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The story of the world’s fastest climber—and his coach | Sam Watson & Albert Ok | TEDxCU
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[Applause]
[Applause] Hi, my name is Sam and I'm the fastest
Hi, my name is Sam and I'm the fastest
Hi, my name is Sam and I'm the fastest climber in the world.
climber in the world.
climber in the world. My name's Albert Oak, his coach.
My name's Albert Oak, his coach.
My name's Albert Oak, his coach. Since the theater wouldn't let me bring
Since the theater wouldn't let me bring
Since the theater wouldn't let me bring in a wall to climb for you, this is what
in a wall to climb for you, this is what
in a wall to climb for you, this is what I do.
I do.
I do. Ready,
Thank you.
Thank you. It It's pretty slow. I know.
It It's pretty slow. I know.
It It's pretty slow. I know. The wall is 15 m or about 50 foot for
The wall is 15 m or about 50 foot for
The wall is 15 m or about 50 foot for the Americans and I race others all
the Americans and I race others all
the Americans and I race others all around the globe. This is the story of
around the globe. This is the story of
around the globe. This is the story of how I became the fastest.
how I became the fastest.
how I became the fastest. It's a story about Olympic dreams, big
It's a story about Olympic dreams, big
It's a story about Olympic dreams, big ideas, and being creative to achieve the
ideas, and being creative to achieve the
ideas, and being creative to achieve the impossible. and how we realize that
impossible. and how we realize that
impossible. and how we realize that embracing the characteristics that made
embracing the characteristics that made
embracing the characteristics that made us most human made the difference.
us most human made the difference.
us most human made the difference. And what better way to show our human
And what better way to show our human
And what better way to show our human perspective than to talk about the time
perspective than to talk about the time
perspective than to talk about the time that I was almost kidnapped.
that I was almost kidnapped.
that I was almost kidnapped. I was headed to the competition venue to
I was headed to the competition venue to
I was headed to the competition venue to coach Sam as well as some of the other
coach Sam as well as some of the other
coach Sam as well as some of the other Olympic athletes I coach when the bus
Olympic athletes I coach when the bus
Olympic athletes I coach when the bus was running a little bit late. I don't
was running a little bit late. I don't
was running a little bit late. I don't want to instill a lot of drama, but
want to instill a lot of drama, but
want to instill a lot of drama, but let's just say I ended up having to take
let's just say I ended up having to take
let's just say I ended up having to take the wrong taxi and I almost got
the wrong taxi and I almost got
the wrong taxi and I almost got kidnapped. But this time though, Liam
kidnapped. But this time though, Liam
kidnapped. But this time though, Liam Niss taking part four to bail me out.
Niss taking part four to bail me out.
Niss taking part four to bail me out. Afterward, Albert and I met up outside
Afterward, Albert and I met up outside
Afterward, Albert and I met up outside the village. I was overwhelmed. The
the village. I was overwhelmed. The
the village. I was overwhelmed. The training session did not go well. And to
training session did not go well. And to
training session did not go well. And to add to that, there was a large number of
add to that, there was a large number of
add to that, there was a large number of fans, way more than I had ever dealt
fans, way more than I had ever dealt
fans, way more than I had ever dealt with, asking for pins and autographs. I
with, asking for pins and autographs. I
with, asking for pins and autographs. I had just graduated high school not even
had just graduated high school not even
had just graduated high school not even six months prior and now had the weight
six months prior and now had the weight
six months prior and now had the weight of half a billion people ready to watch
of half a billion people ready to watch
of half a billion people ready to watch me climb. As I vented my feelings,
me climb. As I vented my feelings,
me climb. As I vented my feelings, feeling like not much progress was
feeling like not much progress was
feeling like not much progress was really being made, out of the blue,
really being made, out of the blue,
really being made, out of the blue, Albert said,
Albert said,
Albert said, "Hey, by the way, I I almost got
"Hey, by the way, I I almost got
"Hey, by the way, I I almost got kidnapped."
I knew this probably wasn't true, and it
I knew this probably wasn't true, and it was just one of his tactics to get my
was just one of his tactics to get my
was just one of his tactics to get my mind off things, but it was working. As
mind off things, but it was working. As
mind off things, but it was working. As he explained the story and I was working
he explained the story and I was working
he explained the story and I was working to dispute how there was no way he
to dispute how there was no way he
to dispute how there was no way he actually got kidnapped, my mind moved
actually got kidnapped, my mind moved
actually got kidnapped, my mind moved away from that place of stress and back
away from that place of stress and back
away from that place of stress and back into a place where I could be myself and
into a place where I could be myself and
into a place where I could be myself and succeed as an athlete.
succeed as an athlete.
succeed as an athlete. For a moment there, I was just telling a
For a moment there, I was just telling a
For a moment there, I was just telling a friend about a scary scenario that I was
friend about a scary scenario that I was
friend about a scary scenario that I was in, almost a movie plot, and our labels
in, almost a movie plot, and our labels
in, almost a movie plot, and our labels were gone.
were gone.
were gone. We were just two guys talking about a
We were just two guys talking about a
We were just two guys talking about a scary situation while random people were
scary situation while random people were
scary situation while random people were trying to hustle us.
trying to hustle us.
trying to hustle us. And that's sort of the first thing I
And that's sort of the first thing I
And that's sort of the first thing I want you to understand. Sam isn't some
want you to understand. Sam isn't some
want you to understand. Sam isn't some flawless superhuman, and I'm not just
flawless superhuman, and I'm not just
flawless superhuman, and I'm not just the coach with all the answers. One of
the coach with all the answers. One of
the coach with all the answers. One of us, sure, can climb up a wall faster
us, sure, can climb up a wall faster
us, sure, can climb up a wall faster than anyone else in the world, but it's
than anyone else in the world, but it's
than anyone else in the world, but it's about our process and how we made the
about our process and how we made the
about our process and how we made the leap forward to accomplish the
leap forward to accomplish the
leap forward to accomplish the impossible.
impossible.
impossible. Now, what you can learn from that isn't
Now, what you can learn from that isn't
Now, what you can learn from that isn't that if you believe in yourself, you can
that if you believe in yourself, you can
that if you believe in yourself, you can do anything. But the first step is to be
do anything. But the first step is to be
do anything. But the first step is to be 100% on your own side. In the world of
100% on your own side. In the world of
100% on your own side. In the world of sports, often the human limit is
sports, often the human limit is
sports, often the human limit is wellstudied and defined. Speed climbing
wellstudied and defined. Speed climbing
wellstudied and defined. Speed climbing being less than about 20 years old left
being less than about 20 years old left
being less than about 20 years old left us completely in the dark. The only
us completely in the dark. The only
us completely in the dark. The only advice we could have were from veterans
advice we could have were from veterans
advice we could have were from veterans who basically told us that what the
who basically told us that what the
who basically told us that what the times we were trying to accomplish was
times we were trying to accomplish was
times we were trying to accomplish was impossible. However, I knew and believed
impossible. However, I knew and believed
impossible. However, I knew and believed that through creativity and ingenuity
that through creativity and ingenuity
that through creativity and ingenuity that we could accomplish the possible
that we could accomplish the possible
that we could accomplish the possible impossible and make it possible while
impossible and make it possible while
impossible and make it possible while not being constrained to the current
not being constrained to the current
not being constrained to the current training ideas. The world watches the
training ideas. The world watches the
training ideas. The world watches the summer Olympics for two weeks out of
summer Olympics for two weeks out of
summer Olympics for two weeks out of every four years. But there's a lot more
every four years. But there's a lot more
every four years. But there's a lot more that goes on into that. We plan out
that goes on into that. We plan out
that goes on into that. We plan out years worth of training. Then every
years worth of training. Then every
years worth of training. Then every workout, every meal, and even going to
workout, every meal, and even going to
workout, every meal, and even going to bed on time years in advance can make
bed on time years in advance can make
bed on time years in advance can make the difference. But for speed climbing,
the difference. But for speed climbing,
the difference. But for speed climbing, which was essentially brand new on the
which was essentially brand new on the
which was essentially brand new on the Olympic stage, there is one more thing.
Olympic stage, there is one more thing.
Olympic stage, there is one more thing. Breaking down the standard route. It was
Breaking down the standard route. It was
Breaking down the standard route. It was important for us to be resourceful. We
important for us to be resourceful. We
important for us to be resourceful. We needed to find ways to train despite the
needed to find ways to train despite the
needed to find ways to train despite the limitations. We don't come from a
limitations. We don't come from a
limitations. We don't come from a federation pumping millions of dollars
federation pumping millions of dollars
federation pumping millions of dollars into our athletes. In fact, we have been
into our athletes. In fact, we have been
into our athletes. In fact, we have been training at a commercial gym this entire
training at a commercial gym this entire
training at a commercial gym this entire time. I am working a 40hour a week job
time. I am working a 40hour a week job
time. I am working a 40hour a week job and while we're training at the
and while we're training at the
and while we're training at the commercial gym, sometimes members are
commercial gym, sometimes members are
commercial gym, sometimes members are complaining about us being too fast and
complaining about us being too fast and
complaining about us being too fast and too loud or, you know, our buzzer going
too loud or, you know, our buzzer going
too loud or, you know, our buzzer going off a little bit distracting for them. I
off a little bit distracting for them. I
off a little bit distracting for them. I am never above having to power wash the
am never above having to power wash the
am never above having to power wash the holds myself. Sometimes when the holds
holds myself. Sometimes when the holds
holds myself. Sometimes when the holds get dirty, I force him to brush the
get dirty, I force him to brush the
get dirty, I force him to brush the holds as well. And when he forgets his
holds as well. And when he forgets his
holds as well. And when he forgets his bag, he's not above wearing rental
bag, he's not above wearing rental
bag, he's not above wearing rental shoes. Okay, that really happened. I was
shoes. Okay, that really happened. I was
shoes. Okay, that really happened. I was 17 years old and I made a dumb mistake.
17 years old and I made a dumb mistake.
17 years old and I made a dumb mistake. I left all my climbing gear at another
I left all my climbing gear at another
I left all my climbing gear at another gym. The next day, when the US team was
gym. The next day, when the US team was
gym. The next day, when the US team was having a mock competition, Albert picked
having a mock competition, Albert picked
having a mock competition, Albert picked me up to take me to the gym. I informed
me up to take me to the gym. I informed
me up to take me to the gym. I informed him on the issue. I said, "Could you
him on the issue. I said, "Could you
him on the issue. I said, "Could you take me to get the bag?" It was 15
take me to get the bag?" It was 15
take me to get the bag?" It was 15 minutes away and in the same direction.
minutes away and in the same direction.
minutes away and in the same direction. and he said,
and he said,
and he said, "That's tough. Here's some rental
"That's tough. Here's some rental
"That's tough. Here's some rental shoes."
shoes."
shoes." I thought he was joking. Like, who would
I thought he was joking. Like, who would
I thought he was joking. Like, who would do that? Any other coach, parent, or
do that? Any other coach, parent, or
do that? Any other coach, parent, or mentor would just suck it up, get the
mentor would just suck it up, get the
mentor would just suck it up, get the bag, maybe get a little upset. Not
bag, maybe get a little upset. Not
bag, maybe get a little upset. Not Albert.
Albert.
Albert. See, the problem is he didn't have a
See, the problem is he didn't have a
See, the problem is he didn't have a car. And at a competition, if something
car. And at a competition, if something
car. And at a competition, if something like this happened, he also wouldn't
like this happened, he also wouldn't
like this happened, he also wouldn't have a car.
have a car.
have a car. After the snarkiest, "Are you serious?"
After the snarkiest, "Are you serious?"
After the snarkiest, "Are you serious?" of all time, we went to the gym. He
of all time, we went to the gym. He
of all time, we went to the gym. He dropped me off, and I assume he went to
dropped me off, and I assume he went to
dropped me off, and I assume he went to go get the bag. I warmed up and about an
go get the bag. I warmed up and about an
go get the bag. I warmed up and about an hour later, he showed up with bread from
hour later, he showed up with bread from
hour later, he showed up with bread from a bakery that's not even close to where
a bakery that's not even close to where
a bakery that's not even close to where we were.
we were.
we were. I was annoyed, angry at his antics, but
I was annoyed, angry at his antics, but
I was annoyed, angry at his antics, but at the end of the day, I still wanted to
at the end of the day, I still wanted to
at the end of the day, I still wanted to climb well. I had my rental shoes and I
climb well. I had my rental shoes and I
climb well. I had my rental shoes and I wasn't letting it be an excuse. I'm a
wasn't letting it be an excuse. I'm a
wasn't letting it be an excuse. I'm a big fan of watching body language, and
big fan of watching body language, and
big fan of watching body language, and Sam's body language noticeably shifted
Sam's body language noticeably shifted
Sam's body language noticeably shifted from in every competition from here on
from in every competition from here on
from in every competition from here on out. I think making him being forced to
out. I think making him being forced to
out. I think making him being forced to have this challenge allowed him to
have this challenge allowed him to
have this challenge allowed him to unlock a new gear. I wanted him to
unlock a new gear. I wanted him to
unlock a new gear. I wanted him to realize that although he made a mistake
realize that although he made a mistake
realize that although he made a mistake that he could still succeed during the
that he could still succeed during the
that he could still succeed during the camp, he still put up one of the fastest
camp, he still put up one of the fastest
camp, he still put up one of the fastest times he's ever put up. After a good
times he's ever put up. After a good
times he's ever put up. After a good enough day, I decided I could forgive
enough day, I decided I could forgive
enough day, I decided I could forgive and forget.
and forget.
and forget. I told Albert and we debriefed and he
I told Albert and we debriefed and he
I told Albert and we debriefed and he talked about how he was proud of me for
talked about how he was proud of me for
talked about how he was proud of me for overcoming this logistical adversity and
overcoming this logistical adversity and
overcoming this logistical adversity and and he said that I took accountability
and he said that I took accountability
and he said that I took accountability for a mistake and made progress as an
for a mistake and made progress as an
for a mistake and made progress as an athlete that day. I know he was really
athlete that day. I know he was really
athlete that day. I know he was really mad and he wouldn't even make eye
mad and he wouldn't even make eye
mad and he wouldn't even make eye contact at me, but that's sort of one of
contact at me, but that's sort of one of
contact at me, but that's sort of one of the things that a lot of coaches don't
the things that a lot of coaches don't
the things that a lot of coaches don't understand. Making an athlete successful
understand. Making an athlete successful
understand. Making an athlete successful isn't this sort of input output type
isn't this sort of input output type
isn't this sort of input output type thing. It's about ma making your athlete
thing. It's about ma making your athlete
thing. It's about ma making your athlete learn how to overcome obstacles and
learn how to overcome obstacles and
learn how to overcome obstacles and hurdles. And it's often more important
hurdles. And it's often more important
hurdles. And it's often more important to do this rather than run in a straight
to do this rather than run in a straight
to do this rather than run in a straight line as fast as you can or in Sam's case
line as fast as you can or in Sam's case
line as fast as you can or in Sam's case up a wall. Another thing that makes our
up a wall. Another thing that makes our
up a wall. Another thing that makes our relationship work is that even though we
relationship work is that even though we
relationship work is that even though we want each other to succeed, deep down a
want each other to succeed, deep down a
want each other to succeed, deep down a tiny part of us wants each other to
tiny part of us wants each other to
tiny part of us wants each other to fail.
fail.
fail. And not in the way of a bad competition
And not in the way of a bad competition
And not in the way of a bad competition or getting injured, but there's a lot of
or getting injured, but there's a lot of
or getting injured, but there's a lot of times when Albert will say something
times when Albert will say something
times when Albert will say something along the lines of, "You can't do as
along the lines of, "You can't do as
along the lines of, "You can't do as well today because you're tired or
well today because you're tired or
well today because you're tired or you've been traveling or whatever
you've been traveling or whatever
you've been traveling or whatever reason." And then I set out to prove
reason." And then I set out to prove
reason." And then I set out to prove Albert, who's someone I greatly respect
Albert, who's someone I greatly respect
Albert, who's someone I greatly respect the intelligence of, wrong, because who
the intelligence of, wrong, because who
the intelligence of, wrong, because who is he to tell me that I can't do as well
is he to tell me that I can't do as well
is he to tell me that I can't do as well that day? And it's good when Sam does
that day? And it's good when Sam does
that day? And it's good when Sam does this because on the days where he's
this because on the days where he's
this because on the days where he's traveled or a little tired, he can't
traveled or a little tired, he can't
traveled or a little tired, he can't it's okay for him to have these excuses.
it's okay for him to have these excuses.
it's okay for him to have these excuses. Sure, statistically when you look at it,
Sure, statistically when you look at it,
Sure, statistically when you look at it, he either outperforms his own
he either outperforms his own
he either outperforms his own expectations or he doesn't. And that
expectations or he doesn't. And that
expectations or he doesn't. And that allows him to be a little bit more human
allows him to be a little bit more human
allows him to be a little bit more human and accept his own flaws. It builds this
and accept his own flaws. It builds this
and accept his own flaws. It builds this synergy where it also builds courage and
synergy where it also builds courage and
synergy where it also builds courage and confidence and allows him to succeed as
confidence and allows him to succeed as
confidence and allows him to succeed as an athlete. It also keeps his arrogance
an athlete. It also keeps his arrogance
an athlete. It also keeps his arrogance in check.
in check.
in check. But even with the best coaching and
But even with the best coaching and
But even with the best coaching and mentorship I could ever ask for, my
mentorship I could ever ask for, my
mentorship I could ever ask for, my goals were still difficult. I wanted to
goals were still difficult. I wanted to
goals were still difficult. I wanted to win the Olympics and become the best in
win the Olympics and become the best in
win the Olympics and become the best in the world. We needed to find some more
the world. We needed to find some more
the world. We needed to find some more advantages. From a technical standpoint,
advantages. From a technical standpoint,
advantages. From a technical standpoint, the speed climbing route is very
the speed climbing route is very
the speed climbing route is very complicated. There are 31 holds, 20 hand
complicated. There are 31 holds, 20 hand
complicated. There are 31 holds, 20 hand holds, and 11 footooth holds, which you
holds, and 11 footooth holds, which you
holds, and 11 footooth holds, which you can grab and place in an infinite number
can grab and place in an infinite number
can grab and place in an infinite number of combinations. Solving it was key. And
of combinations. Solving it was key. And
of combinations. Solving it was key. And we realized that a lot of the athletes
we realized that a lot of the athletes
we realized that a lot of the athletes we were going against were a little bit
we were going against were a little bit
we were going against were a little bit weaker in certain sections. In fact, in
weaker in certain sections. In fact, in
weaker in certain sections. In fact, in the top section where Sam excelled, we
the top section where Sam excelled, we
the top section where Sam excelled, we realized he could skip few holds that
realized he could skip few holds that
realized he could skip few holds that other athletes weren't able to do. We
other athletes weren't able to do. We
other athletes weren't able to do. We spent months perfecting a single move
spent months perfecting a single move
spent months perfecting a single move going to the buzzer to give us that much
going to the buzzer to give us that much
going to the buzzer to give us that much of an advantage. There was also one
of an advantage. There was also one
of an advantage. There was also one loophole. In typical events in track and
loophole. In typical events in track and
loophole. In typical events in track and field, you often have the sprinters
field, you often have the sprinters
field, you often have the sprinters standing still, not moving until you
standing still, not moving until you
standing still, not moving until you hear the gunshot. However, in speed
hear the gunshot. However, in speed
hear the gunshot. However, in speed climbing, because we rely on a pressure
climbing, because we rely on a pressure
climbing, because we rely on a pressure pad, I had Sam place his foot on the
pad, I had Sam place his foot on the
pad, I had Sam place his foot on the pressure pad and stand still. Then, as
pressure pad and stand still. Then, as
pressure pad and stand still. Then, as the beats began, he would start
the beats began, he would start
the beats began, he would start generating momentum
generating momentum
generating momentum while keeping his foot on the ground.
while keeping his foot on the ground.
while keeping his foot on the ground. This was an exploit to give us a little
This was an exploit to give us a little
This was an exploit to give us a little bit of an edge, and each.1 mattered to
bit of an edge, and each.1 mattered to
bit of an edge, and each.1 mattered to us. It was crucial to find these
us. It was crucial to find these
us. It was crucial to find these advantages. Although the technical
advantages. Although the technical
advantages. Although the technical aspect was complicated, competition is
aspect was complicated, competition is
aspect was complicated, competition is actually a quite simple process. All
actually a quite simple process. All
actually a quite simple process. All that you're doing is trying to execute
that you're doing is trying to execute
that you're doing is trying to execute to the best of your ability on your
to the best of your ability on your
to the best of your ability on your previous preparation. And that
previous preparation. And that
previous preparation. And that preparation led us to the Olympic
preparation led us to the Olympic
preparation led us to the Olympic finals. In my first race in the bracket
finals. In my first race in the bracket
finals. In my first race in the bracket round, I won, advancing to the next
round, I won, advancing to the next
round, I won, advancing to the next round where it was the most important
round where it was the most important
round where it was the most important race of my life, allowing me to compete
race of my life, allowing me to compete
race of my life, allowing me to compete for an Olympic gold medal. In that race,
for an Olympic gold medal. In that race,
for an Olympic gold medal. In that race, I did my process one more time. I
I did my process one more time. I
I did my process one more time. I executed and my foot slipped. I had just
executed and my foot slipped. I had just
executed and my foot slipped. I had just lost the most important race of my life.
lost the most important race of my life.
lost the most important race of my life. A quote we define this season by is from
A quote we define this season by is from
A quote we define this season by is from a chess player we both study, David
a chess player we both study, David
a chess player we both study, David Bronstein, where he says, "The most
Bronstein, where he says, "The most
Bronstein, where he says, "The most powerful weapon in chess is to have the
powerful weapon in chess is to have the
powerful weapon in chess is to have the next move." And if there's anything to
next move." And if there's anything to
next move." And if there's anything to take from this, it's to understand to
take from this, it's to understand to
take from this, it's to understand to take the next move. It didn't matter
take the next move. It didn't matter
take the next move. It didn't matter what challenges or obstacles we were
what challenges or obstacles we were
what challenges or obstacles we were faced during this journey. It mattered
faced during this journey. It mattered
faced during this journey. It mattered at this moment that we make the next
at this moment that we make the next
at this moment that we make the next move. With no time to process, the
move. With no time to process, the
move. With no time to process, the second most important race of my life
second most important race of my life
second most important race of my life now faced me. I texted Albert two simple
now faced me. I texted Albert two simple
now faced me. I texted Albert two simple words. I'm ready. I stepped back out to
words. I'm ready. I stepped back out to
words. I'm ready. I stepped back out to the field of play and I believe I did
the field of play and I believe I did
the field of play and I believe I did just that. Made the next move. Facing
just that. Made the next move. Facing
just that. Made the next move. Facing one of my childhood heroes and former
one of my childhood heroes and former
one of my childhood heroes and former world record holder, Res Ali Poor, I did
world record holder, Res Ali Poor, I did
world record holder, Res Ali Poor, I did my process one last time. I ran a new
my process one last time. I ran a new
my process one last time. I ran a new world record of 4.74 seconds and forever
world record of 4.74 seconds and forever
world record of 4.74 seconds and forever cemented myself as an Olympic medalist.
cemented myself as an Olympic medalist.
cemented myself as an Olympic medalist. The emotions were incomprehensible.
The emotions were incomprehensible.
The emotions were incomprehensible. When I looked up at the screen and saw
When I looked up at the screen and saw
When I looked up at the screen and saw the final time, I began to cry. I cried
the final time, I began to cry. I cried
the final time, I began to cry. I cried out of joy. I cried out of happiness. I
out of joy. I cried out of happiness. I
out of joy. I cried out of happiness. I cried because for the past year and a
cried because for the past year and a
cried because for the past year and a half, every challenge we faced was
half, every challenge we faced was
half, every challenge we faced was summarized in 4.74 beautiful seconds. I
summarized in 4.74 beautiful seconds. I
summarized in 4.74 beautiful seconds. I was no longer a coach. I was merely a
was no longer a coach. I was merely a
was no longer a coach. I was merely a friend watching a beautiful
friend watching a beautiful
friend watching a beautiful accomplishment.
accomplishment.
accomplishment. After the podium ceremony, a long press
After the podium ceremony, a long press
After the podium ceremony, a long press tour, and trying to pee in a cup as fast
tour, and trying to pee in a cup as fast
tour, and trying to pee in a cup as fast as I possible for anti-doping, I walked
as I possible for anti-doping, I walked
as I possible for anti-doping, I walked I walked back to the warm-up area to get
I walked back to the warm-up area to get
I walked back to the warm-up area to get my bag, but it was locked.
my bag, but it was locked.
my bag, but it was locked. As I watched the once electric venue
As I watched the once electric venue
As I watched the once electric venue empty out, walking around stranded, I
empty out, walking around stranded, I
empty out, walking around stranded, I turned around and saw my coach, who once
turned around and saw my coach, who once
turned around and saw my coach, who once forced me to climb in rental shoes,
forced me to climb in rental shoes,
forced me to climb in rental shoes, standing there with my bag.
standing there with my bag.
standing there with my bag. It was my way that at the end of the
It was my way that at the end of the
It was my way that at the end of the day, whether I'm forcing him to wear
day, whether I'm forcing him to wear
day, whether I'm forcing him to wear rental shoes or spending 30 minutes with
rental shoes or spending 30 minutes with
rental shoes or spending 30 minutes with a Secret Service agent to find his bag,
a Secret Service agent to find his bag,
a Secret Service agent to find his bag, that I always wanted the best for him,
that I always wanted the best for him,
that I always wanted the best for him, to always challenge and to service. The
to always challenge and to service. The
to always challenge and to service. The next day, Albert and I got to give a
next day, Albert and I got to give a
next day, Albert and I got to give a speech talking about our unique journey
speech talking about our unique journey
speech talking about our unique journey as he was honored as an Olympic
as he was honored as an Olympic
as he was honored as an Olympic medalist. That greatly inspired us to do
medalist. That greatly inspired us to do
medalist. That greatly inspired us to do this talk and share our story with you
this talk and share our story with you
this talk and share our story with you guys.
guys.
guys. There are no walls that are unscalable.
There are no walls that are unscalable.
There are no walls that are unscalable. It's about being creative and it's being
It's about being creative and it's being
It's about being creative and it's being smart and despite the challenges you
smart and despite the challenges you
smart and despite the challenges you face making the next move. So build the
face making the next move. So build the
face making the next move. So build the human relationships in your life to
human relationships in your life to
human relationships in your life to achieve your own records.
achieve your own records.
achieve your own records. So why not be that person to pro that
So why not be that person to pro that
So why not be that person to pro that proves to everyone else that yes, it is
proves to everyone else that yes, it is
proves to everyone else that yes, it is possible. I'm 19 years old and I have a
possible. I'm 19 years old and I have a
possible. I'm 19 years old and I have a lot of climbing ahead of me. I believe
lot of climbing ahead of me. I believe
lot of climbing ahead of me. I believe that this perspective and our dynamic
that this perspective and our dynamic
that this perspective and our dynamic can take me to gold at the next Olympics
can take me to gold at the next Olympics
can take me to gold at the next Olympics and well beyond. Well, Sam, I'll see you
and well beyond. Well, Sam, I'll see you
and well beyond. Well, Sam, I'll see you at the LA practice wall. I promise I
at the LA practice wall. I promise I
at the LA practice wall. I promise I won't almost get kidnapped this time.
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