13 years ago today, I lost my Dad. More than a 1/3 of my life without him already. It feels like a lifetime.

Every year I like to share a little about my dad to celebrate him & reflect on what I've learned.

Twitter therapy, as I call it.

This is my Dad in his glory days. He played football
@WKUFootball, & I’m pretty sure he meant business.

My love of sports definitely comes from him.

I often think about how much he would have loved this phase of my life — & how much interest he would take in what I do.

My Dad was a strong but quiet leader.

People often mistake leadership for the loudest voice in the room. My Dad would debunk that myth.

Leadership is about poise & presence. It’s about finding your voice, having empathy for others & listening as much (or more) as you talk.

Don't take up all the space in the room just because you can.

Listen & lead with intention.

My Dad was a tough-love kind of person. He gave so much love & praise, but he also gave tough & constructive feedback.

If I was a knucklehead, I was going to know it.

The people that are willing to have the tough conversations are the ones who are often the most invested in you. After all, it's not easy.

Tough feedback is not always what we want to hear, but it's often what we need. Give it & receive it.

My Dad knew how to pull the best in people.

He choose to believe & see what people were capable of, then help them see it.

We didn’t define goals in our households. We placed bets. & looking back, I believe that was very intentional.

After all, who likes to lose a bet?

All of us have self-doubt, fears and limits — but we can either focus on what pulls us back or the things that propel us forward. When we chose the latter, we surprise ourselves.

A bet on yourself is a different kind of belief. Bet on yourself.

My Dad taught me that the work that matters is often the work that goes unnoticed (at first).

I think back to the days when I ran track & I had winter workouts.

My Dad & I would tackle the workout together. I would run & he provided encouraging words (& tough love, of course).

No one but us knew about those winter nights on the track running 12 x 400Ms, but it was those nights that paid off for the spring.

He encouraged me to put in the hard work that no one else saw, & I’m forever grateful for that.

Put in the hours when no one else is looking. That's what separates the best from the rest.

As my favorite @underarmour campaign said: It's what you do in the dark that puts in you the light.

Your light will eventually shine.

Finally, life is tough but also wonderful.

Be kind & be gracious.

Remember everyone has their own battles.

& leave your footprints it matters.