Debby Chaddick

Debby Chaddick

About

Debby Chaddick, a psychology teacher in Southern California, is an acknowledged Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction. She and her husband enjoy traveling internationally with her students each summer, and together on their newest family addition, a Harley Davidson Road King. She is the mother of two grown sons and considers motherhood her greatest achievement. Ms. Chaddick is a peace activist, and is involved in the struggle to eradicate AIDS and extreme poverty, believing that love is the only thing that will change the world. Though she lives with the constant pain and fatigue of a chronic illness and spinal degeneration, her family, her students and her passion for the spiritual teachings of the one named Jesus, provide hope to persevere.

Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness

Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness

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<p><b>The absorbing, definitive account of CrossFit's origins, its explosive grassroots growth, and its emergence as a global phenomenon.</b><br /> <br />One of the most illuminating books ever on a sports subculture, <i>Learning to Breathe Fire </i>combines vivid sports writing with a thoughtful meditation on what it means to be human. In the book, veteran journalist J.C. Herz explains the science of maximum effort, why the modern gym fails an obese society, and the psychic rewards of ending up on the floor feeling as though you're about to die. <br /> <br />The story traces CrossFit’s rise, from a single underground gym in Santa Cruz to its adoption as the workout of choice for elite special forces, firefighters and cops, to its popularity as the go-to fitness routine for regular Joes and Janes. Especially riveting is Herz’s description of The CrossFit Games, which begin as an informal throw-down on a California ranch and evolve into a televised global proving ground for the fittest men and women on Earth, as well as hundreds of thousands of lesser mortals. <br /> <br />In her portrayal of the sport's star athletes, its passionate coaches and its “chief armorer,” Rogue Fitness, Herz powerfully evokes the uniqueness of a fitness culture that  cultivates primal fierceness in average people. And in the shared ordeal of an all-consuming workout, she unearths the ritual intensity that's been with us since humans invented sports, showing us how, on a deep level, we're all tribal hunters and first responders, waiting for the signal to go all-out. </p>

Story Behind The Book

If you are not a person who suffers with pain, loss, disappointment or sorrow, this book may not be for you. This message is for those who have experienced all-encompassing grief, or who live with chronic illnesses. These words are meant for those who have found mind-numbing pain, and its twinâfatigue, their constant companions. I am writing to those who have tried every medical âcureâ there is, only to be greeted by disillusionment once again. (If you are not one of these people, you are welcome to observe. I invite you to learn how you might offer aid to those who suffer.) It is my prayer that you, who relate to these circumstances, feel embraced by one who suffers, yet remains determined to find joy. If we were honest, though, some days we would just settle for ânormalâ, wouldnât we? Our hearts cry out for a safe environment in which to simply be, a place where we can be real, where we can be honest. We need to be able to express not only our confusion and dismay, but also the joy at what we are learning. We need an environment of unconditional acceptance, for our discoveries of meaning and significance are molding us into a new creationâtruly a lonely process, and frightening for all involved. We are becoming authentic and need a place where we are received just as we are while on this passage. We need a place where we can try to make sense of this new journey and find meaning in our suffering. I honestly do not know a single soul that would not benefit from such a place in their lives. Can we find such a place?

Reviews

<span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;color:#ffffff;"><span style="color:#0060bf;"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><span style="color:#0060bf;">Dear Mrs. Chaddick, Your love and compassion for others has inspired me to reach out to others and even develop this desire to tell everyone everywhere that they are always loved! There is a light to you. I saw it instantly. As a spiritual person, I will say I see God's love in you. You have helped me to become more aware of the problems around the world, the reality that there is always something we can all do to help one another. I know for a fact that I don't speak alone when I say, you have given me hope; there are really people in this world who are able to show the truest love to everyone even if it is unintentional. â¦the personal stories you shared moved me. You are such a strong person. It takes a very strong character to accept something one cannot control and use it to make a difference. One of the things you said that I will always remember is: &quot;We can learn to heal others with our own pain.&quot; You are so right! It is funny because during that time when you talked about that specific subject, I was going through a very hard time emotionally. My heart was in so much pain. However, when I stepped into your classroom, I was reminded that even though we all go through very hard times, with a positive attitude and a good sense of humor, we can really get through anything</span></span></span></span><div><font color="#0060BF"><span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;"><br /></span></font></div><div><font color="#0060BF"><span style="font-size:small;line-height:normal;"><span style="color:#ffffff;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"></span></span></font><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="vertical-align:top;"><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;I love every word that I've read, and every memory/thought that those words have evoked, hard as they may be. I felt compelled to write this because I want you to know that your words, your journey, your book, your thoughtfulness, your kindness, and your love, have made a difference in my life. A difference for the future. For right now. Because on this day that nothing mattered to me, your book meant everything to me. Your words and journey are powerful, meaningful, real.&quot;</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></p><div class="paragraph style1" style="padding-top:0px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="vertical-align:top;"><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;You have inspired me. Thank you.&quot;</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div class="paragraph style1" style="padding-top:0px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="vertical-align:top;"><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;Thank you for being you....&quot;</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div class="paragraph style1" style="padding-top:0px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="vertical-align:top;"><tbody><tr><td> </td><td><p style="color:#0060bf;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;I have lived in chronic pain for over 20 years now.... It's so nice to know someone else can understand what you are going through.&quot;</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>