By Nanette Wiser
CANCER COACH
Old Northeast resident and marketing guru Bill Potts is a motivational speaker, creative business leader, energetic community builder, IRONMAN athlete, dedicated father, and husband…and a five-time cancer survivor (his current fight against #6 is ongoing). Potts has written an indispensable handbook for anyone going through a cancer diagnosis: UP FOR THE FIGHT: How to Advocate for Yourself as You Battle Cancer – from a Five-Time Survivor (available on Amazon).
Jam-packed with knowledge, insight, and advice Potts wishes he never had to learn, UP FOR THE FIGHT explains exactly what to expect and shares lessons and important tips you can put into action along the way: from diagnosis, to treatment, to remission, to cure–and how to face setbacks on the road to recovery.
Potts loves living in paradise, and can often be found running the waterfront, kayaking Coffee Pot Bayou, biking downtown St. Pete, playing tennis at the Vinoy or walking his dog, Pippa. He’s passionate about the environment and spent almost five years as chief marketing and revenue officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. “I knew Winter well and played hide and seek with Hope every morning! I made Cheeto the Lucky Seahorse famous.”
EXERCISE ZONES
With cooler weather, rejoice in outdoors fitness adventures around town. There are people-powered exercise equipment free to use during park hours in Lealman, Gulfport, Clearwater, Dunedin and Largo. Check out downtown St. Pete parks such as Azalea, Bartlett, Booker Creek, Campbell, Crisp, Gladden, Jorgenson Lake, Kiwanis, Lake Vista, North Shore and Riviera Bay. (Fitness Zones at Southwest Recreation Complex and Azalea Park have wheelchair-accessible exercise equipment.) City recreation centers feature outdoors yoga (Madeira Beach) and aqua aerobics (St. Pete Beach). The Pier District hosts a variety of fitness classes, including boot camp, sunset yoga, a monthly Zumba class and Hoola Flow. My favorite? Yoga with goats at DK Farms.
EYE SIGHS
Staring at the computer screen too long or binging your favorite fall series can cause eye strain headaches. Symptoms of digital strain include blurry vision, dry eyes, pain in your neck and shoulders, or a dull ache behind your eyes. In addition to taking a break every two hours for at least 20 minutes, move yourself or your computer monitor back so that it is at least 20 to 25 inches away from your eyes. Wear glasses that protect your eyes from blue light when using the computer and use a screen glare filter. Avoid doing work in the dark by keeping the room well lit. Increase the font on the screen so that you aren’t squinting and be sure to sit up straight and make sure your chair has good back support.