RADIO
The story about one of the pillars of our golf space. What we can all learn from James' beautiful soul and mind.
What does golf mean to you? Why is it important?
Earlier this year, our golf community lost one of the pillars of the space when James, better known by his Twitter handle of TheDegenerate75, passed away from his battle with cancer.
I would be lying if I said I had an extended relationship with James to speak about anything regarding his personal life. We were friendly with one another, oftentimes reciprocating Twitter likes from our personal podcast posts. Yet, it is not as if we spoke daily or even had the pleasure of speaking to one another beyond the singular occasion when he was gracious enough to join me on my podcast, which I did with Sia Nejad and Joel Schreck.
That experience has stayed with me for a while, as it wasn't long after that moment that James announced he was taking an indefinite leave to address some of his health concerns. I didn't think much of it at the time since James was a bundle of energy on the show, showcasing his typical blend of entertainment and top-notch statistical data points. I remember thinking when it ended that he might have been a guest, but he was a rockstar who stole the hour with his contagious personality and energetic zest for life.
Unfortunately, as time passed and James remained out of the public eye, I realized there was more to this situation than I had initially thought. We eventually saw him make a triumphant return to the joy of everyone in the space. However, it came with the devastating news that he had been diagnosed with a form of incurable cancer, including a prognosis that made his days numbered.
His passing this year has made me ponder the rollercoaster of emotions we experience throughout our time on this planet and the lessons we learn and teach to others before we face our own abrupt final moments. I wish I could have written to James to tell him these words before it was too late, but here are three of the most impactful lessons I learned from him that I would like to share with everyone today. Perhaps some of this will resonate with you and help to carry on his legacy.
Enjoy The Round & Don't Worry About How Far You Hit It
This industry showcases both the best and the worst of people.
At its pinnacle, the writing/podcasting sector for golf is a brotherhood/sisterhood that allows connections to form and lifelong friendships to be made. Some of my closest relationships in life have developed from within our small circle, and that even includes life-long bonds with people I speak to daily from other countries.
At its worst, it is a cutthroat industry with only a limited number of jobs available to be unevenly distributed between all the qualified and deserving candidates.
None of us care to admit it from the content-producing side of the aisle, but we are all in a rat race, and it sometimes doesn't bring out the best versions of ourselves. Sure, we can call it Twitter beef or meaningless engagement, but we are all still human beings striving for better. Remember that the next time you find yourself arguing with someone you barely know online.
As for how this statement affects me personally, I am an extremely driven person who sometimes forgets to appreciate the small moments along the way. If James taught me anything from the way he handled being dealt a bad starting hand, it would be that we need to embrace the opportunity to wake up and do what we enjoy, and stop worrying about every small detail that doesn't break our way.
For anyone who wants to revisit some of James' best work, you will never see a post-cancer podcast where he exuded anything but pure bliss. It was never him versus anyone else. It was always him living versus the moment. That is something I strive for with my own work.
Out-hitting everyone looks good on paper, but it doesn't win you the contest of finding happiness.
Have An Original Swing
I first heard about James when he was doing his Showdown Hoedown show. Most readers of this article will likely be familiar with it. Still, it was an extremely brilliant concept since not only do most creators not provide content once the tournament begins, but I would argue nobody rendered the twist quite like him.
I've always prided myself on my in-tournament model and how in-depth it allows people to get when trying to form opinions after round one, but James took it to a new level by interacting and storytelling through video, in a way that I would argue very few people even do today.
In a world full of repetitive content, your best bet to make it in any industry stems from:
1. Being yourself
2. Providing a personal spin that only you can generate.
Originality goes a long way in breeding long-term success, and the more creative you can be while being an authentic version of yourself, the better chance you have of reaching your goals.
We Have No Mulligans In Life
What does golf mean to me? Why is it important?
Time is fleeting. You never think the last time you do something will be your final opportunity to experience that endeavor. In the back of our heads, we believe we have more lined up as humans. Forever stretches into tomorrow and beyond. All of our goals are always within our grasp.
Golf has given me many of the things I love in my life. I can make a living from my passion for numbers and sports. I can experience the highs and lows of competition through the eyes of others, even though I no longer compete myself. I have grown leaps and bounds by putting myself out there in the world, particularly through podcasts, considering public speaking was once my ultimate fear. Those are all irreplaceable qualities that have made me who I am today.
What can not be lost in all of that is that time means more than our jobs or successful endeavors in life. Hell, it means a lot more than just a sport.
As someone who is always aspiring for my next golf bet to be won, a successful podcast to be recorded, or a great article to be written, I often lose sight of the blessings I have around me. We all strive to strike a delicate balance between what is most important to us in life, and I never want anyone to lose sight of James' remarkable ability to put it all together at once, despite the weight of a disease that catches up to him daily.
The last Twitter message from him encapsulates all of this best when he said,
You can reach out to me on Twitter @TeeOffSports
