Being a member of the Oneida Tribe (turtle clan), the turtle symbol hold a special place in my heart. In the Iroquois Creation Story, the earth was created on the back of a turtle. It was there that life began to grow. The Turtle Clan represents the shifting of the earth and the cycles of the moon. The people of the Turtle Clan are considered the well of information and the keepers of the land. The responsibility of the Turtle Clan is everything that has to do with the environment. Being a cyclist, I spend a great deal of my time out in nature, and the symbolism of the turtle often comes to mind. As a coach and professional athlete, it is my responsibility to use my platform both as a reliable source of teaching, and as a way to set an example of how to honor the land and all those who inhabit it.

On the other hand, I am sure most people have heard the fable of the tortoise and the hare. If not, it is a story where a tortoise and a hare compete against each other in a race. The hare is overly confident of winning the race due to his speed. Therefore, he ends up stopping mid-race to take a nap, only to eventually be passed and beaten by the tortoise who is much slower, yet much more consistent. This is where the saying, "slow and steady wins the race," originates. This story serves as a great reminder that you can't rely on confidence and ability alone. When it comes to success, combined consistency and hard work outweighs combined ability and inconsistency. In other words, hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard.