G.Y.M (Guiding Your Movement) Bandz and Becoming an Inventor
In briefAI summary — tap to read
Steve Stokes, a former professional athlete and international football coach, shares his journey from struggling to become a professional player to inventing G.Y.M Bandz, a versatile resistance band tool designed for proper movement mechanics. He demonstrates how understanding correct movement patterns and investing in oneself can transform athletic and everyday performance for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Key takeaways
- Steve developed G.Y.M Bandz after using resistance bands to rehabilitate a blown-out knee while working as a security guard, combining light and heavy resistance in a single wearable tool.
- The phrase 'if you knew better you'd move better' reflects his core philosophy that most people are movement illiterate and lack proper guidance on how to move correctly, even more than they need intensity in training.
- G.Y.M Bandz work for diverse populations—from senior citizens and children to professional athletes—because the single band adjusts via internal indentations and folding techniques to provide light-to-heavy resistance without needing multiple products.
- Steve emphasizes the importance of pivoting and divorcing yourself from rigid ideas when they're not working, rather than staying tunnel-visioned on one approach to problem-solving.
- The bands are pandemic-proof, pocket-sized, machine-washable fitness tools that promote safety without metal hooks or velcro, designed to enable quality training anywhere without traditional gym access.
About Steve StokesSteve Stokes is a former professional football player who played in Canada, Germany, Italy, and Finland, where he won a championship and was named MVP. He is now the owner and creator of G.Y.M Bandz, an educational technology and health tool for proper physical movement mechanics.
AI-generated from the meeting recording — AI can make mistakes, so check the recording for anything important.
Meeting for the week of December 07 - December 13, 2020
This Meeting at a Glance:
Program: G.Y.M (Guiding Your Movement) Bandz and Becoming an Inventor
Speaker: Steve Stokes
Is this your first time to visit us? If so, welcome to our weekly online meeting! To complete our meeting, please continue reading from here to the bottom of this page.Each Monday our week’s meeting is posted early in the morning, U.S. Pacific Time. These meetings are designed so that you can read and watch what we post anytime during the week. The entire meeting takes about 60 minutes to complete, with the video conference recording of the program being the bulk of the time. Note that you can easily read this meeting with your favorite device, so feel free to take our meeting on the go with you. Please also make sure to complete the attendance form at the bottom and leave a comment. Enjoy!
To properly attend this meeting, please:
-
Read and watch the content below in its entirety.
-
Complete the attendance survey.
Everyone is also encouraged to leave a comment in the Disqus section at the bottom of the page.
Welcome to the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley!
-
Here’s a message from Cal Mann - Member
Cal Mann
Guests, we are happy to have you join us this week!
As we see it, our flexibility as an online, asynchronous club allows a special type of service to Rotarians around the world: we make it easier for anyone to strive for and maintain 100% attendance. That keeps you engaged with Rotary's events and ideas, and provides a moment of inspiration for devoting your creativity, talents, and resources to good causes.
You are certainly not required to pay anything in order to attend our meetings. However, if you would like to make a small contribution to our service efforts, you are welcome to do so in our secure Happy Dollars section down the page. This could be what you normally pay at your own club's meetings for lunch, for example. Any amount is welcome, but first and foremost, we're happy you've joined us, and hope you will share with others who we are and what we do to help inspire Service Above Self.
And don't forget to fill out our attendance form so you get an email you can pass on to your club's secretary!
Review of the Bylaws for our Club
Every few years, we review the bylaws for our club. Raquel and the board created a bylaws committee this year to do just that. Led by Phil Dean and supported by Rory, Carlos, Raquel, Brett and myself, the committee thoroughly reviewed and updated the bylaws. Thank you to all the committee members for their hard work!
The board has approved the draft bylaws and they are attached here for your review. The next step after board approval is membership review.
The membership review period for the bylaws is 14 days. Following that review period ending December 15, there will be a request to approve via an email vote by all members.
Please provide any feedback to secretary@siliconvalleyrotary.com.
The Four-Way Test
The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships.
Of the things we think, say or do
-
Is it the TRUTH?
-
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
-
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
-
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Weekly Funny with Shags
We believe laughter is an important part of life, and we should all make time to laugh a little. This segment of our meeting is meant to tickle you just enough. These funnies are curated by member Steven "Shags" Shagrin !
Maybe in the Seychelles?
A couple lived near the ocean and used to walk the beach a lot. One summer they noticed a girl who was at the beach almost every day.
She wasn't unusual, nor was the travel bag she carried, except for one thing; she would approach people who were sitting on the beach, glance around and then speak to them. Generally, the people would respond negatively and she would wander off. But occasionally someone would nod and there would be a quick exchange of money and something that she carried in her bag.
The couple assumed that she was selling drugs and debated calling the cops, but since they didn't know for sure, they decided to just continue watching her.
After a couple of weeks the wife said, 'Honey, have you ever noticed that she only goes up to people with boom boxes and other electronic devices?' He hadn't and said so. Then she said, 'Tomorrow I want you to get a towel and our big radio and go lie out on the beach. Then we can find out what she's really doing.'
Well, the plan went off without a hitch and the wife was almost hopping up and down with anticipation when she saw the girl talk to her husband and then leave.
The man then walked up the beach and met his wife at the road.
'Well, is she selling drugs?' she asked excitedly.
'No, she's not,' he said, enjoying this probably more than he should have.
'Well, what is it then? What does she do?' his wife fairly shrieked.
The man grinned and said, 'She's a battery salesperson.'
'Batteries?' cried the wife.
'Yes!' he replied.
'She Sells C Cells by the Seashore!'
Weekly inspiration
Every week we start our meetings with a short video highlighting innovation, inspiration, entrepreneurship, or social change.
This Surgeon Has Restored Sight to 130,000 Blind People is the title of this Great Big Story video about a doctor in Nepal, and how he has made an incredible difference in the lives of so many. When we look at the reality of haves and have-nots, we see that this covers much more than money - it covers being able to see, or even to live. Thanks to Cal Mann for sharing this gem!
Coffee with a Rotarian
Every 4 weeks, each member of our club is matched with another member for one-on-one conversations!
Here are the current matches!
Enri Strobel and Angelica Marotta
Cecelia Babkirk and Kelly Ku
Carlos Gabuardi and Steven -Shags- Shagrin
Tzviatko Chiderov and Ferheen Abbasi
Mark Dohn and Imad Ghoummid
Susan Howell and Keith Marsh
Nathan Gildart and Brett Sham
Nick LaGarde and Catherine
Alexandra Heller and Rory R. Olsen
Gabi Lopez and Cal Mann
Richard Knaggs and Tanya Martin
Caleb LaPlante and Armand Kambou
Sandy Stabile and Suzanne Van Stralen
Tatiana LaGarde and Maxi Bustos
Manou Shamsrizi and Emily Paver
Sarah Tuberty and Hardeep Kaur Singh
Mahmood Khan and Rushton Hurley
May Yam and Felix Pretscheck
Mark Busani and Nan Herron, MD
Roger Plested and Manuj Mittal
Jens Wiechers and Olu
Weren’t matched? 😔
Join the #coffee-with-a-rotarian channel in our club’s Slack workspace to participate in the next round!
World of Rotary
Every week we will focus on a particular story that tells of our organization and the work of Rotarians in the world.
How did Rotary’s world headquarters ended up in Evanston? Find out in our story.
Through a Rotarian's Lens
Sometimes a photo can capture an amazing moment. In this section Member Keith Marsh shares his incredible photography!
If you'd like to submit a photo for this section please contact Keith.
This is a photo submitted by club member Catherine taken near Bear Valley in the Sierra Nevada range. It contains three important elements of a good landscape photograph composition that include a foreground, middle ground and background. The two trees on either side of the image help to frame the view. Well done Catherine.
Learn something new
This section is curated by members Shags Shagrin and aims to teach our members and guests something new, fun and useful! If you have any ideas on a fun trick or skill you'd like to share please contact Shags.
NOPE! Glad They're Not in California!!
Tripped over this video and was really curious about such a unique type of spider. This fellow has an interesting series, and here's one of his offerings on the Twig Spider. I sped up playback and used subtitles to get through it a bit more quickly, as it's nearly 5 minutes long. But normally, for me -- spiders are a big NOPE!! -Shags
Service report
Tell us about service you’ve done recently in your community.
Click here to fill out The Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley Service Survey
On the first meeting of every month, we feature service reports from club members for the previous month. Thanks for your service everyone!
Week of Dec 6th - Donate a toy to your local homeless shelter, foster home, etc
South Bay:
Bill Wilson Center in Santa Clara
Toy Drive - Fire Department
Toys for Tots
Ronald McDonald House
Toy ideas: legos/building blocks, puzzles, stuffed animals, arts & crafts, coloring books, playdoh, toys that encourage learning, board games
Bill Wilson Center - Adopt a Family Wish List - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1P31O9H78U62Y/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
Encourage friends and family through social media to donate toys as well.
Don’t forget to take a selfie or a screenshot and post it to the #52-ways-to-be-a-more-engaged-rotarian channel!
https://app.slack.com/client/TNH7VRC0M/C01CQ53AE95
Thank you to the following Rotarians for posting about last week's challenge:
-Ferheen Abbasi
-Alexandra Heller
Here are a few pictures of the coats Ferheen donated:
Here is what Alexandra donated to a refugee home in Volketswil, Switzerland:
December Calendar
Club announcements
-
Haven't joined the conversation on Facebook yet? Consider joining the conversation by signing into our club members-only Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/rotarysiliconvalley/
-
Service Project Information
Club members, if you are participating or have previously participated in a service project as part of our club, could you please complete the following form:
https://forms.gle/jxfpHHiKBv7P5YXy5
New Members Introduction
Gabi Lopez
Our events & projects
We hold our meetings online, but we do regular service projects and social events in the Silicon Valley! This section is updated every week with our upcoming events. We welcome guests to all of the events and service projects listed here.
Past events
Upcoming events
All times are Pacific Time! (San Francisco time)
District 5170 events
All times are Pacific Time! (San Francisco time)
More events coming soon! All events are open to guests, unless otherwise mentioned. Feel free to join us! If you ever have questions, please email inquiries@siliconvalleyrotary.com
Happy Dollars: do good by sharing something good
Each week we ask our members to share stories with the club and toss in a few dollars to support our efforts. The primary goal of this section is to provide a fun way of getting to know each fellow members and guests, while giving back to a good cause.
Happy dollars is an opportunity to share something positive that has happened in your life whether it is personal or business. Think of it as your opportunity to brag a little, but also put a little bit into a karma jar. The money donated through happy dollars is put to charitable use, and the message that you leave for happy dollars will be posted in our online meeting the following week for the entire week for folks to see! (Pending that it’s appropriate!)
Here are the happy dollars contributions from last week!
This section is usually updated on the early hours of Saturday, so contributions made over the weekend may not be listed here.
Rory Olsen made a $20 donation.
Weather to cool off to near freezing tonight. Will warm up the rest of the week. Cats are happy.
Monique Ziesenhenne made a $25 donation.
TRF-Annual Fund, please. Happy that my daughter, an ICU nurse in New Orleans, is recovering from COVID. Wash your hands! Wear your mask!
Selected comments
Every week at the bottom of our meetings, there is a comments section for members and guests to tell us what they enjoyed about the meeting or to ask questions to the speaker. We select a few comments every week from last week’s meeting to be featured during this week’s meeting.
Here are the comments selected from last week’s meeting.
Phil Dean said:
Thank you, Dr. Gray, for reminding us of a problem that is not widely discussed, and how we might all be able to support it.
I also want to thank Cal Mann for providing Dr. Sanduk Ruit's video on cataract surgery. This subject is especially important for me since I had to have this surgery on both eyes. What a difference it has made to my life.
Martina S said:
Great presentation, thanks. As I'm not an American I never knew the difference between Medicaid and Medicare. Mental healthcare is a big problem in healthcare systems in many countries. I guess it is due to still being a social tabu when a person has mental problems, although they are increasing as our society has more and more people living alone and who struggle with loneliness.
Cal Mann said:
Thanks Michael for demystifying these important programs. Those air fryer jingles are a hoot, what won't they try to air fry? Kudos to Keith for helping to eradicate those terrible "candlestick" group photos of volunteers not in action!
Be sure to leave a comment at the end of this week’s meeting after you watch the program below, and perhaps you’ll see your comment featured next week!
Program: G.Y.M (Guiding Your Movement) Bandz and Becoming an Inventor
Speaker: Steve Stokes
Every week we bring to you a new program on innovation, entrepreneurship, and education, and how those contribute to service to others.
The Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley seeks to explore perspectives on service from across the world. The views of the speakers in our programs are their own, and unless stated otherwise, are not necessarily reflective of the views of our eClub nor Rotary International.
If you have an idea for a cool speaker, please feel free to reach out to them directly or submit THIS FORM so our Program Committee can contact them!
Anyone who starts a business does so believing there is an unmet need. For our speaker, Steve Stokes, the opportunity to try filling a need accelerated with trends he was seeing as a result of the pandemic. He'll tell us how and why he developed G.Y.M Bandz as a health and fitness tool for proper physical movement mechanics for people of all demographics. Those who have thought about starting a business, getting in better shape while sheltered in place, or both, will enjoy the story of his journey.
Today's speaker is Coach Steve Stokes who comes to you from Helsinki, Finland, by way of Southern California. He is a devoted husband and father, former professional athlete, and international coach of athletic movement and educational technology. His expertise and passion for his professions have led him down the path of becoming an inventor, creating what is now known as G.Y.M Bandz. He is determined to make the world a better place by helping others realize their potential for powerful, yet seemingly effortless, physical movement. As Coach likes to say, "If you knew better, you'd move better."
Members and guests, please welcome Steve Stokes!
Learn more at:
Website: www.gym-bandz.com
Instagram: @gymbandz
Upcoming program recording schedule
All of our guest speakers and programs are recorded live online over Zoom video conference. We welcome members and guests to join us in one of these upcoming recordings. Recordings are approximately 30 minutes long and are subject to change without notice.
Our online video conference room link for these recordings is always http://zoom.siliconvalleyrotary.com/. You are welcome to join us! Please note the timezone listed for all recordings is US Pacific Time (San Francisco, California, USA).
If you can’t join the live recording, please send your questions for an upcoming speaker to programs@siliconvalleyrotary.com.
