Olympic Lies and Bad Advice From Beijing

If you are a C0ach, Trainer, Athlete or Parent, I promise this post will either give you a fresh perspective or anger and maybe enrage you.

OK,here goes.

A fascinating thing happened to me during this Olympics. At first, I wasn't going to watch. You know...China...human rights...etc.

But then I realized that wasn't the problem.The problem is the lesson being taught to young athletes, parents and coaches.

It started during the Opening Ceremonies. Awesome to watch, and fun to see all the lesser known countries enjoy their moment in the "glow."

Then the "lie" started being perpetrated.

"It's the Struggle, Not the Triumph."

A great T.V "bite." Majestic, powerful. Complete garbage.

Athlete after athlete looked in the camera and lied to our kids, and gave our c0aches permission to destroy them.That's right. Destroy them.

Right now, Coaches, Trainers and even Parents are reinforcing a disturbing message to participants in youth sports...It's all about hard work.

Blood, Sweat and Tears.

The "product" matters more than the process.

The hazard here is that most Coaches, Trainers and Parents act like their young athletes are elite...and end up saying things like:

"You have to work harder, Jimmy."

"No pain, no gain, Suzy."

"If you're not sore the next day, you're not working hard enough."

Or my favorite: "You heard what Michael Phelps said...You'll never make the Olympics if you don't sacrifice and push yourself!"

With due respect to Coaches and Trainers, as well as Parents, that approach is a complete crap!

For our kids and the sports they LOVE TO PLAY, it isn't about"the Struggle." And it's not about the destination.

It is about the journey. The path. It's about the process of how they get from A-Z. It's about their integrity, the lessons and about the j0y they shouldbe getting out of playing, and preparing to play, sports.

When did it become ok in America for 12 year olds to put in 28 hours a week preparing to play an All-Star Game?

Isn't being picked for a team like that supposed to be an honor?

We've developed a youth sports culture that says it's ok for us to "work kids hard every day" and beat the living crap out of them without having a real, working developmental system in place.

It's not. Period.

In fact, it's the main reason so many of our kids are getting hurt, dropping out of sports altogether. and completely disengaging from physical activity.

We've forgotten that sports are for all kids, but not all kids will,or want to, become "elite."

That destination is for the few.

The fun and appreciation for the journey of playing is for all kids.

Forgetting this is the worst sin we can commit as a s0ciety.

I won'tdo it. All-Star Sports Academy won't do it.

And I will risk the ire of Coaches, Trainers and Parents who will. You are killing the will, the joy and the physical life of our kids.

And the "Olympic Spirit" is aiding and abetting it. Right now, as you read this.

Try this on for a "guiding principle" in coaching our kids: "It's not the Destination. It's the Journey."

Words to live by.

Words to Coach by.

We can kill our kids by focusing on the Destination, the Product, or we can enrich their lives and help them grow into better athletes and better people.

If you choose the former, please stop working with our kids. Thank you.

If you disagree, or if you think I'm right on, leave a comment and let me know.

When you're ready to make your j0urney great, All-Star Sports Academy is ready.