For a long time I was never on the winning team. I learned to work hard and accept the growth that came with the losses when wins were few and far between. This didn’t just relate to my sports teams either, it seemed in life I was just supposed to be the underdog.
Second place felt normal because no matter how hard I tried, no matter what work I put in, it just was one step from being enough. And that made a lot of people doubt me. Because of where I was from, because of who I was.
For a long time the doubt that followed me by being The Underdog. No one believed in my abilities- including myself. And then I started using the doubt to fuel what I was doing. If no one thought I would win, I really had nothing to lose. I could be a little different, a little more myself, and that became my super power.
Returning to Wyoming FFA State Convention to run for a state office my second year, I embraced that I was only one of two people who were running for a second time. I was overlooked before, but this time I was older, wiser, I was ready. No one expected the kid from Glendo to earn a position on a state level team because it had never happened before.
And then I did it.
It’s so easy to bet on the stronger, faster, more experienced fighter.
But David beat Goliath.
You have survived even the worst day of your life.
You are where you are because at one point you were The Underdog. The weakling. The less experienced. The overlooked.
You are where you are because you took the chance despite the failures you were sure to face.
One of my favorite songs has always been The Underdog by Aaron Watson.
“Keep your nose down when you win, Keep your head up when you lose, And you're gonna lose.” And that rings true in a lot in life. Don’t be boastful when you win, and know that at some point you will lose. Loss is inevitable in everything.
Even the greats like Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, and Amanda Nunez have lost. They were far from being The Underdog when it happened.
Don’t ever think “I can’t win, so I won’t even try.” Because you might just surprise yourself and do what no one expects, coming home with the prize, and having all your hard work pay off.
“Follow your heart and always believe in The Underdog.”
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