SUPER MOM

JAMMIN' WITH FRANK

PULL DOWNS TO THE FRONT

14 PERFECT PUSH -UPS

DIARY OF THE BLACK PRINCE 

AT THE LA AIRPORT ON SATURDAY MORNING WHEN I PICKED UP THE CASACCIO FAMILY: GARY, JUDY, BRETT AND KYLE, JUDY IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WITH HER TAKE CHARGE ATTITUDE. IN MY MIND, I SAID, THIS LADY HAS POP, A GO GETTER! 

THEIR 1 WEEK STAY WAS A MEMORIAL EXPERIENCE. IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU GET A WHOLE FAMILY TOTALLY INTO BEING PHYSICALLY FIT. I’M TALKING SERIOUS; MINDSET, EFFORT AND DETERMINATION. NOT JUST FROM ONE BUT EVERYBODY WAS INTO IT, LEAVING NO HOLDS BARRED. 

YOU HAD TO ADMIRE THEIR FOCUS. I TOTALLY ENJOYED TRAINING THEM AND GIVING THEM THE RIGHT EATING AND TRAINING ADVICE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS OF THE MOST FIT FAMILY IN AMERICA I HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH SINCE STARTING MY MASTER CLASS 1 WEEK TRAINING ULTIMATE LIFESTYLE. 

YOU EXPECT GUYS TO GO BALLS TO THE WALL, BUT WHEN MOMS TAKE OVER, LOOK OUT. JUDY'S A TRIATHLETE, WIFE, SPORTS MOM AND PROFESSIONAL HYGIENIST. NOW YOU UNDERSTAND WHY SHE WAS PUSHING THE MEN IN HER LIFE. SHE RAN AND WALKED UP AND DOWN THE 196 SANTA MONICA STAIRS 4 TIMES, EXECUTED 14 PERFECT PUSH-UPS AND LIFTED THE IRON WITH EASE. 

I’M VERY IMPRESSED, IN AWE. 

MY HAT OFF TO YOU, JUDY CASACCIO! 

YOU ARE MY MOM OF THE YEAR. 

UPON MEETING JUDY YOU COULD FEEL AND SEE SHE WAS SPECIAL. THAT'S HOW WE GOT INVOLVED WITH THIS 10 QUESTION INTERVIEW.

1. JUDY, WERE YOU AN ATHLETE IN HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE? WHAT SPORTS DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN?

I was a swimmer, water polo player, pom-pom girl and softball player. I was fortunate to have 3 older brothers who were active and later in the Marines; they kept us younger sisters active.

2. WHAT GOT YOU INTO BECOMING A TRIATHLON ATHLETE? DO YOU ENJOY THE DUALS AND CHALLENGES?

I became a triathlete in 1988. I was working and a patient said their swimmer had just became pregnant and they were going to have to drop out of their relay. I said, “I know how to swim.” That was the start. The next year I did the whole race myself. I have been blessed to be able to still participate in the sport now. I love racing.

3. WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO KEEP SUCH A PUSH - PUSH SCHEDULE?

I hate to buy jeans..... I like how I feel after a good workout, and I like the benefits that come from exercise. I enjoy challenging myself and I like the challenge of trying to outperform my previous workout; ie..I hate to buy new jeans...

4. WITH SUCH A BUSY SCHEDULE DO YOU EVER TAKE “A JUDY TIME OUT” WHERE YOU JUST PAMPER AND RELAX?

All the time. Life is a balance. I love to read, watch Criminal Minds and The Closer.

5. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE ALL THOSE MOMS OUT THERE WHO DON’T PUSH TO THE EDGES AND MAINTAIN SOME TYPE OF PHYSICALLY FIT ROUTINE WITH A BUSY SCHEDULE..

Get up early. When the boys were younger I was up sometimes at 4:30. Glad those days are over. Oh--get a dog, walking early in the morning clears my mind for the day.

6. YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL, PHYSICALLY FIT, HARD WORKING PROFESSIONAL. DO YOU THINK BEING FIT PLAYS A ROLE WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR DESIRE, DRIVE AND ENERGY LEVEL.

Yes, when work sometimes gets crazy, I can multitask and roll with the flow much better when I have ran or did some kind of activity that morning. Being fit definitely helps me to maintain high energy levels.

7. DO YOU FOLLOW A GOOD EATING PLAN THAT ENABLES YOU TO REMAIN SO FIT AND ENERGETIC?

Yes and no. I eat 3 good meals a day with a spinach salad at night, but, I’m a sugar junkie. I’m now trying, thanks to your and Arden’s example, to eat more fruit and trail mix for snacks. It’s hard.. those packages of Swedish Fish keep calling me.

8. JUDY, HOW OFTEN DO YOU COMPETE IN TRIATHLON EVENTS? WILL YOU BE CHANGING OVER TO MORE GYM WORKOUTS AFTER YOUR WORKOUT AT THE RR ULTIMATE 1 WEEK MASTER CLASS IN VENICE CA?

This year I took off from competition. I’m hoping to compete in a 1/2 ironman next year and if all goes well compete in my second full ironman in 2-4 years. I’m now lifting 2-3 times per week since our visit, and I’m doing stairs now after every lifting workout. You and Arden really helped me with my mind/body connection and having the right mindset. I’m always checking my posture and thinking about proper body alignment and body mechanics.

9. BESIDE BEING A GREAT MOM AND WIFE WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES? Biking, I’m part of a biking group that I love. I also enjoy reading, gardening, being outside and with friends.

10. DO YOU THINK YOUR BODY WORK SESSION WITH DEAN MURRAY IMPROVED YOUR VISION OF YOUR BODY MECHANICS AND YOUR SPECIFIC DETAILS TO WATCH? DID IT ALSO RELAX YOU?

Dean was great. As I mentioned earlier, I am much more aware of the importance of proper alignment while training; that is something I never really thought about before but can see how it can improve performance and also prevent injury. And, “yes” I felt very relaxed after my session.

THANKS, JUDY.

PEACE ROBBY
▶ www.robbyrobinson.net