With two outs in the last inning, a fly ball was hit my way

With two outs in the last inning, a fly ball was hit my way.

It was the Illinois State Baseball Championship game.

25 years ago… June 7, 1997.

Excited and nervous, I ran under the fly ball and caught it.

Victory!

I couldn’t believe it.

The dream that began 10 years prior was reality.

Growing up, I wanted to be a professional baseball player.

When I was eight years old, I knew where I wanted to go to high school.

Driscoll Catholic.

The older brother of a little league teammate of mine went there.

His team won the baseball state championship.

I knew that was the school for me.

Every year leading up to high school, I went to baseball camp there.

When I graduated 8th grade, I left my childhood friends because I wanted to go to Driscoll.

Going into my senior year, I had a devastating injury.

I tore my ACL.

Some questioned whether I would even be ready for the season.

So every day, I rehabbed for hours.

It was grueling.

But the hard work paid off.

I was in the opening day lineup and never looked back.

Our team ripped off 17 straight wins to end the season, culminating in my game-winning catch.

Looking back 25 years later, the experience continues to shape my life.

It was more than a baseball game.

The experience taught me about setting long-term goals and overcoming adversity.

All of this gave me confidence.

Confidence that I’ve translated into my life through to today.

Running a business.

Living a healthy lifestyle.

Raising my daughter.

Whatever I set my mind to, I believe that I can and will succeed.

What is your baseball championship equivalent?

Are you using that experience for the courage to overcome challenges and reach your goals?

What’s stopping you?

With confidence, you have won before you have started.