21DayDetox: A Cook's Cleanse

Once again I am in the middle of the 21DayDetox and just finished week #1. I will not be progressing to the week 2 plan until next week because I have an away tournament with my team this weekend which complicates things. Plus, I think I overbought things needed for week #1 and my fridge is still stocked!

However, I did want to reflect on some lessons learned from previous cleanses which have allowed the transition from normal eating habits to week #1 of the process to be less painful and abrasive.

Dr. Greens daily dietary supplement

Now, I am not a regular coffee drinker but will enlist its uses occasionally on a down day when I need a pick-me-up from time to time. This time around, I gave up caffeine the week leading up to Day 1. I have never drank very much soda so there was no major change in that department and alcohol never had lasting effects where it was hard to give up as the program started. I did start eating vegetarian about a week before the start and that has helped with my meat cravings.

I have really begun to enjoy the challenge of eating/living vegan- much more so now that I can cook much better than in previous years. In fact, I am now considering going mostly vegan on a regular basis! This is not due to a change in morals or animal ethics but rather, it is a delight to surprise people with delicious dishes that are “unconventional” in their eyes but somehow still sustain their stomachs and tickle their pallets. cravings.

Homemade Hummus w/veggies and
an awesome brown rice & tofu dish

Recently, I have been spending hours searching the internet for appealing vegan meals that are a little more gourmet than those listed in my 21daydetox manual. I find it has been extremely important to find challenges for myself outside of work since I have stopped competing at a high level on the soccer fields. People call me crazy when I describe the program to them but it truly excites me. As I mature, I continually seek out any opportunity to be something different.

Reflecting on my first time through the program, I remember joining in on the detoxing with a group of coworkers at Photon Consulting in Boston. A colleague of mine got us all hooked because his sister detoxes with the 21daydetox system four times a year! I joined in to be a part of the “team” and working within the renewable energy industry had sparked my interest in all things “green.”

I had never really tried to cook anything more than the basics and was spending too much money sampling the wonderful eateries around Beantown. It was the 21daydetox that challenged me to cook my own meals. This is when I discovered the gratification in cooking feeling more self-sustainable.

The next few weeks were a very tough time for me as I was eventually forced out of my dream city and had to find a place to start from scratch. I spent the next few weeks searching for a job in the city with no success. Eventually, I had to pack up and head back south where I had some employment opportunities lined up that could potentially lead to something full time. “Underemployment” allowed me the free time to test my newfound culinary competences. In true hindsight, I do think that it was one of the best things to ever happen to me.

Hummus & Veggie wrap w/croutons.
Multiple textures helps satisfy!

From those depressing, dark days of self-pity and anger about my work situation (and recent breakup with longtime best/girlfriend) emerged a passion for gastronomy. Perhaps it is a primal appeal, although in more modern setting, I “forage” through a stores and farmers markets seeking inspiration, ingredients and ideas to experiment with to produce a well-balanced, wholesome meal. (I was also hitting the gym twice a day to try and hit lofty fitness goals.)

I suppose it makes sense that this new-found fascination was forged in a crucible of pain and misery because the end product provides an enriched emotional, nutritional and psychological experience. All in all, it increased independence and made me feel as if it was ok to be alone as long as I was able eat.

Today, the process of cooking certainly clears my mind. I value that so much as I am engulfed in a job which isn’t a job at all-it’s a lifestyle. Perhaps the toughest challenge of my new role is stopping soccer thoughts. I take refuge in the fast that my gastronomic activities allow me to be present in the moment and focus on solely the task at hand. Each meal I carefully combine fixings for a dish that has been wrought with the influences of today’s events and attitudes, but the aromas and flavors of said nourishment remain pure and untainted.

This is my escape.

Bon Appétit!

Follow @21_Day_Detox for more meals & pictures

The Flame Reignited: Superb Soccer Influences

As you can tell by my absence here, I have been fully immersed in my work during the second year at North Meck SC. In addition to my previous roles, I now oversee an age group in the Youth Academy. This is a huge honor and responsibility- I am now accountable for the development upwards of 40+ players in our U9 boys pool.

As I continue to dig deeper back in the game that I once thought rejected me, I think it's important to take some time to reflect on how my love for the sport was rekindled. I chose these three influences as the most impactful in my first two years back in the game. They are:

Robert Rosario

Kevin Flanagan

Jeff Bilyk

All three of these accomplished and knowledgeable men have helped resuscitate my career in and commitment to the game of soccer. Without them (and many others not listed) I would probably be selling something I didn't believe in- I would certainly be doing some sort of work with a desire and passion dwarfed by that of my current position.

As I mentioned, these are just three main mentors extremely early on in my (hopefully) very long coaching career. They have been nothing short of instrumental in me finding a home back in the game that taught me so much and played such a major role in my life. I pray that I continue to meet more inspiring professionals further down the line such as these three.

In an attempt to thank and honor their contributions to my own personal development, I choose the written word to express my gratitude and genuine appreciation for not only their shared wisdom and experiences, but also their friendship.

Cheers gentlemen, and here’s to many more great times in the future...

Jeff Bilyk: The American Dream "Nailed" Soccer Style

You don’t earn the nickname “Nail” for nothing. Former North Meck SC Coaching Director Jeff Bilyk earned his alias for his mental toughness and ability to “get stuck in” as a player.

"Nail" competing in the MLS for 
the Miami Fusion

Bilyk’s journey to the coaching ranks started at Clemson where he was an essential part of one of the countries’ elite programs. Success at the collegiate level launched Bilyk into the MLS as he was selected 18^th overall by the Columbus Crew in the 1999 MLS draft. However, his ascent to achieve the domestic dream and play professionally didn’t come without its challenges.

“I’m a case where I wasn’t highly touted, wasn’t always the superstar or the big name. But, I used those ‘setbacks’ that life throws at you as a way to push me. Disappointment just drove me to work and push harder. Those are the things that led to me to be successful as a player all the time. Any adversity needs to be viewed as a challenge that you can move forward from. You never know who’s watching when you’re playing. Just so happens that my future coach at Clemson (who was at Brown University at the time) came to watch a teammate of mine, not me. I had a good game, caught his eye and he offered me a spot once he took the position at Clemson.”

Once he arrived on campus, Bilyk knew that the work had only just started, both on and off the soccer pitch.

“When I got to Clemson I realized that I was a little fish on a big campus. I was playing next to national team stars and Olympic team players and some really big physical guys. The speed of play was so fast and it was a huge jump. It was a tough transition from being a good club player to being one of many excellent players in the program.”

Along with his long list of playing accomplishments, which includes All-American, All-South and All-ACC recognition, Bilyk was an Honor Roll student-athlete earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing. 

Bilyk (in white) at Clemson's Alumni Day

Following his successes at the collegiate level, Bilyk played professionally with the Miami Fusion of the MLS (1999-2001), the United Soccer League’s Milwaukee Rampage (2002) and Virginia Beach Mariners (2003-06). In his last season with the Mariners he was named the club’s MVP. Shortly thereafter, Bilyk was coaxed out of retirement to compete for the USL's Charlotte Eagles during the 2008 season. It was here that Bilyk realized he would never lose his appetite for the game and moved in to a coaching role.

Working with the NMSC Youth Academy

“Soccer is my passion. I think as a player if you’ve been a leader on the field, you’re coaching as you’re playing. I’ve never been quiet and as you realize those qualities in you as a player. I know the game really well and I was always kind of teaching even as I was playing so why not make that transition and make it a career.  I want to work with the future of the game so for me, moving on to coaching was an easy transition.”

Most recently, Bilyk has joined the coaching staff at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina serving as the program’s top assistant.

Kevin Flanagan: The Reason We Go Back to the Game

Youth Academy Coaching Director Kevin Flanagan was perhaps predestined for his role here at North Meck SC. Born into an Irish, professional coaches’ household, his love for football was instilled both by nature and was nurtured daily.

"My dad was a player till I was about five or six and after that he has been a coach. I have great, vivid memories of being at professional games and being in the dressing rooms with those guys. It was a very cool environment for a young aspiring player to grow up in."

The soccer culture was very different to the one the Flanagan’s were immersed in at home in Ireland but the opportunities in the American game are that fueled the Flanagan family to make the trip across the pond.

“There is avery big difference between growing up here and growing up in Europe. Over there you have full exposure to the game.

For me, each day was just school and football. Then football on the weekends, mass on Sunday and football again. When I moved over here I remember my brother and I had to stay up to 2 o’clock in the morning to watch a 30 minute highlight show about the Premier League and that’s all you got, Sundays once a week. To see where the game has come in 15 years just at nearly every level is extraordinary.”

Flanagan played midfield for NAIA Thomas University in Georgia and transferred to Division I Jacksonville University after two years for the remainder of his eligibility.

Like many coaches, this is where his playing career began blending with the start of his coaching career. Flangan helped with Florida’s Clay County Soccer Club during his time in college including starting to work in their Youth Academy.

“When I was in college, I always helped my dad and professional teams run their camps. As soon as I graduated I got into coaching at the youth level. Spring of my senior year there was a team at a local club that needed a coach so I jumped in there and kind of got thrown into the fire. It was a pretty interesting.”

Aside from the game being written in his DNA, Flanagan’s reasons for sticking with soccer is pretty simple.

“I’ve always loved this game. To be honest the coaching side of things is a way for me tostay in the game. Maybe it’s the purest in me, but I believe that we are all here for the same reasons. For the betterment of the game, respect for the game, to give back to the game and for the players.

The evolution of the game here in the United States is where my passion now falls. Developing these kids to further the game as players at the next levels or that’s them becoming coming coaches or showing matches in their future businesses.

You learn something new every day no matter how long you have been in the game and the education you receive through courses, mentors and good coaches is probably themost important thing. It’s been instrumental for me to have coaches to lean on to bounce ideas off of to learn from. At the end of the day you have more experience coaches around you that have likely been through a similar situation that can help give you advice to manage a situation.

It's not easy, not just anyone can coach. Even though we like to play simple, it is a very complex game. You can have 30 some coaches run the exact same session but it’s going to be different every time. You can pick up something from every coach along theway. I like to use the saying, and this is something that I stole, ‘a good coach is a good thief’ so having different coaches with different philosophies to bounce ideas off of is pretty cool."

Flanagan looks back fondly on joining North Meck SC in June of 2007. His first role was to serve as a ‘Youth Academy Liaison’ while also coaching in the U-12 age group as well. He now serves as North Meck SC’s Youth Academy Director. The program only continues to grow requiring his services full time and thus, reaffirming that the program it is indeed the proper way to develop youth players.

Now in its fifth year at NMSC the Youth Academy is approaching 200 boys and girls players. Readmore here

“With the induction of the Academy environment, we shifted our focus towards the individual player and their development. We were one of the first clubs in the greater Charlotte area to make that adaptation and progress in that direction.

Now that we are able to analyze this program across five years, we are seeing the advantages of it and witnessing the success of the program in the playersthat enter the Juniors program at U11-U13. The resources we have coaching these 8, 9 and 10 years olds shows how dedicated how committed the club is to these age groups and this program as well.”

Flanagan keeps his coaching philosophy for players in the youth game simple though there are many complexities of teaching this game.

“My coaching goal is to develop young soccer players, as individuals, teach them good sportsmanship and have them play the game the right way. I like the game to be played simple, pass and move, work together as a team. Overall, I look at myself as developing talent and not necessarily trying to win games.

The Academy program and curriculum emulates similar training systems from more successfulsoccer countries around the world. A positive training mentality is what Flanagan considers to be the most important thing a player can bring to the table. That’s often the most challenging part for youth coaches.

A big part of my philosophy is teaching these kids at a young age how to train properly. No matter what environment or avenue they train in their mentality is the most important. With many players, their mentality towards a game and mentality towards training are polar opposites. They need to bring their game day mentality to training that way they are even stronger on game day.”

In the long run, for Flanagan, developing these players isn’t necessarily about producing professionals or scholarship level players, although bringing the best soccer player out of every athlete is his goal.

“Personally, as a coach, the biggest thing I try to instill in my players is a love and passion for the game. And respect for the game and everything about it: the facilities, the coaching staff, their teammates their opponents, themselves, everything in general. Hopefully that spills over into future generations. What we’re doing with these young players is so much more than just soccer. I remember that through my experience as a player and probably being raised by the game myself. If a player that I coached can walk away from their experience with respect and love for the game, then that’s a win in my book.”

Flanagan insists that the game is much bigger than all of us involved. He will not compromise his values or lower his soccer standards which is the integrity NMSC demands from all it‘s coaches.

“It’s not about me. It's not about mom and dad. It’s about the players and their relationship with this wonderful little game. The more we can realize that, the better off we will all be. It’s a players game and will always to remain that way.

The best player in the world to me, is that youth player who has that peak performance in that game on Saturday morning who’s on top of the world the rest of the week. That 9 year old that’s just having a blast and loving the game at it’s purest form. For me that’s the best player and probably the most powerful player in the world as well.”

Robert Rosario: The Master Motivator, Mentor & Friend

Simply put, Robert “Bobby” Rosario has lived the dream. Having played for his country, competed in Europe’s top league and boasting an illustrious professional playing career that spans nearly two decades, Rosario’s journey to become one of the game’s elite embodies every youth soccer player’s dream.


His ascent to the game’s top level began as a self-proclaimed “blue collar kid from the streets of London” where he worked up the ranks eventually earning trials with the U-19 and U-21 English national teams in the late 1980’s. Coach Bobby spent 14 years in England’s top flight competing for Norwich City, Coventry City and Nottingham Forest.


Rosario signed for the Canaries around Christmas time in 1983 and made his league debut on April 7th 1984 against Watford where his home side welcomed him to the league with a 6-1 victory. His first goal for Norwich City came just two weeks later in the spring 1981 in a 2-2 draw with Stoke City.


Like many former elite athletes Rosario reflects on his professional career with bittersweet memories and is hesitant to rehash his “glory days.” His humility regarding his playing career is endearing especially when it would be easy to flaunt in a country lacking in soccer tradition.

"I don’t really talk about it too much and because it was in a different era you didn’t have the coverage you do nowadays. With the media now you know everything about everyone. I turned pro in 1983 which was a long time ago. The soccer was still great but it was a different time- a different philosophy, a different mentality.


It’s more of a business now. You can’t get near the players, they’re not accessible. Twenty years ago you could have a drink with a David Beckham in the pub. On the way home from the away games our team would order fish n chips and sit in the pub while we were waiting for our food. If there were fans there we would sit with them! We’re talking about an entire professional team! You would not do that now. Especially eat fish and chips after a game. So it’s just a different time.”


With more than a decades’ worth of memories in the world’s most challenging league, naturally Rosario struggles to pinpoint his favorite moments as a professional player.


“I played 250 games in the Premier League and it’s hard to pick one moment out of the whole time. That winter in 1983 when I signed my professional forms was a big moment. Obviously earning my spot to represent my country at U-19 and U-21 is something I am very proud of particularly because only 20 guys out of 65 million make it.”


His first goal of three in a 4-4 draw against Southampton on September 9th 1989 was voted Goal of the Year and can be seen here:

“Goal of the season was awesome because only one person a year wins it. So that was nice, the bad thing is that they didn’t let you keep the trophy. They didn’t even give you a little replica or nothing!"


The various trophies, honors and awards aren’t what Rosario views as his biggest achievement. As the cliché goes, it’s hard to reach the top, but it’s even harder to stay there.


“For me as a player and person it was an achievement to me to become a professional in England. To survive for 14 years demands serious commitment from anyone. If you know any professional sports person, just to make it is an achievement. Even if you play semi-pro or collegiately you are aware of how difficult it is just to get to that level. It gave me a chance to travel the world and meet some fantastic people and for the road to end up here has been great.”


For any aspiring player, the road to the next level is paved with challenges that often require a player to reinvent his or herself.


“As a youth player, I was one of the best players in the country. I was always successful, but never was asked to captain a team. I was the funny guy on the team, but when I was 28 and with Coventry I was made captain for the first time. Doing the coin toss with Mark Lawrenson of Liverpool who was on the England Team at the time, with mom and dad in the crowd was a huge honor. That was one of the most rewarding and most humbling moments for me to lead my team against Liverpool that day for the first time. I didn’t know I had the skills to be a captain in my personality before and I did. I changed from being the funny guy in the dressing room to being the one my teammates turned to when the tough questions were being asked in the heat of battle."


Rosario continues, "Then leading my team out on the pitch at Old Trafford a few weeks later (we were 5th in the table at the time) and the opposition’s captain was Steve Bruce who happened to be my captain when I was with Norwich. It was surreal to walk out in front of 50,000 screaming fans alongside him.”


Rosario retired from Nottingham Forest and spent 18 months rehabbing injuries that “just couldn’t be fixed.” This ultimately led Rosario to the United States for an opportunity to continue his own development in the game for the Carolina Dynamo and Charleston Battery respectively.

Rosario competing in the 1989 FA Cup Semifinal at Villa Park vs Everton

“I came over here for more advanced rehab and then I got embroiled with the Carolina Dynamo thinking I was going help out with coaching and ended up playing. The reason I was able to play was because they allowed me to train only once a week on the Friday, played the game on the weekends and then rehabbed the rest of the time.”


After the time spent with the Dynamo, joining the Charleston Battery opened up a new angle of the game for Coach Bobby as he got his first taste of coaching.


“(Head Coach) Nuno Piteira asked if I could help him out a bit because he was struggling with the personalities on the team. I hadn’t coached a lick in my life and I kind of took over the team from that point. Next year I got my coaching badges done and absolutely loved it. At times I felt like I was a better coach than player, so I continued and got my A and B licenses in one year.”