 I was talking with a relative last weekend and the discussion went to youth sports and how we wholeheartedly disagree with the way things are set up. In my experience observing things, there is a race to specialize, sports seem to run year round, there is a rush to get formalized training by a "professional" and a rush to reach the pinnacle... even if it is only for the 10 year old championship. This, my friends, is a flawed approach!
If you don't want to take my word for it, look at the data: The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that 70% of children quit sports by the age of 13. This is an incredible fail rate! The article chalks up the causes to the over professionalization of youth sports, overtraining, pressure to specialize causing injury, intense competition, burnout and the number one factor: IT IS JUST NOT FUN ANYMORE! Cornerstone Sports Club is designed to be the antidote to those problems. It is our mission to bring the fun back into athletics and to offer a program that will teach a wide variety of athletic skills that carry over to any sport the participants wish to pursue as they get older. Here is how we plan on doing it...
Click here to take advantage of our special founders opportunity: Special Price for September Chris
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A few weeks ago I was at the high school track and before our practice began, I took a moment to look at the school’s all-time records. Prior to this moment, I was working under the assumption that most of these numbers would be from the last decade or two but upon examination I realized my speculation was flawed. There were some that were current but on the whole, most of these records are from 3, 4 and even 5 decades ago. With all the knowledge and advancements in training methods, this information had me perplexed. I began to think about why and I came to the conclusion that I just don’t think kids are as healthy today as they were in decades past. I heard a coach in his sixties say take a look at my yearbook and compare it to the yearbooks of today. We were just more fit back then.
So, like with all new ideas, we have to test them. In between events at one of our meets I start talking with other coaches about the idea and most agreed. This talk led to discussing the differences in the current school compared to when they grew up. Children today spend roughly 8 hours per day sedentary with two-thirds of them not getting the recommended minimum of 60 minutes of active play. In addition, children are less likely to walk, bike, or skate to school or other activities than they were in the 1970’s. This is problematic in regards to the health of our country because unhealthy children have a very high likelihood of becoming unhealthy adults. The National Institute of Health released the following data to support that last point: Around 55% of obese children go on to be obese in adolescence, around 80% of obese adolescents will still be obese in adulthood and around 70% will be obese over age 30. In addition to the issue of obesity, the effects of sedentary behavior in children are as follows: weakened muscles and bones, slower metabolism, obesity, shorter life expectancy, depression, anxiety and earlier onset of adult-type health conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. All no bueno! Now, as we move on to adulthood, things do not improve and in fact, they worsen. The current state of health in our country has us ranked 66th out of 195 in the Global Health Index. This metric measures healthy life expectancy, blood pressure, blood glucose (which indicates diabetes risk), obesity, depression, happiness, alcohol use, tobacco use, inactivity (or lack of exercise), and government spending on healthcare. The cause of this has some type of compound effect. It seems that what begins in childhood snowballs with each decade and as we move through life, we find ourselves in a situation where we ask: what happened? Now, what I am going to propose here is geared towards those who work or live in an environment that has them sitting for the national average for adults of 10+ hours per day. This is nothing earth shattering: we literally need to move more. Research has found that moderate to vigorous activity is the most beneficial for our health and that sitting is the worst. With this information, they decided to create a model that would swap one behavior for another. Replacing just five minutes of sitting with a moderate activity like brisk walking had tangible effects in areas like heart health. Now of course, extending that time period to 30 minutes is even better so if you can sprinkle in multiple bouts of five minute sessions or one long session, you will see greater improvements. Now the question becomes, how do we add five minutes of movement into our current routine? Well, I came across a method known as the Pomodoro Technique and it just might be the answer. For every 25 minutes of sitting, you get up and move for five. Following this protocol obviously encourages more movement, gives you a short mental break from the task, and lowers blood glucose and insulin levels. Personally, when I have these short breaks, it allows my mind to process what I have just done and I typically come back to the work ready to go with new ideas and/or revisions. The Pomodoro Technique has six steps:
If that idea doesn’t work for you, here are a few other ideas to get you off your butt! Get a headset and take calls or conference calls while walking. This has helped me not only move but pass the time if it is a long call or if I am nervous about discussing the topic, some movement eases the nerves.
Chris Fluck Health Tip of the Week
A certain topic came up twice this week over approximately 45 minutes with two different so I thought it was an idea worth diving into. Modern life kind of forces us into sedentary situations. As kids, most schools have you sitting around all day "learning" with little to no movement mixed in throughout the day. Then, we go to college and do a little more of the same, and eventually become grownups where most of us work jobs that do not require physical exertion. This has led to many serious health ailments and people of all ages are afflicted by this type of lifestyle. So, I have a question for you all: Wouldn't it be NEAT if we can rid obesity or cardiovascular disease without spending more time in the gym or reducing calories? Well, as it turns out, we just might be able to. Nonexercise Activity Thermogenesis, or appropriately shortened to NEAT, measures the amount of physical activity we take part in that is not a formal workout. These are things like like walking, yard work, choosing to stand rather than sit, or getting involved in a game with your kids. These short bursts of movement, mixed in periodically throughout the day, will help you feel better, move better, improve body composition, and ultimately, can add years on your life. In regards to movement, the mindset of doing a little bit often over the course of the day can really add up. What I've Been Thinking About... As I was driving to our District Championship meet for Track & Field, I was listening to one of my all-time favorite coaches Dan John break down an interesting concept. On one end, he talked about being fit to perform a task like say, climbing a rope. The second idea involved performance which looks at, can you climb the rope to go save that person from XYZ. One asks are you physically fit to do it, the other asks are you physically fit to do it AND able to perform under pressure? Fast forward a bit and known I am at the meet watching one of the best throwers in the area struggle. I used this individual as an example to one of our kids and described to them what appeared to be "paralysis by analysis". I was talking to his coach for a period of time and I mentioned that it seems like he is overthinking this thing and he looked at me and said sarcastically, "ya think?" I took that response as this must be an ongoing problem! The kid is physically able to perform the task but his mind was getting into the way it was really beginning to effect his performance in competition. Being fit to perform is one thing, being able to perform when it counts is another. What I've Been Watching... The Roast of Tom Brady is described as, "Sports figures and comics team up to roast former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who will be forced to take the hits in this full-contact comedy special hosted by Kevin Hart; from the Kia Forum in Los Angeles." I read the description above and laughed a bit because this does not even remotely tell you what you are getting yourself into if you decide to watch it. The jokes are ruthless, brutal, offensive and everything a roast is supposed to be. Brady gets hit from just about every angle possible and I have to say, he took it all quite well! What I've Been Reading... Investing in Kids Now Can Prevent Crime in the Future For the past year or two I have been thinking of ways to get kids off screens, out of trouble, and be more physically active. Time and time again, in all regions of the world, the answer seems to lie in after school programs. In America, almost 70% of juvenile criminal activity occurs between the hours of 10 am and 10 pm. The first thing to do ensure is that they attend school, and then give them a sense of purpose after school. An activity, a club, a social event, etc. to keep them in busy and engaged in a positive activity before they head home for the day. Then, when at home, give the parents resources so that they, alongside their child can thrive. The article outlined above focuses on four approaches that work and they are as follows:
Quote of the Week "Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will" -- Suzy Kassem I hope you all have an awesome week! Chris Fluck  I took on a new challenge this year and I have to say, it has been wonderful! Roughly ten days prior to the start of the high school track season I spoke with my former coach and he mentioned they are still looking for a throws coach (shot put, javelin and discus). I threw my name in the hat as someone who can lend a hand and he graciously took me up on it. Two things happened since that conversation: One, I realized I really missed coaching high school athletics and two, it reignited this idea of the importance of having a third place.
But first, to answer the question that you are probably thinking: What is a third place? Sociologist Ray Oldenburg refers to our first place being home, the second place being work, and the third place as an area where we exchange ideas, have a good time, and build relationships. This is exactly what coaching does for me. Why may we need this? In my example, coaching gives me something to do off our property where my 1st and 2nd places are, it has helped restore connections, has me involved in the local community again, and basically gives me an identity. In addition, a third place is a powerful antidote to isolation and exclusion. It helps you build relationships and these relationships will keep you young…literally. In one study shared by the Stanford Center on Longevity, they found that after looking at data from over 300,000 individuals, stronger relationships increased likelihood of survival by 50%. Strong relationships are our greatest asset and so vital to our health and happiness, and third places are a haven for them. If you are lacking something in life and can't seem to put your finger on what it is, it may very well be a third place. So how do you find one? Circling back to Ray Oldenburg, he defined eight characteristics for a third place and after reading them, I decided I could not have set it better myself and listed his breakdown below.
Chris Fluck Health Tip of the Week
I used to have this morning routine that involved waking up, consuming massive amounts of coffee and then get my morning reading in. After years of this I decided that having multiple cups of coffee before 7 am may not be serving my overall well-being. I would get tired midday, have feelings of anxiousness, and it started a cycle of drink coffee, feel alert, get tired, drink more coffee, and so on. With that being said, I decided to scrap coffee first thing in the morning and removed it from the house. Now, this doesn't mean I don't drink it over the course of the day but I typically wait a few hours before consuming caffeine and it has been a game changer. When you look into the why, Andrew Huberman is the man with the explanation (go figure). By delaying coffee consumption until roughly 90-120 minutes after waking, you allow your body to have more of a natural wake up, allowing hormones like cortisol and adenosine to do their job, and it'll help set your circadian clock in a way that'll promote better sleep. By following this 90-120 minute rule, I have felt more alert in the mornings, consumed less caffeine over the course of the day, and it has helped me cut back on afternoon coffee which negatively effects sleep. Wins all around! What I've Been Thinking About... The power of a good checklist. Here is a big shocker: I don't always follow my own advice! In the weightroom, I preach that slow and steady progress will eventually lead to monumental gains. I have no problem following this idea with training but do you think I carry that over into my personal life? No way jose. In business, farm work, or setting a little time aside each day to spend with Marisa, I struggle. I decided that something has got to give and like my boy Sam Cooke once said, "A Change is Gonna Come". I am on week two of using a checklist system that feels pretty darn good. It doesn't ask for too much, allows small wins in a variety of areas and the time commitment typically takes 75-90 minutes each day. When I can cross everything off in the morning, it frees up my mind to be more present, not think about the list or worry about "when am I going to do XYZ". What I've Been Watching... Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal (trailer) Growing up I was a huge pro-wrestling and occasionally find myself reading a headline, watching a highlight, or my personal favorite, watching documentaries featuring these performers. In recent years, there was a character that intrigued me and he was known as Bray Wyatt. This guy is the son of a wrestler from the 90's and he had this creative gimmick that really caught fire with the fans. Tragically he died at the age of 36 and it left the wrestling asking a lot of what ifs. In the sport of wrestling, there is an idea of "getting over" with the crowd. This is when a character can get the entire arena eating out of the palm of your hands. I realized the power of this idea at a concert a few years ago where the singer Hozier had the entire arena singing in unison, doing exactly what he asked, and as I sat there mimicking what he said I thought "this must be what mind control is like!" Wyatt had this amazing ability, so much so that it caught my attention even after not watching the sport for 20+ years. The Power of Story... Before you ask, "Wait, you like pro wrestling?" let me tell you something. As I was watching the wrestling doc I was trying to figure out what the appeal of wrestling was for me and then I realized it is the storylines. When I was a kid, I got totally wrapped in whatever was on the screen. I didn't grow up watching movies about lost worlds, Star Wars, or Harry Potter but rather I was following the fictitious stories of these characters who spin a tale over the course of days, weeks, months, years and in some cases, generations as the children get involved decades down the road. As I grew older, I was still chasing a good story. I remember the first books I got obsessed with in High School were the Mario Puzo mafia books and a book about the boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. From there I found myself enjoying anything Dennis LeHane wrote (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, and more) and reading about the history of sport. Now, my obsessions move from the Founding Fathers, to George Orwell's books (all good by the way!) to the craziness of the 1960's, to the Civil War, the American Indian and more. Quote of the Week "It is better to conquer grief than to deceive it" -- Seneca I hope you all have an awesome week!Chris Fluck Eleven years ago, I received a phone call that forever changed my life. It was a Sunday morning and I was working at a private gym on the outskirts of Easton, Pa. In between appointments I went into the office to check the time and noticed I had a missed call from my mother. It wasn’t out of the ordinary to receive a call from her but on a Sunday morning at an early hour, it seemed a little odd. I took a moment to check the voicemail and it was only a few seconds as she asked me to give her a call back. There was something in the tone of her voice that told me this wasn’t just a regular check in. It sounded as if something was amiss. After the session ended I called her back and she said, “He is gone, Chris. Ryan is gone.”
At the time of receiving the news, I didn't have to ask any whys or hows. For over 5 years, my brother was struggling with drug addiction and he just couldn't seem to shake it. As I think back, I wonder if there is anything that could have been done to help steer him in the right direction. Did something happen that led him down the path or was it just a series of events that eventually led him there? I know these types of questions cannot be answered nor do they serve much of a purpose as the past cannot be changed but yet I wonder. I wonder because as I take a look around and play this game of “what ifs”, I ask, “Are we any better off now?” Since receiving that call, things in America have been continually changing. Life expectancy, for example, saw a rise every decade following World War II until sometime around 2010 where it began to level and since then has fallen. The culprit behind this can be debated but I do know one thing for sure and that is that what is labeled as “Deaths of Despair” (suicide, overdose, and alcohol related death) has been rising at a fast rate. This triad is the fastest rising death rate among Americans and seems to really hit the 25-49 year old demographic hard. These deaths have increased exponentially between the years of 1999 and today. Deaths from drug overdoses increased by nearly 400%, alcoholic liver disease increased by 40.6%, and suicide rates increased by over 40%. In 2022 alone over 110,000 people died from illicit drug use! So what is causing all of this? In 1897, French sociologist Émile Durkheim defined a certain type of death as an “anomic suicides” — anomic meaning alienated — in his book “Le Suicide.” These deaths, he argued, were a result from a breakdown in social equilibrium or social norms, or when individuals believe there is a lack of communal spirit or conclude the government is indifferent to their needs. Those exact feelings are ever present in today’s culture and the result of that is catastrophic. Insecurity, deprivation, the loss of possibilities, the lack of belonging, hopelessness, and social maladjustment lead to negative emotions including loneliness, unhappiness, worry, and stress that in turn lead individuals to experience more pain both physical and psychological. Rising unhappiness may have increased the demand for ways to numb or end despair, such that the cumulative effects show up years later in the form of higher death rates. Today is no different. So where does that leave us? For many people struggling, destruction of everything is the easy route to take. Reconstruction is difficult and the task seems daunting but I will say this, it will be worth it on the other side. Human beings are resilient and they can overcome. They have done it time and time again over the course of history and will continue to do so. The one amazing thing about all this is that you can accomplish great things too. We are all, after all human and because of that, have the ability to be brave, fight for something that is important, show courage, and conquer whatever setbacks life seems to throw at us. There are so many more things to admire in this world than there are to despise. We just need to open our eyes to them! I hope you all have a great week, Chris Health Tip of the Week
Do you have rhythm? Some of you may be visualizing yourself on the dance floor but that is not the type of rhythm I am talking about. The type of rhythm I do want to discuss has to do with the seasons. It has to do with the ebbs and flows over the course of the year and how you use that to create a fitness plan that is best suitable for your life. As the season changes and the weather begins to look more spring-like, I encourage you all to take a self assessment on what you are doing for exercise and think about syncing up with the season. If you spent all winter couped up in a gym, put the weights down for a period of time and get outside for some walking, hiking, running, or some bodyweight exercises at a local park. Sign up for a race or walk, join some friends for some outdoor fun, or do anything else you can think of that runs counter to the options that winter provides. The body and mind will embrace the new challenge, appreciate the variety, and in the end, so too will your overall health! What I've Been Thinking About... What year do you think the following quotes were written:
If you guessed over 2,000 years ago, you would have been spot on! The above quotes are all from Marcus Aurelius (121 AD - 180 AD) and he is not the only thinker of that time period who had some gems. Look up names like Seneca (4BC - 65 AD) and Epictetus (50 AD - 135 AD) and you will be equally impressed. So how did they know so much and why are these ideas something that we still struggle with today? Is it part of the human experience to be sensitive to judgment, focus on the external, and lack discipline? Are these issues things that man or woman will always experience? After thinking on this, I came to the realization that we all kind of have an operating system like a computer. The human operating system has innate mechanisms that make us who we are. It has the need or longing to be a part of a community, it wants to be accepted, it strives for improvement, it is resilient and empathic. Those are the good traits. Unfortunately, there is also a dark side to our human operating system. Things like the ego, manipulation, greed, lust, power etc. all shade our judgment and lead us down a path that we may not be proud of. The next talking point is a perfect example of just that... What I've Been Watching... Krishnas: Gurus. Karma. Murder I first heard of this story listening to an American Scandal podcast a few years ago so when I came across the three episode series, I had to check it out. The story is as old as man. It doesn't seem to matter what decade or century we look at, there are examples of how one charismatic and/or manipulative leader gains a following and uses that power to illicit things that benefit himself and maybe those in his inner circle. At one point during the show, they share the quote “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. This story of the Hare Krishnas in West Virginia is a perfect example of that. What I've Been Listening To... Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier This is an author who is not afraid to stick her neck and say some controversial things which is something I admire about her work. In her latest book, she takes a look at the rise in popularity of therapy and other mental health modalities for kids. With all the resources we have, the rate of anxiety, depression, and other diagnoses are at an all-time high. The cause of this is multi-factorial and up for debate but there is one thing you can't argue with and that is the fact that on the whole, things are not working the way we had hoped. There is so much more to this book but I think it is an important one to read if you are a parent. Quote of the Week “If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.” – Seth Godin I hope you all have an awesome week!Chris Fluck At a track meet this past week I was involved in an interaction that was pretty ridiculous. So ridiculous in fact that it made my daughter cry for roughly 15 minutes. Keep on reading to get the story…
I coach the throwers on a high school track team and a few times each week, our daughter joins me for practice or meets. The athletes are great to her and she loves being out there and is practically a part of the team. At this particular meet, the throwing area was blocked off from the fans for safety reasons and it was meant to be a low traffic zone for foot traffic. During the meet I had been walking back and forth between the javelin and shot put area and on one of these trips I get stopped by a volunteer official and she starts going off on me. In her mind, I was a fan walking around with a child and my movement and constant motion was a distraction to the throwers and yada yada yada. I told her I was a coach and I am wishing our female shot putters luck. She continued to go on and it got to the point where I interrupted her chatter and said the message was received. She kept talking and I said again that the message was received. She got the hint. It was the kindest way I could think of for telling her to stop talking and let me wish the kids luck! Now, thinking back on this, there are three things that happened here that apply to athletics and life in general. The first is the idea that an external distraction will affect performance. It is our job as coaches to prepare our kids to handle adversity in whatever form it may come. It could be kids being loud, people moving around, rude judges or officials, or even a groundhog running around the throwing area (this also happened that day). We cannot control the things that go on around us but we can control our response. Outside distractions will derail us if we let them! The next lesson comes courtesy of Epictetus, a man who walked the earth around 100 AD. During his time this stoic thinker wrote many great lines but this one resonated with me after this interaction: “If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. Which is why it is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it easier to maintain control.” Gosh this lady got me heated for a moment and the interaction really tested me in following the great stoic advice. It would have been a poor example of me if I would have gotten into a yelling match with someone while my daughter and the athletes I coach were present. I am always talking to them about how they respond and this was a moment where they could see their coach practice what they preach. I am glad I didn’t blow it! The last lesson is geared towards being a father to a little girl that is still trying to sort out the world. Due to the ladies tone of voice and her instructions for us to go “sit in the grass” Emi felt like she was doing something wrong and it hurt her feelings. She told me she wanted to leave and all this stuff but it led to a conversation later about how you speak to someone matters and how to handle rudeness. I didn’t want that one interaction to ruin her day because I knew she enjoyed being out there. It took some time but we got through it. Fast forward 75 minutes and the lady comes over to talk to me. She doesn’t apologize but goes on to compliment some of our throwers and their potential to do some great things this year. It turns out I know her son and the conversation was pleasant. I told Emi that just because the person was unkind once doesn’t mean they are always that way and that they may have just had a moment. I am hoping that lesson is remembered in that little mind of hers! I hope you all have a great week, Chris Health Tip of the Week
Mood-related disorders pose an enormous public health burden. There is ample evidence that things like exercise and meditation can help mitigate some of those symptoms that we all may be experiencing. The NIH published a study (research link here) that concluded that in a young population, a 10-minute bout of brisk walking and/or meditation can improve mood state. They went on to cite another study that "found five 20-minute sessions of integrative meditation to significantly reduce anxiety, depression, anger, and fatigue while increasing vigor." Better mood and more energy. Sounds like a win-win! As you can see, the best part about these two ideas are that they are both things that we can literally do right now. We can close up the laptop, put on some shoes, and go for a 10 minute walk around the block. If that doesn't sound too appealing, we can put on some headphones, listen to a meditation, and find some peace or gratitude. What I've Been Thinking About... I was having a conversation with a guy who I deem to be a friend and mentor and as we were discussing the sport of wrestling, the conversation went to the idea of words and actions meeting up. For example, as a coach, if we act like a maniac on the sidelines but tell our athletes not to do the same, the verbal message may not stick because our physical action ran counter to it. Same thing as a parent where if we ask our kids to get good rest and show up to things on time but we stay up late and are always running behind schedule then they are more likely to learn from the lateness then the verbal instruction. Lastly, when it comes to goal setting, if we say we want to accomplish XYZ but barely put in the work to accomplish X, then we have no one else to blame then ourselves for not striving to do what is necessary. This was only a small glimpse of things we discussed and if you want the full episode, check out my latest podcast episode with Grit Mat Club Owner Ben Chunko! What I've Been Reading Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West is a 1970 non-fiction book by American writer Dee Brown that covers the history of Native Americans in the American West in the late nineteenth century." As previously written, the 1800's were a wild time in this country and this book takes a unique approach to the history of our country as it views the conflict through the eyes of the American Indian. Through his amazing research and reading first hand accounts from the Natives themselves, Brown did an awesome job telling this sad but true story about this country of ours. What I've Been Watching... Bumping Mics on Netflix with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell from 2018 When Ross and Attell take the stage, no one in the building is safe. They roast each other, they work the crowd, and they even poke fun at their celebrity friends (Gilbert Gottfried, Paul Rudd, Michael Che, Bob Saget, and more) who come out to see two great comics take the stage. My favorite part of it all is that through all the jokes, you can tell these two guys have a wonderful friendship and really love the time spent together. One disclaimer: if comedy offends you, then this one may not be for you! Quote of the Week “It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor. ” ― Seneca Oftentimes I find myself thinking about how people get on the path they are on. Is there some sort of innate pull that leads them to make certain decisions, are the decisions predetermined based on your previous life experiences, or is it all chance? I am going to share an incredible story about Joshua Chamberlain, a college professor who left it all behind to volunteer for the Union Army and change the course of the war.
Let me set the stage here for a moment. Imagine it is July of 1863, the Civil War has been going on for roughly two years and Robert E. Lee has decided to move the conflict out of the South and take the fight to the fields of the North. As they made their move and marched through the farmlands of Pennsylvania, they received word that the Union Army was moving fast in their direction. This was an unexpected turn of events as both sides practically stumbled upon each other in a remote area. It was as if Gettysburg chose to play host for a battle rather than the other way around. The stage was set for a conflict. Commands were given and the troops got their assignments, Joshua Chamberlain and his group of volunteers were placed on top of a hill that would be known as Little Round Top. As he got his men up on the hill he looked to the left and suddenly realized something: There was nobody else out there. They were at the end of the line. If the Rebels decided to attack his position in an effort to flank and overrun, it would be his men there to defend it. And attack they did… The day was July 2nd and shortly after 4 pm, the charge began. The Rebels poured man after man at this location in an effort to overtake this position. Time after time, the North fended them off but Chamberlain realized that if this continued, supplies would run short and they would eventually run out of ammunition. His orders were to hold the line at all costs and it was time to make a decision: pull his men back and retreat like many other Union leaders or defend the hill with all they have. Chamberlain chose the latter and ordered a counterattack. He told his men to fix bayonets and charge. Picture a few hundred Union men running downhill with spears, yelling, screaming, and eventually, overtaking the opposition. The stunned Rebels had no idea what to do and most of them ended up dropping their weapons and surrendering. Strategically, Little Round Top held the key to the developing battle occurring in the North. If the Southern troops could take and hold the hill, they could theoretically roll up the entire Union line causing massive casualties and retreat. The Rebels would have then continued their plunge into the North with the end goal being to reach Washington. This was stopped in Gettysburg and Chamberlain’s decision began to shift the war in favor of the Union. One man making one decision changed the course of the war, which changed the course of our country, which inevitably changed the world! Now to think, at the start of this war, this was a man lecturing students on language and rhetoric. Without giving prior notice to anyone (his wife was not happy), he volunteered and this decision would eventually play a major role in how our country was shaped. If he would have listened to everyone close to him, he would have kept his safe, cushy job at Bowdoin but he wanted more out of life. He followed his heart, joined the cause, and made an impact on the world. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Chris |
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