Heracles' Choice and Your Potential pt 1

The classic parable has much to teach us about athletic living

Old Stories > > >

One main reason I studied history for 10 years in university was because of storytelling.

I find it hard to read fiction for that reason, the stories of history are more interesting with the additional allure of ‘did it really happen like that?’

The key to the historical narratives that capture our imagination is learning from them and applying those realizations to our day to day lives. One of the most powerful stories in all of history is of the legendary Greek demi-god Heracles (Hercules).

We have much to learn from his story and example.

I want to tell the story in 3 parts (historians LOVE threes!)

Today I’ll tell you why Heracles matters to sports and your own hero’s journey in life. When we examine his incredible birth story, there’s one huge lesson staring us in the face.

A Hero’s Journey

Heracles was the son of the most powerful Olympian god Zeus and a mortal woman who epitomized beauty and wisdom, Alcemne. Such relationships between mortals and gods were common in Ancient Greek mythology. It took Zeus three days of action, he bent the parameters of time and space, to impregnate Alcemne with his son that would become the ultimate champion and king on earth.

But Heracles was denied this birthright through a trick.

Zeus decreed that Alcemne would bear the next great king on earth, but she was pregnant with twins. Zeus’ wife Hera wanted to spite Zeus and made him promise that the first son born would inherit this birthright. Hera then switched the birth order so that Heracles' half brother came first, robbing him of his birthright. However there was one way for Heracles to reclaim his rightful throne. Hera decreed 10 arduous labours that Heracles could perform.

Through no fault of his own Heracles was dealt an unlucky hand. Just to claim what was rightfully his, he needed to embrace challenge and accept suffering as his path forward.

The challenge is your path

Sound familiar?

How many times in life do you make excuses for not doing something difficult because the cause was out of your hands?

It’s easy when the cause is external because you feel justified in accepting victim status. Something bad happened, now it’s ok to wallow and gain sympathy.

Even if true, this attitude does NOTHING to move you forward. In fact it keeps you STAGNANT.

In part II of this story, you’ll see that it was up to Heracles to CHOOSE his path forward.

Despite having done nothing himself, Heracles courageously accepted the hard life of struggle the led him to his true destiny.

Every time you let the victim mentality get the better of you, even when ‘justified,’ you betray your ability to take power over your situation.

Choose heroism.

Abandon victimhood.

Happy Training Friends.