Heroes vs. Champions

Superheroes

This seems to be a summer that is ruled by heroes.  From Olympic athletes to political crusaders to Batman and Spiderman, they are everywhere we turn.  The trouble with admiring a hero and setting them upon such a high pedestal is that they all have a tragic flaw and they will inevitably let us down.  We recently learned that the Olympic athletes that we hold to such high standards and idolize have been engaging in heavy drinking and extreme sexual encounters while living in the Olympic Village.  And so many of those who fight for a political cause end up forgetting the principles of right and wrong and letting prejudice determine their actions or allowing fame and fortune to cloud their minds.  And while Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker may be superheroes when in uniform, they are essentially living a lie – they are taking justice into their own hands and allowing revenge to prevail. 

Rather than allowing outside influences and personalities to determine our ideal hero, I think it’s time we allow ourselves to be our own champion.  Webster’s dictionary defines the difference between heroes and champions.  A hero is “any person admired for courage or nobility; the central character in a novel or play”.  Webster defines a champion as “one who fights for a cause; defender; excelling all others; to defend or support”.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to look up to a character who may have a false sense of courage and may have deemed himself noble.  A hero typically exerts some kind of power, but as we all know, “power corrupts”.  Even Peter Parker himself stated, “with great power comes great responsibility”.  It seems that many of today’s heroes allow the power to go to their head and it ends up corrupting their actions.  So let’s take the responsibility upon ourselves to allow heroes to remain characters in a story.  Let’s focus on finding true champions who believe in and defend a cause and excel above all others.    

True Champions

The awesome thing about a champion is that they can be found all around us – even within ourselves.  I have the pleasure of knowing and coaching many young champions myself.  One in particular is nine years old and she is a true fighter.  This summer I have taught her to hit from the left side – she’s a right-hander who can hit, slap, and bunt from the left side.  Last week, she surprised herself at how well she did and did not want to stop – even giving herself blisters.  After softball she stays for my boot camp workout and hangs in there with women who are decades older than she.  A couple weeks ago one of the ladies told this girl that she was a rockstar.  The girl nonchalantly, without missing a beat, responded with “yeah, I get that a lot”.  Its kids like this that make me want to be a champion.  I want them to be able to look up to me and know that I will believe in them and defend them forever. 

Just like this kid, I am a champion for all of my clients.  I believe they can become healthy and live longer better lives.  I fight for them and with them, and I support them no matter what.  Along the way I show them they can be their own champion.  No matter your age or stage in life, I encourage you to avoid the hero hype and become your own champion.  In the meantime, I will be your personal champion and we will fight for your life and for your future and together we will win!  Go to http://www.coachdconsulting.com/Services.html to see all the ways I can help you and those you love.  Obesity is 100% preventable and you can be the champion in your own life!