The Daily Inspired

I have to admit, I am not a big fan of ice skating… although my wife loves it… So today’s post will be dedicated to her, and also to the women’s final of the Vancouver Olympics this evening. She is very excited to watch it. In her own words, she loves the grace, the power, the precision, and even the speed that it takes to ice skate!

This video is of the ONLY ice skating performance to receive perfect 6.0’s from ALL the judges. It is of Torvill & Dean in the 1984 Olympics. Enjoy!

Do you remember your childhood dreams? Think about them for a second…

I remember imagining myself at the buzzer making the 3 point shot to win the game… Or making the final touchdown in a football game and “juking” the only defender left to score! But wait… I’m here in Rexburg, Idaho… At a computer… Just a senior in college trying to get my degree and start my family. Which is great, but I didn’t exactly reach my childhood dreams.

Want to know who did? Olympic Gold Medalist Julia Mancuso. Check out her inspirational Youtube video!

Usually you don’t see Americans playing cricket… Or Japanese playing football… Or Mexicans playing ice hockey. Why? Because it’s not their countries sport. They didn’t grow up on it, it’s not popular to do and that makes it hard. So why then is there a SKIER from GHANA who is so good he qualified for the Olympics?! In his own words, Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong says:

“It’s about doing something different if you have that desire. How much are you willing to sacrifice? How much are you willing to put into what you want to do?”

What do you want to do today? How much are you willing to sacrifice to do it?

I saw this commercial on the other night and knew it was going on the website! It is a great reminder of where not only all the Olympians have come from but where all of us have come from also and who we have to thank.

Thank you mom! I love you and thank you for all you have sacrificed for me… to get me where I am at today.

I was informed that I was mis-informed about my last post on Alexi Salamone, so I decided to give him a post that does a little more justice.

Alexi was born in Ukraine just 14 months after the Chernobyl and as a result was born with deformed legs. Placed in an overflowing orphanage his legs were later amputated at age 4. At age 6 he was adopted by Susan and Joseph Salamone and grew up in Buffalo, NY. As mentioned in the previous post he competed in sports in high school despite what some people would call a disability.

Alexi competed in his first Paralympic Winter Games in Torino. Not only did he win a bronze medal, he came back with the honor of being the team’s highest scorer and the one with the most assists, 6 and 4 respectively.

One thing taught to him by his parents is “to give and one day you will receive”. There are many things we can learn from him. Pick what you want!

Check out his profile on http://usparalympics.org/athletes/alexi-salamone and then enjoy this inspirational video on him!