I grew up on a row-crop farm in Dayton, Oregon, which is a small town about an hour from Portland.
As I was growing up, I worked on my game on a daily basis in this barn. My dad emphasized the importance of developing skills that could prepare me to play against anybody.
And I kept it up year after year after year. I wouldn’t go to social events until after I finished my workout… I had to do it every day.
I remember my mentor, Bruce Moore, telling me that it would be good for my body if I took a day off, but I just couldn’t do it! I was that serious about becoming the most skilled player that I could be.