Rafer Johnson, a UCLA basketball player from 1958-59 and the gold-medal winner in the 1960 Olympics decathlon, provides a compelling example of the transformative power of personal effort under Coach Wooden's guidance.

Initially feeling overwhelmed and intimidated by the challenges at UCLA, Johnson's perspective shifted when he embraced Coach Wooden's philosophy of giving his best in all aspects of his life. Coach emphasized the importance of focusing on personal growth and development, rather than solely on external outcomes like winning.

As Johnson recalls, his performance in the 1960 Olympics in Rome was greatly influenced by Coach Wooden's teachings. By concentrating on being the best he could be and not worrying about scores or medals, Johnson found a new level of success and fulfillment.