Coach Ivan Joseph recalls, "I was the coach of the Toronto University team at the time. A thin 15-year-old boy came to me and said, 'Sir, my name is Kyle. I know you won the National Trophy last year, and I want to play on your team.' He said it all in one breath. 'Sir, I’ve read The Secret, and the national team’s photo is on my vision board.'
I was impressed by the determination and courage in such a young boy. I told him, 'Tryouts are happening now; let's see your game.' But as soon as Kyle started playing, my initial happiness turned into disappointment. After the test, Kyle asked, 'Sir, how did I play?' I didn’t want to break his heart, so I said, 'Have you met our equipment manager?' Kyle looked a little sad, then thought for a moment and said, 'Yes, sir, I’ll take on the role.'
Kyle joined the team, and as his coach, I kept guiding him. Whenever our team was about to win, I would put him in the game for a short time. The season passed, and we finished fourth in the country. On the last day, Kyle asked, 'Sir, will I be on the team next year? Can I play?' Kyle was an honest boy, and I didn’t want to mislead him. It was time for honesty, so I told him, 'You work hard, Kyle. You have potential in management, but you're not a natural player.'
Kyle didn’t quite understand. He asked, 'Sir, what should I do to improve?' So I told him plainly, 'Kyle, even if you practice for 5,000 hours, you won’t become a starter on this team. You’re not a natural player.' But Kyle said, 'Sir, I still believe I can play.' Frustrated, I said, 'Kyle, how do I explain this? Your legs are naturally stiff, making it difficult for you to control the ball.'
I suggested he play center-back and explained that his turn might come if the other three reserve players were injured. I felt this was necessary to save him from false hope. I thought he would leave football, but instead, Kyle found hope even in the slim chances I gave him. He said, 'Sir, it means I still have a rare chance to play one day.'
A year passed, and we held tryouts again. To my surprise, Kyle returned. This time, he looked stronger, and his game had improved, but he still wasn’t fit for the university team. Disappointed, Kyle left without a word. In the third year, during our first match, we needed a midfielder. I reached out to a local club, and they sent three players, including Kyle. Although he still didn’t stand out, I kept his number to call him if needed. Due to a mix-up, I accidentally called him and told him he was selected.
The next day, Kyle arrived, filled with pride and excitement. Mid-game, one of our center-backs got injured, then another, and finally, the third one. Reluctantly, I sent Kyle onto the field. That day, something incredible happened. Under pressure, Kyle’s hard work, vision, and perseverance all aligned, unlocking his true talent. He played brilliantly, and we won by a huge margin. Kyle himself was shocked, as were his teammates. From that day on, he became an essential player, and our team finished second in the country.
The following year, Kyle’s transformation inspired the entire team, and we became national champions. The boy who once struggled with basic moves is now one of Canada’s top college players. This is the true story of Kyle Stewart and his coach, Dr. Ivan Joseph’s Power of Grit.
Had Kyle not persevered through years of struggle, his talent might never have been revealed. His belief in himself was so strong that, eventually, it had to manifest. This story illustrates the essence of grit—maintaining passion and resilience for a tough, long-term goal.
Dr. Ivan Joseph teaches that grit builds self-confidence. Students who avoid challenges or choose easy paths lack the resilience needed to achieve significant accomplishments. To develop mental toughness, he advises three steps:
1. Believe in Change: Build the belief that you can grow and improve. Read biographies of great people who started just like us and transformed their lives through effort and belief.
2. Embrace the Process: Behind every good result, there are countless repetitions and hard work. Success is not about natural talent but about trusting the process.
3. Master the Emotions of Failure: Put yourself in challenging situations that require persistence. Doing so will teach you to handle the emotions that come with setbacks.
Remember, every setback is a stepping stone to becoming your best self. Tell yourself a powerful story, not one of weakness. Embrace grit, and you’ll find yourself reaching heights you once only dreamed of.