JD and I just returned from a fantastic 24 hours in Chicago! First off, I love that city! I have been there a handful of times and somehow I seem to always have an awesome time. This past weekend was no different. Although, I was not exactly fired up about flying there and back for a 24 hour meeting, actually I was a bit grumpy about this.

JD and I arrived in Chicago around noon on Friday, May 9th. We caught a taxi and made it to the Hilton Palmer Hotel around 13.00, just in time for lunch and the meetings began at 14.00. JD and I checked in and he looked at me and asked, “What room are you in?” I replied, “10-110. What about you?”

JD said, “10-110”. Hmmm looks like my father in law and I will be spending some more quality time together. The hotel was amazing! One with lots of history, the old school Chicago. The rooms were great and the bed was comfortable.

The purpose of this weekend was to learn to be an ambassador at the Olympics, as we represent our great country. There were about 100 other Olympic athletes, plus about ten Sports Ambassadors (ex Olympians, all medalists but attending as coaches). One of my favorite ambassadors was Brandy Chastine. Brandy won a few gold medals in soccer and at least one World Cup, if I remember correctly.

Brandy was really nice and hung out with JD and I along with the rest of our crew. It was really cool meeting other athletes who have the same passion for competion. I met some really interesting people, some of my personal favorites were the wrestlers and the water polo team, the latter of which were all from Orange County California (Newport Beach, etc as am I). We had some really intelligent conversations that started and ended with the word dude. Ahh, it was great reminded me of growing up in Newport, surfing and spending summers at the beach.

After the meetings ended, JD and I held a mandatory meeting at the bar in the lobby of this impressive hotel. I also had a mandatory sign in sheet. As the night wore on, my new wrestling buddy and one of my best friends from boarding school (Mike Sturman) and I decided we were hungry. So we headed out to find the first place open at that hour. Lucky for us we found a bar/restaurant and the wrestler (who will remain nameless) ordered a 32oz steak and a few appetizers and I order a couple racks of ribs.

I think I ate 2 ribs, not 2 racks, only 2 ribs before Mr. Wrestler powered down the 32oz T-Bone and then proceeded eating my meal. I didnt want to say anything, he iss a lot bigger than I am so I just sat and watched with awe. Very impressive. I asked what weight class he wrestles in and he said 211 pounds…. I said ok what are you weighing now (pre meal) he answered 247 lbs but that he needs to get down to weight by June 11th. I spoke with him yesterday and he just got back from a 4 mile “hill” run and was going to wrestle all afternoon.

It was interesting to learn that many of the 100 other athletes still have not even had their trials yet, most of which will take place over the next month. I also met athletes in Track & Field, Fencing and Badminton (is this in the Olympics?). One woman did something called the race walk! Shooting, field hockey. I haven’t met Kobe Bryant or LaBron James yet but I think they have a bit on with the NBA playoffs going on.

The gist of the weekend was to become a good ambassador for the USA and to learn about mental prep. The main focus was on “being comfortable in uncomfortable situations”. We did all sorts of exercises in smaller groups that were very different and took each one of us out of our comfort zones. We all made complete fools of ourselves, but again this was the point of becoming comfortable. I took away tons of important information and cherished the experience.

We got home Saturday night and I was wrecked! Then I woke up Sunday and realized it was Mothers Day and my 30th birthday…. man, it’s going by too fast.

As my good buddy Paul Cayard says, “The richest people in the world are the people with the greatest life experiences.” How true my friend, I still learn the value of this lesson on a daily basis.

Later

Austin