Wendy Boglioli

Weeks after winning Olympic Gold and Bronze, I had my first brush with the realities of aging when my father required around-the-clock care until his passing.  Long term care is expensive and takes its toll on families. Therefore, planning for it becomes absolutely vital. And the first step to any good plan is to confront reality and understand what, exactly, long term entails and how it can affect you and your family.

LifeHealthPro asked me to contribute a blog post to their insightful website about planning for Long Term Care. While it may not be a page-turning topic for most, it’s of vital importance for all of us to carefully consider our strategy and tackle it head on while there’s still time. Read my post on LifeHealthPro to get a start and let me know how you’re planning for your future!

Tags: LifeHealthPro, Long term care, LTC

Wendy is speaking for a private audience.

Wendy is presenting for a private First Command audience. Please speak with your local First Command Financial Services advisor about attending.

Wendy is pleased to play the MC role for a second year in a row during the Friends of FSH Research Annual Gala & Auction. Check her blog for additional information!

People often forget that to be the best, you must learn from those who have gone before you- those who have summitted un-surmountable peaks when others thought them impossible. I draw inspiration from many people, in all facets of my life, but one husband and wife duo continue to prove that love and dedication are the perfect concoction for advancing into territory not yet forged… even when it comes to finding a cure for a devastating disease.

I first met Rick Colella during the ’76 Games when he and I were both on the American Swim Team. It was Colella’s second Olympic appearance and he took home the bronze in the 200m breaststroke. Two decades later, my husband and I transplanted to the Seattle area and reconnected with Rick, a Seattle native. He was just as enthusiastic and dedicated as ever- but this time, his goal wasn’t the Olympic podium. And this time he had his wife, Terry, and their amazing family to share in the burden and the possibilities.

Diagnosis

While a teenager, Rick and Terrys’ son was diagnosed with FSHD (the most common form of Muscular Dystrophy), a slow and progressive weakening of skeletal muscles that gradually work their way down from the face to the shoulders and arms. The genetic disease has no obvious preferences and affects people of all ethnicities around the world. Lacking a cure and with a dismal outlook of finding one thanks to very limited research, the Colella’s decided to take action for their son by raising awareness and funding research on their own.

Friends of FSH Research

In 2004, they founded Friends of FSH Research, otherwise known as FiSHing for a Cure. Since then, they have dedicated an extraordinary amount of time and energy to help their son, and the estimated hundreds of thousands of others suffering from the disease. With their trailblazing attitude, the non-profit is decidedly different from many others: all money raised goes directly to FSHD research. Relying solely on the Colella’s and their tight knit volunteer team, Friends of FSH Research is run from their home… a feat even more remarkable when you consider that it has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in much-needed funding.

7th Annual Friends of FSH Research Gala & Auction

FiSHing for a Cure hosts an Annual Friends of FSH Research Gala and Auction, and I cannot tell you how honored and humbled I am to play a small role in the event. Playing MC for a second year in a row, this year’s gala took place last Saturday, January 28 2012, and once again set a new record.

I love MC’ing this event for so many reasons, not the least of which is that it is rare to find such a diverse, dedicated and enthusiastic group of donors and volunteers. It also served as something of a mini-Olympic reunion, with five alumni present! Great live music and a terrific atmosphere ushered in a fun evening made even better by the live and silent auctions that included private wine tastings, vacations, cheese making lessons with Beecher’s Hand Made Cheese (an Oprah favorite!) and more.

Among the highlights of the gala this year was the attendance of Kees van der Graaf, the Director the Dutch FSHD Foundation. Like Colella, van der Graaf’s son was also diagnosed with the disease in 1997, leading Kees and his wife Renee to begin their own initiative in their native Holland to help fund much-needed research. Van der Graaf beautifully told the tale of his family’s story, moving the audience and putting a perspective on helping fund critical research.

The generosity of so many people on Saturday night helped the Colella’s and crew raised over $170,000 (an impressive new record) that will go directly to research and find a cure for FSHD Muscular Dystrophy.

Groundbreaking Discoveries

Perhaps more exciting was news from the world-renowned Fred Hutchinson Research Center that came just days before the event. Thanks to significant funding from Friends of FSH Research, a laboratory crew has made groundbreaking discoveries that will turn the corner for future research and put the world one important step closer to finding the right therapies to treat the disease and a possible cure.

I cannot say thank you enough to the Colella’s- not only for inviting me to help them reach their goal in one very fun way (who wouldn’t love to be an MC?), but for giving so much of themselves when others might have long since called it a day. My hat goes off to you both, Rick and Terry- thank you for your continued perseverance and the example you give us all.

To learn more about Friends of FSH Research or to donate or volunteer your time, visit their website or find them on their Facebook Page.

Tags: Auction, Fishing for a Cure, Fred Hutchinson Research, Friends of FSH Research, FSHD, Kees van der Graaf, Muscular Dystrophy, Non-Profit, Rick Colella, Terry Colella

Nothing like starting off 2012 with a fun sprint workout! When it comes to speed, you’re going for quality and not quantity- pushing yourself to go faster than you thought possible. Adding in sprint workouts is the best way to achieve faster times, whether you’re a competing swimmer or just eager to see all your hardwork pay off on the time clock.

• 500 Warm up (your choice).

From the blocks…

• 5 x 100, with 90 seconds between each 100. First 75 should be @ 85% effort on each. Take 5 seconds and make the last 25 an all out, 100% sprint… no breathing if you can (feel those lungs!).
• 5 x 50, with 30 seconds between each 50. First 25 Butterfly, second 25 Freestyle.
• 10 x 25 Over-Under’s with fins . Every other 25, push off underwater with dolphin kick. Even number 25s are freestyle sprints.
• Loosen down.

Feel those legs, arms and lungs yet? Welcome to the New Year- it’s going to be GREAT!

There’s no better way to dive into the week than with a sprint workout! Though this one tends to run longer than my usual hour in the pool, the all-out 100′s leave you feeling energized for the week ahead.  I hit my fast 100′s as close to 1:05 as possible and the 25′s on 11-12 seconds- whatever your speed, push yourself on these more than you typically would.

• 500 warm up of with your stroke choice.
• 4×75 Kick with board, no fins, 15 sec rest in between.
• 4×75 Pull with buoy, no paddles, 15 sec rest in between.
• 10×100 Free on 2:00, ascending each 100.
• Loosen.
• 10×100 Free on 2:30, descending each 100.
• Loosen.
• 5×25 Free from the blocks- 2 breaths for each 25! 1:15 intervals.
• Loosen and hit the showers feeling revived!

Tags: sprints, swim workout, Swimming, Wendy Boglioli

On December 6, 2011, Wendy offered her personal and professional insight to Brent Green on his Generation Reinvention for Boomers radio program for WGRN. She discusses long term care realities, financial strategies and caregiving. PODCAST at this link.

Tags: Boomers, Brent Green, Long term care, LTC, Wendy Boglioli, WGRN

If you’re like most of us, you probably ate a little more than usual (understatement) and exercised a little less (if at all) during the Thanksgiving holiday. Turkey Day is a great time to reconnect with loved ones, savor the autumn flavors and get ready for the holiday season ahead! But now, it’s time to get back to our routines and improve upon them despite shorter days, chilly days and the temptation of treats delight the senses.

My advice? Add in this challenging 60 minute swim once per week in addition to your daily routine workouts.You’ll hamper the winter doldrums with increased energy and reach for whole foods to feed your body rather than sweet treats that sap your activity drive.

I like doing this swim workout on Monday to reinvigorate for the week ahead.

• 10×100 Freestyle on the 1:30
• 6×125 Free with the last 25 FLY on the 1:45
• 8×100 Free on 1:25
• 6×125 Free with the last 25 FLY on the 1:50
• 10×100 Free on the 1:30
• Loosen with Back and Free

Did you do this workout? Let’s hear about it! Got a great workout of your own? Share it with me and other swimmers on my Facebook Wall! https://www.facebook.com/WendyBoglioli

Tags: swim workouts, Swimming, Wendy Boglioli

Wendy shares long term care planning advice with Thomson Reuters’ Personal Finance Editor Lauren Young on this CNN iReport link.

Tags: CNN iReport, Genworth Financial Reality, Lauren Young, Long term care, Wendy Boglioli