Author: Brent

  • Rory McIlroy: A Masterpiece, At Last

    Rory McIlroy: A Masterpiece, At Last

    This is what it means to Rory McIlroy.

    For over a decade, the Masters was the one that got away—the final brushstroke missing from an otherwise legendary career. Four majors by the age of 25. Dominance, elegance, and charisma in equal measure. And yet, year after year, Augusta remained elusive. A heartbreak in 2011. A dozen tries since. Whispers of what could have been, what should have been.

    The career Grand Slam.

    One of the rarest feats in golf—claimed by only five men in history. Rory had three legs of it for over a decade. He just needed one more walk up the 18th at Augusta in triumph.

    But this… this is what it feels like to chase a dream through storms and silence. To carry the weight of expectation, of near-misses, of a jacket that never quite fit—until today.

    And here’s the thing—this isn’t just Rory’s story. It’s ours, too.

    You can have all the pieces. All the promise. But some dreams take time. They demand more than talent. They ask for patience, heartbreak, growth, and relentless belief. You might wonder if your window has closed—but what if it’s just not yet?

    Rory didn’t just win the Masters. He joined the legends.
    He completed the career Grand Slam.
    He finished the story.

    And in doing so, he reminded us: unfinished doesn’t mean failure. It means there’s still more to come. He kept showing up. Kept believing. Kept working. And when the moment finally arrived, it meant more because of the wait.

    So if you’re chasing your own version of a Grand Slam—don’t stop.

    The timeline is different for everyone. But persistence is undefeated.

    Keep showing up. Keep doing the work. Let the dream take the time it needs.

    When he stood on the 18th green, jacket draped over his shoulders, the crowd rising in applause—not just for the win but for the journey—you could see it in his eyes: relief, redemption, glory.

    Well done, Rory.
    A decade in the making.
    A masterpiece, at last.


  • Alive On The Track

    Alive On The Track

    If you had shown me this photo a year ago and asked what it meant to me, I probably would’ve said, “It’s just a track.”

    Now?
    I see freedom.
    I see the birthplace of a champion.
    I see possibility.
    I see the grind, the sweat, the growth—and the liberty to chase it all.

    Purpose isn’t a destination. No one reaches the end of the road and says, “I’ve figured it all out.”

    Meaning is made in motion—in the quiet moments, in the breath between steps, in the ever-evolving conversation between your soul, the ground beneath you, and something greater than us all.

    The question isn’t “What’s my purpose?”
    The question is: “What brings me alive—right now?”

    And this picture, in this moment, means exactly that: Alive.

    I feel it when my feet strike the track, when the crisp air fills my lungs, when the sun kisses my skin.
    I feel it in the thunder of my heartbeat, in the silence of running alone.
    There’s no crowd. No medal. Just me. And I feel more alive than ever.

    Someone said to me today, “You don’t need to run. You’re skinny.”
    I laughed and said, “Funny… my mom used to say the same thing.”
    And I appreciate the sentiment—sort of.
    But I don’t run to lose weight.
    I run to feel alive.

    A year ago, I was in the darkest mental space I’ve ever known. Disconnected. Numb. Drowning in the noise of my own mind.
    I wasn’t in conversation with my soul—I wasn’t even listening.
    And I sure as hell wasn’t free.

    Since I started running, the conversations have returned.
    Some of them are too raw to repeat.
    But whether it’s the track or the trail, I’ve found something sacred in the discipline.

    I’ve traded my chains of fear for the work.
    And it’s the work that sets me free.

    That’s the difference between a prisoner… and a champion.


  • My First Pickleball Medal 🥈

    My First Pickleball Medal 🥈

    Pickleball has a way of testing you—not just your skills, but your mindset. It rewards patience, resilience, and the ability to adapt under pressure. In February, I put that to the test in a four-week 3.5 Men’s Doubles Ladder League, and let me tell you, it was a ride.

    Rising & Sliding Down The Ladder

    When I signed up for this league, I knew it was going to push me. I came out strong in the opening week winning almost 90% of possible points. But I slid down the ladder in week 2 only winning two out of four games. Week 3 was even worse, not capitalizing on the points I needed to set myself up for a push for the podium. Heading into the final week, I found myself sitting three places from last. Not exactly where you want to be when medals are on the line.

    But that’s the thing about competition—it’s not over until it’s over.

    Flipping the Switch

    Going into the final week, I knew I had to play differently. Not just better, but smarter. More intentional. This wasn’t about coasting or hoping for a lucky break. If I wanted a shot at medaling, I had to lock in. 🔐

    Trust the work. Trust the instincts.

    I focused on my footwork, my shot selection, and most importantly, my mental game. Instead of playing not to lose, I played to win. No hesitation. No second-guessing.

    And when it mattered most? I swept the field.

    Every game. Every rally. Every point. I played with a level of confidence and intensity I hadn’t fully tapped into before. By the end of the day, I went from sitting near the bottom of the rankings to standing on the podium with a silver medal around my neck.

    Doug, Gold medalist (on left) alongside Brent, Silver medalist (on right); Not pictured: Steve, Bronze medalist.
    Doug, Gold medalist (on left) alongside Brent, Silver medalist (on right); Not pictured: Steve, Bronze medalist.

    The Takeaway: Trust & Adjust

    This wasn’t just about winning matches. It was about proving something to myself—that when the pressure is high and the odds are against me, I have another gear. I can adjust. I can fight.

    Sure, I’ve had good games before. But this was different. This was a breakthrough.

    Shoutouts & What’s Next

    Silver medal and the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated pickleball paddle
    Silver medal and the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated pickleball paddle

    A huge shoutout to Gearbox Pickleball—the Pro Ultimate Elongated paddle was an absolute beast. The power, control, and feel made a huge difference in my game. Also, big thanks to the City of Greenville Parks and Recreation for hosting a fantastic league.

    And this? This is just the beginning.

    The fire is lit, and I’m already thinking about the next challenge. More tournaments. More leagues. More chances to level up. I’ve already booked a Spring outdoor ladder league coming up at the end of April.

    In pickleball—just like in life—you grind, you come back, and you medal. 🥈

    See you on the courts. 🤙


  • My First Half Marathon: More Than Just A Race

    My First Half Marathon: More Than Just A Race

    No one ever told me that doing hard things could coexist with so much joy.

    A couple of weeks ago I ran my first half marathon in Myrtle Beach. With it being my first ever half, I came into race weekend expecting it to fully suck. And honestly, I was ready to embrace it. I was prepared to ride the wave and push through the pain, knowing it was part of the process.

    But then something surprising happened. Just past the halfway point, as I was steadily pacing with the 2:30 group, I felt good. Not just “hanging in there” good, but genuinely strong, present, and capable. And in that moment, it hit me—the wave had already been ridden. The past 30 days of 100 miles, plus the 60+ miles in January, that was the real work. That was the true test. The day-in, day-out, feet-on-the-ground consistency, even when I didn’t feel like it, was so much harder than my 2:19 finish in MB.

    That realization changed everything for me.

    The Journey to Race Day

    Training for a half marathon is not just about running 13.1 miles on race day. It’s about every single run leading up to it. It’s about lacing up your shoes when your legs are tired. It’s about getting out there in the cold, the rain, or when motivation is at its lowest. The true test wasn’t the race—it was every single run before it. The half marathon itself? That was the victory lap.

    And let me be clear—it wasn’t a walk in the park. Running for over two hours straight is hard. Mile 12 tested me. My mind was filled with questions and doubt, my legs burned, and I wondered if I had enough left in the tank. But then I reminded myself: I had done enough. I had put in the work. I had already won before I even stepped onto that course.

    The Finish Line

    As I neared the end, I knew I would easily beat my goal. That gave me the push to ramp it up even more. The crowd’s cheers carried me forward, and when I crossed that finish line, it was like a floodgate opened. I broke down in tears. Not out of exhaustion, but from an overwhelming rush of joy.

    I had done it.

    Not only had I accomplished my longest distance yet, but I had also kept a promise to myself from 60 days ago. And I had done it in a way that filled me with joy. The medal around my neck was a great symbol of achievement, but the real reward? The person I became in the process.

    Reflection: It’s All About the Grind

    The Myrtle Beach Half Marathon gave me more than just a medal—it gave me perspective. It reminded me that the real victory isn’t in the race itself but in the months of preparation leading up to it. The real win is in the discipline, the grit, and the consistency.

    To everyone out there pushing themselves toward a goal—whether it’s running, fitness, or any personal challenge—know this: the reward isn’t just at the finish line. It’s in every step along the way.

    Thank you, MB Half. You were too good to me. I do not deserve you. But I’m sure glad I have you.

    Special thanks to my wife, Kellie, for the best support I could ever ask for. I wouldn’t be here without you. 🫶


  • Exploring Connection and Vulnerability: Brené Brown – Atlas of the Heart

    Exploring Connection and Vulnerability: Brené Brown – Atlas of the Heart

    In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown takes us on a transformative journey into the complex world of human emotions and experiences. This book serves as both a guide and a map, offering readers a fresh perspective on how to navigate life’s most pivotal emotional landscapes.

    What Atlas of the Heart Is About

    The book categorizes and explores 87 emotions and experiences, providing research-based insights to help readers understand what we feel, why we feel it, and how to communicate these emotions with clarity and empathy. Brown, known for her groundbreaking work on vulnerability, courage, and shame, delivers this resource with her signature mix of storytelling, research, and humor.

    Through vivid metaphors, real-life examples, and reflective questions, Brown empowers us to recognize emotions that often go unnamed. She emphasizes that our ability to articulate feelings isn’t just a soft skill but a critical component of connection, both with ourselves and others.

    Themes That Stood Out to Me

    1. Naming Emotions Is a Form of Power

    One of Brown’s most profound insights is that expanding our emotional vocabulary enables greater emotional resilience. In her research, she discovered that most people can only name three emotions: happy, sad, and angry. Atlas of the Heart invites us to explore the complexity beyond these basics. Words like anguish, awe, and nostalgia take on new significance, as Brown provides not only definitions but the contexts in which these feelings arise.

    For me, this reframing felt like a revelation. Learning to name my emotions more precisely has already influenced how I approach difficult conversations, both personally and professionally. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I find myself better equipped to express what I’m truly experiencing.

    2. Connection Requires Emotional Literacy

    Brown’s work reinforces that connection is rooted in understanding ourselves and communicating that understanding to others. Atlas of the Heart bridges the gap between feeling and expressing. It also challenges the idea that being vulnerable is a weakness. Rather, vulnerability is what makes courage possible. The book offers practical language to express vulnerability in ways that foster trust, respect, and connection.

    How Atlas of the Heart Relates to Pickleball and Athletic Performance

    As I read, I couldn’t help but think of the parallels between emotional intelligence and athletic performance, especially in pickleball. In a sport where split-second decisions and mental toughness are key, understanding and regulating emotions is vital. Whether it’s managing the frustration of a tough loss or the anxiety of a high-stakes tournament, emotional literacy can change the game—literally and figuratively.

    Mastering the game is as much about mindset as mechanics, and the lessons from Atlas of the Heart remind me that effective play requires empathy and clarity. Naming and working through emotions can unlock breakthroughs in performance, confidence, and joy on the court.

    Takeaways and Recommendations

    Atlas of the Heart is an essential read for anyone seeking deeper self-awareness and more meaningful relationships. Brown’s research-backed insights are practical and profound, making this book an invaluable resource for coaches, leaders, and anyone committed to personal growth.

    If you’re looking to explore emotional complexity in a digestible, actionable way, Atlas of the Heart belongs on your shelf. The insights you’ll gain about yourself and others are as transformative as they are affirming.


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