If you are a swimmer, swim-parent or swim coach, this is a must-see video. More accurately, if you are anyone who wants to achieve success in life, this is a must-see video.
Bob Bowman, NBAC Head Coach, delivers a powerful message, a speech, courtesy of Chicago Ideas Week. Outlined below are the six characteristics of champions according to one of the greatest coaches that has ever lived. SIDE NOTE: I don’t like putting “Michael Phelps” in the title (because Coach Bowman is not defined by one swimmer), but let’s be honest. “Phelps” will generate more traffic, and it is my hope that everyone in the swimming community watches this video, takes notes and commits the wisdom, this roadmap to personal success, to memory.
One
Champions have a clear plan for success and achieving their goals.
Two
Champions welcome challenges as a means to learn and grow.
Three
Champions produce normal and predictable performances in very abnormal and unpredictble environments.
Four
Champions rehearse success on a daily basis, mentally, physically and emotionally.
Five
Champions value the process of success more than any particular outcome.
Important Note: Coach Bowman makes a point of saying “this (#5) defines my coaching philosophy, because that’s what is controllable and within our ability to deal with.”
Six
Most importantly, champions have a dream.
Thanks to Bob for a great speech and thanks to Chicago Ideas Week for publishing. For more on Bob Bowman, see:
7. The ability to perform under pressure.
To Mel’s point about social media contributing to the succes of 11-17 year old record breakers: I think a bigger factor is the Phelps/ Lochte factor. Starting in about 2008 we had a huge inlufx of young swimmers, particularly boys. Phelps and Lochte made it cool to be a swimmer. It’s my belief that many of these new swimmers were talented kids that we formerly lost to other sports. Those kids are now setting records.
I agree…from 2012 to 2013 there was 40,000 athlete increase in USA registration…..this was pretty much the case across the country. The Phelps/Lochte effect is bringing many more talented athletes into our sport. Also while the girl/boy breakdown is 1.5/1 at age 12 or so it become close to even by age 17 and 20+ it tilts towards the boys.
This is fantastic, thanks for posting, Mel. I was always a better coach than swimmer, so I’m probably a bigger fan of Bob than I am of any particular swimmer.
I’d add that it’s a must-watch not just for swimmers/coaches/parents, but for anyone charged with getting talented, hard-working, successful and/or high-potential people (themselves included) to excel.
This should also remind people that–in spite of some haters and comments that get thrown around suggesting Michael is lazy, coasts on talent alone, or other related BS–Michael is fundamentally a champion and GOAT. I’m not denying he meandered off-path a few times as he grew up, but the model that Bob developed and instilled in Michael will serve MP well for life.
This is fantastic, thanks for posting, Mel. I was always a better coach than swimmer, so I’m probably a bigger fan of Bob than I am of any particular swimmer.
I’d add that it’s a must-watch not just for swimmers/coaches/parents, but for anyone charged with getting talented, hard-working, successful and/or high-potential people (themselves included) to excel.
This should also remind people that–in spite of some haters and comments that get thrown around suggesting Michael is lazy, coasts on talent alone, or other related BS–Michael is fundamentally a champion and GOAT. I’m not denying he meandered off-path a few times as he grew up, but the model that Bob developed and instilled in Michael will serve MP well for life.
Edit:… Read more »
I so wish social media existed when I was a young swimmer.
I actually think social media has contributed to all of the success we see in the 11-17 year old ranks. We have so many young swimmers breaking NAG Records across a lot of events. i think they’re dialed-in, watching speeches like this, following elites, reading their workouts. I think social media is the swimming network. Thank about it? 20-30 years ago, you hardly knew the elites, until the Olympics. Now we know everyone. Now we follow them all. (And we have guys like Bob Bowman who enjoys “live-tweeting” a practice. Love it!)
I can’t dispute this with any facts, but you don’t have any either. That is not a slam but rather a challenge. Is there a way to see if the top swimmers are in fact tuned in to this stuff on the web or social media? In my experience very few are to that degree. I think many are trying to balance the demands of the sport vs. getting away from it when not at the pool and avoiding swimming info. But i am only a case study.
I think talent must be on this list. Has there been a champion in any sports who didn’t have talent? Talent alone won’t make anyone a champion, but that’s got to be there.
Check out “The Sports Gene” by David Epstein for more on this subject. It is a fantastic read and goes heavily into what separates those who have “it” and those who don’t.
One
Champions have a clear plan for succes and achieving their goals.
A clear plan would be to spell “Success” correctly!
Sorry. I missed this. I think Braden fixed, however…. Thanks WHOKNOWS!
#7: Passion. Champions love what they do.
Excellent point, Richard! Right on the target!
Very inspiring! Please watch the video it’s definitely worth your time