There’s a lot to learn from Kim Rhode

One of the most unbelievable stories of the 2012 Olympic Games wasn’t about Michael Phelps,
Usain Bolt, or The Dream Team.

It was about Kimberly Rhode, a California native few of us have ever heard of. She doesn’t have
their name recognition, but she does have something none of them do –

Medals from the last FIVE Olympics… in a row.

Some perspective? Usain Bolt was 1.2% quicker in the 100m than his next competitor. Kim Rhode?
She beat her next competitor by over 8%. *That’s* how much Kim towers over her competitors. (How
she got so good at her event, skeet shooting, is the best part, and something we can all learn from.)

But first, here’s a great story I came across about her:

“As a kid, Rhode got invited to stay and work at the Olympic Training Center
in Colorado Springs, Colo. And one day, athletes in residence were asked
to write down everything they could not do.

Rhode didn’t move.

“The coach says to her, ‘Why aren’t you writing?’ Richard Rhode [her dad]
said. “And she goes, ‘Well, I don’t think there’s anything I can’t do if I put my
mind to it.’ And he stopped everybody from writing and says, ‘That’s what
will make an Olympic champion.”

(If only he knew how prophetic his words were.)

We all hear things like, “Just set your mind to it,” but few people embody it like her.

Knowing how much it rains in England–and how fast weather changes there–she trained where
conditions are like those where she’d be competing, including:

* The Oak Tree Gun Club in Newhall, CA (For its large hill as a backdrop.)
* Redlands Shooting Park in Redlands, CA (For its clouds that cause fast lighting changes.)
* Oregon (For its frequent rain.)

When everyone else quit because of the rain, there was Kim, still training, her mind and actions set
on the same goal.

Then, like a true champion, when she won she was all class, saying,

“Thank goodness all the stars aligned and it all came together for
the United States.”

What? No victory laps? No spiking the ball? Nope. None of that. Instead, even though it’s an
individual event, she was giving credit for the victory to the United States! Now that… THAT’s
an Olympic champion.

There’s a lot to learn from Kim.

First is her mindset. She’s crystal clear with herself in what she wants.

Next are her actions. She didn’t just *not* let things get in her way, she actually *sought out*
difficulties so she’d be fully prepared!

Then, when she won, it was all class, all the way.

In your own quest, no matter if it’s nutrition and diet, fitness, or some other part of your life, do
your thoughts and deeds match?