What is My 3:59? The Story and Name Behind the Movement
This month, we are introducing you to our community partner, My 3:59 and the man who started it, Dan Klein. This year, we are ditching the New Year’s resolutions for “3:59s.” Want to set a goal for yourself that you’ve been aiming towards for a while? Now is the time with the new year approaching. Klein’s story has inspired us to do the same.
Klein created his own movement after becoming inspired by Roger Bannister, the first person to break the four-minute mile barrier when, at the time, it was scientifically proven that the human body just couldn’t do it. Despite all of the naysayers Bannister not only to set out to break the mythical barrier – he did it! He did the impossible, he broke the 4 minute mile. He ran it in 3:59.
As a husband and father of four, Klein was diagnosed with cancer and walked away with a life changing perspective on life and the things that the human body is capable of – both mentally and physically. Dan Klein started the My 3:59 movement with the dunk of a basketball at the age of 42; a goal that he had set for himself after his diagnosis. After going through cancer and experiencing everything the illness teaches you physically, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically, he approached the dunk with the 3:59 attitude and did his impossible – his 3:59. He made the dunk but more importantly, he achieved the 3:59 spirit.
Since the then, there have been other 3:59s. Physical ones like hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim and completing the Louisville Ironman. Along with other life 3:59s – starting his own business, learning to play the guitar with one of his sons, and writing a book to share the My 3:59 story with others. Many others have responded by setting their own 3:59s as well! Everything from someone starting a non-profit they always dreamt about to someone acting in a play to a grandmother learning to swim for the first time at the age of 72 so she could swim with her grandchildren.
“It’s really inspiring to see people take the My 3:59 story and spirit and turn it inward and become very intentional about doing the impossibles of their lives, their “I always wanted to….”, their 3:59s,” Klein said.
Dan Klein’s book can be purchased on Amazon or found at his website along with additional information. Klein is also available as a speaker at events where he shares motivation and encouragement with others.
3:59s are all about setting goals for yourself and achieving them. If Klein’s story can teach us anything, it’s to keep pushing until you reach the impossible!
At Ment Cowork, we have achieved a series of 3:59s of our own. Being the first of its kind in Bowling Green, we have worked to establish an environment that is the ideal place for members to do business. Stay tuned to hear about some of our personal goals here at Ment Cowork and to hear how we are planning to make some changes of our own.