Mark Glicini
Progress or Perspective
Mark Glicini : Apr 3, 2025 7:00:00 PM
There’s only two roads we take at any given time: progress or perspective.
Why do some people quit while others persist?
As a mental performance coach, entrepreneur, and athlete constantly observing and studying the best and the brightest, this question resonates in my mind.
I’m certain the answer is multifactorial, combining both genetic and environmental factors. I’m uncertain as to which factors, and the magnitudes of those factors, matter most. Like a spectacular and intricate concoction, a magical blend seems to exist.
That blend could be summarized by a scientific concept called Neuro-associative Conditioning (NAC): our brains are only activated by one of two forces: pain or pleasure.
Truly successful individuals, those who go on to break records and sustain greatness consistently over time, utilize both.
Before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020 for his contributions to American sports… before coaching University of Iowa’s wrestling team to 15 NCAA team titles and 21 Big Ten championships… and before winning a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1972 Munich Olympics (without conceding a single point throughout six matches), Dan Gable lost his sister at 15 years old to a devastating murder.
Rather than remaining bitter, finding excuses, and giving up, Dan decided to move his prize possessions, clothes, inspirational photos and posters into her room so he could remember and honor her daily. Fueled by the loss of his sister, imagined threats of Russians training harder than him in the Soviet Union, and a dream of being USA’s best wrestler of all time, Dan was undefeated in high school (64-0) and won state championship after state championship title at Waterloo West High School. He achieved a 118-1 record as a wrestler at Iowa State University.
From decorated Olympian to hall-of-fame coach, Dan poured his energy, passion, and perseverance in others throughout the world of wrestling and beyond. His pain transformed into his purpose.
Our greatest fuel source derives from an avoidance of pain plus a pull toward pleasure. Dan Gable’s story sheds light on this perfectly (more on his insatiable work ethic can be found in the article, A Kid Who Doesn’t Kid Around).
Who do you compete and strive for, just yourself or someone you deeply love?
What pushes you forward the most — a mere inconvenience or a deep tragedy?
If you could imagine an ideal version of you serving and inspiring others, who do you see yourself becoming?
How we interpret events in our lives seems to influence how we evolve.
A pessimistic perspective filled with doubt, apathy me anxiety remains a valid stance. An optimistic outlook bolstered by belief, courage, and hope is — doubt, apathy, and anxiety. An individual’s temperament + trauma + tale = his or her truth.
For instance — two twin boys have a father who is an alcoholic. One of them grows up never drinking a beer or a spirit throughout his entire life. The other goes on to follow in his father’s footsteps, drinking daily for decades until his tragic, early death. When these boys became men, a journalist asked them: “Why do you not drink? And why do you drink every day?” They replied with the same statement: “With a father like mine, what would you expect?”
For instance — two twin boys have a father who is an alcoholic. One of them grows up never drinking a beer or a spirit throughout his entire life. The other goes on to follow in his father’s footsteps, drinking daily for decades until his tragic, early death. When these boys became men, a journalist asked them: “Why do you not drink? And why do you drink every day?” They replied with the same statement: “With a father like mine, what would you expect?”
What we do know is that for many people who have major adverse circumstances but manage to use them, turn them, and make a beautiful life for themselves… usually there was one defining factor that differentiates them from everybody else who had similar circumstances: they had someone who believed in them.
– Esther Perel, 40-year, world-renowned therapist and thought leader
It seems we have agency to choose our own frame of mind, don’t we?
Perhaps that depends on whether our own perceived pain and pleasure is infused with belief from at least one loving, encouraging person.
Call to action: be that person for someone!
— MG
Mark Glicini
Founder & CEO of Mark Glicini Peak Performance
Mark was born and raised in New Jersey where he became an elite high school student-athlete. He earned varsity letters as captain of his high school football, basketball and lacrosse teams and was elected into the National & Spanish National Honor Societies. He attended a post-graduate academic program at Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA before college where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Yale University in New Haven, CT. He is currently a graduate student working toward his doctorate degree in Sport & Performance Psychology at San Diego University for Integrative Studies under Dr. Cristina Versari, Founder & CEO of SDUIS and former Head of Sport Psychology for the National Basketball Association. He is a Teaching Associate with Dr. Robert Gilbert, a Professor at Montclair State University (NJ) and a leading authority and author in the field of Applied Sport Psychology. Mark is currently the lead Mental Health & Wellness Player Advocate for the Premier Lacrosse League.
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