• http://www.itsmyhealth.com.au/our-say-your-say/talking-about-sex/year-12-divorce-phenomenon This is an excerpt from an article I wrote late last year, and there is a trend that is emerging.... In reality, like most marriage/relationship breakdowns, it is multifactorial but nonetheless the final year 12 or adolescent's departure can be a catalyst. Many couples function together but fail to notice the gradual erosion in emotional intimacy which can be insidious over the years. Here is an excerpt:... "The Year 12 divorce phenomenon, also known as the HSC itch, is very real, according to sexologist Elaine George, with an increasing number of divorces occurring once that final exam is over. A client recently told me about her son’s friend who was looking forward to finishing his final year 12 exams, only to be told by both parents that they were about to initiate divorce proceedings. " Regards, Elaine - Elaine George
  • WooHoo - thank you - trisha
  • I've heard Ingrid's story before, but this was still amazing and insightful and inspiring. What an incredible person she is! I am lucky to enough to have been spared major tragedy thus far and while I am fully aware of this, I will still take her advice to enjoy the good in life whenever it comes my way :) Thanks Ingrid, for being such a champion of hope and love, and best wishes to you and your family! - sami
  • Incredible woman. I saw her on Denton many years ago & have never forgotten her. The way she chose to deal with that terrible time is incredibly inspirational & moving. Best of luck with everything Ingrid & thank you so much for sharing your story & inspiring others like me xox - Caroline B
  • Ab Fab 50 something girls. - gardnerm
  • My husband had an acquaintance very calmly tell him the other day how much he hates being married and raising kids, and that when his youngest turns 18 he's going to divorce his wife and do what he wanted. Charming. I wonder if his poor wife knows what's she's got coming. - Averil
  • Thanks, Simon. Can I just clarify that I am not anti-vaccination. I am pro-vaccine safety. I think it's important because it's the polarity that's killing the rationality of the debate. Documentaries like Jabbed explore why we SHOULD vaccinate, not why we should think about vaccination. Seems like a massively missed opportunity to think broadly in search of a safe solution. - Valerie
  • Nope. - gardnerm
  • Bring back "Darl" (pronounced with the broadest Australian accent you can manage). - Alex
  • Congratulations Valerie that was the most cogent and sensible anti-vaccination argument I have read ,,, the re-distribution of research funds towards the study of finding those children who ARE at risk makes a lot of sense to me. It actually seems so obvious yet I'd never approached it from that perspective. Its the 99% sweat 1 % inspiration thing isn't it? Well done again. - Simon
 
Categories:  Lifestyle, News and Opinion, Wellbeing

I, OLYMPIAN!

Kerri Pottharst not only made it to the Olympics once, but three times competing in beach volleyball.

In a match that transfixed the nation, she won her gold medal on the golden sands of Bondi Beach in 2000.

However, for every success there are thousands of broken dreams, ambitions shattered, hearts that need rehabilitation.

Tomorrow night at 8pm, ABC1 screens the first episode of the six-part documentary Race to London about the highs and lows of elite sport.

It’s been called “highly-watchable” with echoes of Australian Story about it.

Race to London follows the journey of six contenders in the year leading up to the London Olympics and Paralympics as they fight for a place on the Australian team.
There’s wheelchair rugby player Ryley Batt, para-equestrian rider Grace Bowman, former Oarsome Foursome rower Drew Ginn, Paralympic swimming hopeful Ahmed Kelly and swimming champions Libby Trickett and Michael Klim (both staging comebacks after retirement).

She will be at the London Olympics with Channel Nine to commentate on the beach volleyball competition.

It all starts with a dream. At some point in our sporting careers… a kind of ‘light’ comes on, a thought emerges and we realise that competing in an Olympic Games is possibly within our reach. This is the beginning of our dream. This is when the seed is sown and we begin the journey that will change our lives forever.

Now with that in mind, it doesn’t just happen by itself. Over the next few years, or even a decade, we work hard for this dream and we embark on a journey, which includes many chapters. There are the hours of training, the competition, the wins, the losses, the sacrifices, the sleep deprivation, the sweat, the injuries, the challenges, the hurdles, and the limits that have to be overcome.

And then the moment of truth – the Qualification process. Will we make it or not? Will all that hard work pay off, or will we have to wait another 4 years?

For some this process may go on over many competitions and a period of up to two years in the lead up to the Games. For others, it may last a mere 10 seconds of sprinting over 100 metres on one day in just one race.

For each athlete that has made it to an Olympic Games, there are perhaps hundreds or thousands of other athletes that have made the same sacrifices, gone through the same preparation and dedicated the exact same amount of time and effort, and did not make it to the Games.

The moment of selection, the moment of elation, joy, reward upon hearing that you are now part of the team that will represent your country at an Olympic Games. Some feel relief; others feel joy or even sadness for their teammates that didn’t make it. This is the first moment that you begin to feel special. You can now proudly say that you’re going to the Olympics!

Soon it’s time to receive your uniform. You grab your shopping trolley and hit the Olympic Uniform supermarket aisles.

There is more clothing than you think you could possibly wear in three weeks. The sizes are all right, bar a couple of small mistakes, because you were measured earlier in anticipation of this moment. You pack it all up in two massive suitcases, you say thank you to the awesome staff at the Olympic Uniform supermarket and off you go with your prized possessions. You won’t find any of these items at Target!

It’s time to check into the Olympic Village. Photos, passports, official forms, handprints and smiles all around. It’s like being admitted into a maximum-security jail, except that once you’re inside, you’re free!

Walking around the village, exploring every corner, not wanting to miss out on anything. Checking out all the other athletes from all around the world. These people are all the best in the world at what they do. All of a sudden you realise that you are part of this group!

You enjoy a massive variety of food in the biggest food hall you’ll ever eat in.

You’re sitting next to athletes with the names of countries on their tracksuits that you’ve never even heard of. You feel humbled that you’re just a small part of this huge world.

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6 Responses to this article

  1. JessB June 18, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Wow. This brought tears to my eyes, remembering the pride I felt in Australian athletes competing in the past, and in Australia as a whole during the Sydney Olympics.

    Thanks so much for sharing Kerri, that was really great.

     
  2. Wendy Harmer June 18, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Kerri! You are an inspiration, woman! I just cannot fathom how all of you Olympians find the courage and spirit to perservere.
    Imagine being first in the world… at anything. What a goal to aspire to, what an amazing journey you have taken to achieve it.
    Good on you and all who aim to be Citius, Altius, Fortius , which is Latin for “Swifter, Higher, Stronger”.

     
  3. Rhoda September 10, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Ditto.

    Am in awe of such achievement. Can’t imagine the feeling.

     

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  • Elaine George: http://www.itsmyhealth.com.au/our-say-your-say/talking-about-sex/year-12-divorce-phenomenon This is an excerpt from a...

  • trisha: WooHoo - thank you

  • sami: I've heard Ingrid's story before, but this was still amazing and insightful and inspiring. What an incredible person she...

  • Caroline B: Incredible woman. I saw her on Denton many years ago & have never forgotten her. The way she chose to deal with th...

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