For 30 years those words have been synonymous with the world
of Professional Wrestling. He has been the constant, in an ever-evolving cast
of characters sprung from the mind of Vince McMahon. The Undertaker made his
debut at the 1990 Survivor Series and from the first time that funeral dirge
hit, the wrestling world never looked back. As a child growing up in the 90’s
there were times where I was equally in awe and terrified of the man, he was
the personification of your worst nightmare come to life, and there was not a
man in the ring that didn’t look in fear as he slowly made his way to the ring.
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Wrestlemania In Tumultuous Times
We live in cynical times, during these times it can be
difficult to find the positive in a world so intent on pointing out the faults.
Today, I was supposed to be getting ready to join 70,000+ who would-be
jam-packing Raymond James Stadium for WrestleMania 36. It would be
inconceivable to think that despite the circumstances a small part of me is not disappointed,
and yet I am not so jaded as not to realize what the WWE has done this weekend. For
a few hours, they have done what they do best, they have given us a diversion
from the plight of the world and allowed us to suspend disbelief while they
play in the fictional world of Vince McMahons’ imagination.
WrestleMania 36 is unique from just about any that you
can think of, and yet it does not deserve the disparagement it is receiving, the
world over. These superstars are doing the only thing they are capable of doing,
entertaining. The matches may be different, and there certainly will be no pop
from the masses, and yet they are putting their heart and soul into this show.
For those performing in there first, there is no disillusionment, it is not the same, however they are reaching the pinnacle of a career for which they
have trained for most of their lives. For those who are veterans of the “grandest
stage”, it is an opportunity once again to show that they belong in the showcase
of the immortals.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Onward and Upward
Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.
- Bo Jackson
Fear can either defeat you, or be the greatest motivating force in your life. Two years ago, I crossed a start line knowing in my heart that I would cross the finish line. Seventeen miles into that endeavor I would twist my ankle and suffer from Plantar Fasciitis. It was a difficult pain to endure, and yet not as difficult as the pain of seeing my finish line from aboard a bus. Fast forward 2 years, and today I found myself once again facing the idea of the start line for the 2018 Disney Full Marathon.
- Bo Jackson
Fear can either defeat you, or be the greatest motivating force in your life. Two years ago, I crossed a start line knowing in my heart that I would cross the finish line. Seventeen miles into that endeavor I would twist my ankle and suffer from Plantar Fasciitis. It was a difficult pain to endure, and yet not as difficult as the pain of seeing my finish line from aboard a bus. Fast forward 2 years, and today I found myself once again facing the idea of the start line for the 2018 Disney Full Marathon.
Nerves consumed
me as I filled out the application, and hesitation came when it was time to
push the button that would reveal a page that said congratulations you have
been registered. Now comes the part where everyone tells me how tough it is.
Now comes the part where everyone says wow you are crazy. But more importantly,
now comes the time when I tell you what I have faced in the last two years and
what will get me ready to see the fireworks at the start line.
Many of you know
that in 2011 I decided that I was going to take on the challenge of running a
half marathon. I never intended to do anything but finish, just so that I can
say to myself that I did it. It was one of the most important challenges I had
given myself up to that point. It was me against myself in a battle of will.
Fast forward to 2017 and I am getting ready to suit up for my 7th
Half Marathon.
As if running
wasn’t challenge enough, I decided to motivate myself by raising funds for Give
Kids the World. I wasn’t sure how much we would raise or if anyone would even
respond. Today I write this having raised over $7,500 in the last 7 years. It
is a cause that has become dear to me and everyone who has followed my journey
through the years. The drive and desire I have seen from those kids, shows that
the human spirit can triumph over the greatest of foes, as long as you are
willing to fight the fight.
I have never
been the model of physical fitness, I was always the chubby kid who was content
to be a sports enthusiast as opposed to an athlete. As a grown man of 34, I now
realize that I must set an example for my son, so that he realizes that
anything can happen if you put in the work. I write this to you as a full time
employee, part time student, and most importantly a full time dad. It is up to me
how long I can be there for my family and that begins with making sure that I
am in good health. For this reason I have dedicated myself to lose weight this
year, as I train for this race, and get in possibly the best shape of my life.
I am committing to
writing a blog as I go through this journey in case anyone is interested in
following. I will do my best to keep you up to date with how my weight loss,
training, and just about every other aspect of my life is doing. I hope that
this journey will be cathartic for me, and I look forward to having you along
for the ride. All of this has been a verbose way of saying that I am taking on
the 2018 Disney Full Marathon, and this time, the finish line and I will meet!
If you have a
dream, a passion, or anything that you have been wanting to do, don’t wait!
Take the steps to make your dreams a reality, and if there is anything I can do
to help, let me know. Follow along as I
become the best version of myself that I can be.
Onward and Upward,
Mike
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