This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and GREATER Productions. but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #GREATERMovie #GreaterTheMovie http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
Our DVR has been running on overdrive the past few weeks with the Olympics. We are a sports loving family, so if any sport is on, our television will find the channel. It could be baseball, football, golf, tennis, you name it, and it was no different with the Olympics. We recorded so many hours of sports and were sad that the olympics ended yesterday.
It is just always so amazing to watch an athletes hard work pay off. I love hearing all the back stories about the athletes participating and getting to follow them to their Olympic journey. With sports, there is never really a “sure thing”, I love the anticipation and competitive nature. Specifically, I loved watching Kerri Walsh play beach volleyball, Aly Raisman in gymnastics and, of course, Michael Phelps in the pool.
Each of these athletes worked incredibly hard and persevered to reach their goals. Kerri Walsh is an amazing mom and athlete who overcame competing with a new partner and took home the Bronze medal. Aly Raisman tied for 3rd place in the individual all-around in the London Olympics but she ended up losing the tie-breaker and going home 4th. Because of this, I really wanted her to do well this Olympics in the all-around and she ended up bring home the silver medal.
While I have always loved sports, growing up, I wasn’t the most athletic person in gym class. Sports just didn’t really come easy for me, I feel like I had to work a little harder than others. I played softball and cheered for a few years, and I swam competitively for about 8 years, including 2 years in High School. I would say out of all of those, I was definitely the best at swimming. During softball games, I was way more interested in coming up with cheers, and I wasn’t the best tumbler at cheerleading. However, I excelled more and felt at home in the water.
With swimming, came early morning, 4am workouts in the pool 5 days a week, paired with lifting weights 1-2 times a week in the afternoon. It took a lot of dedication to get up every morning and head to the pool. I remember one morning, jumping in the pool at 4am in the freezing cold, only to realize that the heater was out. Sunshine, rain, cold, we swam. That is one thing all good athletes have in common, they work hard. Wether they are an Olympic champion, a high school swimmer or in little league, good athletes always go the extra mile.
With the Olympics ending and all of the amazing sports stories being shared, I thought today was perfect timing to share Brandon Burlsworth’s story with you. Brandon Burlsworth is known as the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. He had to preserver through a lot in his life to reach his goals, but he never quit. He kept is head down, prayed, and worked hard. He did things the “right way”. He earned 1st team All-SEC honors in 1997 and 1998, and he was selected for the 1998 College Football All-America Team.
Not only did he work hard on the field, but off of the field as well. He was the first Arkansa Razorback football player to complete his Masters and Bachelors degree before playing his final game. This thick rimmed glasses wearing football player’s story is truly inspiring.
This weekend, I had the privilege of viewing the move GREATER, which is based on his true story. It was a fantastic film that really documented the hardships and triumphs of Brandon, as well as, his unwavering faith in God. Wether you are a football fan or not, this is a great movie that pushes you to strive for more. It makes you feel empowered and determined to reach your goals even if the odds aren’t in your favor.
The odds defiantly weren’t in my favor as a swimmer by any means, but I worked hard and accomplished my goals in school. The drive, determination and work ethic I learned through sports propelled me to finish college in three years with a major and minor, in the Honors College, with Honors.
Check out the sneak peek below for a closer look at GREATER. I don’t want to give away too many details because GREATER will be in theaters beginning August 26th. Be sure to check your local theaters for availability and showtimes. This is a sports’ film that you won’t want to miss.