2010 began like most years for me.  Dick Clark did the countdown, the ball dropped, fireworks went off, and the calendar changed.  Truthfully, I’ve never been much into new year’s resolutions because they don’t typically work.  The commercialism of this “change your life” day is rather sad to me, but at the same time, at least it gives people one day a year where they actually think about making some sort of change for the better.

I realized more than ever in 2010 that change has to do with passion, not merely the want to change.  If you are to lose weight, run your first race, play Michael Jordan, start a blog, write a book, etc., there has to be more fueling your fire than just “I want to do this.”  The reason is, most things that are worth having don’t come easy.  When times get tough, more often than not we revert to what is comfortable…unless passion is part of the equation.

Here is a look back on some of the things I’m proud that I accomplished in 2010

• Ran my first half marathon.
• Ran my second half marathon.
• Started mevsMJ.com.
• Went to Impact Basketball Training.
• Played against 7’3″ Akeme Smart.
• Played against Virginia Tech signee Robert Brown (Ranked #84 in USA by ESPN).
• Ran over 530 miles (over 73,000 calories burned).

Why I’m proud of those accomplishments

Prior to January 18th of 2010, I didn’t exercise or play basketball anymore.  I was alive, but I wasn’t doing much living.

I Feel Alive Right Now!

My brother did a rap called, Alive, back in July.  It has become my anthem.

Everything I have DONE this year has made me FEEL SO ALIVE.  I’ve been saying this more and more, but life really is amazing if you allow it to be.

Alive (by Bob Eller) [Audio and Lyrics]

[If you are reading this via email or the RSS feed, click here to go to the full post and listen]

I feel alive right now
I feel alive right now
I feel alive right now
I feel alive right now

Verse 1
Life is so fantastic, I can’t even mask it
Feel like MJ, in 98’, the final basket
Yeah I push a little, but I’m pullin’ off some magic
Tricks up my sleeve, call me Inspector Gadget
Ever since my DOB, until the casket
I will cherish each breath like I battle asthma
I wrote the manual, now it’s automatic
Flat linin’ beats like a musical assassin
That means I’m killin‘ it, but you knew that
I keep it hoppin’ like the kangaroo on my hat
I tell you how it is, so you don’t have to ask
That black card says, “Get over here and kiss my ass!”
Future so bright there’s no need for a flash
So take a picture if you want to keep it for your past
Otherwise, let the red carpet show my path
Big 1040, the IRS makes me show my math
Itemize these lines, claim the fame, and deduct lies
Add the drive to be the best, subtract the lack of time
I shine brighter than the rest, haven’t hit my prime
This world is mine until I close my eyes

Chorus
I feel alive right now
I feel alive right now
I feel alive right now
I feel alive right now
I, I, I feel alive right now
You can pretend, but it ain’t real
I stand on top, my spot still
I feel alive right now

Verse 2
I am everything possible, don’t you ever doubt me
Put a C before RAP if it is without me
I’m the biggest fish in Lake County
Spittin’ out hooks, eatin’ everything around me
Whether a Corolla or a drop top Audi
Girls holla hola, namaste, chao, and howdy
Chillin’ on South Beach, tan like a Saudi
I control the game with one hand like Atari
Bet you wanna trade places like we’re playin’ Sorry
Cause I’m always on Target like Isaac Mizhari
Welcome to the soiree, this is my story
Dyin for title and livin for the glory

Chorus
I feel alive right now
I feel alive right now
I feel alive right now
I feel alive right now
I, I, I feel alive right now
You can pretend, but it ain’t real
I stand on top, my spot still

That 3 minutes and 17 seconds of music says it all.  I Feel Alive Right Now!

If you haven’t found something to make you feel alive, I pray that you do soon.  If it’s 2011 that catapults you in the direction of that, all the best to ya.

Looking Forward

The calendar won’t really change much in my approach.  Looking forward, I plan on continuing to work hard, get in even better basketball shape, play the best, train with the best, do some amazing things and ultimately play Michael Jordan 1-on-1.

As a client of mine told me last week, nothing is impossible.  Impossible just takes a bit longer.

Thanks for all of the support thus far!  I truly cherish each and every comment, tweet, and email I receive.

I hope you have a safe and happy New Year!  Here’s to 2011 being one of the best ever!

Music Credit: The music used in my brother’s rap, Alive, is the instrumental of Lil Wayne’s 3 Peat.

In an effort to get in the best possible condition for my upcoming (gotta believe!) one-on-one battle with Michael Jordan, I’m focusing more of my time on one-on-one competition.

Why More One-on-One?

The most obvious reason I’m shifting my focus to more one-on-one basketball, is that it is the kind of game I’m trying to get against Jordan.

Beyond that, one-on-one is a unique game that is very demanding on the body.   Just as it takes time to get used to running full court, it takes a special kind of conditioning to really play one-on-one basketball well.

Growing up, my brother and I used to play almost daily.  We could and would play four or five games, one after the other, to 15 points, at a fairly high intensity rate.

These days, playing one-on-one isn’t something I do that much and it has been evident in my one-on-one match-ups thus far.  I just haven’t been able to maintain the intensity needed to truly compete against the best.

Better Shape Than Most

There is no doubt when it comes to running and overall fitness level, I’m in better condition than I’ve been in my whole life.

If basketball were a game in which you had to run a mile or two before you could shoot, I might be undefeated right now.

It’s not though.

One-on-one basketball gives the player no breaks.   If you’re not on offense trying to score, you’re on defense trying to stop the opposition from scoring.   It’s a game of constant explosive movements, at least it should be against good/great competition.

Giving Jordan My Best

After playing Robert Brown, I realized that if I had been called by MJ or his people at that time, I wouldn’t have been able to give the game my best.

My goal at this point is to be able to give my 100%, whatever that is, the entire game.

Win or lose, as long as I give my best, I’ll be happy.

Focus on Defense

I plan to focus on my defense first and foremost.

I used to pride myself in playing good defense, because when I first began playing, my offensive game wasn’t the best.   Over time, I got better and better at shooting and as I got older I started doing more reaching and less of moving my feet on the defensive end.

Defense is mostly desire.  I desire to be a better defender.

How You Can Help!

If you are or know someone that is a top tier high school, college or pro player and would like to help me prepare for Michael Jordan, here is what you do!

I have created two new tabs right above the content of this blog.

The first is Who I’ve Played.  This is simply that, who I’ve played thus far.

The second tab is called Play Me.  This is where you come in.

Play Me (NEW)

If you are or you know someone that is an elite high school, college or pro basketball player and would like to help me prepare for Jordan by playing me one-on-one, you can simply go to the Play Me page and fill in the information. I will then get an email and contact you about setting up the game.

**At this time, due to cost of travel, I am looking for only top level current and former high school, college and pro players.

What You Get For Playing Me

First, a VERY thankful Me!  The truth is, I NEED YOUR HELP!   If I am going to be at my best, like the saying goes, it is going to take a village for sure!

I will also do a feature video of our match-up here on the mevsMJ.com, as I’ve done with 7’3″ Akeme Smart and 6’4″, Nationally Ranked, Robert Brown.

A SuperStar A Month?

I would love to be able to play at least one nationally ranked high school player, or college/pro player per month up until my game versus the great one, Michael Jordan.

I hope that some of you can help make this goal a reality.

I thank you in advance!!

Side note: I recently strained my back playing a week ago and am doing my best to recover.  If you could keep me in your thoughts and prayers, it would be much appreciated! Thanks!

I had closed my macbook and given myself an excuse to miss my first scheduled posting.

Last night I came home from playing hoops with the intent of finishing up a post for this morning.  Instead, what began with one text message from a close friend, led to a three hour conversation on a potentially great opportunity for me.

After much discussion, I was back to writing, but my mind was elsewhere.  I stopped and started five to seven different posts.  Nothing seemed to flow.

I was tired.

Prior to beginning this journey, I wrote content for times just like these, but none of them seemed to fit either.

I was frustrated.

I told myself it’s Veterans Day (HAPPY VETERANS DAY!).  I told myself I would do a post Friday and at least get back on track next week.

I walked away and back to my home office several times.  I wanted to give up, but felt weak for thinking that.  I thought, would anyone really notice anyway?

There was almost no post today….

There is a post today because I MUST push forward!

Beyond the really cool opportunity that my friend and I were discussing, the underlying theme throughout was this:

It’s Not going to be easy, Nor should it be.

The Real World

So, after a week at Impact, I’m officially back in the Real World now.

No more specialized training.  No more two people rebounding balls for me and delivering pin point passes or looking over my game with a fine toothed comb.

No more 7’3” Akeem or any of the other guys at Impact.

It’s back to just me, a concrete court, a double rim with a chain net and determination.

Not going to be easy

To take what I learned from my training at Impact and really have it translate to my game will take a lot of work.

I mean A LOT of work.

It means retooling and adjusting things I’ve done wrong for 20 years.  It means countless hours on a court with no one encouraging me.  It means off court training in the mornings or evenings when I may be wornout and tired.

It’s not going to be easy, that is for sure.

Nor Should it Be

I have more determination and passion about getting better and playing Michael Jordan than I can even describe.

My eyes well up with tears and those tears ride the slide down my face, just thinking about how badly I want this.

This journey is showing me how absolutely joyous life can be, if you get out of the way of your own self.

Yes, this journey hasn’t and isn’t going to be easy, nor should it be!

In a little over two months since I began, I have done things I never would have expected and met some of the coolest people in person and through social networking and it began on one day with a BIG dream and a single post.

Why I PUSH Forward!

I throw big bag full of coal in the engine and steam forward at the age of 33 because I understand how fleeting life’s opportunities can be.

I’m not the most athletic.  I’m not the best basketball player.  I’m not positive Michael Jordan will even find out about what I’m doing and agree to play me.

I push forward because with each step I feel more alive.

I wrote earlier about why passion is the key to success and probably should have titled that the key to life.

My heart, mind, body and soul are so aligned at this time.  I am so passionate about this journey.

I just want to grab every single person and implore them to follow their passion at ALL COSTS!

The Image

In a rather deep, challenging tone, he calls out, “You Ready? Let’s see what you’ve got.”

He then flips the ball in my direction from his large hand, crouches down in his All NBA defensive stance and says, “Let’s gooo.”

There is no one around. It’s just me vs. MJ.

I’m poised. I’m prepared. I’m ready!

I look deep in the eyes of the greatest basketball player who’s ever lived, Michael Jordan, and I attack!

I’ve had that image playing over and over again in my head lately in vivid color.

It fuels me.

What Fuels You?

What fuels you?  What are you passionate about?  What dream are you pursuing?

If you aren’t going after your dream, the one thing you’ve always wanted to do, I beg you to begin!

It will change your life and remind you why you are living!

You were given once chance with an undertermined number of years.  Don’t waste it!

Again, it’s not going to be easy, nor should it be!

Much love!  Off to the courts I go!

I see the image.  What do you see??

It’s Wednesday night in Sarasota.  I’ve made it through the first five sessions of my Impact Basketball training.  The first three days have been so much more than I ever could have expected!  I’m loving it!

My Impact Basketball Workout Schedule

For the last two days and for the remainder of my time with Impact Basketball (through Saturday), I begin each day with a morning workout session at 8am that usually lasts until 11:30am or so.  The morning session has consisted of court work and circuit training.

Following the morning workout, I head back to the hotel, eat, take a shower and sleep.  Yes, I’m that tired.

I then come back for an evening workout that begins at 5pm and usually runs till 6:30 or 7pm.

At this point, ever muscle in my body, including muscles I didn’t even know existed…ACHES!  I am extremely fatigued physically, but my spirit and mind are strong!  I am having the best time and trying to soak up every bit of it!

A TRUE Basketball Education!

I came into this experience thinking I knew quite a lot about the game of basketball.  Matt Hiller, who has been gracious enough to train me this week, is BLOWING my mind with his knowledge.  He is showing me things I never even thought of on the court and with enough practice, if implemented in my game, will make a HUGE difference!  I mean HUGE!

I’d give more details, but MJ might be reading…haha.

Me and Akeme

On Tuesday morning, Matt let me know that he’d bring in Akeme Smart to workout with me for my Wednesday morning session.  That turned in to me doing some one-on-one drills against Akeme and I was beyond excited!  All day Tuesday, anytime I would see Akeme or he would see me, one of us would say “Tomorrow!” as a call out to our upcoming battle.

Akeme is 7 foot 3 inches and 19 years old.  He’s gifted with endless potential and has been at Impact Basketball for around two months, working on his game.  On top of being a great player, he seems to be a great young man.

The Match-up (Me and Akeme)

What I thought would be a short session with Akeme, turned into around an hour or more of shooting drills and one-on-one drills.  This was beyond cool for me!

The guys at Impact were kind enough to bring in the cameras and record the session!

To my surprise, when I came back for my night session, the video had been edited and was ready to go!

Without further ado…here is a taste of what I’ve been doing at Impact Basketball!!!

Impact Basketball Training:  Me and Akeme Smart (video):

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fd2rngCTOk

*Special thanks to Matt Hiller (Impact Basketball-Director of Player Development/My Trainer for the week) for setting this up and Akeme Smart for agreeing to workout with me.  Also, BIG thanks to Tom Carollo (Impact Basketball-GM/Academy Director) for shooting the video and doing such a great job editing this for me!! So thankful!!