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| 24 Apr 2009 02:02:14 pm |
| LANCE MACKEY: Sled Dog Racer and Iditarod Champion |
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“It's a dream come true. I fantasized and daydreamed and wished every day about this race.”
Lance Mackey, after winning an unparalleled third straight Iditarod Sled Dog Race.
Just about a month ago, in mid March of 2009 – on hazardous trails, in wind chill temperatures of 50 below zero, often in whiteout conditions – Lance Mackey and 67 other dog sled teams were racing across 1150 miles of Alaskan wilderness. Although Lance and his team crossed the finish line first, each and every one of those racers is an inspired athlete. And for that matter, so is each and every one of the dogs who makes this marathon trek across remote and treacherous terrain.
Lance’s Real Zeal words point to something that the truly successful athletes do – they visualize their dreams. They see their victories happening before they happen and in so doing, they help turn those dreams into reality.
This visioning, this daydreaming is something that each of us can do to realize our dreams. We can fantasize and daydream and experience our future successes each and every day. And in so doing, create a powerful bridge to making them so!
FOR THE BIGGER STORY READ ON ...
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Before I introduce you to our Inspired Athlete of the week, let me tell you about this unbelievable race.
The Iditarod (formally called the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race) is Alaska's premiere sporting event. Each March, sixty or so dog sled teams (the lead musher and 16 dogs) race across a thousand miles of treacherous trails -- trails which, in historical times, were used by sled dog teams to deliver mail and supplies across the state.
The official Iditarod website’s description of this amazing race: “You can’t compare it to any other competitive event in the world! A race over 1150 miles of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. She throws jagged mountain ranges, frozen river, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast at the mushers and their dog teams. Add to that temperatures far below zero, winds that can cause a complete loss of visibility, the hazards of overflow, long hours of darkness and treacherous climbs and side hills, and you have the Iditarod. A race extraordinaire!”
Now to Lance, our inspired athlete of the week.
Lance is one of the most successful dog sled racers in the history of the sport, winning the Iditarod an unprecedented 3 straight years in a row. He was also the first to win two thousand-mile races – the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod – in the same year.
Dog sled racing is in Lance’s blood – not only was his father one of the original founders of the Iditarod event, his mother, when pregnant with Lance, was racing across the Alaskan wilderness.
Lance is a consistent inspiration to his peers and fans who love the sport, but he is also a badge of courage and possibility for all cancer patients in the world. After racing in the 2001 Iditarod, Lance was diagnosed with throat cancer. With a feeding tube into his stomach and still undergoing cancer treatment, he actually took on the 2002 Iditarod. He was forced to withdraw from the race— but not before he had traversed more than 400 miles of trail! At the time of this Real Zeal, he is cancer-free.
One more thing about Lance – he loves his dogs. Even more important to him than winning, is making sure that each and every one of his dogs crosses the finish line healthy and happy.
Now ... back to today’s Real Zeal: “It's a dream come true. I fantasized and daydreamed and wished EVERY day about this race.”
Today’s Inquiry for Each of Us: We all have dreams that we would love to become reality. How can we set up a structure (time, place) in which we can regularly devote to fantasizing and imagining these dreams coming true? And in so doing, create our own powerful bridge between dreaming and reality!
To learn more about the inspiring Lance Mackey:
http://iditarodblogs.com/news/2009/03/18/mackey-makes-it-three-in-a-row/
(this audio interview is the source of this week’s Real Zeal Quote)
http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=lance+mackey&rlz=1W1GFRE_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=USneScHOJ4igM5zpmE4&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#
http://www.mackeyscomebackkennel.com/About.htm |
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Category : General
| Posted By : admin |
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| 16 Apr 2009 09:46:00 pm |
| NICK FALDO, CBS Golf Analyst and Professional Golfer |
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"I had to convince myself there was no tomorrow."
Nick Faldo, CBS Golf Analyst, Professional Golfer, 3-time Masters Champion.
Normally I would not bring you a second Real Zeal about golf so soon after our previous one. However, two things happened during the recent Masters Tournament that I wanted to share with you.
First ... the awesome words of inspiration provided by Nick Faldo as he revealed how HE won the tournament twenty years ago. Bottom line: He convinced himself there was no tomorrow.
Nick Faldo’s words provide a powerful access to breakthrough performance. How many times do we let ourselves off the proverbial hook, simply because we believe there are unlimited tomorrows? How would we perform if we could convince ourselves that all we had -- REALLY -- was today? I’m quite certain we would not recognize ourselves!
Second ... our very own Real Zeal Inspired Athlete [Read April 3] , Kenny Perry – the “It was unattainable, yet I accomplished it” golfer (whose next “unattainable” achievement is winning a Major tournament) almost pulled it off last weekend at the Masters! He was actually tied for the lead at the end of regulation play, but lost in sudden death playoff. Three more Major tournaments coming up ... keep watching!
FOR THE BIGGER STORY READ ON ...
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So here’s what I’ve discovered about Nick Faldo. He’s a mind-over-matter guy.
“We all live in a state of self-hypnosis, where we convince ourselves that certain things are impossible. But sometimes you need to talk yourself into believing in the impossible. The mind is a powerful and complex thing.”*
Mind over matter is how he succeeds. It’s how he won six majors and 20 European tournaments; it’s how he transformed himself from a very good golfer into a consummate golfer, and it’s how he became one of the world’s top ten golfers and remained there for nine straight years.
But back in 1983, even though Nick Faldo had won five times on the European tour and was leading the tour in money and scoring, he had developed a reputation for folding under pressure. In fact, he was given the condescending nickname: “Fold-o.” He knew he did not have what it took to be the successful golfer he aspired to be. In his words, “I said to myself I haven't got it. I haven't got what I want to get me to the next level.”**
So, he courageously took on reinventing his golf game, retooling his swing, and in effect, risking what he’d been for what he could be.
He called this rebuilding time his ‘dark days’ because even though he was working harder than ever, it took an agonizing three years for the transformation to take hold. During this time, sponsors dropped him, the media thought he was washed up and many of his fans gave up on him.
In the end, it was worth it. On the other side of his reinvention, Nick Faldo emerged as one of the best golfers in the world ... ranked 4th in 1988: 2nd in 1989-91: 1st in 1992 and 1993 and 3rd in 1994. In other words, one of the best ever!
I believe that Nick Faldo has discovered a key to break-out performance – convincing his mind that he means what he says. Just as he convinced himself in that Masters 20 years ago, that there was no tomorrow. Just as he’s persuaded himself that the “impossible” really is possible.
So ... the bottom line of Nick’s philosophy and how it applies to us? We can tell ourselves great stuff all day long; we can repeat one beautiful affirmation after another – but if we don’t believe what we say, if it isn’t authentic for us, it won’t work.
So the inquiry for us is: How do we authentically convince ourselves that we mean what we say? And more specifically, how do we create the ongoing belief that there truly is no tomorrow, only today? If we can do this ... there’s no telling what we can accomplish in life!
To read more about the amazing Nick Faldo:
* http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/golf/article4340519.ece
** http://www.publinksgolfer.net/articles/63/1/An-Interview-with-Nick-Faldo/Page1.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/golf/article2069075.ece |
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Category : General
| Posted By : admin |
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| 10 Apr 2009 12:05:00 am |
| TYLER HANSBROUGH: NCAA Basketball Champion |
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”If I was gonna write a book, this would be my ending.”
University of North Carolina basketball star, TYLER HANSBROUGH, spoke these words in an interview with Andy Katz immediately following his team’s victory in the NCAA championship basketball game.
We cannot leave the NCAA basketball tournaments without acknowledging one of college’s all time greats – Tyler Hansbrough. Not only is he one of the most decorated players in basketball history, he is a poster child for dedication, desire and hard work. His life, not just his basketball play, is an inspiration.
Today’s Real Zeal quote points to the fact that we are all, in a very real sense, authoring our own book – a book called, MY LIFE. And just as Tyler began working on this particular chapter (a national championship) very early in his life, we, too, are working on future chapters for our book.
It’s a worthy inquiry to ask ourselves: What kind of book am I writing? Am I happy with my main character and the direction this character’s life is taking? What future chapters am I working on today?
FOR THE BIGGER STORY READ ON ...
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I have been watching Tyler Hansbrough for four years now, ever since he began his college career at the University of North Carolina under the renowned coaching of Roy Williams.
Usually I introduce our Inspired Athletes through their inspiring stories and amazing accomplishments. And I could do that for Tyler ... by laying out the long list of his record-breaking statistics ... by talking about his small town roots and supportive upbringing ... by sharing the empowering influence of his elder brother, Greg, who at the age of 7 was discovered to have a life-threatening brain tumor ... by speaking about his bold decision to remain at UNC for his fourth year, foregoing a lucrative NBA contract.
But in this Real Zeal, I’d like to introduce you to Tyler Hansbrough through what others are saying about him – in essence through the “characters” in Tyler’s book. What emerges, loud and clear, is a story of a truly inspiring young athlete who consistently and positively inspires the world.
From his small-town roots in Poplar Bluff, Missouri*:
"I know little fifth-grade boys who wanted to know where Tyler got his hair cut so they could get their hair cut just like Tyler. But he never got a big ego. And he taught a lot of kids around here a lesson: If you work hard like he did, you can be successful."
From his housemate and teammate, Bobby Frasor**:
"People talk about legends and I think Ty's going to have a legend quality about him ... "He's going to have a reputation that when people and kids hear about him, he's going to be kind of a Paul Bunyan figure."
From cross town rival, Duke coach, Mike Krzyzewski***:
"He's one of the best that has played -- not just here, but in the ACC [Atlantic Coast Conference]. I think when you think of Tyler, you're going to think of warrior."
From Roy Williams, Tyler’s coach at North Carolina**:
"When he leaves, I'm going to just sit and think about how lucky I was to have coached that kid. I've had great players, but this one is unique. Every moment he's thinking, ‘How can I be the best player I can be?’"
"Tyler is not even the most gifted player on my team, much less the most gifted player in college basketball. But no one has a bigger heart. No one has more desire than Tyler Hansbrough."
From fan, Michael Ayers, in a Sports Illustrated Letter to the Editor****:
“As a Tar Heels fan for more than 40 years, I have watched some of the best college players ever at North Carolina. But I have never seen anyone with the tenacity and ‘will not quit’ attitude of Tyler Hansbrough. Not only does he play with fierce determination, but he does it cleanly. What a fine example for young people to emulate.”
From Lennie Rosenbluth, the 1957 national player of the year who led UNC to the NCAA Tournament title and a 32-0 record**:
"Look at his work ethic. He never stops, I tell people he's every coach's dream. Every coach would love to have a player like Tyler. He never lets down.”
Tyler Hansbrough is an inspired athlete who gathers respect wherever he goes. He’s someone who plays with unsurpassed heart, determination, will, and passion. Someone who excels in his game. Someone who is simply ... a GREAT guy. And? He’s authoring a pretty darn good book!
Which brings us back to the Real Zeal Quote of the Week: “If I was gonna write a book, this would be my ending.”
The Inquiry for Each of Us Today: What kind of book are we authoring about our life? If our cast of players were interviewed (as Tyler’s were) and asked about who we are and what we stand for, what would they say?
To read more on Tyler’s family and the loyalty of his small town community:
***** http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1109933/1/index.htm
* http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/369033-p3.html
On Tyler’s incredible legacy and legendary status:
** http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/mar/07/hansbroughs-strong-work-ethic-has-enabled-him-to-b/sports/
**** http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1127645/index.htm
*** http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/mar/09/in-the-end-hansbrough-has-his-say/
http://www.gastongazette.com/sports/center_31461___article.html/season_smith.html
To watch the interview with Tyler in which he speaks today’s Real Zeal quote:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney09/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=4048531 |
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Category : General
| Posted By : admin |
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| 03 Apr 2009 12:43:07 am |
| KENNY PERRY, Professional Golfer and Ryder Cup Hero |
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"It wasn’t really attainable ... but I achieved it.”
Kenny Perry, talking about his amazing 2008 season in which he committed himself to the “unattainable” future of playing in the prestigious Ryder Cup.
Kenny Perry learned a profound truth in 2008: The “unattainable” is truly a myth – an illusion that lives only in our mind.
At the beginning of the 2008 season, Kenny Perry wasn’t even ranked as a top 100 golfer, yet he set out to achieve the impossible – to be part of an elite team of only 12 golfers who would represent the United States in the Ryder Cup. In the end, he not only made the team, his inspired play was critical to the U.S. victory.
This year, Kenny Perry has set his sights on yet another “unattainable” achievement – winning one of golf’s “major” championships.
With one of those major tournaments right around the corner – the Masters – it seemed the perfect time to share Kenny Perry’s inspired story. As we watch this upcoming golf classic, we’ll not only have someone to cheer for, we’ll have a constant reminder of the myth of “unattainable!”
FOR THE BIGGER STORY READ ON ...
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It’s amazing what you find when you begin researching these Real Zeal Quotes and the background behind the inspired athletes.
To date, Kenny Perry has won over $28 million playing professional golf. Yet, 22 years ago, at the tender age of 26, his future did not look so bright. In fact, without a particular gift of generosity from a church elder, life might have looked very differently for Kenny Perry. He had a young family to support and no money to make his third attempt to quality for the PGA Tour. Enter Ronnie Ferguson, of the Church of Christ in Franklin, Kentucky. He made a deal with Kenny: he would advance him $5,000 for one last shot at Q-school. If Kenny failed, he owed Ferguson nothing. But if he succeeded, he would donate 5 percent of his tour earnings to David Lipscomb University, a small Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee. That was 22 years and $1.4 million in donations ago!
Fast forward to our "It wasn’t really attainable ... but I achieved it” story.
It’s the beginning of the 2008 golf season. Kenny Perry is 48 years old, hasn’t won a golf tournament since 2005; he isn’t even ranked in the top 100 of the world’s best golfers.
Yet he knows that the upcoming Ryder Cup is going to be played in his home state of Kentucky AND at the Valhalla golf course, where he suffered a humiliating loss in front of his community and family two years earlier. He wants redemption and he wants it bad. “I had such a burning in my gut ... I had to get to Valhalla. I had to do it.”
So, on the eve of this 2008 season, Kenny Perry commits himself to the unrealistic and “unattainable” future of being on the Ryder cup team. He creates his plan. He plots the tournaments in which he’ll have the most success. And he starts executing.
He has a steady start making 10 of 11 cuts. Then in May he almost wins – but loses in a playoff. And the next day, Paul Azinger, Ryder Cup captain, says that to be on his team, you have to prove you can win tournaments. And Kenny Perry listens. In the next seven weeks, he wins 3 tournaments and virtually assures his place on the team.
And the rest, so they say, is history. He performs brilliantly in his Ryder Cup matches. The US wins for the first time since 1999. And, in Kenny’s own words: “It was the greatest experience of my life.”
And out of this experience, Kenny Perry learns a critical truth -- “unattainable” exists in only one place – our mind. After all, “It wasn’t attainable, but he achieved it!”
So the inquiry for each of us is twofold:
1) Where have we convinced ourselves that something we want is unattainable? AND ...
2) What kind of powerful future can we create for ourselves – a future that pulls us out of our illusions into doing what it takes to achieve the “unattainable?” A future that “burns in our gut” just as making the Ryder Cup did for Kenny.
To read some really great interviews with Kenny Perry (and the source of today’s Real Zeal Quotes):
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/columns/story?columnist=harig_bob&id=3794715
http://www.thegolfchannel.com/tour-insider/catching-up-with-kenny-perry-28296/
To read the story of Kenny’s 5% bargain that has led to over $1.4 million in donations:
http://www.golftoday.co.uk/news/yeartodate/news03/perry2.html |
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Category : General
| Posted By : admin |
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