Bruce's Philosophy and Story
Finding My Voice Again
The drive to qualify started when I was a teenager on the U.S. National team in 1974. With very supportive parents whose philosophy about raising three boys was to keep us tired through the outlet of sports, we all achieved a great deal. Bart was better at his sport than Mike and I were at ours. Asked by my parents to support Bart in his quest, and being the leader, I accepted the role while striving for my own goals. I lost my voice. This created a disconnect in me and a wound that would not heal, just scab over. Waking up to a 25-year marriage where I also lost my voice was another profound realization. Dealing with the death of my marriage and the subsequent struggle of my identity was frightening. Who was I? Who had I become? Where did I want to go, do, and be? All these essential questions were needing answers. In due time, I would be able to address them all and be whole like never before. Front and center, something tangible to work on was my skating. Drawn to skating, it became a powerful tool for overcoming self-limiting beliefs, and it was the tangible measure of my way out of the predicament I was in and had a hand in creating. Speeding around a track, a metaphor for my life? I had a vehicle for my path forward, embodying the resilience and personal growth I was striving for, much like the teachings of Bruce W. Conner philosophy.
Redefining Success
Not making the Olympic team in 1976 was a devastating moment for me. As the oldest of three boys in our family, I had embraced the Bruce W. Conner philosophy of hard work, training myself into the ground to achieve my dreams. My younger brother Bart made it to three Olympic teams: 1976, 1980, and 1984, and he is now a two-time Olympic champion. I am incredibly proud of my brother and his accomplishments. In contrast, my journey involved overcoming self-limiting beliefs and focusing on resilience and personal growth. My youngest brother Mike even won the first national medal in our family at the age of 10 in short track speed skating.
Returning to the Ice
Competing as a youngster from age 12 till 19, I achieved a great deal in the 1960s and 1970s. Winning several competitions as a long-track ice speed skater, I was proud to be on the US national team from 1974 through 1976. Barely missing qualification for the 1976 Olympic team, I set aside that chapter of my life for over 22 years. As a much older and hopefully wiser adult, I returned to the sport I loved, inspired by the Bruce W. Conner philosophy of resilience and personal growth. Opening my old wounds from the past was inevitable. Fear had held me back for decades. Was I ready to confront the memories that haunted me? I had to find out, or I would never fully heal those deep wounds and never feel whole again. Cautious of the pitfalls that plagued my past, I treaded lightly on my return; repeating the same mistakes was not an option. While time can heal wounds, it also hardens scars, and the fear of more suffering was very real. Pulling off the bandage would hurt. Healing from the inside out, from deep within, was my only answer. The core of my being was screaming for help as I worked on overcoming self-limiting beliefs.
World records Comparison
Here are the world records for the 500m, 1000m and Sprint combo races. Comparison of my times in 1975 and 2005 as well as 2013. I was consistent with 88% of the speed considering the factors of faster indoor ice, better skates, better skin suits, warmer temperatures and no wind. We all got faster and I was able to kee
Facing the Grief Within
My mother had died from cancer the year before, and I was still having a tough time accepting it and seeking relief. I went through the five stages of grief regarding her death, as well as many other aspects of my life. Embracing the Bruce W. Conner philosophy of resilience and personal growth, I realized that doing the work to heal from within was my true task. Drowning my pain was no longer an option; I had to face it. Returning to my old way of thinking simply wasn't feasible. Striving for answers about my youth, midlife, and a broken marriage became crucial for overcoming self-limiting beliefs. How could I move forward?
Beyond the Finish Line
Not sure what was around the corner, but willing to address my own humanness, my very survival was at stake. By returning to speed skating, a sport that has brought me both pleasure and anguish, I am ultimately embarking on a journey toward the wholeness of my being, reflecting principles similar to the Bruce W. Conner philosophy of personal exploration.
We all desire love from our parents and experience sibling rivalry. My need to achieve was nurtured in this fertile environment, prompting me to consider whether my struggle revolved around external achievement or self-acceptance. Overcoming self-limiting beliefs became essential for my survival as I delved into what I was about to discover.
Ready to confront the issues of my past, I realized it was the right time to work on myself and begin healing. The tangible evidence of my extraordinary achievement in speed skating is visible, but what is unseen—and more important—is the internal work of healing my wounds and fostering resilience and personal growth as I move toward wholeness.
The Inner Game
Breaking Barriers
Breaking Barriers
Sports is one of the ways that I connect with my own inward journey of self-exploration in a tangible, measurable way. Embracing Bruce W. Conner's philosophy of pursuing meaning rather than avoiding discomfort fosters better health. By going after what creates that meaning in my life and trusting in my ability to handle the stress that follows, I set myself up for a journey of resilience and personal growth. Any activity, whether external or internal, can serve as a substitute for this important journey; the principles are universal and applicable to overcoming self-limiting beliefs.
Breaking Barriers
Breaking Barriers
Breaking Barriers
At 16, when I received my first pair of glasses, I was told that pursuing a career as an airline pilot was out of reach due to my vision. It was a common belief at the time that perfect eyesight and military training were essential to fly airplanes professionally. However, embracing the Bruce W. Conner philosophy, I refused to let this limitation define my future. Instead, I focused on overcoming self-limiting beliefs and worked hard, ultimately achieving my goal of becoming a United B-787 Captain. This journey reflects my resilience and personal growth, proving that barriers can be broken down with determination.
A Life Enriched by Skating, Love, and Connection
A Life Enriched by Skating, Love, and Connection
A Life Enriched by Skating, Love, and Connection
When I was young and began skating, I could not imagine how rich my life would become because of this sport. Embracing the Bruce W. Conner philosophy, I have reconnected with my passion for skating, training, and achievement as a master athlete, overcoming self-limiting beliefs along the way. I have found the love of my life, with whom I
When I was young and began skating, I could not imagine how rich my life would become because of this sport. Embracing the Bruce W. Conner philosophy, I have reconnected with my passion for skating, training, and achievement as a master athlete, overcoming self-limiting beliefs along the way. I have found the love of my life, with whom I share a home and a fantastic, rich life. I have developed relationships with a group of men I call my friends and brothers, which has proven invaluable on this sometimes rocky, unpredictable, and often hysterical journey of life. My relationships with my parents and my two brothers have grown and strengthened in ways that I could not have ever imagined a few years ago, reflecting resilience and personal growth. The depth of the love that I experience now was not even on my radar. My relationship with my children continues to grow, improve, and deepen.
Skating as a Mirror
A Life Enriched by Skating, Love, and Connection
A Life Enriched by Skating, Love, and Connection
Skating has come full circle for me, embodying the Bruce W. Conner philosophy of self-discovery and resilience. Through my sport, I have learned much about myself and how to overcome self-limiting beliefs. Skating exposes me like no other sport; if my body is not responding for some reason, there is always a deeper reason. It is up to me
Skating has come full circle for me, embodying the Bruce W. Conner philosophy of self-discovery and resilience. Through my sport, I have learned much about myself and how to overcome self-limiting beliefs. Skating exposes me like no other sport; if my body is not responding for some reason, there is always a deeper reason. It is up to me to find its cause and how to correct it. When I feel off balance—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—the ice and my competitors provide immediate feedback. It is my responsibility to apply all my tools to regain and maintain my balance, not just in skating but also in my life. Skating serves as a mirror for how to live my life, teaching me the importance of resilience and personal growth as I learn, change, and grow.
Full Circle on the Ice
A Life Enriched by Skating, Love, and Connection
Full Circle on the Ice
I have developed relationships in skating and some of my other activities that I could not have imagined as a young man. My coaches, who embody the Bruce W. Conner philosophy, have become great friends, and my fellow training partners and skaters share my passion. This connection fosters a special bond among us as we work on overcoming se
I have developed relationships in skating and some of my other activities that I could not have imagined as a young man. My coaches, who embody the Bruce W. Conner philosophy, have become great friends, and my fellow training partners and skaters share my passion. This connection fosters a special bond among us as we work on overcoming self-limiting beliefs together. I am grateful for the skaters that I share the ice with and mentor through sharing my own experience. By passing on what I have learned, it usually bounces back to me in what I need to work on, or it strengthens my concepts, contributing to my resilience and personal growth.
Vision, Grit, and Growth
I have developed relationships in skating and various other activities that I could not have imagined as a young man. My coaches are great friends, and my fellow training partners and skaters share my passion, which has created a special bond among us. I am incredibly grateful for the skaters I share the ice with, as well as the opportunity to mentor them by sharing my own experiences. By passing on what I have learned, I often find it reflects back on me, helping me identify areas for personal growth and resilience, or strengthening my concepts.
As a big-picture thinker, I tend to see things from a high level before honing in on the specifics. Perhaps that is why I fly airplanes for a living.
Overcoming self-limiting beliefs is essential for breaking through barriers and making meaningful changes in my life, and I recognize that it all begins with a thought.
I choose to take on challenges because they are hard, not because they are easy.
With imagination to dream big, breaking down my internal and external barriers, and a willingness to do the work, I believe I can achieve almost anything! This aligns with the Bruce W. Conner philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of intention and choice in our pursuits.
One of my favorite quotes that encapsulates my philosophy is: "We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act but a habit." — Aristotle.
I strive to embody the belief that "Let age enhance your dreams, rather than define them." — Bruce W. Conner, 2008.
Additionally, I hold dear the idea that "Getting better and going faster is more about intention and choice than age." — Bruce W. Conner, 2012.
The Path to Wholeness
I have divided my book into three sections. The first deals with telling parts of my story, thereby building a case for my experiences and the Bruce W. Conner philosophy that has influenced my life. The second section focuses on overcoming self-limiting beliefs and breaking down barriers that have held me back. The third details all the tools I have used to foster resilience and personal growth throughout my journey.
I hope you will be inspired to write your own story of successful living and embark on your own journey toward wholeness.