It Was Worth the Weight
by Melanie Hemry
Sixteen-year-old John Heart walked to his guidance counselor’s office and dropped onto the sagging, orange loveseat in the waiting area. He wasn’t worried about what she’d say. A junior in high school, he’d met with her many times. He was a good kid, had never given anyone a problem.
Raised in an Italian Catholic family, his life in Queens, N.Y., had been normal. He was great at sports, focusing on football and baseball. Just as good at academics, John was set to graduate early. He’d already been accepted at Tulane; Louisiana State University; the University of Arizona; Arizona State University; and Stony Brook University, N.Y.
As pleased as his guidance counselor had been with his success, she’d often said, “John, it really seems like you’re very good at a lot of things, but not great at any one thing.” She’d been right. He’d always succeeded at whatever he did. Yet he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life.
A few minutes later, John was called into her office.
“Listen, we need to pin you down,” she explained. “I can tell that you have drive, but it needs a direction. Give me something. Anything. What do you really, really love? What do you want to do with your life?”
John pondered her words. The previous weekend, his uncle had taken him to a bodybuilding seminar. The man who spoke had won the title of Mr. America and Mr. Universe. John hadn’t been impressed until the man walked back on stage without his track suit—and flexed his muscles.
From that point, he’d had John’s undivided attention.
10 : BVOV
