PLAYING FOR GLORY

Sports: So Much More Than You Think

What started as a hobby, quickly turned into one of the scariest moments of my life. One day, my wife and I decided to try a triathlon. She grew up swimming. I had gotten into running. We both enjoyed biking. So we decided to register for a triathlon that would begin with a 1500m open…

Resilience: How to Bounce Back

This is part 2 of 5 in the series “Five Essential Character Traits for Athletes.”

5 Essential Character Traits for Athletes

Key Thought: You must develop resolve. A new season means new victories. But you’ll have to work to earn them. You know you’ll have to work daily, put in extra reps and run sprints after practice. You are ready to breathe hard, sweat long, and feel the muscles burn because you want to be the…

The Dangers and Rewards of Youth Sports

LISTEN HERE to the full message Frisco was rated “The Top Place to Raise an Athlete” by Men’s Journal in 2011. The result: a booming and active community of soccer moms and baseball dads whose kids are involved in countless athletic programs and have superb places to play. But have you stopped to consider this…

CAN TEAM LOYALTY GO TOO FAR?

Football season has arrived. Millions of people are thrilled that it’s finally here. High school, college, and the NFL all bring out passionate fans. It’s no surprise, because few events in the U.S. are as thrilling as a stadium full of people cheering for their favorite team. USA Today had a recent article about passionate college…

How Sports and Social Justice Intersect

In recent years, sports figures have used their platform to make their opinions known about race, gender, and sexual preferences. We’ve all observed a trend where more and more athletes use their public platform in society to help right the wrongs, perceived or real, in American culture. Sportscasters devote time on their shows arguing for…

HOW TO DEVELOP A CHAMPIONSHIP ATTITUDE IN YOUR ATHLETE

LISTEN HERE to the full message. Once one recognizes the potential dangers and rewards of youth sports, they naturally ask the question, “How do I minimize the pitfalls and maximize the rewards?” In part two of this series, Restoring the True Athlete, John Hampton and I, aim at showing parents how to develop an excellent…

DEVELOPING DISCIPLINE – WHAT SPORTS TEACHES US ABOUT FAITH

PART THREE – DISCIPLINE Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice is famously known for training on “The Hill.” This is what he said about it in a Men’s Fitness Magazine interview: “The hill sprints were about two-and-a-half miles up, and the last 800 meters were completely uphill. We ran it for time, and if you…

WHAT SPORTS TEACH US ABOUT FAITH – PART 2

PART TWO – ENDURANCE One of the most well-known endurance sports events is the Ironman Triathlon. Started in 1978, this one day event of 140.6 miles includes a 2.4 mile open water swim, a 112 miles bike ride, and a full marathon (26.2 miles). It is a true test of physical, mental, and emotional fortitude….

WHAT SPORT TEACHES US ABOUT FAITH – part one

Part One: Self-Control People who don’t consider themselves very spiritual may be surprised to know that the Bible talks about athletics. It doesn’t tell us which team God cheers for. It doesn’t tell us strategies to win a game. It doesn’t tell us which team will win the World Series, World Cup, or Super Bowl….

DEVELOPING GRIT FOR GLORY

Passion and perseverance for especially long term goals is how Angela Duckworth defines “Grit.” In a TED Talk from 2013, this psychologist explains what “Grit” is, how it’s needed to accomplish long term goals, and how to develop it. This year, she published her findings in the fascinating book “Grit.” She illustrates the great benefits of Grit…

HOW ATHLETES CAN AVOID ANXIETY

From mild nerves to extreme panic attacks, all athletes know the feeling of anxiety. Players are well aware of the nervousness before, during and after competition. Personally, I had a huge wake up call on a fall day as I experienced a panic attack in the middle of a lake during a triathlon. Panic attacks nearly destroyed my ability to perform to my potential. Then one day I discovered a timeless truth that gave me freedom.