Why My Silver is Gold
Autobiography of Mark Crear
by
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INTRODUCTION: “Runners take your mark…Set…Go!” This was the command that I responded to most of my life. But for me, it was more than a race for a medal; it was a race for life. The 110 Meter High Hurdles act as a metaphor of life, meaning that in life we all have our hurdles to overcome. Sometimes you may clear the hurdles smoothly; sometimes you may hit them, and sometimes you may tip them over and fall. Regardless of the scenario, you must get back up and finish the race. Finish the race of life. This analogy prompted me to discuss with a friend some of the hurdles I had to overcome in life. As we discussed life, philosophies, psychology, religion, and just about every other subject matter imaginable, I felt a sharp pain rip through my heart—the kind that begged for a voice. I kept feeling that I had something to say, but it was like an itch that couldn’t be scratched, and I didn’t know why. For several days and restless nights I struggled. I consulted with my pastor, counselor and close friends, sharing with them a bit of my story. They were amazed and told me that I should write a book. “You have a story to tell,” they said, “and you could bless a lot people by telling it.” Taking their words under consideration, I turned to prayer and fasting. Afterward, I felt as though God wanted me to tell my story, to be transparent, which is something I had tried to avoid. Yet, I still heard that soft voice of God saying, “Mark, it’s time. It’s time for you to heal. It’s time for you to take your experiences, your pain, and your pleasure and share what you know…for it is in the sharing that someone else might be helped. Tell them that they aren’t alone…that I am with them always, even through the darkest moments. Let your life’s story encourage, inspire, and motivate others to get back up when they fall down. Let your life’s story help them to know that it’s never too late to take My hand and overcome whatever hurdles they face, as they face it with Me by their side.” So . . . I’m sharing my story with you. It doesn’t matter what you’ve gone through, what mistakes you’ve made, or how many times you’ve made them. What matters is that you remember to look up—to take His hand and choose to get up again. Sometimes in life, you just have to let go, and let God. You can’t change the past, but you can forgive and move on. I know that’s much easier said than done. Hopefully, by sharing my story, you’ll gain new strength and remember that in spite of everything, you can overcome life’s hurdles and live that abundant life that God gave you. I pray that you will be able to distinguish the difference between a “scab” and a “scar.” A scab illustrates an unhealed wound or pain; whereas a scar was a wound that has healed. It’s okay to have scars, because it shows that we once were hurt, but now are healed. The scars serve as reminders of what we have been through and that we are still here! I have many scars, and very, very few scabs. And the few scabs are turning into scars even as I write this book. So please, sit back, open your mind and heart, and allow my story to encourage, inspire, and minister to you a spirit of hope. In doing so, you will see and understand why my silver is gold.
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About the Book
Why My Silver is Gold is a powerful and inspirational story of a Two-time Olympian who won the 1996 Olympic Silver Medal with a Broken Arm and the 2000 Olympic Bronze Medal with a Double Hernia. Why My Silver is Gold is about overcoming the inevitable hurdles that we face throughout life. His in-depth story will tug at the very strings of your emotions as he takes you through his life of abuse, abandonment, rejection, disappointments and forgiveness. So, lace up your spikes…Get set…Go…get this must read autobiography and step into the shoes of Mark Crear as he guides you through his life journey of ups, downs, defeats - to the victory of standing on the podium of the Summer Olympic Games. "Why My Silver is Gold reminds you that tough times don't last... but tough people do"!!!
About the Author
Mark is not only an Olympic Champion; he also has a resolute sense of faith and purpose. Scaling high hurdles and jumping through life’s hoops are second nature to Mark Crear. Before jumping any "hurdles" on the track, Mark had plenty of life hurdles to jump. Growing up in a single family home and being a victim of physical and emotional abuse, Crear early on knew that life was not fair and had plenty of reasons and excuses to quit and give up. However, "quitting" was not a part of Dr. Crear's DNA. Instead, Mark relied on God (faith) and hard work to carry him from his life of abuse, abandonment, rejection and disappointments, to #1 in the world. So it’s not surprising why Dr. Crear is considered a symbol of strength, hard work and perseverance. Dr. Mark Crear, a two-time Olympic medalist, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, consultant, published author, ordained minister, Christian counselor and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). This USC alumnus, with over 15 years of World Class-Olympic level success, first captured attention by winning the 1996 Olympic Silver Medal with a broken arm and the 2000 Olympic Bronze Medal with a double hernia. Mark Crear has been around the world presenting keynote and inspirational messages to various organizations, clubs and corporations. Mark's unique way of using his Olympic experience as a hurdler to illustrate how to overcome hurdles and Stay in the Zone is encouraging, motivating, educational, yet therapeutic. Born in San Francisco but reared in Southern California, young Mark graduated from Rowland High School and enrolled at Mt. San Antonio College. Upon graduating, Mark entered USC on a scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and captured the NCAA Championship Title in the 110-meter high hurdles. He enjoyed early success as a world-class track and field athlete, becoming a two-time Olympic Medalist, reigning as the world’s No. 1 110-meter high hurdler three times (1995, 1998, 1999), becoming a Goodwill Games champion in 1998, a U.S. Outdoor national champion in 1994 and 1999, and a three-time World Grand Prix champion. The former track star captured global attention by winning the 1996 Olympic Silver Medal with a broken arm and the 2000 Olympic Bronze Medal with a double hernia. In addition, Dr. Crear is also a published author, having penned his powerful and inspirational autobiography, Why My Silver Is Gold. Why My Silver is Gold is about overcoming the inevitable hurdles that we face throughout life. Not with standing, Mark also has co-authored the world-renowned peak performance book, GPS... Which he has partnered with Steven Covey, Brian Gray and Les Brown to create a collection of successful strategies for success. Furthermore, Dr. Crear is an Ordained Minister who earned his Doctorate in Theology in 2002... As well as a Christian Counselor and Life Coach. These and other services and lines of business comprise Mark Crear Enterprises, which stands as a model for entrepreneurial success.