“If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of.  There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”

                                                                                   - Fred Rogers, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

Impact.  Whether we know it or not, each one of us has the ability to impact others in profound ways. 

This is usually recognized for those who positively affect the masses through speaking to large audiences, television appearances or internet posts that go viral. 

But most of the time it is done in ordinary ways, by ordinary people.  It comes in our interaction with others, usually one person at time, when we show kindness and interest in another person and authentically share ourselves and help to make someone’s life just a little better by our presence.

There is probably nobody in my lifetime that I witnessed de...

“Solvitur Ambulando ………………..It is solved by walking.”

                                                                                        - Saint Augustine

June 1, 2020, marks my sixth anniversary of completing one of the most remarkable experiences of my life, when I walked the Camino de Santiago. 

Popularized in the United States by the movie, The Way, starring Martin Sheen, the Camino, or the Way of St. James is a 500-mile trek across northern Spain which begins in western France, ascends up into the Pyrenees mountains and then descends into Spain for the duration of the journey.

For most who embark upon this journey, it is life changing.  It certainly was for me. 

Since my Camino, I have reflected often on the many lessons I learned during my 29-day trek, which had me walking 17-18 miles per day, carrying all of my belongings on my back and experiencing a number of memorable and life-defining experiences along my solo walk across Spain. 

It is often said...

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears”

                                                                                      – Nelson Mandela

I recently watched, for the third or fourth time, the movie Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman and his amazing portrayal of Nelson Mandela. 

The movie chronicles Mandela’s journey after he had been released from a 27-year prison sentence and would then emerge to become president of South Africa, beginning the process of healing and uniting the country’s 43 million citizens in the post-Apartheid area. 

Mandela magically led this transformation through the use of continual forgiveness of those who had oppressed him, and his people and leveraging the pursuit of winning the World Cup tournament by South Africa’s National Rugby Team to unify his nation. 

What was most inspiring to me was Mandela’s unwavering dedication to lead through example, even wh...

“Don’t chase after success, chase after capability.  If you are capable of anything, then success will be chasing you.”

                                                                                                         - Meme

I love the distinction from my good friend, Kelly Anne Zielinski, CEO of Self Leadership Global, often shares, “It is much more effective to hold someone capable, than to hold them accountable.” 

In studying attributes of success in the world of leadership, the concept of accountability is often identified for its importance and effectiveness.  Taking personal accountability for the choices we make, the actions we take and the results we achieve is a critical attribute of anyone looking to work as an effective leader.   

However, when working with others in a leadership or coaching role, I have often found that “holding someone accountable” may not be the most effective way of inspiring and guiding them to achieve the results they desire. 

A...

“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”

                                                                                        - Scott Fitzgerald

I began my martial arts training when I was a young boy of ten.  As many youngsters, I had heroes that I idolized. 

Unlike many of my friends who admired heroes from more traditional sports like football, basketball and baseball, my heroes came from the world of martial arts.  Names like World Kickboxing Champions, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace (who would later become my instructor), Joe Lewis and Jeff Smith (both of who I would also later get the opportunity to train with) were who I held in the highest of esteem. 

And of course, there was Chuck Norris.  People today’s world know Norris mostly through his movies and Walker Texas Ranger television series, but when I was growing up, he had just begun his acting career and was still best known for his championship achievements in Point Karate. 

Unlike Kickboxing, where...

“Commit yourself to life-long learning.  The most valuable asset you’ll ever have is your mind and what you put into it.”

                                                                                                   - Brian Tracy

While our current state of home-confinement has curtailed many of the activities we are used to engaging in, what it has afforded many of us is the opportunity to slow down.

This decrease in the pace of our regular routines can provide us time to take a pause and evaluate where we have been, where we are going and where we might learn and grow, both personally and professionally, to be our best selves.

In saying this, I am reminded of a conference of entrepreneurial business leaders I attended in Dallas, last year. I was honored to be a keynote speaker at the event as well as share my corporate board breaking experience with those looking to “breakthrough” their fears and limiting beliefs and create the life and businesses they desire. 

I...

“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.”

                                                                                     – Jean Shinoda Bolen

During many of these blog posts, I have discussed the importance of being of service to living a an impactful and fulfilling life.  Specifically, when one combines what they love doing, with what they are great at and with that, provide a high degree of service to others, a recipe for a truly Championship Life can be realized. 

However, while doing acts of service is an integral part of experiencing happiness and fulfillment in our lives, who is the one person we tend to take care of the least? Is it ourselves?

In fact, it’s been my experience that this is a very familiar trait, particularly with those who are in “service industries”, such as health care, human resources and customer service (to name just a few).  However, takin...

“The moment you take Responsibility for everything in your life, is the moment you can change Anything in your life.”

                                                                                                                   - Hal Elrod

As a speaker, I am honored each year to share my Mind of a Champion message with wide variety of audiences.  Groups range from elementary school children all the way to corporate leaders. 

While it does take a diverse set of skills and strategies to be able to communicate with, and hold the attention of audiences of such a wide range, I believe that we are “all big kids anyway” and as a result the essence of my message if basically the same, regardless of the audiences to whom I am speaking.  That message is:

There is a champion inside of you and when access it and take full accountability for your life, you can achieve anything you put your heart and mind to.

While I enjoy speaking to all assemblies of people, the one group...

“When [what you are deeply passionate about, what you can be best in the world at and what drives your economic engine] come together, not only does your work move toward greatness, but so does your life. For, in the end, it is impossible to have a great life unless it is a meaningful life.”

                                                                                                - Jim Collins, author, Good to Great

In this current time of quarantine, social distancing and uncertainty, if you’re like me, you may be taking some time to reflect on where you have been and what direction you would like to go in this new world.

Recently, I was reflecting on how for my first 10 years out of college, I was honored to work in sales for the top consumer products company in the United States.

My time with this company was the dream of any young person with their eyes set on developing their executive career.  The work was challenging, the people I worked with and for were top-...

“The great threat to success is not failure, it’s boredom.”

                                                                                                         - James Clear

Throughout my over four decades as a martial arts instructor, I have had the honor of teach literally thousands of students.  During this time, approximately 1,000 students have earned their Black Belts. 

Of those students, I can think of only two students who when I first saw them, I knew they had everything it took to become a Black Belt and eventually did – only two. 

Many others had naturally physical, mental and emotional capabilities such as balance, strength, power, flexibility, focus and tenacity.  However, what I found is that for those whom martial arts came easily, they oftentimes quit because they felt it was too easy and that the routine became monotonous. 

In essence, boredom, not challenge or lack of skill, became their obstacle to success.

In his book, Mastery; The Keys to ...