Saturday was my son Stephon’s tryout for baseball. Unfortunately, someone forgot to mention that to the weather because the temperature never reached above 41 degrees:(.
During tryouts, it was announced that any player can also tryout to be a pitcher. My wife and I encouraged him to tryout for pitcher. He was nervous, not confident, and didn’t want to do it because he’s never pitched before.
I’ll share with you what I shared with him.
When I was in the 7th grade, my mom pushed me to tryout for my basketball team. No way did I want any part of that!
List of excuses to her were:
-Didn’t know how to shoot
-Never played on a basketball team before
-Didn’t want to be made fun of
-The list goes on……..
Reluctantly, I went because my mom wouldn’t take no for an answer.
By the grace of God I made the team. I officially was the worst 7th grade basketball player of all time.
Something funny happened though, I fell in love with the sport.
Over time, I was able to earn all district honors in high school and continue to play in college.
My love for basketball led to me having a passion for fitness and bio-mechanics.
That resulted in me getting a masters degree in sports science.
In pursuing my masters degree, it opened the door for me to work for the U.S. Olympic Committee.
That opportunity led me to train under some of the best physical therapists and strength coaches in the world.
Fast forward to now, it’s allowed me to have my own training business that’s been able to transform countless number of busy adults lives over the past 9 years.
There are a host of other things that happened along the way, but I truly believe had I not stepped out of my comfort zone and tried out for the basketball team I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.
After sharing that story with Stephon he reluctantly said he’d try out:).
We practiced for a little bit before his pitching tryout on how to pitch.
Then his name was called and he pitched off the mound for the first time.
After his pitching tryout, he was beaming from ear to ear.
His level of confidence was sky high!
(Post tryout celebratory lunch:)
I have no idea where this step in life will lead him, but I do know it will make a profound impact on him growing into a more confident and stronger young man!
What step do you need to take out of your comfort zone that will help you reach your goals for 2019?
