The clinic was going well, about like most, and I felt very positive about the trip. On Friday night I had the chance to meet a very powerful coach, a coach that lifted the clinic to a higher level for me personally.

This coach was so impressive and he embodied everything I always try to convey in my Mental Edge column. I decided after meeting him to change my topic for this month just to share with you Coach Rick Bojak.

Quite often I assume that those who spend countless hours studying to achieve higher academic degrees will naturally seek out the highest paying professions. Others, as I learned at the clinic, such as Rick Bojak, believe that there are treasures in life more valuable than a big paycheck. Coach Bojak was an exceptional athlete who played middle linebacker and running back in college. He was inducted into the Northwest Athletic Association Hall of Fame. After graduating with two masters degrees, one in psychology and one in physical education, Rick went on to achieve his dual goals of becoming a respected educator and coach. He coached football at three universities and has earned a reputation for being able to turn losing programs into winning programs. In the case of Jordan High School, he took a team with a 0-22 record to a 4A State Championship in one year.

Here's how I got to know Rick in Chicago. I noticed that on the speaking schedule, there would be a talk on motivational techniques for football players. Any chance I have to hear a talk on motivation, I never miss. I set my schedule to hear the talk. At times it is very difficult not to judge speakers on how they move to the front of the room. I made a quick study. He looked average. The way he held himself, his looks, his clothes - nothing exceptional. My quick judgment was wrong. Rick Bojak was not average; he was powerful! He was raw, real, and very authentic. As he began to speak it was clear that he believes everything in life is a choice. He was a man that believes the beginning, middle, and end of life is all attitude. He believes that attitude can be learned and that everyone can change and improve. He believes everyone can be happy and make a difference in life. The purpose of life, according to Rick, is to serve. You should work hard everyday to help improve the quality of every person's life you work with.

Rick Bojak is a head football coach. His life's work is to serve his players and teach them that life is a choice and that their choice about attitude will be the determining factor in their ability to achieve long-term success and happiness.

I would like to share with you one of the many ways this coach passes on this life lesson to his players. He does this with his team every year. This is a simple story, but one that lifted me and gives me renewed hope in people. When you meet people like Coach Bojak, it strengthens your hope in life. It helps you focus on the fact that people have unlimited power and that through the power of attitude and choice, your own life can be a powerful, awesome ride!

When his football players report for the start of summer practice, it's the hot dog-days of August. All players dread these first 90-100 degree temperature two weeks of practice. They practice three times per day and it's tough. It is a physical and mental test that every player must pass.

On the last day of the two weeks, the players are very proud that they made it. Under the guidance of Coach Bojak, the seniors hold a very special meeting with the squad. Coach buys a plain black ring for every player to be received from the seniors. At the end of the two weeks, the underclassmen become members of the black ring club. This is an official club at the school that the football player becomes a part of by having made the football team. The club meets once per month during the school year just like every other club at school. 100% of the players participate in the club. This is what they are told when they receive the ring. The ring is a never-ending circle symbolizing their commitment to their school and their teammates. They will wear the ring twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They will never take it off. No matter where they are when they're apart, they will not dishonor each other. The team will always be proud of them and can always count of them. The ring is there to remind them of that.

The ring is the color black and each letter is part of an acronym; B-L-A-C-K. "B" stands for believe. The team must believe there is nothing they cannot do. "L" stands for loyalty. Together or apart, they will forever be loyal to each other. They will never let each other down. "A" stands for attitude. They will have a good attitude at all times and even in tough times, they will learn and move forward with a good attitude. "C" stands for character. When they are together or apart they will be men of high moral standards. "K" stands for knowledge. They will pursue learning and will not let ignorance rob them of their dreams.

The last thing they learn before they receive and put on their ring is what the activity and purpose of the club is to be. Why does the club exist? It is the most touching part of the story. Coach Bojak established the club for one purpose: to teach the men to serve. In the constitution of the club, which must be turned in to the school administration to be approved, the sole purpose of the club is stated, "Serve the school." That is what the football players do. Any teacher, student, or group at the school may request their help. The club has never turned down a request. From helping the softball team take in the batting cages to helping the band carry equipment, they get the job done. They also take initiative themselves. Among many examples is that once per month, ten different players go through the school and walk the grounds to pick up litter.

I was moved by this average looking coach that is anything but average. What a powerful thing this man is doing. They hired him to coach football games on Friday night, but instead he is changing the world by changing the lives of his players. I wonder what the world would be like if you and I decided to be a Rick Bojak to the people around us?

Jeff Sellers, Managing Editor of Revolution Magazine, is a former World Record Holder in the Squat, has coached 2 NCAA Division I National Championship Powerlifting Teams, and is a highly sought after motivational speaker with national engagements almost every week.