I AM a Championship Person Discovering the Divinity Within

This week was a game changer for me—another “aha” moment! As we talked about John Wooden and revisited the success principles, the power of this pyramid struck me in a new way.

I realized that this Pyramid of Success isn’t just about winning games, setting records, or creating MVP players. Instead, it’s about building championship people! Why didn’t I hear this before?

I’m not a big basketball fan—not even much of a sports fan, really. Especially when it comes to recognizing names of players or coaches. I’ll admit, when I first heard John Wooden’s name three years ago, I had no idea who he was or that he was even associated with basketball.

I have the pyramid printed and neatly filed in a folder with all my other MKE readings. But this week, something clicked.

Listening to Darren Clayton describe the legendary John Wooden behind the scenes gave me a whole new perspective. What fascinated me was learning what his true focus was. After a game, win or lose, Wooden instructed his players to enter the locker room and bring their energy level down to zero. He would ask them two simple yet profound questions:

1. Did we do our best?
2. What can we learn from this?

I can’t imagine winning a championship title, stepping into the locker room, and intentionally bringing my energy down to zero. That is self-control.

Instead of focusing solely on winning, Wooden focused on building championship players—players who would become championship leaders. That spoke volumes! Here was a man focused on internal character, not just external rewards. It aligns perfectly with what Haanel has been saying all along: the internal is always reflected in the external.

I’ve been so inspired by John Wooden that I started looking him up on YouTube. I watched a TED Talk he gave in 2009 and another talk from 1998 on the Pyramid of Success.

What I loved most about him was how deeply thought out his principles were—not just in theory, but in execution. He didn’t just live by these principles; he instilled them in his players through basketball. He practiced what he preached.

We all know that “knowledge does not apply itself.” Wooden’s ability to apply, execute, inspire, and instill success principles is truly remarkable. Now, my question is: How can I take what I’ve learned in MKE and strategically implement these principles into my own life?

My first thought? Incorporating the Pyramid of Success into my makeover. Definitely something to bring into a sit.

I believe that any teacher, coach, business owner, manager, or civic leader could apply these principles to what they do. As a mother, I would have intentionally created a family culture that practiced these principles. But it’s never too late. My focus now is on implementing them in my own life today.

I am both challenged and excited beyond my wildest imagination to continue this journey of self-discovery with a clearer vision of becoming the championship version of myself. In this process, I know I will grow closer to understanding the divinity within me.

A huge thank you to the MKE: Mark, Davene, Lori, the entire team, and especially Darren Clayton for taking the time to share such an inspiring personal with the entire group!

#BestMastermindEver #MasterKeys #EveryoneNeedsAMastermind

See more about what I have learned in my Master Key Experience by clicking here.