuts a shy figure off the court, and doesn't possess the charisma of Alexander Zverev or the outspoken charm of Daniil Medvedev.

But the one thing that Andrey Rublev has, perhaps more than any other young player, is the right attitude. His desire to always keep improving, to keep working hard, to keep trying to live up to his own sky-high expectations, has helped him go from a sometimes-forgotten Next Gen talent to the most consistent Next Gen player of all.

As they say, sometimes the right attitude is all you need.

Originally posted here:
Andrey Rublev's stunning turnaround: Is the Russian punching above his weight, or is he the real deal? - Sportskeeda

The Covid crisis has put people under immense pressure, adversely impacting their mental health. A positive attitude and regular exercise can help one keep calm, said Dr Manoj Sahu of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College in Raipur on Thursday.

Students are unable to go to schools and colleges, people cannot move out, meet their friends or relatives and the fear of disease is making a serious negative impact on peoples mental health, Dr Sahu said in a press release.

The symptoms of mental trouble caused by Covid-19 include irregular sleep, urge to cry, irritation, problem in taking rest, worry, feeling physically exhausted, weakness, guilt, problem in smiling or being happy and trouble in following a daily routine, Dr Sahu said.

He said that some cases physical symptoms like stomach ache, dysentery, headache, body pain, decreased appetite or excessive eating, sweating or cold, shock or muscle cramps and increased heartbeat have been noted.

In some cases, the patient has trouble focusing, has excessive negative thoughts and in a few cases they even lose interest in life, Dr Sahu said.

In these conditions, people should adopt a positive mental attitude and focus on solving problems with available resources, he said, adding people should take care of their food habits and do not hesitate to consult a psychologist if needed.

Read more:
Be positive to keep good mental health amid Covid - Daily Pioneer

Diamond Vogels 2021 Color of the Year is Dreaming of the Day (0470), a soft, blue-green that offers a relaxed, meditative feel.

Dreaming of the Day offers a harmonious feel, an awakening to a more relaxed state of mind, said Sandy Agar-Studelska, Diamond Vogel marketing manager. This muted blue-green harkens a feel of nature, clarity, and a desire for wellness and healthy living. With Dreaming of the Days color origin centered between blue and green, it offers the best of both worldsfeelings of security, trust, and safety, as well as wellness and health. After a long period of quarantine, separation, and our desire for connection, we all dream of the day we can return to family, share a direct smile, and participate more freely within our community and more fully in life.

Dreaming of the Day can easily transition between interiors and exteriors, and balances warm and cool colors effortlessly, pairing seamlessly with grays, whites, neutral earth-tones, as well as deep green, yellow, and rusty reds.

Our trend report, Comfortable, Nurturing, and Optimistic, provides 20 colors in four trend palettes providing inspiration in our search and desire to stay healthy and strong. Never have our homes been so important, said Agar- Studelska. We have learned to use and adapt them into almost every aspect of our lives. This shift shows just how resilient and creative we are. As we are staying at home, we look to create nurturing environments. Nature has been a partner in finding inspiration. In the great outdoors, we feel safe and know it is important mentally and physically to stay strong.

Pairing Dreaming of the Day with the 2021 Trend Colors offers inspiration found not just in nature but in our search and desire to stay healthy as we dream of the day, we can all be back together.

Diamond Vogel 2021 Trend Palettes:

Durability, strength, and resilience. We desire authentic experiences and relationships during a time when we have a limited ability to have them. In a modern world where it is hard to decipher between what is real or what was created for the experience, we seek the truth. Our new virtual world gives us some of our needs, but we truly need human touch and real encounters to feel strong and alive. This palette offers tender earth neutrals, warm and comforting browns, and a red that makes us feel alive. These durable colors connect us to the reality we seek.

This palette looks to the future with hope, optimism, and confidence. We crave connection and look to elevate our energy for the future. Seeking inner balance at a time when our lives are anything but balanced, this palette offers hope for what lies ahead. Soft blues, saturated greens, and deep yet comfortable neutrals offer a serene, quiet sense of purpose to help us energize for what is ahead.

Appreciating our past while embracing new ideas gives life balance and a deeper understanding. Both old and new ideas offer inspiration, strength, and harmony. Trends in sustainable products, healthy living, wellness, and positive mental attitude offer reassurance for better days ahead. Created by nature, these earth-inspired hues of greens, golds, and yellows offer an encouraging and comfortable backdrop to our lives.

Nostalgia and the desire to escape from the every day is now celebrated. Rekindled hobbies, self-learned crafts, even gardening and preparing our own meals lifts our spirits and gives us a sense of accomplishment. This eclectic palette of classic colors celebrates individualism. Apply these time-tested colors to your own space, as they are sure to deliver.

See more here:
Diamond Vogel Announces 2021 Color Of The Year, Annual 2021 Color Trend Report - Coatings World Magazine

Theres a direct correlation between a positive attitude and better relationships, superior health, and greater success.

Some studies show that personality traits like optimism and pessimism can affect many areas of your health and well-being.

The positive thinking that typically comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management.

A positive attitude can boost your energy, heighten your inner strength, inspire others, and garner the fortitude to meet difficult challenges.

According to research from the Mayo Clinic, positive thinking can increase your life span, decrease depression, reduce levels of distress, offer better psychological and physical well-being, and enable you to cope better during hardships and times of stress.

And effective stress management is associated with many health benefits.

Here are several ways to adopt a positive mental attitude:

Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.

Surround yourself with positive people. Spend time with people who are positive, supportive, and who energize you. Remember, if you get too close to a drowning victim, he may take you down with him. Pick a positive person instead.

Be positive yourself. If you dont want to be surrounded by negative people, what makes you think others do? Learn to master your own thoughts.

Control your negative thinking. This can be accomplished in the following ways:

See the glass as half full rather than half empty.

Anticipate the best outcome.

Stay the middle ground. Dont view everything in extremes as either fantastic or

Consciously resist negative thinking. Be cognizant of and mentally avoid negative thinking. This will help you modify your behavior.

Be nice to yourself. Unfortunately, some people say the meanest things to themselves. If you criticize yourself long enough, youll start to believe it. This negativity can drag you down over time. It may be time to fire the critic and hire the advocate.

Set realistic, achievable goals. Theres nothing wrong with setting a high bar unless you beat yourself up for not achieving your goals. The key is to build confidence by setting realistic goals and by hitting a lot of singles rather than swinging for the fences.

Keep it in perspective. Life is all about prioritizing the things that matter most in your life and focusing your efforts in these areas. This means that trivial things that go wrong every day shouldnt get you down. Learn to address or ignore small issues and move on. Its time to sweat the big stuff.

Turn challenges into opportunities. Instead of letting challenges overwhelm you, turn them into opportunities. (Rather than hitting the wall, climb over it or go around.)

Count your blessings. Be grateful and give thanks for the special things in your life rather than taking them for granted. Some people do this by giving thanks around the dinner table, keeping a written journal, or posting one special item each day on Facebook. Remember, some of the greatest possessions in life arent material. Take every opportunity to make a wonderful new memory.

Its unclear why people who engage in positive thinking experience these health benefits. One theory is that having a positive outlook enables you to cope better with stressful situations, which reduces the harmful health effects of stress on your body.

Its also thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles they get more physical activity, follow a healthier diet, and dont smoke or drink alcohol in excess.

See the article here:
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference - Myjoyonline.com

Michael Bradley

In happier times: Ainsleyana Puleiata takes the ball for her St Mary's College side, before her two ACL reconstructions changed her outlook on life.

One distressing knee injury after another would be enough to crush most young athletes, but not Ainsleyana Puleiata. The rising netball and sevens star tells Suzanne McFadden how she twice overcame the mental and physical torment and now the black dress beckons.

Twelve minutes. Its a timeframe Ainsleyana Puleiata can never wipe from her memory.

Just 12 minutes was all it took to send the promising sports star into a downward spiral. A career-challenging moment the now 20-year-old breaks into tears recalling.

A thrilling young talent from Porirua, excelling in both netball and rugby, Puleiata had just pushed herself through a nine-month comeback from knee surgery, and this was her first real netball game back.

It was early last year, a pre-season match in Auckland with her champion Central Manawa side. A game of little importance.

I remember thinking, OK Im the starting wing attack, Ive worked really hard to get here, Puleiata says.

READ MORE: * Midcourt dynamo Maddy Gordon's big chance to stake claim for Silver Ferns spot * Banishing dark days, Silver Fern Erikana Pedersen changes direction * Sulu Fitzpatrick forever the student as she juggles netball and studying

On court she forgot about her left knee - no painful twinges; no hesitancy.

Twelve uneventful minutes into the game, Puleiata took a ball in the air and landed in the left-hand pocket of the court. As she put a perfectly weighted lob into her shooter, her rebuilt knee just caved in.

Crumpled on the ground, her only thought was: Please dont let it be the ACL.

An MRI scan revealed her worst fear: Puleiata had damaged the same knee twice.

Facing another season off the court and the rugby field, the Samoan teenager hit rock bottom. She doubted she had the strength to do it all over again.

But with a supportive team around her including her parents, former Silver Fern now physio Sharon Gold, and victorious Central Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie Puleiata did another 12 months of intense rehabilitation.

An athlete described as unbelievably gifted, with incredible power and strength, that team only wanted to see the best for her.

And this week, Puleiata joins the New Zealand U21 squad, in camp working towards playing the Silver Ferns in the Cadbury Series in a month's time.

Honestly I didnt expect to make it, Puleiata says. Especially after being off the court for two years. But after hearing the news I was like Oh my god, I need to get myself together! This is a big step for me.

A huge step, considering she had to learn how to walk again twice.

Monique Ford/Stuff

The St Mary's sevens team arrive home from Fukuoka, Japan as 2017 world youth champions.

The year 2017 was, mostly, an outstanding one for 17-year-old Puleiata.

She went to Japan and came home a world champion. The Year 12 student at St Marys College in Wellington a hothouse for young female athletes was part of the schools sevens rugby side who won the world youth tournament. (Also in that team were Monica Tagoai, who became a Black Fern, sisters Lyric and Dhys Faleafaga, who later played for the Black Ferns Sevens, and Renee Saviinaea, who this season played netball for the Pulse.)

Puleiata's side also won the national first XV school title, and she was named in the New Zealand sevens training squad for the 2018 Youth Olympics.

In netball, Puleiata had signed her first contract as a training partner with the Central Pulse, and starred for Central Manawa as they won the inaugural Beko League netballs second-tier championship.

At the 2017 national secondary schools netball champs, St Mary's captain Puleiata was named NZ schools player of the year recognised for her speed, agility, vision and leadership, and her respect for those around her.

Puleiata, who has three younger brothers, was shocked by her sudden rise. Id never expected to get this far in sport, she says. For primary, I went to Windley School [in eastern Porirua] where sport wasnt that big.

Her sport of choice there was basketball. I wasnt really good at it, but I just liked that I could shoot, she says. That shows how modest she is - Puleiata made the New Zealand U14 basketball team.

Around 11, she began taking netball seriously. After arriving at St Marys in Year 9, she was pulled up into the schools senior A side, coached by Pelesa Semu, now Pulse assistant coach.

One of Puleiatas strengths is mastering all three midcourt positions. Midcourt is hard on the lungs, she laughs. But I just love how creative we can be.

Shes always looked up to Silver Ferns Whitney Souness and Laura Langman, and Australian sisters Kelsey and Madi Browne.

At high school, Puleiata decided to give rugby a try. The more I got exposed to it, the more I thought I could balance the two.

A speedy wing, she was preparing to defend their Condors Sevens national title late in 2017 with her St Marys team, coached by Tuga Mativa and his All Black mate, Ardie Savea. The Rongotai College old boys arranged a training game against the Rongotai sevens on their school field.

During the game, Puleiata went to sidestep, but her foot got stuck in a pothole. As I started to turn, my upper body went but my leg stayed, she recalls.

She felt a weird click in her left knee. Off the field, she jogged and did lunges, and was convinced it was okay. She ran back on, but her left leg gave way.

Puleiata refused to let her team-mates carry her off. Hobbling to the sideline, she just wanted to go home.

An MRI scan revealed shed torn her anterior cruciate ligament and needed surgery. I was in tears, thinking why is this happening to me?, she says.

In February 2018, some of her hamstring was used to rebuild the knee. The rehab with her personal trainer Malcolm Toeaiga at Centurion Athletic Performance in Porirua was demanding, but she was driven.

A couple of weeks in my rehab stages I hated being labelled an injured player, Puleiata wrote on Instagram. I felt like an outsider among the athletes, and boy did that fire up my adrenaline. For the next nine months, I would always wake up [in the] early hours to do my knee stretches and muscle activation, I would go to the gym every day to build myself up, I would meditate every night and I would do a lot of video analysis for 273 days straight.

The hardest part, she says, was learning to walk, run and bend her knee again.

CAP

Ainsleyana Puleiata spent almost two years rehabbing in the Centurion Athletic Performance gym.

In November 2018, Puleiata was cleared to return to netball. She was named captain of the Central Manawa team for the 2019 Beko season and was again a training partner for the Pulse. Id made it back to where I wanted to be, she says.

Puleiata got a little court-time at a Pathway to Podium camp, building up players towards New Zealands defence of the 2021 World Youth Cup. Then she headed to Auckland with the Manawa team and that fateful training game that almost broke her after just 12 minutes.

I dont know how this one movement was different; Id done it so many times before, she says.

This time, she explains, her hamstring graft had torn. With her second surgery, they added a tissue graft to the side of the knee to give it more stability.

Puleiata is not alone - around 400 New Zealand netballers have ACL reconstruction surgery each year.

Research from ACC data shows theres been a 120 percent increase in the number of teenage girls in New Zealand having ACL surgery over the last decade. The game has become faster and more physical, and there are more girls playing.

Netball NZ have been proactive, developing an injury prevention programme, NetballSmart, to change how players warm up.

Understandably, Puleiata struggled to come to terms with another long stint off the court.

My mindset changed. I doubted myself. Could I do this again, take another year off? she says. I went downhill.

But with the support of her parents, Diana and Faauliuli, her trainer Toeaiga, and her new physiotherapist, Sharon Gold, Puleiata headed back to the Centurion Athletic Performance gym.

I had their voices in my head when I couldnt be the voice myself, she says.

She decided to step away from the side-lines for a while. Even on crutches, she was going to team trainings and games, but it was torturing her mentally.

There was this imbalance between my mind and my body. Mentally I was like Yo, I could do that when physically I couldnt, she says.

So I thought I should distract myself. She became a full-time student at Victoria University, studying health.

The second rehab was slower and more painful. But Gold knew it was worth nurturing Puleiata towards a netball future. Gold, nee Burridge, played 19 tests for the Silver Ferns between 1988 and 1995, and could see the abundant talent the young woman had.

We all knew we were dealing with someone special. Not just physically, but mentally with all shed been through. Everyone wanted to do something extra for her, Gold says.

Shes one of the coolest kids Ive ever dealt with. She was just so determined and disciplined, and she wasnt going to let this stop her.

Having an ACL tear, then tear again after reconstruction, isnt are, Gold explains. But in Puleiatas case, she was just so powerful.

She generates so much power and force, it put a lot of pressure on that graft, she says. We told her we cant treat you like other people because youre different.

Her strength and power was outrageous. We were taking her to levels we dont take other people because she was just pushing all the time.

As well as the most amazing mental attitude, shes unbelievably gifted. And she wasnt just going to come back, she was going to come back better. Thats an amazing attitude to have.

Gold would regularly liaise with the Pulse physio, Nikki Lynch, who would keep Pulse and NZ U21 coach Yvette McCausland-Durie updated on Puleiatas progress. Everyone was working together for the same cause, Gold says.

Puleiata also had support from another former Silver Fern, Belinda Colling her mentor through a three-year Tania Dalton Foundation scholarship. She was one of the original inductees into the foundation in 2018.

Belindas been so good to me - always checking in to see if Im doing okay, if I need help with uni, Puleiata says. Its really good to talk to someone whos been in the high performance environment, and get some tips on how I can get there too.

Supplied

Ainsleyana Puleiata on the Sky commentary bench.

The biggest lesson Puleiata learned from two ACL comebacks was patience.

I wanted to go for the 12 months recovery the second time round. I kept thinking: Im still young; there will be more opportunities. Youve got to be patient, she says.

In March, Puleiata was ready to return. For her third year running, she was contracted as a Pulse training partner, and she planned to rebuild her skills playing club netball for SMOG (St Marys Old Girls).

Then Level 4 lockdown tested her patience again. It seemed to be such bad timing, but it was actually really good, she says. My expectations and my hopes to play were suddenly taken away so I had to prep myself to adapt again and not get lazy.

Her first club game was horrible, she says, but it wasnt her knee. After 12 months of rehab I only got to play one quarter!

Her game preparation is different now - doing a full warm-up while listening to podcasts. Gold and Toeaiga have helped her build strength in her hamstrings and glutes.

Her plan, she says, is to survive this weeks U21 camp in Wellington, and hopefully play in the Cadbury Series against the Silver Ferns, the NZ Men and a New Zealand A line-up in Palmerston North next month. Then theres the World Youth Cup in December 2021. And then she might return to rugby.

McCausland-Durie is glad shes kept a close eye on Puleiatas lengthy comeback.

Shes worked so hard and been very committed to getting back to this level. Weve seen her resilience, she says.

And McCausland-Durie knows shes an amazing player. There arent many specialist wing attacks around who have continued to be wing attacks. Its really important to help her grow in that area, she says.

She plays low to the ground and can quickly change direction. She has beautiful feeding skills that come from having vision and being able to read the game. She uses a good change of pace to get where she needs to be, but makes it look easy, like she has time. Thats the mark of a great player.

Even though Puleiatas netball career is beginning all over again, shes already looking beyond it.

Ironically as a kid she wanted to be a physiotherapist, but now shes interested in the health and wellbeing of the Pasifika community.

If I can make a change not only in netball but in my career, it would have to be something that relates to Pasifika, she says. And if I could change their health status, and give everyone equal health treatment, that would be great.

I need to have something to fall back on when my netball career is over. Luckily, Im still young!

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Netball prodigy Ainsley Puleiata rebounds from injury and targets Silver Ferns - Stuff.co.nz

In the absence of a girls soccer program, a handful of females at Hauser have played on the schools boys team the past couple of decades.

But since 2013, only two girls have earned full-time starting spots for the Jets. Seniors Emily Harker and Adonah Riddle have helped them to a 3-4-2 start going into tonights match at Greensburg.

Since Im a very competitive person and I like the challenge of playing with the guys, I really enjoy playing coed, Harker said. Im like a Tomgirl. I grew up on a farm. I have to compete on a higher level because athletically, men are more superior than women. Ive had the experience of playing against more athletic individuals. It gives me a sense of challenge, and I really enjoy it.

Hauser technically has a coed team, but plays against mostly all-boys squads and competes in the boys sectional. Harker and Riddle are the only girls on this years squad.

Hauser senior soccer players Adonah Riddle, left, and Emily Harker sprint downfield during a drill in practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer player Adonah Riddle heads the ball during practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer player Emily Harker heads the ball during practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer player Emily Harker controls the ball during practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer player Adonah Riddle waits to take part in a drill during practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer player Emily Harker waits to take part in a drill during practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser head soccer coach Andy Hunnicutt directs senior soccer player Adonah Riddle during a drill in practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer player Emily Harker controls the ball during a drill in practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer player Adonah Riddle passes the ball during a drill in practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer player Adonah Riddle watches the ball as she sprints downfield during a drill in practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer player Emily Harker, left, puts the ball past Carter Scott for a goal during a drill in practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer players Adonah Riddle, left, and Emily Harker pose for a photo together during practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Hauser senior soccer players Emily Harker, center left, and Adonah Riddle, center right, wait to take part in a drill during practice at Hauser Jr./Sr. High School in Hope, Ind., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

But just like Harker, Riddle isnt shying away from the competition.

Playing against guys is more of a challenge for me because I have to prove a lot, Riddle said. Now that Im playing with guys, I feel stronger, and I feel like I talk a lot more. Ive played a lot longer with guys than I have with girls, so Im just used to it.

Riddle grew up in Seymour and played a couple years of recreational soccer when she was in elementary school. She moved to Hope her freshman year.

Harker also grew up outside the area. She lives near Saint Paul, in Waldron school district. She went to Smith Elementary in Columbus and now makes the half-hour commute to Hauser each day.

Theres more opportunities at Hauser like FFA, and I do 4-H in Bartholomew County, Harker said. I knew a lot of kids there. I played Biddy Ball in Columbus, so we would drive through Hope.

Beginning at age 5, Harker played in the Columbus Parks and Recreation program every spring and fall season until playing junior high soccer at Hauser. In high school, played a little as a freshman and started a couple games as a sophomore before becoming a starting midfielder last season.

I wouldnt say there was more pressure, Harker said. I knew all my hard work and dedication would pay off. I dont get frustrated when I dont start. But when I start, I feel like (coach Andy Hunnicutt) believes in me.

Harker plays mostly outside midfield, but played center midfield in Saturdays win against Austin.

Shes always full of positive energy, Hunnicutt said. She never gets down in a game. She always tries to execute the game plan. Then, her enthusiasm just helps pump up the rest of the team.

Meanwhile, Riddle has been a starting defender this season after gaining some playing time last year.

I struggled seeing game time my freshman and sophomore years, Riddle said. We had a lot of guys, and I had a hard time keeping up with them. My junior year, I built up my skills and got to play a lot more.

Riddle plays mostly outside back, but also has seen time at stopper or defensive midfield.

Shes just tenacious and tough as nails, Hunnicutt said. She is quite quick. She just wont give up, and thats whats wonderful about her.

Harker also has played some forward and scored the first goal of her career Aug. 28 in a 2-2 tie against Columbus Christian. That was the first Jets goal scored by a girl since Elizabeth Ream in 2007.

Ive been so close the past three years and finally did it, Harker said.

Harker has won the teams Mental Attitude Award the past three years. She also was a JV captain her freshman and sophomore years and has been a varsity captain as a junior and senior, as voted on by her teammates.

I dont know if it makes me feel accepted in a way, Harker said. Sometimes when we go up to shake the other teams captains hands, I get some funny looks. Theyre like, Youre a girl and a captain? But this is my second year, so Im used to it.

Both Harker and Riddle also compete in track and field. Harker played basketball as a freshman and junior and indoor soccer as a sophomore and plans to play indoor soccer this winter. She is considering playing tennis in the spring.

I have been actually exploring tennis because it will be a lot easier on my lower half, Harker said. Ive been meeting with our assistant coach (Karen Kelly) after practices to hit. She told me I was the kind of athlete that could jump into a sport senior year and thrive at it. If that plan fails, Ill run track again.

Neither Harker nor Riddle are planning to play soccer in college. Riddle wants to study criminal justice at a yet-to-be-determined school.

Harker plans to major in agronomy or plant and soil science, she hopes at Purdue. She had talked to Manchester about playing soccer, but decided against it.

I just feel like my academics are more important, Harker said. Thats my future.

Hunnicutt said he hasnt seen any jealousy out of the boys on the 20-player Hauser team.

A lot of the kids that arent starting are freshmen, so theyre learning, Hunnicutt said. Both of these young ladies have put their time in. They know what were trying to accomplish, and theyre good at it.

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Finding Their Way / Senior girls crack starting lineup for Hauser soccer team - The Republic

You have probably heard of the menopause in women, but did you know men go through a similar hormonal change as they age? The male menopause, or andropause, is often triggered when men reach their 40s.

In fact, as many as 30 per cent of men can expect some sort of physical change to their bodies when they reach this age. But with such little exposure to information, this sudden shift in mental attitude and physical ability can come as a real shock.

The male menopause is the name given to an age-related change in the hormone levels of men. There are several factors which could cause a person to enter this stage of their life.

Some of the most common include:

Testosterone deficiency

Increasing SHBG levels

Reduced pituitary function

Reduced production of testosterone by the testicles

Increasing insulin resistance/onset of diabetes.

In all of these cases, its the dramatic reduction in the amount of testosterone the body produces which causes the menopause to kick in. While these factors wont affect everyone as they age, it can have a huge impact on individuals who do see a dip in production.

Testosterone is a hormone which has been closely associated with the concept of being manly for decades. And while things are a little less black and white than that, its certainly true that the amount a man produces will have a direct impact on his behaviour and physical and mental health.

There are a host of areas which are controlled by the amount of testosterone in your body. Those include:

Heart: Testosterone increases your cardiac output, while also helping to keep the coronary and peripheral blood flow smooth and continuous.

Brain: Cognition, memory and feeling are all affected by testosterone in the brain, as well as a mans sex drive.

Kidneys: Red blood cell production decreases when theres less testosterone in your system. This happens because erythropoietin production is halted or reduced.

Muscles: The mass and strength of your muscles are directly impacted by the amount of testosterone in your body.

Sexual organs: Sperm production and prostate health are both directly affected by a lack of testosterone. Erectile dysfunction is also not uncommon.

With so many parts of the male anatomy affected by testosterone, its not hard to see why some people see the male menopause as a genuine threat for their later years.

Male menopause is commonly used as a title because it affects men as they age, and has similar symptoms to the female menopause. But is it the same?

In truth, not quite. The term is something of a misleading tag line. While there is a very real change which happens to some men at a certain point in their life, the name itself encompasses a lot of different conditions.

The one key link between them all? A large dip in that all-important testosterone. While some people see the term as a simple way of describing the loss of this hormone, others would suggest that inaccurately grouping these conditions under one umbrella is a risky practice.

The minor controversy over the name stems from the fact that this, unlike female menopause, is not something which all men will naturally experience in their lives.

Its very common for a mans testosterone levels to decrease by as much as one per cent every year after the age of 40. This is not the same as late-onset hypogonadism or androgen deficiency, which can see a much larger sudden dip in levels.

Its for this reason some medical professionals like to steer clear of the term male menopause altogether. Its natural for testosterone levels to lower, but extreme cases are a condition in and of themselves.

So, is the male menopause real? Well, yes and no. While you wont definitely experience this drastic shift in hormone levels, theres roughly a one-in-three chance you could. Just dont take the slightest change in levels when youre 50 to mean youre going through the change.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the sudden loss of such a core hormone can have a huge impact on someones mental health. Lets take a closer look at how someone might struggle if they find themselves experiencing the male menopause.

Owing to the importance of testosterones role in your brain, therell be very direct and noticeable changes to your general attitude. While this wont always be negative, there are circumstances and symptoms which can lower your mood:

Memory loss: As you age, your cognitive function begins to decrease. This is what triggers memory loss in most older people. Some studies have recently linked this dip in memory retention to lowered levels of testosterone.

Concentration levels: Its not that youll necessarily find yourself distracted more often, but rather just struggle to follow the flow of a normal conversation. Being distracted is natural, but if youre finding it a struggle to keep up in one-on-one chats, you may want to get assessed.

Sex drive: The libido is one of the key areas of the mind which is affected by a loss of T-levels. While it wont necessarily be as a result of problems maintaining an erection, this can also be a factor.

You might begin to feel like a different person if youre experiencing the male menopause. Remember, if youre ever having dark thoughts its important to talk about it with someone you trust.

Sometimes the fallout from other issues someone experiences during the male menopause will cause them to have further problems in the future. These secondary, indirect, conditions can be just as damaging as those which are caused as a direct medical result of your situation.

Clay Morrison is a creative consultant. Send feedback to yourhealth@gleanerjm.com; digitalclay.consulting@gmail.com

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The male menopause and mental health | Health - Jamaica Gleaner

A mental health advocate, Army Captain and Movember ambassador who has survived both testicular and bowel cancer, all before the age of 30, has teamed up with Dr Izzy Smith to create a new series; Behind the Uniform.

The series will explore the idea that we all wear a uniform. Whether its the clothes you wear to work, or a metaphor for putting up a front, often theres a lot going on behind the uniform, and many of us are reluctant to express how we are really feeling.

The series guarantees no topic is off limits there will be tears, laughter and goose bumps, explains co-host, Captain Hugo Toovey.

The ten-part podcast supported by both Movember and Fox Sports, will feature such prominent Australians as:

Hugo said guest, Moises Henriques, summed up the tone of the podcast perfectly when he said; While things may appear all smiles and good times, it definitely is not like that all the time. Ive felt like shedding as many tears as our baby Archie. Its just a reminder of the misleading representation social media can portray on our not so perfect lives.

Hugo noted that while the current episodes feature well known sportsmen, moving forward they hope to incorporate the stories of everyday Australians.

Dr Izzy Smith featured on Hugos earlier podcast 25 STAY ALIVE. The two hit it off, realising how much they had in common and decided to join forces. Dipping into their own experiences of working in demanding environments, they will weave their own insights into each episode.

Weve both worked in environments where its traditionally seen as weak to show youre struggling or need help. Both careers have notoriously high rates of suicide and mental illness. We need a cultural shift in attitude around mental health and we need to be equipping people with the right tools to manage it, she said.

They will explore concepts like vulnerability and dealing with failure, things Dr Smith has struggled with herself, in the past.

Behind the Uniform will deliver practical ways to discuss and de-stigmatise mental health issues in Australia in a relaxed and entertaining way.

Movember Global Mental Health Director Brendan Maher believes the podcast is the perfect avenue to reach men who might be experiencing difficulties in their lives.

These episodes remind us that it doesnt matter where you are in life, or what kind of uniform you wear, none of us escape lifes challenges. How we navigate them and who we open up to, is what makes the difference and sometimes its a life-saving difference.

One of the best ways to lighten the load, is to share whats going on with a mate, a loved one or a health professional.

Behind the Uniform is an important new platform to explore these concepts and learn from each other.

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Movember & Fox Sports Join Forces On Mental Health - B&T

Ok, we're all doing our best to get ahead in life, and sometimes it takes a little outside inspiration.

That's where Hollywood comes in!

We have a list of TEN movies that you should watch that will lead to more success!

The list comes courtesy ofLifehack, which says "Sometimes a movie could be our motivational bridge to the success we truly desire."

So here are those ten movies you need to watch, and the LESSONS that can be learned from each one!

Fight Club -Materialism and Emotional Detachment

This movie will teachabout"freeing yourself from the shackles of modern life"by being willing to give and receive pain and risk death.

Pumping Iron -Self-Belief and Assertion

Arnold Schwarzeneggershares his "mindset, attitude, and personal beliefs," leavingyou inspired!

The Secret -Positive Attitude

PMA:Postive Mental Attitude!

The Social Network -Entitlement

You deserve success!

Yes Man -Opportunity

What opportunities have you missed by saying "no?"

Limitless -Getting Things Done

Take action with your life! Produceresults, don't wait for them!

The Wolf of Wall Street -Drive and Prosperity

Take account of your work, and aim for the finer things!

The Words -Own Your Work

However, do the best with what you have!

ThePursuit of Happyness -Never Giving Up

Never give up on yourself! Don't allow anything to destroy your dreams!

Good Will Hunting -Competence

You have a talent, and you are WORTHY of success!

Read more:
The Ten Movies You Need To Watch In Order To Be More Successful - KLUV

On Thursday, the Moon, our Celestial Mother, will complete yet another 29.5-day journey around our beautiful planet and return to line up in a straight line between Earth and the Sun. This marks the New Moon in Virgo and the start of another Lunar Month. Look east in the predawn sky as this week begins and you will see the slim silver of the waning crescent Moon meeting up with scintillating Venus. This is a magic moment. Make your wishes. The New Moon will bring new beginnings and fresh starts when we can undo mistakes and square circles.

Jupiter's four month retrograde ended last weekend. The Opener-of-the-Way has set sail on another nine month journey forward. The past four months have been a time of working on new plans to move you forward. This is an exciting time filled with opportunity.

Venus squares Uranus on Tuesday then Mercury squares Jupiter on Thursday. Do you need an innovative plan? Do you want to think out of the box? This is your chance to find that brilliant idea you need. You could also strike up a friendship with an influential person. These are highly dynamic energy points, so do your best to stay calm. The compassionate source of this Universe will hear your call and lead you towardthe fulfilment of your dreams.

Saturn is ideally placed with a steady and stable trine alignment to the New Moon. Hang on the tiller and steer your ship well. Saturn will help you focus and concentrate on your vision of success.

Here is your horoscope for the week of Monday, September 14, 2020.

Aries

Clearing up problems is much like the tedious task of cleaning and dusting. No sooner do you sweep up one problem, more blow in to take their place. But if we face our problems with courage, they make us wiser. Please be reassured. Things are not as bad as they seem. You fear that you will soon have to make a difficult decision. The New Moon in Virgo will reveal that you are carrying a responsibility that is now surplus to requirement. What you face will prove easy and obvious. So, go on and pick up that broom. Sweep your problems away. Everything is going to turn out fine.

Taurus

Some things in life are easy, quick and perfectly acceptable. But not everything in this world is fast and fun. Having a sense of urgency is good. Just don't let it turn into anxiety and panic. You are preoccupied with an issue that is sapping your strength and robbing you of the ability to seize an opportunity that is staring you in the face. The more difficult any situation gets, the more essential it is to maintain a positive approach. A confident and constructive attitude is the foundation of every success. The New Moon in Virgo will send you a clever plan that will extricate you from a sense of entrapment.

Gemini

A healthy dose of pride and self-respect is necessary if you are to achieve the success you seek. There's nothing wrong with that. There's a difference between pride and hubris. Some exuberance is what you need to add some zest and vigour into your dreams and ventures. Our expectations make an enormous difference to our abilities. Go ahead and ratchet up your dreams and the level of your confidence. The New Moon in Virgo says that it's time to be inspired by the calling of your heart. If you truly desire a big change in the way you lead your life, you have every chance of making it happen.

Cancer

Don't assume that this week is going to be difficult. The worst of a recent struggle is behind you. If anything feels awkward, it is probably because you have not quite enough faith in where you are being led. Let go of your attachment to your own idea of the best destination. Instead, follow your heart. There is nothing to lose. Ignore words that undermine your ambitions. And while you're at it, erase the fear of negative outcomes. It would help if you made time for some rest this week. The New Moon in Virgo advises that you retreat a bit. Find some time to chill. The quiet time will give your intuitive source a chance to connect with you.

Leo

There are factors in your life now that seem to need adjustment. But unless they are truly unbearable, it may be much wiser to accept them as they are. It's not a miracle you need right now so much as a dash of good luck and some good timing. Things are heading in the right direction. A positive trend in your life is gaining momentum. Your efforts will all prove worthwhile. Remain determined and do not waiver from your sense of purpose. You are really starting to get somewhere in your quest. The New Moon in Virgo will bring the answers you seek if you approach everything with an open mind.

Virgo

It's not so much the answers that matter. You can always find those. What is most important are the questions. That is the real starting point to success. We have to keep on asking questions until we find one that resonates with our heart's desires. Something really good is due to start happening. It's possible now to transform a small and improbable hope into the greatest turning point you've ever encountered. The New Moon in Virgo will give you a fresh look at what you wish to accomplish. A new set of questions about what you can achieve will stir your inner desires and lift you closer to the pinnacle of your dreams.

Libra

By maintaining sanguine expectations, you will remain on track towardthe destination you seek. Even if you tried very hard, you would not be able to derail your path to success. This week is due to have a thoroughly excellent outcome if you keep that in mind. The Universe places obstacles in your path in order to test your conviction and passion. Persistence and determination are all you need to succeed in your quest. And you've got both in ample supply. The New Moon in Virgo will bring the realization that no matter what once looked hopeless, there is fresh hope now.

Scorpio

Your ingenuity is going to lead to some enlightening conclusions. "Well, that's about time," you say. True enough, you've had enough with juggling resources and struggling to keep a souring situation sweet. Good times are coming. You will start to understand something that you never fully understood before. The New Moon in Virgo will reward you with a discovery. You'll wonder why you never picked up on it before. A great idea is going to put you on an easier road to where you want to be. Things will turn out better than you ever envisaged. You are going to be very successful.

Sagittarius

Negative attitudes have a way of insidiously creeping their way into our stream of thought. We have to be vigilant, for they create roadblocks to success. A certain vexing problem will vanish once you discover the positive side of a process that is unfolding. The universe is waiting for you to see the light. The New Moon in Virgo will awaken the sleeping giant within. It will give you a rare opportunity to correct a past error of judgment you thought could never be undone. Your ability to achieve this depends on how rapidly you can adopt the right frame of mind. You will find the will to surpass your limitations.

Capricorn

It's time to ask yourself some tough questions about how you really feel about a situation or a relationship. Answers are needed. Decisions need to be made. Life is too short to allow yourself to get dragged into trouble of someone else's doing. You are not obliged to do anything that doesn't feel right. Follow your heart and do what you really want to do. And an open mind is part of the key to power. You'll find a way to tolerate those you might normally dismiss. The New Moon in Virgo will give you the ability to see the bigger picture so that you can make a brilliant move.

Aquarius

You can't possibly make the right kind progress if you haven't got the right mental attitude. Benevolent forces of the Universe are rallying to help you get past an impasse. The sky is essentially on your side so don't let a certain threat or worry make you feel insecure. An invisible shield of protection surrounds you. The New Moon in Virgo will provide you with a bevy of astute insights that will help you avert a crisis. You will do some fast thinking and make some smart manoeuvres. Quite miraculously everything will fall nicely into place. Be sure to not listen to voices of negativity.

Pisces

People often spend a great deal of time and energy on activities that they consider to be worthwhile. Yet often in the end, these come to nothing. Even so, we mustn't shy away from looking into novel ideas. There's a plan you're considering that seems too good to be true. It might be predicated on some dubious fundamentals. Perhaps it is, but it is still worth looking into further. Do your own research. Connect the dots. The New Moon in Virgo will activate your genius for innovation and help you find a way to improve this idea and make it work. The whole process will require less effort than you may think.

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Your horoscope for the week ahead: The New Moon in Virgo activates a healing energy - CBC.ca