This week's Pep Talk: "Dare to Dream"

Whenever blessed to present a Pep Talk to others we always discuss the importance of putting fear aside and allowing wonderment to win in trying like heck to play like a champion - home, work and elsewhere.

It’s just my belief that ability - wonderment prevailing against fear - is a critical foundational element to success in life. Our journey rarely goes as planned; we get knocked down; the path takes a detour of a mental, physical or financial aspect and we’re challenged to keep moving forward limited only by imagination, not fear, in creating productive choices to the challenges we face.

Perhaps, in short, what I’m trying to say is this: we gotta, despite life’s challenges, always dare to dream. For many years I have had a dream. With one particular buddy its been prayed about endlessly. With great joy I inform you, God answers prayers.

First, some background. Ever since beginning to speak professionally about turning life’s lemons - heck with lemonade - into sweet and savory margaritas, upon concluding the message, often someone would approach me and suggest, “Mac, you outta be a preacher!” I must admit to being inspired by the wonderful men and women who have made that suggestion but usually quickly dismissed the thought for two reasons: I can’t afford to go back to school at my age with two deserved children needing my emotional, physical and financial support and honestly, the idea of having to constantly work weekends was not appealing.

So the dream had been kept alive mainly by prayer until another buddy recently suggested, “Mac, it’s time for some faith-based sports talk in this town.” Well, that thought - thanks to many but especially LeRoy, Scotty and Beth - began a domino-type reaction leading to this: Pep Talk with Mark McIntosh: A Daily Dose of Faith, Life and Sports.”

Each weekday afternoon at 4:30PM MST, for 15 minutes on KLTT Radio, www.670kltt.com, I will be blessed to host a show encouraging listeners to play like champions in ways that honor a higher power of goodwill - for me that’s God - nurture those dependent upon us and add value to the communities we serve.

There will be interviews with remarkable athletes, coaches and other sports personalities. They will share their faith, life and sports. We hope the conversations inspire you and others. Listeners will also be encouraged to unite with others, talk about faith and then put that faith into healthy and productive action.

A non-profit organization, The FLS (Faith, Life & Sports) Foundation will be the cornerstone of this ministry. Information on how to support our mission will be announced shortly.

There you have it. God answers prayers. Dreams do come true. Don’t give up on yours because, when you least expect, they just might manifest into reality - dare to dream.