That Warm Feeling When Your Heroes Live Up To The Billing
One core belief that guided me in writing “Hero Redefined” is that true heroes don’t pound their chests to tell you how heroic they’ve been. They just do their thing, and the value of what they’ve accomplished, overcome, or persevered toward, is transparent.
The athletes and key players who filled the 13 chapters of “Hero Redefined” invariably downplayed what they had done, reticent to take much if any credit for their willpower, ability to overcome, sportsmanship, human-rights stands, and journeys. Of course, others in their inner circle saw it differently.
With my book published, I’m now approaching bookstores, libraries, and podcast producers to promote it. That has led to a few wonderful opportunities to team with “Hero Redefined” heroes in person – and to see live up to and and exceed their billing.
It started last February, when Olympic biathletes and twin sisters Tracy and Lanny Barnes joined me for a bookstore event at Maria’s Bookshop in downtown Durango. The Barnes twins, natives of that picturesque community, took part in discussing their chapter (Chapter 8) of the book, their Olympic experiences in the biathlon, and the lessons they’ve taken forward in their lives. They then joined me in signing books purchased at the event, and for a delicious dinner afterward. Tracy and Lanny could not have been more gracious and giving. How better to reaffirm Tracy and Lanny Barnes’ spirit of giving and sportsmanship than to see it all up close and in person?
Next, Olympic pole vaulter Tom Hintnaus joined me on July 28 for a taping of the “Raising The Bar” podcast with ex-high jumper Troy Haines. Tom and I were in the same Zoom room with Troy. The Tom Hintnaus I saw July 28 was every bit as humble, self-deprecating, observant, and funny as the Tom Hintnaus I interviewed for Chapter 7 of the book.
On July 30, I teamed with Olympic marathoner Gabriele Andersen-Schiess for a “Hero Redefined” event at the beautiful Community Library in Ketchum, Idaho. Gabriele, whose story of incredible perseverance is chronicled in Chapter 2 of my book, set a new bar for graciousness, kindness, and accommodation. She asked me to join her and her husband, Dick, before our 5:30 p.m. event, then put together a dinner afterward for the three of us, plus her good friends Erich and Judy Steinbock. Oh, and for good measure, she had me meet their friend Charley French. Charley is almost 99 and ran the last of many triathlons at age 93! How poetic for Gabriele to count a guy with willpower like that as a close friend!
I don’t know exactly when my next opportunity will come along to team with an athlete or principal from “Hero Redefined,” but judging from those I’ve had thus far, I have some inspiring days ahead of me!
*Photo - A post-event dinner with Gabriele, her husband, and close friends. L to R - Judy Steinbock, Erich Steinbock, Gabriele, me, Charley French, and Gabi’s husband Dick.