Page 10 - iNetreprenuer.magazine.winter2020

I made an elaborate schedule and I me about being their lead color
followed it to the letter. I got grief commentator for the livestream of
from friends who thought I needed the Olympic Games. Since I couldn’t
to live it up a little. To be honest, go as a competitor, I said yes to the
every now and then I fell into the opportunity.
trap. But the consequences of those
choices showed up at my gymnastics So again, find the good in every
workouts, so I kept reminding myself situation. When you focus on the
of the big picture—Olympics! good, more good will come your way.
I really believe that I am stronger
Visualize Your Ideal Result mentally and physically for having
that whole experience. It gave me
Before every training or competition, a chance to work on my skills as a
I visualized what my perfect result speaker, and I travel a lot for that
would be, and I would play it like now. I also spend time working with
a movie in my head. Practice like kids now as well. I feel like there is
you compete, and compete like an awesome responsibility that goes
you practice. There are two things I with being an Olympian, and I enjoy
always did before a routine. I would giving back to the sport.
kneel down in prayer as I am a man
of faith and know that God can help Have Non-Negotiables
me in any situation. I would also
visualize my routine in my head, In order to experience the highest
executing every move perfectly, and levels of success, you must identify
sticking the perfect dismount at the those things which you will NOT
end. As soon as I finished my routine tolerate in your life. For example, I
in my head, I walked up to the mat, I don’t put up with lazy people. More
raised my hand, and I would go. specifically, when I see someone
with a lot of potential and they Olympic-caliber success is available
Turn Lemons Into Lemonade refuse to cultivate it, that speaks to you as well. Find your zone
volumes to me about the type of of genius, do the things highly
I wanted to qualify for a third person they are. When I work with successful people do, and enjoy the
Olympics. The 2008 Games in gymnastics kids and I see a guy benefits.
Beijing were awesome, but the who has the right build, the right
2012 Games in London didn’t go size, and great talent, I believe it is
as well for me or the team, so I a waste for someone like that not Jonathan Horton is a two-time
had the incentive to try one more to take advantage of it. I hate to see Olympian in men’s gymnastics,
time. As I was preparing for the unused potential. winning two medals. He is also
2016 Rio Olympics, I was practicing the author of two books, “If I
one day about nine months before I’m willing to work with someone Had Known”, and his recent
the Games. I was doing a pommel with less talent but is willing to autobiography, “Falling Forward:
horse routine, and my shoulder just give everything they have, versus How An Ordinary Kid Failed His
exploded on me. It was a full rupture someone with all of the talent in the Way to His Olympic Dream”.
of the rotator cuff. I knew what had world who only gives 10% of their
happened immediately, and the effort. To connect with Jonathan Horton,
doctors confirmed that the recovery find him on Twitter @J-Horton11
would be a year long process. These habits can be developed by and on Facebook. He also competes
This meant missing the Olympics, anyone, and success is available to on American Ninja Warrior on NBC,
and I was crushed. Through it all, everyone who diligently seeks it. I and he is available to speak at
I remembered that everything was blessed to have the athletic corporate and student events.
happens for a reason. In this case, career that I had, but it came with a
that proved to be true. One of my lot of hard work and sacrifice.
dreams was to be a broadcaster for
gymnastics, and NBC approached

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