Pep Talk: "Up Periscope!"

“My mom passed away just about an hour ago.”

It was an awkward start to the conversation. You could see the wince in his eyes. “Would you like to reschedule?” was the first thing blurted from my brain. “No. There’s nothing I can do at this point. Might as well work.”

After a prayer for his family and some talk about data storage on the Cloud, we ended up talking a lot about life. “I wanted to join the Navy and become a nuclear technician.”

My eyes widened. “You wanted to serve on a submarine?”

I’ve always been fascinated with submarines, but would dread being underwater for so darn long. “How long do those folks stay submerged?” was my next question. “Days? Weeks? Months?” Too claustrophobic for a newfound devotee of the Food Channel. Darling fiancée has me hooked on the show “Chopped.” Ever seen it? Anyway, back to the story, from the big grin on his face you could tell he’d have no problem staying underwater longer than Moby Dick. Unfortunately, life got in the way of his best laid plans.

“Ramming my car into a concrete pillar at 70 miles an hour ended that dream,” he said. A horrific car accident just a few weeks from the storyteller’s high school graduation - fell asleep at the wheel - required six months of recovery. It also left physical scars. A military career was no longer an option.

We continued to talk about submarines. “What attracted you to living under water?” was my next offering. “All those Navy movies I watched growing up.” Apparently being submerged for lengthy periods of time, no pun intended, really floats his boat.

The events of life can submerge us every once in a while, right? As our conversation continued I learned this computer whiz is a single parent with two autistic and non-verbal children who communicate through gestures. Wow. This dude’s experienced a lot: Accident. The unexpected challenges of child rearing. Divorce. Life defining moments that require us to dive deep within ourselves to muster the strength to carry on, despite the obstacles. This man was so impressive in how he has endured.

It ain’t easy for sure. You’ve all been there, too. It’s a fact of life. It’s a roller coaster.

But just like the submarine or whale, we must eventually surface. We can’t stay down there in the murky depths forever. Well, I guess we could, but we all know that’s not in our best interests. We would drown in despair.

Our conversation was wrapping up when something Mr. Submarine said triggered a remembrance of something muttered to me a while back. Another buddy and I were talking about the importance of confidence. Not cockiness. Not ego. Confidence. Defined as “a feeling of certainty, self-reliance and boldness.” Can you imagine? If we all could consistently exude certainty, self-reliance and boldness? Holy smokes, bartender, another round for everybody. Non-alcoholic if desired. It would be good to possess confidence according to that definition, right? Please say yes.

Anyway, back to the point. This other buddy, Billy Mac from Hackensack, said something about a month ago that just knocked my socks off. Now, a conversation that starting with a loved one’s passing, shifted to personal adversity, weaved through a little business, the importance of perseverance and submarines allowed the following statement to surface from cranium: “Confidence is a submerged quality that allows talents and gifts to surface and be utilized in unique and excellent ways.”

My mind races to the men enrolled in Victory Production’s “A Stronger Cord” project. We’re trying to deliver them to Denver’s labor force as fitness-minded, dependable and productive men. It starts with the workout and confidence - certainty, self-reliance and boldness - ASC’s platoon is a good place for them to grow stronger - mind, body and spirit.

Life will submerge us. Often. That much we know. It’s a question asked during each live Pep Talk presentation. “Anybody’s life gone exactly the way you planned?” In ten years of asking that question, maybe, one or twice, somebody has raised their hand. It’s rare, for sure. We are going to have those “What the hell is going on around here?” moments.

It happens. The big question becomes, “What happens next?” We must, eventually, look through the periscope. We gotta look around and have the guts to say, “Time to surface.” Breathe in the fresh air. Scan the horizon. Chart a new course.

Who was it? Thoreau? Didn’t he say, “Advance CONFIDENTLY in the direction of your dream? Live the life you imagine?” He’s right.

Up periscope!