Many of our sports heroes are falling. Lance Armstrong, Oscar Pistorius, and Tiger Woods – just to name a few. Some of these heroes, like Pistorius, (whose being held by police this week after his girlfriend was shot dead), are legends who we not only looked up to, but emulated; even setting our goals with them in mind. Watching them we shed tears in defeat, shot our fists into the air in glory, and posted motivating photos on our bathroom mirrors, hoping that maybe someday we may have just an ounce of their greatness. And, why not – they were heroes; prefect specimens who seemingly stood above mere mortals.
There is a strong argument, (as mentioned in this Wall Street Journal article), for how the impossible hero making stories that companies like Nike build around our champions, set up an athlete for self-destruction through shame. Still, I can’t help but wonder what preceded these narritives. Pulling my laptop closer to the article, I look into the eyes of Woods, Pistorius and Armstrong, and wonder what was missing. What escaped them? And, what could have helped them to stay on top of that podium in their sport as well as their life.
This fascinates me – the art of building a true champion. What in Greek history was called Arête. To not only be a champion externally, but to have the guts to go with it. To build yourself from within so that no storms, missed gold medals, or hero-based stories can unsteady the strong hold you have on who you are or the life you lead. It takes true fearlessness to go within, dig deep, and build this strong foundation; no sissies allowed. As a Sports Performance Coach, I see its benefit time and time again. There is no champion with greater staying power than those who have taken the time to truly know themselves. Once you’ve built the core, external greatness come naturally and with less effort.
What’s next for someone like Woods or Armstrong? Can they make a comeback in whatever way they hope to without doing the hard work of building themselves truly from within? The façade is broken and the cracks are wide. Our heroes are falling. I hope that someday I can put Tiger’s picture back on the wall, knowing he’s built a strong foundation within – with the grace and power of a true champion.
