I have always found sports a way to motivate myself and find inspiration. Growing up, I loved watching my brother play baseball (I think I was at a baseball field three times a week until I was eight years old). My whole family went to Mets games together, and I would often watch major sporting events on television, my favorite being the Olympics. My dream of one day winning a gold medal at the Olympics may be over, but I still find inspiration while watching sports. This past weekend was the conclusion of the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Korea. The Jamaican men broke their own track and field world record in the 4 x 100 meter dash. The American women were superior, while the American men were disqualified for dropping the baton. Even in their post-race interview, the disappointment was obvious, but their message was strong that they would pick themselves up and do better next year. That positive message is what I’ve always loved about both team and individual sports. I grew up playing team sports, so I know what it’s like to be a captain and have people look to you for leadership while knowing how to humbly accept defeat. I also know how to follow great leaders on a journey to victory. I’m now more a spectator of sports, but I still find great inspiration in it. Every year I watch a friend participate in the New York City Triathlon. There are about 2,500 participants. First-timers struggling to finish, elite athletes looking to qualify for bigger races and disabled racers running without a leg, arm or sometimes both who still run a faster mile than I ever did, or will. Watching them reminds me of all the hardships that can fall upon you at any time, and there is no reason why I can’t find a way to push harder or work harder at the task at hand, in the gym or in life. Recently I saw a posting on Facebook that a dear friend of mine is running his first New York City Marathon. While I have not seen him in a while, according to the post he is racing to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. He wrote that even $5 or $10 would help the cause. Lo and behold, he still has a month to fundraise and has already passed his goal. One of GT‘s own, Kimberly Krol, ran her first half marathon this year and also raised money for a charitable cause. With so many awful things going on in the world, it is great to see that there are still people working for good causes and inspiring others through sports! — Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher