While I was at the gym
yesterday, I immediately hit the treadmill for a run. I have a very strong work
ethic at the gym. I picked up that focus and determination from all the professional
athletes I rubbed elbows with when I use to train at Gold’s Gym in Venice
Beach, CA. And you know something funny? My ex-lover/ex-friend BMW Motorsport Race
Car Driver Bill Auberlen is the polar opposite of me
in the gym. Bill is fast on the race track but very slow and unfocused in the
gym. He and I have been going to the same gym(s) (more than one) for years. We
met at Gold’s Gym in Redondo Beach, CA USA a very long time ago. That is where I
first caught his attention as he use to stare at me day after day dripping in sweat
while I worked out so hard. I am obsessed
with working out. It’s a big part of me but sometimes work and life prevent me
from going to the gym. Anyhow, back to the tread mill. I usually run for 30
straight minutes progressively increasing the speed. Towards the end of my run
I am running very fast until I am finished. Since I’ve been away from the gym for a time, this was
very difficult yesterday. My energy stores were low and my muscles were not
having it. Quitting was not an option but with each step there was great pain. There
is always a lot going on at the gym but I tuned out everything around me and
kept repeating to myself “push through it, push through it…” until I successfully
finished my run.
When I got home later that evening, the ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Awards came on. I watched intently as professional athlete after professional athlete was acknowledged for their stellar performances in their respective sports. The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team was acknowledged as Best Team for winning the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Amazing! UFC fighter Ronda Rousey won the Best Fighter award over Floyd Mayweather. What? Go Ronda. And Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Olympic great Bruce Jenner) was the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for having the balls (no pun intended) to recently transition into her authentic self despite worldwide public scrutiny. I use to do legal work for Speedo North America based in the UK and I had the privilege of working with multiple Olympic athletes, including Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time. What I am most impressed about with respect to professional athletes is their will, focus, strength and determination to push through adversity to excellence. Sports are really a metaphor for life. Those attributes and characteristics that professional athletes develop and apply while playing sports will help YOU get through life. Whatever your goals are and whatever obstacles you are facing, you can push through it. Tune out the noise, stay focused, believe in yourself and NEVER quit. Be courageous and carry on.
When I got home later that evening, the ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Awards came on. I watched intently as professional athlete after professional athlete was acknowledged for their stellar performances in their respective sports. The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team was acknowledged as Best Team for winning the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. Amazing! UFC fighter Ronda Rousey won the Best Fighter award over Floyd Mayweather. What? Go Ronda. And Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Olympic great Bruce Jenner) was the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for having the balls (no pun intended) to recently transition into her authentic self despite worldwide public scrutiny. I use to do legal work for Speedo North America based in the UK and I had the privilege of working with multiple Olympic athletes, including Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time. What I am most impressed about with respect to professional athletes is their will, focus, strength and determination to push through adversity to excellence. Sports are really a metaphor for life. Those attributes and characteristics that professional athletes develop and apply while playing sports will help YOU get through life. Whatever your goals are and whatever obstacles you are facing, you can push through it. Tune out the noise, stay focused, believe in yourself and NEVER quit. Be courageous and carry on.
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