How I Won My First Medal at 47
Six things to help you achieve your dreams
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” — Prov 16:3
As a kid, I wanted to experience how it felt to stand on one of those cubes with the number 1, 2 or 3 and wear a winner’s medal around my neck.
I spent my elementary school years making up with schoolwork for what I lacked in athletic pursuit. But, despite my failure in sports, I did not give up the idea of going after my dream of one day winning a medal in sports. So, I opted for a high school renowned for producing national sportsmen — sprinters, cricketers and footballers.
The school’s annual athletics meet consumed a month of the school calendar. Academic work almost ground to a halt. My diminutive self signed up for the long jump, high jump, 100 metres sprint, 400 metres, shot put, and javelin in my first year of high school.
Coming in dead last by some distance in the 100 metres trials did nothing to deflate my spirit. After a decent rest, I stepped up to the starting line for 400 metres trials. But this time, I did not even see the finish line. I saw stars, then puked my guts out. And that was the end of my athletic pursuits.
Or was it?
Twenty-eight years later, I took up cycling to lose weight. That goal quickly changed as my fond turned into an addiction. About three years after taking up the sport, I signed up for my first race. And my dream of winning a medal was rekindled. I raced in Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam and Dubai. I now have a decent collection of participant’s medals in my cabinet.
My latest race in Dubai was a chance event.
My coach sent me a voice message at 9:15 PM on Tuesday — “Dunstan, by the way, would you like to take part in the race this coming Saturday? It’s Ironstar indoor triathlon. I have a set of swimmer and runner looking for a cyclist to form a team. Let me know if you are interested.” Although I said I was not race-ready, he convinced me to sign up. My runner teammate greeted us on race day with, “let’s go get a podium finish, guys.” To which I replied — “Yeah, right. We are competing against some pro athletes with national-level experience. What chance do we have? Let’s just go out there, give our best and enjoy the experience.” My best I did give. And I did enjoy myself. What’s more to enjoy than spinning, singing and sweating?
The objective was to get the most cumulative distance from 30 minutes of swimming, running and cycling. Then the big reveal and complimentary breakfast were about two hours later. I left the awards ceremony to grab a coffee, knowing I was there to add to my collection of participant’s medals.
The barrister was halfway preparing my americano when I bolted out across the hallway after hearing these words through the PA system from the awards ceremony. “Third place, bronze medal goes out to ILSS Team one of Dunstan Stober…”
I finally did it!
At 47 years, 6 months and 10 days, I realised my dream of winning a medal at a sports event.
A friend asked my age after seeing the photo I tagged — “My first podium finish.” “At least you have given me hope,” was her reply to my answer.”
I reminded her that Col. Sanders founded KFC at the age of 65.
You see, we all have dreams, hopes and aspirations. Your dream might be anything from winning a sporting medal to writing a book, owning a business, getting to the top of your career or being a change maker.
Whatever your dream is, you are never too old to go after it; it is never too late to achieve it.
If a young girl in a remote village in India (depicted in the movie Skater Girl) could bring hope to her village by pursuing her dream of becoming a skateboarder; if a young athlete could overcome all odds, including his father’s resistance, to become the first man to represent his country in gymnastics at the Olympics; you can birth your dream too.
The journey to my first medal, the stories of the Skater Girl from India and the Nigerian gymnast, Uche Eke, will show you how to apply these six steps in the pursuit of your dreams.
i. Prioritise your goal
“Growing up, I have been hated for doing gymnastics because it is not a black sport. But I don’t care. I want it, so I’m going to get it.” — Uche Eke
The question will help you align your goals and dreams with what makes you happy. Your goal must bring you joy and be in line with your purpose.
Uche wanted to experience the emotions of being in the Olympics more than anything. The Skater Girl said she loves to skate because it allows her to explore freedom.
Find your priority by finding the things you want to experience, explore and embrace.
ii. Work on your dream, not someone’s expectation of you
“Others can inspire you, but ultimately the only thing that empowers you is what lies within you and learning how to better utilise what you’ve been given.” ― T. D. Jakes
Are you doing it for yourself or because it is what others expect of you? You may face resistance. People may tell you it can’t do it, or you don’t have what it takes.
You will find joy if the dream is yours. And that joy will give you the strength to withstand obstacles, setbacks and disappointments.
Uche’s dad was vehemently against his gymnastics, instead wanted him to focus on engineering. His dad became one of his most prominent cheerleader after seeing Uche’s tenacity, persistence and purpose.
Live your dream. You owe it to yourself, others and the world.
iii. Don’t settle for less
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it, keep looking. Don’t settle.” — Steve Jobs
You will fail. You will experience setbacks and challenges. But never lower the goal because it is hard.
Combining engineering in college with gymnastics was not easy. Sometimes, Uche had to take his exams during competitions. But Uche pushed past the pain until he qualified to represent Nigeria at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
No matter how hard it gets, no matter how long it takes, follow your dream.
Don’t settle for less. Don’t settle for easy.
iv. Visualise success
“The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it.” — Henry Ford
What will success look like to you? How will you feel if you achieve your dream today?
I visualised myself holding a medal since I was a kid. I wanted the taste of victory and to experience the fulfilment of achieving my dream.
Let that picture of success, the feeling of victory, propel you towards your goal.
v. Take daily, consistent action
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier
You must do something now and every day in the direction of your goal. Don’t procrastinate, don’t delay.
If you are to achieve your dream, you must take action. And the time for action is now, today, every day.
Break your dream down into monthly, weekly and daily actions. Be intentional, focused and disciplined. If you want to write a book, write one line, one paragraph or one page a day. But by all means, write daily.
Whatever your dream is, please do something about it now. Do it daily. Then measure your progress and track small wins.
vi. Believe in yourself, believe in your dream
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
“I am not strong enough.”
“I am not big enough.”
“ I don’t have what it takes.”
These are things we tell ourselves when we lack to courage to go after our dreams.
The beauty of becoming the first gymnast to represent his country, Nigeria, at the Olympics is what gave Uche Eke the strength, courage and tenacity to keep working towards his dreams.
Conquer your fear, step out of your place of ease and believe you’ve got what it takes. Let the beauty of success propel you. Believe you are enough.
What is your dream?
If you have not found it, keep looking and don’t settle.
And when you find it, make sure it is yours and not someone else’s. Then prioritise and take daily action. If you can see it with your mind’s eyes, you can achieve it.
Believe in your dreams. Believe in yourself.
