Real-Life Heroes and Inspiration

I’ve always had heroes growing up. From fictional characters when I was a kid, to real people, like my dad, heroes always served as sources of wonder and inspiration.

As I grew up, the number of heroes became fewer and fewer. The only one remaining I would say is my dad, who will always be heroic to me. Instead, the “hero” connotation has evolved to people who inspire me and possess the following characteristics:

• they’re real people
• nice and humble
• honorable
• and at the very top of their respective career field

Recently, I had an inspirational moment with such a person.

Last week at my gym, I was getting ready to go on a cardio machine when, lo and behold, I noticed Patrick Willis stretching within ten yards of me. Yes, I stared at him a few times, but I managed to leave him alone and go off to get some cardio exercise.

My cardio work out was going to be a short one because I just wasn’t feeling it. All that changed when Patrick Willis proceeded to hop on a cardio machine very close to the one that I was on.

Here was a person who not only is the most valuable player on the 49ers but is also considered the best player in his position in professional football. Just as important in my opinion is that, by all accounts, he is a stand-up individual. I saw a couple of people approach him, and he was extremely friendly with them. My brother, who was at the gym after I left, also saw what a nice guy he was to those that approached and talked to him.

Thanks to Patrick Willis, I stayed on the cardio machine about 30 minutes longer than I would have had otherwise. I was inspired by his work ethic to exercise more. It was also great to see first-hand how much of a nice guy he seems to be.