There are No Limits – Or, What We Can Learn From An 85-Year-Old IRONMAN Triathlete

15 hours 59 minutes and 41 seconds. That′s how long it took eighty-five year old Lew Hollander to complete the world′s toughest sports competition.

Lew was again on the start line of the IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii which without any doubt is triathlon's most iconic event.

He currently holds the Guinness World Record for the sport’s oldest competitor. A record which he set already at the age of 82. Lew completed his first IRONMAN race at 55 years old. Besides that he loves other sports like ping-pong where he’s still active in.

This year on October 10, Lew again joined over 2,000 athletes who embarked on a 140.6-mile journey that presents the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit to earn the title of IRONMAN.

Let′s have a look at what we can actually learn from Lew and his incredible motivation, will, and attitude:

Have Fun!
Don′t take yourself, your tasks, and challenges too serious. Instead try enjoying them and see the bright side. Have fun! Lew loves what he′s doing. So should you!

Practice Persistency
Lew is constantly working out and is focused on what he′s doing. Without allowing any extreme upward or downward swings. Therefore make consistency one of your key pillars of any project or mission you′re pursuing.

Constantly Learn and Improve
Ask yourself if you truly did your best once having completed a task. Look back, reflect, and learn from it. Every day. Every week. Living is about learning and growing. Lew is calling it the “Mirror Principle” by looking in the mirror and asking ‘Lew, did you do the best you could today?’ And if he can answer himself, ‘Yes,’ that’s all he cares about.

Stay Open-Minded and Mentally Flexible
Welcome change and be willing to be flexible, since change is inevitable. Believe in your ability to adapt and to learn. Although Lew′s sports has grown over the years, so has he by having embraced the advances in technology and the sport’s intensified focus on diet, training plans, etc.

Focus on Yourself
Don′t try to imitate others. Don′t be distracted by other strengths (or weaknesses). Instead figure out at what you′re good at and try becoming truly exceptional at it. That takes rigor and hard work.

Take Over Responsibility for Yourself
Accept responsibility for your behavior and learn from past mistakes. Don't make them again. You are accountable for yourself. Not others. Look for opportunities based on their own merits. The world does not own you anything.

Follow also Other Passions
Even if you try to become outstanding at one thing, do not forget about all the others you also care about and which you like a lot.

Believe in Yourself
You are unique. You are beautiful. You have proven already so often in life that you are an achiever. Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments. Believe in yourself and become more confident about your own abilities and strengths.

Be Happy For Others
If Lew weren′t able talking himself out of his natural envy (which we all carry in ourselves), he would have stopped participating at any triathlon already many years ago. Instead, recognize that success comes with hard work, and be willing to work hard for your own chance at success.

Help Others To Succeed
It′s one′s responsibility to also assist others to learn, to grow, and to be successful. We should generously share our knowledge and wisdom. By doing so we will stimulate others to also share with us. As we give out, we get back. It′s one of the most powerful principles in life.

What do you think? Please join the conversation by leaving a comment below.

Best regards,

Andreas von der Heydt

*****

Andreas von der Heydt is the Head and Director of Kindle Content at Amazon in Germany. Before that he held various senior management positions at Amazon and L'Oréal. He's a leadership expert and management coach. He also founded Consumer Goods Club. Andreas worked and lived in Europe, Australia, the U.S. and Asia. Andreas enjoys blogging as a private person here on LinkedIn about various exciting topics. His latest book is about what makes a future leader. All statements made, opinions expressed, etc. in his articles only reflect his personal opinion.

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