When Yahoo recently announced Marissa Mayer as its new CEO and only the 20th female CEO in the Fortune 500 you'd kinda expect women to cheer. But Mayer's golden opportunity, her $70 million pay package and the fact that one of the world's largest Internet companies is literally putting its fate into her capable hands hardly entered into public reaction. Because Mayer is pregnant. And while countless working women around the world have managed to successfully balance a baby in one hand and a Blackberry in the other, few are cheering Mayer's drive to have it all.

In fact, most of the buzz appears to be centered around Mayer's decision to only take a few weeks of maternity leave - and work through it to boot. The overwhelming reaction is that if this first-time mom can handle the challenge, it'll mean a sacrifice of the leave-the-baby-at-home-with-a-nanny variety. It'll mean being torn between motherhood and a career that up to this point, has been her baby. And the underlying current in all of this debate is that whatever arrangement Mayer works out, it will (or should) entail feeling very, very guilty. Whether that guilt should be directed at the fact that she won't be the kind of mother who spends all day making nutritious meals and attending playgroups or because at 37, she's already worth a fortune (and hasn't she done enough?), isn't clear.

What is clear is that when a woman dares to make no apologies, to be employed, ambitious and hungry for more, it makes everyone a little uncomfortable, and perhaps women most of all. And swirling in all that debate is one fundamental truth that persists about women despite all the doors that continue to open for us: we have a hard time owning that success, even when, as in Mayer's case, it isn't our own.

Guilty as she is

According to a 2010 survey out of Britain, 96 percent of women feel guilty at least once a day. Two of the top things that plague them? Not spending enough time with family and neglecting work. For working mothers, that means guilt when they work late, when they don't have time to bake a homemade birthday cake, or when they make the time to do it anyway. In other words, many women are feeling intensely guilty almost all of the time.

Men? Not so much. Ninety-two percent of the survey's respondents said that men feel less guilt than women. (Can you imagine Mark Zuckerberg admitting that building Facebook left him racked with a sense of personal failure?)

Indeed, have you ever seen a successful man who didn't totally own it? Or, come to think of it, a really successful woman for that matter? Neither have we. So maybe it's time for women to own their success and applaud it in others - rather than be ashamed of it. Here's why...

Designer swag is lovely, but what women really need to be sporting is swagger, and for one very obvious reason: because we can. Women are entering an era where we have more choices than ever before. The choice to step up to the plate in a game that only recently became co-ed; the choice to get into the game without an assumption of handicap; the choice to succeed; and even the choice to walk away from it all whether to raise a family or just because we want to.

Now about success; it isn't something that happens accidentally while we aren't paying attention. It's a choice. (Mayer, for example, is a hard-driving tech superstar and design genius who graduated with honours from Stanford University, routinely puts in 90-hour work weeks, and runs marathons in her spare time.)

So whether you're leading a company or kicking butt at managing your household, give yourself some credit. Women now have more options than ever, but the bottom line is that if you work hard at what you do, you're choosing success, and that's nothing to be ashamed about.

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You go girl: Why you shouldn’t feel guilty about your success

The NCAA season is over and the U.S. Olympic Trials have come and gone, but the Heath brothers continue run.

Former Stanford standouts Elliott Heath and Garrett Heath traveled to Europe this summer to run a series of meets on the European circuit and both have been highly successful running against some of the best athletes in the world.

Garrett graduated in 2009, but has since earned a Master's degree and is pursuing a PhD at Stanford. He has also worked as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cardinal while running professionally for Saucony. His attempt at glory at the U.S Olympic Trials fell just short, but since then Garrett has been busy lowering his personal bests in Europe.

After a series of races in the U.S. and Canada this spring, the older Heath had lowered his PR to 3:36 in the 1,500 meters, running that same time on multiple occasions.

His European tour began in Heusden, Belgium where he placed second in a fast 1,500, running 3:36.65. Later, he moved on to Sparkhaggen, Germany where he ran a tactical race, finishing fourth in 3:38.33. A couple days later, he ran nearly an identical time, but improved to second at the Cappeentanta Games in Kimpinen, Finland. The times were slightly off his personal best, but showed he could mix it up with some top competition in more tactical races.

Later, Garrett move don to a true mile and ran an outdoor personal best of 3:57.18 at the Morton Games in Dublin, Ireland. The race was against an elite field that saw 10 athletes break the four-minute barrier.

Garrett also broke an outdoor personal best in the 3,000 meters in Szczecin, Poland, running a time of 7:51.34 at the Kusoc Meet.

Garrett's younger brother, Elliott, also has been busy earning his first experience on the pro circuit after finishing up his Stanford eligibility during this past indoor season. The former NCAA indoor champion in the 3,000 meters placed seventh at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 5,000, but has an extremely bright professional career ahead of him.

Elliott began the trip by winning a pair of 1,500-meter heats, first at Kortrijk, Belgium in 3:43.51. Then he set a personal best in the event, running 3:40.17 to win his heat and place second overall at a meet in Nivove, Belgium.

He then moved on to run the mile in Cork, Ireland, finishing with his first sub-four minute mile on the trip at 3:58.48.

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Run of success for Heath brothers in Europe

The FDA is unlikely to rule out personal genetics tests, but it may require that physicians get more involved.

Self awareness: 23andMe ships "spit kits" directly to consumers who want to explore their genetic makeup. flickr creative commons | Pelle Sten

Personal genetics company 23andMe announced it has applied for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for seven of its genetic tests. The company hopes that FDA approval will increase consumer confidence and interest in its tests, and ultimately feed into its goal of crowdsourcing human genetic information for medical research.

But it could be a risky moveif regulatory approval includes a requirement for a medical provider's involvement, that could interfere with the company's direct-to-consumer model, at least for some of its tests.

"That's the part where we are going to have to see how it plays out," says Linda Avey, a cofounder of 23andMe who has since left the company. The direct-to-consumer model was a founding principle of 23andMe, which emphasizes individual participation in health and medicine, says Avey.

23andMe, in which Google has invested $6.5 million, offers a genome analysis test directly to consumers, who can use the product to explore their genetic risk for everything from curly hair to Alzheimer's disease. Although the company isn't disclosing which particular tests it is seeking regulatory approval for, Ashley Gould, vice president for corporate development and chief legal officer, says the tests are medically relevant and examine genetic variants with disease connections that are well supported by scientific research. The company is already working on a second submission, and plans to eventually seek approval for some 100 of its 240 tests.

The company has made two other significant moves within the medical arena in recent months. In May, the company patented a genetic variant for Parkinson's disease risk. Last month, 23andMe acquired a patient networking site called Cure Together, an online forum where users share stories of their personal experiences with disease and treatment (see "23andMe Expands Its Data-Mining Operations").

For $299, you can order a genetic test for every genetic trait the Silicon Valley-based company examines. Consumers receive a kit in the mail and return a saliva sample that is then analyzed for around a million variants in the genome. Some of the variants connect to harmless traits like eye color. Others have serious medical implications, such as risk for Parkinson's disease and how an individual's body will respond to certain drugs.

This isn't the first time 23andMe has dealt with the FDA. In 2010, the FDA sent letters of warning to 23andMe and four other direct-to-consumer genetics companies, warning them that their genetic testing service is a medical device and thus needs regulatory approval. The FDA says it oversees direct-to-consumer genetic tests to ensure that such products are safe and effective, and to make sure that manufacturers deliver on their medical claims. "The goal is to ensure that consumers have access to accurate and reliable information that consumers can use to help better understand their own health needs and how to go about seeking additional information," said an agency spokesperson by e-mail.

23andMe's move to seek regulatory approval is a first for the direct-to-consumer genetics market, and is widely viewed as a necessary step forward. "I think it's a positive move in general for the industry and the field," says Cinnamon Bloss, a clinical psychologist at the Scripps Translational Science Institute who studies how people respond to the kind of genomic information supplied by 23andMe and others. "A central issue is going to be how [the FDA] responds to the notion of offering these tests directly to the consumer," she says.

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Personal Genetics Company Seeks Regulatory Approval

By Deni Kirkova

PUBLISHED: 05:22 EST, 3 August 2012 | UPDATED: 08:20 EST, 3 August 2012

Laughing, disco dancing, and socialising are not activities you'd usually associate with yoga.

Its reputation of complicated twists, stretching and 'omming' leaves little room for the inclusion of fun. The ancient Indian practice is commonly seen as, well, serious. But it needn't be.

Funnily enough, the word yoga, from the ancient Sanskrit language, literally means 'to join' or 'to unite', so there's no need to alienate it from everyday life or indulgences.

Bridging the gap: Funk the Buddha combines yoga with entertainment and socialising

Founder of the newest yoga craze sweeping Europe, Rachel Okimo, says, 'You can take the group yoga experience to the next level; out of the studio and into the playground of our cities, bridging the gap between our yoga and social sanctuaries.'

This is the philosophy adopted through her brainchild, Funk the Buddha.

The bi-monthly pop-up venture comprises of a 90 minute yoga practice, followed by entertainment and socialising with optional dinner and drinks, and a goody bag, all for a 20 ticket.

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Yoga goes pop! New craze for disco yoga hits the UK. FEMAIL dons a leotard and joins the sun salutations

Luke Power ... Giant steps forward. Photo: Janie Barrett

Its been over three AFL seasons since Leigh Matthews last directive from the coachs box, but his influence around the league continues to resonate - as far as the vast surrounds of western Sydney.

Matthews ended a productive stint at Brisbane in 2008, but much like Kevin Sheedy at Essendon, he left the club having planted the coaching seed in some of the AFLs sharpest minds.

The latest sapling to sprout is Luke Power at Greater Western Sydney.

The 32-year-old is the Giants most experienced co-captain, and one of a handful of old hands to juggle coaching and playing duties.

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While Power did a lot of the same for much of the 282 games he played with the Lions - guiding young players through the rigours of AFL - the official coaching tag has come with a greater understanding of tactics.

Its pretty similar, but now theres a lot more involvement in how Kevin [Sheedy] and [assistant coach] Mark [Williams] want our game to be played, Power says.

We [the playing coaches] are probably a lot more over it, just because were dealing with it every day. Were running meetings, sitting in on important meetings that decide the way were going to play. I guess thats the big change. Were living it a little bit more.

Were all learning all the time. Im learning, one - about myself. But also learning about the industry and seeing it from a different perspective.

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Luke loving life as Giant big brother

PROVO, Utah The BYU mens basketball coaching staff will participate in the American Cancer Societys Relay for Life on Aug. 10 and 11 at Provo High School.

Head coach Dave Rose will kick off the event with a speech and the Survivors Lap, where cancer survivors lead the way around the track while being honored and applauded by all participants.

The coaching staff has entered a team in this years Relay for Life to assist in the fundraising efforts of the American Cancer Society and to honor Emily Austin, a teenager from Orem who has battled Leukemia since she was 5 years old.

The Roses met Emily and her family through the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation, an organization that provides Christmas gifts to families with children fighting cancer. Dave and Cheryl and the BYU basketball team have supported the foundation for more than a decade.

Dave Rose battled a rare form of pancreatic cancer during the summer of 2009 and every member of the coaching staff has a close relative who has battled cancer or lost their life to the disease. Cheryl Rose lost her sister Janet to breast cancer just last year. Dave Rose was scheduled to speak at the opening of the Relay for Life in Provo last year but had to cancel to attend Janets funeral.

How to Donate

Donations can be made to any member of the BYU Basketball Relay for Life team or online atwww.relayforlife.org. One hundred percent of all donations will be used to support cancer patients and cancer research.

About Relay for Life

The goal of Relay for Life is to "create a world where more people survive cancer so they can celebrate another birthday. This year more than 11 million people will be able to do that thanks to the support of millions of dedicated Relay participants."

Relay for Life is an overnight relay-style event held in communities throughout the world and is the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Members of each team take turns walking around a track for the duration of the event. Food, games and activities provide entertainment and fundraising opportunities in a family-friendly environment for the entire community.

Originally posted here:
Basketball coaches to participate in relay for life

QUESTION: What is the first major difference you think Rams fans will see this year when it comes to the influence of new head coach Jeff Fisher on this team?

JIM THOMAS

I think well see a more physical, aggressive team on both sides of the ball because Fisher will demand it. Thats one reason he brought CB Cortland Finnegan in on defense and also why he hired Paul Boudreau as his offensive line coach. In their own ways, they will be tone-setters.

DAN ONEILL

If you had to put it into one word, I would use confidence. Jeff Fisher is a guy who is comfortable in his own skin and certain of his surroundings. He IS a head coach, hes not trying to be a head coach. He knows what he wants to do, knows how to go about it. He has assembled a veteran group of coaches cut from the same cloth.

Collectively, they exude a purpose and confidence that seems palpable with these players. The Rams have a lot of free agents, a lot of new faces in camp. They are extremely young and generally inexperienced. But they have a veteran coaching staff that is excited about whats taking place, passionate about building something.

It reminds me a little of what happened with the Blues. Management was making a lot of determinations about its talent base, strengths, weaknesses, needs, etc. when it decided to relieve young coach Davis Payne. When the Blues hired Ken Hitchcock, it effectively took the coaching situation out of he equation, i.e. eliminated the possibility the players werent getting the proper direction.

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Life with the Rams now that Fisher’s king

The Philadelphia Flyers technically don't have a revolving door of coaches. Yet Flyers fans like myself know not to get too attached to them, as they usually leave after four years at the most. However, the franchise is ready to let Peter Laviolette break that trend, after giving him a multi-year extension on Aug. 2.

If Laviolette finishes his new contract, he will coach until the end of the 2014-15 season, which would be the end of his sixth year with the Flyers. This would be historic in Philadelphia, as no Flyers coach has lasted more than four years since two-time Stanley Cup champion Fred Shero, who made it through seven.

Several coaches like Ken Hitchcock, Pat Quinn, Mike Keenan, Paul Holmgren and John Stevens have made it to a fourth year, but gone no further. If Laviolette can survive longer, it will give him a real chance to be the second greatest Flyers coach of all time. Of course, actually winning a Stanley Cup like Shero did will help even more.

Laviolette has won at least one playoff round for the Flyers every season, and gotten to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals after taking over in December 2009. He already has the resume as one of the top coaches in Philadelphia history, but he needs one more deep playoff run to really rise up the list. With a young core developing under him and with Claude Giroux becoming one of the NHL's top superstars, a few more years with this squad could be all Laviolette needs.

Still, there is no guarantee that one bad stretch or poor start won't put Laviolette's job in jeopardy. He won a Stanley Cup for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, yet got fired just 25 games into his fifth season anyway. If the Flyers underachieve to a great extent, there will be more pressure to make a big change - plus it has been two years since Laviolette actually got Philadelphia past the first round.

In any case, the next NHL season could be delayed, shortened or even canceled due to a lockout, so Laviolette and the Flyers may not even get their chance for a while. As such, he could have only two more full seasons under this new contract, and the Flyers may suffer from not having a full 2012-13 season to further develop their new stars.

This is usually the time when lockouts, setbacks, collapses and pure dumb luck occurs to ruin a Flyers coach. Except for Shero, they all flame out after a few years and leave the Flyers even further away from a Stanley Cup.

Laviolette has gotten closer to a Cup than many of those coaches, however, so Philadelphia has faith that he can go further with enough time. Yet if he has the longest tenure of any coach since Shero and doesn't deliver a Stanley Cup, it will make his failure all the more upsetting.

Robert Dougherty is a life-long Philadelphia resident and a Flyers fan since the age of eight.

Other stories from this contributor

Excerpt from:
Laviolette Poised for Second Longest Coaching Tenure in Flyers History: A Fan's Analysis

Navy Ships diver, joiner, model, barman, factory hand and certified fire sprinkler installer - Karn Waiwai has done them all but now believes he has found his ultimate career path.

After such a diverse and interesting work history, he is now firmly focused on study at UCOL Wairarapa and making his mark on the health and fitness industry.

Well known in Wairarapa rugby coaching circles, 33 year old Karn has always had an interest in physical fitness and exercise. It was by chance that he began teaching 'Crossfit' in Masterton last year to a small group of people.

Crossfit is regarded as garage fitness. "It's the good old fashioned, cardio and strength workout," says Karn.

Word got around and he was approached by Wairarapa Health and Social Services provider Whaiora to offer his fitness programme as a way to promote physical activity among members of the Maori community.

Within a few short months, the popularity of Karn's programme has seen his class sizes swell from six to twenty six regulars.

The cost to take part in the class is kept to a minimum and any profits go towards the purchase of basic equipment.

"I decided I wanted to learn more about the body and what it does," says Karn. "So I enrolled for the Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance at UCOL earlier this year."

It wasn't until Karn started studying at UCOL that he realised how relevant the course was to his work at Whaiora and Crossfit sessions. "Everything we were doing in class I was able to apply to my work straight away."

Karn recently ran a unique school holiday programme based on traditional Maori games and cultural experiences. "The kids were getting active without realising it and gaining cultural understanding at the same time."

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Karn is a good sport

WINNIPEG , Aug. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - Consumer Choice Award is thrilled to announce the 2012 Top Service Providers in the Health & Fitness Sector for the greater Winnipeg area. We would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to all this year's winners; your dedication to superior service has resonated with the people of the city of Winnipeg .

Each year across Canada , Consumer Choice Award gathers opinions, perceptions and expectations through the responses of thousands of consumers and businesses. All winners have gone through a rigorous selection process conducted by a third party research firm to ensure only the most outstanding service providers are the winners within their respective industry. Find the list of Award-Winners below:

About Consumer Choice Award

Consumer Choice Award (CCA) was established in 1987 and is considered the most distinguished award for business excellence in Canada . This is the only organization in North America to recognize business excellence by conducting third party market research of both the consumer & business community with statistical accuracy. The research method determines all the service providers, ultimately selects the top ranked companies, and establishes the winner within each industry.

Consumer Choice Award conducts its market research strictly with Leger Marketing, the leading Canadian-owned market research firm and memberof the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) of Market Researchers.

Consumer Choice Award lives in Calgary , Edmonton , Halifax , Hamilton, Montreal , Ottawa , Quebec City, Saskatoon, St. John's , Toronto , Vancouver and Winnipeg.

SOURCE: Consumer Choice Award

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2012 Winnipeg Consumer Choice Award Winners: Health & Fitness Sector