D4 Mighty Ducks: The Amber Bombay Story

Growing up two of my favorite movies were The Mighty Ducks and D2: The Mighty Ducks. I recently watched D2 again and had a startling revelation: I am the Gordon Bombay of weightlifting.

"Emilio Estevez, the Mighty Ducks guy. I swear to God. I was like EMILIOOOOO!!!!!"

That's a pretty bold statement isn't it? Don't get me wrong there are some differences. Contrary to popular belief, I don't pee standing up. Ms. 26 Going On 76 has never been arrested for drunk driving. And I've never quacked at my boss.

Small details aside, Gordon Bombay and I are kindred spirits. Let's take a look shall we?

Gordon's doppleganger Emilio Estevez is intrigued...even in detention

Young Athletes

 

Gordon started playing hockey at a much younger age than when I started lifting. But we both were involved in sports from a young age. Ok, all of my sports were barbell related. I did throw shot put  but that's a weighted object so I'm going to count it too.

Here's a picture of Gordon being really dramatic on the ice after he lost the game winning hockey goal. Then we have 2004 Amber squatting in a meet not loosing the game. Please note the running shoes and Undertaker-esque eyes.

Fortunately I never lost a game winning goal. Mainly because I never played a sport in school requiring cardio. However if I did I'm pretty sure no one would have let me try the game winning goal. 

Lawyers Turned Coaches

After our youthful athletic "careers", both of us attended law school. Clearly we could both rock a suit.

Gordon worked for a defense firm; I worked for two criminal defense firms and plaintiff's attorneys specializing in Traumatic Brain Injuries.


However the legal egg heads left the field to be coaches. Ok, so Gordon was initially forced into it as community service. But he eventually quacks at his boss and ends up leaving to coach the pee wee hockey team. I never quacked at anyone but I have meowed on occasion for comedic effect.

I've always been a gym rat so it wasn't a surprise when the smell of rubber mats, wood platforms, and old lifting shoes called me home. Every office job I ever had I sat there thinking about weightlifting. Any free moment was spent watching movement, reading, or traveling somewhere for continuing education or sessions.

It was only a matter of time before Gordon and I hung up our briefcases for sport.

Underdog Teams

It's no secret I consider my athletes underdogs much like the rag tag group of misfits in The Mighty Ducks. I don't think that's a bad thing to say. They work harder than anyone I've ever met.

 You can read about them and why I coach them in last week's blog piece.

 We like to win too but we're in for the long haul together

Sometimes your rag tag athlete accepts his medal while eating an entire bag of Cool Ranch Doritos

Mentors

Gordon learned his coaching philosophy from his childhood coach Hans. I learned mine from my high school coach Lachney. Hans showed up time to time to help Gordon get his groove back (much like Stella). I call Lachney on a semi-regular basis for advice and to help keep my sanity. I borrow something he told me over a decade ago regularly: "I don't give a shit if you're the strongest or the fastest on the team. If you don't have heart I don't want you on my team."

Washed-Up Hasbeens That Made A Comeback (Sort Of)

That sounds harsh doesn't it? Well since I was a hasbeen I can say that. And Gordon doesn't really exist so he's cool with it too.

After loosing his peewee hockey championship but winning one with the Ducks, old Gordon tried out and made a minor league hockey team. He suffered a knee injury and subsequently hobbled back to the Ducks. He still continued to skate though.

 

I've been lifting continuously for years but made a resurgence in powerlifting after a shoulder injury kept me from olympic lifting for a spell. You can check out that blog recap some other day. You all know about the back inury that's been documented extensively here.

Neither one of us made a world team but we kept on going even after the injuries.

Captain Blood & Dream Killer

In D2 Gordon turned into Captain Blood thanks to capitalism and pressure to perform. Eventually he snaps back to reality and turns into the loveable coach we all came to love. Full of inspirational speeches and puppy dog eyes. *Swoon*

 "They can barely stay awake in class. They're calling you Captain Blood."

I love my athletes but I can be a little rough on them sometimes. There's a reason one of my athletes lovingly calls me the Dream Killer. Well, I think it's used in a loving way. It usually comes after I've drawn all over a lift video that they thought was beautiful. Just like Coach Bombay I too have a heart of gold underneath my oily haired exterior. I also did not know Iceland was green and Greenland was ice but then again geography was never my forte.


When I told one athlete I was writing this he said, "Gordon was an a-hole to start. You're an angry, anti-hug Teddy Bear." I'm not a big fan of human contact. I will tell people "I don't do hugs"; things get a little awkward sometimes (for them). But I do care about my athletes. Sometimes they get a side hug. The ones who get full hugs cherish them forever and nearly weep. If I give you a hug, you're in my circle. I'll likely fight to the death for you no questions asked.

What About D3?

D3: Mighty Ducks is a travesty and it never happened in my mind. I won't even allow it to have a photograph on this blog. I'm still bitter about it and it's been 18 years since it was released.


Iron Lesson: From platforms to hockey rinks, passion is passion. If a courtroom doesn't make you feel alive, act like Gordon and get the "Puck out of there." You can't hide your passions. Eventually they'll come rearing their head and force you to follow. So follow your heart and do what you love to do. Maybe there will be a cinematic character you can relate to.