For 17 years I have had the privilege to be breathing with a set of lungs that are not affected with the disease I was born with Cystic Fibrosis.  Each and every day the air that is breathed in and out of my lungs is a complete GIFT.  From the air I use to laugh, run, and play with my son to the deep breaths I take methodically as I train intensely in the gym.  I am gifted.  Today as I write this I can still remember that morning 17 years ago when I got the call at 4am from Dr Wain saying “Its time, we have a pair of lungs for you”.  I was not scared, I was excited.  I was prepared physically and mentally because I made that decision every day leading up to that moment  to go into battle with everything  I had-and  I won.

I continue to win each and every day now.  Are there days that are tougher than others? Yes, we all have them.  However, there is never, ever, a day that I am not grateful for the gift I received on October 27, 1994.  The gift of another chance, a chance to live the life I knew I deserved.  My donor was a mountain climber, I am going to climb a mountain today for him as I have done every year since the day he shared his lungs with me.  It’s our time.  And a piece of this day belongs to every person who has assisted me to be where I am today.  For my friends who barely got to have 17 years on this earth and got taken way too soon from their CF, the medical staff that has assisted me in doing the things I could not do alone, the people involved with every aspect of organ donation, God, for my friends, my close and extended family, my dog Barney, my dad, my husband, and my son.

I’m not lucky, I’m blessed.  I am where I am today because I commit to living a life of excellence and nothing less-regardless of what challenge comes my way.  If I could share one thought with you it would be to never, ever let anyone else decide how you are going to live your life.  Find that spark, the light burning inside you, fuel it with choices you make, not choices others or society try to make for you.  Build your foundation strong with a strong body and mind and feed it what it requires with quality nutrition and training, quality people, quality moments, and quality choices.  I have seen first hand over and over again the strength I can have with taking action and choosing to strengthen myself-you CAN too.

Today you are in the moment of amazing possibilities for yourself-take a deep breath and step up, jump in, climb, start, listen, and LIVE.

Dottie

If Today Was Your Last Day – Nickelback

As always my precious son reminded me of a valuable lesson of LIFE.   It was a rainy day with bouts of thunder and Liam really wanted to go in the pool to swim.  Knowing that it wasn’t possible he figured out a way to “make it possible” somehow, someway.  That is the lesson people, “You CAN find a way to do what you want even when it looks impossible, when obstacles try to stand in the way.  Adapt.  Figure out a way to make it happen-no matter what it takes.

Liam Goes Snorkeling

I know sitting here writing this email that is exactly how I made it through many challenges and obstacles in my life to be here today.  Now I get to watch my son have the same tenacity, the same determination-such pride I have.  Yes, I teach my son many things by example but he teaches me also-and I listen and breathe every magical moment in.  My wish is for you to do that same with your loved ones and within yourself.

So the next thing I knew Liam came out of his room and asked if he could take a bath.  I smiled and said sure honey and started to run the water as he stepped out of his room with his bathing suit on and his goggles.  I couldn’t help but laugh and then make sure I ran the bath up to the highest level I could.

He played in that bath for almost an hour laughing and singing, diving under water surrounded by boats and water guns.  He may not have been able to swim in the pool but he sure did swim in the bath tub that day.  He figured out a way to do what he wanted to do regardless of what tried to stop him.  He had fun and didn’t let anything stop him.

That is what we all need to do.  We all need to figure out a way to do what we want, what we desire, what makes us happy, no matter what tried to stop us and no matter how we have to adapt.  We can choose to have fun anyway, accomplish anyway, DO.

I know I will remember that moment when Liam looked up at me from the bathtub with a huge smile of his “handmade happiness” each and every time I need to adapt to attain.  We CAN, Liam says so and I agree!

Make it happen no matter what,

Dottie

I couple weeks ago when I was in Chicago with Empower Pro as a part of the AAD (Athletes Against Drugs) Event I spent some time at Children’s Memorial Hospital Family Center.  This is a great place where kids who are in the hospital and their families can go to “escape” the daily routine of being sick and in the hospital.  It is a place where laughter and life resides.  A place where you can play and a place where parents can watch their kids-even if they are tied to an IV pole or a wheelchair-LIVE.  And where parents can take a deep breath and many times realize, “everything just may be okay”.

Dottie Playing Bingo At A Cherity Event For Kids

It was an honor to meet different kids and their parents and hear some of their stories and happily enough accomplishments and triumphs-sadly, some real struggles.  I prayed with one mom and laughed with another.  I high five’d children and gave hugs.  I was, in a way, home.  Back to one of the “homes” I grew up in anyway.  I remember those days as a child being in the hospital and all the kindness and hope that was shared with me-it is important for me to “give that back and pay it forward”

I even got to be part of Hospital Bingo.  What an amazing thing this is!  The PRO Bingo man is named Rene’ and he volunteers his time and plays Bingo for all the kids in the hospital.  He gives back because his son who is living his life healthy as a young adult was once a young patient at Children’s Memorial and it is important for him to show his appreciation and “pay it forward” what an incredible man-I was honored to be his helper/sidekick for the day!

The kids who cannot come down to the Family Center get to watch and play on their TV and call in when they get BINGO! It was so great.  I LOVED seeing light in each child’s eyes from their excitement of playing the game and winning-even hearing it in their voices from the ones who couldn’t come down-they were even calling in from ICU!  They may have all been struggling with an illness or a health issue but they didn’t let that stop them from having fun-we ALL can learn from kids and their resilience.

SO, “Play even when you don’t feel like it or it isn’t so easy” “Play, Get Up, and Live Your Life even when Life tries to knock you down.”  Definitely lessons to be learned and I felt so grateful to be healthy enough to share some of my own I learned with them that day.  We do whatever we have to for what we want.  Watch a kid sick, too little, too tired, scared, defeated, etc demand better-you don’t have to go into a hospital to find it, go to a playground, a school, maybe even your own home.  They are on to something-they don’t quit-we shouldn’t either.

Thank You to everyone at Children’s Memorial for allowing me to share in the strength, joy, and magic within your walls.  I loved being there and also loved being able to walk out of them and go home to my own magic and sparks in my life I fought so hard for.  It paid off.

Live Life Fully – Believe You Can!

Dottie

It’s Strong and It’s Powerful.  Help light it up. Don’t screw it up.  It’s that simple.

I was so honored to have the opportunity to be one of the Athletes that got to speak to some of Chicago’s inner city kids last Saturday at the Athletes Against Drugs weekend. These kids were Chicago’s finest.  Mr. Stedman Graham and his team have done a wonderful job for 26 years spreading a powerful message and helping kids “see” a positive and powerful future.

From the moment I stepped into the room they were welcoming with big promising eyes ready to see their future and open hearts ready to embrace it.  They Inspired me.  I spoke about how you must “Believe You Can” despite any obstacle that comes your way.  To never, ever let anyone tell you “You Can’t, Because You Can” and asked them to let their “Self Belief they create be their drug”

They got it.  One of my proudest moments was when we did activities at the end and they wrote their own “7 Letters/Word” after I read them my “7 Letters/Word” from my book Seven Letters That Saved My Life, ATHLETE.  A word that fuels them, makes them proud, sparks their light inside and gives them purpose. They stood up and said proudly “FAMILY, FOOTBALL PLAYER, LAWYER, SOPHISTICATED, ACTRESS, DOCTOR………

And then these kids who I am sure have been told they can’t or won’t wrote down “Why They Believe They Can” Our EMPOWER PRO motto.  I shared with them why I Believe I Can and then they took the stage.  They stood up proud and tall and stated “My name is….and I Believe I Can Because….”

After hearing some of the incredible reasons and seeing the light come on in their eyes, down in their gut –that spark, I knew my job was done for the day.  I Believe I Can Because…..roared through the room and we worked as a Team to encourage and congratulate each young star who stood up.  It was magnificent and I realized that our kids are so special, so worthy of our time and the knowledge we have learned along the way in our own lives.  They truly “Believe They Can” and have an innocent yet abominable determination that is fearless that they can tap into to make things happen.  We can’t screw that up and we must help it emerge-we have to help light their way.

I know on this Saturday they helped me continue to light my way and Believe I Can-Because I KNOW They Can-These kids are going to SOAR and AAD is helping them do that.

May you all share the gifts you have been given and give back to our kids, our youth,  so they can see and have the future they so very much deserve.  Thank You Mr. Graham, Alicia, and all of AAD for allowing me to share what I have been blessed to live and learn with some very special kids who will forever have a piece of my heart.

“If We Do Not Share What We Have Learned Than The Moments And Lessons Were For Nothing”-Dottie Lessard

“BELIEVE YOU CAN” in your Own Life and in Others, Dottie

I can’t believe it, it is finally here!  After all the hard work my business partner and I put into this dream, purpose, we are launching this weekend in Chicago!  We will be in all Bally Total Fitness Clubs throughout the US and we are starting with a bang by being a part of Stedman Graham’s Athletes Against Drugs Celebrity Gala and Golf event this weekend.  I am very honored and proud to support such a wonderful cause and excited to be one of the speakers talking to the kids on Saturday.  We must help all our children know they can be and do anything in this world Drug Free and Self Empowered.

Having my own protein drink is a dream come true.  I feel very strongly that we must Pay It Forward and Give Back.  I have been so blessed in my life despite my obstacles and have had to learn out of absolute necessity “how to survive” and then, “how to thrive”.  I learned in life and death situations what was crucial to a healthy and strong body and the main ingredient is quality nutrition.  Having my protein shakes when I was too short of breath, too sick to eat helped save my life and keep my body, my foundation, strong to make it to and through both organ transplants and to be the athlete and mother I am today.  I would not be as healthy as I am today if it was not for my commitment to quality nutrition-I wouldn’t even be here writing this.

“If We Do Not Share What We Have Learned Than The Moments and The Lessons Were For Nothing”-Dottie Lessard

So, when I had the opportunity to work with an amazing team to create a protein drink that would be something that would Empower people with quality ingredients, that tastes good and digested easily-it was as if my life had come full circle.  All those times where I would lug my blender and protein powder into the hospital admissions with me, the times I had to decide whether to buy groceries or order my protein, the times my parents made my shakes for me just so I made sure I was “feeding-fueling myself, even on the sickest days, all was so that one day I could share my experiences, my belief in being self empowered, with anyone who is dedicated to living a fully as possible in sports and in life.  For Life.

My feeling is it doesn’t matter if you are fighting for your life with a health challenge or fighting for your goal in the gym-you ALL deserve quality nutrition from hard work.  You deserve to see results from the hard work you do and I want to make sure what you are feeding yourself after fighting for yourself is quality.

I could go on and on about my pride in this and my Team-Thank you Sharon, Ben, Dr Jeff Stout, Mike, Jeff L, Lewis, Nita…YOU have made me so proud.  Thank You for hearing and respecting my voice and believing in the power of a journey-ours starts NOW.

For any of you interested in finding out more you can log onto www.wholebodywellbeing.com or “like” us at our new FB page (much more will be on it soon) at Empower Pro by Whole Body Wellbeing.

Never let anyone tell you “You can’t because you Can” Anything is possible in this world if you decide to fight for it.  It starts with you-make sure YOU have the strong body (foundation) to make everything you want to accomplish in this world yours.

BE EMPOWERED,

Dottie

I got to meet an incredible young girl a week ago-my newest Dottie’s Dream Hero Kaylynn Hooker.  She cheered me on during my obstacle course and counted every single one of the 50 box jumps I did during my fitness skills.  She inspired me and reminded me just why I do what I do.  I am such a lucky girl.

Kaylynn had a heart transplant when she was just a young baby and she is now 8 years old and full of LIFE.  One of the greatest memories of our meeting happened moments after we met.  We headed to go find a place to sit and talk; Kaylynn and I were walking holding hands ahead of her mom, sister, and brothers.  I looked back at DeAnna (her wonderful mom) and joked that I was just going to take her with me and Kaylynn with big eyes and a huge beautiful smile said “I don’t care, I’m with someone just like me” It made my own heart grow 2 sizes and made me so proud to know I am doing the right thing with my life and Dottie’s Dream.

-“If We Do Not Share What We Have Learned Than The Lessons Were For Nothing”-Dottie Lessard.

This is a quote I recently made and I firmly believe it.  We must find a way to give back because we must “pay it forward” and we are rewarded richly when we do by the amazing feeling it brings.  I did great at my Tri Fit competition-I beat all my PR’s and made it through that wonderful obstacle course completing every obstacle but nothing compared to the feeling of seeing this little girl now know that she can be and do anything she wants to in life because I did.

I’m not an award winning scientist or even close to the fastest athlete in the world, I’m just a girl who always believed she could and feels it is her purpose to help others feel the same.  To me, that’s a pretty big deal.  I am so grateful to Genentech for their support of Dottie’s Dream and also Whole Body Wellbeing and Empower Pro Nutrition.  Kaylynn and her family will inspire me for many years to come and she is just one of the Hero’s in my Dreams.  Kaylynn Hooker is a Dottie’s Dream Hero because she “Believes She Can”.  Kaylynn got a HERO shirt, a new pair of shiny sneakers, a beautiful award and a fun filled couple of days including running her own kids obstacle course but Kaylynn gave more to me in those two days than I could’ve ever given her.

Give of yourself to others, share the good you have learned, you will be repaid with so much more than you give.  It may even cause you to Reach, Strive, and Believe, higher than you ever have.

LIVE LIFE FULLY and Always, Always, BELIEVE YOU CAN

Dottie

I have said this many times to clients I work with, kids I coach, etc.  Find Your Why.  When Jillian said this on the Biggest Loser last night I felt pretty proud she feels the same way-she’s pretty Bad Ass.

Find what fuels you, lights you up inside and it will propel you forward.  I have a few why’s….Why? Because I want to live life as fully and strong as I can, because I want to celebrate all the gifts I have received in my life including honoring all who fought for me to live and my donors and their families. Because I want to live a long life with my family and grow old many years from now with Ben. Because I will only demand the most from my life, and help others want the same from theirs.  And the most important why..Because from the day he was born my son Liam is my why, my purpose, my oxygen.

Many times in life we are challenged both physically and mentally with obstacles to overcome and fears to face-if we take a moment to feel, really feel, the WHY it will bring you through.  You will need to push and dig, and grab, and believe, but you can and will do it.

Find your why.  Finds what will make you fall 7 times and get back up 8, what will make you grab a hold onto any dream and goal and not quit.  Find what makes you know, despite what anyone else says that YOU CAN.

May you all live your life as fully as you deserve,

Believe You Can

Dottie

Everything Grows When Its Fed

Liam brought home a baby tree for Arbor Day last week and we took great care in planting it, spreading out its roots in the new healthy soil, picking out the perfect pot to plant it in, and making sure it was watered and fed.  He named it “little tree” and it is now the newest member of our family he says.

It’s pretty cute and I thought about our conversation as we were carefully planting it about how everything little grows up-just like him.  And he is right.  I still look down in awe sometimes when we are holding hands at this hand that now can wrap around mine.  What happened to the tiny fingers that fit perfectly inside the palm of my hand?  They grew to wrap around his moms hand –amazing.  Life Happens.  Life Continues and Life Grows.  How blessed I feel.

The truth is, if we take care of and nurture ourselves we grow too.  We also grow when we do not take care of ourselves….but in not such a good way   We must take care of what we love-and ourselves, so we can love.  It truly is that simple.  Nurture yourself with quality nutrition, a lot of water, days filled with excitement and work towards goals, healthy happy people around you, and laughter and love.

If we water and feed ourselves with the nutrients, self care, and positive things we need-we will grow strong and build strong roots.  A tree may bend with strong wind but it takes a heck of a lot for it to break-we can build ourselves the very same way.

As I look at this tree we planted as a family I realized we strengthened ourselves and our own roots while doing so.  “Little tree” will be with us for a long time and because I make taking care of myself a priority I know that I will get to see this little tree, and my son grow leaps and bounds for many years to come.  That is my priority.

Feed yourself everything you need inside you to grow beautiful and strong for we all can reach higher and stand proud.  That is my wish for all of you today- it’s  a little water for you….drink it up!

LIVE LIFE FULLY and BELIEVE YOU CAN

Dottie

Back in 2002 when HBO Real Sports was wrapping up a segment on me at the Tri Fitness competition I spoke about how I loved the cuts and bruises on me as I was able to truly “Live Life”.  It may seem a little crazy to some but to a girl who was told she would always be sick, “she can’t do this, she can’t do that, and she’d never be able to….” for most of her life, to be able TO DO now feels Life Affirming and just plain cool and I doubt it will ever change-even when I am well into my eighties.  YES, I said into my eighties.

Being able to truly experience life by “doing, breathing, leaping, playing” is a true gift-one I will never ever take for granted because I remember all the days I would stand at my window and watch life happening outside as I struggled to live. I wanted to be “out there” so bad and found a way to live inside my walls by walking on the treadmill for 2 minutes at a time, forcing myself to let the dog take me for a walk” crawling when I had to-just to MOVE.  SO why wouldn’t I feel proud and think it’s kind of cool when I get a bruise or a cut from doing things that others said I could never do or things I dreamed about one day-of course the “proof” I am living fully is cool.

The new scars I get to add is especially cool because it was from spending special moments living life with Liam and Ben.  We gave Liam a list of choices to do on a vacation day last week and he wanted to go climb rocks and have a picnic so that’s just what we did.  Watching the boys climb and jump and then being able to do it myself reminded me of how lucky I truly am to have this life and my health I fought (and others fought) so hard for.  And to be climbing with my son-living life, doing active things with him- that is an extra gift I will forever feel grateful for.

After a nice lunch and good conversation together we climbed more and as we were heading down a pretty big ledge Liam decided to be “curious” and go a steep way just as Ben said “this way” Liam went –“that way” and of course, Mommy armor went on and I immediately followed him.  As I saw his foot slip a little I launched for him to grab him and make sure he didn’t fall but I then lost my footing and knew I had 2 choices; head where I was leaning and fall on Liam or lean the opposite way away from Liam and any harm on him  and take a rough landing…guess what way I took?  Liam was safe and I was pretty tore up but as long as he was ok, I was ok.

Besides a torn pair of jeans, a bruised wrist, a couple bone bruises on both legs with a few cuts down one -I am fine.  Ben took good care of me and so did Liam –after I insisted we stay at the park a little longer so Liam could play-Ben just shook his head as blood streamed down my leg.  That’s just what moms do…and I didn’t want Liam to think Mommy was anything but the superhero he thinks I am.

It’s been a week since the fall and I am now back to doing my full training for my competition coming up in a few weeks…it’s all good …Life is meant to be lived and sometimes the living can be a bit painful but so well worth the journey in those moments.

Enjoy your life! Live it and experience the joys of good health and the ability you have “To Do”-don’t waste it.  And if you get a few cuts and bruises along the way-celebrate them as a sign you appreciate the gifts you have been given.  Bruises and cuts heal-the memories of living with the pride and accomplishments you achieve will last a lifetime.

LIVE LIFE FULLY and BELIEVE YOU CAN

Dottie

Always Play a Little

This week was April vacation for the kids and my son has been wanting his friend Daniel to sleep over forever…I told him when they were 7 and his “BFF” as he calls him turned 7 last month so this week their adventure began!

I wasn’t sure how much I would sleep or how well they would do for a full night and day together but I was sure I was as excited as they were when we picked Daniel up.  I was SO HAPPY watching their joy and excitement-we can learn so much from these little people who see the world as good and the possibilities within it-endless.

As I watched these two boys play for hours…and I mean hours…in Liam’s room with lego’s, star wars, and stuffed animals building, creating, laughing and living,  I was pulled into the FUN.  They were just happy with the simple things like milk and cookies and sleeping bags and drawing books.  They made their own wonderland and it was perfect to them.

As I sat out in the living room while they were winding down still giggling and talking to their stuffed animals well into the night I thought about how great it would be if we all could use the imagination we all had as children to see our adult dreams and goals come into being.  Why can’t we accomplish anything we want to in life-just like we thought it was possible as a child?  We can…we just have to step out in faith and courage to begin the actions needed for those dreams and goals and use our imagination, our innocence, to block out the fear and doubt that is saying “You Can’t”,

As children, we would’ve never let “cant” stop us, let’s not allow it to stop us now.  Sure we are wiser about the obstacles in the way but I am not so sure that kind of wiser is a good thing? Think about how those “obstacles” would have mattered when you were younger and how much “wiser” you were with possibility then.  Use that “wise” part of your childlike you to feel all the possibility again and get your grown up body going on those dreams and goals….

As Liam and Daniel say “May The Force Be With You”…..

LIVE LIFE FULLY and BELIEVE YOU CAN……..

Dottie