I loved training for the decade while living in Italy. I had the best trainer, Giuseppe Pellegrino. I qualified for the European Championships (and African nations) and traveled to France as part of the Italian team. Once there we set up to march in under our countries flag. While in line with my Italian teammates, a spokesperson walked up to me and said, “We have no representation from America .” I’m thinking yes, this is the European Championship. “So, we want you to march under your countries flag,” I responded no, I was with my friends and did not want to disrespect them. They yelled out, “Billy, (everyone called me BI LEE because they couldn’t pronounce William) it’s ok. Go march under your countries flag.” I did and as I turned the corner taking in the massive crowd that was there, a reporter walked up to me and said, “Every country that sent representatives for their country has sent at least 20 persons. But the United States sent only one, you. Why?!” I grabbed the mic and said, “Because, I’m all we need.”Now, I was in no way cocky. I was confident in my ability because I knew I had done the work. I prepared for a year while still working for NATO Allies. And in doing this, I knew that no other representative would have outworked me so, they were not needed. I thought ”I GOT THIS!” What I’m saying is confidence comes when you know you have given your all for that one moment. And when that moment comes, you will walk in with a swagger knowing you deserve to be there.
Refuse2bFeeble
1 week after these photos were taken I coded twice because I was complete kidney failure.
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