How to fail and still look cool

Eddie "The Eagle" was a British competitor in the Calgary winter Olympics. He is the only british entrant ever in ski-jumping. He was in fact British world champion, although that is like saying you are the best mountaineer in Holland.

He suffered from a huge funding crisis that was so bad he actually practice in his back garden by jumping off small objects. He had to wear 6 pairs of socks just so his boots would fit. He was 9kg heavier than his heaviest rival. He was so short sighted he had to wear ridiculous glasses that fogged up when he jumped so he couldn't see.

Clearly he sucked, big time. The Norwegian team was actually so worried that he'd hurt himself they gave him some last minute coaching and a pair of skis and boots.

Thing was he became an international celebrity overnight. People loved him. At one point he could command £10,000 an hour for appearances. Everyone admired his spirit, determination and sheer gall to turn up and have a go at something he knew he would only embarrass himself in.

From wikipedia:
"At the closing ceremony the president of the Games singled him out for his contribution: "At this Games some competitors have won gold, some have broken records and one has even flown like an eagle." At that moment, 100,000 people in the stadium roared 'Eddie! Eddie!'. It was the first time in the history of the games that an individual athlete had been mentioned in the closing speech."

Every time you think "I don't want to do that because everyone will watch me being crap", think of Eddie the Eagle. The only person who will appreciate your success is you. Everyone admires an underdog who gives it their all.