The JDI Master
This encounter deserves an entire blog post on its own.
Date: 2 February 2010
Time: 13:20hrs
Theresa Lim may not work on Nike anymore, but Lady Nike still smiles upon her. So whilst scoffing my face with delicious pork loins at the Tarheel Cafe, and basking on the glorious fact that I’m at the Nike Campus on a sunny day in Beaverton, I thought, “Wow, this can’t get any better”. Wrong.
Not when one gets to spot an original Blue Ribbon who brought innovation, inspiration and technology to every athlete in the entire world – Mr Phil Knight. Someone’s day has just gotten A LOT better.
Plucking up loads of courage and putting shame at the door, I walked over, apologised for interrupting his lunch and then BAM! Celebrity-block. Help, I had forgotten how to speak. Hurry. Just say something. Anything. What came out was embarassing, “Hi, my name is Theresa & I’m from Shanghai. I just wanted you to know that you have been a huge inspiration to me.”
Massively retarded.
He clasped my hand with both of his hands and flashed me a huge toothy smile. Okay. Either he was pleased someone came up to him OR was secretly laughing at this little Asian weirdo fool. And I accept both assumptions. Why? Coz I shook his hand, innit. That’s all that matters. The end result.
We had a little chitty chatty about where I was from (he complimented me on my amazing oratorical skills – thank you), my unforgettable time on Team Nike China culminating with the Nike Campus AND seeing him in the glorious flesh. I think he liked that. As we bid farewell, he said he liked the Nike Sportswear silver puffer jacket I had on. This man has taste.
This beats shaking the hand of Prince Albert of Monaco back in 1996. Hands down.
Hello World. 
Theresa is awesome. Very awesome