Ron White

It was less than 30 degrees outside, and I swam around.

I got out of that water, but I tell you what, when I walked into that USA Memory Championship, I knew I could trust myself.

I knew that if I didn't do something I said I was going to do, I'd face a consequence, I'd wipe the slate clean, and it was no longer in the back of my mind.

There was no doubt in the back of my mind.

I wasn't going to be sitting up there on stage getting ready to memorize a deck of cards and think, oh, who am I to be the USA Memory Champion?

I can't even get up at 8.30.

Yeah, I didn't get up at 8.30, but I faced a consequence thanks to my Navy SEAL coach, and it gave me a clear conscience.

One other short story on him, one day I didn't want to train.

I said, TC, I'm not training today.

I'm sick.

He said, oh, wonderful.

This is great.

I said, why is this great?

I'm sick.

He said, well, if the USA Memory Championship happens, are you not going to compete because you're sick?

I'm like, no, I would compete then, but I'm not going to train when I'm sick.

He said, no, Ron, this is the perfect, this is a gift from God.

This is a gift from God.

You are going to be able to train and see what it's like to compete when you're not your best.

Well, in 2009, I walked into that tournament.