Hey, it’s not just Andre Agassi that screwed up!
In his new book Open, Andre Agassi talks about his troubled relationship with his father, his love-hate relationship with tennis and that he was a lonely, insecure youngster. The former tennis great and philanthropist also confessed to using the illegal substance crystal methamphetamine twelve years ago. For those who don’t know, Meth is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant.
Agassi goes on to say that he was so messed up on meth that his coach gave him two choices. The choices, either give up tennis and retire, or start all over again and re-learn the game from the beginning. Agassi chose to start all over.
Almost daily, we read or hear about sports stars, entertainers, politicians or the rich and famous either getting into trouble as adults or re-living some form of a troubled past.
Some of these people, like Agassi, can overcome their past, while others struggle to find meaning to their lives as adults.
The lesson is just that. It’s not just you that is lacking or suffering in some way. Everybody including the rich and famous, struggle with the challenges of life. Difficulties and downright catastrophes are part of life. It’s not the problem it is the solutions that make all the difference.
So, if or when this happens to you, take some down time to heal. The amount of down time depends on the nature of the emotional or physical issue. To help you recover, don’t be afraid to seek professional help if necessary.
At some point you must choose to make a decision about life and start to fight to get your act back together. Choose, quit or start from the beginning.
Get up and get yourself back in the fight for success. Start with a self-correcting plan and with intense effort. You’ll be back in no time.
Whether you are a Wimbledon Champ or an average Joe or Jane, don’t be too hard on yourself. Problems are a way of life; dismiss your doubts, your fears, or your past. You are worthy of success. Pick yourself up and go achieve your dream.
Oh, and remember: It is not just you, everybody is screwed up or lacking in some way.
So what! Get over it!
Good Luck,
John Morgan, PhD
Tell us how you got back up.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Dr. John:
Great Blog-I enjoyed your insights about Agassi– and all of us in general.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
For one of the greatest tennis players ever to come out with his addiction to meth is surprisingly stupid. I would have never suspected this, neither would most other people. I remember his rebirth. But had no idea it had anything to do with drugs.
If he did indeed make hundreds of millions from tennis, why would he do this? He wasn’t broke and stupid like Conseco. He must have had a really deep hatred for his father; that crazy XXX XXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX. Like the William’s sisters dad he pushed his kid into being the greatest and most successful athletes in his sport.
Actually, I think it is something that has to be done for most people to become successful. If you don’t have a mentor who you can emulate to achieve your goals, an “Xxx Kicker” can get the job done by using whatever he needs to do to bring you to the highest level.
The most fun is to have a mentor who can show you the ropes and you can please by elevating your game thus gaining his approval.
The “Xxx Kicker” will just work you to death and never be happy with your level of achievement. So you will reach heights the mentored would never dream of.
Most great athletes had someone kicking there butts early in their career to get them to a level where they would never have gotten on their own. From that level they picked it up and became their own “Xxx Kicker.”
I always liked Agasi and enjoyed watching him play and how he handled himself. He was a great role model and if he would have kept his meth habit a secret it would have been just as well. If indeed he is reaching out to addicts, trying to get them to see the error of their ways and using his millions to help addicts, it would enhance my image of him even more.
LLR
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November 11th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Just read what you wrote about Agassi….Real good, you tell it in plain everyday language, I like that. You almost sound like Joel Olsteen, he says a lot of what you do but not in the same “words”.. It is good. Your blog comments are really good and I feel if people will take the time to read what you say and THINK it could help a lot of people.
Signed PN.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Thanks John!
I read your blog and loved it. keep up the good work. please let me know if there is anything you would want me to do to assist your institute. I think you should get involved in after school with Miami-Dade County Public School as a service provider. There is money to be made and valuable assistance to be given to youngsters.
November 11th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I don’t follow tennis and don’t know anything about Andre Agassi so I will not be reading his book. Why do so many celebrities and sports figures feel compelled to publicaly display their warts? Do they really think their story will be an inspiration to others or is this just another attempt at publicly? Hey, look at me – I’ve overcome adversity and became a super star. Perhaps there are lessons to be learned, but making such life changing decisions is not as simple as it sounds for most people.
JR
November 11th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
That Dr. John is right on.
Props to the old dude.
My coach talked to me when I was smoking XXXX but I didn’t listen. I might be in the NFL today instead of a city employee. That XXXX about starting over with a plan and effort rang a bell in my head. Sounded like my old coach all over again.
Thanks, Big Joe.
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November 17th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
My respect and admiration for Andre Agassi has been reduced to nearly zero by his revelation of a drug addiction, that he lied about it when questioned, and fooled those about him. The addiction and lies are human enough, though not to be admired. But his revelation seems directed toward a renewed celebrity, no longer achievable on the tennis court. He does not need the money, from what I read, but the sale of his book, and an attempt at a “bad boy” image so common to those written about in the “People” sections of the paper, demonstrates a cheap and pathetic desire to be “loved” rather than admired. He was once a leader in his field that resulted from his great efforts and resulting victories on the court. Now he has sold his integrity for a few coins. He may become richer, but who will look to him for leadership.