Master the art of perseverance and discover the incredible stories of athletes who refused to quit in this inspiring episode of the Athlete 1 Podcast. Join our host, Ken Carpenter, as he shares life-changing insights and anecdotes from the world of sports.
From Mike Trout to Michael Jordan, these renowned athletes faced rejections and setbacks but chose to stay committed to their goals. Learn how they turned adversities into stepping stones for success and find motivation to push through challenges in your own life. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or simply in need of a dose of inspiration, this episode is a must-listen as Ken Carpenter brings to light the importance of attitude, effort, and being the best for the team.
Welcome to the athlete one podcast. Veteran high school baseball coach, ken Carpenter takes you into life's classroom as experienced through sports. Go behind the scenes with athletes and coaches as they share great stories, life lessons and ways to impact others.
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Is it easier to quit than to work harder to become the best possible player you can be In the world sports? There's a harsh reality that we must all face at some point the choice between quitting and working harder. It's a choice that's not always easy to make. You see, quitting is the path of least resistance. When things get tough the practices are growing and the competition is tougher than you may have thought it was going to be it's so tempting to throw in the towel. It's natural to want to escape the pressure. But here's the thing quitting might offer temporary relief, but it rarely leads to lasting satisfaction. On the other hand, working hard, striving to be a top performer, it's a different beast all together. It demands attitude and effort like nothing else. It requires a relentless belief in yourself, an unshakable commitment to your goals and willingness to put in the work each and every day. Attitude is everything in this journey. You have to embrace challenges and not run from them. You have to see obstacles and failures as opportunities to grow, not as barriers to your success. Your attitude shapes your perspective. It's what separates those who quit from those who rise to the top. It's not about being the best on the team. It's about being the best for the team. Effort effort's the currency of champions. It's not about being the most talented. It's about being the most dedicated. It's about showing up early and staying late, pushing yourself when nobody's watching, giving 110% when 100% would be enough. It's what transforms potential into performance.
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Working harder isn't always glamorous. It's tiring and it can be frustrating. You'll have setbacks, you'll encounter doubts and you'll question whether it's worth it, but let me assure you it is. When you choose to work harder, when you embrace the grind with the right attitude and unwavering effort, you become a force. You become a leader of role models, top performer on your team and the satisfaction it comes from knowing you gave it your all, knowing that you refused to quit, is a feeling like no other. Quitting may seem like an easier option, but it's a path that ultimately leads to regret. Working harder is the road to greatness. It's a path that transforms not only your performance but your character. It's the path that leads you to becoming one of the best players on your team.
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Just think if these great athletes would have walked away when they were either cut or told they were not good enough. The first one that jumps to mind is Mike Trout. Yes, he was cut. Mike Trout was told he was not good enough to make the USA national team. Everybody remembers Michael Jordan. They say he was cut from his high school team. He wasn't cut. He was told he was not good enough to be on diversity when he was a sophomore. Instead, he worked hard and got better on the JV team and turned in to the player that everybody knows today, mark Burley. He was cut from his high school baseball team. He had a career record of 198 and 152 in the major leagues, but he was cut during his high school career. Carmelo Anthony, he actually got cut from his high school team. Everybody remembers him for his prolific scoring and being a part of the USA team, but when he was in high school, his freshman year, the coach told him he was too short. Another player that was told he was too short was Lionel Messi. Messi was cut from his team at a young age at the age of 11, actually and he was cut due to his height. He only stands five foot seven, but he is clearly one of the best players all time in soccer.
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Charles Barkley was cut from the 1984 USA basketball team. This was before the Dream Team, but he was told by Bobby Knight his poor defense and lack of fitness is what kept him from being on that team in college. For the old school guys out there, bob Cousy 13-time All-Star and six-time NBA champion, and one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. This Hall of Famer was cut during his freshman year, forcing him to play in a rec league. After gaining experience, he was cut the following year during high school tryouts and was invited by the school's coach to play for the NBA After a breakout game in the same rec league during his sophomore year. And finally, oral Hershizer one of the greatest pitchers of the 1980s, he was cut by his college team, bowling Green State University. He eventually made the team his junior year and went on to play for the NBA. He made the team his junior year and went on to his historic career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Indians.
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Coaches don't always get it right when it comes to making cuts for a team, but sometimes you just didn't give your best effort at the time. Ultimately, it comes down to how you respond to your adversity. You have a choice. You can have a positive attitude and work and get better, or you can walk away. Thanks for listening to the Athlete One podcast and thanks to our sponsor, the Netting Professionals. Improving programs one facility at a time. Coaches, the time is now to get in and place your order with Will Minor and his team at the Netting Pros. You can contact them today at 844-620-2707. That's 844-620-2707, and tell them the Athlete One podcast sent you. Be sure to tune in next Wednesday for another new episode on the Athlete One podcast. I'm your host, ken Carpenter, and, as always, thanks for listening.