When does the intellectual cycle go awry? Similarly, when does the physical cycle go awry?
Remember when both or one of them changed in your life? I remember when I was five years old, I wanted to attend Harvard University - I did end up living near it as an adult - but I never attended the school as a student. I never even applied. Frankly, my major was and still is not offered at Harvard (although I did enter college as an engineering student).
Today, I could attend and think I have the ability to attend a top-notch school like Harvard. As an undergrad, I did end up receiving my degree from one of the best kinesiology programs in the nation at Penn State University - so, a good school was still in the works; plus Harvard does not have Kinesiology. Yet, I do not recall what year or at what point in my academic development where Harvard became less attractive. Was it loss of desire, loss of focus, loss of hope, or even loss of belief to think that I could attend an Ivy League school?
I wanted to attend Stanford when I was seven years old.
At some point in high school, I wanted to attend a college that had engineering and ice hockey. When I started playing ice hockey at age ten, playing professional ice hockey did not cross my mind. I pretty much taught myself the intricacies of ice hockey. I mostly played at the Tier II level. Why? Early in my career, I said that I did not feel like I could make or even wanted to try out for the Tier I level, which was represented by the Washington Little Capitals as the go-to team. I got cut when I tried out for them after my junior year of high school. When I look back on the situation, no one in my hockey world ever encouraged me to try out for the Little Caps. The player development, in my opinion, was not that strong. That fear was worthless. It held me back. Playing at the Tier I level was not experienced until my senior year of high school with the Baltimore Junior Bandits - there is a story behind it, which I may link to this post in a future post. It was not until college that I even thought about the professional ranks. Basically, by that time, it seemed too late. My skills were not up to par. Instead, I started coaching at twenty years of age - now the desire to coach at high levels is very present.
As a young child, adolescent, and adult, I have always stayed active - the physical aspect is on point. Organized sports, recreational sports, and general play have engineered a sound physical lifestyle for me.
My love for movement pushed me to major in Kinesiology. Putting it all together, I know that I can train professional athletes, elite athletes, and can converse with the most intellectual individuals.
Where did it change?
My thought process changed in high school. Actually, it might have changed before high school. Experiences happened that knocked me off that Harvard trail or even the pro athlete path. It is not a bad thing. I mention this experience because all of us can reflect on pivotal times in our lives where good decisions were made and where different decisions were made that put us where and how we live now.
When did change for you?
When did you stop playing sports, keeping in shape, recreational play? Working out?
When did you stop pursuing high levels of education, pursuit of that advanced degree, pursuit of that professional degree?
You know the phrases:
"I used to be in shape when I ran track and played volleyball in high school. I was 40lbs lighter."
"I have not ridden a bike since I was a kid."
"I never learned to swim."
Physically, intellect prevails. Intellectually, physicality prevails. They are many links between them as well. There is not a need to feel bad when certain past goals are not accomplished. Press on! Make the choice to motivate yourself! It is easy to put yourself down. It is a challenge to engage in success in to invest in yourself then pass it on to others!
With heart,
Derek
Derek Arledge, MS, CSCS www.teempt.com TEEM Performance Training, LLC
