Moses,Steve Jobs,Lew Hollander ,and Mental Toughness

"None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone."– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Throughout history there are numerous examples of historical figures that have demonstrated mental toughness, will, courage, perseverance, grit, while dealing with extraordinary and unique situations.  Thinking back to the Old Testament, the Prophet Moses comes to mind.  From birth to death he demonstrated over and over, the ability to persist and endure. Even though he was inspired by God, he still faced human struggles from dealing with the Egyptian Pharaoh to leading the undisciplined Israelite slaves into the desert for 40 years.  It is easy to admire his strength, his determination, in accomplishing this Herculean task of leading his people from slavery into freedom.

Other famous figures that come to mind include Alexander the Great, Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan the great conquerors of peoples and cultures.  Not to overload their ruthlessness, aggressiveness, and brutality, these men were not only leaders but also demonstrated mental and physical toughness. These tyrants were mostly feared while on their war campaigns.

Another individual from history that stands out Is Joan of Arc the French peasant, who led her people in battle.  The fact that she was divinely inspired does not in any way diminish what she accomplished.  One can easily say that she was one tough woman, who demonstrated the ability to endure pain and fight against insurmountable odds.

We also look to fairy tales and find examples of toughness of mental quality.  How about Cinderella, who demonstrated and put up with unfair physical and mental abuse?  Certainly the mean stepsisters treated her inhumanely and apparently did not think anything of it.  Cinderella bit her tongue, while being treated second class, to say the least.  Now in the fairytale, there is an intervention and she winds up with Prince.  We know that does not always happen.

In my book, “It Has Nothing to Do with Age”   Lew Hollander is a good example of an individual that fits the characterization of being mentally tough.  For those of you who do not know, Lew at age 81 this year completed the Hawaiian Iron man resulting in him being the oldest to accomplish this task.   Read his story especially about his early childhood for clues and secrets into his psychology .Secretariat’s toughness and competitive nature comes to the surface when he is racing somebody on the trail.  He wants to win, and it does not seem to matter if he knows the person or not.  Oh by the way, his older brother used to pick on him when he was a kid and of course that changed when he became older and stronger.  Steve Jobs’ competitive and mental toughness was also apparent.  Such things as being adopted, intelligent, aggressive, and experiencing failure over and over likely contribute to his toughness.

How does a person develop being mentally tough?  Does it have something to do with childhood i.e. Moses being adopted, reared in royalty, going through an identity crisis, finding God, leading unruly  and undisciplined slaves in the desert ?  Not everyone is neither mentally nor physically tough.  The “why “and the “how “a person becomes or develops this persistence or grit is a subject worth exploring. Don’t you agree?

Tevis Cup, Hawaiian Ironman, and Molokai Hoe

"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg."– C. S. Lewis

Just yesterday, Michael told me that the Tevis  Cup endurance ride  is now starting at the Overlook (in Auburn) , proceeding to Michigan Bluff, doing a short loop in that area, and  then returning to the Overlook.  We all know that the original Tevis date in July was canceled due to unfavorable trail conditions like snow. After much deliberation and controversy, an October 8^th date was settled upon.  Who would have predicted that there would be rain and snowfall the week of October 2^nd?  In any event, there is a considerable amount of snow on the earlier part of the original trail .Okay, what shall this ride be called?  You can call this ride by any name.  It certainly is going to be a different ride, and like no other in Tevis’ illustrious history.

The other two events covered in my book It Has Nothing to Do With Age, the Molokai to Oahu Outrigger canoe race and the Hawaiian Iron man are also scheduled for this weekend.  We know there is not going to be a bit of the snow during both of these events that are held in the Hawaiian Islands.  Good luck and good fortune to my friends Lew Hollander, Doc Shay and Sammie Stanbro. These special people are athletic, competitive, and mentally tough.   How else would you explain their athletic achievements at their youthful age?  They are also competitive and mentally tough, away from sports as well.

On another note, my book signing is scheduled for October 15, at the Auburn Running Company and is also supported by Dan Tebbs of the Victory Vello bike shop in Auburn.  The address is 833 and 835 Lincoln Way, Auburn, California respectively. Join us between 3 and 5 PM.

I missed a golden opportunity talk about China’s remedy for stressed workers to the Rotary group this past Wednesday.  If you followed one of my previous blogs, I talked about the Hoohah chant during calisthenics.   The aim was to inspire more grunting from China’s ever-growing stressed-out modern workers.  Apparently, grunting increases the enthusiasm while doing the calisthenics and other exercises.  If you need more enthusiasm for your workouts, consider grunting or come up with your own mantra. And as my friend Ed Budde says “keep moving”.

Tevis Cup, Hawaiian Ironman, and Molokai Hoe

"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I have just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well."– Diane Ackerman

Last night, Secretariat and I attended a Rotary meeting at the Buckeye restaurant near Drew Barner Park.  We were there to make a presentation as well as a book signing.  In addition, I showed the short book trailer that Secretariat put together.

While eating dinner, I talked with Secretariat about what this group might be interested in hearing and how it relates to them as businesspeople.  Secretariat thought that talking about stress could be a good beginning.  I agreed with him.

Incorporating, Diane Ackerman’s quote is quite apropos.  To briefly paraphrase her.  I agree that it is important to live life to its fullest.  It is extremely important to get the most out of every day, especially after you pass the midpoint of life and realize that the window or the opening is closing.  It is not like adolescence when it seems the end is infinite.

I looked around the room, and briefly surmised about 20 to 25 in attendance with everyone  at least middle aged with one man approaching his mid-80s.  A couple of the individuals were medium build, while the vast majority seemed heavy to say the least.  The problem was apparent. How does a business person in these difficult times deal with stress and everyday living?  How does a busy businessman or businesswoman find the time and energy to eat and exercise properly?  We all know that stress is a killer and that often, we turn to food, to gratify our needs.

One example that I gave related to my NFL football friend and comrade Ed Budde.  I told the audience that I talked with Ed earlier in the day and that his motto is” keep moving”.  And I added that I agreed with the idea of “keep moving, start moving”.   Norm a member in the audience commented that he moved in and out of his car today.   His response got a good chuckle.

I know for me that when I was working full-time, I said, work got in the way of what I wanted to do.  Did I have time eat properly and to do what I wanted to do, well not always.  So I can relate to the men and women in the audience and their busy stressful lives.

After my presentation, one gentleman came up to me and talked about competing in the Tevis, with his mule.  He is in his late 60s.  We talked for a while, and I said to him.  “There are no do over’s-do not miss your opportunity.”  Hopefully, what I said to him and what he saw on the trailer will make a difference in his life.  I would like him to enter the Tevis.

My professional career is teaching and psychology.  Some of my reasons for entering those two professions where I wanted to make a difference in the lives of people.  That element has not changed for me.  Hopefully my book, “It Has Nothing To Do With Age “can reach people and make a difference in their lives.

On 13^th of October I plan to make a presentation at the El Dorado Equestrian Trails Foundation at 6:30 PM in Greenwood and on the 15^th of October from 3 to 5 PM, I will be at the Auburn Running Company in Auburn. Please join me.

Good luck Tevis Cup equestrians, Lew Hollander-Hawaiian Ironman, and Doc Shay Sammie Stanbro on the Molokai to Oahu Outrigger canoe race.