VanMeveren Law Group - September 2021

VanMeveren Law Group - September 2021

123 North College Ave., Suite 112 Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-495-9741

BRYAN VANMEVEREN

SEPTEMBER 2021

Lessons Learned From a Distressing Ironman Race THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION

In June, I left dry Colorado weather behind for tropical landscapes at the Ironman 70.3 in Hawaii. It was a practice run of sorts for the World Championship this October, and I felt pretty good heading into the race. I knew it would be a challenge, given that the terrain is so different compared to what I train on here in Colorado, but I couldn’t wait to take on a new challenge. It all started out perfectly. I completed a solid swim, and I had one of my fastest bike splits ever. It all seemed to be going according to plan, and as a perfectionist, that’s exactly what I hoped for. I’ve been a perfectionist ever since I was a kid. I’ve never thrived in disorganization or chaos, but I’ve also never known my mind to want anything different. I always expect perfection from myself as a result. That’s what made what happened next in the 70.3 so painful — other than the physical pain. And as I would later learn, it was this drive for perfectionism that stressed out my nervous system so much it went into flight or fight mode. As I dismounted my bike and took off on my run, which is the final leg of the race, I felt incredible pain. By the time I finished, that pain was so severe I was forced to walk nearly the entire run portion of the race for the first time in an Ironman race. A shooting, stabbing debilitating pain ran through my back, hip, and leg, and I couldn’t seem to remedy it. Pain isn’t new to me. I helped people in pain as a former ski patrolman, I counsel and guide folks with pain issues every day as an attorney, and

I’ve been training and competing with injuries for years. I’ve seen chiropractors, massage therapists, and doctors for my various aches that have come from years of training and beating up on my body on the race course as a result. I’ve tried everything — electro-stimulation therapies, injections, physical therapy, you name it. But after the Hawaii 70.3, I was particularly downtrodden. Just as I was about to see another specialist for this mysterious pain from the race, my wife had a better idea. She encouraged me to listen to Nicole Sachs’ podcast, “The Cure for Chronic Pain.” Sachs is a licensed social worker and psychotherapist who subscribes to Dr. John Sarno’s popular belief that our mental well-being and emotional state play a huge factor in our debilitating pain. You may recognize Dr. Sarno’s name from his books or TV appearances, but until I listened to Sachs’ podcast and picked up a few of Sarno’s books for myself, I never realized how enlightening and powerful this (scientifically backed) idea could be. Dr. Sarno asks his patients and his readers to address their emotional well-being to improve their physical health and heal their pain because our physical aches are rooted in our mental injuries or traumas. Think about it: All of our lives, we’re told to act politely and suppress our emotions to avoid “causing a fuss.” In many cases, we never fully understand or cope with these tiny aggressors or emotions, which can eat away at our mentality as our bodies go into a defense mode. We react internally, but we don’t externalize it. Those emotions — and

the chemicals those are built from — affect our bodies in numerous ways. It seeps into us, and ultimately it manifests as real, physical pain. Now, as someone who relies on the validity of sound and western medical care every day to help clients receive compensation for their injuries, I’m aware of how crazy this all sounds. How can our emotions manifest physically? But as Dr. Sarno explains, our spinal abnormalities and severe pain we feel on our bodies, cannot medically be possible just by regular wear and tear alone. Our mentality plays a huge, huge role. September is Self-Improvement Month, and I’m using this month as an opportunity to consider the ways in which my emotional and mental well-being are impacting my physical well-being and how I can help others alleviate at least some of their pain. I’m particularly considering the ways in which my perfectionist nature has kept me from really feeling some of my emotions. Sachs suggests her readers write down their pain, anger, and other emotions. She encourages releasing those emotions in a healthy way to improve your mental and physical well-being. As I prepare to take the course again in October, this is what I’m focusing on. Our minds and our bodies are powerful; it’s only natural that they should work

together. I hope you’ll find this encouraging on your journey toward healing.

–Bryan VanMeveren

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Summer break (especially for young kiddos) is a lawless time with little meaning that’s punctuated by a vacation or trips to the park and pool. Transitioning children back to the calm, orderly world of the school year can be challenging for both teachers and parents. How can you make sure your kids trade in their summer hats for their school brains? Well, luckily, you can use a few hacks to make that transition brighter, seamless, and even fun. Create a fun checklist for school to-do’s. Spelling out all the tasks your kids have to do before and after school will help them ease back into the routines of going to bed each night and getting up early for school. Plus, it will introduce them to the satisfaction of checking items off a list after completing them. When your kids know what to do and when to do it, it makes your day a little easier! Make a color-coded clock. Lots of kids are visual learners, which means an analog clock will be their best friend when it comes to keeping track of time. Color code different sections of the clock for different parts of the day to help them remember what they’re supposed to be doing, whether it’s blue for breakfast time, orange for homework hour, or purple for their bedtime routine. Make school supply cubbies. If your child tends to throw their backpack and jackets all over the house, then school supply cubbies could be a game-changer. You could even just label different hooks in your mudroom or hallway if that’s all you have to work with. Whatever the case, when your kids have an established place to put their school stuff, it’s that much easier for them to find as they head out the door in the morning. Organize your school lunch supplies. Making your kids’ lunches each morning can be exhausting, but if you put different lunch items (e.g., bags of chips, apples, juice pouches, etc.) in different, easy-to-reach containers, you can turn making school lunches into an assembly line process where your kids do most of the work themselves, teaching them responsibility and taking a load off of your shoulders every school morning. You can even consider making the lunches the night before to lighten up the morning routine! Plan your kids’ outfits for the next day … or the next week. If they had their way, you know your kiddos would wear the same Spider Man or Elsa T-shirt every day of the week. So, if you want to make sure they look respectable and ready to learn every day, plan out their outfits for the entire school week. This is especially easy if they have a set of hanging cubbies in their closets. Allow them to help choose outfits on a Saturday or Sunday before the new week; it will also help them learn how to dress themselves later in life. Hacks to Get Your Kids Organized From a Scatterbrained Summer to an Orderly School Year

‘Good people who will have your best interests at heart’

“VanMeveren Law Group was very helpful when I called them after my car accident. They gave me valuable advice and were able to help me in a time when I had no idea what to do. They are good people who will have your best interests at heart and help you find the legal path that is right for you. So glad I called them, and I would recommend them to anyone in need of good and honest legal advice.” –Lauren P.

Back-to-school season shouldn’t be hectic — and with a few of these hacks in mind, it won’t be!

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VanMeveren Law Group Consolidates Into One Office We Moved!

This spring, we made an exciting move at VanMeveren Law Group. For several years, our team has been separated into two offices in Fort Collins. Prior to COVID-19, this operation functioned well, and the two office spaces served our clients’ needs. However, as with nearly everything else, the pandemic made us reconsider this way of operating. Our team has remained the same size, and our outreach continues to grow. Still, much like how companies around the globe are adapting to a permanent remote work structure, our team realized we wanted to be together under one roof. We knew this would allow for even greater collaboration and communication among every member of the team without the need for useless emails or phone calls.

We’re excited to announce that we formally made this leap in the spring, and you can now find VanMeveren Law Group at 123 N. College Ave., Unit 112, in downtown Fort Collins — and only at this location! This space is a welcoming, comforting environment for our clients. It features a large atrium with lots of natural lighting, and the office and conference spaces create privacy for our clients. Better yet, working in one space has allowed our team to improve our systems and processes, fostering better cohesion and connection.

patience with our move and for those who have joined us in celebrating this new space. None of this would be possible without your support, nor would we have understood the ways in which we can improve without your feedback. Our clients are at the center of our decisions at VanMeveren Law Group, and while our team is excited to operate under one roof, we are also motivated by what a move like this can mean for our clients. If you would like to see our new space, come check us out on College Avenue or visit us online at www. vanmeverenlaw.com. As always, we are available to answer your legal questions, by phone, text or email too. Thank you for your continued support!

As we continue to grow together under one roof, we would like to thank all of our clients for their

SUDOKU

One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

Inspired by WellPlated.com

Bring the taste of fall into your kitchen with this sizzling skillet meal.

Ingredients:

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1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

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2 tsp Dijon mustard 4 tsp olive oil, divided

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1 tsp salt, divided

3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2- inch slices 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish

1/2 tsp black pepper, divided

1/2 cup apple cider

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Directions:

1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider-mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!

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123 North College Ave, Suite 112 Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-495-9741 www.vanmeverenlaw.com

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INSIDE This Issue

Learning to Race Better by Improving My Mind Page 1 Hacks to Get Your Kids Organized for the School Year Client Testimonial Page 2 VanMeveren Law Group Celebrates a Big Move! One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken Page 3 3 Artistic Events in Fort Collins Page 4

Get Artistic in Fort Collins Pick up a new hobby or explore the local arts scene at these three Fort Collins September events! 3 Events You Won’t Want to Miss

Horsetooth International Film Festival When: Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Where: Lyric Cinema, 1209 N. College Ave. Admission: $25–$195 Website: HorsetoothFilmFestival.com For its third year, the Horsetooth International Film Festival (HIFF) is doing its part to com- bine art mediums into one collaborative space. Spanning across Fort Collins and the surrounding region from Sept. 8–12, HIFF will showcase music, art, and films at the Lyric Theatre during the final two days of the festival. The entire festival includes screenings, live music, Q&As, workshops, and virtual options. Get your tickets, buy merch, and see the lineup online!

Odell Brewing Co. Summer Music Sets When: Wednesdays in September from 5–7 p.m. Where: Odell Brewing Company, 800 E. Lincoln Ave. Admission: Free Website: OdellBrewing.com Join Odell Brewing Company for a final month of summer concerts at their Fort Collins location. This month you can hear the musical talents of Cool Hand Jake, Jay Roemer Band, Hendershot, and Choice City Seven. Even better, you can en- joy locally brewed beer and grab some dinner at one of the many food trucks that stop by Odell’s! You won’t want to miss these final concerts for the summer, so check out the lineup and more on Facebook.

Macro Photography in the Gardens (Adult Class) When: Saturday, Sept. 11, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Where: Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave. Admission: $25 Website: FCGOV.com Learn more about the art of photography from experts, and explore the Gardens on Spring Creek as the perfect backdrop for practice. Students will learn techniques for documenting small objects, like plants, flowers, and insects in their gardens and — weather permitting — will be invited to walk through the gardens, snapping photos and practicing their new techniques. You never know what images you may find! Learn more and register online.

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