Several years ago a dear friend, Jonelle, surprised me with an autographed print of Greg Olsen's "O Jerusalem" painting. This majestic piece captures the quiet strength, even the eternal strength of the Savior's character, not to mention the beautiful scenery of the Holy Land countryside (and no, Mr. Olsen isn't paying me to say all that).

But if you look closely, you can see something else on Christ's face. In my youth I almost wondered if it was defeat (after all, he knew his betrayal and crucifixion were near). But now that I'm older I understand the look in Jesus' eyes was something else entirely; it was acceptance. The hint of sorry in his eyes stems from the acceptance that so many people in Jerusalem would not listen to the message of peace and salvation that he desired so deeply to give them.

And as we look forward to this Easter season, I can't help but wonder if that same hint of sorrow still exists in the resurrected Savior's heart. 

As I sit here looking out my office window at a beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah blue sky I can't help but smile. Life is such a marvelous and wonderful gift, and every day that we are alive is a new chance to create a powerful future. As we say in my non-profit organization, The Athlete Outreach Project, "there is always hope."

Yet even as I smile, I cannot help but sigh at the tragedies and darkness that fills this world. As a former journalist I know only too well the number of wars and conflicts that rage around the globe. I just spoke at a suicide prevention event and often study the statistics surrounding those struggling with mental illness. I have participated in countless cancer research fundraisers and visited cancer patients in the hospital on several occasions. I have seen marriages fall apart due to infidelity, abuse or just plain apathy. I have seen lives destroyed through the use of drugs or other addictive substances. I have visited with youth incarcerated for foolish choices and helped save at least one life from ending through an eating disorder.

Even as I write this I'm mentally reviewing the tough circumstances that so many in my own life face. I have one friend who survived a potentially fatal car accident only to have her ex-husband force her and her daughters out of their old home and onto the streets. I have another friend who just got out of the hospital after some major surgeries. I could go on and on and so could you, and that doesn't even include all the struggles we have in our own lives.

As a dear friend of mine reminded me this week, "We all get tired, we all get discouraged, and we all have days where we want to give up. But we can't. Life is too amazing. And we are not alone in it."

Growing up in Oklahoma, America’s Midwest, I saw firsthand the results of Mother Nature’s terrible might when tornadoes touched down. Entire neighborhoods were leveled, swathes of landscape flattened and lives were upended. Even as a child, while I lived in fear of these awesome and powerful monstrosities, I could appreciate the way their power was formed…by air.

Because, when you think about it, what are tornadoes but collections of air that rushes forth?

Over the past few months I have listened to dear friends tell me of the tornadoes in their lives. These tornadoes have leveled their confidence, flattened their joys and upended their hearts. But these tornadoes have not been like those I saw in Oklahoma; no, the tornadoes they spoke of were the words and actions of those around them who used the air that rushed forth from their mouths to hurt, to judge, to criticize, to gossip and to belittle.

2017 Champion's Tour - 1st Quarter

Jan. 17 - Meridian Magazine article, "Finding Faith at 80...Mile Per Hour"

Jan. 9 - FHE Guest Lecture: "Goal Setting and the Gospel"

Jan. 13 - UVU Jamaican Bobsled fundraiser event

Jan. 16 - Renaissance Academy Assembly: "2017 Champions Tour"

Jan. 19 - BYU Pathways Class: "Disciple Leadership" 

Jan. 25, 27-28 - 2017 Morris Murdock Travel Expo - Master of Ceremonies 

Feb. 2017 - eBay Leadership Training

Feb. 2017 - 365Today.com Interview

Feb. 4 - SLC Winterpalooza appearance / book signing

Feb. 4 - The Success Summit appearance / book signing

Feb. 7 - "Champions of Boy Scouting" appearance

Feb 23 - "Writing Your Story" public school appearance

March 2 - "Get Your Head in the Game" literacy event appearance

March 11 - 2017 Rex Lee Run appearance 

March 23 - BYU Pathways Class: "Standing Firm Before Our Enemies"

March 29, 2014 - Jeremy has been invited to attend the 2014 Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley Gala and Auction event held Saturday, March 29 at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center, an invitation he readily accepted.

This event will help raise funds for Utah's Boys and Girls Clubs' crucial after school programs for children and teens. The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Valley offer young people what they need and want most: adults who respect and listen to them; a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves; and interesting, constructive activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits.

If you would like to attend this event or donate to the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley, please click here.

April 1, 2014 - Jeremy has been invited to instruct the travel agents of SOLO Travel in order to help them how to better reach their career goals through positive promotional efforts.

SOLO Travel is a division of Utah's Morris Murdock Travel which allows individuals to become travel agents and start their own travel business from home or on-site locations.

April 4, 2014 - Jeremy has been asked to be a main speaker at a special retreat for Utah Valley University students on April 4 at the Aspen Grove Family Camp. Jeremy will be discussing his many areas of pursuit as well as the decisions he made along the way as an athlete, author, graphic designer, speaker, philanthropist, coach, and more.

Jeremy says he plans to also discuss the realities of career and collegiate choices, the value of learning to correct goals along the way and the power of forgiving ourselves for the mistakes we make in life.

March 21, 2014 - Jeremy had the opportunity to speak to the students and staff of Utah's South Ogden Junior High School during their 2014 Career Day. During his assembly Jeremy spoke to the students about following The Champion's Way and developing a strategy for success in life and their career paths.