Hope

Guest blog from Jim "Smitty" Smith of the Diesel Crew.
--(http://www.dieselcrew.com/)

An open letter to all athletes from their coaches.

I remember the first time you walked into the weight room. So cocky and self-assured, it made me smile. I smiled at your child-like view of the world and your innocence. It is these qualities that I hoped would never be taken from you. It is also this view that I hoped to build upon and develop as you grew older.

You would learn the meaning of “no regrets” through years of consistency, hard work and pain. It was this pain that I witnessed with every set, every rep and every loss. It was this pain that I shared with you every step of the way.

Now, as you move on to fulfill your dreams, I have some words of hope for you.

I hope that you understand that the lessons you learned in the weight room and on the field represent life and its never-ending obstacles that you must overcome.

I hope you remember that one workout where you were broken and couldn’t continue…but you did.

I hope that you remember that feeling of winning when you were way behind because you kept fighting.

I hope you remember that no one will ever give you anything. If you want something you have to take it.

I hope you remember that mental toughness drives everything.

I hope you know that hard work beats skill.

I hope you never have to feel the worse pain; the pain of regret.

I hope you remember, “I Can, I Will”

I hope you remember every rep, every set and every laugh.

I hope you remember those workouts late at night when every one else was resting.

I hope you set your goals high and smash right through them to the next ones.

I hope you treat others with respect and give to others when no one is looking.

I hope you learned more from the losses than from the wins.

I hope that others will be as inspired by your actions as I have been.

Yes, training has changed you. Your cockiness has given way to confidence. Confidence is real and is built. Cockiness is fake and anyone can have it. You now know the difference.

Live your life with no regrets.

Your coach and friend,
Jim


-AR