It was April 1977.
I was 5 years old.
It was my first skating show.
I stood there crying in my pee-soaked “Thé” (Tea) costume as We Are The Champions by Queen blasted on the speakers. I could hear the crowd cheering. I can still feel the deep disappointment.
My skating troupe performed at the start of the three-hour show given we were the youngest. And three hours later, as was the tradition at the end of the show, all performers would celebrate on the ice, skating to the song, We Are The Champions.
My skating teachers had prepared us for this special moment, a moment of celebration for our hard work. It was the moment I was waiting for all year + three hours after my group’s performance. As we were getting ready to step onto the ice for this long anticipated moment, I asked to use the bathroom. “There is no time.” I was told.
I heard the celebration song for the first time, but I was not on the ice with everyone else.
In that moment, a deep desire was born. I vowed to make it to the ice the following year and every year there after in celebration. I would be a champion too.
I paid my dues, time after time.
I’ve done my sentence.
I made mistakes.
I kept on fighting, till the end.
I had no time for losing.
I’ve taken my bows, my curtain call.
It was no bed of roses.
I considered it a challenge before the human race.
I’ve come through.
I thank you all.
I became a champion, of the world.
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Legacy: In 2011, a team of scientific researchers concluded that the song was the catchiest song in the history of pop music, despite its not hitting #1 in the charts in any major market. Dr. Daniel Mullensiefen said of the study, "Every musical hit is reliant on maths, science, engineering and technology; from the physics and frequencies of sound that determine pitch and harmony, to the hi-tech digital processors and synthesizers which can add effects to make a song catchier. We’ve discovered that there’s a science behind the sing-along and a special combination of neuroscience, math and cognitive psychology that can produce the elusive elixir of the perfect sing-along song."
Sonia Di Maulo, M.A., C.R.P., founder of Harvest Performance, applies 20 years of experience to cultivate trust, inspire connection, and harvest results.
As a Global Leadership Innovator, she uses positive communication and positive education principles from her award-winning Ken Blanchard endorsed book, The Apple in the Orchard to impact people, places and communities.
She is a proud mom of two teenage sons, and enjoys travel and dark chocolate.
Connect with her, www.soniadimaulo.com.