“I never lost a game. I only ran out of time to win.” — Coach Harry Selkow, Strength & Conditioning Failure gets a bad reputation. Most people see it as the end. But the truth? Failure is only feedback. It’s the best teacher you’ll ever have—if you’re willing to learn from it. Michael Jordan put it this way: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Why Failure Builds Success - Every mistake leaves a lesson. Miss a shot? You learn what adjustments to make. Lose a game? You see where the gaps are. - Failure toughens your mindset. When you stop seeing failure as permanent, you stop fearing it. Fear holds players back more than lack of talent ever will. - Failure keeps you in the game. You only truly “lose” when you quit. As long as you get back up, you’re still in the fight. The Takeaway You don’t lose. You run out of time, you stumble, you miss—but each of those is a step forward if you stay receptive, humble, and willing to adapt. When you look at failure as a temporary moment instead of a final result, you become unstoppable. The athlete (or person) who embraces failure as part of the process will always outlast the one who avoids it.

I used to dread Mondays. They felt heavy. But a few years ago, I came across a meme that changed how I looked at them: “Sharks wake up early, bite things, swim fast, and remind everyone they’re a shark.” It reminded me of a Chinese proverb that I’ve carried with me since: “All things are difficult before they are easy.” The truth is, the hard work always comes first. That’s what makes the outcome worthwhile. Whether it’s extra wall ball reps, finishing a run, or showing up early — you’ve got to bite into the hard stuff before it ever feels easy. That’s what makes you a shark. Journaling Prompt for This Week 1. What’s one thing that feels hard for you every day?(Could be running, staying consistent with stickwork, schoolwork, or even getting enough sleep.) 2. Now, visualize your “shark” moment — how will that hard thing become fun once you’ve mastered it? Is it being able to outrun your competition in the 4th quarter? Is it nailing a behind-the-back pass because of all the extra reps? Is it having more confidence because you did the work nobody else wanted to do? Write it down. Be specific. Your shark moment is what keeps you swimming forward when it’s hard. It builds confidence in yourself and your abilities. Take this prompt seriously and watch your mindset change!!! 💭 Community Challenge: Drop your answers below ⬇️ 1. What’s one thing that feels hard for you every day? 2. What’s your “shark moment” — the outcome that makes the hard work worth it? Let’s see where everyone’s at. Your answer might inspire a teammate to attack their own “hard thing” today. 🦈🔥

My strength and conditioning coach used to say that all the time. At first, I thought it was just a tough guy quote — something you’d hear from someone trying to sound intense. But as I got to know him, and honestly, as I’ve gotten older, I realized it was deeper than that. “Moderation is for cowards” isn’t about shaming effort. It’s about understanding the difference between good and great. If you want to be elite — in lacrosse, in life, in anything — you can’t be halfway in. You’ve got to be obsessed. That kind of daily commitment will change your future. The truth is, greatness comes with failure. You’ll miss shots. You’ll get benched. You’ll mess up. But pressure is a privilege — and the greatest athletes of all time failed more than most people ever even tried. What made them great is they kept showing up. I’m training every day right now because I still compete in the North American Box Lacrosse League. We went to Nationals last year and finished 9th — and that didn’t sit well with me. So I’m lifting, shooting, watching film, and doing the work. I want to win in those big moments, and I know it takes more than talent — it takes obsession. So here’s your challenge: What part of your game do you want to improve most right now? Comment below and let me know — shooting, footwork, dodging, defense, stick skills, whatever it is — and I’ll help guide you toward it. If enough people like or comment, I’ll create a video for this group to break it down and help everyone get better. Let’s work.

This week, we’re learning from both Kobe Bryant and PLL star Matt Brandau. Kobe once said: “The fourth quarter is not about talent. It’s about your mindset, your will to win, and your refusal to give in.” On July 19, 2025, Brandau lived this out. For three quarters, he hadn’t put the ball in the back of the net. But when the game was on the line, he exploded—scoring all four of his goals in the fourth quarter to lift the Whipsnakes past his former team, the Waterdogs. This wasn’t luck. It was mindset. Brandau stayed ready, stayed focused, and when the moment came, he was prepared to finish. 💡 The Lesson It doesn’t matter how you start. What matters is how you finish. - A missed pass early in the game doesn’t define you. - A bad rep in practice doesn’t define you. - Even a tough first three quarters don’t define you. Your resilience, your ability to stay present, and your commitment to finish strong—that’s what separates good athletes from great ones. 🏋️ How to Train It 1. Fourth Quarter SprintsAt the end of practice or your workout, add 3–5 all-out sprints. Push to run them harder than your first ones. This builds the habit of performing when tired. 2. Clutch RepsFinish every stickwork session with 2 minutes of “clutch wall ball.” Sharpen your focus and demand perfection when you’re at the end, not just the beginning. 3. Pressure SituationsSimulate game scenarios where the score is tied with one minute left. Train yourself to thrive in pressure moments. ✍️ Journaling Prompt After practice or at night, write for 5 minutes on these questions: - Where in my day did I mentally check out too early? - How can I finish stronger tomorrow—in school, in training, or even at home? - When I’m tired, what words or self-talk will keep me locked in? Building this reflection habit makes the fourth quarter mindset part of your daily life, not just your game. ✅ Closing Thought The fourth quarter is where legends are made.Brandau proved it. Kobe lived it. Now it’s on you—will you finish strong this week?