When I want to remind myself what a champion really is, I don't...
Bob Bowman@coach_bowman
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Oct 12, 2026
~1 min read
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When I want to remind myself what a champion really is, I don't think about swimming or gold medals.
I think about a man who wrote one of the greatest pieces of music ever and never heard it. 🧵
I think about a man who wrote one of the greatest pieces of music ever and never heard it. 🧵
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May 7th, 1824, in Vienna. The world premiere of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
The largest orchestra ever assembled, a chorus of 300 people, and Beethoven himself, who hadn't been seen in public for 12 years.
The largest orchestra ever assembled, a chorus of 300 people, and Beethoven himself, who hadn't been seen in public for 12 years.
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Another conductor is leading the orchestra. Beethoven is up front with his own score, following along and keeping time with his hands.
When they finish, the crowd goes wild.
When they finish, the crowd goes wild.
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Beethoven's still facing the orchestra, turning pages and keeping time.
The contralto walks over, taps him on the shoulder, and turns him around.
3,000 people are on their feet screaming.
He hadn't heard the applause. He hadn't heard the music.
The contralto walks over, taps him on the shoulder, and turns him around.
3,000 people are on their feet screaming.
He hadn't heard the applause. He hadn't heard the music.
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Beethoven was deaf. He'd been deaf for about ten years.
He cut the legs off his piano and put it on the floor so he could lie down with his ear against it and barely hear the vibrations.
What level of problem-solving does that take?
He cut the legs off his piano and put it on the floor so he could lie down with his ear against it and barely hear the vibrations.
What level of problem-solving does that take?
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That's what a champion is to me.
Somebody who is pushing the limits of their human potential.
Somebody who takes their God-given talents, doesn't give up, and keeps going toward their goals no matter what.
Somebody who is pushing the limits of their human potential.
Somebody who takes their God-given talents, doesn't give up, and keeps going toward their goals no matter what.
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Whenever I'm frustrated, or I think things aren't going well, I listen to some Beethoven.
It lets me know I haven't scratched the surface of what's possible. You don't even know what's possible.
If you've never heard the Ninth, go listen to it. You'll be changed.
It lets me know I haven't scratched the surface of what's possible. You don't even know what's possible.
If you've never heard the Ninth, go listen to it. You'll be changed.