Dear Fellows and Friends,

We had a great group show up at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.  This was the second time I have given a lecture here.  It was set up by Jessica Parnevik-Muth.   About 75 people from a wide array of disciplines.  One person has already committed to GIFT 2012, and many others considering. Here is a picture of Jessica and me in front of the very famous institute.

Everton Football CLub

Had a relaxing trip on the high speed train to the training facilities of Everton on Monday.  Steve Tashjian, one of the original Rehab United guys, gave me a tour before my talk to 8 of the Physios and Fitness trainers.  Sorry. forgot to snap a picture.  Overall a long day, left the hotel at 8:30 and got back at 8:30.

Virgin Active and beyond

Fellows and friends,

Yesteday 30 October (Sunday) John Hardy set up a 3 hour presentation at the Boradgate Virgin Active facility.  A great group of about 30 trainers that are well-trained in AFS were in attendance.  It was a fun discussion on knee injuries in footbal (soccer).  A few of these trainers may be part of GIFT 2012. 

Today off to Everton Football Club today to meet with Steve Tashjian.  Steve is a former colleague of the Hill Bothers and other Fellows at Rehab United in San Diego.

The expanding influence of Fellows

Here is a picture sent to me by Dan Rollins.

GG London

On Saturday 29 October, a number of GIFT Fellows met at BSO for a "meeting of the minds" for 3 hours and then recessed to a pub and then dinner.  Gift Fellows from all 5 years of GIFT were in attendance.  Discussion ranged from soft tissue interventions to circulation to foot mechanics to fascial restrictions. Present for all or part of the discussion were Neil Day, Matt Harris, Chris Wilkes, Idris Moudi, Dan Rollins, Mark Leyland, Ben McChesney, Anna Godek,Richard Tyler, James Leyland, Alex Heaney, Dora Hotzi, Steph Gammell, Michael Kerrigan, Tony Bull, Matt Martin, Inka Weisell, Ricardo Davids, Jason Camm.

Tomorrow meeting with John Hardy at Virgin Active.

Friday Night Discussions

On Friday night we had an informal gathering in the hotel lounge.

Joining the conversation was Idris Moudi, Neill Day, Matt Harris, Michael Kerrigan and his wife of 2 months Nicole, and Will Tullett and his girlfriend Kathy.

LA Fitness at Marleybone

Fellows and firends,

We had a great session this afternoon at the LA Fitness facility in London at Marleybone.  About 20 trainers, new to AFS, attended.  The highlight was seeing Fellows there to support the Gray Institute.

In the photo are Alex Heaney (2011), Ben Cormack (2009), Neil Day (2008), Danny Saunders, (2011), And Michael Kerrigan (2011).  Also in attendance was Anna Godek-Kose.

GIFT 2011 Graduation

Dear Fellows and friends,

Steph Gammell was kind enough to forward this photo of the graduation party taken by Jason Camm.

Obviously, one of us was under-dressed for the occasion.  But it shows how intelligent the dean is by hanging around with the right people.

British College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fellows and friends,

On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to lecture at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.  This was arranged by GIFT Fellow Ben McChesney.  There were about 75 students, Faculty, and clinicians.  The group was very enthusuastic and open to the Applied Functional Science approach to human movement.

The talk was supposed to focus on lower extremity muscle function, but the PST model of AFS allowed the discussion to address a number of issues.  Below is a picture of Ben and some of the attendees.

Today, I will spend some time with GIFT Fellow Ben Cormack while presenting to a group at one of the LA Fitness clubs.

Chelsea Football Club

Thursday 27 October was a busy one.

I was invited by GIFT Fellow Will Tullett to talk to the physios and trainers at the training Headquarters of Chelsea outside the city at Cobham Stoke. Will is working full time with the Junior Academy.  GIFT Fellow Mark Leyland was there as he also does some work with the juniors.

It was an eye-opening experience to see the vast grounds and the comprehensive care and training that the club provides to the players from the Premier League players all the way down to the teams as young as U-9.

I snapped a picture of Will and I in the Chelsea media room.  I was tempted to sit at the podium and describe the athletic 3D move that I performed to score the winning goal, but I realized that nobody would believe that story.

Cheers

British School of Osteopathy

Dear Friends,

Last night at the British School of Osteopathy, we had a group of over 100 for the lecture on :Shoulder Dysfunction: Interrogating the Probable Suspects.  The group was primarily students from BSO with GIFT Fellows and potential GIFT Fellows.  Here is a picture of some of the attendees after the lecture.  GIFT Fellows Dan Rollins from 2009 and Alex Heaney and Danny Saunders from 2011 are in the picture.  Jo Blades and Matt Harris were also in attendance.

Off today to visit Chelsea FC training facilities and the British College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Arriving at Heathrow

Well, I arrived Tuesday evening 25 October.  Made it through customs very easily compared to previous trips.


Took the Express Train to Paddington Station, and was able to walk to my hotel.

Wednesday is the expected sun mixed with rain.

I am excited about the first lecture at the British School of Osteopathy tonight on:
Shoulder Dysfunction: Interrogating the Probable Suspects.

GIFT To Go

Over the past 5 years, I've had the privilege to serve as Dean of the Gray Institute GIFT Fellowship/Mentorship Program (Gray Institute for Functional Transformation). GIFT Fellows (FAFS) have come from all over the world - North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia - still awaiting the first Fellow from the Antarctic :-). Gift now has some 500 Fellows / Friends. Of course friends have friends and so Gift grows...

Next week I leave on another European Lecture Tour. More tours and continents are planned. Let's call it GIFT to GO... It will be an opportunity to visit old friends and make new fiends; to teach and to learn.

I'll be using this blog to share travel highlights and insights. GIFT is the journey. Join me on the journey!

Dean Dave

"Not everyone who wanders is lost."