The Gods of Nike

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I feel like I am cheating on Nike, if I even browse the Adidas website. That's the amount of loyalty this brand inspires in me. And this is rare. Since I started running- one and off- in 2016, I havent worn any other shoes. Sometimes I wait endlessly for a better pair of shorts from Nike, rather than hop into the next store and buy something from Adidas. Somehow the brand represents sport to me. It speaks to me and what I hear is- we understand what you want. We know when you wear a zipped up sweatshirt and run, the zip bouncing up and down irks you, so we've created a pocket to tuck the zip in. We know your clothes need SPF because you only remember your sunscreen once you are out on the road, halfway through your run. We know how chafing ruins runs so we made shorts with the softest fabric that feels like cotton candy against your skin and flies in the wind, staying away from your body. 

If you think of Nike as the Gods (or Goddesses) that they are, this book does not disappoint! Phil Knight has a brilliant sense of humour and the constant dread of anxiety that as an introvert I could relate to very well. I had no clue Nike started out as Blue Ribbon franchising Onitsuka shoes. His "fake it till you make it" strategy has been shared in such intimate detail that you are transported to his hotel room feeling his stress as he preps to appear calm and business like in front of his Japanese partners. 

I had no idea that you could be selling out all your merchandise and still be living pay check to pay check.  Knight was surprisingly rash in a way that I suppose entrepreneurs need to be if they wish to grow. I felt his frustration at not being heard by big banks, or constantly being badgered for equity. He claims he had heard the word so much he began hating it- to the point where he refused to say it out loud to anyone. 

Least of all, I didn't know you could be a multi millionaire and still stay humble. Phil Knight delivers on all counts. His fondness for Nike athletes went beyond the usual humdrum of contracts and sponsorship. His obsession with having a firm that regardless of size, keeps its soul is a constant worry even amongst established conglomerates now. His refreshing honesty at suddenly becoming rich after going public, and showing it off is heartwarming. 

In the end, you walk away with a good sense of why he wrote this book. We need to know- winning isn’t about not losing, but being so much more than what potential limits us to be. 

His unique writing style (thank you ghost writer) is one where you take away all of the essence of his journey, and none of the mundane details. And the essence is- Nike was the underdog that won. Its the classic ending of every sports movie you have ever seen- it has heart and it has the promise of sweet victory.




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