Andy Jenkins wrote a very interesting blog post about Shaun White and lessons from Shaun's gold medal run that can be applied to list building (of all things!). I found it not only an interesting read, but it also inspired me to remember the individual stories I saw unfold during the Olympics and how they affected me. I left the following response on his blog, and decided I wanted to share it with you, challenge you to think about what inspired you, and invite you to share your own inspirations with me.
The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver provided so many amazing athletes and so many lessons! Among my favorites:
My heart goes out to figure skater Joanne Rochette whose mother passed away just 2 days before her event started. Her strength and commitment were obvious in the short program, ultimately resulting in a bronze medal. The closest thing I can think of is how my lamaze lessons kicked in when my daughter was born – even though I was exhausted, I didn’t have to think – my body had been so well trained that it knew what to do and did it. Keep practicing and reinforcing – you will automatically do what’s needed when the time comes.
There’s Shaun White, of course, having obvious fun while doing things most people gasp at. (You can read Andy's take on Shaun – which inspired this post – at his blog.)
There’s Evan Lysacek – the hardest working man in figure skating – whose gold medal shows exactly what happens when you are unstoppable and you put in your time perfecting your gifts. He’s a gentleman who at only 24 showed incredible grace when quizzed about Plushenko’s antics. And he’s gorgeous, too.
Apolo Ohno with 8 medals making him the most decorated winter Olympian from the U.S. Every incremental advance adds up over time.
The U.S. Women’s short track relay team who continued skating despite being so far behind. They ended up with a bronze due to a disqualification of the Korean team – don’t give up, regardless of how dismal it may look, do your best and finish the race.
The U.S. Men’s nordic combined relay team – bringing home the first ever medal in the sport (a silver), a grueling sport that requires stamina, pacing and solid performance.
Team Canada for winning an amazing overtime hockey game against the U.S. – when we had already beaten them once – and giving our good neighbors to the north a stellar finish to their hosted games.
And of course, Steve Holcomb, with record setting runs and a gold medal! A man who nearly lost his eyesight and who looks more like my dear husband than a star athlete. A man who said they were treating the second day like it was a separate race and they just wanted to do it like they had the day before. The lesson – do your best. Then keep repeating the strategies you know are successful.
Every athlete who performed at the Olympics is a hero and an inspiration. No one gets there without commitment, hard work and vision.