For you Mr J

Last week I had some terrible news.

A man by the name of Brian Johnston, whom I regarded as one of the more decent human beings I’ve ever met, passed away suddenly. His family, friends and associates were shocked to say the least.

Brian was involved in the Little Athletics and school sporting community on the Gold Coast for nearly 30 years. He spent hours of his own time coaching, mentoring and supporting young athletes and never complained or asked for a dollar for his work.

He was always encouraging kids to do their best and it was never about winning – he always encouraged his athletes - he never pressured them. It wasn’t about finishing first with Brian; even if you were finishing last each week at competition, he never made a fuss or made you feel bad about your result. You never felt bad while he was around.

I am proud and honoured to have known Brian and be apart of the ‘BJ Squad’ – a term a group of us who were trained by him came up with.

I will never forget the lessons that Mr J taught us – to be humble and generous – never cocky or selfish. He was so giving and considerate and will be missed by so many.

His funeral last Friday was testament to his memory with nearly 500 people turning out to pay their respects to a man who has touched the lives of so many.

Mr J, I love you so much and I hope that I can be the kind of person you were and enrich the lives of the people I care about. You made me realise that it wasn’t about winning and being the best – it was about the journey and what you gained along the way.

I may not have been first on the podium, but I know in his eyes I was a winner.

"Dream, Believe, Succeed" - Brian Johnston