Tenley Albright would be “just another Olympic gold medalist” in figure skating, if you can say that, except that she contracted polio at age 11 and was bedridden, unable to walk. But what’s to hold back a little girl’s dreams if she wants to become an Olympic skater and follow in her father’s footsteps as a surgeon? Here’s the link to her story: http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/alb0bio-1
The winter Olympics are upon us. Which athletes will astound us, what incredible feat will be seared into world consciousness and become Olympic legend? For many athletes their careers are such a stratospheric ascent of fame, achievement, and financial success, that life after their triumphs seems to pose a greater challenge/threat than the athletic feats themselves. That’s why it is so astounding to me that there are others who manage to focus so well into other career paths afterwards. A couple of other winter Olympians that went on to pursue careers in the medical field are Eric Heiden , Debi Thomas and Johann Olav Koss. The first two are Orthopaedic Surgeons. Johann is a physician. Will any of the little ones who train at CrossFit Marin be nationally or world renown in 10, 15 or 20 years? Will they be at the college level? On the world stage? Will any of them be Olympic hopefuls? You never know who you’re training next to. That little turd doing gymnastics taking up the uneven bars maybe a future mega star. You never know.
What character traits give someone the kind of discipline, character, focus and fortitude to have these kind of achievements? Genetic talent? a life and perspective changing experience? Sheer will-power and determination? Family upbringing? Maybe like Roger says, it’s just a decision you make. In any case, attitude certainly has a lot to do with it. Here’s a favorite saying of Tenley’s, which is also a lesson you learn from rock-climbing: “If you don’t fall down, you’re not trying hard enough.” Wow, what a girl.
I am pretty sure you did not just call Nathan a little turd…
Anyway he’s going to be an Abercrombie and Fitch model and support me in my impending dotage. His brother is going to be a mosaic artist and a space explorer and a ballerina and perhaps an inventor. I, however, am going to overcome many years of sedentary over-eating and be a medalist in masters olympic lifting. How’s THAT for commitment?
How about Dean?! You left him out! What else is he going to do besides all that hard work, provide for the family, and take care of the little tur.. I mean Grommits? =D (You know we love you and your Grommits, don’t you?!) I think Dean should pursue a second career as a artistic figure-skater.
I always want him to give his work presentations in the form of interpretive dance — black body stocking and all. But I’ll let him choose his own career path…