A Standard Childhood
I had a pretty standard childhood. Nothing particularly amazing or spectacular about it. A bunch of high points, a few low moments and a bunch of in-between stuff. I grew up in country Victoria and did all the normal kid things: school, sport, riding my bike, TV, avoiding homework and, eventually, chasing girls. As most of you know, I was a large-ish lad (until my mid-teens) which had its consequences and presented its challenges but, for the most part, I coped well and was a happy kid.
A Fete Worse Than Death (Almost)
However, despite my typically happy and positive demeanor, there were times when my weight made certain situations incredibly uncomfortable (emotionally and socially) for me. One such time was at a school fete when some genius decided that it would be a great idea to run some father and son piggy-back races. That is, the fathers carrying their sons over a seventy metre course. In a race!
Poor Ron.
When I realised what was about to transpire (we were only informed about the ‘race’ a few minutes before), my heart sank. I wanted to hide. Or send Ron home. While all the other fathers would be carrying their skinny little offspring like some kind of minor skin irritation on their backs, Ron would be lumped with the Godzilla of the playground: Craigasaurus Rex. The fattest and heaviest kid in grade five.
I felt sorry for him. And for me.
Humiliation and Spinal Damage
Him, for the impending spinal damage and pelvic dislocation, and me, for the inevitable public humiliation. On hearing the announcement (of the upcoming race), I looked across at my dad expecting to see fear and anxiety in his eyes. To my amazement, I saw neither. He was nothing if not cocky and brave. In that moment, he actually made me feel okay about it all. There was no mention of his extra load or his obvious handicap: me.
As we sons mounted our trusty steeds, I looked across at the other contenders. My fellow jockeys were sitting like teeny-tiny human back-packs on their fathers’ ample frames. I, on the other hand, was crushing my father’s spine before the gun had even been fired. Nonetheless, the tough old fart stayed focused on the starter’s gun and the task at hand.
Okay… cocky, brave and competitive.
A Coiled Spring
Without doubt, Ron was carrying (at least) fifty percent more weight than the other dads. The gun fired and like a coiled spring, he exploded into action. Kind of. As much as a man could explode with me on his back, anyway. Halfway through the race, I looked around and to my total surprise and elation, the fat kid and his dad were in second place. And that’s where we stayed all the way to the finish line. Talk about a Herculean effort; it was the first time I had almost won anything.
Sure, Ron nearly killed himself and, sure, he was in traction for a month, 
but it was well worth the effort. We never really spoke about it (my weight or the race result) but I’m pretty sure that dear old dad nearly busted his foofer-valve that day, just for me. He wanted me to feel normal. And to not come last. For once.
He succeeded.
We’re All Still Kids
It’s amazing what we grown-ups remember decades later but, in truth, we’re all still kids on some level. We always will be. Thirty-six years later, I remember that day, that race and those feelings, like it all happened yesterday. My dad wasn’t (isn’t) always the gushy-mushy-huggy-soppy type but underneath the tough-guy exterior he has always protected me and shown love in his unique alpha-male way.
Sometimes kids don’t need more stuff, they just need more unconditional love and acceptance.
Thanks Dad. 
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it seemed funnier when you told it in person but the message written here is very powerful. Thanks for the inspiration
Craig, that was a fabulous post
I agre that kids need less material bits and pieces…as a sole parent I can’t afford it anyway but my kids always know I am there for them and they can tell me anything and I will do what I can to “fix/sort” things…that may be a hug, a chat to a teacher, a chat with them whatever. Sure they want all the bits and pieces but they know that they probably won’t get it unless they save up for it themselves.
My mum and dad were always there for me…and still are and for that I am truly thankful
Thanks for another great post
hugs
Chelle xxx
ps hope today went well for you, annoyed I missed it but oh well!!!
That’s a beautiful reflection. I think I like your dad.
PS My mum’s made some pretty amazing sacrifices for me… and I’m often not so deserving.
By the way, your story reminds me of what we can do when we focus our minds on something. Please forgive the analogy: Like the panicked parent lifting the car (!) off a trapped toddler.
Sorry about the additional post. But re my first post, “sacrifices” probably isn’t an adequate word. The reason being that, you know, in the giving there’s intrinsic receiving. I think parents receive the gift of “knowing” what it is to truly love, which motivates the giving. I’m not a parent, but the sweetest tears I’ve ever cried were tears of love (not romantic, fleeting love, but love for a dear friend who had had a stroke… it gave me a glimpse of what it is to be truly motivated by love).
What a wonderful dad you have. Blessings to you both.
Thanks Craig for such a great start to my day
)
You have managed to make me both laugh out loud (in my office by myself) and tear up a little (am not a sook!!).
My parents are my superheroes for all they did for our family and all they endured.
Sounds like SuperRon put the cape on for you that day. Me thinks I like the man!
Too funny, but even better in person! Not only was it seamless but you gave me the best core workout one could ask for whilst having fun (didnt know the two existed in one, until yesterday)!
Parents are so awesome, what I really love about this story is that when you looked at your Dad he didnt hesitate ..he was therefore you unconditionally!
I can relate to the self-conciousness about weight. I have been offered a second job, it’s great and temporary, won’t affect my current one, BUT, I am that scared when they see my beer belly (and I don’t drink beer or alcohol) as it has not been going down quick enough. But I have to take a chance, hence ignoring the negative messages in childhood and society. Hell, I even have a bully who is making fun of my weight and i’m 45! I think kids should be taught self-acceptance rather than being beaten down by the can’t do, you won’t, your nothing attitude but as usual that requires much change.
In tears…..thanks Craig…awesome today!
Love Mel
Hi Michael,
Congratulations, stay focussed.. and remember it is there stuff!
It will go quickly if you set up is correct… Love Kate
Awwww that’s so cool!!
My school memory of my dad…my hero…. was when he was dropping me off to school & I pointed out this boy (bully) who would kick up gravel at me (moron) Dad jumps out of the car & tells him off & that was that….no more bullying.
Love you dad (5 years this Wednesday since he passed away)
Pet
xoxo
Nice post Craig, it’s not just the stuff we remember about our parents doing for us, but the stuff they did that we didn’t even realise.
Hi Craig
It was as funny today as you explained in person yesterday.
The day was amazing (as only CH have it)….Zara would like to thank you for your words in the Fattitude book, she has taken it to school and said “mum I’m loving my body”. Fingers crossed, I believe today is Day 1, of her default setting.
Love your work and motivation.
Gullu
Hi Craig,
This is irrelevant to todays topic but I just wanted to thankyou enormously for the RYB seminar yesterday. I got alot more out of it than I was expecting.
I will be working on my lifes plan this week. I’ll start with some short term goals and some long term goals. The house analogy you used yesterday made alot of sense to me. I feel like I have been floating through life so far and just waiting for things to happen, rather than going out there and making things happen.
The thing that hit home the most was “in order to grow as a person we need to get uncomfortable sometimes”. I love it. I was thinking about it till I fell asleep last night.
It was great to see you person, I felt very priveleged, so thankyou.
I can think of so many things my parents have done that show there unconditional love (like still talking to me) but I think the one that come to mind when you share this is when 14 I was so desperate to be skinny like my sister so I went abt trying to fit into her jeans (god knows what size they were) ! Being the determined chubby girl I was size was not going to stop me, so I lyed down and tried my best to pull that zipper up however… the bit of flab (which made me bigger) somehow got in the way and was caught in the zipper! Being blinded by my obsession to be skinny … (by fitting these jeans on) I didnt notice and ran to my mum and dad and well being the unite dfamily we are we yanked and yanked until Dad realise my skin was caught (no wonder I was crying)…
So being the hero he is – he threw me onto his shoulders and marched me over the road to the doctors… whereby they assessed the situation (laughing there heads off) and then pulled out some massive plyers! Telling me they had to pull the zipper apart and well ruin my sisters jeans (like I cared).. 3 stiches later (or more) … we left. Need I say with three borthers and 2 sisters (one skinny) I never lived this down..
PS – Protect your organs ! HYDRATE (my 28 day goal)
Very much concuring with Marcia, Craig. The RYB workshop totally rocked and I’ve been irritating everyone at work today because I can’t stop gushing about it. Similarly, I feel very privileged to be part of an event that ordinarily I’d only be reading about. The dialogue, the message (needless to say) was outstanding (and there wasn’t a high five or group hug in sight)…but beyond that – experiencing your exuberance and genuine passion for your work first hand has permeated my somewhat skewed psyche with aplomb! I’m almost half way through a 12 week fitness challenge and going strong. However, whilst my goals are already intact, measurable and well considered – my outlook has now surpassed that 12 week end date. I’m on that hardwire highway you were referring to……the one where motivation underpinned by emotion becomes nothing more than an enjoyable (albeit fleeting) value added addition to the journey! Thanks Craig – I had a blast! Fe
Hey Craig
I have to agree it was hilarious in person, it was fantastic to meet you sunday, thankyou so much for that fantastic opertunity, I need to quicky go type up my 20 pages of notes, the handwriting was terrible as I tried to scribble as much down as I could
P.s thanks for signing my book
Hey Craig. Like everyone else, we would like to thank you for yesterday. It was a pleasure to meet you. Thank You.
I love the way you write…:)