Alchemy = chemistry… transformation …
We all transform over time. We all learn, grow and adapt. The Kansas City Chiefs have certainly done that, and there are many lessons to be filtered out of their pursuit of another winning season. As most of you know, it’s been literally decades getting us to this place, with many twists, turns and absolute disappointments along the way. There was no magical “arrival,” but a transformative process that occurred methodically and with a commitment to overcoming and achieving. Regardless of what happens tonight, we have arrived at this point and should not only revel in it, but pay attention to the story that got us here.
Since you could literally fill a bucket with story lines and pick any one out, I decided to focus on Tyrann Mathieu’s (pronounced like “Matthew”) incredible transformation. Mathieu, aka “the Honey Badger” or the “Landlord” is a team captain and his enthusiasm is so strong it pours over into our homes. His life, initially rooted in chaos, covered by an intense article highlighted in Sports Illustrated last year takes us through all of the pain and then ultimately to the epic 2020 Super Bowl win:
“Tyrann Mathieu looked up, past the red-and-gold confetti falling from the sky, and saw only stars, like the whole galaxy had been lit. He could hardly speak. He couldn’t move. The screaming fans, the euphoric teammates, the thuds of bass coming from the speakers –– it all faded into a dreamlike silence. Mathieu asked himself a question he already knew the answer to: ‘How in the world did I end up here?‘”
Transformation stopping points:
- A family turned upside down (his father was in prison, and his mom dropped him off for his grandparents to raise –– feels like abandonment)
- Death of friends in the neighborhood (Mathieu has the 20 names all who died prior when he left for college all tattooed on his leg)
- Failed drug tests (at least 10)
PIVOT…
- Finding his voice with the help of a spiritual advisor, a naturopathic doctor and a mindfulness coach… a movement partly fueled by the notion that “happiness is an inside job.”
- A commitment to vulnerability and “Holding a magnifying glass to his battered soul.”
- Teammates circling him in support and encouragement.
I especially liked these two excerpts from the article: “Tyrann Mathieu can hardly recognize previous iterations of himself,” and “He became vulnerable in ways teammates never could have expected, sharing his story and his path- and how he took back control. He became a walking self-help book, it’s dust jacket covered in scars.”
The story resonates.
He has taken all of these transformative elements and has become a voice for social justice and a literal guardian over the peace and energy of the Kansas City Chiefs entire team and staff. Powerful.
We all transform. We all have stories. Please note the key themes, that align with often discussed topics on this blog:
- Share your story to both continue learning and to heal (yourself and others)
- Allow a “community” or a “tribe” to surround you and help you grow and achieve your purpose and best self.
- Commit to using your story to serve and elevate others.
As we go into the game tonight, and the week ahead, I hope that we are all able to truly venture past the highlights and into the “grit” that brings us to this point in our lives. As we look at our own “alchemy” … what is our next step in “EPIC?”
Sending BIG LOVE and ENERGY to you all today. #SuperBowlSunday21 #THISISCHIEFSKINGDOM