Borrowed Poles
Speaking of greatness… two young men that I served as peak performance coach shared this incredible experience.
It was the day of the Olympic trials several years ago, the biggest competitive day of Scott Huffman’s life. His best friend Pat Manson, Scott’s former collegiate teammate, was also competing. On Pat’s first warm-up jump at the Olympic trials, his pole broke. He careened out of control through the vaulting pit, eventually ending up on the ground. After he dusted himself off and caught his breath, he took a look at his other back-up poles. A faint tire tread mark showed across them. It appeared that a baggage handler at the airport had accidentally run over his poles, compromising them all.
He was out of the competition, unless there was another vaulter who weighed about the same and had the same brand of poles and would be willing to share his pole with his competitor…
When the announcer came on the speaker later in the day, the audience had no idea what had transpired during the warm up. The announcer said, “If we can have your attention in the pole vault area, Pat Manson is preparing for his final attempt in the vault. If he makes it, he will be the final competitor to make the pole vaulting team for the Olympics.” Pat was using Scott’s pole! If he missed, Scott would receive the final spot on the team. It came down to this one jump on a borrowed pole.
Pat barely missed the attempt, and Scott earned the final spot. I share this story because of its significance to greatness. Scott displayed greatness by being willing to give away his ultimate sport dream so that Pat would have a chance at that same dream. He shared his pole. He cared more about his friend at that moment than about himself. Scott is the model of greatness—selfless exceptionalism.
And I need to add that Pat is also a man of greatness. He jumped over 18 feet for more than 20 years in a row. No man has or ever will accomplish that incredible feat. And he has selflessly mentored hundreds of young people in the vault and been a long time advocate of the vault sharing his craft with thousands through the years.
Who needs to borrow a pole from you…
"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
- Proverbs 18:24 NIV
Join Dr. Cook in the locker room, behind the bench, and in the boardroom as he shares the hidden principles of greatness. This unique vantage point and the stories that unfold will inspire and equip you on the journey to your dreams. greatness is open to all but only pursued by a few. It is the space beyond success where calling and legacy meet and a noble heart is required.
Get the book for yourself or as a gift and invite your loved ones to discover the space beyond success, the place of their true calling.