There are a lot of things I want to write about lately, but I’ve been consumed by work and trying to meet EVERY SINGLE PERSON in Houston. (If you’re in or around the city give me a shout.)
In lieu of some breathtaking analysis, I wanted to respond to Sam’s ‘10 Things You May Not Know About Me‘ Meme with five things of my own. Please feign interest.
5 Things You May Not Know About Me
I almost died as an infant
Yeah, so I almost died when I was two days old. I don’t know all the details, but evidently I had a blockage in my urethra that was causing mass kidney failure.
As a result, I try to remind myself that I’m lucky to be alive, and that I’m here for a reason: to do big things and impact the world in a positive way.
There are two scars on my lower stomach as a result. I use them as an excuse that the “fat can’t spread out, and that’s why I can’t get an 8 pack.”
I love running
Speaking of 8 packs, I actually had one in Jr. High. When I was in Jr. high I ran a 5:15 mile. After freshman year, my favorite running buddy was diagnosed with anemia and stopped running. It was never as fun without him.
I ran cross-country casually during football season, but wasn’t allowed to run track during baseball season. My 3-mile PR is around 17:15. I never beat that 5:15 mile or had an 8 pack since then.
But I do believe in the power of running. If you can defeat that voice in your head that tells you to quit when it hurts you can learn to accomplish amazing things in life.
I’m very good at chess
I was a state ranked chess player peaking as high as 14th in the state for my age in both 7th and 8th grade. (Man, I peaked young didn’t I?)
I quit because the travel for tournaments cut into my sports time, but I was never the 14th best baseball player in Texas, or even the 14th best second basemen. I played college ball, but maybe I should’ve stuck to chess. Ha!
Chess taught me a lot about patience, problem solving and focus – all things that still help me today. I doubt you can beat me in chess, or hearts.
Here’s 10 chess lessons you can apply to improve your life today.
I love teaching
My grandfather is like the John Wooden of college rodeo. Not only did he win 4 national titles as a competitor, but he coached Sam Houston State to 8 national team titles and host of other individual titles – more than any other college or university in the nation.
I suspect I get my passion for teaching from him, and wouldn’t be surprised if I taught a collegiate class at some point during my career.
My parents are awesome
I talk to one or both of my parents every single day. My peers in our Charlotte office looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned this, but I have the most awesome, supportive family ever and my parents are two of my best friends. I realize I’m very fortunate that I have their support no matter what, and I try to reciprocate that by learning from them, and talking to them every chance I get. When I get where I’m going, I’ll definitely have them to thank.
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You guessed it. Now it’s your turn. Either share in the comments or write a post of your own telling me 3, 5, 7, or 10 (I don’t care about the #) things about you. Finally getting to meet so many friends at #sxsw has left wanting to know more about all of you. Share away.
I remember the days when I used to run 5 minute miles as a youngster competing in road races and cross country events. Those we’re the days. Thanks for sharing Ryan, I suppose I owe a post like this someday soon – we’ll see. 🙂
.-= Roy Morejon´s last blog ..40th Anniversary of Earth Day =-.
Doesn’t it suck getting old and fat? I think I realized this fact yesterday when my apt complex was all out drinking for St. Patty’s day and I was napping on the couch at 7pm. At least you still got golf Roy. I’m terrible at golf. Ha.
On the topic of running Ryan, you should read: Born To Run. I’m sure you would love it.
I hear ya about the 8pack. I had one in HS too from soccer, basketball, etc. Now I see pictures and didn’t even realize it. Now I’m 26 and feel old!
@Ryan – My old boss Jake Rosen has been recommending Born to Run to me for a few weeks now, and I added it to my Shelfari. Unfortunately I have a real shelf full of books I haven’t had a chance to read that I’ll have to get to first, but it’s certainly on the list!
I once had a chance to win a car (at a soccer game, no less) and blew it. I had a shot from probably 30 yards out and had to get it through a hole they set up in the goal. I choked under pressure and my foot slipped a little causing my shot to go wide of the goal.
I blame it on the shoes. And also on the prize being ugly (a Honda Element).
My family continues to remind me of it every time we pass a Honda Element while driving.
.-= Jackie Adkins´s last blog ..6 Impossible Things (Before Breakfast) =-.
Depending on how big the hole was this doesn’t sound particularly easy so I wouldn’t necessarily consider it a choke. What I’m more concerned about was if you were in the states when this happened because soccer shouldn’t be played in the U.S. 🙂
And you’re right. Elements = blah.
Awesome, Ryan! This is exactly what I was hoping would happen 🙂 Got some great responses in the comments of my post yesterday too.
One of the underlying commonalities of all of these things you describe is perspective. Each of them contributed somehow to who you are today, and that’s really cool.
I think #5 is my favorite because I’m the same way. I’m super close with both of my parents, and I generally talk, email or text with both of them every day. We’re very lucky to have such special relationships with our parents. Definitely not something to be taken for granted.
Thanks for the shout out, and for sharing these things about you!
Good catch Sam. I TRY to learn from everything I encounter in put in my repertoire so that I’m more prepared for future endeavors. And I’m also a snob that just likes being intuitive, particularly when it comes to someone I should know well: myself.
Thanks for inspiring this little diversion from the typical business/marketing posts.
I can’t believe you failed to mention our mancrushes on one another! Although the list is called “5 Things You May Not Know About Me” and the world already knows we are in love. Still, would a spooning mention have killed you? I’m hurt. But I’ll get over it.
And don’t sweat the 8 pack abs. Get yourself a 6 pack of beer and by the time you finish the 6th beer, you’ll forget all about ever wanting a 7th or 8th ab.
Something people might not know about me is that I have multiple man crushes (everyone does know about ours though!), but that I would NEVER under any circumstances spoon with any of them… Ha.
As for the last part, touche!
I too talk to my parents everyday….i live with them. I won’t get into the reasons why I’m still here, but when I move out I imagine I’ll be talking to them everyday like you do. Amazing support and understanding of who I am.
Thanks for sharing all this.
1. When I was 3 years old my mother took me ice skating. I fell, and needed 11 stitches. Never went ice skating again till i was 15, but from the age of 5 i roller skated and played hockey outside and eventually started playing tournament roller hockey up and down the east coast (philly, jersey, maryland, newyork) then played college roller hockey (non NCAA obviously) in the PCRHL. With all that said, my biggest regret in life is never playing ice hockey.
2. On September 11, 2001 my grandfather had surgery to remove both of his legs due to gang green. When he woke up from early morning surgery, the first thing he saw on the news was that our twin towers in NYC were taken down. I think about the symbolism in that event often.
3. When I was 6 – 8 years old I was on a bowling team in a legit league. No bumpers, no cheating. My average my best year was 143. When I go bowling now I’m lucky to reach over 115. Reason for my success at that age? My grandfather gave me a quarter for every spare, and a dollar for every strike. Money is an incredible motivator.
1.) I suspect you would’ve been a solid hockey player, no doubt. But I do understand the fear, especially when you were introduced to that at a young age. Often that get back on the horse mentality works better when we have a better grasp of how the world works.
2.) Indeed. That’s an intense story.
3.) Damn. 143. My highest ever was like a 186. That’s usually after a few beers. I need a couple to stop thinking and just bowl, and then well a couple too many is another story all together.
Money is a HUGE motivator. I think many companies are thinking green initiatives and things like that matter a lot to our generation, but we still value the things money enables us to do and it will always be a powerful motivator in the work place.
Ryan this was great. I saw this in the#u30pro chat and it was funny because I was working on my own post at the same time. Do you think you’ll ever get back into chess?
Here’s mine:
Why I don’t ride roller coasters & my shoe size Check out 10 things about me —> http://bit.ly/904bcs
It looks like Sam sparked quite the little meme (which is funny because I usually abhor these things).
I doubt I’ll ever play competitive chess again, but I do enjoy playing with people who think they can beat me and occasionally sharpening my skills (aka trying to figure out how I used to be so good) by playing with others online.
Thanks for sharing… I’ll definitely check out your post!
Not gonna lie, I may have just developed a tiny crush on you. No no…not for the 8 pack abs (I mean you were what, 14? Aside from being very illegal to think of that it would make me feel very Mary Kay Letourneau-ey) It’s the state ranked chess champion. Seriously, you should promote that more. Everybody loves a good chess geek (ok, maybe only a few of us…yeah…)
As for mine, I went and posted 5 (plus a bonus) on my site so I could play as well. Great idea (even if gently borrowed!)
Maybe one day I’ll post a picture with some of my chess trophies. Ha. Until then you can view my tourney stats and what not here: http://main.uschess.org/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,181/
The last time I played a tourney was like 97 or 98 so it’s been over 12 years now. I’m definitely checking out yours after work today!
Thanks for sharing, Ryan!
5:15 is sweet. I think my fastest was 5:45 (7th grade).
On my 42nd birthday–just to see where I was–I clocked in at 5:55.
I thought I was flying around the track until I saw the video my wife shot. Looked like a casual jog at best.
You’re right about the mental part of running; like the great Yogi Berra said, “90 percent of this game is half mental.”
@Chris – Wow. I’m sitting at right around 6:30 right now and I still have a young man’s legs so 5:55 as 42 is really something to be proud of. I like to blame it on the weight I gained for college baseball. I went from 155 my junior year of high school to 185 my sophomore year in college. And kept most of it since. Ha.
Good post…let’s see.
1. I’ve played piano since I was three years old and enjoy playing upside-down from time to time.
2. I’d love to get a shot in sports broadcasting, preferably for basketball or football (TV/radio/play-by-play/color commentary, doesn’t matter).
3. My “day job” involves working at our church. I love it.
All sound like interesting things to me Tim! I wish I could play an instrument, but I don’t have the time/discipline to learn one. I tried to pick up guitar from a roommate, learned half of one song (only 4 chords) in like 3 weeks and decided enough of that. Though rubbing a tennis ball around on the piano keys sometimes sounds cool. Does that count? 🙂
Thanks for leaving a comment!
Reading your posts got me thinking (as did Sam’s) and I have a few more items to share, some piggy backing from yours:
1. My house was struck by lightening the day I was born. My parents were at the hospital with me, but apparently it looked like the bricks from the porch exploded everywhere. I take it as a sign of neat things to come.
2. I like to eat cupcakes with a fork, especially because I pick the really brightly colored ones. If I don’t use a fork, I make a mess.
3. After being a POW in two wars, my grandfather took up painting airplanes. When he died, I got all of his paints and canvases. I painted a plane from one of his photographs and gave it to my dad. My dad said he couldn’t tell the difference and thought it was so neat to have something from his father and daughter in one place.
4. My brothers are twins and only 22 months behind me, so I was a tomboy growing up. We were hardcore WWF fans and pretty much broke a bunch of stuff all over the house. Luckily not each other…
5. My favorite thing to do on a Friday night is go to bed early knowing I won’t have an alarm waking me up Saturday morning.