Karen Costello is one of those people who really helps others. Karen is a motivator, coach, and single mom living in Malibu. Sound like a lot? It is. But Karen handles it all with ease and grace, even finding the time to coach a kid's track club in Beverly Hills which is how I met her.
Karen helps top athletes, mostly track and field and distance runners find their "strength" and form a more positive outlook about themselves and their training. Karen loves her life in Malibu and finds it the ideal place to do some training of her own and even relax a little while...if that's even possible with her schedule.
I visited with Karen after my 6-year-old daughter Sofia finished one of her track club sessions. Seeing these young kids having such fun doing light drills, running around the track, and even jumping over mini size hurdles gave me new resolve with my own running program and showed what a truly special woman Karen Costello is.
Lifson: As a Sports Psychology consultant, what are your objectives in helping athletes?
Costello: I work?with?many different types of?athletes to optimize their performance through mental skills training. My consulting firm?works on reducing anxiety, developing?positive self-talk, visualization, and neuro and biofeedback to shift the brainwaves into a sharper more focused state. I also work with athletes who just need to "vent" about pressures, from parents, coaches, school and "their inner voice of doubt."
Lifson: You keep a really hectic schedule, what is your favorite place in Malibu to exercise yourself or chill out a little bit?
Costello:?My favorite place in Malibu is to run up Latigo Canyon and then take in the breathtaking view at the top before enjoying the much more comfortable run down the hill. I love taco night at Duke's and dinner and happy hour at the Sunset at Westward Beach. Lily's breakfast burritos are the best! Room at the Beach is my favorite store in Malibu.
Lifson: Do you represent any athletes that people know? Metta World Peace or Usain Bolt maybe?
Costello: (Laughing) I doubt Usain Bolt has much in the way of an inner voice of doubt! But seriously,?I'm not really allowed to disclose my athletes per confidentiality. However, I can say that I'm working with three Olympic hopefuls from UCLA, several UCLA collegiate athletes, a USA National Team Water Polo player in Europe (via Skype) and several local high school athletes in various sports.
Lifson: Track and Field is such a great sport! I don't understand why it doesn't get more attention in the media and there aren't more track meets. It teaches such great life skills. It's very tough to be a runner!
Costello:?I think track and field needs to get back to where it was in the 70s for greater media exposure. People were excited about running for fitness and watching elite athletes compete locally. Our high school programs have grown expediently, yet our elite competitions are waning in spectators. The UCLA vs. USC meet was a great example of how the stands use to be. It's inexpensive to watch and there's never a dull moment. I liken it to a circus with multiple events going on at the same time, so there is always something to watch.?I would love to see indoor track return to the southland.
The Sunkist and Times Indoor meets really helped promote the sport. In Eugene, they still fill the stand at University of Oregon for every track & field competition. I would love to see the same enthusiasm for the sport in Los Angeles.?The strengths of our sport are the life lessons it teaches. Hard work, dedication, teamwork, selflessness, time management and passion can all translate into life skills. I've used my track background in many job interviews to my advantage.
Lifson: How do you juggle all the responsibilities of being a single mom and working full time?
Costello:?When I'm not working (which is rare these days!) I love to work with?young?children in the Beverly Hills Parks and Recreation Program for track & field and fitness. I do that twice a week. I love to run?myself?and cook, read and hang out with my three dogs. I'm a very involved mom.?My children are A.J. Carrillo (age 24) a USD graduate in Biochemistry who currently works as a tutor for Malibu students and is planning to return to school for a Master's Degree. My daughter is Alycia Carrillo (age 22) who competed in the long jump for USC and graduated with a degree in Human Performance. She is also in the process of applying to graduate schools.?I have my office in Malibu where I see local athletes in the evenings and on weekends.
Karen Costello has the enthusiasm and commitment of a champion athlete herself and that's what it takes to be a solid role model. After a few minutes, Karen told me she had to get going so she could get a workout in before dinner. In her UCLA sweatshirt and ice blue BMW, she was off in a flash.
Visit Karen's web site at malibusportsconsultant.com.
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