“If our country was invaded and our young men were a lot of creampuffs, probably cowards, through never having experienced hard work, athletic competition or a good punch in the nose we would lose to the invaders, lose our freedoms and things worth more than life itself.”
This is one of the latest clips from Jocko Podcast. He reviews/discusses 2 books by Bob Hoffman who was WW1 soldier as well as a fitness entrepeneur who founded York Barbell.
The podcast is long but this clip will start about 80 mins in, only need to listen for a few mins to likely gain something.
“The road to despair and unhappiness is paved with good intentions lost along the way.”
That’s why I have No Problem with my son playing college football (He will never be a pro and knows it).
It instills teamwork like no other sport.
It requires hard work and discipline to succeed at both school and athletics. In Season it requires a minimum of 30 hours per week and off season is every bit of 20 hours per week.
He dose not work in season, but works 15-20 hours per week in the off season. During this season however he will be working in a hospital in his “spare” time.
He is a biology major and wants to go to med school and most of his teammates are serious about life after football.
This week he went to an orientation for an opportunity to shadow doctors at a local children’s hospital. He was the only athlete among the group. All the rest were really smart Asian and white kids. Of note: (No hispanics or blacks). His grades may not be as good as some of the others (“Dad, it was a nerd fest”), but I know that no-one outworks him.
So there is hope for the future…….. It only takes a few to change the world.
He turns 21 in July. I think How to be Strong, healthy and Happy may be an excellent gift.