Unleashing the Warrior Within: How Enduring Hell Elevates Hockey Players
Fifteen years ago, as a hockey player, I found myself yearning to leave behind the security of a regular job, abandon the benefits that came with it, and dive headfirst into the realm of entrepreneurship. Throughout this journey, I faced countless frustrations and doubts from those around me, especially fellow hockey players. Conversations were riddled with questions like:
What do you think you're doing?
Have you really thought this through?
Don't you worry about your family and financial responsibilities?
The intensity of these conversations even led to a heart-wrenching moment when I made my own mother shed tears. It was a difficult experience, as no one wants to be the cause of their mother's sorrow due to perceived risky choices.
Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
However, despite the challenges, I pressed on. I took a leap of faith, leaving behind the comforts of a predictable life. It was simultaneously terrifying and invigorating, filled with both incredible highs and devastating lows. Understandably, my decision to embark on this entrepreneurial path was met with disapproval from my parents, friends, and people in my other social circles. They labeled me as selfish, stubborn, and, worst of all, foolish.
Such is life. You can not please everyone, and ultimately, you must trust your own instincts. Fortunately, the risks I took and the sacrifices I made paid off in the end. Today, I am the proud owner of a successful company that collaborates with some of the most respected brands in the industry.
Be Willing to Endure Hell for What You Love
Now, why am I sharing this with you, my fellow hockey players? It is because I understand what it means to endure hardship for something you deeply value. Believe me, it felt like hell in the beginning. Relying on credit cards to get by, uncertain about when the next project would come through, and causing my mother pain—it was an agonizing experience. Yet, it was all worth it in the end.
Winston Churchill once famously remarked, "Success is going from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." This holds true for hockey players who are seen as achievers by societal standards. Every athlete in the NHL had to make a sacrifice at some point in their athletic career. They have also encountered numerous failures, and it is through these failures that they have gained wisdom, resilience, and self-assurance. These are the players who continuously rise, ready to face each challenge head-on. They possess unwavering character and unyielding perseverance, qualities of a gritty competitor.
Grit + Consistency Wins
As a gritty competitor myself, I am captivated by the concept of grit. It is both fascinating and awe-inspiring to witness individuals who embody true grit. They toil relentlessly, accomplish more, and become the difference-makers we all admire.
However, developing grit is not an overnight phenomenon, nor is it a secret formula. If it were, we would all be hustling, achieving financial success, and living our dreams. Grit is a far more complex endeavor—a process infused with passion. It is better described as a lifestyle rather than a destination. The most remarkable people I have encountered embrace this reality.
While others are spending their evenings at bars, these individuals are grinding it out in their offices, in the gym, or the arena. While others luxuriate in their leisurely mornings, they are up early, working on themselves. They are diligently building their physical and mental fitness while others indulge in TV marathons.
These remarkable individuals understand a simple formula: Consistency + Grit = Success.
Final Thoughts
The best hockey players are willing to endure hell and they are gritty masters of consistency. They are predictable, habitual, and willingly embrace seemingly monotonous lives in order to achieve something extraordinary. And as hockey players, adopting this winning formula can lead to remarkable success on and off the ice.
