The Champion and You!

I am fortunate to have traveled the width and breadth of this great country and have visited all 50 states. I have stood on the one spot that is unique in that it is THE only spot where it is possible to stand in 4 states simultaneously.

During my travels, I have observed the vast differences in the fabric of the country, with its diversity contributing this country’s strength. The one factor that is often a unifying event for all and occurs every 4 years is The Olympics. This is the story of a champion who won an Olympic gold medal in the 1960 games.

He arrived on the scene brash, boisterous and bold earning the nickname “The Louisville Lip”, and he went on to become one of the greatest heavyweight world champions during my life time. He used poetry and rhyme to predict victory and even declared “the round when the opponent was going down”.

His movements in the ring were like poetry in motion. With fluid like motions of a ballet dancer, he delivered punishing punches with persistence, precision and pugilistic excellence.
He made his passion his work, and in the process made it look easy. Now, to let you in on a secret that worked for him, and a secret: “Study and work hard until you make even the most difficult task look easy”. This can also work for you.

As polished and smooth as he was, when he stepped into the ring he made it all look so easy. I’m sure it took many grueling hours of practice to maintain his conditioning, and his skills were honed to a razor’s edge. You just knew he had to love the endless hours of practice and conditioning to become so proficient, but when asked about training, Muhammad Ali stated that he, “HATED every minute of his training”. That’s right, he HATED every minute of it, but his philosophy was “Don’t quit, suffer now, then live the rest of your life as a Champion!”

Here are two parting thoughts to take with you. “All things are possible to those who believe,” and “The person without vision shall perish”.

To those that have discovered their passions, I say to you as you:”Practice with persistence the pursuit of your goals and dreams”. Don’t ever quit, endure the practice and pursuit of excellence so that when the moment arrives for you to step onto the world stage with your dream and passion, you too will be prepared to deliver a World Class Performance, and claim your rightful place as the champion that you are!