“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 ...

“We must be silent before we can listen; we must listen before we can learn; we must learn before can prepare; we must prepare before we can serve; and we must serve before we can lead.

                                                                                                    - William Arthur Ward

The quote above is one I use in every keynote talk I deliver regarding leadership.  I believe that leadership which is fueled by a heart dedicated to serve is one of the most powerful forces on our planet, and one that is most definitely needed during our current state of national emergency in dealing with the coronavirus. 

When we think of our recent history’s most acclaimed leaders; Lincoln, Mandela, King and Mother Teresa, those who made the most profound impact on how we view ourselves and our world, the force behind their missions was always service. 

The service to unity, equality and compassion was the focus of their causes, which is why I believe it connects with...

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.  The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

                                                                                                       - Nelson Mandela

The COVID-19 virus is clearly impacting our planet.  Thousands have contracted and died from this disease, countries are on high alert and health experts around the globe are predicting that this is just the beginning of the impact this outbreak will have on our lives.

This is a serious situation that deserves our full attention.

In times of crisis, it is understandable for us to be in fear.  It is a natural reaction.  One could argue that sometimes fear can be a good thing.  Being aware of potential danger and having concern for our personal safety can keep us out harm’s way.  It can also provide us with a surge of power to overcome an immediate threat that confronts us.

As an instructor in a...

“It's very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worrying; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.”

                                                                                       - Thich Nhat Hanh

I am writing this blog for myself.  My logic in sharing this publicly with you, is I actually might listen to my own coaching (as well as help some others along the way).

Like all of us, I have been blessed with specific talents that have served me quite well.  However, I also have some very specific “areas of opportunity” that I could address to make myself more impactful, fulfilled and happy.  One of those areas of opportunity is taking time to slow down and rest.

I am writing this after once again realizing that I have gone several weeks without truly taking a day off.  It is said that nature abhors a vacuum a...

“I would visualize things coming to me. It would just make me feel better. Visualization works if you work hard. That’s the thing. You can’t just visualize and go eat a sandwich.”

                                                                                                         - Jim Carrey

Visualization combined with inspired action can be one of the most powerful tools in a leader’s toolbox for success. 

When you look at elite-level athletes, you will notice that the difference between them in athletic talent is oftentimes so minuscule it is almost non-existent.  It is the person who creates the trifecta of combining the power of their body, mind and spirit that will experience the greatest probability of powerful performance and victory. 

If our hearts are the source of our desires, and our bodies are the vehicles to enact them physically, then your minds are the sculptors that help to make them a reality.  Visualization is an incredibly powerful tool for creatin...