Rock Climbing

Sport imitates life, rock climbing is a prime example. Mackenzie, my sister, is a rock and ice climber, but I have never done either.  

*Mackenzie ice climbing, this seems crazy to me...

I had thought about climbing a few times, but I was scared, nervous, and apprehensive.  "What if I am terrible at it?"  "What if they laugh at me?"  To the credit of the climbing community, no one laughed at me. In fact, everyone was very nice.  On one occasion (after getting my climbing-confidence) I took my date to the climbing gym.  It was an interesting moment when I was 60 feet in the air, my date working the safety line for me, and me asking myself, "How much does my date really like me, enough to stop me before I hit the ground?" :) 

At times, rock climbing is a metaphor; sometimes you have to be creative in your route to the top. 

*The path isn't always straight, and never concise.

*My sister is an insane climber...just look at her back muscles (lift your dropped jaw).

You have hose moments when you have to leave the hand and foot-holds you have and spring for another, take the leap. There is no other feeling like that of holding the wall, with your feet dangling, as you stretch for that next hold. 

*The leap! Feet dangling.

*My sister defying my understanding of physics (this is the true angle of the climb).

When you go for that next hold, in sport or life, you might make it or you might miss.  The important thing is that you go for it, there is confidence and satisfaction to be gained regardless of the outcome.

NCSG Athlete of the Year Video

The introduction video shown before my acceptance speech at the awards ceremony in San Antonio, Texas is now up on youtube.  I am still incredibly thankful for the opportunity to share my message with a greater audience.  This still feels like a dream come true.

The link to video is posted here 2013 NCSG Video Montage. Thanks to the State Games folks for all their hard work.

I will never be the most talented, the most accomplished, or the most successful.  It never has been, and never will be, about winning. I am just an ordinary guy who works hard, and is making the most of  my opportunities.  I am not scared to try, I am not scared to succeed, nor am I scared to fail.

There's a message in that.