How do athletes do it?

Character 

Each of our three kids are involved in multiple sports throughout the year.  One day, after football practice, I asked our two boys (sophomore and junior), “What percentage of the game do you think is mental versus physical?”  They answered immediately with one saying 90 percent and the other 95 percent.  (Technically, they are both right.  The mental aspect is also personal, meaning, if that’s what they think, then that’s how each individual’s mind will interpret the game.) 

As athletes train physically, the discipline of the mind is a major contributing factor to their athletic ability.  Persistence as a character trait is defined as “perseverance especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement; to endure tenaciously.”  We love stories of athletes who persevere through physical trials, emotional trauma, or situational tragedy because as humans, we are designed to overcome obstacles, to succeed despite setbacks, to win. Persistence is a trait that is ingrained in our spirit, that we feel in our bones, and one that is demonstrated even on a microbial level!

To read more about how Tricia and Chad's kids inspired the search for a long-lasting solution, click here.

Antimicrobial Activity

Persistence is particularly important in the fight against germs.  The CDC defines persistent activity as “prolonged or extended antimicrobial activity that prevents or inhibits the proliferation or survival of microorganisms after application of the product.”  This quality also has been referred to as ‘residual activity.’”  Residual activity is a characteristic of ingredients that have substantivity.  According to the CDC, substantivity is evidenced on the skin when an ingredient adheres to the stratum corneum, and even after drying, continues to inhibit the growth of bacteria.  Cleansers and personal care products like COMPEL utilize ingredients like chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) in water-based formulas because it inhibits bacterial, fungal, and viral growth for long periods of time. 

To read more about our ingredients and their persistence, as well as CDC's recommendations regarding hand hygiene, click here. 

Takeaway

As I research the fascinating attribute of antimicrobial persistence, I can’t help but recall the conversation with our boys about athletics and apply it to life in general.  One of my trainers says (yells), “The workout doesn’t even start until you’re tired! Improvement doesn’t begin until you work through the pain!”
Persistence is a character trait that, when practiced like a skill and exercised like a muscle, can be applied to every aspect of life.  Whether you’re overcoming an opponent, defeating disappointment, or battling bacteria, victory only comes to those who endure tenaciously!  
Hebrews 12: 1-3