The Success Delusion
“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"
THE STAIRWELL
It’s 2am.
I’m sitting in the stairwell of a five-star hotel with a young basketball player who’s had a breakout season — from the wilderness to transformational success. He’s in the conversation for league MVP. And most importantly, a Championship in his first year.
We’re smoking cigars — the only place in the hotel where you can - without triggering fire alarms. We’re drinking a nice whiskey.
Inside, the rest of the team is still celebrating with fans, friends and families.
He turns to me and says, “Is this it, Nick?”
I’m silent. I’ve been here before, more than once. Almost always it’s with players and coaches who have never won championships before.
Yet I wasn’t ready for this question.
“Yes,” I respond. “This is it.”
“It feels empty. All that sacrifice, all the hype… the build-up,” he sighs. “It’s so lonely right now.”
THE HOSPITAL
This wasn’t the first time I’d been this close to the sadness of success.
Just days earlier, I was sitting by the hospital bed o…
