This week’s challenge is inspired by Bryan Leib of Leib Recovery Solutions. A few months ago Bryan sent me an email about a special he watched on TV about Team Hoyt.
Team Hoyt is a father/son duo who started racing in marathons together in 1977, and today they participate in triathlons together throughout the United States. In 2009, the duo completed their 1,000th race by competing in The Boston Marathon. But that isn’t what makes the Team Hoyt story so impressive. You see, Rick can’t walk or talk.
He was born with cerebral palsy. His parents, Dick and Judy, were told that there was no chance of recovery and little hope for Rick to live a normal life. However, Dick and Judy refused to give up. They stayed resilient in their quest to help Rick live as normal of a life as possible. Today, Rick has the capability to speak through a computer system, and although it might take several hours for Rick to put together a couple of sentences, you can imagine that it is worth the wait. His parents also assisted him in getting his own apartment with live-in help and also helped him obtain a college diploma from Boston College.
By now you might be wondering how the duo competes in these challenging races together. And instead of telling you, I thought this clip would offer the best look at Rick and Dick’s journey together. Take a peek:
If you’ve ever competed in a triathlon or a marathon or even a 5k, you know it isn’t easy. If you haven’t competed in such a race, it, too, is probably because you know it isn’t easy. Either way, it’s tough work. Dick and Rick have been racing together for more than 30 years. They’ve completed hundreds of events together, including a 3,735 mile trek across the U.S. in 1992 which last 45 days. When they run, Dick pushes Rick in a custom made running chair. When they swim, Dick pulls Rick in boat. When they bike, they ride together in a special two-seater bicycle. As of February 2011, they’vecompeted in 1,042 events together, including 240 triathlons and 68 marathons. Next month, the duo will compete in the 116th Boston Marathon. Dick will be 70 years old.
There are dozens of “lessons” that I could pull from the Team Hoyt story, but the one that I want to share this week, is the one about helping other people.
According to the official Team Hoyt website, Rick was once asked if he could give his father one thing, what would it be? Rick responded:
The thing I’d most like is for my dad to sit in the chair and I would push him for once.”
THE CHALLENGE
Everyone deals with trials and challenges. Sometimes these challenges are more than one person can carry. There are times when we carry other people, and there are times when other people carry us. From teammates to spouses to family members to friends. It might be a listening ear when tough times set in. It might be a short-term loan when the car breaks down. It might be any combination of things. But the simple truth is, we rarely do it alone.
Is there something in your life that you need help with but are too proud to ask for help with? Is there someone who has come to you with a problem and you’ve yet to offer a listening ear? Sometimes our greatest moments in life occur when we reach out to others for help and when we reach out to help others. Even random acts of kindness are good for the soul.
This week your challenge is to think beyond yourself and reach out and extend a helping hand.
THE REFLECTION
As you look back on your life, can you pinpoint a time when someone offered you a helping hand which radically changed your life or career for the better?
You can share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Gibbsboro, NJ, 11/19/09 – Jaws Youth Fund (JYF) is pleased to announce that it is teaming-up with LEIB Solutions for a holiday Toy Drive. LEIB Solutions will collect items for the toy drive through employees, clients and business partners,. It will run from Thanksgiving to December 19, 2009
LEIB is collecting new, unwrapped toys or books which the Jaws Youth Fund will distribute to several Camden-area programs including: Center for Family Services, MLK Child Development Center, El Centro Child Care Center and Mi Casita Child Care.
“Everyone at the LEIB is excited about giving back to the community. This is a special time of the year, and we’re happy that we can help make a difference,” said Bryan E. Leib, Vice President of Operations, LEIB Solutions. “We are especially appreciative of Jaws Youth Fund and United Way of Camden County for their assistance in ensuring that the toys get to deserving families.”
“We are honored to partner with LEIB to help us extend our outreach, and to make a difference in the lives of deserving families during the holiday season,” said Ron Jaworski, Founder Jaws Youth Fund and ESPN Analyst.
About LEIB Solutions LEIB Solutions, www.leibsolutions.com, is a full service Accounts Receivable Management company, handling Domestic and International accounts receivables for small, mid-size and large companies. Founded in 1986, LEIB and it’s management team have been the recipients of many awards and certifications over the last 23 years. Respect. Tenacity. Results.
About Jaws Youth Fund The United Way of Camden County Jaws Youth Fund, www.RonJaworski.com, is a partnership by United Way of Camden County and the family of Ron Jaworski, ESPN’s Monday Night Football Analyst and former NFL Eagles Great. The JAWS Youth Fund is an initiative serving at-risk youth throughout Camden County and the Delaware Valley region.
United Way and the Jaworski Family are committed to giving children a better life by creating opportunities for them to be successful. Through special events fundraising, the United Way JAWS Youth Fund has delivered over $2.5 million to over 70 non-profit organizations providing services to children ages 7-18. These programs must provide clear goals and demonstrated outcomes
Industry Pros Set to Tackle Topics on Skiptracing, Commercial Collections
ADEL, IOWA — Skills World announced today that credit and collections industry experts Steve Taylor and Bryan Leib have joined its popular publication, collector mentor, as columnists.
Taylor, president of RZD Investigative Group, will offer advice and insight on the topic of skiptracing. His experience as a private investigator, trainer, and management executive will provide valuable perspective for professionals involved in locating customers and assets.
“Steve takes skiptracing very seriously. It’s his ‘thing,’” said Gary Jensen, founder and chief learning officer at Skills World and collector mentor editor. “His insight will help fellow industry professionals become better informed about the fine art of skiptracing.”
Leib, a second-generation collector and vice president of operations for Leib Solutions, one of the nation’s premier commercial collection agencies, will address commercial collections.
“Bryan’s experience working with many of the nation’s top Fortune 500 companies will be of great value to our first-party and commercial collection subscribers,” Jensen said. “The economic tornado has left a path of destruction for many creditors, and now those subscribers will be able to benefit from a voice that specifically addresses the unique challenges of commercial collections.”
As the premier skill-development publication for credit and collections professionals, collector mentor delivers insightful and powerful articles in the areas of collections, credit, skiptracing, industry regulations, and soft business skills.
For more information about collector mentor, or to download a sample electronic copy, please visit www.collectormentor.com.
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About Steve Taylor Steve is the founder and president of RZD Investigative Group, www.skiptraceconsultants.com, a company specializing in skiptrace training. Steve has dedicated his career to the recovery industry and is a licensed private investigator. Steve’s articles have been featured in several industry publications and he has been a featured guest on radio talk shows. He’s active in social media networks and administers one of LinkedIn.com’s largest credit and collection industry groups, Credit and Collections, which boasts nearly 5,000 members.
About Bryan Leib Bryan Leib is the vice president of operations for Leib Solutions, www.leibsolutions.com , a best-in-breed commercial collection firm founded in 1986. Bryan is an active member of the Commercial Law League of America and Commercial Collection Agency Association where he serves on the Triadic, Marketing and Education Committees. In addition, Bryan received his Senior Certified Collection Professional (SCCP) designation in 2006 from the Commercial Collection Agency Association. He is a frequent speaker at several industry events.
Leib Solutions, www.leibsolutions.com , a leading provider of commercial collection services to the insurance, healthcare and legal services industry, has announced the inauguration of The President’s Circle.
The President’s Circle has been launched to recognize the top recovery specialist companywide each month. “We believe that it is an honor to be singled out, and listed with a select group of distinguished individuals who continually excel in all aspects of commercial collections”, said Bryan E. Leib, Vice President of Operations for Leib Solutions.
Mr Leib also added, “We are very pleased to have another avenue of recognizing our top producers for their tireless work ethic, responsive customer service and above-average collection results.”
The recovery specialist will receive their choice of a cash bonus or paid-time-off, as well as having their name engraved on a plaque honoring their accomplishment. They will also attend a special luncheon with the President, Robert. G. Leib.
