March 10, 2021
Man in the Arena

Every one of us will face challenges in life, moments of doubt – even feelings of inadequacy. There’s always the tendency to “play it safe”, not take any chances – for fear failure, loss or disappointments. Some times we’re so afraid of facing setbacks that we’d rather not try.

On Saturday March 6th, Israel Adesanya challenged Jan Blachowicz for his Light Heavyweight title at UFC 259. Much had been said about Israel’s chances, leading up to the fight – and many favored him to win. Ultimately he came up short, losing to Jan on points.

Israel carried a 20-0 record into the fight, he’s the UFC Middleweight champion of the World, already a very highly regarded fighter. He gave up over 20 Pounds and definitely took a big risk facing a much bigger and stronger opponent.

After the fight, Israel was asked what happened and how he felt. He’s response - “Dare to be Great”. “Critics are on the Sidelines, but I’m the one putting it on the line”.

He’s comments reminded me of a quote by Theodore Roosevelt-  “We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage.”

Every one of us will face challenges in life, moments of doubt – even feelings of inadequacy. There’s always the tendency to “play it safe”, not take any chances – for fear failure, loss or disappointments. Some times we’re so afraid of facing setbacks that we’d rather not try.

In responding to the defeat – Adesanya said. “It sucks to lose, but it’s not like it’s the end of the world. I’ve lost before. I’m excited to get back and work on the details. Jan was the better fighter today, he had an answer tonight for the things I was throwing at him.”

What I see here is a person who accepted a challenge, wanted to Win but was not afraid to lose. That’s an important point. If we’re not willing to accept the possibility that we may fall short of our goals, we loose an opportunity to learn & grow. When pressed on how he felt about losing, Israel’s response provides a Window into his mindset.

“I’ve lost before, ”Adesanya said. “I’ve lost in kickboxing. I’ve lost in boxing. I lost in life and I’ve lost in love. You don’t win all the time. I’m still here. My team’s still here. They still love me. My family loves me.” That's his mindset.

Mindset & Attitude are perhaps the strongest assets that a Leader can have. One’s Mindset shapes our principles and influences how we respond to life’s challenges. Israel is willing to take chances, try new things and keep challenging himself. It’s one of the reasons he’s become a very successful fighter. He’s definitely very driven to win – but that drive is not all consuming. He can still be magnanimous in defeat, freely admitting that his opponent was well prepared and was the better fighter. He’s quote about Daring to be Great is inspiring and uplifting because he truly lives out that value.  

Israel is truly a Great Example of the “Man in the Arena” – whom Theodore Roosevelt references in this excerpt from his now famous speech in Paris, On April 23, 1910

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."  Theodore Roosevelt

Rotimi Olumide

Thought leader, speaker, multifaceted business leader with a successful track record that combines consumer & product marketing, strategic business planning, creative design and product management experience.

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