Heart of a Champion!

I wrestled for a few years in middle school, and managed to make it to the county championships one year. I won that championship, but in order to do so, I had to wrestle a young man with non functioning legs in braces. His starting position was literally with his legs behind him, and he would hold himself up with his arms. The ref started the match, yet I just stood there, not knowing what to do. Truth be told, I felt bad, I felt sorry for him, it didn’t seem fair. How could it have been fair? Half my body weight was functioning, and half of his wasn’t.

There I stood like goliath, motionless, staring, the world silent and still. Yet, as if someone slowly turn the volume up, I started to hear my team on the side lines yelling, “PIN HIM, PIN HIM, PIN HIM.” They saw an extremely disadvantaged opponent, and so did I, yet what was I supposed to do. I eventually lunged at him and instinct took over. I quickly found out that he was a serious challenger. Every time I though I had him pinned, he would manage to claw his way out. I tried to pin him three different times before I succeeded on the fourth. It was an unusual, yet a championship worthy match.

I felt sorry for him then, yet I deserved a real shot in the mouth for thinking it. Where I was looking at his limitations, has was looking at the possibility of a win. Spirit alone, he was clearly the better man. There was no way I had over come the number of challenges he had to make the championships. His presence proved, that he was not willing to allow others to define his capabilities, or else he wouldn’t have been on the mat. He showed up to enjoy the game, to do his best, and learn what was possible.

Climbing is a unique sport, as it provides us with a unique opportunity to learn about ourselves, in a very similar way. It teaches us to control our minds, to focus our spirit, and push past doubt to establish new possibilities. So no matter the challenge, no matter your disadvantages… take action, do your dead level best, cultivate a heart of a Champion!

Climb Smart,
Mark