It was 27 degrees yesterday at the park before my hike, and I needed to use the bathroom. I walked into the bathroom and was surprised to find it heated up like a toaster! There were NO homeless living inside, NO graffiti, NO vandalism, and NO trash. What does this say about my community? Plenty if you are talking about livability.

I had the honor and privilege of working closely with Dr. Rocannon MacGregor in Glendale, CA--also known as the "ZenKahuna." I worked with "ZK" for over a couple of years in private sessions and with his wonderful Monday night movement group who met outside at the park to start off each week with joyous movement and learning. I still have contact with him as a close friend and we often share stories and learnings from our journeys. One of the many lessons ZK taught me was what I call "The Power of ONE." He described learning movements on a scale from 1-10. He got me to understand that so many times people speed by the basic fundamentals of step one and thus bypass some of the best learning. I began to understand over time that my ego was blocking me from enjoying and appreciating the basics because I was worried or consumed with being "the expert" instead of being grateful for the fundamentals and engaging a beginner's mind. As time went on, I realized that every time I thought I had learned step one--there was something else there to learn if I revisited the basics! This process became circular and began again and again much like Zen philosophy. Here's to the Power of ONE! I hope you enjoy thinking it over...and maybe even revisiting something you thought you learned already.

I posed a deeply reflective question to my US History students last week, "What should Americans know about Black History?" I got the expected responses like they need to know about oppression, racism, slavery, etc., but then I also got some deeper reflective and less reactionary responses like, "Mr. Jones, we need to know more about the contributions of blacks and about people in black history we never hear about." It got me to thinking deeper which is the point of these reflective exercises, so here's a podcast summarizing our class discussions and some extra thoughts too.

I came up with a creative way to teach "symbolism" to my 8th-grade students by re-creating the official U.S. Seal. Here's how I set it up and what they learned. Symbolism is everywhere, yet few people really see it or understand what they see.

"You can grow stronger, or you can grow weaker; you can grow greater, or smaller; but it will be impossible for you to stand still." -Booker T. WashingtonIn 1902, Booker T. Washington published a small book composed of his fireside chats to his students and faculty at his Tuskegee Institute in Alabama entitled, "Character Building."Booker T. was one of the leading blacks in American history and was truly a founding father of America and one of our greatest educators and philosophers. This section is entitled, "Growth."

"I'm back in the saddle againI'm backI'm back in the saddle againI'm riding, I'm loading up my pistolI'm riding, I really got a fistfulI'm riding, I'm shining up my saddleI'm riding, this snake is gonna rattle"-"Back in the Saddle" by AerosmithWelcome everyone! I'm back in the saddle again for 2022! Here's a short show on my reflections regarding my relocation hiatus and future show plans. I hope you join me for many shows to come in 2022.

"Make up your mind that in spite of race or color, in spite of the obstacles that surround you, in spite of everything, you are going to succeed..." -Booker T. WashingtonIn 1902, Booker T. Washington published a small book composed of his fireside chats to his students and faculty at his Tuskegee Institute in Alabama entitled, "Character Building."Booker T. was one of the leading blacks in American history and was truly a founding father of America and one of our greatest educators and philosophers. This section is entitled, "Don't Be Discouraged."

In 1902, Booker T. Washington published a small book composed of his fireside chats to his students and faculty at his Tuskegee Institute in Alabama entitled, "Character Building." Booker T. was one of the leading blacks in American history and was truly a founding father of America and one of our greatest educators and philosophers. Here are a few short sections, and I'll be sharing more in the days to come too.

In 1902, Booker T. Washington published a small book composed of his fireside chats to his students and faculty at his Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Booker T. was one of the leading blacks in American history and was truly a founding father of America and one of our greatest educators and philosophers. In this show, I provide an introduction to Booker T. and his book "Character Building." In the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing many of his short speeches on various topics because his wisdom must be heard so we can continue to rise and elevate our communities and culture.

I was out and about the other day when a younger woman came inside in her thirties who was morbidly obese--while wearing a tightly stretched "Monster Energy Drink" T-shirt. I was actually rather startled to be honest. I started asking myself a rational question, "How did we get to this place?" Here are some thoughts on the disconnect between true life energy and the American mindset on health through slick marketing schemes.

I was in my favorite Sunday morning cafe having breakfast the other day when a younger couple sat down at the table next to me. After a few minutes, they appeared to be anxious and impatient and walked out before the server could bring their water and ask for the order. It made me reflect upon my trip to Spain a few years ago and how different it was there to dine out in terms of being a far healthier experience due to not being rushed by the server to eat and get out. Here are my thoughts...

I just did a trail run right after a rainstorm and tripped then fell. It's extremely rare for me to fall while running, but I wanted to do this show and talk about why I fell and how I have trained myself to catch a fall and how these things can help protect you from injury.

Many people have been moving around the country and migrating from one state to the other much like happened right after the 1918 pandemic at the end of WWI too. Here are a few comments on what it was like for me to leave everything in Los Angeles and migrate to the midwest city of Tulsa, OK.

Well my friends, today is my last show for at least a couple of weeks as I relocate from Los Angeles to Tulsa, OK where I have accepted a teaching job in social studies. I have really enjoyed doing the shows and all the various topics. I will be expanding The Long Road Show once I get to Tulsa plus building a podcast studio in my new house where I can do some of the shows live. Later this fall, I will be reaching out and having some guests on my show too. I'll also be doing some remote shows in the field with portable recording gear, so stay tuned for much more on educating and elevating. It's Tulsa Time!

I saw a very weathered and elderly homeless woman with serious mileage on her body and soul. She was pulling a heavy shopping cart down the sidewalk with her whole life inside of it...I started thinking, "What's her story?" We never know what people have gone through or are going through, and sometimes it can change a person's life just to give a damn.

I was listening to yet the latest criticism of what someone did 30 years, and I realized that we are essentially giving people "NO room for change" or no benefit of the doubt that they can improve with this attitude. It's absurd to cancel someone, burn their business, or terrorize their family over some of these ridiculous mistakes they made as juveniles or younger adults. Consider the context of the infractions--did they murder someone? Did they rape someone? Did they burn a business down? Did they beat someone in a racial attack? Ok, fine, these things are going to stand the test of time for criticism, but a flippant comment or stupid photo that was taken in high school is just not the same. I propose a pause and some reflection on how people are attacking others because if this plays out like the Stalin era--the people doing the finger-pointing and condemnation will end up having the same done to them...or worse.

On May 20, 1944, Arthur H. Steinhaus published an article entitled, "What is Fitness Education?" where he advocated for a wholistic approach to education far beyond physical fitness. Like so many of the classical PE people, Steinhaus also highlighted "mental stability" with his description of "emotional control" found in previous cultures. True classical PE programs taught mental stability and emotional control "through the physical." By removing physical challenges of historic wisdom, we have in fact removed the building blocks of mental stability from current youth.

While conducting some other historical research recently, I ran across an amazing government health document called, "National Negro Health News" published by the US Public Health Service in 1943-1944. I was rather shocked at the comprehensive quality of health programs for blacks during this era that included nutrition, fitness, community health, education, and so much more, but then I noticed articles on STDs like syphilis which caused concern because of the horrific Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments that ran from 1938 to 1972. This terrible experiment allowed blacks to suffer horribly with blindness and other health problems which at times led to their death. I was deeply disturbed to read through so many articles on "prevention of syphilis" in black communities while knowing that at the same exact time of this publication the same US Government was allowing infected blacks to progress with syphilis. My objective of the show is to highlight some reasons why blacks have a distrust of government health and to also call for you to question what we are being told today such as, "We are doing this because we care about your health." Know who you are dealing with here--the same government talking rhetoric on public health has historically violated public health and especially in black communities. The same government talking about how much they care about our health serves junk food in schools and has allowed the removal and deterioration of proper physical and "health" education classes. This is a call to action--NOT for more violence, but for the people to understand what is at hand and that we deserve answers to rational questions before having any more "blind faith" in a government telling us to just trust them and comply. *SOURCE: National Negro Health News by US Public Health Service (1943-1944) https://books.google.com/books/about/National_Negro_Health_News.html?id=ZaacYlvOuRsC

I had a disturbing experience at the post office yesterday when I tried to interact with a two-year-old and say hello. We are masking indoors again in Los Angeles County, and it was so hard to communicate a caring gesture. I was very disturbed about the experience and it got me thinking about pending speech disorders that need our adult attention in the next few years to help these children learn the art of speaking. I feel we need to be proactive in making up for the loss of speech development and also other educational losses the last 18 months.

"Each person is strong relying on his own, and betrayed when he seeks in himself the courage of others."In January of 1943, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company published an article in their Health Bulletin for Teachers entitled, "The Anatomy of Courage." I ran across this article while conducting some other historical research and wanted to share some very wise words of wisdom that are extremely relevant to our current times in July 2021.

This is not a "fun" show today. It's a serious show with heavy implications, so I encourage you to put on a different hat other than the "mindless amusement to escape boredom hat" like far too many today. Here's what history has to say about our youth, and adults, being addicted to digital "dust in the mouth" activities instead of reading, developing hobbies, and ACTIVE participation in culturally UPLIFTING lives.

Yesterday on Channel 5 TV News here in Los Angeles there was a breaking fitness report on stretching! "Latest research" shows that static stretching might even be detrimental to your fitness! Dynamic stretching is likely a better way to prepare for your workouts! OMG! Shock of all shocks! Not really. I moved in this direction back in the late 1990s because of "emerging science." Even better, as a PE historian, I discovered that dynamic movements were indeed the tried and true way to prepare for movement--yes--the dreaded "ballistic stretching" that I was taught was "contraindicated" is actually far better for you. The problem is that people today are essentially clueless about proper movement, real science, and the history of movement. So TV 5, yes, dynamic movement is a better way to go, but I'm not sure where you have been the last 25 years while some of us have been doing exactly this and teaching it to thousands of students and clients.

This is show #11 on "Lotus Light" by modern dance icon and author Ruth St. Denis. "Lotus Light" was a book of poetry and illustrations published in 1932 and beautifully illustrated by her friend Ruth Harwood. Ruth St. Denis was one of the biggest names in the world of modern dance during the early 1900s, and her work still influences dancers and movement artists even today. She's one of my favorite people to read and study.Learn more about Ruth St. Denis here: https://www.jacobspillow.org/about/pillow-history/ruth_st_denis

I have made some recent observations about "morning exercise" that I think is unique to that part of the day and worth sharing.

I took my daughter on the Metrolink yesterday to downtown Los Angeles. It was quite a cultural experience from visiting the amazing "The Last Bookstore" establishment to seeing the devastating amount of homeless living on the streets in filth and squalor. What to do? First observe then think. That's a good start, so here are some observations and thoughts today...

"The Evolution of Sports & the Cultural Implications of Physical Education" was a wonderful history of movement and PE book written in 1946 by Ramy B. Deschner and published by the Fred Medart Manufacturing Company in St. Louis, MO. Medart was the primary American company that made PE and sports equipment, but they did more than just make equipment--they also supported the elevation of culture through the physical activities of classical PE and sports and outdoor recreation. In this segment, I read the introduction and history of running and vaulting sections. It's not "just PE" when you get into the history of classical physical education--it's about elevating culture and educating people.

This is show #10 on "Lotus Light" by modern dance icon and author Ruth St. Denis. "Lotus Light" was a book of poetry and illustrations published in 1932 and beautifully illustrated by her friend Ruth Harwood. Ruth St. Denis was one of the biggest names in the world of modern dance during the early 1900s, and her work still influences dancers and movement artists even today. She's one of my favorite people to read and study.Learn more about Ruth St. Denis here: https://www.jacobspillow.org/about/pillow-history/ruth_st_denis

I was running yesterday next to a guy about my age who was running about the same speed as me. As we ran down the hill to the river bike path, he chose to run on the pavement while I chose to run on the dirt path next to the pavement. It got me thinking about why I chose the dirt, and I thought this would be a nice share on the values of classical PE training and how I was mentored and coached by men who knew classical running form.

After my 17-year-old daughter drove us to the running shoe store on July 4th weekend in Los Angeles traffic, I was quite frazzled by the time we arrived. We were greeted by the most gentle "Toto" looking dog named Riley. We found out Riley had a special story about being there that day. I hope it makes you feel better because it did for us. :) *"Riley" photo by Ron Jones

One of my friends was overwhelmed that we were doomed. Another friend admits we are doomed and embraces what is left. What to DO?!!! I centered on Malcolm X today and his two key points during the Freedom Summer of 1964. They still ring true.

I stayed in town yesterday for July 4th because I was too tired to travel. This was the right thing today because I discovered all kinds of July 4th joy right in my own backyard from a local parade by classic car folks to BBQing with the neighbors to a garage band playing classic rock during the fireworks...it made me feel good about America. This is a show about an "uplift" from getting out and feeling the good instead of being indoctrinated by the bad in the mainstream media. *"Star-Spangled Banner" by Stanley Jay Tucker

On July 4, 2021, I thought it was appropriate to think back to my own family history and how my great uncle Stephen Heard fought in the Revolutionary War. He was personal friends with George Washington and a major fighting force recognized for valor in some of the most violent frontier fighting conditions. It's been a very long road to make America...let's look back at what it took to get here...and what we need to move forward--better, stronger, and with more unity. *Portrait of Stephen Heard by Georgia Capitol Museum

I'm sick of brand politics. What happened to a shoe company just making shoes? Or a car company just making a nice car? Today, the joy of purchasing a commodity has been replaced by second guessing whether or not the company aligns with your current poltical values, etc. It's fatiguing. I'd like to see a return to products as a priority--NOT politics because it's wearing us all out.

This is show #9 on "Lotus Light" by modern dance icon and author Ruth St. Denis. "Lotus Light" was a book of poetry and illustrations published in 1932 and beautifully illustrated by her friend Ruth Harwood. Ruth St. Denis was one of the biggest names in the world of modern dance during the early 1900s, and her work still influences dancers and movement artists even today. She's one of my favorite people to read and study. Today's reading was dedicated to the memory of Emily...may she have the eternal lotus light.Learn more about Ruth St. Denis here: https://www.jacobspillow.org/about/pillow-history/ruth_st_denis

I had a major disappointment last Monday. Instead of laying around feeling bad for myself, I set out to do a lot of physical WORK around the house. I was using a lesson right out of the history books. I share a specific citation here from "Building Morale" written in 1942 by the legendary physical education professor Jay Bryan Nash on how to "use action to soothe war nerves." I think it's an important lesson--the values of blue-collar work and labor...it's a value and lesson many of our current children no longer have which is contributing to their lack of mental stability today.

"Totalitarian philosophy with its worship of state force grows rapidly in the culture of confusion and insecurity." -JB Nash, "Building Morale" (1942). In Nash's legendary book "Building Morale" published at the beginning of WWII, he lays out the eight stages that make up Aristotle's cycles of civilization. Stage 8 begins and ends the cycle--with the dictator or supreme authority. America is at stage 7. Be careful. You have been warned now. Changing the course of history away from ruin is up to YOU. *Photo by Ron Jones

I recently discovered this extremely important education report published in 1958 entitled, "The Pursuit of Excellence: Education and the Future of America", America at Mid-Century Series, Panel Report V of the Special Studies Project by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Inc. The report was put together by major business and political leaders of this era and took the position of how to move American education forward in the best possible way for the next 10-15 years. Their wisdom and thoughts were profound. Important terms and concepts highlighted are: "informed citizenry, high-performance educational challenges, academic fitness, educational ambition, misuse of talent (especially in black communities), the equality of opportunity vs. differences of achievement, and the cult of easiness." I have summarized the report in writing at the link below but also read through my summary with some context clues on this episode. I hope it gives you some inspiration and big ideas--it did for me. PDF Link: https://theleanberets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1958-The-Pursuit-of-Excellence.pdf

A little saying I have shared with my students and children specifically involving personal property is, "Just because you can does not mean you should." Just because you can take the money out of a wallet you found on the street does not mean you should do it. Just because someone forgot something at the post office or pool does not mean you should take it home. Think about it...choose the appropriate action to elevate culture.

I went fishing last week with my father and brother. We revisited a high elevation lake in the Eastern Sierra where my grandfather used to fish in the 1940s. Here are some thoughts on the values of "just fishing."

I did something new yesterday--I rode the commuter train to Downtown Los Angeles. I saw a lot and learned a lot. It was quite an educational and cultural experience. Here are a few thoughts. Learn more about "The Last Bookstore" https://www.lastbookstorela.com

I had some random things to talk over today on soaring crime, Bukowski, Wilhelm Reich, CA lockdowns, education, technology, and my visit later today to a downtown LA bookstore. *Photo Credit: Wikipedia

In 1967, A Golden Magazine Special publication was issued entitled, "Physical Fitness for Girls: Enhance Your Appearance, Gain Extra Energy, Feel Better, Look Better." Let's spend a few minutes just going over the booklet introductions to get behind their philosophy of movement in 1967 because it's far better than our philosophy of movement for American girls today in 2021.

In the last week, we've had two "breakthrough" drugs announced for approvals by the FDA--one for obesity (Semaglutide) and the other for Alzheimer's (aducanumab)...yet "more studies are needed of course." I started thinking rationally about "more studies." We do NOT need more studies to show that mild to moderate exercise is extremely healthy and safe for humans. What we do need is action to start doing it as in daily exercise. History and science have clearly shown the health benefits of exercise to maintain proper body composition and to enhance brain function, yet in America, we continue to ignore root cause solutions and look for the easy "passive care" quick fixes with big pharma drugs and medical procedures; hence, our overall health gets worse and worse. *Song Credit: "Chicken Fat" written by Meredith Wilson and performed by Robert Preston. Learn more about "Chicken Fat Song" history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_Fat_(song)

Today is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion during WWII on June 6, 1944. Rather than go over facts and figures better stated by others, I examine the patriotism and physical fitness training behind this legendary victory through the pages of the FM 35-20 W.A.C. Field Training Manual on Physical Training. This is an amazing historical document filled with patriotic spirit. A major contributor to this manual was physical educator Mabel Lee who was one of the top female physical educators in American history. Access a PDF copy of the FM 35-20: https://theleanberets.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1943-FM-35-20-PT-US-WAR.pdf

American writer, lecturer, and professor of psychology and sociology H.A. Overstreet wrote an important book in 1964 with his wife Bonaro Overstreet entitled, "The Strange Tactics fo Extremism." Overstreet spent decades researching and writing on the dangers of communism, but in this book, he critically examined the extreme right. Both extremes are fanatical, and both extremes at times have a lot in common. Here are some good insights on communism and right-wing extremists and how we should consider a more balanced approach rather than "canceling out" everyone who disagrees or offends us. *Graphic Credit: Wikipedia and WPA

The Los Angeles author and poet Charles Bukowski wrote an interesting poem about aging entitled, "Let It Enfold You." It's worth sharing his view which has been called "low-life" at times, crude, and quite blunt. He wrote about real people and personal observations on the streets of Los Angeles and through his travels. As he cites, even weathered old poets like him can soften with age and see beauty. *Photo Credit: Wikipedia

We have a real 911 emergency in America--for physical education! Child obesity has tripled in the last 50 years. Nearly half of our youth before leaving high school have one chronic health condition, and 25% have two or more. 80% of obese adolescents will become obese adults, and yet despite this 911 emergency for health and PE--we are cutting PE classes in schools and minimizing proper health education. It's irrational, illogical, and extremely dangerous. We have a true PE 911 emergency America. Let's talk about it then take action! To learn more about classical PE, watch our documentary film, "The Motivation Factor" http://motivationmovie.com

In 1955, John F. Kennedy wrote, "Profiles in Courage." This was a book about American men who largely failed in the short term but who succeeded for their country because of their courage to do the right things for the right reasons--to preserve American democracy. I share some important passages about what these men thought and what they went through so that we may be here today, yes bruised and battered, but we are still Americans. *Speech Citation: "Physical Fitness Statement" by President John F. Kennedy on March 30, 1962.