--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I slapped my face two or three times with…" description: "\"I slapped my face two or three times with both hands, as hard as possible. The slapping hurt. It snapped me to attention. My adrenaline started flowing..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/brad-alan-lewis-16353_adrenaline_i-slapped-my-face-two-or-three-times-wit_2553953.jpg" --- # I slapped my face two or three times with both hands, as… ![“I slapped my face two or three times with both hands, as hard as possible. The slapping hurt. It snapped me to attention. My adrenaline started flowing... the Yugoslavs, sitting in the next lane stared at me in disbelief. The harsh slapping made me angry-exactly what I wanted. I did my best work…” quote by Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/brad-alan-lewis-16353_adrenaline_i-slapped-my-face-two-or-three-times-wit_2553953.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/brad-alan-lewis-16353_adrenaline_i-slapped-my-face-two-or-three-times-wit_2553953.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c8/brad-alan-lewis-16353_adrenaline_i-slapped-my-face-two-or-three-times-wit_2553953.jpg) > “I slapped my face two or three times with both hands, as hard as possible. The slapping hurt. It snapped me to attention. My adrenaline started flowing... the Yugoslavs, sitting in the next lane stared at me in disbelief. The harsh slapping made me angry-exactly what I wanted. I did my best work when I was angry.” [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker used self‑inflicted physical shock to trigger adrenaline, focusing attention and anger to boost performance. **In simple terms:** Physical shock sparked focus and anger for better work. Key Takeaway Use controlled arousal to sharpen focus. Themes motivation focus arousal performance anger Mood intense determined focused Type motivational psychological When to use this quote - sports competition - high‑pressure tasks - creative work - public speaking Key Concepts Physiology of stress psychology of anger self‑regulation Questions to Reflect On - Can you channel anger productively? - What safer methods boost focus? A Different Perspective Relying on anger can impair judgment and health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adrenaline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adrenaline/) [Angry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/angry/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Disbelief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disbelief/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Rowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rowing/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Big guys like you and me aren't allowed to whine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/big-guys-like-you-and-me-aren-t-allowed-to-whine/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Racing serves as a formal demonstration of your ability to ride the three-headed monster. The first monster is your physical preparation-lifting weights for strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/racing-serves-as-a-formal-demonstration-of-your-ability-to-ride-the/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Rowing is an absurdly simple sport. I can easily guide a beginner throught the right technical motions. The difficulty arises when the beginner attempts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/rowing-is-an-absurdly-simple-sport-i-can-easily-guide-a-beginner/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [I led by three or four feet, with Biggy (John Biglow) surging closer on each stroke. I hated him in those last few seconds;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/i-led-by-three-or-four-feet-with-biggy-john-biglow-surging-closer-on/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Rigging is like Zen meditation. You must bend over the boat until your back is breaking, until your brain is filled with numbers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/rigging-is-like-zen-meditation-you-must-bend-over-the-boat-until-your/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [One of the unique aspects of rowing is that novices strive to perfect the same motions as Olympic contenders. Few other sports can make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/one-of-the-unique-aspects-of-rowing-is-that-novices-strive-to-perfect/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [One training device is the ergometer. I never owned one, never trained on one, and practically never used one. The few national team tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/one-training-device-is-the-ergometer-i-never-owned-one-never-trained/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Long live the elite rower's motto:'early to bed, early to rise, never meet the regular guys.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/long-live-the-elite-rower-s-motto-early-to-bed-early-to-rise-never/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Like any good drug, anger can mask all reality. But anger is not an easy emotion to call up on demand, which is why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/like-any-good-drug-anger-can-mask-all-reality-but-anger-is-not-an/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Unlike boxers-or any professional athlete for that matter-rowers have little motivation to do it longer than necessary. With a modest amount of self-realization, you'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/unlike-boxers-or-any-professional-athlete-for-that-matter-rowers-have/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [The slow boat-I know it's the slow boat because I've been watching them for thirty-three weeks-won the first piece by a full length. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/the-slow-boat-i-know-it-s-the-slow-boat-because-i-ve-been-watching/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [ Unless you've also had some experience dragging around a boat trailer, \[topping off the gas tank\] may not sound important. But trailer driver's know:… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/unless-you-ve-also-had-some-experience-dragging-around-a-boat-trailer/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [You need flawless balance on the recovery. You need white hot focus and the concentration to row square blades cleanly for seven miles. Smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/you-need-flawless-balance-on-the-recovery-you-need-white-hot-focus/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Immediately upon entering the weighing-in zone, I sensed an oppressive tension in the air, the lightweights staring and glaring at each other, snarling like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/immediately-upon-entering-the-weighing-in-zone-i-sensed-an-oppressive/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [If anyone here is secretly dreaming of making the Olympics, I can tell you exactly how to do it, two words: Sustained Obsession. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/if-anyone-here-is-secretly-dreaming-of-making-the-olympics-i-can-tell/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) ## More by Brad Alan Lewis > [Big guys like you and me aren't allowed to whine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/big-guys-like-you-and-me-aren-t-allowed-to-whine/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Immediately upon entering the weighing-in zone, I sensed an oppressive tension in the air, the lightweights staring and glaring at each other, snarling like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/immediately-upon-entering-the-weighing-in-zone-i-sensed-an-oppressive/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [You need flawless balance on the recovery. You need white hot focus and the concentration to row square blades cleanly for seven miles. Smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/you-need-flawless-balance-on-the-recovery-you-need-white-hot-focus/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [ Unless you've also had some experience dragging around a boat trailer, \[topping off the gas tank\] may not sound important. But trailer driver's know:… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/unless-you-ve-also-had-some-experience-dragging-around-a-boat-trailer/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [The slow boat-I know it's the slow boat because I've been watching them for thirty-three weeks-won the first piece by a full length. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/the-slow-boat-i-know-it-s-the-slow-boat-because-i-ve-been-watching/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Unlike boxers-or any professional athlete for that matter-rowers have little motivation to do it longer than necessary. With a modest amount of self-realization, you'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/unlike-boxers-or-any-professional-athlete-for-that-matter-rowers-have/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Like any good drug, anger can mask all reality. But anger is not an easy emotion to call up on demand, which is why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/like-any-good-drug-anger-can-mask-all-reality-but-anger-is-not-an/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Long live the elite rower's motto:'early to bed, early to rise, never meet the regular guys.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/long-live-the-elite-rower-s-motto-early-to-bed-early-to-rise-never/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [One training device is the ergometer. I never owned one, never trained on one, and practically never used one. The few national team tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/one-training-device-is-the-ergometer-i-never-owned-one-never-trained/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [One of the unique aspects of rowing is that novices strive to perfect the same motions as Olympic contenders. Few other sports can make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/one-of-the-unique-aspects-of-rowing-is-that-novices-strive-to-perfect/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Rigging is like Zen meditation. You must bend over the boat until your back is breaking, until your brain is filled with numbers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/rigging-is-like-zen-meditation-you-must-bend-over-the-boat-until-your/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [I led by three or four feet, with Biggy (John Biglow) surging closer on each stroke. I hated him in those last few seconds;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/i-led-by-three-or-four-feet-with-biggy-john-biglow-surging-closer-on/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Rowing is an absurdly simple sport. I can easily guide a beginner throught the right technical motions. The difficulty arises when the beginner attempts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/rowing-is-an-absurdly-simple-sport-i-can-easily-guide-a-beginner/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [Racing serves as a formal demonstration of your ability to ride the three-headed monster. The first monster is your physical preparation-lifting weights for strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/racing-serves-as-a-formal-demonstration-of-your-ability-to-ride-the/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [If anyone here is secretly dreaming of making the Olympics, I can tell you exactly how to do it, two words: Sustained Obsession. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/if-anyone-here-is-secretly-dreaming-of-making-the-olympics-i-can-tell/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) [Explore all 40 Brad Alan Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) ## More Adrenaline quotes > [It's the adrenaline rush you only get from being in front of an audience. It's addictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-saadiq/it-s-the-adrenaline-rush-you-only-get-from-being-in-front-of-an/) [Raphael Saadiq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-saadiq/) > [I have a lot of adrenaline. I have a naturally fast system. But I love to eat, and I am not skinny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-bellucci/i-have-a-lot-of-adrenaline-i-have-a-naturally-fast-system-but-i-love/) [Monica Bellucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-bellucci/) > [I think you just have extra adrenaline playing at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-bellinger/i-think-you-just-have-extra-adrenaline-playing-at-home/) [Cody Bellinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-bellinger/) > [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [You get that extra pump of adrenaline when you come back to the courts where you remember how well you've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajla-tomljanovic/you-get-that-extra-pump-of-adrenaline-when-you-come-back-to-the/) [Ajla Tomljanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajla-tomljanovic/) > [I don't get stage fright, I actually love the energy, I love the spontaneity, I love the adrenaline you get in front of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-burke/i-don-t-get-stage-fright-i-actually-love-the-energy-i-love-the/) [Brooke Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-burke/) > [My heart beats so hard it hurts, and I can't scream and I can't breathe, but I also feel everything, every vein and every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/my-heart-beats-so-hard-it-hurts-and-i-can-t-scream-and-i-can-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [I'm an adrenaline junkie. I love climbing crazy trees or cliffs, which doesn't make my mom very happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colletti/i-m-an-adrenaline-junkie-i-love-climbing-crazy-trees-or-cliffs-which/) [Stephen Colletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colletti/) > [Ever notice how your senses are heightened when you are in challenging situations? You're experiencing an adrenaline rush that gives you extra energy. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/ever-notice-how-your-senses-are-heightened-when-you-are-in/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I get called an adrenaline junkie every other minute, and I'm just fine with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-irwin/i-get-called-an-adrenaline-junkie-every-other-minute-and-i-m-just/) [Steve Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-irwin/) > [There’s something insupportable about being pissed with the one person on this planet that sends your adrenaline flowing to remind you that you’re alive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-castillo/there-s-something-insupportable-about-being-pissed-with-the-one/) [Ana Castillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-castillo/) > [And of course there is nothing better than wearing the same T-shirt for days and not brushing my hair for weeks,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daria-werbowy/and-of-course-there-is-nothing-better-than-wearing-the-same-t-shirt/) [Daria Werbowy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daria-werbowy/) > [Our training pushes us to develop a new set of instincts: instead of reacting to danger with a fight-or-flight adrenaline rush, we're trained to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/our-training-pushes-us-to-develop-a-new-set-of-instincts-instead-of/) [Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/) > [We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&B ... 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