Golf fitness has exploded in popularity over the past few years with athletes such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Brookes Koepka and Dustin Johnson all helping to popularize golf specific fitness training.
Golf specific fitness training is not just for the pro's either. It can help the recreational player improve their physical condition so that you can swing the club more easily and without pain or with less pain and downtime from injuries.
In this episode we are joined by Liesbeth Pauwels, one of the leading voices in the golf world for Golf & Body movement -- helping to produce not only better golfers but healthier and more physically fit people. She discusses how this modern, holistic approach to better movement helps reduce injuries while helping you swing the club better.
She is one of Europe's leading Golf & Body Movement experts -- listen in and you can learn more about how this works for golfers of all skill levels whether you are a professional player, competitive amateur to the recreational player or someone that is new to golf and wanting to enjoy the game even more. She also shares with us some details about her annual golf retreat held every winter in sunny southern Spain and how you can be a part of this fun event.
Liesbeth earned a degree in Kinesiology from UBC, is TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) Certified, and the director of LP Golf Performance (www.lpgolfperformance.nl ).
Golf fitness has exploded in popularity over the past few years with athletes such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Brookes Koepka and Dustin Johnson all helping to popularize golf specific fitness training.
Golf specific fitness training is not just for the pro's either. It can help the recreational player improve their physical condition so that you can swing the club more easily and without pain or with less pain and downtime from injuries.
In this episode we are joined by Liesbeth Pauwels, one of the leading voices in the golf world for Golf & Body movement -- helping to produce not only better golfers but healthier and more physically fit people. She discusses how this modern, holistic approach to better movement helps reduce injuries while helping you swing the club better.
She is one of Europe's leading Golf & Body Movement experts -- listen in and you can learn more about how this works for golfers of all skill levels whether you are a professional player, competitive amateur to the recreational player or someone that is new to golf and wanting to enjoy the game even more. She also shares with us some details about her annual golf retreat held every winter in sunny southern Spain and how you can be a part of this fun event.
Liesbeth earned a degree in Kinesiology from UBC, is TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) Certified, and the director of LP Golf Performance (www.lpgolfperformance.nl ).
You're listening to we talking golf. Remember for the latest golf news and information. Check our website@www.world of golf.org. That's www.worldofgolf.org. You can also find us on social media. We are on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also find us on Weeber and we chat now back to our show. Here's your host Douglas Mader.
Speaker 2:Good afternoon. And welcome to our show. We're talking golf. My name is Douglas Meda, and I'll be your host for today's episode. Today's show is being recorded from our studio in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. We're produced by the world of golf, and you can find us on the worldwide web@www.world of golf.org or on our social media channels of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For those of you in Asia and elsewhere, you can also follow us on Weebo and Weechat. Now, before we get into today's show, I'd like to welcome you, our listeners and followers from around the world that listened to our show without you and your support, we would not be able to bring you this show on a regular basis. So again, thank you for your ongoing support. Now we have a great show planned for you today. We have a very special guest joining us all the way from Amsterdam in the Netherlands. She is a golf fitness and movement specialist. Lizbeth Powells is a certified or pardon me, a TPI certified fitness and golf specialist. She's a regular contributor to the national golf magazine in the Netherlands. And she is also the head of the fitness section of golfers magazine. One of Europe's leading golf publications. Lee's Beth is also the owner of LP golf performance, and you can find her on her website@wwwdotlpgolfperformance.nl that's www dot LP, golf performance, all one word dot N L. Now Lee Smith is also one of the leading voices in the golf world on body and golf movement. We're going to be chatting with her about golf, fitness, and training and the newer concepts of body movement and how it can help you swim the club better. We will also discuss a very special program that leaves withholds hosts, pardon me every winter in Southern Spain on the Mediterranean. So without further ado, we'll get to our guest, right? So we're joined by Leesburg pals. Who's joining us via zoom. We'd like to extend a big warm, happy. Thank you for joining us Leesburg. Thank
Speaker 3:You very much for having me on the show.
Speaker 4:It's our pleasure. Uh, and, um, so tell us, um, I'd like to introduce you a little bit more to our golf audience and listeners. Um, why don't you tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to be involved with golf?
Speaker 3:Um, yeah, well actually, uh, I started playing golf when I was 12 or seen. Um, and before that I actually was a very competitive horse rider. And so, uh, I started to play golf and quite soon, um, got into a few setbacks, both physically and mentally that led me through the path of, um, trying to find solutions for that. And one of the solutions that I find found at that time was through my coach who was actually a Icelandic yeah. Guy. He was, he was from Iceland. So he was such a, it was a Viking. And he was already way ahead of his time at that time, because he already implemented kind of goal specific, not yeah. Kind of goal specific training in the gym for his athletes. So he took me to the gym and through that, I found that I started to improve, again, get more gain some confidence, both with who I was growing up. So personally, but also on the course. And so then my journey just took off and I was always, I've always been very interested in sports and performance. And I knew from a very young age that I wanted to pursue a career involving anything like that. So I knew I want to, that was like my main drive. I wanted to learn. I wanted to know everything there is to know about the body, about how to train the body, how to prepare the body for tournament's and yeah. How to get the most of it and what, how the body works. So that's when I decided I wanted to study kinesiology. And from there, again, everything for me has happened very organically in a way that, through that, I also met with my mentor Jason Glass, who helped me along the path with TPI. I did my TPI certification in 2011. Then I graduated in 2012. And I found in my company in Holland in 2015. So here we are 2020, but it's a little a shortcut. Yeah.
Speaker 4:Um, you attended university and, and as I understand it, uh, that was here in Vancouver and you wound up meeting, uh, Jason and, uh, going through that whole process here.
Speaker 3:Yes. I studied at UBC university of British Columbia and I actually, I loved it. I loved it. So, uh, also, that's why I'm also very honored to be on your, uh, on your show all the way from Vancouver. Um, it still has such a warm place in my heart. Uh, I love Canada and yeah, I met with Jason Glass because I also had tried out for the varsity team, but with everything that came along from the change to different culture approach and, and switch that I had to make coming from Europe, Spain, specifically to Vancouver and the amount of as well as the way, and, uh, of studying was so different than I was taught. Um, so I needed to really focus on my academics for that time, but it made me assist Jason during, because he was the head physical strength and conditioning coach for the golf team. So I ended up assisting him during all of the, all of the physical training sessions for the varsity golf team. I did my DPI level one certification in Toronto, actually. Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 4:So that was quite a hands-on, uh, apprenticeship, if you will working with Jason then.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. Absolutely. It was a once in a lifetime experience, as well as me being on my own in Vancouver, he was the mentor for me that I needed at the time. He took me under his wings and helped me shape a little bit more of yeah. What I'm able to do and what I'm, what I could be able to achieve. And it was very motivational inspiring. And also the way I got this fire inside of myself, that, you know, that kind of ignited that fire, where I saw how he was coaching, how he was approaching the body and how he was approaching it for golf as well, specifically, it all just clicked. And I was like, okay, that's what I want to do. That's what that, that's exactly what I want to do. Um, coaching for golfers Biddle. So in an empowering way. And so, yeah, I, I, that's what I dreamed of then.
Speaker 4:Perfect. You mentioned TPI and that, uh, you attended the TPI certification course in Toronto, um, for our listeners that might not be, uh, aware of what the TPI program is. Do you mind sharing a little bit about, uh, your experiences with it and what it is?
Speaker 3:Absolutely. TBI stands for Titleist performance Institute and they're the yeah. The governing body that, um, can educate professionals, um, and coach of course also players, but they mostly educate professionals in our field, both ranging from medical to biomechanics, to the technical aspects, as well as the performance to power the junior kind of streams. That's what they have. Um, and they educate in order to grow and yeah. Have greater understanding about what the body needs for golf specifically and for the golf swing specifically. I think that that is in a nutshell and, uh, they have a great, great community of being part of it. Like, like I said, since 2011, so yeah, nearly a decade and I am it's it's for me, it's been also a very personal experience to be part of that community, uh, to be, um, yeah, to be alongside of my peers and my colleagues and be able to reach out whenever I need help or just share thoughts and share, brainstorm, or share experiences with each other. And we do that every second year, except this year, obviously, but every second year, there's the world golf, fitness summit. And it's for me, one of my, yeah, I kind of like almost personal and professional highlights because I get to see everyone. I mean, being out here in Amsterdam, in Holland, um, it's, there, there is not many, um, I mean, I don't have any colleagues around, I do this all on my own, so I mean, you can imagine, um, it just, yeah, when we, when we show each other and there's that real connection again, um, that just brings so much energy and yeah. And so that's, that's, that's a little bit of my story actually with, with TPI and I couldn't be more grateful for it because it's also been a huge, uh, uh, in, in a way that, like I mentioned, I'm here in Holland five years ago when I started this, nobody was doing, doing this. Nobody talked about it. I mean, golf, fitness movement for golf, anything specific like that, it wasn't, it was an imaginable almost that it could be integrated and it still is. It's still a huge challenge, but at that time it was, yeah. Fantastic to have support kind of team behind me rooting for me, that's how I feel about, and that's how I felt still. So, yeah.
Speaker 4:Terrific. Terrific. Um, so it's been a wonderful support network for you too, in addition to, uh, the, um, specialized education and training.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. Absolutely.
Speaker 4:Um, Elizabeth, you mentioned body movement and biomechanics and things of that nature. Now your background degree is in kinesiology that goes hand in hand correctly, if I'm correct.
Speaker 3:Yes, yes, absolutely. Uh, we do study, um, um, biomechanics, so, yeah.
Speaker 4:Okay. So it was a natural launching point for you using your kinesiology degree background to jump into the biomechanics and the body movement aspect.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah.
Speaker 4:Um, so you get back to Amsterdam after a university, um, tell us how you started working with some golf athletes and, uh, how it came to be that you formed LP golf performance.
Speaker 3:Uh, this is actually a story I don't, uh, I don't share that much actually. Um, because, well, when I came back from Canada and from having, you know, um, works with Jason Glass and living in Canada, studying there to Holland, uh, first began at a local club golf club. But what I soon realized was that there was a huge, huge difference and, uh, worlds couldn't be more different in terms of sports and the way everyone approached golf. I mean, it was black and white different. So I was so shocked when I came back and I realized nobody was talking about this. Nobody was doing it. Nobody was sharing about it. There was no, no one here in Holland or in Belgium who, yeah. Who was, who was doing it, but more doing it on a amateur and club level, some of the top athletes in the country, they were already training with TPI at that time, but that were all only the, I mean the top amateurs. So I got very frustrated because I knew that it could leverage the game of so many recreational players that I was like, what, why is nobody doing this? Um, and, and yeah, even I went to clubs, uh, to talk about it, to try to share what I do to try to offer trainings, uh, training sessions. But I mean, it was, it was an uphill battle because yeah, sometimes I went to a club and they say like, okay, what, what, what are you doing? You know, this is so weird. People didn't accept it and they didn't want, they weren't very open for it either. And then more so on a, um, I would more say like community leader level. I mean, some golfers wanted it already, but it was also not out spoke of. It was very, yeah, kind of, it was a weird five around it. So I knew back then that I wanted to change that I thought I believed and I still do is that golf movement specific, specific golf move and should be accessible for every golfer, regardless what handicap level they're at, because it can bring so much, uh, yeah, it's so much more joy, reduce a much more, uh, overuse injuries and create better performances. So that's where it all started. And I just said to myself, like, look, it doesn't matter. I'm just going all in. And I drove around the whole country trying to explain about the benefits, you know? And, um, yeah, I just did anything I could to help promote and spread the message of look, this golf fitness thing is worth, it is golf movement, uh, is something we have to start cultivating. We have to start embracing it and looking back now, I mean, I'm so happy that I was able to sustain through that time because it was very challenging. I was like I said, I was on my own and I had the examples of, of my peers who are doing it in the States or in Canada, or even in Asia, but not in Europe. So yeah. And I just kept digging and digging and kept going, kept going. And so from that, I started to also work one-on-one with, uh, with golfers. And I got so inspired through that because they came back after every session saying Lisbeth, I actually played so well today. I've never felt better, you know, my swing just rotates more effortlessly and Oh, you know, when they say, Oh, I, I, I wasn't at green at a, could still breathe. You know, I wasn't choked by pressure or by anxiety on that course or tournament and yeah, the one-on-one coaching sessions and group sessions as well. They just kept growing and growing.
Speaker 4:Um, so how was it that you came to work with, uh, golfers magazine and working with some of the more elite players in the Netherlands?
Speaker 3:Yes. So I was fortunate to, to start working on, I'd say one of the more prestigious new clubs here in Hala and the call to the Dutch and I lost it because they were so open to my, you know, to golf movement and to golf fitness and they embraced it. And so it was able to yeah. Do my coaching sessions from there. And they also had a tight network. So being able to network from that club and out of that place gave me the stepping stone to help and start coaching with the national selection teams, which were hosted actually on our national, um, on the national Olympic training facility, which is at a different place. So that was very, uh, yeah, very happy about that. But it's also about being at the right time at the right place and being open for it to be ready to take that step and jump for it. That's what I did actually. Um, so yeah, that's how I started to work with the national selection teams. And out of that soon, one-on-one, one-on-one came rolling out of it because they saw me during the group sessions and then they decided some of the players decided they wanted to have one-on-one coaching programs with me. So that's, that's how it rolled.
Speaker 4:Wonderful. And you have a very good working relationship with golfers magazine in Holland.
Speaker 3:Yes. Yes. So I've been working with them since 2016. I think if I say so correctly. Um, and I, I mean, we, we just click, we just, we met and we clicked, they had a vision of providing something new to the magazine, something young, something vibrant, they, yeah. They wanted to change. And I, again just took that chance because I saw whatever method I can use to help grow my mission. And my mission is to yeah. Support and build a strong, healthy golf community. And I just took that chance. And since then we've been working together. So in that I support a specific and a unique golf fitness called yoga instructions every month. So for, I think the past couple of years, I have a ton of ton of fun of them, of these exclusive instructions on the magazine. And I'm a very, yeah, very happy about it, very proud of it. And every time a golfer comes to me, what don't know or who reaches out with, with saying, look, I did your exercise in a golf magazine. Or I met them through, uh, an event like kale and open the past couple of years European through event. They, you know, they come at me and say, Hey, I know your exercises from the golf magazine, I've been doing them. And, uh, that's yeah, it just gives me so much joy and, um, it's made so much, uh, yeah, enthusiasm as well to keep propelling the game and especially the culture here in Holland forward.
Speaker 2:Oh, wonderful. Wonderful. Um, we're going to take a little break right now. And when we come back with Leesburg, we're going to chat a little bit about body movement versus fitness. Talk about some of the differences between it and particularly with the more traditional concept of fitness, uh, with today's, um, newer focus on movement, things like that, yoga and different innovative approaches to it. And we'll also chat a little bit about, um, Lee's, Beth's, uh, golf, yoga retreat in Spain. When we come back in a few moments
Speaker 1:[inaudible]
Speaker 2:And we're back with, uh, Lizbeth poles joining us from, uh, is it Amsterdam that you're in or you're joining us, joining us from Amsterdam. So, um, let's chat a little bit about body movement and fitness, because I think that there's a
Speaker 4:Great number of our listeners out there and probably in the general golf world that are not familiar with the differences and are going to say, well, you know, fitness, body movement, golf, body movements, um, what's the difference? Do you mind, uh, maybe helping us educate a little bit of our listeners and myself as well?
Speaker 3:Oh, of course, of course. I actually love this question and I do think there are many golfers still, uh, yeah. And aware of this fact, because I mean, for me, fitness doesn't even come close to the concept of movement because the way I see it, um, fitness is just the, the mirror actions that you do of working out to improve the muscular to cardiovascular system that are usually done through to set 10 reps to kill them, the, the kilometers that you run at, what pace you're run. And usually with the main goals in mind of a weight loss, fat burning, being able to run a marathon or get lean, something like that. And that to me is fitness, but body movement is yeah. Entails so much more and actually goes way beyond that. It includes various forums and various methods. It could be yoga, it could be Olympic lifting, it could be corrective exercises, it could be active meditation. It also includes the nervous system, um, could be breathing practices. Uh, it's, it's, it's a full spectrum that, yeah. What is, um, what is needed as well? Because we also look into movement patterns, habits, also the biomechanics, like we touched upon earlier, um, and this is extremely beneficial for golfers because even though every swing, every body is unique, the order or the sequence of moving, especially during the swing remains the same, if we want to produce consistency for do injuries, but also has it further without having to work harder. And I mean, look, the golf fitness, isn't just about practicing swings in the gym. I touch upon this because I think it's one of the main, biggest miscon conceptions about training for golf is, uh, you know, yeah. Trying to mimic your swing with a yeah. With weights. It's, it's not about that. It's not even about just core stability because then everyone who plays golf or who does core stability would be a top notch golfer, which it's not. And, you know, we often also saying that the golf fitness is all about knowing which power exercises to do, uh, what flexibility Meadows to use and knowing which medicine ball exercises and what the steps in rep sets and reps are or what secret the pros has have been using. And yeah, well, while all of that can, of course be useful to know. I believe that the essence and function of golf movement training lies elsewhere. It's about knowing how to move the body. It's about knowing what the body needs, what exactly to focus on. Maybe add more into training, but also maybe let go off. And then the body builds up more durability. It stops being compromised and creates quality movement capacity. And I mean, for the long run, it ends more permanent. This function patterns in the way of movement and limitations and compensations, because all of that just ends up in pain and injury and unhappiness, I think also for many golfers frustration. But so as a result, you allow yourself to play better, longer and enjoy more golf. That's how I see it.
Speaker 4:So in a nutshell, if we were to describe this to an average golfer, um, how does one benefit from this renewed understanding of the golf swing and body movement?
Speaker 3:Um, well, it's, it's, it's about understanding that it's a one-sided explosive rotational movement that has so much and bring so much, uh, pressure onto the spine and also on the nervous system, because it's usually when you're in front of your friends, when you're out on a tournament that you have to perform. So not only you're dealing with is huge and immense amount of physical pressure on the spine that has to be consistent. And hopefully, you know, we, we want it to be very precise, but also that mental pressure with it. So yeah, I always approach it as a full body mind game approach. And it's about learning how to integrate what you practice, let's say on the yoga mat and then taking it out on the course.
Speaker 4:Right, right. So it's, if I could paraphrase, as I understand it, you're basically talking about an entire or a more complete holistic approach to how one approaches golf. Yes. Okay. All right. Great. Um, now we've been talking a fair bit about more of the elite athlete, the elite amateurs and whatnot. Can anyone participate, um, regardless of skill level, I mean, is there something in this program or your training that, uh, says that, uh, the new, the person new to golf can benefit from this type of, uh, training, um, or somebody, you know, is it gender specific or is there a one gender that it favors more? Or, or am I making sense? Lee's myth? Is that
Speaker 3:Yes. Yes, yes. And absolutely anyone can participate like I'm touching up now. Um, let's say my, my online training course, I have an online training course, uh, alongside my one-on-one coaching, which is also open remotely, but even on what I put out online or what you see online or what you're inspired to do, it's accessible to any golfer. Also specifically, if you're new to golf, because it's like, it's like saying, okay, let's start to learn how to drive a car and then, but not pay attention to the signs on the roads, but all first let's, let's learn how to drive the car. And then next, you know, when I'm able to shift gears and when I, when I'm able to, uh, hit the gas and the brakes, then you know, after a while, I'll start to pay attention to the signs on the roads and the stoplights. It doesn't make sense. Right? It's the same with golf specific movement, especially when you're starting, you're allowing yourself to yeah. Take full advantage of, of that gold and integrate it as a sport in your life and not, and I think it's, it's, it's even harder for golfers or even more challenging for golfers who are already doing this a long time without adding that integrate integration of the body mind spectrum, because they're already ingrained in specific routines and habits and it's, yeah, it's more difficult to then implement new ones as when you're new to golf, you're open and you're allow you allow everything to start doing it right now already.
Speaker 4:Right. We have a saying in English, it's harder to teach an old dog new tricks. So what you're saying is, uh,
Speaker 2:It's much easier if you're newer to golf, because you can start to learn things correctly from the beginning and not having to retrain once thinking in one's, uh, training and one's body movements.
Speaker 3:Exactly. And I think that's why, and I believe that's why it's so important that especially what I see here, because I know in North America, you guys are way more ahead than we are, but I think that's so crucial that right now our industry here in Holland, Belgium has to make a shift and has to integrate a few basic goals. Movement principles are ready to those who are new, but that's not happening. So, I mean, I get, I get many messages and emails from golfers and they, you know, they, they tell me, I mean that my trainer, my, my coach has never told me about warming up for golf. Do I have to, and now that I experienced it, I feel so much different. Why isn't that coach telling me that? So it's, it's, I think it's crucial that community leaders in essence, um, I mean, right now they just can't withhold all the amazing benefits anymore that golf movement has to offer for their members, for their, uh, clients, for their club, their community. It's just, um, yeah, they just need to level up. And I mean, it's changing, luckily of course, and the professional athletes and the professional, um, tours, they, I mean, they are leading it a little bit, but it's also about all of those golfers who are ready, made that change are ready, made that shift into integrating, even if it's just a tiny warming up before hitting a ball, because that's been proven scientifically to, I mean, reduce the chance of overuse, overuse injuries. Um, and it's, it's, it's with all of the golfers who believe that, you know, it, it says already making a difference and who are open to do it. And yeah. Um, each and everyone who already believes in building a strong and resilient body with a open and resilient mind as well, those who decided to become more flexible, more durable, more healthy for the games. And that's, yeah, that's what our industry now is also, um, uh, what, what it also needs, but it's also driven by all of those whole golfers who are ready, made that shift.
Speaker 2:Right. Right. So when you take on a, um, a person, a client, uh, whether it's an, a group session or in a, uh, a one-on-one session, are there any goals that you have in mind when you, uh, work with someone like that? Like, is there a certain goals, like you want to improve their movement, rotational movement by a certain percentage, or you want them to be able to accomplish certain things by a certain time period in working with,
Speaker 3:I do always have goals in mind when we started working, but they're all very specific and all three personalized that, depending on the situation, they're at their age, what goals they have for themselves. I mean, I have golfers who, you know, they did PGA tour LPGA, that's their dream. I have golfers who dream of just playing stress-free and they just want to play for more enjoyment. So that, that is all very individualized. It's like, I also get this question, asked a lot about, you know, what the best goal fitness or goal movement exercise is, you know, and that's the same kind of answer. Like there's no specific one type goal, one type movement. One thing only it is all very individual and specialized. So, I mean, touching, touching upon when a golfer comes to me, I always start with a intake procedure where I do a full TPI screening, but I also send them a questionnaire, do a intake conversation as well, where I find out what, what really drives them both mentally, but also physically where the limitations might be are. And from that I create the, um, a program,
Speaker 2:Right. So it's incredibly, uh, personalized and customized for each individual that works with you.
Speaker 3:Yes. Perfect. Perfect.
Speaker 2:If somebody was wanting to get into this, how would they go about, uh, wanting to get into a program like this
Speaker 3:It's very straight forward, super easy. They can send me a message, uh, through Instagram, by my DM or on my website, I have a contact form and my website is LP golf performance thought NL on Twitter. Um, um, kind of on all social media. So just by sending me a message reaching out, I, I always appreciate golfers who reach out because I understand that sometimes the, the step to make is, can be very challenging. I mean, I've been in this situation myself before when I had to reach out. Um, and it can be very daunting or yeah, scary maybe for, and that's. Yeah, I totally understand what it is to be in that position. And, um, to always appreciate, just reach out. Yeah. Sending me what you're struggling with, what, what is it that you really want to achieve? And, and I always love to hear what you dream about, because then I can connect back with you and start a conversation. And from there, um, see if we're able to work together. Yes.
Speaker 4:Terrific. Um, sounds like it's very thorough and client focused program. That's wonderful. Um, golf, yoga retreat in Spain now, um, you have a seven day retreat plan from February 6th to 13th, uh, coming up in a couple of months time, it's at the Las Colinas golf and country club, which is in Southern Valencia. Is that correct?
Speaker 3:Yes. And actually some super exciting news is that they've been, um, uh, awarded as the best golf course in Spain. Yes.
Speaker 4:Fantastic. Fantastic. Awesome. So how long have you been doing these retreats Smith?
Speaker 3:Um, I've organized a retreat since, uh, 2019, hoping to yeah. Bring[inaudible] flexibility to golfers who are ready to take their game to the next level. And I mean, it's this unique training week is kind of the perfect balance combination where training intensity mindfulness, but also athletic recovery go hand in hand. And that's, that's yeah. A huge project that I'm able to yet send out to the world. And we're I go through where, or the golfers and the participants go, a transformation was in a week and yeah, it's very, um, honorable and humbling to be able to do that and organize both organized and coach it. So it's, um, a beautiful project, which every year I improve it's yeah. It's uh, yeah, my heart and soul is in the, in the retreats. Yeah.
Speaker 4:Oh, fantastic. Um, so is it a structured type of program? Like, do you have a set calendar for the seven-day period or are people just, uh, able to do certain things through like pick certain things? Or is it really like an intensive several week, a seven day?
Speaker 3:I think you could call it like that. Maybe the last, uh, the last thing you mentioned, maybe a kind of like an intensive goals, awareness training week. That could also be a name, but I call it Gulf yoga retreat, but it's, it's in a training week where we have a set structure and set program. Um, and yeah, a, I mean, it's, it's a professional program that is dedicated to anyone who wants that goal transformation, physical development and personal growth. And within the program I've created, like I mentioned before that unique balance between intensity and relaxation, which I haven't seen anywhere else, which I see that was missing in, in the world of golf and in, uh, in, in the golf industry, because I noticed that actually, I, this is something that I created as well, because I wished that I could participate in something like that when I was struggling, when I was a little bit unmotivated or when I was down or when I didn't know how to train my body specifically recalled and how to be more confident and feel more empowered and relaxed during the tournament's when I was still, um, dreaming of playing on the LPGA. Um, but as well, when a few of my clients back in the days they returned from golf, uh, trips, they were always coming back tired, exhausted, having drunk too much, having had too much, yes. Too much socializing where they say, look, I, I just need a moment for myself, you know? And, uh, their bodies were tied after it. Their bodies were tied in a week. Um, you name it. And I was like, why, why is, you know, there needs to be something else that takes, um, a different approach. And, um, that, that's, that's what I, um, yeah, what, um, what I tried to put a getter within the program structure, the balance between socializing, because it's a retreat with 12 like-minded golfers, where you can have fun where you can, you know, share experiences, but also the, the option and the, the set times where we actually retreat and do have a little bit time for, um, introspection and reflection and a day, uh, focused on mental hormones, where we tackle limiting beliefs, where we dive into that and how to apply that onto the course. So, yeah, we do have a set structure. I don't have a structure program up on my website and I, I get asked about this a lot, but, um, yeah, I, um, I don't do that because I want golfers to arrive with an open mind with an open heart and be open to receive the full program that I've created with the best practices out there. That's what I've done. And it keeps a little bit of surprise too, for when they arrive. Um, and that also makes them that they're more ready and open to embrace the new routines and new practices. And that what we practiced on that week is also, I, um, becomes also in a anchor to return back when they're back home.
Speaker 4:Right, right. So it's something they can apply.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. Absolutely. Because that's, that's my number one, one of my number one priorities is the transformation that happens during the Gulf yoga retreat week, but also being able to return back to everything that they've learned. So they ha I have a, um, after Cole coaching session with them to touch upon what they need after the week has gone over past couple of weeks, you know? Um, so it's, and before that, before they go on the retreat, I have a coaching session as well, an intake session. So you're actually, yeah. Working towards that, that week as a golfer, as the participant you're working towards your week. So, you know, your goals are already set, you know, more or less what it is that you're going to work on. And then after the week, you will also be much, much more, um, inclined to keep, keep doing what you've learned with the new, um, the new programs that are ingrained now. Right.
Speaker 4:Um, so let me ask you this. Why is yoga an important part of what you're doing in these retreats and in your basic training programs?
Speaker 3:Um, yeah, uh, I mean it can benefit so much to any type of golfer. And I think the main aspect is creating a greater adaptability, both physically and, and preparing the body for the physical demands of, yeah, the one-sided explosive a rotational movement, which is the golf swing and using yoga techniques is an excellent way to increase rotation and improve that mobility if applied correctly. But of course the mental advantages are huge, are huge. I mean, uh, talking about the breath, for example, something I, I apply in any kind of coaching that I do. Anything that you see, um, the breath is always key and through yoga, we can, um, yeah, we can start to become more aware of our breath and it's like, no matter what you eat and how much you exercise the amount of golf lessons or new clubs, or you have, or to weight, you're able to live. None of that actually matters if you're not breathing properly. And so through yoga, we start to breathe more effectively. First of all, because we, we are able to become more aware of our non-effective and dysfunctional breathing patterns and yeah, any changes in our breathing will be mirrored in the state of our body and the state of our mind. And so when the change has happened in the state of our body and of an, of our mind, the changes will also occur in our nervous system and be mirrored in our breathing. And I mean, yeah, this is just an, a huge, super valuable tool to be able to understand and implement on the course, as you can imagine.
Speaker 4:Right. Right. Uh, I recently came across something that you wrote, you wrote that perfection is an illusion. It is not real mastery on the other hand happens when we put the time in, Well, would you explain that a little bit? Um, what that means?
Speaker 3:Yes. Um, it, this, this is something, I mean, I've struggled with perfection for a while, uh, especially on the course. Um, so I think, and I see so many also of, of, of, of, you know, maybe more of the younger generation as they're growing up, um, putting so much pressure on themselves. And that's what I also did. You know, I put so much pressure on myself to be perfect, a perfect on a golf course, and I was focused on, um, especially being when I played, all I can think of is I have to perform within the norm of what everyone expected of me. Right. And so actually there is so much more, um, to learn to grow if you have an open mind to not be perfect, because it it's just never going to happen. Um, and it's a beautiful process. If you're able to let go of that standard that you have set for yourself, usually it also limits kind of a, you know, it taxes and it seals what you can achieve both physically and both mentally breaks your potential that you're able to achieve. And yeah, I think in a physical standpoint, I think everyone is so focused on achieving that perfect score on their TPI tests, making it very concrete now, uh, is that there's no perfect score on the TPI test. It's also about understanding what the limitations are and being into with them. So you're not going to do some things to you, but because, you know, you're limited in, maybe let's say, you know, very specific in hamstring, uh, your hamstrings are very tight or, um, your hips are, um, don't have the full range of motion. It's about understanding what those understanding, what the limitations are physically. So you're able to deal with them effectively. And I mean, I think that is, for me also, was that if you're open to it, it can be, it become a teacher, you know, just like the game, just like the game is, and yeah.
Speaker 4:Right. Okay. Um, are you all sold out for this program?
Speaker 3:Uh, I have limited spaces available, um, and the retreat does go on a, um, application process, but I do have, uh, some more room for 2000 and, uh, 21 and everything can be found on Gulf yoga, retreat.com and, um, yeah, I, I hope to welcome another 12 golfers, uh, upcoming year.
Speaker 4:Great, great. So if someone was interested in coming, um, for the retreat in February, they go to yoga retreat,
Speaker 3:Golf, yoga, retreat.com,
Speaker 4:Golf, yoga retreat.com. Okay. And they can find, uh, a form there to fill out or complete, uh, to submit their information for you and get the process started.
Speaker 3:Correct. There's the, there is some information and also some great testimonials from my previous, uh, participants, um, which I, you know, uh, hope you read because I can, I can tell about it all. I want, I think it's super, uh, valuable, even if you hear some, some, you know, if you hear another golfer who is also being in your shoes, uh, talk about it and what their experience, but so yeah, if you scroll then through the end of the page, there's a forum with a, um, it has some application questions. Uh, so I know where you're coming from, where you're at. And, um, I'll, I'll, you know, that, that's, that's what I always do. Um, I want to make sure I can, you know, I can do, I can deliver your goal and your dreams. And so with that, I application yet, it's so important that I understand where you're coming from and what your goals are, so I can help you to the best of my abilities.
Speaker 4:All right. Sounds like it'll be a fun time. Some science, some golf, some yoga and good company and, uh, after golf fun.
Speaker 3:Absolutely.
Speaker 4:Um, so what's up next for you, Elizabeth, what's happening between now and then for you?
Speaker 3:Well, I'm very focused right now, it's off season. And so that requires a lot of training programs to be written. Um, most of them are, are written already, but it's always fine tuning, like we've said before. It's I write the program for my clients, um, at the beginning of the season, but we it's, it's, you're always fine tuning. It's like a race car, you know, you it's, you have your break in place, you have your tires in place, you have the oil in place, but sometimes you need to tweak. And, uh, that that's what is happening now. Um, coaching wise with my one-on-one clients, and then I have I've launched last month, my online training course. So I really hope that many more golfers will be able to benefit from the, uh, amazing tools and super accessible tools that I provide on that course. So, um, I hope that can reach many more and more golfers. And, um, yeah, so I'm, I'm full into a work mode, um, working towards some short-term goals, long-term goals and yeah. Um, doing what I love most coaching and providing everyone, uh, some inspiration hopefully too. And yeah, that's, that's, uh, that's my plan.
Speaker 2:Okay. Wonderful. Wonderful. Um, so thank you very much. These that's a really, really appreciated, um, I know you and I could probably have this conversation extended on for another bunch of time talking about all the different things that fascinate and are interesting about golf, the golf swing and, and the thoughts behind it. Um, we are at the end of our time allotment for our show. So I'd like to extend to you on behalf of the show, uh, uh, super big. Thank you, Elizabeth. Um, we're very pleased that you could join us and take time out of your very, very busy schedule to chat with us and share your knowledge with us. And, and, uh, hopefully, uh, we'll have helped reach some of our listeners and golfers out there to help them improve and at least get their thought process rolling in terms of things they might want to start looking at in terms of improving themselves in their games. Thank you.
Speaker 3:Thanks. Thank you so much. And, uh, likewise, I appreciate your time and yeah, anything I can do to help create the fellowship a more healthy, aware, and strong golf community. I'm all in for that. And so thank you so much for this opportunity.
Speaker 2:Wonderful. All right. I'll thank you very much, Lisa Smith.
Speaker 3:You're very welcome.
Speaker 2:Oh, sorry about that. Didn't mean to cut you off Lee Smith. Anyway, ladies and gentlemen, uh, that wraps up our show for today. So again, a really big thank you for joining us on our podcast. Now, just a note about our upcoming shows, we are planning a special show on the us women's open, which will be a preview of golf's last major of 2020, and we'll include important storylines, potential contenders, and hopefully interviews with a couple of players. So keep an eye open for that show. You can also check in regularly on the world of golf website for more information and stories on women's professional golf on behalf of the show and the producers and our guests. Thank you very much for joining us. Have a great day. Hi,
Speaker 3:Our podcast show is produced by the world of golf today's show was recorded on November 10th, 2020. If you have any questions about our show, or you would like to submit suggestions or comments, please send them to us by email to info@worldofgolf.org that's info@worldofgolf.org. Or
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Speaker 5:Thank you for listening.