More Gene Please

There are some people that carry a special energy, the ability to lift you up with just a couple words, the type of people that are so rare you remember them. I met one recently.

I shared some small talk with Gene following our lunch roll at Jiu-Jitsu.

Gene is a 53 year old Brown belt, who relocated from BC and has been training for years. Gene has the physical appearance of a fit twenty five year old, and exudes positivity.

As we celebrated how great our club is (Frontline BJJ), Gene confirmed that in his years of training at various gyms, our club is especially great.

Here’s the thing about Gene, there’s something extraordinary about him that although hard to articulate, you can feel it when you're in his presence.

Here’s what I mean:

Imagine him smiling, nodding and happy. 

We walk out of the club and he spots a golden retriever puppy on a leash across the parking lot. He beams like he’s just seen the best thing in the world and makes his way excitedly over to the animal repeating “You have got to be kidding me!” over and over until he meets his new friend in a session of friendly petting.

The child-like excitement was infectious… pure joy!

Leaving Jiu-Jitsu is normally a lot of fist bumping and “see-you, brother”. This week when I bumped fists with Gene, he looked up beaming, and excitedly pulled me into an embrace. “YOU ARE SO AWESOME!” he loudly exclaimed. 

I will tell you that it felt magical to receive these authentic words from another human. Maybe it was feeling welcomed, or perhaps the appreciation, the excitement, or simply Gene’s radiation of Joy for life. But it was special, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. 

People like this just send a bigger ripple.

The world needs more Genes.

• Now that’s a peak ethos.