It's called defense.

To the bottom and the path to the top again: 

So many times can you experience a high in life that gives you a pleasant state of mind. No worries, no troubles, and a strong sense that you are untouchable. You got everything clicking the right way. Confidence is through the roof. You getting all types of praise every day from everyone you encounter. You relish in the attention, the spotlight, and you love to share the story that led to this moment...

Until life decides it's time to challenge you yet again....

Only this time, it's several obstacles that stand in your way. 

Champion tend to go through this. You work so hard to get to the top of the mountain of your life. Your state of hunger and desire pushed you and the yearn for that state of euphoria is the lone thing pushing you past anything in your way. Your resolve and determine to reach the elusive goal isn't there anymore and doesn't apply to this new challenge. 

So how do you respond when the tables are turned? Now instead of chasing the goal, something or someone is knocking at your door ready to take what you now feel is yours. The pressure is higher than anything you've experienced up to this point. The roles have been reversed. The hunter, becomes the hunted. 

Just like any sport, anyone can score and put up points, but who's willing to dig in and do the dirty work to defend. Who's willing to guard and protect that title or championship. Who's willing to lead the effort and willing to withstand the punches, attacks and advances on what you've busted your chops to achieve. 

Just like the schoolyard fight, you are getting challenged physically and the world doesn't seem so peachy and bright anymore. This negative force wants to humiliate, embarrass, bring harm and hurt you. Those of us that have had to fight before remember one consistent message from that loving figure that wanted you to fight back, but not to be the savage this negative force wants you to become. 

"You have to DEFEND yourself... Protect yourself at all times!"

We confuse that for providing enough offense to outscore to win the competition, but what about when this beast decides that it is going to take away your strengths and dominate your with it's own will and power? 

Guess what? Time to guard and withstand the punishment. That's called Baptism Under Fire. 

Tired of falling and failing? Tired of feeling like your a loser or a choke artist? It's time to re-learn how to defend. You can score all day and go on the offensive, but you have to protect against the counter attack, because it's going to come. 

Stay tuned for the true story that will follow....