Admin

Motivational Monday…Who Says It’s Too Late?

By
Home Stager

Motivational Monday…Who Says It’s Too Late?

 

A few weeks ago I listened to a story about a relatively young man who did not let go of his dream. 

 

Matt Ganyard is a 34-year-old kicker for the University of Virginia. No, this is not a typo, Matt is 34 years old, married with two children. 

                                                                            

Matt played soccer when he was younger but had never played football. When he tried out for the team as a kicker in 2009, he received a rejection email despite having kicked 9 for 9. 

 

After graduating and a short internship on Capitol Hill, Matt joined the Marines where he served as a Cobra Attack Helicopter pilot. 

 

Even overseas, Ganyard carried his football and tee with him and honed his kicking skill. His rejection email was the screensaver on his iPad. 

 

                               

 

Back home, married, with two children, he enrolled in UVA’s graduate school.  He learned that he was still eligible to play for one year. 

 

Guess who made the University of Virginia football team as a kicker!? 

 

Is there something you want but are thinking it’s too late…you’re too old?  



You have to dream before your dreams can come true.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

In Person Consultations in Texas
for Houston & Harris Counties
and
Virtual Staging Consultations
for all states


Follow My Blog for Practical, Creative,
Easy-to-Do Styling Solutions
Whether You're Selling
or Want to Fall Back in Love
With Your Home
 

561-914-6224
Call or Text

Email Me

About Me
My Blog
   Facebook
Instagram

 

Comments(22)

Show All Comments Sort:
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Kathy. Love this story... it's truly inspirational and aspirational. As a society we need to stop "telling" people that they are too old to achieve dreams.

Nov 20, 2023 04:54 AM
Kathy Streib

I agree Nina Hollander, Broker Kudos to anyone for trying...that's what's important. 

Nov 20, 2023 05:54 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

That is a pretty cool story...even if kickers are not real athletes (only kidding).

Nov 20, 2023 06:09 AM
Kathy Streib

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty I know what you mean. Every Saturday on ESPN's College Game Day, they have one of the students try to kick a football through goal posts. No one has done it yet! 

Nov 20, 2023 06:07 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kathy, I always try to make come true and I guess that why I am a big positive type of guy.

 

Nov 20, 2023 07:05 AM
Kathy Streib

Will Hamm you are positive and kind. 

Nov 20, 2023 06:11 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Kathy, Age and life's circumstances are not barriers to achieving one's dreams. Stories like this one are important as they encourage others to pursue their passions regardless of their stage in life.

Nov 20, 2023 07:24 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 That's why I love sharing stories like this one. 

Nov 20, 2023 06:12 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Kathy,
I love that story. Keeping dreams alive keeps us alive.

Nov 20, 2023 08:20 AM
Kathy Streib

I agree Carol Williams I'm sure he would have had a good life without joining the team as a kicker but this added to it. 

Nov 20, 2023 06:13 PM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

What a great motivational post. This is so true:

You have to dream before your dreams can come true.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

 

Nov 20, 2023 08:45 AM
Kathy Streib

Pat Champion isn't that a great quote?!   

Nov 20, 2023 06:14 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
The best agent in Southern Utah!

YES, I love this story!!! Proving the naysayer's are wrong is invigorating and life changing in may cases, Kathy. Was told by a previous employer that I wouldn't be a successful agent and I remember when he tried to pass the real estate exam three times and gave up. Still here!

Nov 20, 2023 09:21 AM
Kathy Streib

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! you certainly proved him wrong. Look at how you turned that silo into a wonderful source of entertainment and fun for you and your friends. 

Nov 20, 2023 06:15 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

As the old saying goes, "Faith can move mountains." I have always believed that. We live in a world of dreamers, inspiring us to improve.

Nov 20, 2023 09:24 AM
Kathy Streib

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® Think of what we would have missed out on were it not for the dreamers. 

Nov 20, 2023 06:20 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Kathy, for sharing this story. 

I enjoyed my years a UVA, long ago. My only UVA sports letter was for being a member of the rifle team.

Nov 20, 2023 09:31 AM
Kathy Streib

wow Roy Kelley that's impressive!!! You're a Letterman!!!! 

Nov 20, 2023 06:21 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy we should never give up on our dreams.  They do come true if we keep pursuing them.

Nov 20, 2023 12:37 PM
Kathy Streib

I agree George Souto They won't go anywhere if we give up. 

Nov 20, 2023 06:22 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

The most important thing is that he took action on that dream and made a college football team. Now let's see if he can make it as a professional Kathy Streib 🙂

Nov 20, 2023 06:08 PM
Kathy Streib

Who knows Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS   I read about Joshua Dobbs of the Minnesota Vikings yesterday. Amazing story. 

Nov 20, 2023 06:28 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Kathy Streib we should not give up on our dreams due to old or too late, and should not discourage anyone of their dreams. Excellent motivational post.

Nov 20, 2023 08:27 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That is an amazing story, Kathy.  It is a testament to having a dream, and then pursuing it with tenacity.

Nov 20, 2023 08:54 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Kathy, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Nov 20, 2023 08:58 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Kathy Streib  loved your post and the message, good for the example you gave of Matt's perseverance, I am all about that, never give up....Endre

Nov 20, 2023 09:35 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

The most successful people that I know in life are those who did not give up when receiving rejection.

Nov 21, 2023 04:38 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kathy. Rejection is a wake up call to rethink your approach and try again. Enjoy your day.

Nov 25, 2023 05:13 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Goals are dreams with endings. Japanese Proverb. Good for this young man.

Nov 25, 2023 07:18 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

A wonderful post of not accepting rejection and working hard to achieve success. Very nice.

Nov 25, 2023 07:08 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I love your story. People who insist on telling others what they can't do need to go hide in a corner and feel ashamed.

Nov 27, 2023 08:10 PM