The one thing that you can't teach, coach or buy is...

HUSTLE. 

It is virtually impossible to teach, coach or buy this state of mind.  You show me someone who can, and I'll show an entire NBA team that has floor burns. But let's stay on track...Hustling whether in sports or in life is about a desire to want "it" more.  The "it" is defined by the individual who has that burning desire.  It burns soooo much that they will stop at nothing to attain it. 

As I watch the NBA playoffs, I can't help but notice some players get a "pass" for not hustling, while those that do virtually get overlooked.  This ultimately reminds me of the consummate hustler...Mark Madsen  (even though as a kid, Kurt Rambis was THAT hustler).

With all the talent in the NBA there is absolutely NO reason that Mark Madsen or Kurt Rambis should be employed...none.  But yet there they were.  Mark for over 9 years and Kurt 14.  Why?  How is it that two individuals who are limited physically can stay in a league this long when the average NBA career is 4.7 years?

HUSTLE

All it takes to succeed in life as well as sport is the desire to do what the next man/woman won't.  As the case with Mark and Kurt, they were willing to sacrifice their bodies for the greater good of the team.  In turn, the team rewarded them with a roster spot.  It's really that simple.  The desire to dive on the floor, grab rebounds, take charges, run back on defense and make their teammates better in practice manifested itself into long careers (by NBA standards).

This term of "hustling" also translates into the "real world".  If you're not willing to go the extra mile (doing what others won't do), then you should never be surprised when your results match your outcome.  It's really as simple as this, work your tail off, reap the benefits...simple.

Just remember, a little bit of hustle (no matter if you think they were scrubs or not) allowed two physically ungifted players to last longer in a sport than the average player...Just sayin'...

What does it take to complete a triathlon...

Well physically, I don't KNOW what it entails, I mean, I KNOW, but I've never had to do it myself.  I know (from watching and participating in its events individually on a recreational basis, but I digress...) from watching them on television and watching my good friend Chad B. Davis in real time complete one.  I know it is physically and mentally demanding and the only way to get through is to not give up.

Not giving up isn't necessarily a mental thing, but in my opinion more of a H.E.A.R.T thing.  Having enough attitude, resilience and toughness.  I've know Chad for over four years now and if anyone embraces these terms it's him...

I actually just got off the phone with him a couple of hours ago and he reminded me that he's participating in another Tri in Kansas City this weekend.  And that brought back a flood of memories of when he worked his tail off training for his very first one.

Chad is a great cyclist, awesome runner and was a decent swimmer (after the first Tri, he trained harder to bring his swim up).  With those components you would think that a Tri would be a piece of cake.  Well, you have to also realize that you are not only competing with others and the clock...you're also competing against yourself as well.

Prior to Chad's first Tri, he actually broke one of his toes...reread that...He BROKE one of his toes!  Do you know how painful it is to break a bone which the doctors can do absolutely NOTHING for you?  "Wrap it up, here's some Tylenol...".  Gee, thanks.  Well if you think a broken digit was going to stop him, you don't know how big his H.E.A.R.T is!

He continuously trained around his injury by devoting more time to his swim and cycling, while decreasing his time on his feet running.  He ate better, hydrated as best as he could and stayed the course of his training, all while working a full-time job which in my opinion is way more than full-time!

All of his hard work culminated in his participation and completion of his first Tri in Havre de Grace, MD.  I was really proud of him because I knew how hard he had to work to get to where he was at.  He overcame his swim, a broken toe and the terrible...terrible, Maryland humidity!  Below are some of the pictures from his first Tri and I look forward to seeing new pictures from his Tri this weekend in KC.  Go get'm Chad!  Show those three events just how big your H.E.A.R.T is!!!



Chris Polk

Chris Polk

      Like any other football junkie, I was enthralled with the NFL Draft.  Well, the Draft has come and gone and like every year, there are guys who were taken too high, too low, or didn't get selected at all.  A lot of people think that not being selected is a testament to how good they (the player in question) "thought" they were.  Others think it's an oversight on scouting.  I tend to think that most scouts, GM's, coaches and owners fall in love with "numbers" and not the PLAYER who's putting up those numbers.

     While yes, it is true that some guys put up gawdy numbers because of the system they played in and it's easy to fall in love with stats...Sometimes you have to actually LOOK at the stats and see HOW they were put up!  I was told in my college Stats class that there are 3 kind of lies...lies, damn lies and STATS.  Statistics tell part but not the entire story.  Behind every statistical gain, there is a player behind them.  Whether these stats are system generated, roster induced (lack of quality players behind the starter) or basic workings of the team (i.e. Nebraska under Tom Osborne), there is a player that has worked their tail off to achieve them (college football is really hard...)

     This brings me to Chris Polk.  I've watched this young man ball his H.E.A.R.T out for the University of Washington over the past 4 years (he Redshirted his Frosh year because of injury).  He carried the team in 2009 when Jake Locker was getting all the love in the Great NW.  Everybody knows that every great Quarterback NEEDS a running game.  Without a running game, the defense just "sits back" and waits on every pass.  Needless to say, when Jake was struggling in 2010, it was Polk who picked up the pieces and gained over 1,400 yards rushing on 260 carries (yeah, you read that right...260).

     In his final year at the University of Washington, the school once again leaned heavily on Chris until first year starter Keith Price got his feet wet.  If you don't believe me about Polk's contribution to the Program, check out his bio for yourself...-----> Chris Polk stats. 

     All of this, his leadership, playing through pain, getting very little recognition lead him to what...?  Not getting drafted?  Are you kidding me?  This guy played his ass off for 3 years!  But you know what?  That doesn't matter to Chris.  Chris now has an opportunity to play for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL and it's not his "Stats"that got him there...it was his H.E.A.R.T. 

     So the next time you think that stats prove a player belongs, or how many accolades he/she has gained or how many Twitter followers they (you) have.  You need to look into their eyes and analyze what's beating in the chest.  Because there is nothing worse than competing against someone who still thinks they have something to prove and has one big ass chip on their shoulder...