Elevate The Field

On the recommendation of my good friend and fellow triathlete, Mark Oakes, I recently read a book by Dr. Carol Dweck, called “Mindset”. In it, she explores the differences between a “fixed” mindset and a “growth” mindset. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and subsequently was the unsuspecting beneficiary of a mid-life epiphany.

Throughout my life, I idolized sports figures that embodied toughness, grit, and a Spartan approach to sports and life. Men like, Vince Lombardi and Bobby Knight. These men were the epitome of all things right, or so I thought. They relentlessly sought perfection through a winning at all costs attitude coupled with a take-no-prisoners mentality. In fact, I have a Vince Lombardi motivational speech that is framed on a wall in my home.

In truth, these men were/are solid human beings. In my opinion, they were misguided in their approach to coaching and teaching. In the case of Lombardi, his players from the glory years with the Packers went on to become productive citizens in society. For Knight, he always graduated a high percentage of his students. Both men are considered successes in the sporting world because Lombardi won five NFL Championships and two Super Bowls and Knight won three NCAA Championships. However, both were limited by their fixed mindset.

A fixed mindset avoids challenges, gets defensive, sees effort as fruitless, ignores useful negative feedback, and feels threatened by the success of others.

In short, both Lombardi and Knight motivated through fear. They would lose self control, lash out at players, and ridicule referees incessantly. They routinely killed their players’ spirit in exchange for victory in order to validate their own insecurities of success. Often times they would tear a player apart emotionally and sometimes physically to create a “tougher” player.

On the other hand, the growth mindset embraces challenges, persists in the face of setbacks, sees effort as a path to mastery, learns from criticism, and finds lessons and inspiration in the success of others.

The gold standard for a growth mindset was John Wooden. Wooden captured ten NCAA Championships during his lifetime, but he never once worried about outscoring the opponent. Instead, he lived by the rule: “You have to apply yourself each day to becoming a little better. By applying yourself to the task of becoming a little better each and every day over a period of time, you will become a lot better.”

Winning was certainly enjoyable for Wooden, but it was the testimony of his players that gave him the greatest satisfaction. Former player Bill Walton said, “Of course, the real competition he was preparing us for was life. He taught us the values and characteristics that could make us not only good players, but also good people.”

For a glimpse into Wooden’s mindset and philosophy of success, watch this TED Talk from 2001. http://bit.ly/bK7Iz8

Since I began blogging more than a year ago, my posts have focused on the human spirit as viewed through the lens of sports. Today, I offer a personal view of my human spirit through the lens of life.

There is a great scene in the movie, “The Shawshank Redemption,” where Morgan Freeman’s character, Otis Redding, addresses his parole board about what he has learned about rehabilitation after spending most of his life in prison. 

In the scene, Freeman wishes that he could have talked to himself as a young boy prior to committing the felony that imprisoned him for more than 40 years. He yearned to advise him to make the right choices and to not be foolish with his time. 

Yesterday, I was looking at some old family photos and I came across one of me during my high school years. Initially, I chuckled at my hairstyle and attire and quickly thought of the memories that were associated with that picture. But after a few minutes, I thought of the scene in “Shawshank” and hypothetically posed the question, “What would I say to that young boy at this stage of my life given the opportunity?”

Aside from telling myself to buy more Apple stock and avoid any real estate purchases in the mid 2000s, I really could only come up with one thing that I would say. I would tell myself to love more. 

Certainly there are mistakes and events in our past that we wish we could change or alter. But should we? 

I believe the joyous and turbulent moments in our lives that have caused us great joy and tremendous pain shape us. Without them, we would not be able to appreciate and value our present life to its fullest. Truthfully, the only regret I have at this point is that I haven’t opened my heart enough to accept and give more love.

Recently, I shared with a friend that I had been “blessed” with one of the greatest challenges of my life this year. I told him that I prayed my family and I would be forged stronger because of it. He liked my perspective, adding with each challenge comes opportunity.

It is still early in the process, but I feel that my new opportunity is allowing me to truly learn to love more. It has changed my perspective about our existence and relationships. As I approach the beginning of my fifth decade on this planet, I look at the picture of myself as a young boy not with regret, but with hope and optimism that all of my collective experiences have brought me to this present moment with the ability to accept a higher form of the precious gift of love.

 Many years ago, my English professor used the attached Garfield comic to illustrate the beauty of ignorance as it pertains to exceeding limitations. In other words, Odie was unaware that he wasn’t supposed to succeed, because no one told him that he couldn’t. From time to time, I think about Odie’s tree climbing ability when I encounter a success story made possible by rejecting conventional wisdom.

I was reminded of the comic once again after recently reading Christopher McDougall’s “Born to Run.” In the book, McDougall captures the spirit of the Tarahumara Tribe and their supernatural ability as runners while living a Spartan existence in the remote canyons of Mexico. The book highlights the Zen of running and the fuel that propels the Tarahumaran engines. That fuel being a perfect blend of caring, sharing, and joy.

McDougall discovered the Tarahumara are a people capable of tremendous athletic feats. Tribe members are credited with running more than 400 miles without stopping. Routinely, they log 50-mile runs, which include elevation changes of over 6,000 feet – just for fun. http://bit.ly/cZ4fco. For the Tarahumara running is a way of life. It connects them socially. The entire tribe takes part in “fun runs” and children grow up playing running games that develop their bare-foot running style and endurance.

They live and thrive in the harsh environment and rugged terrain of the Copper Canyons and their isolation is deliberate. The Tarahumara shun the outside world for all of its vices. They had grown tired of the trappings of society and secluded themselves in the canyons. Their universe centers on caring and sharing for one another. If someone needs food, they empty their cupboards to feed them. If someone needs shelter, they offer their home. If someone needs clothing, they give them the shirts off their backs. It’s communal living at its finest. A genuine level of care and compassion pervades Tarahumaran culture. Running is the instrument that releases frustration and keeps life in balance.

While making one of their few appearances in the United States, several Tarahumara tribesman ran the Leadville 100 in 1994. All five Tarahumara runners finished in the top seven (including 1^st and 2^nd place) and ran the entire way in robes and sandals…smiling. The Tarahumara have an absolute joy for running. It’s an extension of their soul and spirit. It allows them to be who they are. They are unspoiled by the words can’t or won’t. They are a kind and peaceful people with an athletic gift never seen before.

Some say the Tarahumara have obtained the ultimate “runner’s high.” I think they have, and they possibly don’t even know it.

Boys with Franco

I grew up in Western Pennsylvania, where sports played a central role for the entire region. Whether supporting our professional sports teams (most notably the Pittsburgh Steelers) or our local high school athletics, most folks’ emotions were tethered to the wins and losses of their teams. Some observers credit the heightened sports loyalty to the tight-knit family culture that pervades the area. Others claim it is how sports teams reflect the values of the traditional blue-collar work force. 

Recently, I’ve seen this level of emotional investment taking root in my 7-year-old son. He truly started following football this year. He learned player rosters, studied play selection, and understood time management while also picking up the nuances of the game. Unfortunately, I’ve also witnessed firsthand what this investment can do when a game results in a loss.

This year’s Super Bowl pitted the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers. My son was heartbroken when our team lost the game. He cried and was distraught. I was crushed by the outcome, as well. I wanted to win just as badly as he did, but I chose to use the setback as a teaching opportunity about acceptance, effort, and mental resolve. This was not an easy task for me.

Honestly, I have a very competitive spirit. Winning is something that I strive for in all my endeavors. Whether it’s a game of cards, trivia, or a pickup game of basketball, my goal has always been to win. But winning has taken on a different definition for me over the past several years. I view the value of “winning” being centered on effort and pushing yourself to obtain the best result that you can put forth on any given day.

 My teaching opportunity with my son had unknowingly been set in motion just three weeks earlier by an unlikely source. I had been captivated by a post game interview conducted with Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis after the Ravens lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in this year’s divisional playoff game.

In full disclosure, I want to share that at the beginning of Ray Lewis’s career, I was not a fan. He attended the University of Miami, which was known for its brash and boastful players and Lewis was no exception. He also plays for the team that is the archenemy of my beloved Steelers. My stance on Lewis softened several years ago when I learned that he has done mission work in Africa and works with disadvantaged children in his community. Lewis’s comments after the loss confirmed my initial misdiagnosis of his character. His words reverberated in my mind.

“If you live for the same God that I live for, what is for you is for you. What is not, is not. All you can do is come back and be better. You have to hold your head high for the way that we played. When you teach those lessons to your children you have to live by them yourself.” http://bit.ly/gtzxLL

Lewis made an impression on me that helped me preach the values of winning to my son.

My advice for all my boys is that winning can be achieved through the solace of maximum effort even when they aren’t rewarded with victory. Constantly strive to improve yourself, your community, and the lives of those around you. Be able to get back up one more time than you fall.

For if it will be, then it will be.

Anthony Robles

Lost in the “Madness” this past weekend was another NCAA championship in Philadelphia, PA. Penn State University won the NCAA Men’s Wrestling championship for its first team title since 1953. But it was the lightest men’s champion that everyone was talking about.

 Arizona State’s Anthony Robles won the Men’s 125-lbs division to cap his brilliant senior year at 36-0. Robles dominated Iowa’s Matt McDonough 7-1 in the finals for one of two Arizona State individual champions crowned on Saturday. McDonough was the reigning NCAA champion.

 Making Robles’ accomplishment even more impressive is that he did it all with only one leg. Born without a right leg, Robles’ has been accepting challenges with an incredible spirit and unyielding determination.

 The Meza, AZ, native finished his final two years of high school wrestling a perfect 96-0, yet only received a partial athletic scholarship from Arizona State. After arriving in Tempe four years ago, Robles was able to run a mile, with crutches, in about 10 minutes. He now runs the mile in under 8 minutes. http://bit.ly/VXrqq

While initially lacking tremendous wrestling acumen, Robles continued to work hard and never accepted anything less than perfection.

Before the tournament Jason Skoda, from the Ahwatukee Foothills News, quoted Robles as saying, “If anything, I made it my advantage (only one leg). I read a quote by Kobe Bryant the other day in which he said that the only advantage he has is that he wants what all men want, he just wants it more.”

 “I can attest to that. Everyone wants a national title, but no one wants it more. It is what I am going for and I am not going to let anyone stop me,” he added. No one did. Robles won five tournament matches by a combined score of 51-7 to capture ASU’s first individual title since 2003. http://bit.ly/gTGhNj

 After graduation, Robles plans on becoming a motivational speaker and already has a job offer from a Japanese company.

O.K. I’ll admit it. From time to time, I look for an excuse not to do something. I retreat from what can be accomplished for the comfort and safety of the status quo. One of my goals for 2011 is to minimize and, ultimately, eliminate those moments. Too often, I allow my mind to determine the result of a challenge, even before my body and soul have a chance to take part.

Usually a story of personal triumph snaps me back to reality…or should I say allows me to dream of what can be done. There are literally thousands of examples of profound personal success. These stories help fuel me to reach for goals that are just beyond my grasp.

Rajesh Durbal’s story is one such example.

Born without feet and only one arm, Durbal completed the World Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii, this past October. He became the first triple amputee to accomplish the king of all 140.6 mile triathlons. Not bad for a man that completed his first sprint triathlon in June of 2009. 

During his training, Durbal coined the phrase “Live Free. Live Amazingly.”

He said, “Live Free came about, crying in pain, running in the rain on my walking legs training for my first Olympic triathlon. I was faced with many obstacles that tried to hold me down, and no one around to help me and all I had was my faith and prayer. I kept on praying wanting to be free from the chains that hold me down – small and large. I wanted to be free, and then Live Free was born.” 

“Live Amazingly, came from living life with purpose – Striving to live an amazing life everyday. Amazing is not the mountain tops we look for. Amazing is seeing beauty and peace with simple things in life, knowing your purpose here is larger than a mountain top.”

How Free and Amazing does Durbal live? Enough to stop the biggest race of his life to help another competitor complete his personal goal of finishing Kona. Durbal encouraged Pittsburgh Neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Maroon, to finish the race.

 “A car came by and shined the lights on his body and legs, and I saw he had no legs and an arm that was malformed. I looked at that; I looked at him and I said, ‘My God,’” said Maroon. “I psychologically had thrown in the towel. I was going to call for an ambulance.” (story and video here: http://bit.ly/gohj0R)

Live Free. Live Amazingly. Make 2011 the year that you fuse your mind, body, and soul to strive for the goals that you thought were just out of reach.

Kevin Durant

One of the knocks on “Generation Next” is that they are ego-centric. They are portrayed as craving a singular limelight rather than a shared spotlight with teammates. Their drive appears to be fueled by individual stat lines in the box score rather than results on the scoreboard. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the field is justified in the name of winning.

With modern day examples of self-absorbed athletes like Alex Rodriguez, Lebron James, Terrell Owens, Chad Ocho-Cinco, and Tiger Woods, who could blame the critics for thinking this way?

But Gen Next does have shining stars who do things the “right” way. One example is NBA Superstar Kevin Durant.

Durant plays in relative obscurity for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City played in only two nationally televised games last year (Lebron James played in 29) so you are not alone if you have never heard of him. Here is a short rundown on Durant’s accomplishments:

-         2010 FIBA World Championship MVP and Gold Medalist

-         NBA Scoring Champion 2010

-         NBA All Star 2010

-         NBA Rookie of the Year 2008

-         ESPN Player of the Year 2007

-         AP Player of the Year 2007

-         Oscar Robertson Trophy 2007

-         Adolph Rupp Trophy 2007

-         Naismith Award Winner 2007

-         John Wooden Award Winner 2007

-         Big 12 Player of the Year 2007

-         3.5 GPA while at the University of Texas

A fairly stout resume for the 22-year-old Gen Nex from Washington D.C. You might assume with so many accomplishments at such a young age, Durant would fall into the “me first” category. But nothing could be further from the truth for the soft spoken 6’9” swingman.

Durant consistently demonstrates humility, class, and  respect for all those he touches. Examples include:

On July 7, when Lebron James announced that he would televise his “decision,” Durant simply tweeted about his new contract extension with the Thunder:

“Extension for 5 more years with the #Thunder…God is Great, me and my family came a long way…I love ya’ll man for real, this is a blessing!”

On September 18, Durant was invited to have a personal shoot around with President Obama at the White House. Durant brought teammates Eric Maynor, James Harden, and his mother with him. His greatest pleasure from the event, however, might have been having his grandmother there, as well. Durant shared, “She’s been in D.C. for 60 years and never got to meet the president. Now we have the first African-American president, and it felt good for me to give her that opportunity.”

On October 20, Durant was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He agreed to do the cover on the condition that teammates Thabo Sefolosha and Nenad Krstic were included: “They’re guys we have to have on this team. I want everybody to know how important they are to us and what great teammates they are. So it was the chance to voice my opinion, and I’m glad Sports Illustrated put them on the cover with me.”

On November 9, Durant was scheduled to appear on the Jim Rome radio show. Rome tweeted, “Kevin Durant legend grows. A meeting ran late and he couldn’t call the show. He just called me personally to apologize. A Jungle first.”

….and the spotlight that shines on Durant allows his legend to grow because his mind and soul are firmly rooted in gratitude.

Half Full Triathlon

Two weeks removed from the inaugural Half Full Triathlon in Columbia, MD, some of the stories and moments from the October 2^nd weekend are just now finally sinking in.

First, there’s the story of triumph and heartache shared by cancer survivor Shannon McGinn. Shannon recounted her tale Saturday afternoon at a luncheon for Team Fight, an organization whose members compete in races nationwide to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Shannon fought to keep herself physically fit to help sustain the rigors of chemotherapy. What started out as walk/rest movements around the hospital floor evolved into 5Ks, then 10Ks, then marathons, and, finally, ultra marathons. With Shannon’s cancer now in remission, her running career is highlighted by a 110-mile run in just 24 hours, placing her 12^th nationally. Just a week before the Half Full Triathlon, she competed in an 80-mile criterion race.

Next was the actual race itself. Never before had I competed in a race of this distance. A Half Ironman had been on my “bucket list” for several years. The energy exuded by the people and the event was more than I could have ever imagined. The spirit and vibe surrounding the Half Full Triathlon was infectious.  People displayed genuine compassion for one another and shared their stories of possibility and hope.

The course tested me physically. It allowed me to escape into the Zen state of a beautiful pain. For five hours and 45 minutes I gave everything I had. I immersed myself into the depths of my soul and reflected on my two dear friends who were afflicted by cancer and, thus, my inspiration for competing. I lost Holly five years ago and Jimmy continues to fight now seven years into the battle.

My greatest memory from the weekend is the one forged by the love of family and friends. Many a tear was shed, many a hug was embraced, and many a laugh was chuckled by an “FA” group, more than 30 people strong. For me, the Half Full Triathlon wasn’t so much “life changing” as it was “life affirming.” While I memorialized one friend and competed in honor of another, the race served as a cleansing and a rebirth for my life and the choices that I will make in my remaining days.

One quote from the Team Fight luncheon summed it up best, “I’m not afraid of dying. I’m afraid of not living.”

I want to give a special thanks to my friends at the Ulman Cancer Fund for organizing such an incredible event and for championing such an important cause. Keep fighting.  http://bit.ly/drCVa5 (Shameless plug… look for the guy on the right 17-20 seconds in….that’s me hanging with my new friend Greg Dowd.)

Jamie Moyer

Most folks hope to get the most out of their lives over a long period of time. Ideally, we would be well into our “Golden Years” before moving on to the afterlife. At the age of 47, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer is playing well into his athletic “Golden Years” with tremendous success.

In this, his 24^th Major League season, Moyer holds the record for the most wins (265) and strikeouts (2,405) among active players. He has won a World Series Title (2008) and has been selected to the All-Star Game (2003). He also ranks 10^th on the all-time wins list by a left hander and ranks 36^th overall.

But it is perhaps Moyer’s off-the-field contributions that will have the greatest longevity.

In 1998, Moyer granted a wish to die-hard Seattle Mariners fan, Erin Metcalf, as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Erin had been diagnosed with liver cancer as a 15-year-old. After the encounter, the Moyers and Metcalfs established a heart-felt relationship. Unfortunately, Erin succumbed to the disease two years later.

In an effort to honor their fallen friend, Jamie and his wife Karen established Camp Erin, a bereavement camp for children ages 6 to 17 who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The camps are conducted on weekends and provide traditional camp fun along with grief counseling and emotional support.

Camp Erin has become the largest bereavement camp in the United States accounting for 36 camps in 23 different states. The camp helps more than 2,500 grieving children each year. Camp Erin is just one of the many beneficiaries of the Moyer Foundation.

As parents of eight children, the Moyers are dedicated to finding ways to enrich the lives of children everywhere. The mission of the Moyer Foundation is to offer encouragement, comfort, and support to children enduring a time of profound emotional, physical, or financial distress and provide opportunities for enhancing overall wellness, stability, and quality of life.  

Since its inception, The Moyer Foundation has raised over $20 million to help support more than 225 different programs that help children in distress in a variety of ways.

Ironically, Moyer, a man playing well past the normal “prime” of his career, has been incredibly influential in helping children grieve those who were lost well before their “prime.”

The following video is a very moving piece explaining the camp in further detail. It runs a bit long, but is so worth your time. http://bit.ly/cPrIie 

To Jamie and Karen Moyer, we thank you for your efforts and continued success in sharing your spirit for life and love for children.

If obstacles are what we see when we take our eyes off the goal, then Amy Palmiero-Winters must wear permanent blinders. This Meadville, PA, native has had laser-like focus to successfully achieve her 2010 goals…and it’s only July. 

On January 1, Palmiero-Winters won the “Run to the Future” 24-hour marathon in Glendale, Arizona. She logged 130.4 miles for the victory and beat the next closest competitor by 14 miles. Her performance qualified her for the U.S. National Team.

In April, Palmiero-Winters won the prestigious 2010 Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete – an honor that includes previous recipients such as Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis, Wilma Rudolph, and Bobby Jones.

Palmiero-Winters also added victories in the Might Electric Ultracentric and Heartland 100-mile races. Throw in five world records at distances of 50 kilometers, 50 miles, 100 kilometers, 100 miles, and 24-hour runs and you have yourself an amazing story.

What is even more impressive is that Palmiero-Winters accomplished all of these things on one good leg.

Palmiero-Winters was on the losing end of a motorcycle accident, which claimed her left leg below the knee at the age of 21. Last week, she earned an ESPY as the nation’s top female athlete with a disability.

In May at the World Championships in Brive, France, Palmiero-Winters helped lead the U.S. Women’s Team to a fourth place finish. She was the first amputee ever named to the U.S. squad.

Though her leg has been ravaged by the amputation and the stress of running with a prosthetic, Palmiero-Winters has excelled on the pavement, as well as in life. At 37, this single mother of two runs about 120 miles a week. http://bit.ly/9B0TJl

Part of her training is to literally run through the night. Once a week, she embarks on an 80-mile run. She finishes at sunrise and proceeds to get ready for work.

Palmiero-Winters is employed by A Step Ahead, a high tech prosthetics company. As part of her work, she shares her story and provides hope for young boys and girls facing physical challenges. http://bit.ly/cbZiXV She coached Team Step Ahead for last weekend’s New York City Triathlon.

As for the rest of 2010, Palmiero-Winters is planning to scale back a little on her schedule. Her last major competition of the year will be the 24-hour National Championships in Cleveland this September.

It has been quite an incredible year for a woman who as an 8-year-old, had to stuff toilet paper in her shoes to make them fit properly for her first race.

She finished dead last.

Guess the blinders came on at an early age.