The Iron Horse

Lou Gehrig, was American baseball player who held the record for most consecutive games played in the MBL. Nicknamed the Iron Horse.

At the end of his career he played 2,130 games in a row. A record that stood for 56 years.

It did not matter if Gehrig was sick, sore, or injured, he played. He would often tell his manager that as long as he was still contributing to the team he wanted to play.

It is believed that Gehrig played through the flu, multiple concussions, and 17 hand fractures.

It wasn’t until mid way through 1938 season against the Detroit Tigers that Lou Gehrig would take himself out of the game.

During the 1938 season, his body started to shut down and he would become extremely tired doing the easiest tasks.

It was a month later when Gehrig would be officially diagnosed with ALS, commonly known now as Lou Gehrig disease.

The only thing that stop Lou Gehrig from playing baseball was one of the most deadliest diseases.

Lou Gehrig is the definition of grit and perseverance.

As he lived in New York, he would refuse to wear a heavy coat during the brutal winters.

He would rip off the cushions in the Yankees dugout so he could sit on the hard wood.

When people asked him why he did these things, he would say that people now a days are too comfortable. That was back in the 30’s.

ALS would tragically take Gehrig’s life in 1941 but I often wonder what Gehrig would think of our world today.

What would he think of our dependence on comfort?

There is no question that Lou Gehrig was immensely gifted in his athletic ability. Very few people in the world can achieve 2 AL MVPs, 6 World Series and be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

But his mental fortitude is something we are able to achieve.

Everyone can choose to be uncomfortable.

It is in the uncomfortableness that we give our selves the opportunity to grow.

We give ourselves the opportunity to get better. It is a choice and if you are not intentional with your choices you will default to the easiest option.

But the easiest option is not always the best option.

Lou Gehrig is one of my heroes. His story is one that I hope lives on forever.

We need more Lous in the world today.

Your Tribe needs more Lou Gehrigs. I challenge you this week to seek out the discomfort in your life.

Take the stairs at work. Turn off your music during your car ride. Initiate that conversation you need to have. Do the thing that makes you uncomfortable.

Strengthen your mental resilience by pursuing the tasks that make you uncomfortable. There is growth on the other side. It is worth it.

Let’s be more like Lou Gehrig.

Go out: Seek Discomfort. Go Out: Make a Difference.