12X Olympic Medalist Ryan Lochte signs with TYR Sport

This week it was announced that TYR Sport signed 12X Olympic Medalist Ryan Lochte to its roster of sponsored athletes.

As a truly iconic figure in the world of sports, Ryan has earned his status as one of
history’s most recognizable names in swimming. With showstopping appearances in the last
four Olympic Games, he remains the World Record holder in the 200 individual medley. In
addition, his seven individual Olympic medals are second all-time in the sport of men’s
swimming. Ryan has been named both American and World Swimmer of the Year twice in his
career (2010 & 2011) and has a total of 70 medals in major international competitions
including 45 first place finishes.

Ryan’s debut will be featured in TYR’s marketing campaign “Just Let Me Work,” and will
provide fans with a glimpse into what motivates the decorated athlete moving forward.

In addition to his success in the pool, Ryan is incredibly focused on charity. He is the
spokesperson for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (Duchenne), an illness that has
personally impacted his family, as well as the Mac Crutchfield Foundation, an
organization dedicated to raising money for drowning awareness.

“I am thrilled that I will be continuing my swimming career with TYR Sport,” began Ryan.
“I still have so much more I want to accomplish and TYR offers the perfect platform to
achieve those goals. I’ve always been very impressed with the quality of their gear and
feel fortunate to be part of their family. I look forward to the next chapter.”

“TYR is incredibly excited to welcome Ryan Lochte to our family,” said Matt DiLorenzo,
Chief Executive Officer of TYR Sport. “Through his work in the pool he has elevated the
sport of swimming on a global scale. However, it is his humble and caring approach toward
his fans that has proven truly commendable. As a company we stand behind Ryan, and look
forward to seeing what he can achieve.”

TONY VOLPENTEST: Walking In Faith, Making Dreams A Reality

by Cyrus Webb

There are few people that I have met in my life like four-time Paralympic Gold Medalist Tony Volpentest.

Born without hands and feet, he grew up with the dream of becoming the fastest man in the world---and that is exactly what he did.

He has been an inspiration to people around the world because he never gave up on himself or his dream. Through every challenge and victory he has been a man of conviction and faith, realizing that nothing was ever really impossible.

Discussing how Tony was able to participate in baton passing while running track in high school, his coach says this: "How do you show a kid without hands how to pass a baton? I had no idea. I didn't know what to do. I showed him the basics, but it was up t him to figure out how to do it. He never backed down from anything. That's the most amazing thing about Tony. He never backed down from anything!"

That was the Tony Volpentest I had the privilege of interviewing for this feature. "When I first decided to get involved in athletics, I never had the intention to inspire or motivate anyone other than myself," he told me. As time went on, though, he realized the responsibility that came with his life and he has embraced that as he has moved forward to new goals and achievements.

He credits his parents with the way he was raised. "Even if they had doubts they never told me that they had that doubt," he told me. Like they did with his other brothers and sisters, they would just let him try to figure out how he was going to make things work.  "My parents taught us that we were all unique and had our own gifts and abilities that made us all special. Understanding that at a young age helped me a great deal." Among his accolades is being nominated for the Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009 and again in 2012, something that he proudly shares on the cover of his autobiography FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD: The Tony Volpentest Story (published by Bettie Youngs Books, July 2012).

So what is it about Tony that keeps him motivated even in the face of what some would see as insurmountable odds? If you ask him like I did, this is the answer you will get: "The biggest thing people need to realize is that everyone has greatness within them. It's all about overcoming their perceived limitations and bringing that greatness out."

One of the ways Tony is helping others to bring out their inner greatness is his new foundation for amputees. Helping Others Live Determined. In his book he describes it this way: "The organization could offer assistance, aid or grants to those individuals who show a love of life and determination to take control of their fate and pursue their dreams... My vision is to eventually expand this foundation to be able to provide an elite, state-of-the-art training facility to both established Paralympians and promising hopefuls."

The life of Tony Volpentest should not only spur us on in our own lives but give us pause when we try to put similar limitations on others. In my conversation with Tony he shared with me what he hopes all of us are able to take away from what he has accomplished: "Recognize that you don't have to wait until one huge life-changing event occurs. Take those baby steps to greatness. Understand that it's going to be hard but taking it one day at a time will get you there. We're only limited by ourselves. There's 100% greatness within all of us." 


May we all tap into that inner greatness and live our lives with passion and purpose! Stay in contact wit Tony and his projects at www.tonyvolpentest.com. You can get his book FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD: The Tony Volpentest Story from the publisher at www.bettieyoungsbooks.com or Amazon.com. 


Conversations Book Club will be discussing Tony's books FASTEST MAN IN THE WORLD in person and online on Sat. August 25, 2012. For details visit www.conversationsbookclub.com. 

PROFILE: Olympic Medalist Angelo Taylor

by Cyrus Webb

I think we have all experienced that feeling at one time or another that maybe we are not in the right place. It can come from those around us or an stem from an insecurity that we might have about ourselves. What all of us need to remember, however, is that we were created to be the greatest expression of ourselves.

Take Angelo Taylor.

He knows what it's like to come from humble beginnings and to rise not only above his surroundings but to the top of his game, earning not only Olympic Gold Medals but the respect of individuals around the world.

I got a chance to talk with Taylor before he headed off to the 2012 games, and the conversation ranged from not just what he has done but what has inspired him along the way. In speaking about this year's games, he wrote this statement on his website: "I want to make history. I want this more than anything in the world. It's going to be hard work, but I'm up for the challenge."

If you are wondering what a champion looks like, you have no further to go than this young man.

ANGELO TAYLOR ON HIS BEGINNINGS:
"It was during my high school years that I made up my mind what I wanted to do. I came from humble beginnings like a lot of other people. I was on the track team and had a lot of last place finishes, but I never gave up. It had always been my dream to be an athlete when I was growing up."

ON BEING AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST:
"Being an Olympic Gold Medalist has definitely been a humbling experience for me. I grew up watching the Olympic Games, so I had those who inspired me like Carl Lewis. Four years after the Olympics visited my city (Atlanta, GA) I was on that same stage. I don't say that getting the big head, though. I took it all in stride, but I believe it was my time to step up and show what I could do."

ON BEING THE UNDERDOG:
"After the 2000 Olympic games, critics counted me out. Some said that I was washed up, but then I came back. This time around (2012) I knew it was going to be a challenge, but it's something I want more than anything else in the world. At the end of the day I am going to do my very best. I know it takes to be a champion."

ON KEEPING YOUR FOCUS IN FACE OF TRIALS:
"It's hard. In life you're going to have obstacles as well as trials and tribulations. I have been through struggles. I know what it's like to be up and be down. You have to weather the storm. You have to keep the faith. If you really stick with it and continue to work towards your goal you will succeed."  

ON FAITH:
"I have always been a spiritual person. I believe you have to believe in something. You're not down here doing it by yourself. There have been many times I didn't know how I've made it through struggles, but I know I haven't done it alone. With my strong faith and believing in myself I'm confident when I step out on the track."

ON BEING A ROLE MODEL:
"I love being a role model and inspiration to other athletes and young people. I know what I've come from and what I've been through. I also have kids myself, and I want to be their role model and the one they look up to."

Talk about a great example of someone who has their eye on the prize! Conversations wishes Angelo Taylor well in the 2012 Olympic Games. He ended the conversation with me saying this for our audience: "If you keep the faith and keep a positive attitude that is going to get you through." When it came to those who will doubt you, he reminded us of this: "Naysayers are just motivation to do what I'm trying to accomplish. Let them motivate you as well."


Stay in touch with Angelo at www.angelotaylorusa.com. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter at www.twitter.com/angelo_taylor.