As the calendar has flipped from March to April, and spring continues to wrestle winter into submission here on Lake Petenwell, I’ve been thinking about the idea of excellence.
Spring provides countless opportunities to reflect on excellence in athletics. March brings its customary madness with championship seasons for winter sports at both the high school and college levels. Spring Training baseball gives way to Opening Day, and early April delivers the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball national championships. And now this weekend, “a tradition like no other,” The Masters.
Beyond the examples of athletic excellence, which I’ve simply enjoyed as a spectator, two additional influences have shaped my thinking. The first is a new book by Brad Stulberg, The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. The second is NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission. It’s hard to imagine a more powerful example of human excellence than the astronauts on that mission, as well as the engineers and scientists responsible for ensuring its success.
Before going further, I should acknowledge that those who have known me for a long time may find it somewhat amusing that I’m writing about excellence. As a kid, many of my friends were smarter than I was, so I certainly wasn’t an excellent student—by definition, I was below average. As an athlete, as much as I respected the coaches I played for, I don’t think any of them would have used the word “excellent” to describe my abilities. And as a teacher and coach, while I had the privilege of working alongside truly excellent professionals, I never felt I had reached that level myself.
So yes, I’m fascinated by excellence, but I also understand why some might find it ironic that I’m the one writing about it.
I read The Way of Excellence shortly after its release, as I’ve long appreciated Stulberg’s earlier work, along with that of Steve Magness. In many ways, all of their books explore excellence through the lens of human performance and growth. In a world filled with books on wellness, sport psychology, and self-improvement, their work consistently stands out.
What I particularly appreciated about this book is that it isn’t simply about becoming great at a specific activity. It’s about becoming a more fully formed human being.
Stulberg approaches excellence through three lenses—biological, psychological, and philosophical—before diving into the mindsets, habits, and practices that have helped people across disciplines achieve meaningful levels of excellence. What’s especially powerful is how accessible these ideas feel. You don’t need to be a world-class performer to apply them. Instead, they guide you toward becoming a better version of yourself.
Even small improvements, applied consistently, create a sense of growth that leads to mastery, and ultimately, a more fulfilling life. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with distorted images of success online, Stulberg reminds us of what genuine excellence really looks like.
Closer to home, Wisconsin residents and Badger fans have once again witnessed a remarkable example of excellence: the Badger Women’s Hockey Team. With this year’s national championship, the program has now won three of the last four titles and nine overall since its inception in the 1999–2000 season.
While I’ve never had the opportunity to meet Coach Mark Johnson, from a distance he appears to embody many of the principles Stulberg describes. It’s easy to admire the program’s success, but more than that, it’s inspiring to observe the culture behind it.
I’ve also been fortunate to witness excellence up close through my experience with Coach Mike Turgeon, Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Minnesota State University. During his time at Winona State, I had the opportunity to observe his work firsthand, and he is, without question, the best coach I’ve ever seen in any sport.
His impact extended far beyond athletic performance. He developed student-athletes who excelled in the classroom and in life. In many ways, he modeled the very path Stulberg outlines, one grounded in purpose, discipline, and perspective.
While it’s easy to celebrate excellence in sports, we must also be mindful of its potential pitfalls. The pursuit of excellence can sometimes blur into something less healthy. We saw glimpses of that during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four. There’s no need to revisit the specifics, but the situation highlighted a challenge all coaches face: managing ego.
Most coaches genuinely care about their athletes and want what’s best for them. I believe that wholeheartedly. But after spending three decades coaching, I also know how easy it is to wrestle internally between doing what’s right for your athletes and being driven by the desire to win.
Competition itself isn’t the problem, it’s necessary. But the line between healthy competition and ego-driven decision-making isn’t always clear.
Coaches must constantly ask themselves: Am I pushing this athlete for their growth, or for my own validation?
The best coaches navigate that line with intention and humility. I’d like to believe I did that most of the time, but I also know how difficult it can be.
That’s why leaders like Mark Johnson and Mike Turgeon deserve recognition. And it’s why voices like Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness are worth listening to.
That’s my perspective from Petenwell this week. Keep striving for excellence. Keep learning. And if this resonated with you, I hope you’ll come back next Friday.
Recommended Reading by Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness
- Master of Change — Brad Stulberg
- The Practice of Groundedness — Brad Stulberg
- Win the Inside Game — Steve Magness
- Do Hard Things — Steve Magness
- Peak Performance — Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness
- The Passion Paradox — Brad Stulberg & Steve Magness
Until next Friday…