E113 Syd Vanderpool Boxing and Wellness
Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 113
Date: March 26, 2024
Participants: Elise Seifert, Julie Wilson, John Webster, Cameron Earnshaw and Sheila Webster
Guest: Syd Vanderpool
Start Times and Segments:
[0:00:16] What’s On Your Mind: Elise and Julie revising “31 Ways to Reduce Waste in Your Homes”, a Buzzfeed article by Danielle Healy (August 13, 2023). They talk about ideas 11-20.
[0:03:38] Expanding Minds Interview: [:hysical Wellness] We interview Syd Vanderpool of SydFit Health Centre. Syd runs a boxing facility. Many members are fitness boxers. They get cardio, develop muscles and strength, and they learn a skill. There are mental health benefits, including the mindfulness associated with focusing on the moment – what is right in front of you. You don’t just engage in physical activity, you learn how to live a clean and healthy lifestyle. People start boxing and next thing you know they’re taking a holistic look at health. Boxing provides a lifestyle. Improvements are made in increments over time, which creates lasting habits with long-term benefits.
[0:24:39] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron took part in a Mexican-themed staycation in a retirement home. He brushed up on Spanish to perform and found the audience singing along. One of the residents had fun guessing his age.
[0:29:20] Move That Body: Have you ever heard of Somatic exercise? We are learning about it and share a few tips.
[0:34:15] Running Popup: It’s never too old to learn. John is influenced by someone not to snap back when people make mistakes.
[0:36:44] Flipside of the Coin: We’re learning lots and enjoying our ballroom dance lessons. We talk about the experience so far.
Quotes and Take-Aways:
Syd – Our biggest demographics of people are fitness boxers. Members who enjoy fitness boxing tend not to like running on a treadmill or elliptical, because you’re doing the same thing over and over again. With boxing you’re getting the cardio benefits and you’re also learning a skill. You’re engaging with other people if you’re doing a class. You’re also learning something new. That’s what they really love about our fitness boxing program.
Syd – Boxing has mental health benefits. A great thing is that it’s a lifestyle. You’re not just engaging in physical activity, you’re learning how to live a certain lifestyle, in terms of living a clean and healthy lifestyle. People come in and start boxing. Next thing you know they’re running and eating healthier, encompassing a holistic look at health. That’s something else that boxing provides – it’s a lifestyle.
Syd – Many of our members are business owners or executives. They live very busy lives. When they come to boxing, they need to focus on what they’re doing, whether it’s hitting focus pads or having someone coach them. They need to think, “in this moment, what am I doing? Am I able to execute what the coach was asking me to do?” For them it’s an escape. Many say it’s the best part of their day.
Syd – When you get in a boxing ring with someone else who has a certain amount of skill, and they know how to move and manoeuvre, then it’s a chess match. It’ so real. It so raw. I love it, because in the ring I can tell people’s personalities. When someone’s boxing I think, “okay, I know how you are in life. You’re a thinker. You’re methodical. You, you’re very aggressive and think, “I’m just going to move on anything”. It’s really interesting how people’s personalities come out in the ring.
Syd – That’s the art of boxing – hit and then not get hit. That’s what we’re trying to do here.
Syd – When someone walks into SydFit, I look at them and think, “I see what you can be.” I have that vision in my mind. I see it even if they don’t see it. We want to push them hard enough so that they walk out feeling that they accomplished something, but not so hard that we demoralize them, or they don’t want to come back. It’s a fine line. We have it figured out.
Syd – It’s those little increments over time that will create those lasting habits. It must be a habit. It needs to be something you can do daily – make a little change that I can maintain every single day. Those are the things that will last and have long-term benefits.
Syd – I tell people, “If you like it, and there’s a good social environment for you, and it keeps you moving, then do that activity”. I love fitness. I love health. Obviously boxing is my thing, but more importantly I want people to move and be healthy.”
Bulletin Board Quote brought to you by Cameron: Apparently, Guinness is not immune
Guest Information: Syd “the Jewel” Vanderpool is a champion boxer and certified boxing coach and trainer. He operates SydBOX and SydFIt Health Centre in Kitchener, Ontario. He trained with some of the world’s finest trainers, and with renowned athletes, including Lennox Lewis, who by coincidence lived in Kitchener and represented Canada at the Olympics. Syd fought for more than a dozen years and achieved a World #1 ranking. He brings more than 13 years of professional boxing and training experience to his members. Syd’s abilities and experiences in and out of the ring to motivate people. He shares his passion with athletes and inspired SydFit Health Centre members to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Link to SydFit Health Centre: https://sydfithealth.ca/
Destiny Athletics Canada – Fundraiser: https://gofund.me/27e27bec
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle, Noura and Julie