Pops Lives...Pre Lives...In Me...

Growing up, I had a knack for running. I was blessed with the genes that gave me the ability to run well. As a child, roller hockey was very popular in my neighborhood, but there was only one problem with that...I couldn't skate. And, I was scared to learn. The prospect of crashing was not appealing to me. So, when my older brother and his friends took to the streets of our cul-de-sac on their roller blades for a game of hockey, I elected to join the game using my two sturdy feet to carry me around the "rink".

My running began there, and I excelled. In school, I became one of the faster students in PE class. And, I began to enjoy it. I was small, or as my dad would say "aerodynamic". It gave me an advantage for some reason. I wasn't the quickest in the sprints, but when the distance reached over 600 yards, I could keep up or beat most. This skill came in handy in many of the sports I played. I participated in many sports including basketball, baseball, and soccer. And, the talent to run helped me with each sport.

As I approached high school, a decision had to be made. Would I continue to play soccer? Would I attempt to play football with my friends? Or would I take another route? My dad suggested that I try my hand at Cross Country. Or should I say my feet? I had a buddy that was planning to run, so I figured I would join him and follow in my father's footsteps. See, my dad was a very successful runner in high school and running was and still is one of his true passions. I thought that this was a passion that my dad and I could share. You see, my brother and my dad shared baseball. I played a little baseball, but I never really enjoyed it. I excelled at in younger days, but as I got older, it wasn't my cup of tea. I viewed running as something we could share, and it turned out better than I could imagine.

As a Freshman at Boulder City High School in 1998, I joined the Cross Country team. Feelings of inadequacy and doubt filled me as I took for my first run with the guys. They were much bigger and fast than me. The pride that I felt in junior high dissipated with each step as I fell further and further behind. Suddenly, I felt like running wasn't for me. I had always excelled, and failure did not sit well with me. In my first race, as a lowly Freshman, I fell twice. While trying to step up on a curb towards the end of the race, my foot clipped the edge and my body was sent sprawling to the ground. I was beat...physically and mentally. As I tried to rise, I fell again. This time...I was beat emotionally. Embarrassment set in. Insult was added to injury. Knees bleeding, hands scrapped, and tears ready to fill my eyes, I heard a loving voice cheering my name. I looked up through tear filled eyes to see my dad urging me to finish. At that moment, a rush of adrenaline filled my tired legs. Bruised, battered, but not beaten, I arose and slowly finished my first Cross Country race. I traversed the 2.2 mile course in just under 15 or 16 minutes. But, at that point, my time didn't matter. The proud look on my father's face erased the disappointment, embarrassment, and pain I felt. In that moment, I felt I made my father proud.

And, with that feeling of accomplishment, I knew I was doing something that we could both love. I would get better. I would get stronger. I would become the best runner I could be...eventually. I struggled my entire Freshman year. I ended up lettering on Varsity, but I didn't achieve the status I wanted. I wasn't able to go on the annual Mt. Sac trip, a privilege for the Top 7 Varsity runners. I wasn't invited to run in the Zone or State Championships. And, to be honest, I was crushed.

As my Freshman year came to an end, I resolved to be a better runner. My Sophomore year was a success. I bounced around between the 4th and 6th spot on the Varsity team. I was having the time of my life with my new passion as I hung out with my buddies. We dominated the competition winning race after race. We won almost every race we competed in my Sophomore, losing only to Kingman High (5A in AZ) at their invitational and Green Valley High (4A in LV) at a weekly tri-meet. This time, I attended the coveted Mt. Sac Invitational, which we won. We followed it up with a "Perfect 15" at the Zone Championships where I finished 5th. And, I participated in the Nevada State Cross Country Championship Meet where the Eagles dominated. We placed four runners in the top six and six runners in the top 14. I finished in 13th place closing the deal on a state title. What a moment! What a celebration! Good times with great friends. Still, I wasn't quite happy with my progression. I felt like I should be better, and I set out after my Sophomore year to improve.

Improvement takes time. Improvement takes dedication. Improvement takes passion. Improvement, as we all now, is not easy. It must be worked out. It must be cultivated. During the summer between my Sophomore and Junior years, I learned about the GREATEST RUNNER in AMERICAN HISTORY. Steve Prefontaine came back to the forefront of the running world in 1997 with the release of the movie "Prefontaine". Soon after, in 1998, the release of "Without Limits" continued to build up Pre's lasting legacy. The summer of 2000 changed running for me forever.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved Michael Jordan. Everyone knows that. I think Michael Jordan is the greatest athlete of all-time. But, he is not my favorite athlete. Despite all the memorabilia, the posters, the fanfare, and the knowledge of him I possess, he is not my favorite athlete. That tile belongs to Steve Roland Prefontaine. Pre inspired me!

After watching "Prefontaine" and "Without Limits", I longed to be like Pre. I wanted to run with 1/1000th of the passion he did. At least once, I wanted to have the drive he possessed. The drive, the need, the one that ate at him everyday to be the best. Pre made me want to be better.



"Pre wasn't a runner, he was a rebel that just so happened to run." And, this rebel inspired millions. Nike didn't start with Michael Jordan. Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory, started on the feet of Steve Prefontaine. The outspoken, defiant, and charismatic Pre changed the running landscape. He became a sensation. He made people care about running. He inspired millions to lace them up every morning and just run.

Pre dominated the college running scene for the University of Oregon and the infamous Bill Bowerman starting in 1970. And, in 1972, he took the United States by storm in the U.S. Trials. Pre, at the age of 21, was tasked with racing veteran George Young.



Pre looked at running a race as a work of art. And, he would do whatever it took to make that work of art as beautiful as possible. When he raced George Young at the Olympic Trials, Pre ran his masterpiece. Gradually, he increased the pace to an incredible one. Pre ran negative splits of 64.7, 65.1, 63.4, 61.5, 58.7 before finishing and demolishing his own American record with a time of 13:22.8. The young man was quickly becoming a legend.

At the age of 21, Prefontaine traveled to Munich for the tragic 1972 Olympics. After the murdering of Israeli athletes by terrorists that stormed the Olympic compound, the feeling of the games was tarnished. Still, the 5,000 meter race took place. Pre suffered a slow pace early on, and began to push with a mile together. Pre was never content with not giving everything in the tank. After all, he always said "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift". Pre loved races that involved "pure guts". It was now or never for him with four laps to go. "The only good race pace is suicide pace, and today looks like a good day to die." With that in mind, Pre took off attempting a four lap from the finish drive to break the best runners in the world. The 21 year old was inexperienced compared to the international field, but he was going to make a race of it. And, that he did! He ran his final mile in 4:04.



Pre could have settled for second. He could have settled for third. But, that wasn't Pre. Pre wanted to win. And, in the end, he finished fourth because he gave EVERYTHING he has in an attempt to win the race. Many runners would have gladly taken a silver medal, but Pre wasn't just any runner. He had gold on his mind, and he would kill himself to get it. With nothing left in the tank, Pre finished his most gutsy and inspiring race in fourth place.

Steve Bence wrote about the finish saying "He didn't bring home a medal, but he helped create in that 5000 final one of the greatest, most wildly exciting distance races in history - forcing it through that incredible, four-minute, final mile, taking the lead with two laps to go, perhaps knowing already that he didn't have the late speed or the experience to hold all of 'em off. Viren, then Gamoudi, then Stewart, all got him, faster perhaps, wiser surely at the time. But none any guttier. There was no grim satisfaction that the cocky little braggart had gotten his. He'd made the race, put himself on the line, never flagged. Given it everything. He always did."

Pre's crushing loss at Munich brought him to his knees, but he rose up again. In 4 years, he believed he would meet Viren in Montreal, where he would break the world record and clutch a precious gold medal. After all, in '72, his trial's time would have decimated the Munich field. Pre began his push for '76 and gold, but he would never reach the track of Montreal. On May 30, 1975, Steve Roland Prefontaine was in a car accident that took his precious, inspiring, and amazing life. His car flipped, trapping him underneath where the weight crushed his chest. Pre died at the age of 24years old. America lost a young hero but gained a legend.



Pre taught all of us. He always gave it everything he had. He refused to run any other way. "How he won mattered to him more" than anything. Pre ran to "test the limits of the human heart. And that he did, nobody did it more often, nobody did it better."

Pre is memorialized on the road that took his life. Pre's Rock is visited by thousands and thousands of runners every year who have been inspired by his words, his life, and his lasting legacy. And, one day, I will visit his rock and leave the first medal from my Junior year with Steve Prefontaine as he inspired me to be the best that I could be.

With Pre's inspiration under my belt, I had a great Junior year that was capped with a 2nd place finish at the Zone Championships and 6th place at the State Championships. It also ended with back-to-back Mt. Sac, Zone, and State titles.

Determined to be more dominant my Senior year, I trained hard. And, by the time the season came, I was ready. I set personal records week after week including a 10:07 2.1 mile finish, a 16:08 3.1 mile finish, and winning race after race. I set a PR at Mt. Sac running my first mile of a 5K in sub 5:00 and finishing the race in just over 16:00. I won the Zone Championships by over a minute with the lingerings of bronchitis. Our team also took home our 3rd straight Mt. Sac title and our fourth straight Zone Championship. With a chance at the coveted 3-peat of State Titles, we arrived in Reno focused and ready to go. With my lungs still recovering from bronchitis, I challenged the eventual State Champion, Jose Ramirez, for the first two miles before he pulled away. After running the first two miles in Steve Prefontaine fashion...in front, flat out until I had nothing left, I was spent.

My legs were like logs. With 800 meters to go, I was passed by two competitors and I finished in fourth place. As I crossed the finish line, tears filled my years. As I walked out of the chute for the final time as a Boulder City Eagle, my emotions overcame me. Tears streaming down my face, I found a spot for a moment of solitude. Thanking my Lord and Savior for my abilities while wishing I had one more crack at it. As I cried, my father put his hand on my shoulder and took a knee next to me. In that moment, I could feel his love for me more than ever before. He smiled and told me how proud of me he was and all I had accomplished. An embrace and a pat on the back placed an exclamation point on a moment I will never forget.

In those moments, as I ran, I knew I made my dad proud. And, I feel so blessed to have parents who attended every race, along with grandparents who followed. I vividly remember my dad running from section of the course to section of the course yelling "form", "arms", "go Jammmer", and in one instance telling me "way to kick ass, I'm proud of you". Running is bound that brought us closer together. It was a bond we shared and it was great.

In the years after high school, I suffered to knee injuries. Blowing out both knees (at separate times) on the basketball court caused some series issues. The left knee was surgically repaired in 2007 in order to fix a complete torn ACL, MCL, and partially torn meniscus. Later in 2011, surgery occurred on my right knee to fix a complete severed ACL, MCL, and half torn meniscus.


After two knee surgeries, it is time to get back on the road again. When it comes to running, I need to get my smile back.

And, I cannot wait to do it as I train for Ragnar Las Vegas 2012. I cannot wait to be on the road with my pops again and to see him smile no matter how slow I am. Because little does he know, he is my hero. Just like Pre, he inspires me on a daily basis. I hope to be able to walk at 52 years old, let alone compete in race after race, especially Ragnar.

Pops, you make me proud. And, I want to thank you for inspiring me to run again just like you encouraged me to begin this journey over 14 years ago. I love you Pops!

My Pops encouraged me to start running over 14 years ago. Pre inspired me to give it my all over 13 years ago. It is amazing how someone who died 23 years before you began your journey can inspire you for the better. Time to lace 'em up again and hit the road again.

Pops, you live in me. Pre Lives...In Me. And, one day, I that all of us live in my boys!



People ask why I run.
I say "If you have to ask, you will never understand".
It is something only those select few know.
Those who put themselves through pain, but deep down know how good it feels.

It is time to get the feeling back, so one day I can share it with my boys just like my dad did me!


What running has given me, I can never give back. It provided me with a bridge to grow closer with my father. It provide us with an outlet. It facilitated hundreds of special moments that I will never forget. It helped me smile. And, while I can never pay it back...what I can do is share it with my boys like my father did me.

Livestrong...

Athletes have a special pedestal to make a difference in this world. The eyes of millions look to them. They have the ability and platform to inspire kids and adults everywhere. Likewise, with their lives under a microscope, they are in a unique position to disappoint and cause heartbreak.

In recent years, we have seen the fall from grace of Michael Vick and Tiger Woods. Countless others have followed in their footsteps, and it is truly disheartening.

Still, there are plenty of athletes left that inspire and do the right thing on a daily basis. That is what the majority of my posts reflect...a college or professional athlete taking time out to inspire someone in need. Whether it is the University of Wisconsin football team helping a six year old boy, Tim Tebow helping a sixteen year old boy forget about his troubling disease, or a high school senior inspiring his school and sports fans everywhere with his motto of courage and belief; inspiration is embedded in the fabric of sports. It is the reason we watch, the reason we play, and the reason we love sports.

One of the most inspiring athletes of my generation is Lance Armstrong. As one of the most successful and dominant athletes of the 21st century, he almost didn't make it out of the 20th century. On October 2, 1996, at the age of 25, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. As if that news wasn't bad enough, the cancer had spread to his lungs, abdomen, and brain. At that point, doctors gave him less than a 40% chance of survival.



With insurmountable odds facing Lance, he pledged to beat cancer and return to the sport he loved. But, in reality, this seemed impossible...even for a world class athlete like Lance Armstrong. Survival was the first order of business. Surviving and beating cancer was going to be difficult enough...let alone getting back on his bike.



As we all know, Lance fought cancer and won. He beat the odds. He took everything cancer had and kicked it in the ass. And, like he promised, he got back on his bike.

Unfortunately, when someone does the impossible, there are always doubters. Lance was accused of doping. He was accused of cheating. He was accused of lying. And, while tests have come back negative, time and time again, one accuser puts a black cloud over an otherwise amazing story. So, to the accusers out there, the response is simple...



"I'm on my bike busting my ass six hours a day, what are you on?!!"

After all, he isn't on his bike for the critics. Regardless of what they say about him, he is on his bike for the right reasons. For those who believe in him and are inspired by him...he rides for them!



Lance put together an impressive streak of seven consecutive Tour de France victories. From 1999 to 2005, he was unstoppable. Winning aside, the fact that he got back on his back was inspiration enough for me. The record setting seven victories are great, but even if he never raced professional again after beating cancer, he still would have inspired me. A simple bike ride with his children would have made me a believer.

The man inspired millions. He inspired the sick. He inspired the healthy. He inspired the athlete. He inspired the fan. He inspired the adult. He inspired the child.



But, his most lasting impact will be how he raised cancer awareness. How he inspired cancer patients everywhere to push, scrap, and claw to survive. Voices that undoubtedly helped him to get on his bike day in and day out.



His creation of the Livestrong Foundation, and his endless pursuit to help those fighting the disease that almost ended his life before many of us knew his name, will ensure that the mission to find a cure never ends.



If the 00:28 to 00:32 moment in the video above doesn't inspire you or nearly bring you to tears, then you have no business reading this blog.

So, to Lance Armstrong, thank you. Thank you for inspiring millions. Thank you for pushing to save millions more. The world is truly a better place with you in it. Thank goodness 40% was enough!



The odds that someone you love will be affected by cancer are very high. I know because I have a had a family member that fought and beat cancer. She is an inspiration to me! As scary as that is, we must remember that it is beatable. We must remember to be strong. We must remember Lance Armstrong's example of survival. We must remember to Livestrong. For all those suffering, Livestrong. Fight. You are in our thoughts. It is time to act..."Take Action". And, in the words of John Challis, "Courage + Belief = LIFE".

Never Forget...

September 11, 2001 was a day that changed America and the world forever. Ten years ago today, we needlessly lost 3,000 plus lives. Countless more lives have been lost in The War on Terror. I will NEVER FORGET the events on 9/11 and I am so thankful to live in a country where brave men and women are willing to put their lives on the line to keep us free.

Never forget...

It Ain't Over, 'Til It's Over...

Sports have an incredible ability to inspire us. Whether we are watching or competing, sport has the ability to tug at our heart strings. It has the unique ability to make us cry, make us laugh, make us smile, makes us stare in complete and utter awe, render us speechless, or gets us to gloat endlessly.

The wide range of emotions that come with the game are endless. And, in the end, that is what we love about them.

There is a famous sang "It Ain't Over, 'Til It's Over...". And, when it comes to sport that sang fits perfectly. Some of the most inspiring moments in sport have come from individuals or teams whom have believed with all their hearts that "It Ain't Over, 'Til It's Over...".

No team is more inspiring to me than the 2004 Boston Red Sox. Facing an insurmountable task, Kevin Millar led the Red Sox onto the field on that fateful October night to begin the greatest four days in baseball history. The Red Sox were down 3-0 to the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. The day before...the Sox were embarrassed on their home field as they were slaughtered by the Yankees. Many believed that it could not be done, but the Sox Nation and a team of idiots proved everyone wrong. The Sox went on to win 8 straight games (4 against the Yankees and 4 against the Cardinals). Impossible was not a word in their vocabulary as they became the 2004 World Series Champions.

Four Days in October is an amazing 30 for 30 documentary run by ESPN regarding the comeback of the Red Sox. Whether you are a fan of the Red Sox or not, you should experience this documentary. It inspires you to never give up. Not matter how hard your back is against the wall, it is possible to comeback and be victorious. Below is a clip of the must see, inspiring documentary.

How Winners are Made...

No words need to be written. Just watch the video. Enough said.

Possibilties...

Inspiration can come from a lot of places. It can come from a book, from music, from family, from friends, from life experiences. Other times it can come from a piece of art, a movie, or a television show.

Recently, I have been watching "Friday Night Lights" and there are many inspirational moments on that show. One part that really had an impact on me was Tyra Collette's monologue when she shares a portion of her application essay for college. Her words are inspirational, encouraging, and show the incredible growth of her character. The growth from a childish, selfish party girl to a well-rounded, caring, dreaming girl looking to succeed in life.

Be inspired by her words...

"Two years ago, I was afraid of wanting anything. I figured wanting would lead to trying and trying would lead to failure. But now I find I can't stop wanting. I want to fly somewhere on first class. I want to travel to Europe on a business trip. I want to get invited to the White House. I want to learn about the world. I want to surprise myself. I want to be important. I want to be the best person I can be. I want to define myself instead of having others define me. I want to win and have people be happy for me. I want to lose and get over it. I want to not be afraid of the unknown. I want to grow up and be generous and big-hearted, the way people have been with me. I want an interesting and surprising life. It's not that I think I'm going to get all these things. I just want the possibility of getting them. College represents possibility. The possibility that things are going to change. I can't wait."

God Chose Me...

Adam Hubbs is a sixteen year old young man, who was affected by rare blood disorder that put him in a coma for five weeks. Then, at sixteen, he suffered a stroke. Despite the struggles that this young man has had to face, he still fights everyday. He keeps a positive outlook through the dark times. "God chose me because I'm strong enough to get through it..."

Whether you like Tim Tebow as a player or not, you have to respect him as a person. It is good to see that there are still good people in this world. Those who are willing to spend their precious time making the dreams of others come true.

Fear Nothing...

The story of Jaxson Hinkens is difficult to put into words. What do we fear in life? Often times, it is the little things that we fear. But, for young Jaxson Hinkens, there is much more to fear. Yet, he fears nothing.

The story of Jaxson Hinkens is inspiring, saddening, and wonderful all at the same time. It is a story of a six-year old boy, a body filled with cancer, and a football player who became a friend. It is a story of courage. It is a story of friendship. It is a story that shows that there is some good left in the world.

Jaxson Hinkens shows the true meaning of "Fear Nothing" while teaching a college football star the true meanings of courage, friendship and optimism.

Holding Hands...

This picture is remarkable. The hand of a 21 week old fetus clasping the finger of a surgeon trying to save his life. I don't know how anyone could every support abortion. And, I definitely do not see how anyone could support it after seeing this amazing photo.

The baby at 21 weeks could have legally be aborted. Luckily, the mother carried for this little one. The 21 week old fetus went through a spinal operation in order to save it from serious brain damage. Baby Samuel Armas has spina bifida, which lead to his spinal cord not developing properly. A talent surgeon and staff performed surgery on the fetus through a slit in the womb. The surgery was very risky because the fetus would not be able to survive outside the womb if anything went wrong. Luckily the surgery was a success.

Baby Samuel had "not yet felt the touch of his mother's skin against his own and he knew nothing of life outside her womb. But perhaps Samuel Alexander Armas will be able to shake Dr. Bruner's hand again".

His mother and father decision not to abort the birth led a miracle. Samuel was born on December 2, 1999. Below is a picture of Baby Samuel, from 2003, at 3 1/2 years old. The miracles that science and love can bring when used together are incredible.

BODY and HEART...

Can you imagine swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and then run 26.2 miles?

That is what it takes to be an Ironman!

Can you imagine becoming an Ironman?

Can you imagine becoming an Ironman while carrying an extra 110 pounds?

That is exactly what Dick Hoyt did. Dick Hoyt is an Ironman. Dick Hoyt is an Ironman that carries around an extra 110 pounds every time he competes in the Ironman triathlon. The extra 110 pounds that he carries brings him the most joy. That extra 110 pounds gives him the will to go on. That extra 110 pounds is his inspiration. That extra 110 pounds is the REASON he competes. That extra 110 pounds is his son!

His son, Ricky Hoyt, suffers from cerebral palsy which has left his body crippled. While his body is crippled, his mind and his heart are full. His full heart convinced a loving father to be his legs since he couldn't use his own. His full heart convinced a loving father to punish his own body for his son. His full heart convinced a loving father to trek across America. His full heart convinced a loving father to go to the ends of the Earth for his son.

"Dick is the BODY."

"Rick is the HEART."

"Rick COULDN'T compete without his DAD."

"Dick WOULDN'T compete without his SON."

What a story of LOVE!

More on the Hoyts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy8hOOvM0t0&feature=related

"Courage + Believe = Life"

John Challis, a senior from Freedom High School, who succumbed to cancer, left an inspiring impression on a Pennsylvania community. He fought until the end, while keeping a positive attitude and outlook on life.

“I could live with it, but it ain’t gonna go away. Never will. But, I can live the way I’m livin’ for the rest of my life, and I’m fine with that. I’m strong enough to do that. And, I couldn’t have lived the rest of my life knowing cancer got the best of me.”

What an inspiring young man. He continued to fight, continued to compete, and he continued to LIVE!

"Live for today, don’t worry about tomorrow."
"Courage + Believe = LIFE" -John Challis

from CourageForLife on Vimeo.

More on John Challis below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut1XjcFRVLA&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8ViYTmpxzk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1lTgwuMpNM&feature=related

Thank a Soldier...

On this 4th of July holiday, I could not help but to share another inspiring video clip. This July 4th, please remember to thank a soldier for the sacrifices that he/she has made. Many have sacrificed their time, their families, their health, and their lives in order to keep this nation free. Thank them! Let them know that we care about them and we appreciate the sacrifices they are making on our behalf.

It is a shame, but the clip below was only aired once on television during the Superbowl. The commercial always reminds me that I should thank a soldier for all his/her hard work, dedication, and love for our nation. The world would be a better place if we all thanked a soldier more often. This commercial gives me goosebumps. This is how it should always be when a soldier passes by. To all those soldiers out there. Thank you for being a warrior. Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for serving our nation.

Happy 4th of July!

"Nobody Asks To Be A Hero..."

At this time, I cannot help but think of all those men and women, who fought, bleed, suffered, and even left this Earth in order to protect our great nation. During the midst of all the fun, excitement, and festivities that this holiday weekend brings, please take the time to reflect on those amazing individuals who have sacrificed so... much for all of us. Countless Americans have laid the ultimate sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. I could never thank their families enough for the sacrifices that they have made.

So, to all those amazing individuals, who served our country proudly…I THANK YOU with ALL my HEART! To those members of the armed forces (past and present) that I am proud know (Robbie Puckett, Shorty “Baby Goose” Wilkinson, Jim Crowe, Adam Magnuson, Chad Whitney)…you fellas are truly heroes. Thank you for all that you have done for my family and me.

The clip below is from the film "Black Hawk Down". This amazing film captures the hearts and souls of the American soldiers that we are lucky enough to call our own. I am so thankful for all those heroes who have fought to keep me FREE.

“Nobody asks to be a hero; it just sometimes turns out that way.” –Sgt. Eversmann

"Don't EVER Give Up..."

At the 1993 ESPN Espy Awards, Jimmy Valvano gave one of the greatest speeches ever. With his body ravaged by cancer, he was a fountain of positive energy and inspiring words. He encouraged everyone to "laugh daily, think daily, and be moved to tears daily". What great advice from this incredible man! He urged us saying, "Don't give up, don't EVER give up". He never did. Even though, he would leave us just eight weeks after giving this speech. He reminded us that "Cancer can take away all my physical ability. It cannot touch my mind; it cannot touch my heart; and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever."

Enjoy this amazing speech from a truly incredible man!

"Our Deepest Fear . . ."

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as... children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." -Marianne Williamson

The clip below is from the movie "Coach Carter". In the clip, Rick Gonzalez, plays Timo Cruz, a young basketball player who is caught between the world of academics and sports AND a world of gang banging and slanging drugs. His delivery of this incredible passage is simply amazing.

This quote originally comes from a book titled "A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles" by Marianne Williamson. This quote is often erroneously credited to Nelson Mandela. He borrowed the quote from William's book for his inaugural address when he became the first black president of South Africa.

Enjoy the clip!



Stay inspired! Come back tomorrow!