Strength, Weakness, Dedication. 

Three simple words that define a human being, both mentally and internally. Why? It's what you've got deep down inside that shows.

    Everyday is another chance to climb to success. The question is, how will you get there? I'll tell you one thing, you sure as hell won't do it by sleeping in or lowering your standards. Take it in an aspect of, "If I don't drag my ass out of bed, someone's gonna take my spot". That spot can be anything from football, work, or just life in a general aspect. The thing is, you have to differentiate someone taking your spot, as to taking someone else's. Every rep, every minute, every chance matters, so take it like it truly counts. Don't wuss out just because you are afraid of something, get the job done or else you never will. There comes a later time in life for work ethic, but you need to build it now. It is called Preparation. Here at my high school, we practice four times a week for football (not including weight room sessions), just to play one game. Sounds crazy right? Thursday or Friday night lights is where Preparation reflects on who you are as a team, your accountability for one another. Preparation is only the first phase, you have a million other things to focus on. Are you going to let yourself skip a rep, or give up, just because you are tired? Hell no. I had to tell a friend in the weight room to get his stuff together after he was acting like a total drama queen because we had to do another whole set of lifts, saying he could not do it. Did he end up finishing strong? Damn right. Would he have held himself to high standards if I was not there? Probably not. Tying back to what was said in the beginning, every rep matters. I SMILE when we have another set to do, because it is another opportunity to get better, have another stream of sweat run down your face.  You see yourself winning, but others do not want to see you winning. For example, I've got a friend who tries to bring me down, because he knows I am coming to take his spot. I am working harder, more, and better than him. USE those people as motivation, keep pushing no matter what. Don't show weakness, that only makes you look worse. Don't let the coaches see you struggle on a rep, get that bar up so fast that it looks like lightweight, show some strength for once. Dedication plays a role in everything in your life. I AM dedicated as a football player, to my team, to myself, and to my academic's. I am a straight A's student because I come to school with the dedication for my life in the future and getting into a good college. I don't really want to get up at 6:30 every morning to lift with the JV and Varsity players, considering it is not mandatory for us freshman. I do it for the team, myself, and my future. What are you going to do?

I work my ass off everyday in that weight room, it is grind season, so get after it.