LEARN TO ATTACK FEAR FROM NATHANIEL HOLCOMB

FEAR KILLS MORE DREAMS THAN FAILURE EVER WILL. -UNKNOWN

What do you fear?

Is it failure? Are you overly consumed by your image and what people think of you? Or is it a past mistake that you keep replaying over and over? Or maybe you suffer from one of the most crippling fears, which used to often plague me - negative anticipation. You worry about events that haven't even happened yet. You use words like "don't let this happen," or "avoid this."

This negative thought pattern can be summed up by this statement: "What you resist, persists." 

Fear feeds off of fear. The more you avoid, the more you attract.

Whether you think positive or negative thoughts, you often times attract positive or negative outcomes in your life. When you create pictures of what you "don't want," you are creating that image in your mind, and thus attracting that very event.

Here are a few examples. Have you ever played baseball and been on defense and thought, "Don't hit it to me, don't hit it to me." What happens? The ball always finds you.

Or you didn't do your homework for school. You show up to class and you keep saying to yourself, "Don't call on me, don't call on me." What happens? Without a doubt, the teacher calls on you. These are examples of "what you resist persists."

An amazing story of the power of thought and fear comes from the Puyallup High School class of 2017 standout quarterback, Nathaniel Holcomb. As a sophomore, fresh out of Kalles Junior High, Holcomb earned the varsity starting quarterback position for the Vikings. Like many first time performers, the desire to not fail consumed Nathaniel's mind; more than thoughts of making positive things happen.

"I didn't want to screw up," Nathaniel said. "I didn't want to throw an interception. I was afraid of what people thought of me - even if I didn't know them."

6'1, 195 stud, Nathaniel Holcomb

This internal dialogue sounds very familiar to my old self-talk and many young athletes that I work with. Ironically, this "don't screw up" mindset leads to more screwing up. One of the biggest mental hurdles for Holcomb that season was the fear of injury.

"I played timid and hesitant," he said. "I was afraid of getting hurt."

Playing to avoid injury instead of playing to make things happen proved detrimental. In week four versus Emerald Ridge, Holcomb suffered a concussion that kept him out for most of the season.

Entering his junior season, Holcomb grew stronger and more confident. He was more comfortable with the offense and he knew his playbook. His production improved early in the season, which was evident by leading a come from behind victory over Curtis High School. However, after amassing over 1,000 yards passing and 11 touchdowns, that negative mindset crept back in.

"I remember thinking, 'your doing good, just don't get hurt,' " Holcomb said.

However, during a game mid-way in the season, his fear of injury manifested itself again. After throwing two touchdowns, a hard hit to his left knee forced a sprained MCL. Holcomb was once again out for the season.

According to performance psychologist Heidi Grant from Columbia University, "The brain can process five to seven different thoughts at a time. But when the brain is anxious, it can only process two or three." This function may be for our evolutionary survival (when avoiding lions and tigers, it's probably important to have a narrow focus). However, when needing to process a great deal of information at once (like playing quarterback), a relaxed and calm mindset is much more beneficial.

Going into his senior season, Holcomb knew he wanted to make that year different. He committed himself to train even harder, and more importantly, spend less time of worrying about things out of his control - like being consumed by other people's opinions and the fear of injury.

"The word 'injury' was not in my mind," Holcomb said. "My mindset shifted from 'don't get hurt,' to 'I'm going to stay healthy, and have a good year.' " The College of Idaho commit added, "I said to myself, 'I'm not afraid of throwing a pick.' "

A healthy internal dialogue makes all the difference.

I had the pleasure of delivering several mindset workshops with the Puyallup High School football team that summer. One of the messages I gave was on the concept of "attacking fear." I encouraged the players to not run away from adversity and challenge, but to attack it head on. True champions have the courage to face their fears and use that energy as a tailwind to push them forward; not as a headwind that holds them back.

Why did Bruce Wayne (Batman) choose a nocturnal flying creature as his alter ego and symbol of justice? Because of his fear of bats as a young boy. By embracing that fear, and facing it, it gave him courage and strength.

Author and motivational speaker Jack Canfield says, "Everything we want in life is on the other side of fear."

When talking with the PHS football team, I challenged the seniors to come up with a slogan and a hashtag for the season to serve as their mantra and battle cry. This word or phrase would spark vision and action. Holcomb decided to embrace the concept of ATTACK FEAR.

"I never heard those two words together - attack fear," Holcomb said. "I liked it, and wanted to use it."

Oh, and attack fear he did. When week four came again his senior season, Holcomb didn't get hurt, he dominated. Against South Kitsap, Holcomb set a Washington State 11-Man football record with 10 touchdown passes. All while overcoming two early interceptions.

"I wasn't scared," he said. "I was smarter and more loose in the pocket. I was able to avoid defenders and make more plays."

By attacking his fear, Holcomb went on to finish the season with a clean bill of health. He torched the SPSL, finishing the year with 42 touchdowns (only nine interceptions) and 3,649 yards passing. This performance earned him several postseason honors, and a spot with the College of Idaho in the Frontier League.

NFL veteran and College of Idaho Head Coach Mike Moroski is singing Holcomb's praises, "Nathaniel is a big time recruit for us. Very strong arm with the ability to put the ball wherever he wants."

We can learn from Nathaniel Holcomb's story. By facing fear, adversity, and challenge head on, we take away it's power - and in turn - become more powerful.

Like Holcomb learned, when faced with FEAR, we have two options:

Forget
Everything
And
Run

or

Face
Everything
And
Rise

The choice is yours. So let me ask you:

WHAT FEAR ARE YOU GOING TO ATTACK TODAY?

Use Nathaniel's story to inspire you. You got this. Let's go!

Collin Henderson is the founder of Project Rise, which is a platform to help individuals and teams improve their mindset and performance. He is also teaching an eight week course on the power of mindset (Flow Mental Performance) at Northwest Prospects Academy this fall (information coming soon).

MY LETTER TO SUPERMAN - STEVE GLEASON

Dear Steve,

I have to make a confession. I've put off watching your award winning film Gleason for months. When I learned you were diagnosed with ALS, I was shocked and cried. I can't image what you and your family must have felt, but the news hit me hard...

Almost as hard as the time you blind sided me during Blitz Pick Up my freshman year. You probably don't remember this, but I was lined up in the left slot. You were playing weak side linebacker on the far hash. I had the hot route over the middle and just after Birny threw me the ball and it hit my hands, you ear holed me and absolutely blew me up. I was five feet horizontal in the air because you hit me so hard. I somehow miraculously still held onto the ball and popped back up real quick to show that I was tough. No one seemed to care that this was a noncontact drill—maybe because I was a true freshman and you were a fifth year senior.

Either way, I learned first hand what the term meant to get your “bell rung.” My left ear was ringing for like two hours after that play.

That hit obviously was nowhere near as hard as the adversities that you and your family face everyday. As you say, “Awesome ain't easy,” I haven't been an awesome teammate. I've put off watching your honest and courageous journey that you documented in your movie for too long.

You see, you were like Superman to me—you still are, probably more so—and I cowardly didn't have the courage to witness your transformation...until last night. I balled my eyes out the entire film. I even went up to each of my three children while they were sleeping and put my hands on them, while I was sobbing.

Like I did after you blindsided me, you keep getting back up every single day. You've refreshed my lens on life, like you undoubtedly have with millions of others.

I'm writing this right now because I can't sleep. You and Michel’s bravery is both heroic and haunting.

I have to get a few things off my chest and share my feelings with you.

You probably haven't thought about me for a long time, but you've been on my mind for the past six years. The last time I saw you was late November 2011—just 10 months after your diagnosis with ALS. I heard you were going to be honored in Pullman that weekend to raise the flag as an honorary captain.

There was an event for you at the Palouse Ridge Golf Course that Saturday, and I knew I had to see you. I've never told you this Steve, but I've always looked up to you. While I was a naive, wide-eyed, and insecure freshman, you were the confident big man on campus and senior captain. But, what I've always loved about you is you’ve never acted like the big man on campus. You have always been so kind, full of energy, and open to talk to anyone—even me.

Though you made me sing the Cougar fight song in front of the entire team at the Cougar Fitness Buffet during fall camp, I didn't hold it against you. You made up for it when you came back to train with us in Pullman after your first year in the NFL as an undrafted free agent. You were learning to play safety and I was a slot receiver. We had some good battles that summer. You gave many awesome insights about what it's like to be a professional to not only to me, but many other Cougar players who looked up to you as well.

So back to your Cougar event in 2011, I remember seeing you walk through the venue door. You had a cane and something else unexpected. When I saw you I remember thinking, “Holy shit, Steve’s got a legit mustache.” It was No Shave November. You've always had the perfect combination of empathy, intensity, and a sense of humor.

Maybe it was fate or luck, but because I was standing closest to the door, I was the first person to hug you. After not seeing you for many years it touched me when you said, “Come in for the real thing.” We hugged and I felt so much love from you and everyone in that room. I've always felt some strange connection to you. Maybe it was because I felt we had a lot in common.

• You went to Gonzaga Prep during the same time as my cousins Sarah and Peter Hession

• We both were somewhat undersized as football players who didn't have that typical build or personality

• Both of our fathers loved us but in an intense driven way

• We both were two sport athletes who played football and baseball

I remember several conversations we had about how you juggled both sports. These mini-mentor sessions really helped my mindset and confidence that if you could do it, I could do it too.

I'll never forget the speech you gave to the team during early August two-a-days though. It was a hot summer Palouse evening and we were up in the Martin Stadium bleachers. Each week, one of the captains addressed the team with a speech. I can't remember Torry or Nian’s topic (I do remember Nian referencing that he was wearing a “young ass T-shirt” though. Being from Puyallup, I had no idea what that meant). I've never forgotten your message. The topic of your talk was to DREAM BIG.

This mantra has carried you through your entire life. Watching from afar, you have lived this creed to its fullest: as an athlete, husband, father, son, friend, trailblazer, ALS advocate, filmmaker, role model and a true inspiration.

Your Monday Night Football blocked punt may have been the symbol of rebirth to so many in New Orleans, but your will, grit, vulnerability, and vision living through ALS has given a rebirth to the masses. You can add my name to that list.

I’ve learned from you a couple valuable lessons that deal with maybe the two most powerful emotions a person can feel and possess: courage and love. Both emotions are different in their own right, but they share one common bond: fear. You can't experience either courage or love without fear being present—but the only way to beat fear is with a brave spirit and a faithful heart.

Thank you for teaching me and others to fight through the fear and to dream big. Thank you for modeling raw vulnerability. Thank you for putting your family first (your wife Michel is one serious bad ass—we also share that in common—we married up). And thank you for never giving up.

As I write this, the date is ironically 7/3...the opposite of your Saint’s number 37. Even though your life has played out the opposite of what you’ve envisioned, just know that your legacy in this world and impact on the development of ALS technology is making a larger imprint than you could have ever done as a player.

I see you now more powerful than Superman. You are like Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars when he faced Darth Vader in that epic final battle where he said, “Strike me down, and I'll be more powerful than you can ever image.”

By sitting down in a chair Steve, you are helping me and others stand up—in relationships, life, and love.

You've inspired a new mantra for me. I want to live my life thirty-four-seven (347): your combined numbers as a Coug and Saint. Meaning, I want to maximize each day with compassion, courage, perspective, and passion, just like you. I'm going to live 347...twenty-four-seven (247).

All the best to Michel and Rivers. Tell your mom I said hello...she is one of the nicest people I've ever met, and I love seeing her when I go back to Pullman.

Have fun at Gleason Fest this year on August 12 in Spokane (event link here). I want to help reach our goal of raising $10K for the event (give here). We are expecting our fourth child on July 31, so I don't think I'll be able to make this one. I'm going to donate to Team Gleason though (give to Team Gleason here), and have my company match. I'll encourage others to do the same. I know the event is in good hands with Rian and “Shady” Grady.

Congrats on your beautiful film Gleason. It is a must see for everyone.

Until next time I see you Steve...just know that I love you and make sure that your head is on a swivel...I just might return the favor and blindside you with an ear hole shot of my own—I don't care if you're in a wheelchair.

Either way, as always: Go Cougs and No White Flags.

Sincerely Your Friend and Teammate,

Collin

PS: Below are some pictures I took with an old school disposable camera from our one year together as teammates. What a blast from the past!

This was on the bus while in Hawaii...that's Honolulu's Finest, J. Gess sitting in front of you.

That's you and and me throwing up the "hang loose" at the airport.

Looks like I'm trying to look tough here - again.

Here we are in front of Bohler. Nice cowboy hat by the way. That's me on the bottom right.

Left to right:  There's Coach Akey, Steve (Birny) Birnbaum, Adam (The Hawk) Hawkins, and Paul (PM Don) Menke.

Collin Henderson is the founder of Project Rise, which is a platform to help inspire and give individuals and teams the tools to master their mindset and be the best version of themselves.