I met some friends last week who were in town for the Iowa High School State Wrestling tournament. It is a reunion of sorts for wrestlers and fans around the state to congregate over food and drink and talk about the glory days. I look forward to it each year.
This year, I had the opportunity to meet a great man from my hometown of Algona. His name is Phil Bode. He was a state runner-up for the Bulldogs at 154 pounds in 1969. After high school, he accepted a scholarship to wrestle at Louisiana State University, and he decided to make the state his home from then on.
Phil accomplished what very few have for the sport of wrestling, helping to launch 10 wrestling programs in the state. Accolades about him could fill this column, but, instead, I am sharing three stories that will hit home regardless of your interest, or lack thereof, in wrestling.
Lesson No. 1: The 5-minute rule. Phil said he coined the 5-minute rule, and he has used it throughout his coaching career. He told his athletes that, when they won, they would be hoisted on their teammates’ shoulders, and they would all celebrate the victory… for 5 minutes. He also told his wrestlers that, when they would lose, he would give them time to reflect, scream, cry or do whatever they had to do to react to the loss… for 5 minutes. Then, win or lose, they would move on to the next challenge. That’s great advice for all of us in addressing the challenges we face in our lives.
Lesson No. 2: Those who defeat you are not your enemies. Most all of us who competed in athletics distinctly remember our losses. Phil shared how he was defeated 11 times by Keith Abens of Humboldt, who went on to be a two-time All-American at Iowa State. “I learned that Keith was not my enemy; he was my motivator. Those losses inspired me to improve every day. Without that inspiration, I would not have achieved what I have done in my lifetime.”
Lesson No. 3: Go all in. Phil wanted to start a wrestling program at a high school in Louisiana where he was hired to coach football, but the district would not fund the purchase of a wrestling mat. After discussing with his wife, they decided to use their cars as collateral for a personal loan of $4,000 to buy the mat. On Christmas Eve, Phil received a phone call that the truck with the mat on it was at the high school for delivery. When he went to unload it, the school principal showed up and asked why there was a wrestling mat in the gym, pointing out he didn’t approve the purchase. “I bought it,” Phil told him. “And here’s the deal. If you like the job I do with this team, then the district can buy the mat from me in two years for $4,000. If you don’t like the job I have done, then I will leave and take the mat with me.” The program thrived, and Phil’s message moving forward was quite simple: “If you are not willing to put everything you have into something you truly believe in, then you are not all in.”
Phil Bode was all in, and he still is.
Have a marvelous Monday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman President and Publisher Big Green Umbrella Media shane@dmcityview.com 515-953-4822, ext. 305 www.thedailyumbrella.com
See Shane Goodman's previous columns here. |
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
Warming into Wednesday when we may see a sprinkle or two. A bit cooler late week.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!
Best Local Italian Food
1. Tumea & Sons Restaurant
2. Cosi Cucina
3. Noah’s Ark Ristorante
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Featured home for sale | |
$459,900 2623 Seventh Ave. Court S.W., Altoona, IA 50009
Schedule your showing today at this 5-bedroom walkout ranch in Ironwood South. This home is on a cul-de-sac and sits on just shy of a half acre. Walk in to hardwood floors, an open concept with a spacious living room and kitchen with a large island with granite top. Enjoy grilling and entertaining from the covered deck just off the kitchen.
See the listing here.
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From Johnston Living | | Golden employees Retirement-age workers share why they continue to report for duty.
By Ashley Rullestad
The vision of what life is like “after retirement” is as unique as each individual. For some, that vision focuses on leisure: traveling to warm beaches, afternoons spent reading, extra rounds of golf, more time for hobbies, friends and families. For others, however, employment continues to be an important aspect of their lives. From those who continue full-time careers to those who put in a few hours to keep busy, work can be a key part of life after retirement age.
Still going strong Jim Forbes is no stranger to hard work. He spent his career building bridges — after first working as a tow truck driver and pouring basements in both Iowa and Wisconsin. ... After retiring from Cramer, he continued to work, spending time at Des Moines Feed. Now, the 87-year-old is putting in nearly 50 hours a week at Git ‘N Go. | | READ MORE |
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The righteous green crusaders are coming after your guacamole. What? About 90% of avocados sold in the U.S. come from Michoacan and Jalisco, two Mexican states that have influenced most of Des Moines' Mexican restaurants since the 1990s. These imports started in 1997 when the Clinton Administration ended a U.S. ban on Mexican avocados. Now they are being called “blood fruits” by protesters worried that Michoacan is allowing deforestation of butterfly habitats plus water theft and cartel control of the avocado business. Your tequila and mescal are in the crusaders' sights too. (Washington Post, AP)
Maple syrup season is starting much earlier this year, particularly in the upper Midwest. Maple trees produce the most sap when daily temperatures range between 20 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s already been happening in the Lake Michigan-Superior-Huron region. The trees continue to produce sap until they bud. That might be earlier than usual this year, too. Drake Diner is among places that serve real maple syrup with pancakes and waffles. (TNWD)
Mondays mean cavatelli specials at Bianchi's Hilltop (2829 Hubble Ave., Des Moines)... Quarter pound bacon cheeseburgers are $3.69 and burritos $1.69 at Kwik Stars on Monday.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: STATE CHAMPS: Iowa high school boys wrestling state champions for 2024
DES MOINES, Iowa — Forty-two Iowa boys will forever be known as state wrestling champions after tonight. Check the following list for results from tonight's title matches at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines....READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Comparing This February to Warm Februarys Past
A warm February is obviously in progress in Des Moines. To say the heat is unprecedented would be inaccurate currently, but we may be able to make that statement by the end of the month..... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Overton scores 23, Drake downs Murray State 95-72
DES MOINES, Iowa — Kevin Overton had 23 points in Drake's 95-72 victory over Murray State on Sunday. Overton was 8 of 11 shooting, 5 for 8 from 3-point range, for the Bulldogs (22-5, 13-3 Missouri Valley Conference). Tucker DeVries scored 22 points while shooting 8 for 13, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc, and added seven rebounds. Atin Wright had 12 points, all on four 3-pointers. Drake made 17 of 30 3-pointers.....READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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Birthdays and notables | | These celebrities were born on this date: Arielle Kebbe, Bellamy Young, Benicio Del Toro, David Mazouz, Haylie Duff, Howard Stringer, Jeff Daniels, Justine Bateman, Millie Bobby Brown, Nikola Jokic, Seal, Mauro Icardi, Smokey Robinson
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
How did the farmer find his lost cow? HE TRACTOR DOWN! - Gail Tomlinson, Judy Anderson. OR BY UDDERING HER NAME! - Rex Post. OR, Through bovine (divine) intervention! - Carolyn Rogers
Today's riddle
Where do bunnies live?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in this daily newsletter, contact Jolene Goodman at jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com, or call 515-953-4822 ext. 319.
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