“The Journey”

I have been lucky enough to have won quite a few championships in two sports over these past 30 years or so [the harder I trained, the luckier I got]. when I think back on those days I have the fondest memories, it was a great period in my life that that defined who I was, what I was made of and what I could accomplish with little talent and tons of heart. But I also noticed that a lot of my memories are of my days, afternoons and late nights alone in the gym putting together the game plan to win those championships. I started thinking that the actual day that I won those titles seemed to be over in a flash! This got me to thinking about how I took the gym time, table time in the garage, working on ready go’s for hours for granted. Yet without all those hours toiling away in obscurity all alone, is what made the championships possible. I think we let the cheers of a sellout crowd an audience full of family and friends go to our head and we think that WOW this is what it’s all about. WRONG!

My championships were won in a little basement gym with no windows [just a cage over where the glass should've been] 115 degrees in the summer 35/40 degrees in the winter. Where the talcum was so thick in the air it almost scarred your lungs. Where the only music being piped in was the music the loose rattling dumbbells made with every curl or wrist curl. Where the benches were more duct tape then padding. Where the ceiling was the upstairs plumbing pipes that leaked right next to the exposed electrical wires. Where you gave the roaches and rodents names, HELL they were the only ones down there with you on a steaming or freezing friday night while all your buddies were at the bar themselves training for the big day. Where the lights were so dim you couldn’t see the number on the dumbbells, you only knew how heavy it was by picking it up. YES! my fellow athletes, never forget, it’s all those lonely days and nights is where the tournament or games is won or lost, the day of the event is only for family, friends and fans to yell and scream and see you get your trophy!  That day is over in a flash, it’s the JOURNEY that will live in your heart forever. I have a favorite quote given to me many years ago:    

When my days not going so good I always go and watch the stonecutter…

I watch him hammer away at his stone, maybe a 100 whacks without even a crack…

Then on the 101st whack a big chunk falls off, and its then that I realize it wasn’t that hit from his hammer that broke the stone, but the many before it.

Till next time, train hard, train smart, win championships. And enjoy the Journey

Visit Jay’s site at:   www.jaylyttle.com

Tags: "The TAO of JAYSTER" by Jay Lyttle, armwrestling, Jay Lyttle, The Journey