Count off, one guy does shoulder taps while the other dragon crawls to top of hill 50 yds.
Third f
Switch elevated Merkins, while other guy bear crawls 2x with a merkins
10-1, diamond Merkin, baby crunches
Sherlock Shuffle, high knees until man calls down- goes around circle once.
Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust. Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.
F3 Message 11/09/2022
We shouldn’t care too much about how strangers view us. Life is too short. Our outcome is never guaranteed, but the process is yours. The outcome you worked so hard for can be taken from you in many ways.
You can work hard and get robbed, fall in love and get cheated on, or do well without getting any recognition. When you do things for the outcome, you care about something that’s beyond your control.
It’s in the name. The outcome, as in outside of you. People’s approval is outside of you, but the process of working on yourself is internal.
Focus on proper execution and discipline demands attention and dedication. These are the elements of the process. A focus on the process makes it difficult to worry about what other people will think of the outcome.
The process is immune to other people’s opinions. It’s the private place to make mistakes, grow, and take care of the only thing that matters: what you can control.
Yes, other people can critique what you’re doing, but not what you’re thinking and your objectives. Your focus is on the process. The process is your own style of learning, development, and exploration.
Another way to look at the idea of “focusing on the process” is only doing what’s important to you. When you only focus on the things that matter to you, you naturally focus on the process anyway. This is because you’re more concerned with getting better than getting attention.
Bolt 45’s IC (4 Count) – 15 squats to halfway down. 15 squats halfway to full down. 15 full squats.
Windmills – 15 IC
Jiminy Crickets – 10 OYO
Mosey @.5 miles to “Oh Hill No”
The Thang
The Super Sheldon Cooper on “Oh Hill No”. Inch worm with a merkin up the hill, Crawl Bear down and complete 10 Burpees, 10 Squats, 10 Merkins & 10 Big Boys. Dragon Crawl up the hill, Crawl Bear down and complete 10 Burpees, 10 Squats, 10 Merkins & 10 Big Boys. For the final round, complete a Bear Crawl up the hill, Crawl Bear down and complete 10 Burpees, 10 Squats, 10 Merkins & 10 Big Boys. F3 Message and Dragon Crawl @ 50ft. before moseying back to the CHOP.
Mosey @.5 miles back to CHOP.
Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust. Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.
Politicians – promises. They’re almost synonyms. And, man, we’ve been through the election campaigns. And, of course, you know, we’re probably on promise overload! You get it from the time they declare their candidacy. “He broke his promise!” “He can’t keep that promise!” “If I’m elected, I promise…”
Elections raise hopes. Reality often crushes them, doesn’t it? The promises often seem to get swept away and trashed with the victory celebration confetti. Fact is, no politician keeps all their promises. Sometimes, well, because they never meant to, sometimes because of unforeseen circumstances, and often just because he/she simply doesn’t have the power to deliver what they promised.
I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “So Many Promises.”
Now, it’s not just politicians. Look, we parents make a lot of promises – too many of which we either forget, neglect or just fail to keep. The promis-er may forget. The promis-ee never does. Most of us can still remember, like years later, the parents’ promises that never happened.
We make promises at work, at church, to friends. Raising expectations, and then dashing them by never following through. We lose what takes years to gain and just a day to lose – trust. We shake our heads in disgust at the politicians’ words that seem so hollow in light of their broken promises. Forgetting the “trail of tears” that we ourselves have left with the things we said but never did.
I stood before an altar years ago and made some of the biggest promises of my life. I told the woman I loved – and, more importantly, I told God – that I would love and care for her and be committed to her “’til death do us part.” She staked her life on my promise, and the Lord, in the Bible’s words, was “acting as the witness” of my “marriage covenant.” That’s what the book of Malachi says (Malachi 2:14). I found myself listening again and then again to those promises I made that day to try to be sure I was keeping them.
I learned the hard way, that in every relationship, you think before you promise. And do whatever it takes to deliver when you do promise. Now, our word for today from the Word of God, Ecclesiastes 5 beginning in verse 5 says this: “It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin.” King David described the man God will honor as one who “keeps his oath even when it hurts” (Psalm 15:4).
After so many soaring speeches in political campaigns, I wrote these words in my personal journal: “A political season shows that humans promise what they ultimately lack the power to deliver, and hopes are dashed. But my hope is based on a Savior who, by beating death, has shown me He can do anything and everything He has promised!” Man, that’s awesome!
Well, He promised, “My God will supply all your needs” (Philippians 4:19). And in a thousand amazing ways, He always has. He said, “Your strength will equal your days” (Deuteronomy 33:25), and there’s never been a day He didn’t deliver. He promised “they who honor Me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30), and He’s come through every time I’ve risked to do the right thing. He told me, “I am the Lord your God who directs you in the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17), and He’s done it at every crossroads.
I’m sure, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that He will keep the promise on which my eternity rests, “God has given us eternal life, this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life…you who believe in the name of the Son of God…know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13).
I have no fear of death. I have no doubt about heaven, because I’ve put my trust in the only One who can forgive my sins – the One who died for them. I trust in the only One who can give me eternal life – the One who walked out of His grave. And He waits to do that for you. In a world of littered promises, this Jesus will deliver the life and eternity He promised if you’ll grab Him today with all your trust like a drowning person grabs a lifeguard.
Our website is there to help you do that. I hope you’ll go there today. It’s ANewStory.com. You can plant both your feet on His promises and you’ll know He’ll deliver. He has no unforeseen circumstances. He cannot lie. And nothing is too hard for the Lord.
Kudos to Beeker (Hospital name: Corbin Bean) for getting in his VQ Warm-O-Rama. Great job brother; it was awesome for YHC (Hospital name: Todd Bean) to tag-team with you and get you into the Q rotation.
Here’s how it all went down this Gloom:
WARM-O-RAMA:
Um…yeah, YHC has little recollection of everything we did, but it was well executed and sufficient for getting our heart rates up and warming up the PAX for the following
THE THANG:
Had to start with a Bearcrawl across the freshly resealed parking lot. Boom! After years of complaints by those who have soft and supple hands, it has to be said: That thing is clean. PAX just couldn’t wait to use it!
PAX grouped up in gaggles of 5–couldn’t have planned it better; there were 20 PAX and we needed 4 groups for 4 stations:
Station #1: At this station groups had to Prison Break to Willow St, and Mosey back. This was the time-setter station, as after PAX went down a back groups would move to the next station.
Station #2:Swerkins AMRAP. How about that? 5 PAX in each group and 5 swings for Swerkins.
Station #3:Curb-Stop Leg-lifts AMRAP How about that? 5 PAX in each groups and 5 curb stops for Leg Lifts
Back to station #1, Rinse & Repeat AMRAP. PAX rotated through the stations 3x, taking a 3rdF breather mid-way, after which YHC got in the old stand-by Side-Straddle-Hops, then Seal Jacks, before resuming the workout. Somewhere in there we snuck in a Chairman Lap, before closing out with a short round of Mary: 4-Count Freddies – 25 IC, courtesy of YHC, and Superman/Banana, courtesy of Quattro
The following 3rdF shared by our Q, Chappie:
In the year 1519, Hernán Cortéz arrived along the Yucatan Coast off of Veracruz, Mexico with 600 (300?) men and, upon arriving and disembarking their ships, Cortés sounded the order to “burn the ships!” Before moving inland Cortéz destroyed 10 of his 11 ships, cutting off he and his men’s only hope of retreat and leaving them with no option but to conquer.
We can use this as a metaphor today to venture into new territories, to explore the unknown, and to take what we might see as potentially hazardous risks (followers of Christ cannot help but to take faith-filled risks). Sometimes, even when there is uncertainty we must burn the ships, we must lead others to burn the ships. I.e. we need to eliminate the off-ramps in our own lives, or maybe in our workplaces, our churches, our teams, etc., so that we can make certain we’re not avoiding the challenges, and make certain there is no turning back. (That’s a great hymn btw.)
In whatever the case may be the story of burning the ships is as relevant a metaphor as ever; for in many cases if you leave the ships in the harbor, you’re not fully committing to whatever the task, or mission, or vision might be.
We workout at O-Gawd-Thirty just about every morning because it’s part of the physical, mental, and spiritual challenges we’ve accepted. Why? Because F3 workouts increase your ability to be an asset in your home, your workplace, and the communities in which you serve. We do this “fitness, fellowship, and faith” stuff so that we’re more capable physically, mentally, & spiritually to lead our families & solve problems, etc. If we live in accordance with the mantra “burn the ships” it will serve as a metaphor for eliminating the excuses we’re prone to, and the backup plans we usually have in place. “Burn the ships” says the only option is to conquer, the only option is victory, the only option is to succeed! Burn the ships and you will have no other option!
There’s another man who said that. Well, actually, He said it a little differently: In Luke 9:23 Jesus said “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” You know, right after that in vv. 57-61 Jesus actually turned 3 people away, who said they would follow Him wherever He’d go. Each had excuses and Jesus called them out on it: One realized they’d be without a place to lay their heads, another wanted to wait until his after father died, and the third wanted to spend some time at home first. The context tells us they took the off-ramp; it implies they turned back instead of following Jesus. Then in v. 62 Jesus said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Gentlemen, HIM put their hand to the plow and never look back! (Ask the farmers…)
HIM take up their cross daily and follow Jesus.
Gentlemen, HIM “burn the ships!” Excuses are not an option.
YHC is always grateful for the opportunity to lead at @f3firststate. We have more and more PAX being added to the Q list (men are stepping up), so opportunities are becoming more sparse–a good problem to have! Hey, that’s what we’re about…planting, growing, and serving.
COT:
Announcements: Shirt order down to last day, 10/19 at midnight. 2.0 Workout this Saturday at the Aegis AO.
Prayers: Semi’s 2.0 traveling back to college; Quattro’s family fighting “the big green monster”; Fireplex’s Dad; and Ruxpin’s M; etc.
18 Outstanding HIM including one FNG beat the fartsack and showed up for a GritMil beat down. We had such a good turnout we had to overcome and adapt to our situation in order to have enough coupons for everyone. Big thanks to Chief Quattro for lending out various weighted objects to fulfill the order.
Warm-Up Side-Straddle-Hops X 20 Bolt 45s Merkins X 20 Cherry Pickers x 20
The Thang Mosey to Basketball “Field”
Round 1. With 1 gallon jugs 50 Bicep Curls Sprint to opposite end of B-Ball court, 5 Burpees NUR back to start and 50 Bicep Curls Everyone does Squats until 6 is in.
Round 2. With 1 Gal Jugs 50 Overhead Shoulder Presses Walking lung to opposite end of B-ball court, 5 Burpees NUR Back to start and 50 Overhead Shoulder Presses. Everyone does Squats until 6 is in.
Round 3. With 1 gal jugs, lay flat on back for 50 tri-cep extensions (Skull Crushers) with 1 gal jugs Scissor run to other side of B-ball court, 5 Burpees. Scissor run back to Start, 50 Tri-Cep extensions with 1 gal jugs. Everyone does Squats until 6 is in.
Round 4. With 1 Gal jugs 50 Juggerbell Swings with squat. Tightrope Walk with arm out to other side of B-Ball Court, 5 Burpees NUR back to start for 50 Juggerbell Swings Everyone does Squats until 6 is in.
3rd F Being a Man who Leads
In the Bible Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 11, where he says, “The man is the head of the woman…For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man, for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. This is Paul upholding the concept of a man’s leadership in the family by appealing to the order of creation, and the fact that man was created first, then the woman as a helper to man. Later on in Ephesians Paul addresses a married man’s role as head of his own home. Paul establishes that God’s design is that the husband is “the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church”. Then the bible gives specific instructions on how husbands are to fulfill their leadership role, beginning with the important command: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loves the church”.
Let’s think about the for a second. How much does Jesus love His church. This love would be described as a sacrificial, purifying, caring, unbreakable, Christ-like love. Christ’s love for the church is a model for husbands to follow, and is a living illustration of the redemptive love of Christ. One of the greatest act of love anyone could do for another is to sacrifice their own life for them. (Acts 20:28 – Christ purchased the church with His own Blood).
Now the question to ask is, if we are to love our wives with that same kind of love, how to we compare? Well, the answer is we all fall short, and we do not even come close. But that’s okay, because Christ has set the standard, so we now know where to aim.
Some more questions we could ask ourselves is:
How are we sacrificial in our own home?
Are we so self-focused that we are not aware of the needs in our home?
Are we willing to sacrifice our time to listen to & comfort our wives and provide emotional and physical security?
Who is the spiritual leader in the home?
If you are a Christian man, then you will recognize that success in your home is far more important than success in your career.
So when we leave here today, let’s note where it all begins, with the command, “Husbands, love your wives”.
C.H. Spurgeon said,
“A husband loves his wife with a constant love, and so does Christ his church. He will not cast her away tomorrow having loved her today. He does not vary in his affection. He may change in his display of affection, but the affection itself is still the same. A husband loves his wife with an enduring love; it will never die out. He says, “Tell death us do part will I cherish thee”, but Christ will not let death part his love to his people. Nothing shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
So gents, with that said, we now know God’s standard when it comes to being a Godly husband, a leader in our home, and a father to our children. Let’s use that in our life to better serve our family.
9 PAX and 1 FNG conquered the fartsack this morning and made it to this morning’s rainy murky Gloom, in order to work on our foundation. Semi, Rooty, Spreader, Waterboy, Dunkin, Turtle, Ruxpin, Gecko, MacDaddy, and FNG
Warm- Up SSH Cherry Pickers Butts Kicks 1 Min OYO
The Thang
Step off from GritMil, Indian run to Avenue Methodist Church parking lot. Runner from back sprints ahead holding a large dice, then when in front of pack, HIM pass the dise back to last man, then run, rinse, and repeat.
Arrival at church parking lot, HIM split into teams of 2. Runners and Crunchers. Runners roll dice for core exercises, and then take off for a lap around the church. Crunchers do rolled exercise until the 6 is in. Rabbit runners will join crunchers until the 6 is in, then switch sides, run, rinse, and repeat.
Several moseys around the church parking lot followed by various dice rolled core exercises.
American Hammers Plank Jacks Shoulder Taps Freddie Mercury’s LBC’s Big Boys
Break for Third F
Matthew 7:24-29
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.”
Here in Matthew 7, Jesus speaks of the parable of the two houses. One was built on the rock, and the other was built on the sand. When a huge storm came, both houses were hit with the same storm, but the one built on the rock never moved, and the one built on the sand was wrecked and destroyed.
The builders of these houses, built their homes with the same materials, the same quality, and the same specs, except for the foundation on what they were built on. The foundation is what made the difference in this situation. In comparison, it takes hard work to build your house on a good foundation, and it is very easy to build your house on the sand.
The house build on the rock represents the individual who loves Christ and follows him. They invest their lives in the pursuit of Christlikeness. 1 Corinthians 1:11 says, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”
The house built on the sand represents the foolish builder who looks the part, and is polished on the outside. However, he deceived himself thinking that everything would be okay when trials would come his way. He had nothing to anchor him down, he heard God’s word, but never put it into practice or lived it out. There was no true evidence that this individual grounded himself in the teaching and principles of Jest Christ.
So gentlemen, we are all guaranteed to have a severe storm come into our lives. In fact, God says that we will endure trials, but when it comes, will we be grounded in Him? The only way we will not budge is if we have built of lives on our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
So, let’s take a step back today, and look at our foundation. Let’s do an inspection of our life, and see where we are at. Where are our priorities, are we just hearing God’s word, or are we living it out in our life?
James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Mosey Back to the Gritmil via Indian Run for Name-O-Roma/COT
Bear Crawl Baseball – Bear Crawl to 1st 50 Bobby Hurleys, Bear Crawl to 2nd 25 Merkins, Bear Crawl to 3rd 25 Big Boys, Bear Crawl to Home 50 Gas Pumpers(all exercises OYO)
3rd F
Normally, I talk about stress, anxiety, or some other mental health concerns going on in my life right now. But I am going to bring up something that my cousin who is a nurse in Chicago posted on July 4th evening as she was working in the hospital where those victims were sent. Her friends were texting her about donating blood. When was the last time you have donated? I donate and there will be a time when I need blood on an operating table or ER. We can help save lives of someone who has the same Type as you! I am not affiliated with any donation center but looked up the Blood Bank of Delmarva and they have the following donation events coming up:
Crooked Hammock Brewery(Lewes, DE) – 7/18 and 7/28 12:00-5:00
Georgetown Cheer – 7/20 12:00-6:00
Seaford Volunteer Fire Dept – 7/21 1:00-6:00
Big Oyster Brewery – 7/26 12:00-5:00
Milford Elks Lodge – 8/1 12:00-6:00
You never know when your life might be dependable on the donation of someone else’s blood.
Bridge of Hate – One pax will then be lifted and passed down the line of the pax that are laying on the ground. When the pax that was being passed down the line gets to the front he lays next to the last man and the man at the rear of the line then gets passed down, so forth and so on.
Curls for Girls with Coupons from home plate to right field
YHC had his Virgin Q this morning! Thanks to the 17 HIMs who showed up for a record attendance at The Grit Mill! It meant a lot to have such good representation on my first Q. I decided to use fate and the F3 Workout Cards to assist me on the beatdown.
WARM-O-RAMA:
Disclaimer given
Moroccan Nightclub – 20 IC
Side Straddle Hob – 20 IC
Imperial Walker – 20 IC
Cherry Picker – 20 IC
Following the warm-o-rama we mosied to the parking lot at Arena’s and the PAX circled up around the speaker and workout cards.
THE THANG:
YHC broke out his new F3 Workout Cards for this beatdown. With the PAX circled around the cards about 15 feet from the deck of cards. Inspired by T-Rex using music for his beatdown, YHC brought a speaker to play 90’s alternative for the entire beatdown.
Everyone bear crawls to the center where YHC drew five cards for the first set and a different PAX was identified for the subsequent sets. Once cards were drawn, everyone crawl beared back their original position.
Call out for the exercises written on the cards as follows:
2-10: card value + 10 reps for the exercise
Royals: 25 reps for the exercise
Ace: 50 reps of that exercise
At the completion of the set everyone bear crawls back to the deck for more cards.
Set breakdown:
SET ONE:
14 – Alternating Side Squats
25 – Freddie Mercury’s
12 – Bulgarian Split Squats
18 – Backward lunges
25 – Diamond Merkins
SET TWO:
13 – High, Slow Flutter Kick IC
17 – Monkey Humper
14 – Carolina Dry Dock
Bear crawl 15 feet, Crawl bear 15 feet
20 – Rosalitas
Conducted the 3RD F after the second set:
Continuing the theme of checking on each other and on the people in our lives with whom we haven’t spoken to in a while. YHC shared a personal story of how he was going through a difficult time in his life and felt alone and had received a special message to seek out Psalm 20.
Psalm 20 For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. 3 May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.[b] 4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. 5 May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. 9 Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!
Two days later, YHC met a woman while performing his duties as a nurse, and she was the key to change the direction his life was going in and make everything right in his world. Continue to reach out to each other and to others in your life. You just may be the person to turn their life around for the better!
SET THREE:
16 – Jumping lunges
25 – Monkey Humper
17 – Derkins
18 – Luge
25 – American Hammers
SET FOUR:
14 – Heels to Heaven
20 – Butt Kicks
18 – Merkins
17 – Lil Baby Crunches
15 – Hand Release Merkins
SET FIVE:
19 – Squats
16 – Wide Arm Merkins
50 – Calf Raises
25 – Shoulder Taps
19 – Ranger Merkins
Mosey back to The Grit Mill to end the beatdown.
NUMBER-RAMA
NAME-O-RAMA
COT/BOM:
Welcomed Thomas Lilly FNG nicknamed as Knobs.
Announcements: TRexs’ M’s event this weekend at Milton Memorial Park. Roving Ruckf3st Friday will be at The Grit Mill
Prayer: For Quattro’s friend who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. For MacDaddy and Taps and the group traveling via bicycles. Prayers for all us HIMs to be the leaders and examples to others in our homes, jobs, and communities. Prayers for all the needs and attentions of those present.
I am honored that so many PAX showed up for my VQ! I was truly grateful and humbled.
Warm-a-Rama 15 seal jacks i/c 15 seal wave i/c Side shuffle across parking lot, Side shuffle back Toy Soldier halfway across parking lot, Nur back Karaoke across parking lot, Karaoke back
The Thang Ultimate frisbee with a twist Have to be in the soccer goal to score (goals are facing away from each other) Score a goal = 5 burpees, Other team does 15 e2ks per side
3rd F 9 lessons from F3 1. You can go a lot farther with others by your side. 2. Men need challenges to stay sharp mentally, physically, and emotionally. 3. Confidence is built by setting and accomplishing goals. 4. Competition makes us better. 5. Sweat and shared suffering build strong bonds. 6. If you’re not accelerating, you’re decelerating. 7. You’re stronger than you think you are. 8. The COT is great therapy. 9. Friends make life worth living and loving.
Number-Rama NAME-A-RAMA COT 16 HIM showed today: Semi, Chappie, Ruxpin, Fireplex, Toy Soldier, T-rex, Spreader, Focker, Mowdaboat, Rooster, Mr. Mom, Looney Toons, Flat Bottom, Dunkin, Quattro, Chauffer
Message: Excerpt from Bob Richards A Heart of a Champion book
A Philosophy for Winning
We all want to win, but what are the characteristics of winning. Number one: you’ve got to have the will to win. It’s a will to win, and not just a wish to win. I know a lot of people who have what I would call a wish to win. They’d like to go to the top. They daydream about the position they’d like to hold in life. They tell you their potential, about the heights they could soar to, or the distances they could run, the times they could perform if they would only get out and train. I think the greatest thing in life is to be able to dream, to have great aspirations, but I think it equally important that you have a will that can turn that dream into a reality.
Second you need to have inspiration. I’ve been amazed to see mediocre athletes, fellows drifting along with great potential but never really realizing their full abilities, suddenly inspired by a great coach, or some great ideal something that will lift them up and they would do the impossible. Inspired people: It’s when the see themselves not as they are but as they can become. It’s when they see themselves, not in terms of their weaknesses and shortcomings; their failures and inadequacies, but in terms of what they can be, when they begin to believe they can be what their vision tells them—-that’s when they’re inspired.
Lastly, take God with you. It’s the greatest ingredient in what I call a winning philosophy. These athletes believe that they have a power greater than their own. Nothing can thwart them, with God they do great and tremendous things.
The Heart of a Champion
Every man or woman needs the heart of a champion. It’s a quality of mind, a mental resolve, an attitude that turns a man or woman beyond the normal and the mediocre to accomplishing great things in all walks of life. The difference between a champion and a mediocre athlete is the difference between one who gives up and one who doesn’t. This is the basic philosophy that has made America great. It’s a philosophy of freedom, of liberty, of the great ideals we cherish. The spirt of America is the spirit of greatness; it’s the heart of a champion.
The champions I’ve seen have had another great quality. They dared to believe the impossible. What is the story behind athletics? It’s the story of young men and women who come along and say, “no matter what others say, I believe the record can be broken.” These young men and women, with faith and courage and vision in their hearts, daring to believe the impossible and training themselves to a peak perfection, have broken every record in the books.
The America system and way of life is perhaps more beautifully expressed in athletics than in any other field of endeavor? All the competitive element, all the drive, all the pressure, all the fire that makes America great is found in our athletic programs. The Bible says: “All things are possible to him who believes”
Life has its hurts, its setbacks, its defeats, its heartaches. No man can meet life in all of its fullness, but he must at one time or another meet hurt and pain and suffering—not only physical but mental pain, spiritual pain, financial pain. The champion is the one who can meet it with a stiff upper lip, with faith in God, and somehow, even with that hurt and pain in his heart, he keeps on going to achieve greatness.
