A GOAT is not a mythical creature. However, we treat them like one. But for some reason, we leave so many out of the conversation. Why is that? Is your GOAT a leader? Are they climbing the mountain alone? Do they belong in the conversation?

What are the criteria?

If they get to the top of the pedestal seven times are they a GOAT? What if they triumph on grass, clay, AND pavement? Does that make them a GOAT? Can they swim? Can a laborious horse be a GOAT?

Based on much of the conversation I’ve seen, many consider that only a male can be a GOAT. This is funny to me, because many a female GOAT seem to have climbed even higher than any male GOAT. The idea that a female is inferior to the male is prevalent in most conversation. And it’s, quite simply put, ridiculous.

We’re not talking a popular form of yoga here. No. We’re talking the highest achievement on their mountain. So why do we give some mountains so much more weight than others?

If I were to ask you to name your GOAT Mount Rushmore, who would be on that list?

Before you respond, check your work. What are you measuring? If all your answers are male, check again. And think about why that is. Because you’re wrong on so many levels.

Maybe it’s time to take a look at sports and eliminate outdated qualifiers. I’d be willing to bet two GOATs from opposite ends of the grass could go head to head.

And if you look at individual achievement, there are some who you probably aren’t even thinking about who deserve to be near or at the top of that list, their faces carved into a giant cliffside.

Don’t kick out at me.