On Sunday, January 26th, tragedy struck when the world lost one of its greatest all-time athletes—Kobe Bryant. Unlike Hubby, who is a die hard fan and has followed Bryant’s career throughout, I only knew of the man’s legacy on a superficial level. Not surprisingly then, when I started seeing the hashtag #mambaforever or an iteration thereof go viral, did I have to look it up to get the reference. I may not be a sports aficionado, but I am fascinated by the inner thoughts of a highly-esteemed athlete.
It’s said that Bryant created the ‘Black Mamba’ as an alter-ego to deal with one of the lowest points in his life, when he was charged with sexually-assaulting a 19-yr-old. What started out as a persona for Bryant to compartmentalize his professional life from his personal one transcended into a mindset for others to adopt. “Hard work outweighs talent — every time,” Bryant stated. “Mamba mentality is about 4 a.m. workouts, doing more than the next guy and then trusting in the work you’ve put in when it’s time to perform. Without studying, preparation and practice, you’re leaving the outcome to fate. I don’t do fate.”
Bryant’s ethics about hard work really helped me put this challenge into perspective. Losing weight and looking better are secondary goals to developing a mindset where working out becomes second-nature. Hubby and I are on track to do just that. We’re no longer relying on exercise being a part of our day when we have the time, but rather, making the time to make sure it happens. We certainly don’t want to rely on fate when it comes to our health and are willing to put in the hard work. Thanks Kobe for reinforcing the importance of dedication and consistency, among many, many other things!
30 Day Life Challenges 