Lance Armstrong’s name was once synonymous with greatness in the world of competitive cycling. Like many, I cheered Lance and his team on in his Tour de France bids each July. With seven Tour de France titles and a legacy that extended far beyond the sport, he was an icon. However, that all came crashing down when he was caught cheating and stripped of his titles. Like many, I was sorely disappointed and sad.
Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a conversation with Robin Robins and Lance at our quarterly IT marketing event. To me, Lance felt authentic, openly sharing how he’s been navigating his journey. Whether you like Lance Armstrong or not, I found myself learning as he spoke. What follows are my takeaways from the conversation with Lance.
Keep Running Routes (Even After a Downfall)
After the storm of controversy and disgrace, Lance Armstrong found himself at a crossroads. He had to figure out how to navigate the rocky terrain of life post-fame. He shared that even though he’d screwed up and many would not associate with him again, he just kept running routes, waiting for the opportunity to “catch the ball and run with it” again. Eventually, the world “threw him the ball” and he’s used it create a new path for himself.
He’s quoted as saying, “Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.”
Stay Optimistic
One of the most noticeable aspects of Armstrong’s journey was his unwavering optimism. Despite facing criticism and condemnation, he maintained a positive outlook. This highlighted to me the importance of believing in ourselves even when the odds are stacked against us. Optimism can be a powerful force in overcoming adversity.
Embrace the Suffering
Competitive cycling is not for the faint of heart, and Armstrong had already embraced suffering on the bike. But after his downfall, he had to face a different kind of suffering – the emotional and psychological toll of his actions. He shared that a member of the Livestrong organization told him that they felt complicit in his deceit. It was an obvious wake-up call to him. Instead of running from it, he embraced it, acknowledged his mistakes, and learned from them. This willingness to confront his own flaws is a lesson to me in the importance of personal growth through good times and bad.
Stay Focused and Healthy – Be Mentally Fit
Armstrong’s journey shed light on the importance of mental health —he re-framed it as mental fitness. Just as athletes train their bodies, each of us should also invest in our mental and emotional well-being. As he put it, you could choose to curl up in a ball and hide or get back on the bike and focus on the positive. Physical, mental and emotional well-being is a crucial aspect of personal growth and resilience.
Friends – Some Lean Out, Others Lean In
When Armstrong’s cheating scandal broke, he experienced a loss of friends and supporters. Some distanced themselves from him, while others stood by his side. It really highlighted the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people – those who will support you through thick and thin.
This crosses over into teamwork. Armstrong has always emphasized the importance of having the right team around you. It’s not limited to professional pursuits but applies to personal relationships as well. The people you surround yourself with can either lift you up or bring you down.
Nothing Goes Away But You Can Rebuild
Armstrong’s recent journey is not about trying to erase his past but about rebuilding from it. As he said, “I cannot change what had happened,” but he could shape his future. This is a powerful lesson in resilience. Acknowledging and learn from our past is essential for personal growth and redemption.
Be Like Lance, Find Joy in the Process
Ultimately, Armstrong shared that he found the most joy in the process of racing itself, rather than just the accolades and titles. A great reminder that true fulfillment often comes from the journey, not just the destination. It’s a reminder to enjoy the process of pursuing our goals and dreams. What journey are you on? Are you enjoying the process?
I found Lance Armstrong’s post-fame interview a compelling narrative of resilience, redemption, and personal growth. His journey is a testament to the power of optimism, embracing suffering, and staying focused on the path to rebuilding one’s life. By surrounding ourselves with the right people, investing in mental fitness, and finding joy in the process, we can all learn from his experience and strive for our own redemption and personal growth.
P.S. Some of you may remember Lance is a cancer survivor which was the genesis of Livestrong.org, a wonderful organization whose mission question is: Which everyday cancer problem will we fix today?
I encourage to you learn more about them and to consider supporting Livestrong.org by donating here.
