So if you're still reading let me take you back to the beginning. As of August 1st 2014, I was a husband, father and man without a job for the first time, in maybe... ever!? And let me tell you, the first month was amazing!! With all that extra time (Court working full-time with a dynamite Adoption attorney and all three of the kids going to school, Click here for that first post) I started several things I had always wondered about but never jumped on:
Starting my own LLC (Surge Leadership) and began speaking "full-time". Though this was slower than I expected, we met a lot of new people and places I had never (to be honest) thought about. We really thought '10 Things' was the direction people would want but in the end, by default, I was able to develop a fun assembly style message on Social Media. It all started in a small school in western Oklahoma and then all of the sudden I was visiting places all over (Some I had heard of and others that I hadn't). With a pretty full August and September, we are having fun with 'To #Selfie or Not to #Selfie'!
Through all three of these avenues I was able to gain new opportunities for learning, growing, ministry, and serving. And looking back, each one was an absolute necessity in the steps towards the dream (the cool part is I still get to be involved in ALL of them). This is a great spot to say that Courtney has stayed super busy with opportunity after opportunity to impact the lives of both children and families through adoption (literally hundreds this year). The kids are all doing well and loving summer (Court & I are currently coaching all three different basketball teams right now) but ready to dive back into school and friends and activities and schedules. The doctor said that Jackson will be taller than me when he gets older... Which I don't doubt but crazy that I have a 10-year old (The Agoge begins now)!! Creighton is the fastest girl I know and continues to make me laugh because she just kicks the ball (in soccer) or throws the ball (in basketball) down the field/court and then just legs it out past everyone!! Charleigh has gotten very picking about food, clothes and anything else but still loves cuddling with me and is always my first hug and kiss when I get home!!
So here we are (If you're still with us)... And I'm so excited to tell you about what I have been working on for a very long time. Though the original concept came out of a meeting years ago, it has evolved bigger and bigger each day. As of today, Surge Leadership has just launched its newest arm called THE SPARTAN CODE. At first glance it's a leadership curriculum that we implemented and saw work at Bixby High School over the past couple of years. But as the description says: "The Spartan Code isn't just a curriculum for athletes, it's a way of life for leaders. You can't simply learn the code... You have to live it!!" The Spartan Code is built around four leadership principles found from the ancient traditions of the most elite warriors to ever walk the planet... You guessed it, The Spartans! We refer to those as "DISC" and they are the true 'Characteristics of being a Spartan'. Within our curriculum we challenge student-athletes to not only develop personally but as team leaders. We believe, because we have seen it work, the Spartan Code can literally change a student, then a team, then school and prayerfully a city, a state, a country and the world!!
So how will that happen with curriculum for student-atheltes? I'm glad you asked...
Quick side-note (it's actually a huge note): We are not and will not be "all things to all people." The Spartans were the best because of their strict selective process and extreme ethics (virtues, rules, feelings, etc.) they lived out, no matter the cost. We will be doing the same.
There are several ways to help and I'd like to formally invite you to take part:
So how will that happen with curriculum for student-atheltes? I'm glad you asked...
Quick side-note (it's actually a huge note): We are not and will not be "all things to all people." The Spartans were the best because of their strict selective process and extreme ethics (virtues, rules, feelings, etc.) they lived out, no matter the cost. We will be doing the same.
- Phase One: Establish our name and see The Spartan Code used in multiple schools in our region (This will be done by not only selling shirts, stickers, posters and obviously curriculum but also coming alongside coaches to help develop leaders among their student-athletes and teams).
- Phase Two: Continue offering updated Spartan Code Workbooks to current schools, Implementing Online Training for coaches and expanding into new schools across the country (With contact and interest already made from schools on both coasts, as well as, training videos being story-boarded, this phase is only a matter of time).
- Phase Three: Publishing our first Book and launching our online Men's Training Course (Chapters are already being written, real-time stories are being collected and most importantly some foundational meetings have taken place for a sold publication to pick us up).
- Phase Four: This is a secret, at this time, but will be announced alongside phase three (I'm so stinkin' excited about this phase and what it could mean for men and our society).
- Phase Five: Publishing our Father-Son Edition Book (Though I cannot share all of the details, what is in current development has not been produced before and, I believe, will help father's raise men).
There are several ways to help and I'd like to formally invite you to take part:
- Visit our website: www.TheSpartanCode.com and 'Follow us' on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram)!!
- Tell your family/friends/school about the dream, the curriculum and the plan!!
- Support us by purchasing something from the Store!!
- Let us know your thoughts and share some words of encouragement!!
If you can't tell... We're really excited about the future not only in Bixby but in so many schools, towns and families to come!! Thanks for taking this journey with us... I can't wait to update you along the way!! (God is good... All the time)