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".
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".
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