This Week: Orono Hosts Inspirational Night With World-Class Triathlete

Everyone is gifted, some people just don’t know how to open their packages. Few know this better than Tony Schiller.  

As a young man, he was cut from seven athletic teams. Today, he is a world-class triathlete with three world and five national titles—and that’s just those he’s won since turning 40.

The self-described late bloomer taught himself how to develop a winning mindset and now helps others, from student athletes to corporate executives, achieve the same results. On Wednesday he will bring his message of resiliency, confidence and individuality to the Orono Middle School Auditorium from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

At the core of Schiller’s message is his metaphor from the sports world.  

Imagine a group of runners or cyclists: a “pack.”  For most, it’s “good enough” or even admirable just to be part of the pack, he explains. Then, there are those who don’t believe they can achieve Pack status (“chasers”) and those who have even less confidence and no ambition (“quitters”).

A truly successful individual, Schiller says, strives to “break away” from the pack thinking that exists around them. Only then can one possess the mindset needed to realize their own special gifts and abilities to bring out their full potential.

Following his own breakthrough, Schiller was tapped to share his expertise with other athletes and, eventually, in more than 300 schools.  Executives took notice of his success in that arena and now the majority of work is with corporate giants such as Target, Microsoft, Mayo Clinic, Carlson Companies and Land O’ Lakes, among others.       

As a society, we have a pack mentality, Schiller explains. For students, that is evident by the desire to wear certain brands of clothes and/or own certain kinds of gadgets.  

“You can’t buy your break away at the mall,” he notes. “We’ve created an enormous amount of pressure on our kids."

Through stories and metaphors, Schiller will focus on activities during his Orono visit. His goal is to help students, parents and coaches rediscover the true value of competition and the pathways it can provide for a break away.

Schiller promises to challenge the current beliefs of many, but also perhaps reinforce what others may be thinking but not acting upon. Young people will be encouraged to rise above peer pressure and begin to compete with goals that go far beyond just winning. Parents will be given tools to support their children, but not always “fix” a situation. They will also be invited to see the big picture.

“There’s beauty all around, not just your kid’s spot on the field,” Schiller says.

Orono Middle School is located at 800 Old Crystal Bay Road North in Orono.  The event is free and open to the public, thanks to the sponsorship of the Orono Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, Orono Middle School Parent Association and Orono Community Education.

Information provided by the Orono School District.