As a young boy, Mike Henty, president and founder of Champions For Life, had the same dreams many young people have.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Michael Henty, owner of Champions for Life, is the author of the book “Go for God's Gold.” Henty's mission in the book is the same as at his center: to develop virtue and character through sports.
Michael Henty, owner of Champions for Life, is the author of the book “Go for God's Gold.” Henty's mission in the book is the same as at his center: to develop virtue and character through sports.
He said that as a young man he dreamed of being a famous writer, an actor, a musician or an athlete.
It was the athletic side of his skills that Henty decided to focus on, becoming a gymnast, soccer and tennis player while in high school and playing football, basketball and hockey with friends while growing up.
While Henty did not achieve the athletic heights he dreamed of as a child, through Champions For Life he has been able to share his passion for athletics with many children and help them realize their athletic dreams.
And most recently, Henty has published his first book, “Go For God's Gold,” making another of his childhood dreams come true.
The book tells Henty's personal story from aspiring athlete to coach and the many life changing experiences he had along the way.
In the book, Henty said that though he is now very satisfied with his career, as a young man he did find it frustrating that he didn't accomplish his goals as an athlete, but he took pride in helping other aspiring gymnasts reach their goals, producing state, regional and even nationally recognized gymnasts.
His accomplishments earned Henty a place coaching on the Junior Olympics gymnastic staff.
And while he had all these fine accomplishments to his credit, Henty still found himself wanting.
It was through one of his students, Brian Bisgrove, that Henty found the example that helped him put it all into perspective.
“He didn't win any state, regional or national titles,” Henty recalled. “But it was through him and his example of strength and courage that I decided to reevaluate what my goals were.”
Henty said that Bisgrove passed away after a long battle with cancer 10 years ago, but served as an example and guide of sorts, showing Henty the spiritual connection that for him is implicit in sports.
“He was a true champion,” Henty said. “He did so much and touched so many people's lives. He really helped me to put it all into perspective.”
The book is one Henty said he has been saying he is going to write and finish for many years now, always planning to release it to coincide with the Olympic Games, but with a family and children and his work at Champions For Life, the timing never seemed to work out until this year.
“As a child, I always enjoyed writing,” Henty said. “And I used to write for ‘Hearts Aflame,' and I would use excerpts from this book for articles. This year, I just put on the blinders and made myself finish it, and I thought the timing was just perfect with the Olympics.”
In the book, Henty relates the story of his path to the realization of the spiritual connection to athletics and God's plan to tie these two factors together.
Henty said that it is an inspirational story for athletes, but with a Christian message of hope and perspective.
“Most athletes don't get to win gold medals,” Henty said. “Most don't make the Olympic team or get to play professionally, but from sports they can learn many virtues. They can learn courage. It takes courage to be out there tumbling on a 4-inch beam. They can learn compassion and perseverance.”
Henty said that there is nothing wrong with being competitive or striving for a gold medal, but that it is important to keep these goals in their proper perspective.
“Sports have taken on a certain idolatry,” Henty said. “Only a small percentage makes it to the Olympics or to be a professional athlete, but that doesn't make all the time other athletes spent training any less valuable, they can learn all these virtues. I think that is God's plan with sports to teach these valuable lessons.”
These are values that Henty has seen reflected in this year's Olympic Games.
“These are athletes that have reached the highest level,” Henty said. “Being a gymnast and a coach, I realize all they had to go through. We usually just see the end product on TV and not what it takes behind the scenes to get there. And I see all those virtues in those athletes.”
On the Net
For more on the book: Visit GoForGodsGold.com
It was the athletic side of his skills that Henty decided to focus on, becoming a gymnast, soccer and tennis player while in high school and playing football, basketball and hockey with friends while growing up.
While Henty did not achieve the athletic heights he dreamed of as a child, through Champions For Life he has been able to share his passion for athletics with many children and help them realize their athletic dreams.
And most recently, Henty has published his first book, “Go For God's Gold,” making another of his childhood dreams come true.
The book tells Henty's personal story from aspiring athlete to coach and the many life changing experiences he had along the way.
In the book, Henty said that though he is now very satisfied with his career, as a young man he did find it frustrating that he didn't accomplish his goals as an athlete, but he took pride in helping other aspiring gymnasts reach their goals, producing state, regional and even nationally recognized gymnasts.
His accomplishments earned Henty a place coaching on the Junior Olympics gymnastic staff.
And while he had all these fine accomplishments to his credit, Henty still found himself wanting.
It was through one of his students, Brian Bisgrove, that Henty found the example that helped him put it all into perspective.
“He didn't win any state, regional or national titles,” Henty recalled. “But it was through him and his example of strength and courage that I decided to reevaluate what my goals were.”
Henty said that Bisgrove passed away after a long battle with cancer 10 years ago, but served as an example and guide of sorts, showing Henty the spiritual connection that for him is implicit in sports.
“He was a true champion,” Henty said. “He did so much and touched so many people's lives. He really helped me to put it all into perspective.”
The book is one Henty said he has been saying he is going to write and finish for many years now, always planning to release it to coincide with the Olympic Games, but with a family and children and his work at Champions For Life, the timing never seemed to work out until this year.
“As a child, I always enjoyed writing,” Henty said. “And I used to write for ‘Hearts Aflame,' and I would use excerpts from this book for articles. This year, I just put on the blinders and made myself finish it, and I thought the timing was just perfect with the Olympics.”
In the book, Henty relates the story of his path to the realization of the spiritual connection to athletics and God's plan to tie these two factors together.
Henty said that it is an inspirational story for athletes, but with a Christian message of hope and perspective.
“Most athletes don't get to win gold medals,” Henty said. “Most don't make the Olympic team or get to play professionally, but from sports they can learn many virtues. They can learn courage. It takes courage to be out there tumbling on a 4-inch beam. They can learn compassion and perseverance.”
Henty said that there is nothing wrong with being competitive or striving for a gold medal, but that it is important to keep these goals in their proper perspective.
“Sports have taken on a certain idolatry,” Henty said. “Only a small percentage makes it to the Olympics or to be a professional athlete, but that doesn't make all the time other athletes spent training any less valuable, they can learn all these virtues. I think that is God's plan with sports to teach these valuable lessons.”
These are values that Henty has seen reflected in this year's Olympic Games.
“These are athletes that have reached the highest level,” Henty said. “Being a gymnast and a coach, I realize all they had to go through. We usually just see the end product on TV and not what it takes behind the scenes to get there. And I see all those virtues in those athletes.”
On the Net
For more on the book: Visit GoForGodsGold.com
The Citizens' Say
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bennirubber wrote on Aug 24, 2008 12:13 PM: