Summer Wasted?

Story of The Week

Michael had always been a natural athlete. From a young age, he excelled in various sports without putting in much effort. His raw talent seemed to carry him effortlessly through competitions and tryouts, earning him a spot on every team he desired.

With tryouts for the varsity soccer team fast approaching, Michael felt a surge of confidence. After all, he had made the team every year without breaking a sweat. But as the days dwindled down to tryout day, Michael's complacency began to catch up with him.

Michael had spent the summer engaged in video games and hanging out with friends rather than honing his skills on the field. He shrugged off his lack of preparation, assuming his natural abilities would carry him through once again.

As tryout day arrived, Michael sauntered onto the field with a nonchalant attitude, expecting to breeze through the drills and impress the coaches with minimal effort. But to his dismay, he quickly realized that this year was different.

As he watched his peers sprinting tirelessly, executing flawless footwork, and displaying unwavering determination, Michael felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. It dawned on him that while he had been lounging around, others had been putting in the hard work during the offseason, diligently practicing their skills and conditioning their bodies for the challenges ahead.

Despite his attempts to make up for lost time during the tryouts, Michael's lack of preparation was glaringly evident. His movements lacked precision, his endurance faltered, and his once-reliable instincts seemed to have deserted him.

As the final roster was announced, Michael's worst fears were realized – he had been cut from the team. Shock and disappointment washed over him as he watched his teammates celebrate their victories and eagerly anticipate the season ahead. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for squandering his opportunity through sheer complacency.

In the days that followed, Michael reflected on his mistakes and wished he could turn back time. He realized that his natural talent could only take him so far – without dedication, discipline, and hard work, he would always fall short of his true potential.

With a newfound determination, Michael vowed to learn from his failures and make the most of his next opportunity. He committed himself to a rigorous training regimen, spending hours on the field practicing his skills, running hills, and pushing himself to the limit.

Although he couldn't undo the past, Michael refused to let it define his future. He knew that success was not given but earned through relentless effort and unwavering dedication. And this time, he was determined to leave nothing to chance.

As the next tryouts approached, Michael was a changed athlete. He approached each training session with purpose and passion, pushing himself beyond his limits and refusing to settle for anything less than his best. And when tryout day arrived once again, Michael was ready – not just to show up, but to stand out and prove that hard work truly does pay off.

USE THIS STORY TO ASK YOURSELF: Am I coasting on my abilities or am I pushing myself to be my best? Am I willing to lose an opportunity because I am lazy? Nobody can care more about YOU than YOU. You must look in the mirror and be honest with yourself if you did everything you could to be the best you could be. Not on the day of a try-out or game but all the other days. Strive to be the hardest worker when nobody is watching.

Stat of the week

Michael Phelps holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals won by any athlete, with a staggering total of 23 gold medals. To put in perspective 2nd most is 9 Gold Medals by 4 different athletes.

During peak training periods, Michael Phelps would swim up to 80,000 meters per week, equivalent to swimming the length of a football field 887 times. This statistic illustrates the immense dedication and physical demands of elite-level swimming training. Phelps famously consumed a high-calorie diet to fuel his intense training regimen, reportedly consuming up to 12,000 calories per day during peak training periods. The recommended average for male adult is about 2,500 calories. Guess I will skip the bacon and hash browns this morning.