A follower once asked me if I’d always been athletic. My initial response was yes, but the truth was no.
I was active growing up. I remember playing outside all the time, riding my bike, playing in the dirt with GI Joe or Hot Wheels. But didn’t play organized sports until I was eight years old.
The first sport I played was baseball. My grandfather was so happy. He was a minor league player in the 1930’s, so it was his chance to relive his playing days through me. Unfortunately, I was horrible. No really… My batting average was .000, but I did lead the team in walks. I played two more seasons and improved slightly. After the first year, I lacked confidence at the plate and was always stuck in the outfield because I didn’t have the coordination to play anywhere else. So ended my baseball career.
I loved football would be my sport, so I “tried out” for my 5th grade CYO team. I quickly learned that being slight of build and not particularly fast wasn’t a recipe for success. I did not see the field the entire season, which was ironic given the league I was playing in. That season made me resentful and put on my shoulder about playing football. I just wanted to be good at something.
Around the same time, I was getting into BMX bikes and skateboarding. Both were just starting to gain popularity in the Midwest, and I loved them. I felt free when I was on my bike or skateboard. They were my main means of transportation but I also enjoyed the physical and mental challenge of trying to do tricks was a physical and mental challenge. I never competed but it’s where I developed coordination, strength, and confidence.
I decided I wanted to try different sports. So, in 6th Grade I decided to try soccer in a local recreational league. It’s funny to think about how soccer was viewed back then. I ended up being stuck in goal because I didn’t have good coordination or foot skills with the ball. But my aggressive nature, perhaps from playing football, allowed me to excel as a goalkeeper. After a season in rec league, I was asked to try-out for the local travel team and made it.
It was the first time I considered myself an athlete and when my fitness journey began.
Fitness Lifestyle 