Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

11 Fun Facts from July 4th

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Thomas Jefferson)

Here in the United States, we celebrate our nation’s independence from England on the 4th of July.

In honor of this American holiday, here are 11 interesting facts about the holiday.

Why 11 you might ask?

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Well, why not?!?

So, let’s crank up 11 fun facts for you to impress your friends, relatives, and anyone else at your backyard BBQ.

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Halfway Point

🔊 Click here to listen to a 1-minute audio version of this story.

In a 2022 NASCAR race in Phoenix, Joey Logano’s pit crew executed a flawless pit stop late in the race, putting him in the lead.

This crucial moment was the turning point for Logano, as he went on to win the race and clinch his second NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

Today is July 1st meaning it’s essentially the halfway point of the year.

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Choose to be better

“You either get bitter or you get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you.” (Josh Shipp)

🔊 Click here to listen to a 2-minute audio version of this story.

At 27 years of age, I was the youngest women’s basketball head coach at the NCAA level. Four years later, I was allowed to take my talents elsewhere.

I got resigned.

How kind of them to let me voluntarily resign.

No matter how you spin it, I was fired.

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Roger Penske and My Dad

As a youngster, my dad would serve as a firefighter for the races run at Michigan International Speedway.

Please click here to listen to the 2-minute audio version of this email.

M.I.S. was less than 10 miles from my house. My brother and I plus one lucky friend would look forward to the four or five races each summer we’d attend.

This was before the era of luxury boxes and suites, so we’d sit behind pit row with the racer and pit crew families. I got to meet a lot of cool people and collect my share of autographs.

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Storming the Court

“Some people want it to happen, other people wish it would happen, but successful people MAKE it happen.” (Michael Jordan)

🔊 Click here to listen to a 1-minute audio version of this story.

I remember the first and only time I stormed the basketball court as a fan.

It was my 8th-grade year and I just watched the high school team win the District championship.

Lots of teams hoist a trophy during March Madness but not every team wins it on the opponent’s home court. Fewer still win in a dramatic fashion with a comeback for the ages.

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9 Barriers Coaches Face When Communicating

Communication is perhaps the most important skill you can possess. It can make or break your relationships, friendships, and partnerships — and it’s the difference between your team reaching their potential or not.

Billionaire businessman Richard Branson says “Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.”

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Getting the Most Out of Your Coaching Mentors

The leadership expert and author John C. Maxwell says, “We all need someone to help us in our pursuit of intentional growth and the right mentor helps you take massive leaps forward.”

Even coaches need coaches. Maxwell talks about “intentional growth”. This is when you make the conscious decision to make yourself better.

One of the best ways to do this is with a mentor.

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4 Ways to Change How Your Athletes Serve Each Other

Great teams have great teammates. No disagreements there, but it isn’t easy to find great teammates. Not everybody that makes your team will come in as a great teammate — and that is where your presence and team culture kicks in.

The clearest signal that you have an athlete that is a great teammate is their desire to serve others. When athletes have the mindset of serving other team members, the entire program benefits. Legendary basketball coach John Wooden put it well when he said, “It’s amazing what you can achieve when you don’t care who gets the credit.”

Serving others is at the very core of sports — and it’s paramount to your team’s success.

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Brother’s Keeper

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Click here to listen to the 2-minute version of this article on the “Success is a Choice” podcast network.

Basketball was everything to me. It was my favorite sport. When I was in 7th grade, I was riding the bus home after school. My brother, who was three years younger than me was acting up quite a bit on the bus that particular day.

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Mr. Frank

The Dos Equis guy might be called “the most interesting man in the world” but to me, Frank Bechler held that title. 

Please click here to listen to the 5-minute audio version of this email.

This weekend is special for me.

December 10, 1943 was my dad’s birthday.

Even though he is no longer here physically, not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. His impact on me has been what you’d hope a dad’s impact would be. 

Many of you have read “The Bus Trip” or “The Captain”. Mr. Frank, the bus driver, is a recurring character who pops up periodically providing wisdom and a story at just the right time.

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