There was reason to be jubilant on Oct. 15 high school football was back with the Tigers vs. Big Lake at S.R. Knutson Field.

For most folks, the return of the gridiron sport was reason enough to be joyous; however, the evening offered a bonus experience for fans the induction of the 2020 Hutchinson High School Wall of Fame members.

This year, HHS recognized Ryan Dolder, athlete; Lowell Himle, coach; Wendell Jahnke, outstanding graduate; Glen "Clancy" Kurth, fan; and the late Carol Wendt, coach.

Dolder, 43, is the all-time goals, assists and points leader in the history of Hutchinson boys hockey. He said the honor "meant a lot."

"When you're younger you don't really reflect on certain moments or experiences in life," he said. "As you get older, I think you start to look back on those moments and start to self-reflect. ... An honor like this validates the work and effort I tried to put in, and maybe it means I left some sort of imprint during a very meaningful point in my life."

Lowell Himle, 74, served as track and field coach for 50 years at HHS.

"This is a tribute to all the athletes I had who worked hard and understood that we needed more than first places to win meets," he said of the Wall of Fame recognition. "Every inch or even quarter inch could make a difference in placing."

Jahnke, 87, was a four-sport letter winner in high school (football, basketball, baseball and track) and a member of the Minnesota State Athletics Hall of Fame. He was especially proud due to his age and was so glad the Wall of Fame committee was willing to consider older grads.

Glen "Clancy" Kurth, 70, described the honor as "humbling." The Tigers super fan lettered in football as a sophomore, junior and senior at HHS.

"It's an accomplishment for a 70-year-old to be remembered in the trophy case at your high school," Kurth said. "I'm very proud to be a Hutchinson High School graduate and a Hutchinson Tigers fan."

Kurth said what made the evening was the attendance of his high school coaches Bill Snyder, Dave Larson and Bev Luke, whose husband, Denny, coached him.

"All three were there to be with me," he said. "It was special for them and very special for me."

Jodi Wendtaccepted the award for her mother, the late Carol Wendt, a two-time Minnesota Coachofthe Year and memberofthe Minnesota Coaches HallofFame. As girls golf coach, Wendt took either an individual or a team to the state tournament 23 out of the 24 years that she coached.

"To have her recognized publicly means a lot and displays the impact she had on this community," said daughter Stacy Thompson.

Like Kurth, Thompson said her mom would have felt "extremely humbled."

"She knew that the reason she had so much success was because of the God-given talents each and every golfer she coached had (no matter how big or small)," Thompson said, "and their willingness to use these talents to work together as a team to not only be successful, but also to represent the Hutchinson community well."

Lives are defined by great accomplishments and the ability to overcome tough setbacks. In this Leader Q&A, the Wall of Fame inductees share their experiences and advice for young people.

What are the moments/people that defined your career?

Dolder: I guess the cliche answer would be my parents, but without their sacrifices, something like this never would've happened. All of the experiences I had in high school, college and beyond, especially when it comes to sports, were a direct result of the sacrifices my parents made for me. I also think it's all of the teammates and coaches I had. The wins and losses fade away, but the relationships you build with your teammates and coaches last forever.

Himle: My coaching career would likely never have happened if it had not been for a chance meeting with Len Lasley at the Hutch Cafe when we were both here interviewing for our new jobs. Since I had some experience in high school and college, he asked if I was interested in helping the varsity high jumpers. I went from being a volunteer, to a junior high coach, and finally to an assistant varsity coach. Len and I coached together for 50 years.

Jahnke:Miss Michaelson, who taught me how to use math throughout my life and a love of numbers. Jim Witham, Mankato State basketball coach, (he taught me) how important teamwork is.

Kurth: My parents. Kurth said he attended St. John's parochial school through eighth grade. When his classmates headed to high school in Buffalo Lake, his parents worked hard so he and his sister could attend school in Hutchinson.

I'm a farmer who likes to talk sports. I do like to sit down with younger high school, college kids and visit with them. I feel honored that they want to sit down and visit with me.

Thompson: My mom would always say, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' Matthew 7:12. Her faith in Jesus Christ ran deep, which then translated through her kindness, patience, understanding and love that she showed each of her golfers. C.W., as her players called her, was not about trophies and accolades, but instead making the girls feel like they were special and mattered. These moments of virtues that she shared with her players defines her coaching career.

What was your greatest hurdle, and how did you overcome it?

Dolder: That's a tough one, because I think every person faces difficult hurdles in life, many much more significant hurdles than I faced. In regards to sports, I think one of the biggest hurdles I felt I always had to overcome was the perception of being from 'a small town.' I wouldn't trade growing up in a small town for anything, but there was always a perception that because we were small, the competition we played didn't stack up against what the bigger schools played. A lot of times because of this, as I moved up in levels, other players and coaches didn't give much respect to where I came from. I always felt I had to work harder to overcome that perception. And that perception is nonsense. If you're good enough you'll find a way. If you're a kid in Hutchinson who thinks you might have to go somewhere else because of this, you don't. You will get your opportunities to wipe the floor, field or ice with a kid from Edina or Wayzata at some point.

Himle: My coaching assignments could change from year to year. Techniques and equipment were changing in the high jump, pole vault, shot put and discus. The weight of the girls' shot put changed. No more sawdust and bags of foam in the high jump pits. Metal pole vault poles were replaced by fiberglass poles. Because fiberglass poles would break, safety became a huge concern. To address this, the pits were enlarged. What I knew about each event at one time no longer applied. Coaching clinics, instructional videos and track publications helped me keep up with the changes.

Jahnke: The death of my father at age 6. (This) was accomplished with the wonderful help of my mother and the great support of my HHS friends and the Hutch community.

Kurth: A large number of small farms are being eliminated. It's a trend in the ag industry. People are going elsewhere. They're trying to paint a brighter picture. It's not hard to get depressed, down in the dumps these days. My parents taught me to stay on an even keel not too low and not too high.

I'm sometimes not as good of a listener as I should be. I need to listen better. Now I have to let other people talk, give them the opportunity and be supportive of them.

Thompson: The greatest hurdle that she talked about often was growing up in a 'man's world' where there were no women's sports. As a female athlete, this was extremely frustrating. Instead of giving up, she grabbed her catcher's gear the minute she got home from school and met the boys at the ball field and joined right in. Once she became a teacher at Hutchinson High School, she found other ways to provide activities for women prior to sports being available. Through her involvement with the GAA (Girls Athletic Association), she led a group of women to the Boundary Waters for an annual canoe trip. As female sports became more accessible, she was very active in helping these girls participate in the sports she wasn't able to through her coaching career.

What advice would you give young people today?

Dolder: I would say two things: One, get off social media. Very little good comes from it. Two, enjoy every minute of being young. It goes by fast. At all ages, but especially when you're young, it's easy to constantly look ahead and forget to live in the moment. High school can be tough, but you'll also realize when you're older that some of your best memories came from high school. Make the most of that time. You don't want to look back years later and say, "I wish I did things differently."

Himle:I would recommend they participate in as many activities as they can handle. By doing so, they build all programs and make them better. It also will make them a better all-around person.

Jahnke: Never give up. We can all achieve our dreams if we keep trying our hardest no matter how tough the situation. May be a bit 'corny,' but sure worked for me.

Kurth: When I go to a graduation, I tell the graduate two things: There are classmates you'll never see again, and start your retirement as soon as possible. Being single made it easier for me. You don't want to spend your whole life and be broke. Have goals. At 70, I'm looking 10-15 years down the road. I want to live out my life at my farm, if my health permits. In retirement, find things you like to do but didn't have time for. Have a bucket list. Travel was never priority. I'm catching up with friends now. Be an example. Don't be afraid to give back. Growing up, 4-H was a big deal for me. It meant a lot to me. I give back to Hutchinson High School, the McLeod County Fair and Hutchinson Huskies baseball.

Thompson: My mom would remind young women to be thankful for the opportunities they have available to them today. From an early age, she taught her granddaughters to be proud of their abilities to participate in female sports. She would also advise young people to work hard and give your all toward the things you are passionate about. That is the way she lived her life, and what she taught her family and golfers to do as well.

The rest is here:
Hutchinson High School 2020 Wall of Fame inductees share pride, achievements - Crow River Media

We begin with Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall, who is being investigated for allegations of verbal and physical abuse from current and former players. The stories have been corroborated by former players and coaches and reported by media outlets, including Sports Illustrated.

Former Wichita State player Shaquille Morris alleges he was punched twice by Marshall during a 2015 practice, and Marshall is also accused of choking assistant coach Kyle Lindsted the following year. Marshall, according to WatchStadium.com, also routinely physically and verbally abused members of the program and demeaned his players with ethnic and racial slurs.

Marshall coached at Winthrop from 1998 to 2007 before joining Wichita State. The descriptions of his behavior there mirror those described by his players at Wichita State, which is conducting an internal investigation now. Multiple former Winthrop players say, according to WatchStadium.com, that Marshall made racist and sexist comments toward players, and that he mocked a player who took prescription medication for his mental health.

Former Winthrop players also detailed various instances in WatchStadium.com reporting when Marshall physically assaulted players on multiple occasions, both on and off the court. In one of the detailed accounts that are coming to light after the WatchStadium.com reporting and the Winthrop investigation, players recall Marshall grabbing a player by the shirt and slamming him against a wall.

Did Marshall deny the charges?

I acknowledge that my coaching style isnt for everyone. I am passionate and energetic, and countless players have thrived on my programs and excelled in our team culture, Marshall told The Athletic. I am not demeaning or abusive. I have always pledged my full-hearted commitment to my team.

I interviewed Howard University basketball coach Kenny Blakeney for my show The Rematch, and his immediate response was:

I dont think white men should be yelling at Black kids. We have a history that goes back to some things that are traumatic with that.

Heres the unfortunate reality: This type of abuse with this particular racial dynamic of a white coach abusing Black players happens much more often at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) than people are aware of.

Im not advocating being soft on players or coddling them. I dont coach on the college level, but I do coach my sons AAU team, the FBCG Elite Dynamic Disciples, and any of my players will tell you: Im not the one to tolerate any foolishness. My son calls me Coach Carter without the cursing. Im a disciplinarian. I am strict. I hold guys accountable both on and off the floor. Yes, sir is the only appropriate response to a coach. But there is a fine line between discipline and abuse.

Blakeney told me he wants young men to understand they dont have to feel less of a person to do what somebody is asking them to do.

I want the young men that I coach to be whole, meaning I dont want them to be mentally or emotionally broken when they leave me. I want to treat young men as if I am coaching my own son. Do I have to coach guys hard sometimes? Yeah, I do, but I want to coach guys in a way where its respectful.

Respectful.

I remember when I was at Syracuse University and we were playing Indiana at the Maui Invitational. Now, this wasnt a big arena like the Carrier Dome. It was more of an enclosed arena resembling a high school gym, so everyone was close and could hear anyone yelling.

Indiana player A.J. Guyton did something wrong and got subbed out of the game, and as we were advancing the ball up the floor, we heard a loud booming voice that echoed through the gym. It was Coach Bobby Knight humiliating one of the Indiana players.

I want the young men that I coach to be whole, meaning I dont want them to be mentally or emotionally broken when they leave me. I want to treat young men as if I am coaching my own son. Do I have to coach guys hard sometimes? Yeah, I do, but I want to coach guys in a way where its respectful. Howard University coach Kenny Blakeney

You piece of s motherfer! Bring your stupid a here. What the f are you doing!

Those were his exact words. My point guard Jason Hart was dribbling the ball up the court, and we both stopped in the middle of the game and stared at him in amazement. And the Indiana player looked like an abused child who had been stripped of his humanity in front of an audience. It was the worst thing I had ever witnessed.

Our assistant coach Louis Orr yelled for us to snap out of it and keep playing, because we paused during the middle of the game, shocked by what we were seeing.

It made me think of the movie Roots when the slave master tied Kunta Kinte to the tree because he wouldnt answer to his slave name Toby, and he brought all the other enslaved people to watch as he whipped him into accepting his slave name. Thats what I thought of watching Knight publicly and verbally whip the player into submission.

I remember later passing Guyton in the hotel as my teammate Kueth Duany and I were walking around, and he wouldnt even make eye contact with us. He looked broken.

I also remember Guyton publicly defending Knight after Indiana player Neil Reed accused Knight of physically choking him at practice.

Without this system, without Coach Knight challenging me, that would not have been possible, Guyton said. I say that because at Indiana you know youre going to be challenged. I dont think Neil Reed understood that. In order to become an All-American, youre going to be challenged by a coach that pushes you to the limit. Its all a process of a boy becoming a man.

I couldnt believe what I was seeing. I asked my former teammate if he remembered this.

Indiana University coach Bobby Knight (right) chastises player Daryl Thomas (left) in a Big Ten game against Wisconsin in Bloomington, Indiana, on Feb. 10, 1984.

Dean Rutz/AP Photo

I had heard and seen the tirades of Coach Knight on TV and it was always part of the lore of The General. But getting to see it up close and personal in the Maui Classic was surreal and seeing the real-time reactions of the players, said Duany. It was highly uncomfortable seeing the Indiana University player in somewhat a shock and daze so long after the game, walking with his head down, almost like that movie Get Out, a clear gloss over his eyes.

I think that way of doing things now is not acceptable because we have also learned of the mental health challenges of what it does to some young men. It can lead to some being emotionally bankrupt and forever lacking confidence. These types are always forgotten, said Duany. Just speaking to former high-level athletes whove dealt with being the punching bag, a vast number are not doing well and hold resentment for many years. I have seen other players become controlled and almost robotic for the coach who in some cases verbally abused the player.

Let me be clear, Im not saying this to disparage anyone. I am using this example that I personally witnessed to point out a much bigger issue. I believe this type of abuse happens more often than many are aware of at PWIs. Of course, not at all of them, but more often than it should. Some in plain sight like Knight, others behind closed doors like Marshall.

Some even resulting in tragedy, such as University of Maryland football coach DJ Durkin and strength coach Rick Court in the case of Jordan McNair, who died of a heat stroke and didnt receive proper medical care during a practice.

Its important to note that Maryland did conduct an external investigation and fired both coaches, but that was only after public pressure. Their initial reaction was to treat McNair like a diseased slave, throw him overboard and continue sailing. This practice has to change.

Tragedies like this only get revealed after an assistant coach, staff member or former player blows the whistle. Its a system that allows for this type of abuse to remain prevalent and go unchecked absent public outcry and, yes, this should sound very similar to the issue with police accountability.

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This is why I can appreciate Blakeney having the courage to speak out against college coaches who engage in the emotional and physical abuse of Black college athletes.

Blakeneys approach should be the mentality adopted by all coaches, because he understands the fine line between discipline and maltreatment, between being a tough demanding coach and being an abuser.

Dont be surprised if we see an increasing exodus of top Black athletes migrating to historically Black colleges and universities instead of attending PWIs.

Etan Thomas is a senior writer for basketballnews.com and is the host of a podcast called The Rematch. He also writes for The Guardian and has previously written for The Washington Post, Huffington Post, CNN, ESPN, Hoopshype.com and slamonline. He frequently can be seen on MSNBC as a special correspondent for hot topics. and co-hosts a weekly local radio show on WPFW 89.3FM, The Collision, where sports and politics collide.

Originally posted here:
Another example surfaces of abuse of Black players by white coaches - The Undefeated

October 25, 2020 10:48 ET | Source: Boost Media Agency

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Top 10 Pinterest Experts

New York City, New York, Oct. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The world of marketing and driving traffic to your business is always evolving, despite the fundamentals remaining mostly the same. With new trends constantly emerging, in recent years weve seen the rise of Pinterest as a marketing tool for businesses. Pinterest allows you to discover what your audience loves, drive tons of traffic and convert more browsers into buyers. For most of us who use Pinterest however, we have no real idea or strategy of exactly how to use it optimally. According to Boost Media Agency, the need for a Pinterest expert to help you drive traffic and increase sales using Pinterest is essential. Here we present the Top 10 Pinterest Coaches who are making a difference with their work, and can take your business to a whole new level.

Willow Kaii(@willowkaii)

A Pinterest Coach & Brand Consultant whos worked with nearly 100 ambitious, young entrepreneurs from all over the world, Willow Kaii is an expert when it comes to taking your Pinterest from 0-100, fast. Also an emerging star on TikTok, after Willow left the Los Angeles Marketing Agency world, he pivoted his energy into helping service-based entrepreneurs and direct-to-consumer brands harness the immense abilities of Pinterest to create a blizzard of organic and aligned traffic for them.

Hes been consulting with billion-dollar brands in the wellness, marketing and fashion industries, and helps young and ambitious entrepreneurs follow his path to success by coaching them on how to use attraction marketing on Instagram, and how to provide a proven ROI for their clients using Pinterest. I do not run a single ad for my business or my clients. We solely rely on the abilities of aligned, organic traffic and the immense capabilities of social media. My approach is direct, and positions all of my clients as the perfect solution to someones problem. I call it solution-based marketing, Willow explains. Bringing in $300k profit in his first year of business and achieving incredible client results including a $28k Pinterest launch, Willow has the knowledge and breadth of experience to grow your brand exponentially.

Shruti Pangtey(@shrutipangtey)

A passionate lifestyle blogger turned digital entrepreneur, Shruti Pangtey left her former life and career in India working in a leadership role at a fortune 500 company, to start a fresh life in Germany. Discovering her passion for blogging, social media and online marketing, she realised that there was a huge gap in the market when it comes to business owners and brands leveraging Pinterest as a marketing tool. She had a vision to change that through online education. So, she created Digital Empires, helping content creators and small business owners grow their audience, leads and sales using Pinterest.

Her signature program Pinfluencer Collective, is a marketing membership designed to keep business owners at their A-game when it comes to Pinterest. The success framework she teaches inside Pinfluencer Collective is based on profitably scaling multiple blogs herself, as well working with 1:1 clients before converting her knowledge into a training program. Providing her members with video classes, design templates and content action plans to ensure marketing momentum every month your needs will be covered from A-Z inside Pinfluencer Collective. For all things Pinterest marketing, whether it be SEO, design methods, traffic strategies, list-building and sales tactics, Shruti Pangtey is your girl.

Miranda Meyers(@wildrootmarketing)

Miranda Meyers is the founder of a marketing agency for creatives, Wildroot Marketing. Together with her husband Joshua, they started Wildroot Marketing in January 2020, as a side hustle until the business flourished and hit the 6-figure mark within nine months. Since then, theyve worked with nearly a hundred creative brands, including High Moon Studio, Squarestylist, Wayfarer Design Studio, and Quill and Co. Design, helping them with their Pinterest marketing as their main focus.

Wildroot Marketings vision is to create holistic and effective marketing strategies that are designed to increase brand awareness, convert leads, and transform a brands online presence. From account setups, monthly management, to creating evergreen sales funnels and ad campaigns, Miranda and Joshua will help you lay a strong foundation on Pinterest. Every project begins with an intensive strategy phase to help brands understand their audience first, know what theyre looking for, how their audiences needs align with their goals, and ultimately, how they convert them to paying customers. Their focus is on conversion metrics, not just vanity metrics - their marketing strategies are based on buyer psychology, statistics, data, research, and personal experiences, enabling them to deliver incredible results, time after time.

Jen Stanbrook (@jenstanbrook)

As a top UK interiors blogger, Jen had been using Pinterest for years to boost her website traffic with incredible results. So much so that her blog and business has given her life changing experiences and opportunities in the last decade as well as 1 million followers on Pinterest. Other bloggers and businesses started asking her how they could do the same, and so she created her first course PINSIGHT. Now 4 years later she is a leading voice in Pinterest Marketing in the UK and has helped hundreds of businesses master the art of Pinterest through courses Pinning Made Simple, workshops such as PinTips and 1-1 coaching. This year she launched her flagship programme, The Pinning Club, a membership group for businesses to get the support they need as they implement their Pinterest skills. Reaching a wider audience, improving sales and growing email lists through Pinterest can feel overwhelming but Jen makes it simple, logical and fun with her no nonsense, step by step approach. A champion of female entrepreneurs in particular, Jen has created a community of inspiring founders who love her energy and positive outlook.

Georgina White (@pineapplewhitemedia)

Georgina White, Founder of Pineapple White Media is a Pinterest Coach & Account specialist who specialises in working with Online Entrepreneurs (Coaches, Course Creators, Podcasters & Creative Service Providers) to help them understand and leverage the incredible Power of Pinterest Marketing in order to; drive web traffic, grow their email lists and get new clients! Recently nominated as one of the 'Top 40 Digital Women to watch in 2020' and a Finalist for 'Digital Woman of the Year 2020 Georgina offers 1-1 Coaching and Pinterest Management to clients who want to run a profitable business, attract new clients AND have a life BUT without the juggling act. Marketing your business on Pinterest is easier than you think and Georgie is passionate about showing you how!

Kate Wilkinson (@katewilkinsoncreative)

Spending her days helping heart-led coaches and entrepreneurs sell their products, programs and courses on autopilot, Kate Wilkinson is a Pinterest Strategist and VA Coach, who knows exactly how to leverage the power of Pinterest. Kates mission is simple to turn the hustle-cycle on its head. When she works with her clients, she harnesses the power of Pinterests evergreen automated powers, allowing them to make passive sales without even having to open their laptop. So often I speak to female business owners who tell me that they cant step away from Instagram - even for a day - without worrying that their growth will come to a screeching halt Kate explains.

Having experienced it all herself, Kate understands that no one is their best self when theyre burnt-out. This is why she believes and embodies this philosophy so heavily, as the impact it can have on your life, career, health and relationships can be dire. So, are you looking to build the foundations for lasting, sustainable business growth, regardless of the next algorithm change or social media trend? Kate has the skills, resources and abundance of energy to get you there.

Ariana Urbina (@arianaaurbina)

Ariana Urbina is a Pinterest strategist and mentor who has a passion for helping women elevate their lives, by finding purpose-led and balanced business ventures. She has always had a heart for helping others, volunteering for countless organizations throughout her teenage years. Right after graduating from college, she set out to make an impact by working for a non-profit organization.

When Ariana became a mom, she knew right away that she needed a career that would allow her to stay home with her children. Thats when she discovered Pinterest marketing, left her work, and began managing business accounts for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Ariana built her freelance business while working as a virtual assistant and a Pinterest social media manager simultaneously. Now that she was able to build a sustainable business giving her the freedom that she needed as a stay-at-home and working mom, she wanted to extend her knowledge by empowering others to do the same. This coming November, Ariana is launching her step-by-step course called Pin Pro VA, where she teaches how to build a full-fledged online business. She also offers private or group sessions for people wanting to have a higher level of support. If youre looking to navigate the waters of being a multi-talented entrepreneur, Arianas firsthand experience will guide you towards your journey to success.

Melissa Clayton (@iammelissaclayton)

Melissa Claytons obsession with Pinterest started with the platforms release in 2010. As an entrepreneur at the time, she quickly realized the potential of the platform. She began learning the dos and donts all the while working as a business owner herself. Over the years, she recognized an opportunity to extend the strategies to business owners as she noticed how underutilized Pinterest is, especially by most businesses without a physical product.

In 2019, she founded Pinfinite Profits, a group coaching program designed to give business owners the tools and strategies needed to grow and monetize with Pinterest. In just a year, Melissa has helped numerous brands connect with their target customers through Pinterest. Her bootcamp training usually spans in just 10 days, giving her clients immediate results. Melissa arranges the online training in small groups to allow business-centered conversations in the spirit of teamwork and encourage them to bounce ideas comfortably. After completion of the bootcamp, Melissa makes herself available for her students to reach out to her freely in case of any issues or questions that may arise. With a decade of experience on her hands, Melissa is a Pinterest expert to keep an eye on.

Emma Henderson (@digitalnomadmarketingco)

Emma Henderson is a Pinterest expert and online business coach based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Starting her career in marketing and e-commerce in New York City, it wasnt until she was acquainted with a friend of Pinterests founder in a training course she attended, that she realized the power of Pinterest for online business. Applying what she learned, she began implementing Pinterest marketing strategies at work and eventually on her online business. After leaving NYC for a quieter life in North Carolina, Emma decided to take the leap and started her own business, Digital Nomad Marketing Co.

Initially Emma focused solely on offering Pinterest management services to high-caliber online businesses. However, she saw an opportunity to extend her knowledge about the platform, expanding her offerings with the addition of her top-rated Pinterest Marketing course, The Pin Method, and Pinterest VA mentorship program. On top of that, she recently introduced coaching and mentorship programs geared towards ambitious online business owners wanting to grow their brand. She believes that if you are only focused on the growth of your social media accounts and you cant show how that impacts the business as a whole, then proving ROI is nearly impossible. With this in mind, Emma approaches her coaching by ensuring ROI and all of the factors affecting it are clear from the start.

Her vision is to continue educating her students on the power of Pinterest, while also guiding them towards clarifying their vision, taking inspired action, and hitting consistent five-figure months.

Archana Haarnack (@iarchana)

Archana Haarnack is a Pinterest marketing expert living and working in Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. Growing up, she wanted to become a stewardess and travel the world, but she had a change of heart after finishing Tourism in college and becoming a European hostess. She discovered the Internet and learned everything about making websites by herself. In 2005, Archana started a blog for her other passion including interior, furniture, and bedroom design. She discovered trends about home dcor on Pinterest and started meeting other interior bloggers to connect with.

Her passion for interior design and everything she learned about blogging, social media, online marketing, SEO, and Pinterest led her to start a marketing agency focused on helping interior and bedding brands grow their business, traffic, and sales with Pinterest. Her knowledge and experience with the platform helped her grow as a Pinterest Marketing Expert. Archana began using Pinterest in 2010, but it wasnt until 2014 that she was able to turn her hobby into a business. Developing her own unique strategies, she now shares all her Pinterest knowledge with people wanting to grow their reach and traffic. She offers her services through in-person and online training, managing Pinterest accounts, and Pinterest ads campaigns. All these thanks to her decision to pivot a career 15 years ago. Now, Archana gets invited to speak at events, share tips in podcasts and interviews, and is a columnist for a Dutch publication called Bedding Business Magazine.

Make sure to follow each of these incredible Pinterest experts, as they continue to help their clients thrive and leverage the amazing tools pinterest has to offer. Each of their Instagram's have been directly linked here. Finally, we would like to thank Boost Media Agency for taking the time to put this article together.

Media Details Contact: Lewis Schenk Company: Boost Media Agency Phone: 3106001787 Email: operations@boostmediaofficial.page Website: http://www.boostmediaofficial.page

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The Top 10 Pinterest Coaches and Strategists to Follow - GlobeNewswire

Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. We may receive a small commission from our partners, like American Express, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Building wealth isn't easy, and for most people, it takes time.

But for some, having a few good habits can help accelerate the process. Financial coach and author Tomeka Lynch Purcell has taught hundreds of people how to spend, save, and invest, but before that, she went on her own wealth-building journey.

There are three habits that she developed along the way, and she now includes them in her books and tries to instill them in her financial-coaching clients.

Lynch Purcell says that investing has been critical to growing her wealth. And, since investing is a key way to grow money over time, it's become something she actually enjoys.

She says she's just as excited to buy a stock or a share as any material item. "Never in a million years did I ever think stocks and their increases would make me giddy, but they do," she says.

"I spend money to build my net worth. The increasing revenues of investments can help change your mindset about money," she says. "Seeing your dollar increase from $1,000 to $10,000 over time builds your confidence to continue to invest."

While treating yourself to something you want every once and a while is necessary, Lynch Purcell says that people have to know their limits. "I am told often that I am frugal, but I like to always see where my money is spent," she says.

"I limit my spending to necessity only, and [buy] something I want, not need, once in a while," says Lynch Purcell.

Lynch Purcell says she limits the number of purchases she makes that lose value over time.

While things like homes can gain value over time, things like cars often lose value. "Never can you obtain a return on your investment making a purchase of no value," she says.

On her own financial journey, she's tried to avoid spending more than necessary on these things. "Depreciating assets are major mistakes in trying to grow your dollar," she says. While they're sometimes impossible to avoid, it's about minimizing damage and making growing assets a priority.

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A financial coach who's worked with hundreds of clients says 3 things helped her build her own wealth - Business Insider

In this Tuesday, May 7, 2019, file courtroom drawing, defendant Keith Raniere, center, leader of the secretive group NXIVM, is seated between his attorneys Paul DerOhannesian, left, and Marc Agnifilo during the first day of his sex trafficking trial. Raniere, a self-improvement guru whose organization NXIVM attracted millionaires and actresses among its adherents, faces sentencing Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, on convictions that he turned some female followers into sex slaves branded with his initials. (Elizabeth Williams via AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) Disgraced self-improvement guru Keith Raniere, whose NXIVM followers included millionaires and Hollywood actors, was sentenced to 120 years on Tuesday for turning some adherents into sex slaves branded with his initials.

U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis handed down the sentence in federal court in Brooklyn after a lengthy hearing featuring statements by victims of a sex-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in Ranieres conviction last year.

Prosecutors had sought life in prison while defense lawyers said he should face 15 years behind bars.

Raniere, 60, had shown no remorse, with his lawyers telling the judge before the sentencing that their client wasnt sorry for his conduct or his choices.

The sentencing culminated several years of revelations about Ranieres program, NXIVM, which charged thousands of dollars for invitation-only self improvement courses at its headquarters near Albany, New York, along with branches in Mexico and Canada. Adherents included millionaires and Hollywood actresses willing to endure humiliation and pledge obedience to the defendant as part of his teachings.

NXIVM has been the subject of two TV documentary series this year, HBOs The Vow, and the Starz series Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult.

Prosecutors said Raniere led what amounted to a criminal enterprise, inducing shame and guilt to influence and control co-conspirators who helped recruit and groom sexual partners for Raniere. He was convicted on charges including racketeering, alien smuggling, sex trafficking, extortion and obstruction of justice.

They said that among other crimes, Raniere began a sexual relationship in 2005 with a 15-year-old girl and confined another teenager to a room for nearly two years.

Raniere had come under harsh attack on Tuesday from former followers during sentencing in his sex-trafficking case.

India Oxenberg, the daughter of Dynasty actress Catherine Oxenberg, called him an entitled little princess and a sexual predator and lamented that she may have to spend the rest of my life with Keith Raneires initials seared into me.

The likelihood of leniency had seemed to dissipate with the recent sentencing of Clare Bronfman, 41, an heir to the Seagrams liquor fortune, for her role in what has been described by some ex-members as a cult. Bronfman was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison. Prosecutors had only sought five years.

Ex-followers told the judge that Bronfman for years had used her wealth to try to silence NXIVM defectors.

Renieres followers called him Vanguard. To honor him, the group formed a secret sorority comprised of female slaves who were branded with his initials and ordered to have sex with him, the prosecutors said. Women were also pressured into giving up embarrassing information about themselves that could be used against them if they left the group.

Along with Bronfman, Ranieres teachings won him the devotion of Hollywood actors including Allison Mack of TVs Smallville. Mack also has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

In a sentencing submission, lawyers for Reniere said he continues to assert his complete innocence to these charges.

They wrote that his jury conviction at an unfair trial resulted from a media campaign involving witnesses who were motivated to testify falsely as part of a heavy-handed prosecution that threatened potential defense witnesses.

His lawyers said the life prison term prosecutors sought was excessive.

No one was shot, stabbed, punched, kicked, slapped or even yelled at, they said. Despite the sex offenses, there is no evidence that any woman ever told Keith Raniere that she did not want to kiss him, touch him, hold his hand or have sex with him.

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Books to help you centre yourself and realign your goals.

The feeling of getting lost in a book is incomparable not even a binge-worthy TV show comes close to the peace, quiet and grasping power of literature. Self-improvement is a genre of reads on rise, more so in the recent years end especially right now when the circumstances of 2020 have forced us to take a long, hard look at ourselves and how we want to life our lives to truly be happy. Its a journey, and a good next step forward is to escape (ironically inwards) with books that people have praised for helping them reshape their outlook on life. These are our favourites of the best self-improvement books today.

With a title immediately gripping, the New York Times Bestseller is a modern day self-help guide with all the cuss words, good jokes, and cold hard truths. Mark Manson, who also blogs, believes the key to life is living without trying to be happy or positive all the time. The author believes in embracing the mediocracy of human nature and the world itself while defining what matters, and who matters, to drive your everyday choices. As he not-so-subtly puts it, there are only so many things we can chose to truly care about and this books help you define yours and why some of those cares are the reason for any feelings of being stuck or unfulfilled.

Buy it here.

Pema Chdrn is a very well respected American Tibetan Buddhist, ordained nun, former acharya of Shambhala Buddhism and disciple of Chgyam Trungpa Rinpoche. In this book, Pema collects all the lessons and insight gained from softening through hard times in life, touching on the hardest experiences we all have like death and other losses. Her advice draws from Buddhist wisdomswhile including personal stories of her hardships, and how she uses the teachings to transform. The book is now released with a cover for its 20th-anniversary edition.

Buy it here.

Oprah Winfreys Super Soul Sunday is a spiritual-themed series you can thankfully also catch on YouTube. Each episode is as Oprah puts it an aha moment. This book is a collection of all the biggest aha moments of the three-time Emmy Award-winning show, organised into ten different topics or branches of spirituality. These insights come from guests includes Tony Robbins, Arianna Huffington, Eckhart Tolle, Thich Nhat Hahn, and Elizabeth Gilbert. There are also accompanying photographs and a personal essay by Oprah herself.

Buy it here.

To know where were going, we have to know where we came from and what a lot we can learn our own biological engineering. The no.1 international bestseller is the work of renowned historian,Yuval Noah Harari, who explores the way our history throughout existence has shaped how we function as a human race. All the data forces us to look ahead at the possibilities for evolution of human kind, and within ourselves.

Buy it here.

This is a book for women whove clung so tightly (without even realising) to the ideas of womanhood: what being a good mother, partner, sister, friend or colleague looks, and how we should feel in these roles. If youve ever thought to yourself, Wasnt it all supposed to be more beautiful than this?. are you in for a ride. Glennon Doyle was already a best-selling author of a book about her happily ever after with a husband and kids after overcoming her addiction to alcohol and bulimia. The more she learns what it is to be brave, the more she is inched towards her true self and her knowing, ultimately finding out what it means to be living courageously and authentically.

Buy it here.

(Main image credit: Min An on Pexels)

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5 self-improvement books that will change your life - Prestige Online

Whos leading the way when it comes to cutting back on meat consumption? Women, Democrats, and non-white peopleat least according to a Gallup poll released earlier this year. According to their survey, 23% of Americans are eating less meat, or report that they have reduced their meat consumption in the past year from when the poll was conducted. And when it comes to eating meatless,that was before the coronavirus had more people searching for meat alternatives than ever. Women are about twice as likely as men to say theyre eating less meat, clocking in at 31% to 15%, respectively. Overall, its been estimated that 80% of vegans in the U.S. are womenthats a whopping four out of five plant-based people you meet.

In light of the uptick of women making the plant-based plungewhich we can only assume is growing in the wake of the growing interest in a nutrient-dense, vegan lifestyle to support health in wake of the coronavirus pandemicwe asked experts to weigh in on the gender disparity, sharing both the good and the bad. Below, we dive into the main reasons more women than men might be #GoingVegan.

Women in society are cast to be more nurturing and protectors, which also carries on to their nurturing and protective nature towards animals and the environment, offers Bansari Acharya, MA, RD. It is easier for a woman to show compassion towards animals and provide reasons to her friends, family, or society on why she became vegan as most people will be more accepting towards a woman becoming vegan than a man due to the role society plays in how we differently men and women are perceived. Of course, this isnt to say men arent compassionate people, simply that in mainstream culture, a woman may feel more comfortable publicly avowing her stance on animal cruelty and protecting our planets natural resources.

Women are more likely to undergo change processes in their lives, and this may result in more women than men applying that ethos (or feeling pressured) to their diet. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, A Harvard trained clinical psychologist currently working at Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, in New York City, weighs in: Women are [more susceptible to embarking on journeys of change] and therefore inclined to change their diet because they are primed towards self-improvement processes in other domains of their lives.

Of course, this can be an empowering thing, as many women may be inspired to go vegan proactively as a decision to reduce their risk of diseases like diabetes or cancer.

Alas, those The Grill Sergeant and Licensed to Grill macho man shirt logos may simply be a source of eye-rolling at a barbecue gathering, but the underlying psychology of such shirts is telling: Many men feel like grilling is an important part of their identity. Jamie Hickey, NASM, FMS certified trainer, and ISSA nutritionist. and founder of TruismFitness.comhas seen this time and time again with mens egos.

Ive spent years talking to clients and have heard more than a handful of men tell me they have thought about going on a vegan diet but were worried about what their friends would say, says Hickey. Mentally men feel like they need to be tough and a carnivore diet instills the hunter mentality whereas a vegan diet has the stigma of being more of a womens diet.

Societys cultural notions of masculinity have linked meat and manliness together for centuries. Just notice how meat marketing often targets men, not women, comments Marie Elena Bitar, MPH, RD, Founder and Owner of Beyond Food Rules, harkening back to our discussion above about grilling and barbecue culture. On the flip side, Bitar adds that women are often at mercy of the stigma associated with overeating and feel pressured to maintain a trim physique. For some, in turn, this could inspire them to opt for low-calorie vegan meals.

Unfortunately, in these cases, going vegan gives women (or anyone for that matter) an opportunity to shield loved ones from an eating disorder.Its a lot easier to decline a decadent dessert by saying I cant eat that, Im vegan rather than I cant eat that, I have an eating disorder, comments Bitar.

Many women find themselves going vegan as they continue to see the link between plant-based diets and hormone balance. The woman's body is designed to store fat more easily than men so that it can both grow and nurture life, comments Best. Because of this fact, a diet inclusive of animal sources means higher rates of saturated fat and an increase in fat stores. A plant-based diet provides the dieter with nutrient rich-calories that are used more readily by the body as energy rather than excess being stored as fat.

Additionally, as Best elucidates, hormones serve a key role in fat stores. Eating estrogen from animal sources, even organic grass-fed sources causes something known as estrogen dominance. This equates to higher levels of estrogen in the body, excess stress on the liver, and inevitable weight gain and potential toxicity. Plant-based diets are connected with lowering estrogen in the body to a level that is safe and effective, says Best.

From joint pain to skin conditions, inflammation is no fun, and many women want to take the reins on their health and fight that with the powers of plant-based foods and are perhaps more attuned to this than their male counterparts. Another reason for women turning to a vegan diet is the anti-inflammatory nature of the diet itself. Foods on a vegan diet are both void of inflammatory foods and rich in anti-inflammatory foods making it an ideal eating pattern for anyone with chronic inflammation, offers Richards. As women age, the inflammation in their bodies can increase, but this inflammation can also exacerbate existing health conditions like pain, arthritis, energy, and weight gain.

As the wellness industry is more dominated by women than men, its no surprise that more women are inspired to make lifestyle changes than men. One area of particular focus? Sanity.

I follow a plant-based diet, myself, and my reasons are primarily for my mental health and clarity. Cutting out potential allergens and inflammatory foods has improved my personal cognition, says Best. There is certainly research that shows these benefits, but for me, I've observed the proof for myself.

Ready to see the proof in the pudding, ladies? To get started on your vegan journey, check out our 21-day plant-based challenge.

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7 Reasons Vegans Are More Likely to Be Women Than Men - The Beet

As told to Melissa Pandika

I LIVED A TYPICAL American lifestyle in my 20splenty of happy hours and plates of fried Buffalo wings. Then in 2002, when I was 30, it landed me in the hospital with a heart condition. I had never been diagnosed and couldnt afford a screening because I didnt have insurance. The doctors did offer me a pacemaker, but I was scared to have heart surgery, so I ended up checking out of the hospital.

That was a life-altering experience, one that sent me down the path of wellness. I started juicing fruits and vegetables and occasionally attempting the yoga poses in my dads books. I was also running every day. But sometimes my heart would stop beating while I was running, and Id bang my chest and cough. On one of my jogs, I saw my father under a pine tree at the park, preparing to do yoga. Since my heart was acting up again, I decided to head over to him and just die in his arms. Youre looking good out there, he said. I could sense his love and hope for me. Right then I wanted to live. I wanted to practice yoga and embody that aspect of my dads life even more. Later that week, I signed up for my first yoga class.

My dad is 79 now, and he spent 37 years serving as a first sergeant in the U.S. Army, all while practicing yoga. Im not sure how or why he got into yoga, but when he was only 21, his father died. After that, he became an ultra health fanatic. I always thought that juxtaposition was interesting: Here he was, a soldier, but also a man, bare-chested, with his body twisted into knots every morning in the living room.

I think I chose yoga as my main form of fitness to be like him. Id never witnessed him in discomfort or poor health my entire life. After a checkup with my cardiologist, I started regularly practicing yoga on my own, with my fathers guidance, and I found it gave me a heightened body awareness. I can feel a cold coming and know when to intervene. Ive grown more sensitive to what I put into my body. I used to love cosmopolitans and margaritas, but now I dont like the way alcohol makes me feel.

Yoga has brought me a certain emotional awareness that I wasnt used to before.

After three months of my new health regimen, I returned to my cardiologist for a checkup, and he was amazed to find my heart in excellent condition. He told me I never had to come back. I kept practicing yoga until I felt I had something to offer it, in the same way that MCs like Kendrick Lamar provide us with a great body of work and dont just take from hip-hop. I discovered that yoga offered me the same opportunity to give of my whole self.

I set out to create a safe space for other Black men to reap the benefits of yoga, one that was welcoming culturally and with mens bodies in mind. The Black Male Yoga Initiative grew out of that need. My goal: to train 1,000 people of color as yoga teachers, all of whom would train ten more people of color so it becomes a bigger part of who we are as people.

BLACK AND BROWN men are considered anomalies in this countrys yoga community, which is still largely young, white, and female. I actually stopped going to commercial yoga studios and did a self-practice for four to six hours a day. If I felt something wasnt correct, I would read classic texts to identify what I was missing.

The yoga community in Maryland can be surprisingly judgmental: Ill say, Hey, I practice yoga; I own a yoga studio, and the first question out of peoples mouths is often Oh, do you teach in the prisons? When I answer no, they ask, Do you work with kids in schools? I doubt my counterparts of other ethnicities get those questions.

I want men of color to know theyre welcome and wanted, and I want to earn their trust and respect by not committing these or other microaggressions. Ill ask them to hold a downward dog for 60 seconds but let them know that ten is fine. I want these rough-and-tumble guys to feel comfortable. One time, I was in a private lesson, working with this one guy on heart, hamstring, and shoulder openers, when he looked up and said, I feel like I want to cry right now. Whats happening?

Yoga has brought me a certain emotional awareness that I wasnt used to before. Before, if I felt myself get low, Id try to dull the pain by playing basketball. But now I ask, Why is that here? What is this going to teach me? Amid all the polarity and protests against police violence, the practice has given me an equanimity. I dont feel neutral about whats going on, but balanced in my mind and body, and solution-oriented, the same as I would be in a difficult pose.

I ask myself, how can Black men prioritize internal peace when a war is being waged externally on their bodies? That question has guided my personal journey to discovering peace and my calling to make it accessible to all, especially those who look like me.

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Changa Bell Explains Why He Created the Black Male Yoga Initiative - menshealth.com

Chance York is defying stereotypes and proving yoga practice is for everyone.

MINNEAPOLIS October is Emotional Wellness Month, but for Chance York, it's a lifestyle year-round. Of course, you have to start somewhere. For York, it was by following instructions in a pocket-sized book in the dorms freshman year.

"Yoga for Dummies," he said. "They don't even make this edition anymore but it changed my life. I feel connected, I feel peaceful, I feel like I'm learning about myself. I didn't know I could sweat just by breathing."

Then, like many of us, he got busy with other things.

"Out and about all the time, and I just found my lifestyle to be very unhealthy physically, emotionally, spiritually," York said.

Four and a half years ago, he remembered that little book and the way yoga made him feel. Today, he is a certified mindfulness and yoga instructor at several Twin Cities studios and organizations, including One Yoga and the YMCA.

"I use meditation, yoga, behavioral psychology, social-emotional learning to educate people of different ages," he said.

And different backgrounds.

"One of my favorite classes I get to teach is through a nonprofit called Black Boys OM," York said. "Yoga was more presented towards suburban white housewives. That really stigmatized large populations of people to think it's only for those types of people. So there is a lot of just like, you know, 'Black men shouldn't be practicing yoga because it's not masculine or it's not tough.' The purpose of this nonprofit is to destigmatize that."

"It takes a certain amount of bravery to walk into a yoga studio, and even more so if no one in there looks like you," York said.

Due to the pandemic, most yoga studios have moved to Zoom. So it might be a good time for anyone who has felt nervous to start.

"When you think of yoga as more than just being on the mat and just stretching and breathing and stuff, it's really a lifestyle of bringing more compassion and more awareness and less autopilot into your life. And you can get in touch with me, or there are many other great teachers out there," York said.

For more mental wellness resources, click here.

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Twin Cities yoga instructor part of special network for Black men - KARE11.com

Heres a question: What do you get when you add together tons of time spent at home and loads of stress induced by a global pandemic? Answer: a very tired, tight body and mind. A body that desperately craves gentle stretching, room to breathe, and stability amidst the madness, if only for a few minutes every day.

If you arent someone who already practices yoga and meditation, theres no better time to start. Since many classes have moved online during the pandemic, its one of the few workouts you can do in the comfort of your living room with minimal equipment. And with the holidays fast approaching, you have every incentive to seek out the best yoga gifts for someone you love (including yourself). From accessories that complement their practice to studio-quality props (like woven blankets and meditation cushions) that round out their home studio, here is a selection of our favorite yoga-minded gift ideas that will satisfy everyone from the longtime yoga lover to the total beginner.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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17 Best Yoga Gifts for the Yoga Lover In Your Life - Self