About the Author: Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC-SLP is a partner in Schneider Speech (USA and Israel) and faculty at the School of Medicine at University of California at Riverside. Uri is recognized as a highly skilled clinician and an engaging educator and trainer; known for his broad range of professional experience, his passionate commitment to people and the profession, and his hallmark characteristics of creativity, sensitivity and positive spirit. Uri is an international leader in professional development, clinical care and advocacy.  He is active lecturing around the world, publishing articles, hosting podcast series “Conversations” and hosting regular virtual meet-ups for parents, teens and adults.  Uri co-produced two documentaries “Transcending Stuttering: The Inside Story” and “Going with the Flow: A Guide to Transcending Stuttering” and the most recent Transcending Stuttering Online Course Series. Uri enjoys running and spending time with his family (wife and four children).

Life is a game. 

Not a game of winners and losers.  

Rather, a game of winning and losing.

It’s a game of “checking-in;” “stepping onto the court;” and “playing the game” we were born to play.

Sure it could be safer to sit in the stands or more entertaining as a solitary spectator on the couch.

But we all know the real action is on the court – not on the couch.

This game is not a game of points – but a game of goals.

The goal is connection.  

The points are earned through our best efforts.

The game of life is an endurance sport of distance, not one short sprint.

The challenge is to endure and persevere; to ride out the ups-and-downs..  

And the real winners are NOT the ones who coast across the finish line.

Oh no.

The greatest winners were the last ones picked at the start.

The real winners are you and me. 
Nothing trumps the triumphs of the underdog.  

The ones who were overlooked by others and even doubted themselves; 

nonetheless, while no one was looking, summoned the grit to grind through it, 

and grew against the odds, got stronger through the adversity.

Satisfaction in life, isn’t determined at birth.  Nor through school, college or career.  

The satisfaction we seek is earned through the lives we live.

The biggest wins are won when no one is looking.

The greatest triumphs are made against the odds.

Trust me, great things can happen when we dare to play our game.

Let’s play.