Achieving balance | Wendy Reynolds

Law360 Canada (October 18, 2024, 7:57 AM EDT) --

Wendy Reynolds

How many millions of words have been written encouraging us to strive for balance in our lives? Meet Jim Stacy, founding partner of Thompson, MacColl & Stacy of Mississauga, Ont. He brings a unique interpretation to the concept of “balance.”

In September 2024, Jim won the men’s 65-plus trick water-skiing International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation World Championship in Toledo, Spain.

Jim’s career in the sport has been a long and successful one. He began waterskiing at the cottage as a child and started to compete while in undergrad. He has enjoyed much success in local, national and international competitions, and in 2014, he was inducted into the Ontario Waterskiing Hall of Fame. 

Physical activity seems to be an important part of Jim’s life — in addition to waterskiing, he bikes, works out at the gym with his wife Louise, plays squash, downhill skis and hikes. It helps both his training regime and familial bonds that many of these activities are shared with family members, including three active grandchildren.

Family has also been an important support in training for competition. “My mother drove the boat — I used to ski five times per day with up to 30 minutes per ski.” Today, Jim’s spouse and sisters fill that role. His brother is also a competitive waterskier.

I asked Jim about whether he sees a connection between his physical activity and his practice.

“Physical activities, in my view, reduce stress, improve your health and provide emotional benefits. All of these benefits allow you to be a better lawyer.”

I have to agree — on those days when I could get to the gym before work, I felt more alert and better able to function at my job.

Of course, it’s one thing to recognize the importance of physical activity and quite another to DO it. Building the habit takes commitment. Jim has been able to interweave his family, his profession and his competitive goals.

“While on a family trip, I might do legal work after the kids go to bed or while on a plane. At a waterski tournament, I might do legal work between skis (without which I might not have had the time to go to a waterski event). Being a competitive athlete takes time. You need to be efficient and well-organized to fit everything in.”

Some final thoughts:

1. Get off your butt. Taking the kids or the dog for a walk is a start — build from there.
2. Find something engaging. It’s easier to commit to a regular schedule of activity if it’s something you enjoy. I’m not comfortable in a fitness class, but I love strength and cardio training at my local gym. Jim also varies his training by doing a variety of activities — if it isn’t fun, you won’t do it.
3. Work on your core and not only in a physical sense. Strong muscles in your abs and back improve balance and strength, which are increasingly important as we age. Finding activities we can share with family and friends not only gets us moving but helps to foster and strengthen those relationships.
4. Consider a coach. Trying a new sport or activity? Consider getting expert guidance to ensure that you are safe and comfortable.  
5. Set reasonable goals. If you’re taking on a new activity, nothing could be more discouraging than setting an unreachable goal. Thinking about starting a running habit? Start with intervals — short runs intermixed with a period of walking. Are you just starting to include physical activity in your day? Start with a modest goal (say 10 minutes, one day a week) and increase from there. It’s too daunting to promise yourself that you’re going to work out daily if the habit is new to you.  

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” It may also make Jack less resilient, less creative and less open to new ideas. Finding physical activities that get you out of the office not only improves your fitness, it will also improve your mood and enhance your mental performance. Activities shared with family and friends can make the activity more enjoyable and help you achieve the balance we all seek.
 
Wendy Reynolds is a retired law librarian.

The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.   

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