Who do you believe in...?

We're told by most coaches that, sports are metaphors for life.  Every lesson you learn in sports can be translated into the adult world. 

I believe this to be true, but my issue is why then are parents encouraging their kids to aspire to be someone else?

When we see someone imitating another individual, our comments tend to be anything less than reassuring. 

If this is the case, why would you encourage your kids to look up to someone else when they can be taught at an early age (and its a great life lesson) that eventually, at some point, they will only have themselves to lean on.

Any sport I played, I KNEW that my favorite player wasn't able to help me...at all!  In all honesty my favorite player could have been a dirtbag.

Stop enabling your athlete and start building them up to be self reliant and efficient...

Seriously, think about that.

How much do you need...?

What is H.E.A.R.T? I define it as Having Enough Attitude Resilience & Toughness. Seems pretty straight forward. But the most important part of this definition is the "Enough" part.

What's enough for me may not be enough for you and vice versa. We all need to evaluate ourselves correctly and realize just what is enough for us.

Don't worry about anyone else, worry about you. Get through your day, game, practice, work schedule, homework, etc.

Be the best you can be. You do this by continuously moving forward and playing with H.E.A.R.T!

H.E.A.R.T Athletics is all about YOU....

When I came up with the acronym of H.E.A.R.T, is was an attempt to capture the essence of what I thought was important when it came down to the most basic components of sports.

H-ave
E-nough
A-ttitude
R-esilience
T-oughness

This not only sounded good to me, but it completely made sense.  When we watch watch any sporting event (even if we're too old to play and work in corporate America...) we see individuals who in a sense make us sick.  I'm NOT passing judgement, but we notice individuals who don't necessarily exude the same values we (me and you) have in life as in sports.

We see it every day (during a game or at work).  The player who reluctantly lays down a crappy bunt, refuses to take on a pulling guard, doesn't want to dive on the hardwood or chooses to leave the office early while the rest of the office works overtime to get ish done.

I knew since 2007 that I wanted to start my own business H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC to cater to those that possessed the same values that I have.  My company is about providing products to individuals who think (or want to) like I do and are tired of the same "cookie cutter" B.S. that is feed to them by BIG BUSINESS.

H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC is about YOU and how you feel about sports and life.  If you are tired of feeling under appreciated, unwanted and undervalued, you have to stop by the website and take a look around.

We provide clothing and products that put you at the focal point.  Our H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC Player Card makes your athlete feel like a Superstar with their very on shirt. 

On the front you have your very own picture, with a custom card design and on the back is everything about you to wear around town to show off YOUR accomplishments.  That's what we're about...YOU.

So stop by the FACEBOOK PAGE (and like us!) and follow us on TWITTER.  At the very least post this blog on your Facebook page and spread the word. 

Thank you!  My company would be NOTHING without you guys.

Reed vs. Hug Varsity Boys Hoops

January 10, 2012

I'm still trying to get a feel for High School hoops out here in Nevada.  Last week I went to see Douglas vs. Reed and came away impressed.  So my dude Nate (from Douglas H.S.) told me I should check out their game against Hug.  So to get a fair assessment on Hug, Reed and Douglas, I was fortunate enough to see Reed play Hug tonight.  For me, it's not all about wins and loses, it's about how hard and how much H.E.A.R.T you play with.  I don't care if you lose by 50, just don't give up, don't quit and never, ever think of a loss as a loss...it's a learning experience.

So I'm at the game shooting pictures H.E.A.R.T Athletics and I couldn't help myself actually watching more of the game than picture taking.  Here are a few of the players that stood out from this game from Hug and the dudes from Reed who cemented what I thought about them from the Douglas game last week.

The game had mad energy from the get go.  The Hug players before they even started to warm-up did the huddle thing and got the crowd GOING! *BLOGGER NOTE* I tried to up load the pictures from the game but for some reason blogger.com is being stubborn, you can see the Reed vs. Hug game photos on my business facebook page www.facebook.com/heartathleticsllc.com.  Moving on...

Hug Players



Andrew Johnson (PG) is a stud...period.  This kid can get any shot, anytime he wants.  He's at home controlling the tempo, driving the lane and playing D.  Without a doubt, I was thoroughly impressed.  He's not the biggest kid, but his H.E.A.R.T is huge.

Norris Dupree (SG) is the glue man.  He's quick, can create his own shot and hustles.  I actually sat in front of his Uncle and we chopped it up a little.  Also played with a lot of H.E.A.R.T.

Sam Williams (C) is a force in the middle.  Without a doubt he owned the paint tonight.  But I got to be honest.  Douglas has this kid Hunter Myers that's going to make Friday's game a true battle.

Reed Players

Jamel Ramos (PG) is a Freshman playing Varsity hoops...enough said.  He started off the game guarding Drew Johnson and held his own.  The kid hustles, plays D and can knock down the open jumper.  When he's a Senior he's going to own the Reno area (you heard it here first).

A.J. Silva (F) can knock down open shots, hustles and plays his ass off.  I've seen him twice and he definitely translates his football skills to the hardwood.  Big ol' H.E.A.R.T on this kid.

Ty Shepard (G) plays hard all game long, but I got to be honest...he's quick enough to get past his defender but looks to get others involved first.  At the end of the Hug game he was taking control by driving the lane and getting buckets....I just wished he had done it sooner.  Either or, the kid "gets it" and is team first.  Hard nosed player.

Overall it was a great game, some iffy officiating (but that's to be expected) and both teams played hard to the end.  I'm really starting to dig Reno hoops.  A lot of the kids here play with a ton of H.E.A.R.T and I can't wait to see this Hug vs. Douglass game!



Crunch Time

There are many sports cliche's that symbolize the serious nature of situations that have to be achieved in order to win.  Fourth quarter, crunch time, gut check, Mr. October, now or never, etc.  For me, today is my fourth quarter.  Tomorrow, September 30 at 9 am PST, the doors to H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC will be open to the public.  It's been a life long dream of mine to start my own business.  I've always had the entrepreneurial spirit in me and this what I was born to do.  As a sports junkie who watches any sport he can on television, it only made sense to start a company that tailors to athletes as well as motivate them at the same time.  So stop by tomorrow www.heartathleticsllc.com, take a look around and let me know what you think of the site.  I'm living my dream right now...and it's kinda cool.


John H. Harris II
Owner/CEO
H.E.A.R.T Athletics LLC