It takes a village. We hear this a lot, don’t we? But it really hits home as I watch the Olympic Games. Seeing the camera pan to the coaches, parents, and friends of these athletes—each one glued to their seats, hearts racing (did you catch them tracking Simone Biles’ dad’s heart rate during her routine? That was wild!)—you can see the nervousness, the pride, and the pure joy when their loved ones nail it. It’s like they’re all competing together!
This reminded me of my own crazy endurance sport phase over 15 years ago. Back then, I completed my first (and only!) Ironman. In the last few miles of the marathon, I found myself slogging through the darkness with another athlete. We kept each other motivated, and as we neared the finish line, he said, “You go first.” It was such a kind gesture that I still remember it vividly. We stayed in touch, mainly through social media. He had two young boys at the time, both under five. Fast forward to today, and one of those boys has grown up to become an accomplished diver, now representing his country in synchronized diving at the Olympics! I can’t help but wonder if he was inspired by his dad’s athletic feats and the incredible support system around him.
You never know who you’re inspiring. It truly takes a village—not just to raise kids, but to help them reach for the stars and chase their dreams. Just like in the Olympics, where behind every athlete, there’s a team of cheerleaders, mentors, and quiet supporters.
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
~Zig Ziglar
So, let’s keep cheering each other on, because you never know who’s watching and who might be inspired by your journey.