| Over the years, I have watched a lot of sporting | | | | One former competitive figure skater noted, "He just |
| events and a lot of athletes in a wide range of sports. | | | | must feel some things in the snow that other athletes |
| And I have counseled many top athletes from virtually | | | | do not feel." |
| every sport you can think of. | | | | Behaviorists will want to study this young fellow to see |
| Periodically, in sports, one athlete performs at a | | | | what, if anything is so special about this young man's |
| different level than his or her peersare performing at. | | | | mental approach to his sport. |
| Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger | | | | Based on my experience counseling many world class |
| Woods, Muhammad Ali and Willie Mays are a few | | | | athletes, I can tell you that he has resiliency and a fun |
| who come to mind when I think of sports figures who | | | | loving spirit which allows him to enter the zone when |
| fall into this category. These athletes seem to do | | | | he needs to. He also seems to have a fantastic desire |
| things that others can not do. They are artists-athletes | | | | to excel at his sport and the work ethic to go along |
| who make their sport look easy and effortless. | | | | with it. |
| They are also innovators who take their sport to a | | | | In addition, he found his passion early in his life and has |
| new level. These are the kinds of athlete who attract | | | | been able to focus on his craft. He has also shown |
| the attention of people who are not even sports fans | | | | great poise in managing his success and the media |
| because of their amazing abilities. | | | | attention he has received. |
| Now, I know very little about snowboarding. However, | | | | However, I suspect he can generate more speed and |
| when I watch Shaun White perform on his board, I am | | | | more lift than other snowboarders are able to produce |
| truly amazed. | | | | when they compete on the same site. His technique |
| He has the capacity to generate so much more air | | | | and timing must be just a little better than others who |
| between himself and the ground when you compare | | | | compete in his sport. |
| hit to his fellow competitors. Shaun White seems like | | | | Perhaps he understands something about producing |
| he is ten or twelve feet higher than other | | | | speed, height and flying that others have not yet |
| snowboarders appear to be when they take off. | | | | figured out. Maybe it has something to do with his laid |
| Obviously, this extra height gives him more time and | | | | back demeanor or his long red hair. I, frankly, don't |
| space to do tricks and maneuvers that other | | | | know. |
| snowboarders can not do simply because they are | | | | However he does it, his ability to fly, is truly amazing. |
| not in the air for a long enough period of time. | | | | He is one of a kind. |
| How does he do it? | | | | Other athletes, while the may not be him, can probably |
| I do not know very much about physics or kinesiology. I | | | | learn a lot about what it takes to enter the zone when |
| am sure that scientists will eventually figure out how | | | | you need to by studying Shaun White very carefully. |
| Shaun While soars above the earth the way he does. | | | | |
