Author: Pat Hupfauf

Readers are Leaders

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I am not sure where I first heard the phrase “readers are leaders” but it is something that has stuck with me throughout my entire life.  I am now in my second year of retirement from teaching and coaching after 37 years of doing both. As I have thought about what to do in my retirement, one thing that keeps coming back into my mind is the need to read some great books.  I have always believed that reading can help you become the best version of yourself for others. When you are busy with coaching and teaching, like I was for many years it is very hard to find the time or make the time to read.  My goal is to slow down to read books that would allow me to continue to grow and make an impact in another way.

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I started my quest for more knowledge by listening to podcasts by Chris Wirth of No Quit Living. His guests were successful people from all walks of life. I loved listening to all the great ideas his guest presented time and again. As I listen to No Quit Living, I notice many guests refer to their reading and how it is a priority in their lives. This inspired me to seek out books that lift me up more and do more with my life. Chris Wirth and a friend of mine Fred Quartlebaum (Assistant Basketball Coach at The University of Kansas), co-wrote a little book called: The Positivity Tribe. In the book they share many great ideas, but one that resonates with me is “We Rise by Lifting Others Up.”  I loved the idea; what a great way to live life.  I wondered what types of books Wirth and Quartlebaum enjoyed reading, and found that Wirth reads books that have impacted him personally and professionally. I decided to pick one from his list to read.

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Building a Cardio Room at Your School for Free

(3 Minute Read)

For the past four years, I continually had students ask if we could have a class where they could work on cardiovascular conditioning instead of lifting weights.  At our small rural high school in Kansas, we offer Lifetime Conditioning and Sports Conditioning classes.   The classes are very popular, but based on student interest there was an immediate need for a way to teach cardio.  The dilemma we faced was where this cardio room would be in our school and how we could afford and acquire machines needed to offer cardio as another class.

After attending a Wellness Committee meeting at our school and discussing with faculty and staff on how to improve employee wellness, it struck me that we could meet both needs with a new cardio room.  I knew to ask the school to build a facility was not going to happen, so I proposed the next best thing. I told the superintendent that if he would supply me with a room at the high school I would make sure to fill it with free, donated equipment without any cost to the district.  He looked at me like I was crazy, but I was more than willing to accept the challenge.

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