Recently NBC covered the story of Olympian skater Apolo Ohno and his relationship to his father, Yuki. They highlighted the love and devotion that has compounded over the years, showing these two men as they stand today, dedicated and steadfast. They presented this by delving into the tumultuous years of Apolo’s youth and in particular, his failed attempt at the 1998 Nagano Olympic tryouts at age 15.

What is amazing about this story is not however that Apolo was 15, but how his father responded to quitting. Knowing his son well and having watched him participate for years, Yuki watched in disappointment as Apolo came in dead last. He saw his son give up on the ice and acted decisively. Knowing what his son was capable of, Yuki laid it out for him. He took Apolo to a remote cabin along the Washington coast and told him to make a decision about what he wanted to do moving forward. And then Yuki left.

Eight days later Apolo called and said he’d made his decision, “I’m ready, I want to skate.”  He was committed and ready to dedicate himself and put his best effort into skating.

Yuki’s dedication and effort to his son’s best is astounding. At the young age of 15, he identified and confronted the quitting attitude in his son. He forced his son to answer the question of what he was going to do, to confront that deepest attitude and voice within. At 15, Apolo answered this question and made a commitment that has borne fruit many times over the last twelve years. Now, at 27, Apolo Anton Ohno is a household name, he is a decorated American Olympian and an example of what hard work and dedication can garner.  He owes much of his success his father’s tough love.

NBC’s interview ends with Apolo reflecting on their relationship. Apolo commented: “Seeing him being able to see me on the podium. Who would have ever known?”  To which the NBC interviewer responds: “He did.”