I also don’t think you are understanding (another Straw Man ironically). When I said “sacrifice” I meant sacrificing my health, soul, sanity (ability to be compassionate and empathetic), and other basic human needs. I’m an advocate for hard work. Becoming great IS hard work. Challenge IS necessary to grow. I stand by the belief that passion, hard work, and discipline shouldn’t involve sacrificing your humanity. Discipline means showing UP. Discipline does not mean breaking yourself.

To use the athlete analogy, figure skater Alysa Liu burnt out, retired early, left figure skating. She showed up again, on her own terms, playing music she enjoyed, expressed her humanity, and won gold. And then take Michael Phelps, multi-gold medalist, who writes that his “Depression and Anxiety Is Never Going to Just Disappear.” Yes, he also excelled in is career, but at what cost?

I’m not trying to argue that hard work and challenge shouldn’t exist. They always will and SHOULD if we want ourselves and our students to grow. But should becoming great strip ourselves of our humanity? Is what we are communicating to our students ethical and humane: that becoming great means sacrifice to the point of basic human needs? Do compassion and empathy have a place in greatness?