Athletes
Hope Solo Officially Named the Boldest Person of July 13, 2011
Project BE Bold solutes Hope Solo as the Boldest Person of the Day! Because of her supreme performance in today's World Cup Semifinal against France and her amazing work over the past couple of weeks, the US Soccer team is headed to the World Cup 2011 finals.
Hope Solo was born on July 30, 1981 in Richland, Washington where she was a stellar student and athlete. As result of her commitment to excellence, she helped lead Team USA to Gold in the 2008 Olympics and has since been noted by soccer experts as the best female goalie in the sport.
Solo overcame adversity when her father unexpectedly died of heart failure in 2007. A Vietnam Veteran, Jeffery was her first soccer coach when she was just five years old. She once told reporters that she had a "deep, deep love" for her father and was heartbroken when he passed away.
Solo's approach to life is the epitome of bold. Her philosophy is that true success is possible when one stays focused, keeps connected to goals each day, and lives in the present. Many are unaware that she underwent shoulder surgery in September of last year. As she works tirelessly to protect her team from loss, her shoulder aches - yet she doesn't complain. She stays in the zone.
"I've been prepared for this through heartaches, through personal struggles," Solo said. "This is what it's all about. It's about defying the odds for me. It's about proving people wrong. It's about playing the game I'm passionate about. This is what I live for. I've prepared my entire life for this moment."
Project BE Bold solutes Hope Solo and wishes her luck as Team USA goes into the World Cup Finals this coming Sunday at 11:45am PST/2pm EST.
- Project BE Bold
A Tribute to John Wooden
Yesterday, June 3rd 2010, John Wooden, 99, was hospitalized and he is reported in critical condition. Today I write to honor him and share the impact he has made on my life.
I was lucky enough to spend two summers in my early twenties coaching at a basketball camp in Huntington Beach that was closely associated with Mr. Wooden and met him a handful of times. His philosophy was one that left a definite imprint on my being. It was after listening to his life story and strategy for living a full and balanced life that I vowed I would attempt to live a bold life.
Here are some of the things that I heard him say that I'll never forget:
- "Make each day a masterpiece."
- "No snivilin!"
- "I don't understand why these basketball players need to wear such long bloomers these days!"
- "If you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
- "Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do."
- "It's doing the little things that make the big things happen."
- "You are only as good as your word."
- "Without a doubt, the slam dunk has made a negative impact on basketball." (Back when he lectured at the basketball camp at which I coached, he emphasized how basketball had become an ego driven sport...and he surmised that the slam dunk is less about team effort and more about personal gratification.)
- "There is no I in team."
- "Always, always be more worried about your character than your reputation. Always stand for what is right and just."
There are few men and women who have dared to be as bold as Mr. Wooden. He is an amazing man and mentor for all current generations and for those to come. With humiliy, hardwork and dedication to his players, he was able to lead UCLA to 10 national championships in 12 years.
Additionally, he has always been so very proud of his basketball players which include greats Walt Hazzard, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Jamaal Wilkes, Henry Bibbi, and 175 others.
Regardless of his success, I was always put at ease when he would walk into a room. His graceful and kind manner made me realize that you can be great at what you do, yet humble at all times.
I'd like to close with his Seven Point Creed that was given to him by his father Joshua upon graduating from grammar school:
- Be true to yourself.
- Make each day your masterpiece.
- Help others.
- Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
- Make friendship a fine art.
- Build a shelter against a rainy day.
- Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.
Thank you so much Coach for your guidance and strength! You have made a huge impact on my life!!
Coach's Website for more information on his life and bold philosophy: http://www.coachwooden.com
- Jen Engevik of Project BE Bold
The Next Kobe?
See this inspiring video about an 11-year-old boy who wants to become an NBA player. He is an amazing example of what it takes to reach our goals -- it's all about hard work!!! You can't become the next Kobe without focus and dedication ;-)
Go out and make it a bold day!!
- Team Project Be Bold
Danica Patrick & Going Bold!
If you are wondering what it takes to follow your dreams and succeed, be inspired by Indy 500 & Nascar racing star Danica Patrick.
Learn how she got her start in racing with the support of her parents and her will to succeed in the following ABC documentary:
Olympian Snowboarder Shaun White on Motivation - March 1, 2010
There is much we can learn from the amazing Olympians that have captivated us for the past couple of weeks. Many of us watched with wide-eyes, wishing that we could only possess the discipline and passion it takes to accomplish such a feat as winning a gold medal... or becoming a company leader or owner, an innovator, an official dream follower...
Gold medal winning US snowboarder Shaun White shares what motivates him in a recent interview on askmen.com. He may appear goofy and all smiles when in the public eye, but it is this 23-year-old's ability to throw his heart and soul into his work, when very few are watching, that allows him the personal permission to beam:
"If I’m learning a new trick I get up because I want to learn it, and get through the frustration. It’s like if my whole day is wrapped around one trick and if I haven’t landed it by the time I leave, my whole day is shot. My whole day has got a big cloud over it and I’m just pissed.
But if I go out and stick that trick, everything is that much brighter. Even food tastes better. Everybody talks about these sports in terms of fun, but you can only have so much fun in a certain sense. It’s fun, but it’s also fulfilling to have a victorious day.
That’s what it’s like, but it’s on your terms. You don’t have to wait for the boss to give you the big corner office. You just go out there and earn it."
White's words provide THE blueprint for what it takes for you and me to live our dreams.
It takes pouring ourselves into
all that we do. It means living and breathing what we love. Hard work breathes life into our souls and allows for us to sleep well at night.
Now, we dare you to go now and live your life like an Olympian!! Don't sit on the sidelines and watch.
- Team Project Be Bold
Click here for the full Shaun White interview on Askmen.com
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