Interview with Rick Anderson, World's Best All Around Athlete

The following is a transcribed interview that took place on the Skydeck atop the worlds tallest freestanding structure, the CN Tower, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Saturday April 9th 2005. The interviewer's name is Marshall Syler from the top selling personal development system, Passion Profit & Power and the interviewee is Rick Anderson, world's best athlete.

Marshall: Are you the world's greatest athlete or the world's best athlete?

Anderson: Good question; I am the world's best all around athlete.

Marshall: What's the difference between the two?

Anderson: "Greatest" is for guys like Ali, Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods. Guys who elevated their sport to heights hitherto unseen. "Best" means the athlete who can perform more sports to a higher level than anyone else.

Marshall: So you're not saying that you can throw a football better than Joe Montanna or hit a baseball further than Bo Jackson?

Anderson: That's right, I'm definitely not saying anything remotely like that. What I am saying is that if Joe Montanna, Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan or whomever else you want to name as a top pro athlete, either active or retired, goes up against me in basketball, baseball, football, hockey and soccer they might beat me in their individual disciplines but they will get smoked like a Cornish hen over the course of all the events.

Marshall: You think so?

Anderson: I know so.

Marshall: That's a pretty lofty claim for someone aged 41 and looking like they're carrying an extra 35 lbs. Have you ever heard of Jenny Craig?

Anderson: I only carry the extra weight because it's good exercise.

Marshall: You sound like the guy who never ate in an effort to save money for groceries.

Anderson: Yes, he said he was trying to diet but I think he was dying to try it.

Marshall: Ha, touché, good one.

Marshall: Seriously though, what credentials do you bring to the table that allows you to make such bombastic claims?

Anderson: First off, I'm not making "claims" I am making one simple claim, that I, Rick Anderson am the best all around athlete in the history of the world.

Marshall: Fine then, singular, but what of it, how does one arrive at that conclusion?

Anderson: Simple really, its based on the same premise as www.racketlon.com where those guys, since the early 80's were trying to determine who the best all around racket player in the world is. The guy who is the world champion is not a professional in any of the sports in the tournament; table tennis, squash, badminton or tennis…but he plays to a very good level in all four. That's what allows him to be considered the best all around racket player on earth, all without having achieved pro status in any single racket dicipline.

Marshall: Interesting. One big difference with that tournament though, they have had many many tournaments over the years and you have yet to have one single tournament.

Anderson: Yes, this is the first tournament, of what will become a yearly event. What's your point?

Marshall: My point is that you haven't even had one single multi skills sport tournament to date…yet you go on to label yourself the worlds best all around athlete. What makes you think it is so?

Anderson: Just a hunch.

Marshall: So you're joking then?

Anderson: Not in the least, there is not a person alive who can out jump shoot, out foul shot, out hit, out throw, out skip, out kick, out whatever me. Sure I can be beaten in any individual event…but I will be victorious over 10 events. Just like in the decathlon, being the fastest human alive doesn't guarantee that you will be the overall winner. You're pretty much guaranteed higher points than anyone else for the 100-meter event but then you have to go on and do the 1500-meter, the shot put, the javelin, the discus, the pole vault, etc… Get my point? The guy who has the highest overall point total in the decathlon can lay claim to being a better athlete than the fastest sprinter on earth who finishes 8th or 9th in the overall score.

Marshall: Were you deprived as a child, of oxygen perhaps?

Anderson: Nice ad hominem

Marshall: Sorry, It's just that I still don't get it.

Anderson: Look, I am just more coordinated than anyone alive..that's really all there is to it. Call it a blessing. I also have always possessed a champion's mentality.

Marshall: What, in your opinion does it take to be a champion?

Anderson: That's a loaded question, you have all night?

Marshall: Really, I'm interested, the topic fascinates me. Does it take determination, discipline, desire, or maybe God-given talent, superior genes, the perfect playing environment, the best equipment, and just a little luck?

Anderson: No single component by itself will make you a champion, but clearly the more key ingredients you possess, the brighter you will shine in the Rick Anderson Worlds Best Athlete International Skills Competition and in life. We have no control over who are parents are or were, so there is little benefit in spending time worrying about our genetics. For most athletes, whether recreational, elite or pro, having an Olympic-level coach or full-time facility of our choosing in our backyard is unlikely, so there is not much point in being upset if we don't have these. Good luck charms or being Irish won't suffice either, so what can we do? The good news is that we do have control over many of the ingredients that help create a champion. A burning desire to succeed, the love of competition, an eagerness to improve, and an understanding that each event in the WBA Skills Competition possesses golden nuggets of knowledge that we can learn from and are all important pieces of the puzzle. Becoming a champion isn't a part-time job, but rather a full-time commitment to excellence.

Marshall: Yes, I like it.

Anderson: The pursuit of excellence is the fuel that champions rely on to push themselves to higher levels of play. It is said that it takes a 'something extra' to make a champion, and this is true. For those that would like to take the journey to the top of the mountain, there are a number of winning traits to keep in mind. No one is born a champion. It requires many years of hard work and dedication. The journey begins with one small step and a belief that "I can and I will" Shooting hoops, kicking field goals by yourself, throwing a bunch of soft-balls at 6 am in a park, shooting targets on a hockey net at sunset, bruising your foot due to too many soccer kicks, hitting a tennis ball against a wall with only a full moon for lighting, inline skating in the rain, jump roping in a room where the ceiling is too low and doing push ups…any time any where, aren't always the most fun activities. However, approaching these tasks with vigor will provide a springboard that will let you leapfrog the competition. Champions use tournament and league results as feedback to adjust their workouts and goals. The day after a tournament or league competition, don't be surprised to see a champion be the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave. During practice, whichever discipline, each skill should be treated with value, and nothing should be taken for granted. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. But, what is your plan for success? Do you intend to cram on Friday night before a skills tournament or hope to "get hot" in order to achieve success? Champions don't hope for victory; they plan for it. Becoming a champion takes time and requires thoughtful planning. Create measurable goals with timelines that are realistically based on your performance and rate of improvement. Write down your daily, monthly, and yearly goals, and place them in your gym bag to review before and after each time you play/work out.

The Rick Anderson Worlds Best Athlete International Skills Competition is the ultimate individual sport: there is no one to hit a homer while you are on base or sink a free throw while you are on the bench; the ball is in your hand, the stick is in your hand, the club is in your hand, the rope is in your hand and the racket is in your hand. You must believe in yourself if you expect to succeed. Champions know that with proper preparation they will play their best, and thus they can rightfully believe they can come out on top. When the situation looks bleak, they know it only takes one swing or one kick or one throw to start a great comeback. If someone just had a great performance, interact with them. Ask them how they did it. Their positive energy will be contagious. When practicing, look to associate with athletes that have self-confidence and high expectations. Negative thinkers and pessimists are powerful energy vampires that should be avoided at all costs.

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it! Champions understand the importance of mental imagery and visualization. This is a common skill most youngsters have until adults begin to tell them that they can't do something. Prior to practice and competition, it is smart to daydream about the perfect performance. Find a quiet place to relax and close your eyes. Imagine hitting softball a mile long or knocking all the targets down in the hockey shoot out. The more vivid the imagery, the more powerful the impact. Your subconscious mind doesn't know the difference between real and imagined events. Champions know that success is the direct result of commitment and discipline. After a successful event, when it would be easy to take it easy, champions don't break their stride, but rather take it up a notch. During competition, champions know how to run their own mental program during events and don't wait until it is too late to make adjustments. Champions don't get too excited when they perform their best nor get too nervous when they are not performing as good as they have in the past. True champions hold themselves in reserve, are quiet and unassuming and have no desire to show off. They know that between the stages of apprenticeship and mastership there lie long and eventful years of untiring practice.

Champions know that you can train hard and prepare well, but if you don't have 100% concentration during competition, the chance for success will be haphazard. Before an event, clear your mind and start to get focused for an event to event war. If you can tame your mind you can perform relaxed and at ease, but your attention must be on the task at hand. When your mind starts to wander, use a dependable technique like focusing on your breathing to re-focus your attention. After wrong shots the pent up breath is expelled explosively, and the next breath cannot be drawn quickly enough. After the right shots the breath glides effortlessly to its end, whereupon air is unhurriedly breathed in again. The heart continues to beat evenly and quietly and with concentration undisturbed one can go straight on to the next shot. Lastly, a champion doesn't become confused or preoccupied by the presence of spectators but rather behave as if they were alone.

Champions understand the need to think outside the box and to create their own unique style and strategy. Always following the lead of others, or becoming a carbon copy, is a recipe for mediocrity. Be original but learn from others. Modify their skill set to fit your needs. Don't be afraid to add parts of other games into your own unique style. Champions know that by helping others you are helping the competition. Encouraging others before or during competition will only help you in the long run. Don't be afraid to talk to other athletes since you're not competing against them…you're competing against the charts.

The final trait that champions possess is a love for sport and respect for competition. They recognize the past champions for their greatness and look to them for inspiration and guidance. Even when doing something else, champions figure out a way to tie it to one of the events in the competition to help their skills improve. With a love of sport comes the enjoyment of a difficult challenge. This desire and need to be tested will allow you to be at your best when your best is needed.

Marshall: Wow, that was amazing, given it much thought?

Anderson: Haha, a little. I am a painter / painting contractor in Vancouver and North Vancouver. I do a lot of painting www.vancouversbestpainters.com; and painters have a lot of time to think, if they're smart that is and keep the radio off.

Marshall: So maybe that is one of the keys to success in life, keeping the radio off.

Anderson: Haa, maybe, unless the station is discussing Rick Anderson's Worlds Best Athlete International Skills Competition….then it's important to keep it on.

Marshall: Are you religious at all?

Anderson: What has that got to with sports?

Marshall: Nothing, I just thought some of our readers might be interested in knowing what religious beliefs, if any, the Worlds Best Athlete has.

Anderson: Ok then, yes, I believe in God.

Marshall: Did God create Satan?

Anderson: Who are you, the Ridler?

Marshall: Did he create Satan or didn't he?

Anderson: Yes God created Satan.

Marshall: God created Satan. Either Satan is inherently evil, in which case God was creating an Evil and knew it, or Satan is not inherently evil, which I don't think is the Christian belief, and had a choice to become evil or not. In which case God, being all knowing, knew that Satan would choose evil and permitted it.

Anderson: Was there a question in there?

Marshall: What do you think, about what I said.

Anderson: Look, God created all the angels and all the angels were good. Some angels, including Satan, rejected God and thus became evil in the sense that they were doing an evil act, not in the sense that they were inherently evil at the moment of their creation. Most of the angels chose to love God; they were inherently good at the moment of their creation and they are also good by virtue of their good action. To the good angels God gives the credit that they chose goodness freely, not because He was forcing them so to choose. Just as the good angels get credit for their free choice, so do the evil angels carry the guilt of their evil choice.

Marshall: You have not answered my objection implicit in the use of my word "permitted".

Anderson: You have to bear in mind that our use of the past tense when we use the word "permitted" is somewhat inaccurate in that there is no past, present, and future in the Ever-Now of eternity where God and His angels are. The angel drama was not played out three thousand years, or so, ago, when a certain tribe were starting to write their scriptures; it is happening now, not ten seconds ago, not one second ago, but now! So "permitting" does not involve a "future", a time-lapse between the act of creation and the act of rebellion. I still have not answered your difficulty in the word "permitted". You can still tell me that even if creation and rebellion are instantaneous, the creation is causative. Not so! A creation that gives freedom is not the cause of rebellion: the cause of rebellion is inside the free choice of the rebel. We are dealing with the freedom of an act of love. I ask you to transfer your intuition to the case of someone you love. Please look your beloved in the eye. You permit the beloved to love you or love you not; you grant freedom: if you deny that freedom, the love is not love.

Marshall: So it sounds like you believe in Heaven?

Anderson: Of course I believe in Heaven.

Marshall: Do you believe in Hell?

Anderson: Yes, I just don't think that anyone is in it.

Marshall: What do you think Heaven is like?

Anderson: At a social gathering in Heaven, you can chat with your grand-mother, with her being a little girl of six and you twenty-five or thirty, or whatever you and she want. At any moment, Our Lady can be a Madonna, with Jesus a baby on her knee, and the same privilege is available to the ancient Irish woman hermit saint whose recorded words told of her longing for that delight: while at the same moment, Jesus, grown up and infinite in all perfection's, is locked in intense discussions with one of us. Folk who died as children can be met in Heaven as children or encountered as our grown-up friends. Millions of babies, slain in abortion, will in Heaven speak love with their mothers standing as fully grown men and women, by virtue of the presumed baptism of the innocent under the all-saving will of God. If you have had your appendix out, you can now have it back - if you want.

Marshall: It sounds like apocalyptic hallucination.

Anderson: Negative. It is elementary extrapolation by analogy from the nature of being that we see around us every day in this world. In Heaven, you can see your friend Bill with or without the shaving scratch he got in 1980. Oliver Cromwell with or without the warts, as you and he choose. Your wife, with any one or none of the hairstyles she has ever sported. As an entity in pure act, the risen body is free to show itself as any one of its innumerable stages of being, the choice of stage being determined by two factors - the needs of the seer and the will of the seen.

Marshall: Something I have always wondered about, you think there are any animals in Heaven?

Anderson: Recently I found that a good friend of mine was heart-broken because her little black cat, Amber, had died. I told my friend that Amber "was dead" only in the same sense as a human being who died yesterday "was dead". The death of the human being was a real death, and the death of the cat was a real death, but both deaths have their reality strictly in relation to this world of space and time. It is more accurate to say that that human being has completed his life in this world and now continues his life in eternity. I told my friend that her little she-cat Amber is now alive and happy in the company of her previous and much lamented tom-cat Ringo, and that both of them, along with countless trillions of creatures, continue, in proportion to the status of their nature, to enjoy the blessing of the God who created them in the first place. Both pets, I told her, will be there to welcome her at her own entry into eternal bliss with God.

Marshall: I was taught that the Church's position is that only human beings have immortal souls and so therefore only humans can go to heaven.

Anderson: For you and me, the cardinal words are "only" and "immortal". "Soul" merely means life, so that an angel, a man, a dog and a cabbage each has a soul.

Marshall: Hahaha, a cabbage has a soul?

Anderson: Yes, in the sense that it has its own form of life. The angel and man have each a rational or spiritual soul, though, since the angel is so super-swift and intuitive in its thinking, we usually reserve the word "rational" for the human being, what with his plodding, step-by-step way of thinking. Now the usual hard-working catechist takes great pains to make clear that the soul of man is immortal. That is an essential step in explaining what man, with God's help, can do on the road to salvation. They have indeed an animal soul, but not a rational soul, or certainly not that degree of rationality that would give them freedom of the will and the ability to commit sin.

Marshall: So the lions that bit the Christians in the arena were not committing sin?

Anderson: Correct.

Anderson: We are sharply aware that man's soul is immortal, but we are naturally inclined to forget to mention the animals, for they have no problem about salvation. It seems that Our Lord Himself did not touch on this question. The gospels do not mention it: of course, that does not settle it, for there are many questions Our Lord did not touch on in the course of those few years among us, and not everything that He did say found room in those brief gospels.

Marshall: To believe that Animals are immortal like humans would qualify you to be a good Hindu, but hardly a good Christian no matter your intent with a friend. To believe that animals have immortality from nothing more than their existence as creatures of a Loving God, negates on your part the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Anderson: Jesus did not come to earth to make man immortal. He came to add heaven to an immortality that was already there. And I don't quite make it as a Hindu. I am too fond of hamburger.

Marshall: Speaking of hamburgers, will you be providing food and beverages to the participants of the event?

Anderson: Yes, there will be a hospitality tent set up so that it is easily accesible to all participants; the barbeque will be going all day.

Marshall: Do you feel any pressure to win the event? ...what with you being the worlds best athlete and all?

Anderson: Nope, no pressure at all: any concern I might have about winning is far outweighed by the concern I have about the anticipated level of perticipation in the competition itself. I will measure my success in the competition by the size of the cheque the WBA Skills Competition is able to write to the BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund.

Marshall: Lets hope that the BC Firefighters come out in full force.

Anderson: When it comes to putting out fires, saving lives or supporting worthy causes, they always do.