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"What I found through sports was inner strength. I found it by pushing myself to the limits. I think the difference in the quality of anybody's life, whether it be an athlete or businessperson, whether it be Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey or Maya Angelou, what sets them apart, is inner strength."
~ Tony Robbins, Motivational Speaker & Author
This quote is from Brian Kilmeade's book, The Games Do Count: America's Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports.
One of the great stories that came out of the coverage of the NCAA Men's Final Four was a feature that CBS did on a young man named Austin, who after watching a video about children in Africa who were orphaned because of the scurge of AIDS, decided to make a difference.
On World AIDS Day, 2004, Austin shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned that day and every day. He got a few sponsors and raised a few thousand dollars but the story is still being told.
Take a few minutes to watch the video below.
To learn more about Austin click here
Dick Vitale, the most passionate and positive figure in all of basketball has been selected for enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributer. It is about time. Vitale embodies the spirit all that is right about playing a game.
In eleven days, I will have the honor of interviewing Dick Vitale which will be featured on the Life IS Sport Pod Cast. Until then, the video below is Vitale sharing his emotions with Mike Greenburg & Mike Golic from ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning show.
This is such a simple thought but I am struck by how many people go through life and never get off of the proverbial bench and get in the game. Purpose and success are very attainable yet many sit idly by waiting for success to find them.
We all have different dreams and talents but the formula for fulfilled purpose is the same for all. Years ago, one of my mentors summed it up for me this way..."find where your passion and talent intersect - that is your sweet spot. Now you can go hard."
The best part of that advice is the "go hard". Many people figure out the passion and talent but never go for it. Everybody dreams, but those who make an impact have the courage to chase the dream.
Below are two great quotes that I look at almost every day and I am sure they will encourage you.
"The most important key to achieving great success is to decide upon your goal and launch, get started, take action, move."
~ John Wooden, Legendary UCLA Basketball Coach
Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in ones favor all manner of unseen incidents, meetings, and material assistance which no man
could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can--begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goeth, German novelist, poet, & scientist
The terror of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and in the surrounding country of Chad is getting much needed attention in the media, especially in this Olympic year as host country China has supported the rogue government of Sudan and done nothing to stop the atrocities.
I was glad to learn that Kobe Bryant is headlining a group of N.B.A. stars that are lending their voices to raise awareness of the genocide in Sudan through a series of public service announcements. Other stars include Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill, Baron Davis, Derek Fisher & Emeka Okafor.
Bryant and the other players are doing the videos for Aid Still Required, a non-profit organization focused on rebuilding communities through sustainable solutions in the aftermath of natural disasters and human crises.
Click Here to learn more about the Darfur crises what Aid Still Required is doing in Darfur.
