Pep Talk: "Those Who Cross Our Paths"

This Pep Talk aspires to dispel the notion that motivation comes entirely from within. That’s there’s nothing, other than an individual’s personal will, that can encourage another to dig deep and persevere the challenges times. It’s my belief, and know it’s shared by Victory’s outstanding team of associates, that outside forces are at work too.

A personal example the recent Fight for Air climb in downtown Denver. It was a lousy day outside as Mother Nature abundantly dumping beautiful, and needed, snow on the Mile High City. But the eighth stair climb went on. Those who climb, for those who can’t, undeterred by the foot of snow falling from the sky. Determined to assist Executive Director Curt Huber and his team at the American Lung Association in Colorado’s noble mission of preventing lung disease and promoting lung health. 

Victory loves working with ALAC when it comes to marketing, morale and community connections. It’s certainly important to your correspondent who lost a father to lung cancer, has a darling girlfriend with asthma, many other friends with other lung ailments and, personally, has been blessed with excellent lungs. Like many others who endure the lung-searing climb of 56 floors and 1,098 steps, we believe it’s THE step in making a difference in supporting the organization’s mission.

In other words, it’s important.

Our team leader barked encouragement as we began the trek to the top. He goes by the name of Matt Hammel, head trainer at Kenetics Fitness Studio in Cherry Creek North. He’s an fitness animal, good guy and always has a goofy grin on his face. We get along well. Another team member named Matt quickly separated from the remaining three of us. Hammel had already run in the elite division and finished near the top. The former collegiate wide receiver, turned trainer extraordinaire, then circled back to offer encouragement, drill sergeant style.

The pace was set by the above mentioned dude with the great lungs. A fellow gym animal, Warren, and another Matt - we had three Matt’s on the team - marched dutifully behind. We were united. Our coach there to give us hope and confidence we could finish together and post a winning time. Teams can have an unlimited amount of members but only the top five times count for the team championship.

I was growing weary of setting the pace as we neared a spot about halfway to the top. “Anybody else want to lead?” No response, just heavy breathing. Three steps, three breaths. Three steps, three breaths. Using the handrails inside the Republic Bank building’s stairwell to pull our way to the destination. Legs and arms working in unison. At this point, one very rapid heart rate.

I kept thinking, why? It re-directed my focus from pain to purpose: For a father who left us too early because of lung cancer. For a darling girlfriend who will forever have my love, for a buddy’s wife who is battling lung disease big-time right now. Thoughts of those people were inspiring. I kept climbing for them! A quartet of coach and three knuckleheads continued to march. Quiet except for the sounds of labored breathing and Hammel’s exhortation to “Finish strong!”

By that time, the will to finish strong was not coming from me. It was coming from those who have crossed my path. A great mentor of a father, an incredible woman who is a terrific teammate in the game of life and the devoted wife of a friend. Now, as we neared the finished line, this simple dude from Missouri had shifted to third in the order and had Hammel’s exhortations ringing directly in my ear. Motivation was rising more abundantly within stairwell than snow falling outside it. It was arriving via people who have had a great influence, in a positive manner, on my life.

What about you? Where might there be opportunity to be that type of person for somebody else? Ya know, the type of person having a positive influence on those who cross your path? Where might there be a nice opportunity? Let’s start close to home. Spouse? Family member? How about the workplace? Maybe in a community-based situation as volunteer? The list is endless where we can try and be a positive influence - home, work and elsewhere. But we must act. I know, in this crazy hectic world in which we live, who has the time? Simple, not easy.

Let’s try like heck this week to be a positive influence wherever we roam. If nothing else, we’ll be better for the effort. Without question, when chasing dreams and goals there must be an internal fire for the quest but it sure helps to have others stoking it. Dad, Kathy, Lyndi and Matt helped an aging jock, the eldest team member, contribute to the team’s second place finish. Thank you!

Be that type of person this week for those who cross your path!