The Rage of Phil Mickelson
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” ~Dylan Thomas.
On the brink of his 49th birthday, rage on Phil Mickelson does.
Rage against apathy, against failure, against resistance, against arthritis, against the power of youth and ultimately against the entropy of father time.
One of the most gifted players ever to tee-it-up, Phil refuses to go quietly into the good night as one can witness in his recent transformation that so rudely defies his 49 years of life.
29 years after his first tour win, Phil earned his 44th PGA win this past weekend at the iconic Pebble Beach. Dominating players half his age at their own power game while sending a thundering message not only to the competition but to every over 40 man: Rage on!
“Lefty”, as Phil is known for his uncommon lefty-swing, is a lot of things: A golfer, a husband, a father, an gambler and intense competitor. Renowned for his magical short game, as Phil entered his 40’s golf became a power game — with the top players crushing the ball record distances.
While Tiger ushered in an the modern era of physical, power-golf, Phil has always been a tad soft — especially in contrast to the powerful physiques of the youth movement, who look to spend as much time under the barbell as they do on the driving range.
Of course, Lefty’s game was scheduled to fade into archives of golf history. His distance and driving anything but a strength, could never compete with the staggering power and distance of this generation of players.
Yet, it seems Phil; he had different plans — as elite competitors often do.
Defying all odds, this last off-season Lefty ramped up his commitment to nutrition and training. Elevating the wisdom and hours to coax few new tricks out of his “more experienced” body.
The result has been a staggering upgrade in swing speed, transforming Phil from mid-pack into one of the top power hitters of this 2019 season. Think about that: A top 5 in distance leaping over competitors not yet born when Phil turned pro.
I share this to impress upon you that what is possible for your own “second act” is dictated not by the typical nor by the expectations of others but what you choose to believe and commit to. For without belief there is no commitment.
Let’s be clear, this is not a story about golf but a story about a man, a mission, living with passion and purpose; doing the work.
If you are a man in the middle years of life…
Be Like Phil
Phil has not found the fountain of youth, he forged one.
- Phil is on purpose with focus and resilience
- Phil knows better requires more… effort, time & wisdom
- Phil meets failure with resilience
- Phil does not fear change, he embraces it
- Phil thrives on competition
- Phil chooses fun in his “second act”
- Phil forges his body for function not physique
- Phil doesn’t give a shit what others think
For every man who has felt the angst of age, this transformation of Lefty is a “Bat Signal” of hope, a light of inspiration from a fellow warrior on the path to a better, stronger, longer game of life.
For while most certainly in the sunset of his career, Phil has chosen to slow the roll and give us ample time to take in the profound beauty of what it means to rage on.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Yes, Be Like Phil and RAGE ON, my friend
Q: What could you achieve this year that would defy the rules of gravity, the expectations of even your most enthusiastic supporters? How might you shock your world with elevated focus, power and stunning results?
