Risk and opportunity are the driving forces for excellence in our country. The opportunity to win eight gold medals drove Michael Phelps to perfect his training regime and spend countless hours striving for perfection. The risk of collapse drove the designers of the Golden Gate Bridge to develop new and creative design solutions and to check and recheck their load calculations. Athletes, entrepreneurs, business owners, and CEOs all work within this system that rewards excellence and responsibility and penalizes mediocrity and irresponsibility. Risk and opportunity are counterbalances that produce excellence.