Stories, a rush of adrenaline through our veins 🧬

There is this great lesson buried at the end of chapter 4 of Mac B. Kid Spy #3.

Hang with me.

It's a conversation between the Queen of England and Mac B. - well, a request really, to retrieve the six Ravens that have been abducted from the Tower of London. And while explaining why the Queen so badly needs Mac to find the missing birds, the Queen tells the origin story of how the Ravens came to live at the Tower in the first place.

A story that Mac deems impossible on a few accounts (Ravens wouldn't be circling the tower at night!).

This is where we find ourselves:

“Just a story, Mac? Why then, this thing on my head is just a piece of metal with pointy bits and a bunch of rocks stuck in it. A crown is just a story, Mac. A Queen is just a story. A country is just a story. People believe stories.”

You see, the Queen has such a powerful lesson for Mac:

NOTHING IS “JUST” A STORY

Stories are what build foundations; they create deep loyalties and allow us to rise to the occasion. They build an energy that rumbles the stands, makes the hair stand up on our necks, and rushes adrenaline through our veins.

Stories, told well, can be a powerful tool for yourself, your team, your school, your country, the world.

What story are you writing? What stories are you telling? What narratives are being written on the walls of the weight room, or the soles of your shoes? Or are on repeat as you prepare to compete?

This past week at the World Athletics Championships gave us a deep well of new inspiration. Sydney's McLaughlin--Levrone second fastest 400M, ever. Cole Hocker's 5K come-from-behind victory after being DQ'd from the 1500. Lilian Odira's wild 800M upset. Geordie Beamish's unbelievable 3000m Steeplechase win (after his face was stepped on!).

As an athlete, a leader, coach, or parent, our jobs are to find the right stories, at the right time. Those that connect the metaphors of the moment and build a deep purpose.

What story are you telling yourself and your team this week?

okay, now:

A FEW UPDATES

→ Check out the NEWS SUMS section to see all past newsletters in one place (easy to revisit and share!)

→ Check out the new Podcast episode with Steven Horne, who was cut as a 7th grader and went on to play professional basketball and is now developing players and their mindsets.

And As always, remember:

Little by little, greatness grows.

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