I am enjoying the olympics. It is inspiring to watch others reach for greatness. I always find the stories of those who are giving their life to pursue an audacious goal so encouraging. My own desire to reach for greatness is always increased during Olympic season.

The Champion

This week, we witnessed a remarkable story in the world of Snow Boarding. America’s Shaun White successfully defended his crown as the reigning Gold Medalist. The fact that he is a double Gold Medal winner, in and of itself, is a significant accomplishment, but Shaun showed us the difference between a winner and a champion.

Snow boarders are allowed two attempts on the course. The competition allows them to throw out the lower of the two scores. At the end of the first round, Shaun was comfortably leading the pack. He was the last to compete at the end of the second round. When his turn came around, he was still in first place. This meant, that he could literally forfeit his final turn and be the winner of the Gold Medal.

But that is not how Champions do it. Not only did Shaun take his turn, but he chose to board even more aggressively than he did in his first round and introduced us to the future of his sport. He made massive meaning out of a meaningless second round. He chose to stretch himself to a new level, when all he had to do was slowly slide down the hill. For him, it was not enough to win, he wanted to show the world why he is a champion.

The Champion In Me

I must admit that I felt a lot of emotion as I watched this reach for greatness. I would have understood if he chose to avoid the risk of injuring himself. As he soared high above the half-pipe I look inside myself and saw myself soaring in my own pursuits.

I knew as I watched, that if I want to be a champion, I must be willing to raise it up a notch, even after I have realized the victory. Winning, is simply a mark of previous accomplishments. The challenge to become demands that we set new marks every single day.

Are you a winner or a champion?

Are you resting on a success plateau or climbing a new peak?

Do your efforts inspire those around you to raise their own bar?

It is easy to be satisfied with the victories we achieve. Successful people understand that the successes of today are merely the benchmarks for the successes of tomorrow. They are willing to reach for more, even when the rest of the world is so far behind. Shaun White actually won the Gold and the Silver medal. Thank you Shaun for showing us what a champion snow boarder looks like.

Live Today! Love Today!

Andrew Thorn

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