Penguin Kids Fitness - Inspiring Children to Be Active!

Hi and welcome to this guest blog by me, the creator and owner of Penguin Kids Fitness. Thanks to the amazing support of Julie and the Happy Heartbeats team, I have been invited to write this blog and thought I would take the opportunity to explain about the reasoning and inspiration behind the website and why there is such determination to see it grow and grow, plus be seen across the world by a large number of people.

First of all, my name is Stephen. I started the website for Penguin Kids Fitness in November 2011, and in order to be able to remember the date forever, launched on 11/11/11. It wasn’t quite 11:11am, but was incredibly close, so I can safely say that this special day will never be forgotten. The concept has evolved massively since the start and has gone from me setting out to teach classes across the UK to children to get them to be active, evolving into promoting people doing this and also promoting products as well as services to ensure all aspects of children’s welfare is now covered.

The website is now at a position where the purposes are strongly defined and I am working towards two main goals, which are the following:

1.  To promote products and services that benefit the health, fitness and wellbeing of children

2.  To engage with children to inspire and motivate them to take part in sport and physical activity

I have explained how the first element evolved, and I have seen positive reaction to promoting a wide range of products and services. This started with promoting businesses and organisations across the UK, but with the help of launching a French speaking version of the website, the website(s) now promote products and services which are international, as well as businesses and organisations nationally in UK, USA, France and Ireland. This is growing and there is now the clear aim to promote and be seen across the world, wholly aided by the fact that the main promotion and marketing is through Twitter and Facebook, which makes all of this possible.

The engagement side of the Penguin Kids Fitness business is done through two main aspects. Work is being done to create lots of resources for teachers which will help them to make PE more fun and get more kids engaged, inspired and motivated to take part in sport and physical activity. The other way that the site is engaging with children is to target them directly through the "Stuff for Kids" section Meet The Characters, which has seen the creation of a total of 24 Penguins, each one representing a different sport. A working progress, the eventual aim is for each penguin to have a profile, an interview with them plus more details on the sport they play and how kids can start playing that sport.

Play Hockey with Klaus!

There are other elements and areas on the "Stuff for Kids" section, and hopefully I have whetted your appetite to check out the site and find out what these other areas are. I feel I can say that you will discover even better things when you get there, and I hope that kids will walk away wanting to discover a new sport or take part in different activities.

Go Swimming With Karen!



The drive to create Penguin Kids Fitness has really come from wanting to make a real impact on the life of our younger generations, and to ensure that they get the most out of all the opportunities which now exist for them. As well as all these fantastic and motivating opportunities which would see kids running around and trying different activities, there seems to be an equal amount of opportunities which would actually prevent them from taking part in sport. Whether the various distractions of television, computer games and computer activities, or the need for them to do lots and lots of work in subjects for school, the main thing that now lacks in a child’s life is the ability to run around, be free and burn energy. I know I am not alone in being worried that this could have a very bad effect on their lives, especially as the habits we develop later in life are founded upon the habits we teach ourselves as a child. As a result, it is really important that we get our children to run around more and take part in sport and physical activity, as this means they will be more likely to take part in sport or go out running when they are older, thinking of this as natural.

Go Cycling With Fabienne!

I think that just about explains why and what the Penguin Kids Fitness website is all about. What started as a website which I thought would be seen by a few people has grown to something that is now seen around the world, and it is quite nice to think about this. The steady growth of the website and support has been really positive, and I am looking forward to it growing more and more as the site is developed with the number of resources that are available for parents, teachers and children.

If you have not yet seen the website, you can check it out at www.penguinkidsfitness.com. To stay up to date with all updates and see when new links and resources arrive on the website, follow/like us on twitter (our profile is @PenguinKidsFit) or on Facebook (our page is www.facebook.com/PenguinKidsFitness).

Have Penquin Fun!!

Children will Love Playing Along Side the Penquin Characters!

Please feel free to contact us is you have any questions you want answered. The contact details are on the website, or you can use the contact forms and they will come through to me.

I hope you have enjoyed this guest blog. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Julie for giving me the opportunity, and hope you keep following her blog to follow the fantastic work and inspiration she provides through the Happy Heartbeats Counters (I support and follow her, and there is a link to her blog on the Penguin Kids Fitness website).

I hope you all have a good week.

Thanks, Stephen

Disclaimer

What Makes You Happy?

As Happy HeartBeats Ambassador and Spokes Person comes much responsibility.  Happy HeartBeats empowers YOU to become more happy and engaged in life and share that with Riley Kids. None of us know when the next "speed bump" that will develop but with the compassion you share, we know we have so many loving people giving us strength and hope.

So what makes you happy? What leaves you with a smile that comes from within and shows on your beautiful face?  Is it dancing, walking, doing puzzles, reading, doing yoga, meditation, prayer, playing with your children, volunteering, date night, going out with friends you haven't seen in a while, vacation etc?  It is different for everyone. I feel a responsibility to ensure YOU find happiness from within.  As an exercise, let me know what activities give you a lift.  Let's get interactive here. When we identify those things which make you happy, you will want to do them over and over again. 

Julie and Hubby, Mark Sailing for Happy HeartBeats!

Sharing Our Happy HeartBeats Gives Even More Meaning to What We Love!

Share your Happy HeartBeats at http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp with Riley Kids. You will find your outlook on life changes. Instead of forcing on the negative news, you will be able to watch it once, take it in, and go on with your day.  It doesn't mean we forget what happens in the world. Happy HeartBeats make the world a smaller place connecting us together though shared Happy HeartBeats.  The number represents all of us contributing our Happy HeartBeats while doing what makes us happy.  How wonderful to know that many others were doing something in any given day that you were, then share those who need it most.  We don't know from where those HeartBeats originate, but we do know that we are connected with others around the world for one common interest, sharing our happiness with others.

Something has been tugging at my heart strings for a while that I'd like to share. Being Spokes Person for Happy HeartBeats is truly an honor. Sharing happiness echoes what Happy HeartBeats empowers us all to do. As those who face any challenges, I'm sure you've probably surmised it's not always been sunshine and roses growing up with a birth defect and having so many surgeries, with a continuing journey. Being happy isn't about wearing a smile to convince yourself you're happy.  Happiness is being authentic and honestly representing yourself.  For example, I do have my bad days.  It's normal and natural.  I even sometimes get grumpy :)  For me, it's been important to be able to just verbalize, "Today is a bad pain day," or recognize what struggles I'm facing.  It's taken many years to realize it's not complaining, rather it's being fair to those around me to be honest about what I'm feeling.  We cannot expect others to read our minds.  It will get lonely not opening up to others.

In college I realized that I couldn't just pretend any of "this" was happening to me, life with Sacral Agenesis.  You'd think my first clue would have been having more surgeries than I am old but I'm really head strong.  I wanted to think that I could do anything and push through whatever pain there was.  Well, when I was a junior in college I was put in a wheelchair and, at the time, they said "forever."  I freaked out.  It really took until I was 21 to actually accept that what I had been living was extraordinarily different than most.  Now I use my really cool wheel chair for distances and walk in the house and sometimes use my walker when I go out, depending on my energy.  I learned that pushing through was only going to hurt ME, physically.  My whole life I was no different than others, as far as I could see.  Life is about adaption and that's what I do very naturally.  We can still achieve what we set our minds to, we just take different paths to reach the finish line. It was the year I will never forget because I started opening up and sharing my feelings.

It's wonderful to be happy and comfortable with where I am, in life.  I do believe there is a silver lining in everything, even on days it's most difficult to see.  It will show itself.  Sure, maybe it needs to polished, but it's there. I realize that in order to be the best Spokes Person leading others to find what makes them happy, I needed to share what I've learned. Life's journey is bumpy with detours and winding roads.  It's important to roll down the windows, let the wind blow through your hair and sing along to what's on the radio. With the "speed bumps" life places in our path, doesn't it feel better to have someone or some way to cope. Armed with people, activities or moments that bring our soul joy ensures we always take the exit to optimism.  

Here we are full circle.  What makes YOU happy!! I look forward to hearing what those activities are.  It's nice to know we are not alone in life and Happy HeartBeats provides a hypothetical journal of activities leading us to innate happiness.  Comment on the blog to share your activities in life that bring you happiness.  It's getting back to the basics in a hectic world.  Isn't it so neat that the world is a community built on happy experiences shared with each other?  I look forward to hearing from you this week.  Also if it's difficult to leave a comment, email me at hemkerjulie@gmail.com to share your happy activities.  Let's shake things up!

My Friend Walks Her Dogs and Shares Her and Their Happy HeartBeats to Riley Kids!

Thank you for sharing your compassion and motivating others to get involved!!

Happy HeartBeats Why and How?

So, What are Happy HeartBeats?

A means for you to experience and engage with life in a positive way.  It decreases anxiety, leaving YOU happier and healthier.  Increase your quality of life. It's simple and free!

Activities for Happy HeartBeats:
*  Walking
*  Play Board Games
*  Family Night
*  Watch Your Favorite Movie
*  Listen to Music
*  Meditate
*  Pray
*  Eat Healthy
*  Walking your dog, take care of a baby (any activities caring for others you double your Happy HeartBeats because you are responsible for someone else's happiness!)
*  Enjoy the night sky
*  Enjoy the sunrise with cup of coffee
*  Hold hands with someone you love
*  Kiss in the rain
*  Whatever activity makes YOU happy and feel positive

Enjoy those activities that make you feel like you are in another world.  Scientific data supports that over time your heart beat will regulate to a more consistent pulse, and you will naturally find yourself doing those activities with repetition, inherently enjoying the activites which may have once seemed forced.  Happiness starts with YOU!  Once you experience joy that makes your soul dance with excitement and delight you will want to share that with others in need.

How Does Happy HeartBeats Work?

Estimate how many times your heart beats per minute.  For simplicity sake, let's say that your heart beats 100x/min x 60 min ( of activity) = 6,000 Happy HeartBeats.  How exciting, you just did an hour of activity that benefits you directly.  Endorphins are released in your brain and you feel, well, happy!  Now click on http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp where you login in the upper right hand corner (where the red banner is) and it says, "Are you a member yet?"  and "Login." You do not enter any personal data at all.  Just enter the Username and Password.

Username:  on
Password:   tap

This gives you access to the Happy HeartBeats Counter for Riley Kids Urology.  Here is where your Happy HeartBeats from doing a positive activity can help someone else.  Enter the number you "earned" and deposit it into the "bank" of Happy HeartBeats for Riley Kids Urology.  This number indicates how many positive activities were completed to share happiness and well being with those who need it most - our kids. 

Why Riley Urology?

Riley Hospital for Children has a World Renowned Urology Department.  It is the single most efficiently and effectively run clinic at the hospital and is serving as a model for all other clinics hospital wide.  Show them how much EVERYONE cares by sharing your daily Happy HeartBeats. The clinic over flowing with compassionate care givers and immense medical expertise needs our help to save kids.  "They" say, you can tell a lot about a society by how they treat their children.  Let's go down in history as a society who cares deeply, from the heart, for our kids.  Connect emotionally through sharing your Happy HeartBeats to show the kids, families, and medical staff they are not forgotten. Share your love to uplift those facing major battles every minute.  Riley Urology changes and saves lives.  Let's hold their hands and help them continue to do what they do.

Remember it's simple go to http://www.gtwyh.org/rileyurology/grouphome.asp The Happy HeartBeats Counter ™ for Riley Kids Urology.  Log in at the top in the red banner where it says, "Are you a Member?" and  "Login."  Click Login.

Username:  on
Password:   tap

Start today and donate 10000 Happy HeartBeats each day to empower those who need you! You make the difference.

What if I want to do more in conjuction with my Happy HeartBeats?

To continue building State of the Art treatments in Pediatric Urology including Oncology donate now at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/HappyJulieHemker/juliehemkersfundraisingpage.  With a compassionate heart filled, giving of any level helps Riley Urology obtain goals to increase their scope of treatments and expand research to develop new life saving procedures. 

So many lives have been changed and saved because of Riley Urology including my own life.  Riley Urology needs the emotional support from all of us and financial support to continue to soar as the Best!!