Want to be healthy? Think like an Olympic Ice Hockey player

Model Used for illustrative purposes - Glow Images

It was rocketing good news at a time when President Carter had proclaimed we were facing "a crisis of the American spirit." The Lake Placid Olympic hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union was being compared to a "Cold War on ice". U.S. coach Herb Brooks put it this way when he told his young players before the game, "It's David against Goliath, and I hope we remember to bring our slingshots."

As a boy, I loved the David versus Goliath story. David, was the last line of defense that day in the confrontation with the battle-tested and dangerous Philistine army. How impressive to think of an untested shepherd boy, stepping forward with self-confidence and brave words, because he trusted a higher power. And, I'm not the only one who gets the majesty of this story. Malcolm Gladwell, thought-provoking author of Tipping Point and David and Goliath, changes the way you think about almost anything. Here's just one insight into this 3,000 year old Bible story, "...much of what we consider valuable in our world arises out of these kinds of lopsided conflicts, because the act of facing overwhelming odds produces greatness and beauty."

As an adult, I've also been captivated by The Boys of Winter, a wonderful book with a boy to manhood perspective of each U.S. player on what's since been described as the "Miracle on Ice" 1980 Olympic team. I've discovered kernels of a winning mindset in the story. And, these gems apply not only to Olympic success, but also to what sometimes feels like a battle for our health.

For example, if you are confronted with a scary diagnosis or symptoms, you could defend your thinking with the advice attributed to Robert Waldo Trine in Dr. Lissa Rankin's book Mind Over Medicine "Never affirm or repeat about your health what you do not wish to be true."

Similarly, winning athletes know not to paint pictures of defeat. And, if ever a person had been born to become a winning Olympian, that person was Jim Craig, the goalie in 1980. It can't be overstated how important the goalie is to a hockey team. "Goalies are different from other human beings...You are quite literally the last line of defense, the ultimate determinant of who wins and who loses." With his one-save-at-a-time attitude, Craig essentially bid defiance to any opponent "You are not getting this puck past me."

Craig would suffer from a sinus infection and recurring headaches during most of his Olympic games. Although easily available to the public, over-the-counter decongestant medication was not an option. If taken, Craig would run the risk of being tested positive for drugs. Despite the infection and pain, he ruthlessly guarded the goal, thereby helping to facilitate the upset victory over the Soviets.

If you are experiencing a health crisis and looking for a miracle cure for a Goliath-like illness, your mindset matters. James Clear, author of Transform Your Habits writes "Research is starting to reveal that your mental toughness -- or "grit" as they call it -- plays a more important role than anything else for achieving your goals in health, business, and life."

Yet, many would question if grit alone is able to make you healthy? Many people, with plenty of grit, still suffer from pain and various illnesses. Their grit only helps them "manage" the pain. Maybe victory has more to do with trusting the power behind that David-like "I will fight that Philistine" attitude? David didn't need a coat of armor to make him invulnerable, unassailable, and unconquerable. Rather, his whole life and his victory that day had a direct relation to what was in his God-focused thinking. I've found that this type of God-focused thinking and unwillingness to let illness past my own mental defenses, allows me consistent victories over pain and sickness.

Three years ago, I traveled to Brazil for several speaking engagements to promote an independent school based in St. Louis. On the morning of the final public talk I felt ill from drinking contaminated tap water. It was as if my stomach and digestive system was this Goliath-like creature daring me to venture outside the safety of my hotel room that day.

I mustered what little grit I had to dress and to walk to the hotel dining room where I ate about two bites of breakfast, probably enough to fortify a bird. Nevertheless, true grit just wasn't cutting it. It was then that I handed over the problem to God. Like David, I took a stand that I could overcome this Goliath because I knew the Divine was present with me right there. Within moments, I felt the Divine surpass the purely human grit. Twenty five minutes later I walked two blocks to meet a bus and traveled 50 miles to the speaking engagement. My talk was a success, followed by a delicious Brazilian lunch, which I enjoyed. By mid-afternoon, I boarded the bus for an enjoyable 50-mile return trip to my hotel.

At the funeral for Coach Herb Brooks, Rev John Malone poignantly remarked, "Most miracles are dreams made manifest." "Herbie had a dream. The players had a dream. If we could all dream...and do our best, we could make this a better world. It's within our reach; it's within God's reach."

So go ahead, be more than an Olympic hockey player; be a David. Defend and win your way to good health.

Steve Drake is a self-syndicated Missouri columnist and writes on the growing evidence that what we think directly influences our health. He is also the media and legislative representative for Christian Science in Missouri.