Koyie Hill and Mental Fitness

Have you heard about Koyie Hill?  He is a professional baseball player who has made a remarkable recovery from an accident that had threatened his career.

October 16, 2007 was the day, which almost ended his career.  He was working on a saw, when the accident occurred.  His thumb was cut first and then three more fingers.  Ligaments and tendons were severed on three of his fingers and his thumb.  His thumb and fingers had to be reattached surgically.

I imagine that at the time of the accident, he was distraught and fearful regarding his future.  In fact, in December of the same year he was told by a doctor that he would never play baseball again.

Koyie did not give up.  He didn't give up his dream even though it seemed unlikely.  He had the confidence and determination to reach his goal.  Rick Gano, AP Sports Writer, interviewed Koyie who said:

“In the back of mind I always knew if I got the opportunity to play like I did, the Cubs kept me in the lineup down there, I knew I was going to be able to do it. I knew it was going to be hard and it looked ugly at the beginning.”

When he first began to return to his career, he described his fingers as feeling like "frozen carrots".

He needed mental fitness to overcome his disability and psychological fears and anxieties.  He went through hours of physical therapy and learning how to use his hand.  In his own words he said "

“It was a long deal. We did three or four hours of therapy every day and you battle a lot of nightmares and ups and downs emotionally as far as your career,” he said.

“I’m proud I’ve been able to overcome. Every day I got to keep on top of it. We feel like we got it under control for the most part.”

Koyie has had a remarkable recovery.  Once again he is back in the major leagues.  He has been able to perform all of the skills necessary for his career with a surgically repaired hand.

We can learn a lot about mental fitness and toughness from Koyie Hill.  He has shown us that life's impossibilities can be transformed into actualities.  He has shown us the power of our mind.  He has shown us that we can overcome the physical, emotional and realistic limitations in our lives. 

He has shown us the power of our will and mindset.  What we habitually think and believe about ourselves can overcome all of the obstacles looming in our vision.

He has also underlined the importance of continuing daily the exercises and thought patterns that are necessary for continued growth and self-improvement.

Remember, We Live within the Environment Created by Our Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach