Winter Term athletes enjoyed a spontaneous pep-talk discussion with 2010 Olympic Gold and Silver medalist Bill Demong (NYSEF and NSA alum) at the OTC this afternoon.

No stranger to setbacks, the highlight of Bill’s chat was when he described a fractured skull suffered during what he thought was the “prime of his career,” an injury which forced him to step back from the sport he was “addicted to” and do some serious thinking. After a season off-snow spent building homes and planning his return to the sport, Demong set some lofty goals which led FAAARR down the path… and which culminated with a record medal haul at the Games in Vancouver.

Watch Demong Win Gold in Vancouver!

The moral of the story?
  1. Don’t be afraid to fail, but don’t focus too hard on the things that might make you fail, either.
  2. An injury is only the end of the road if you let it be just that.
  3. Set some big goals, come up with a plan, and make it happen.
Thanks Bill!