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Do You Play With A Chip On Your Shoulder??? How to play from a state of purity

Do you play with a chip on your shoulder???

If so, …

I don’t recommend it.

Instead, I recommend an alternative approach.

Today, we are going to talk about what that approach is and how it can help you not only in your game, but how it can also help you as an Athlete for the Larger Game of Life.

Remove the Chip Off Your Shoulder

Growing up, I was always told I should play with a chip on my shoulder.

I was told this by:

• My coaches
• Society at large
• People all around me

And I had many chips I could have carried on my shoulders.

Growing up, I had a mysterious medical condition that kept me from growing and developing.

As a result, I was always the smallest …

And was commonly overlooked by many athletes and coaches.

At first, I used this as an opportunity to play with a chip on my shoulder.

And although it helped me to initially become more aggressive, …

I didn’t feel right inside:

• I was constantly angry
• I didn’t feel like myself
• I wasn’t playing like I knew I could

And it wasn’t until I released the chip from my shoulders …

And returned to a state of purity …

That I started to feel and perform like I knew I could.

Purity for my love of the game and …

Purity for who I was as an individual.

I started to feel free inside.

I played out of joy for the game.

As a result:

• I started to get noticed by more people
• More opportunities came my way
• I performed better than I had before

If you’ve been competing with a chip on your shoulder …

I encourage you to release that chip and return to a state of purity.

Purity for your love of the game and who you are as an individual.

Ironically, as you do this, it frees you up to perform at your highest potential.

The Same Is True in the Larger Game of Life

There will be times you get overlooked:

• A job won’t come your way
• You won’t get an opportunity you want

Rather than taking a chip on your shoulder, …

Use this as a call to return to a state of purity.

Purity for your love of your Craft and purity for who you are as an individual.

Ironically, as you do this:

• Opportunities will come your way
• People will like you more and be magnetized to you
• You will perform at your highest potential

I wish you well on your journey of releasing the chips from your shoulders and returning to a state of purity, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you.

Inspiring YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

You Are The Athlete, Life Is The Coach, Shut The Front Door And Play: How to be an Athlete in the Larger Game of Life

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You Are The Athlete, Life Is The Game, Shut The Front Door And Play: How to be an Athlete in the Larger Game of Life

"You are the Athlete.

Life is the Game.

Shut the Front Door ...

And PLAY!!!"

This statement came to me the other day during one of my internal development practices.

Today, we are going to talk about how this can help you in your sport,

But also how it can prepare you as an Athlete in the Larger Game of Life.

"You are the Athlete.

Life is the Game.

Shut the Front Door ...

And PLAY!!!"

What does that mean???

To make it easier to understand, substitute your sport for "Life."

This makes the phrase:

"You are the Athlete.

(Football, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, ...) is the Game.

Shut the Front Door ...

And PLAY!!!"

You Are The Athlete

This is an important first part.

You are the athlete.

Not the coach, the ATHLETE.

Many times, we try to carry out the responsibilities of a coach:

• We strategize
• We try to put teammates in different roles
• We try to come up with a game plan to win our games

However, this is what the coach is supposed to be doing.

When we put time, attention, and energy into trying to be the coach,

We take that time, attention, and energy away from what we should be doing as athletes, which is ...

Honing in our skills and abilities so we can execute the game plan in any situation.

Focusing on our role frees us up to be more potent athletes.

Shut The Front Door And Play

This is an important last part.

As athletes, we can easily get caught up in our heads, analyzing everything that's going on.

There is a time and a place to be in our heads analyzing, but when it's time for the game, we need to get out of our heads and into our bodies and into the moment, and play.

When you place all your focus on playing in the present moment, everything else seems to naturally fall into place and you end up playing at your highest potential.

The Same Is True In The Larger Game Of Life

You are the Athlete.

Many times, we try to be a higher-level coach:

• We try to be our parents
• We try to be our bosses
• We try to be a Higher Power organizing the events of life

However, when we spend time, attention, and energy trying to be this higher-level coach, we take that time, attention, and energy away from what we should be doing, which is ...

Honing in our skills and abilities so we can execute in whatever situation we are in.

Shut the Front Door and PLAY.

Many times, we are caught up in our heads analyzing everything that is going on.

Once again, there is a time and a place to be in the head, such as projecting future goals and reflecting on the past,

But many of us spend too much time in our heads.

See if you can get into your body and into the moment so you can play the Game of Life fully present and aware.

Notice when you do this how everything else seems to naturally fall into place.

I wish you well on your journey of taking ownership of being an Athlete in the Larger Game of Life, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you.

Inspiring YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

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Flow with Life: How to overcome overwhelming situations

Do some situations in your life feel overwhelming?

Today, we're going to talk about a technique that has worked for me to overcome these situations and how you can utilize it not only to help you in your game but to also help you become an athlete for the Larger Game of Life.

Overwhelming Situations In My Life 

Historically, this time of the year has been very challenging for my health.

As the weather starts to cool down, my body has started to shut down:

• My body gets completely cold and frigid
• My skin starts to dry out and crack all over
• I start to lose a ton of energy

Fighting Against

Originally, I fought against the changing seasons.

I continued to:

• Train intensely
• Remain as active as I was before
• Stick to the same recovery and sleep-wakes cycles

As a result, this only drove me deeper into the ground and worsened my symptoms.

Complete Surrender

Then, I allowed the changing seasons to completely wash over me.

I started to:

• Stop training altogether
• Reduce my activity drastically
• Stay in bed and rest for as long as possible

As a result, this only made me weak and feeble.

Flow

Recently, I’ve flowed with the changing seasons.

I closely monitor my:

• Training
• Activity
• Recovery

So I can give myself the right dose at the right time.

As a result, this has allowed me to become as healthy as I can be and more adaptable and aware of what's going on around me so that I can meet the needs of the moment.

Applying This To Your Game

This technique can help you in your game.

Sometimes you'll be going up against competitors that are overwhelming.

They may be:

• Bigger
• Faster
• Stronger

Rather than trying to overpower them and beat them at their own game (which will often lead to defeat) …

Or allowing them to walk all over you (which will also lead to defeat) …

Find a way to flow with their game.

Identify the weak points in their game and go after them.

This will free you up to become adaptable and highly attuned and aware of the situations at hand so you can be as competitive as you possibly can.

Applying This To The Larger Game of Life

The same is true in the larger game of life.

Life may give you situations that you feel are overwhelming.

Instead of trying to fight against them (which will generally drive you deeper into the ground) …

Or allowing them to completely wipe you out (which will leave you feeling dejected and defeated) …

Find a way to flow with the situations at hand.

See what you can learn from them.

Navigate the ebbs and flows so that you can become as successful as possible.

When you do this, you are able to meet the needs of the moment and give yourself and others the right dose at the right time to help you rise victorious and triumphant.

I wish you well on your journey of flowing with all the situations that life sends your way, and I send love, gratitude, peace, and blessings to you.

Inspiring YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

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Importance of Fall for Athletes: How to reap the rewards of your hard work

Today marks the first day of Fall.

A season many athletic enthusiasts think about weekends full of football and tailgating.

Today we are going to talk about:

How you can use the symbolism of Fall to not only help you in your game, but also to help you in the Larger Game of Life.

Fall is symbolic of:

• Harvest
• Gratitude/Appreciation
• Abundance

During Spring

You plant the seeds.

During Summer

You water, nurture, and grow the seeds.

During Fall

You reap the harvest.

You are rewarded for all the hard work you’ve put in to planting and growing the seeds.

You are grateful for the bounty you have.

You share the fruits of your labor with those around you.

The same is true in your sports.

There are seasons when you plant your seeds … when you plan your workouts and training.

There are seasons when you water, nurture, and grow your seeds … when you put in the time, effort, and energy in the weight room and on the field.

There are seasons when you reap the harvest.

You reap the rewards of all the hard work you’ve put in:

• You ball out
• You get buckets
• You win ball games

You are confident because of all the hard work you’ve put in and grateful for the opportunity to let it loose.

And from the overflow of your playing, you pour into the lives of those around you.

The same is true in the Larger Game of Life.

You will have a dream, a vision, a Purpose.

There will be seasons when you plan out how you can realistically pursue your Purpose.

There will be seasons when you actively go out pursuing your Purpose.

And there will be seasons when you get to take hold of your Purpose:

• You reap the rewards of all the time, attention, and energy you’ve put in
• You are confident in the work you’ve done and grateful for the opportunity to take hold of it
• You get to use the abundance of your platform to pour into the lives of those around you … to uplift, enhance, and inspire them

I wish you well on your journey of reaping the rewards of the hard work you’ve put in, and I look forward to seeing you next week.

Inspiring YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Are Opportunities Not Flowing Your Way??? How to stay READY for you MOMENT

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Are Opportunities Not Flowing Your Way??? How to stay READY for you MOMENT

Look …

Sometimes it feels like opportunities are just not flowing your way.

You feel like you’ve done everything you can do,

But the opportunities are still not coming to you.

And I understand …

These emotions can be (extremely???) challenging to deal with.

Which is why today we will talk about:

What you can do during these times to not only stay ready in your game, but how you can also stay ready in the Larger Game of Life.

I remember there was this one basketball game I was playing in …

It was a rivalry game and the biggest game of the season up to that point.

The stands were packed and I was ready to give it my all.

The beginning of the game went back and forth and was extremely fun to be apart of.

However, early in the second half, my coach took me out for a breather.

And in the heat of the moment …

He forgot to put me back in!

There I sat waiting on the sidelines to get back in …

But my opportunity was not coming to me.

I felt helpless, like there was nothing I could do.

I knew I was ready and prepared to get back into the game,

But all I could do was wait and cheer on my teammates.

Then, with about a minute left to go in the game, my coach called a timeout, remembered to get me back in the game, and drew up an out of bounds play.

And I got to go in and knock down a game-tying shot to send the game into overtime.

Although this was a special moment for me in my athletic career,

It more importantly developed me for the Larger Game of Life.

In life, there will be times when you feel ready for an opportunity.

There will be a:

• Dream
• Vision
• Calling

That you so greatly desire to have.

And you may do everything you can to prepare you for that opportunity:

• You plant the seeds
• You water the seeds
• You work the soil

But, for whatever reason …

The seeds aren’t yet growing.

During times like these …

Stay Ready …

Because there will be a time when Life will give you the opportunity.

In the meantime,

Cheer on your teammates and uplift those around you …

And Stay Hungry …

Because in the proper timing:

• During the heat of the moment
• When the game is on the line
• When it is time for you to come through in clutch situations

Life will call your number …

And you will execute and perform like you know how to do.

I wish you well on your journey of staying ready even when you are on the sidelines, and I look forward to seeing you next week.

Inspiring YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Stale Routine??? 4 Areas to implement into your routine to experience fulfillment in your body, mind, and soul

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Stale Routine??? 4 Areas to implement into your routine to experience fulfillment in your body, mind, and soul

It’s that time of year again when people are getting back into their routines:

• Summer is winding down
• Vacations are coming to an end
• School is starting back up
• Fall sports are beginning

Today we are going to talk about:

4 Areas to implement into your routine so you can experience fulfillment in your body, mind, and soul.

Quick Word

Don’t feel pressured to fit these in every day …

Simply add them in 4-6 days per week. The point is to feel a sense of upliftment and fulfillment in your life.

Sometimes we try to add in too much at once, which leaves us feeling depleted rather than vitalized.

The trick is to find that sweet balance where you feel uplifted without being bogged down.

And with that said, let’s get into it!!!

1. Your Craft

Your Craft is that thing that you absolutely love to do.

It’s what you find yourself daydreaming about and what you would do if there was only one thing you could be doing.

It’s what you cannot not do.

For many of you that are athletes, this may be your sport.

But it may be other activities such as:

• Playing a musical instrument
• Creating works of art
• Making content for the internet

Identify what your Craft is and make time to invest in it throughout your routine.

2. Your Physical Strength, Conditioning, and Fitness

Find ways to improve your physical strength, conditioning, and fitness.

Once again, as an athlete you’ll probably be in the weight room and on the playing field to cover this area.

But if not, find ways to implement this into your routine.

You can lift weights and do cardio if you want to …

But don’t force yourself to doing things that you don’t like to do because you think they are good for you …

Find ways to be creative to do physical activities that you enjoy doing:

• Go on a bike ride
• Take TRX bands to the park
• Play pick up sports

Find an activity that is enjoyable for you and that you can stick with, and implement it into your routine.

3. Your Mind

Train your mindset so you can carry yourself the way you want.

You can work on being cool, calm, and composed in pressure situations through visualization or meditation.

You can pray, journal, do written contemplation …

Find something that will help you to be in the mindset you desire, and implement it into your routine.

4. Your Lifestyle

Choose one new habit each week to help you become a better human being.

You can create a nutritional habit such as eating whole foods or removing gluten from your diet.

You can create a sleep habit such as getting to bed at a certain time or waking up earlier to do a morning routine.

Find a new habit each week that will improve you as a person, and implement it into your routine.

General Guidelines

4-6 Days Per Week:

• Invest in your Craft
• Improve your Physical Strength, Conditioning, and Fitness
• Train your Mind
• Create a new Lifestyle Habit

And if you need help with your routine, feel free to reach out to me for coaching so we can find the routine that works best for you.

I wish you well on your journey of finding the routine that will enable you to experience fulfillment in your body, mind, and soul, and I look forward to seeing you next week.

Inspiring YOU every step of your way,

Kyle

Become A Dynamic Athlete: The evolution of work ethic and how to evolve from a dreaming athlete, to a disciplined athlete, to a dynamic athlete

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Become A Dynamic Athlete: The evolution of work ethic and how to evolve from a dreaming athlete, to a disciplined athlete, to a dynamic athlete

A quality many desire to develop is …

A strong work ethic.

In the spirit of Labor Day weekend, we will talk about:

The evolution of work ethic and how you can evolve from being a dreaming athlete, to a disciplined athlete, and finally to a dynamic athlete.

Dreaming Athlete

They may desire to get better or achieve a certain goal, but …

They either don’t know how to get there …

Or …

They don’t have the energy or motivation to carry it through.

In my opinion, this is the category most people fall under:

• The basketball player that only plays HORSE or pick up when they feel like it
• The person who knows they need to gain muscle or lose weight but haven’t been in the gym before

Most often, these individuals need:

• Structure
• Coach/Guide
• Strategic/Systematic Program

Over time, with consistency, they will evolve to a …

Disciplined Athlete

They are hard workers:

• They embrace the grind
• They wake up and smell the routine
• They have a “no days off” mentality

Often, they are ambitious, but …

They have not been gifted with the genetic lottery.

So they feel like they have to do everything they can and leave no stone unturned so they can one day reach their aspirations.

If I’m being honest, this is the category I fell under for most of my athletic career.

I had a lofty vision of playing professional basketball, but didn’t have the size or athleticism to do it.

I buckled down on my training, became the hardest worker, and followed a strategic/systematic program where I was training 2-3 times per day and never deviated from it.

Although I did get better, it limited me in the long run.

Many times I severely overtrained myself …

And got injured or extremely sick and had to be taken out of sports to recover.

Most often, these individuals need:

• To let loose and freestyle
• Trust in themselves and in their intuition

Over time, with consistency, they will evolve to a …

Dynamic Athlete

They have the …

Freedom to adapt their training on a moment-by-moment basis:

• They can honestly look at their goals and where they’re currently at to understand what they need
• They can ramp up their training or put on the brakes to meet the needs of the moment
• They take full accountability of their training choices and full responsibility of the outcomes

This is like Kobe Bryant who chose not to have a trainer for most of his career and was a student of the game himself.

This is like Tom Brady who developed his own style of training focusing on mobility and pliability rather than the intense strength and conditioning most of his teammates were doing.

These individuals are so highly in tune that they know what they specifically need each and every moment to allow their full potential to unleash itself.

Take an honest look at what stage you are currently at and what you need.

And eventually you will evolve to the point where you too are so highly in tune that you know what you specifically need each and every moment to allow your full potential to unleash itself.

I wish you well on your journey of evolving from a dreaming athlete, to a disciplined athlete, and finally to a dynamic athlete, and I look forward to seeing you next week.

Inspiring YOU every step of your way,

Kyle