In the previous post I recommended Sir John Whitmore’s book, Coaching For Performance, to any true student of performance improvement.
It’s a fabulous, easy-to-read book and I often refer to it for coaching inspiration. Not least because the author acknowledges the contributions of his friend and colleague, David Hemery, the 1968 Olympic 400m Hurdles Champion.
David Hemery was my inspiration as an athlete, starting from around 1972 – even though I’ve vague memories of that ’68 Mexico final when he surprised everyone with an enormous winning margin and a new world record (40 years later only a few British athletes have ever run faster.)
Why does he inspire me so much?
Well, as a role model for developing your talents I admire what he’s achieved publicly – athletically, academically and professionally. Here’s a brief David Hemery bio from the Performance Consultants company he’s part of – along with Sir John Whitmore.
(Their web site has a short video of David’s Olympic final – but I found it slow to load. YouTube has some clips that load much faster.)
As to David Hemery’s private life, I know only what he chose to publish in his 1976 autobiography, “Another Hurdle”, which includes some awe inspiring descriptions of tough, painful workouts he did under the watchful eye of his coach through cold Boston winters.
Quite incredible stuff – I used to call him “The last of the Corinthians” because he was of a generation where UK track and field athletes, even at the highest level, received very, very little financial rewards (probably their bus fares!) He had a true, genuine love for his sport and a burning belief to find out what he was capable of.
Everyone has within them their own Olympic Gold medal.
And in that sentence is the essence of why David Hemery is my “performance coaching champion.” (I think it was also the theme of his biography’s final chapter.)
I believe this is much more than well-intentioned sentiments and is in fact a literal truth (go search for my post on the motto of the Outward Bound founder, Kurt Hahn, for a related perspective.)
We’ve talents that lie dormant throughout our lives while others are in various states of development.
I believe the challenge of living is to find those that inspire and gladden our hearts and then to make use of them – for the benefit of ourselves and others.
Do you have a performance coaching champion?
If not, find one.
(He/she doesn’t have to be someone from the world of sports.)
- Mark McClure
PS – A quick Google search and I came across this beautiful “Hemery of Great Britain” 2008 interview by UK Daily Telegraph journalist, Brendan Gallagher. There is great wisdom in David’s words – check out the description of his freezing winter run along Boston’s Charles river. That moved me to tears 30 plus years ago when I first read it, as it does now. That which does not kill you makes you stronger!
About the author
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Great to hear your write up, David has been quiet a great inspiration to me to, I had the privilege of doing a leadership course with him and Les Duggan a couple of years ago in Marlborough, David was very kind to me at the time and I aslo did a coaching course with him in Bath a little earlier. We shared a tremendous hour together just three of us on the Downs and I was explaining about my vision for Switzerland David was so encouraging he also shared his heart with me in a special way and it was what I describe as a golden hour that I will never forget, his modesty, humility, and honesty, is that which speaks so deeply to my soul and the very inner core of my being I have a lots of articles about him as I have tried to discover more about the man, and shown his run in Mexico to many of my friends. Its great when you can hear life changing words and somehow in one sentence said with love and compassion you can see a life changed. I am here now in Switzerland and looking for the next step. Thanks for your article great. Every success in all you do
[Michael,
Thank you for your kind words!
The beauty of that Mexico run was in the false start that came before. I think David wrote about not being 'ready' the first time in the blocks. Then, almost magically, his Olympic destiny unfolded at the second time of asking in what I can only describe as sporting performance art. (I know, some just see these things as a guy running round a track with 10 barriers in the way hehe!)
I also remember the athlete who came 3rd; GB's John Sherwood. He ran his socks off to get that medal but the achievement was overshadowed in the public eye by David's. In my mind however, John also earned his very own gold medal that day...
Finally, in David's book there's yet another stirring scene where a cold, snowy winter's day has him thinking of skipping the arranged training session with his coach, Billy Smith. I don't recall the sequence of events directly but I think he goes down to the outdoor track somewhat sheepishly and finds the coach already clearing the snow off one lane. He was a bit annoyed with David's attitude and memorably expressed it by pointing to the icy track and saying (I think...):
"Out there lies the road to Mexico."
From such words are great Champions constructed and inspired!
The very Best to you as well, my friend!
Mark]
Thanks for your reply in Aug 27 which I have only just seen today. I wrote to David recently by E mail just to say I was now in Switzerland and I got a reply the same day. I was really chuffed, he is a true gentlemen old school full of grace and humility and does so much behind the scenes that nobody knows about. He key comment was that before the race he felt in perfect shape, physically, mentally and spiritually, and said to himself today I am going to break the world record, his absolute belief in his ability and his positive affirmation came to pass A true legend I hope our paths cross again
[Michael,
Your words "...before the race he felt in perfect shape, physically, mentally and spiritually" describe "peak performance" very clearly.
Mark]