I recognized from the time I was running in circles in a pack of 5-year-olds chasing a soccer ball that sports were something that was going to have an impact on my life. Well, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but I did know from that age that being an athlete was something I loved. I bounced around from sport to sport and from coach to coach while growing up, which gave me a pretty diverse view on a what it meant to be a successful athlete. Looking back, I realized that sports (and yes, even the kiddie soccer league) molded me not only as an athlete, but as a human being.
1. You don’t need someone to acknowledge your hard work and pat you on the back; people are noticing you either way.
Although it is nice to get that reassurance that what you are doing is going to pay off, coaches have a team to worry about. I have realized that my coaches notice the effort of just about everyone. Even when it may seem like they are not paying attention, they are.
2. Losing is not the end of the world.
Every great athlete loses. Losing is part of sport. The best and strongest athletes are the ones who bounce back after an upset and use the disappointment as a driving force for training.
3. Your body shape is irrelevant if you are passionate about what you do.
If you are getting the results you hoped for. Who cares if you lose those five pounds? Is it really going to make a difference? Some would definitely argue yes, but I see it as why make yourself miserable when you are happy and loving the sport just the way you are?
4. You will have to make sacrifices specific to athletes.
Classes, papers to write, friends to see, workouts to do and studying – there really aren’t enough hours in the day for just one person to do it all. Sacrificing a little social time is part of being successful in both your life goals and your athletic goals.
5. Sleep is your best friend.
If you want to stay healthy and recover in order to perform at you maximum capability, you need to sleep! Like I said before, sacrifices will need to be made, and one of those should not be your sleep. A healthy body is the only way your goals stand a fighting chance.
6. Sweat is a good thing; in fact, if you’re not sweating, you’re not working.
As a female athlete, sometimes you get this idea that you should finish a workout and still look like a lady. False. Sweat means hard work, and hard work means results. I can guarantee every great athlete finishes a workout drenched; that’s just the way it works.
7. There is always going to be someone out there who is better than you.
Sometimes, you get caught up in this fantasy land where you are the fastest or strongest person on your team, but there is another faster and stronger person right down the street. Wrapping your head around the fact that someone is working just as hard and doing just as well as you gives an athlete a crazy competitive edge.
8. The path to success is not a straight, paved road.
Not only will you lose, but you will also get injured. You will make mistakes, and you will reach a “plateau," but all of these things can be overcome. Fight to turn that loss into a win and recover and climb the next peak. That is the sign of a true champion.
9. Your teammates are the best mates.
As much as they drive you insane, your teammates are the people who can relate to you best. They understand the craziness you endure on a daily basis and why you show up day in and day out wanting more.
10. Coach knows best.
Whether you question their decisions or not, your coach should always be respected. You are there to learn, and your coach is there to teach. I have been blessed with coaches who have always gone above and beyond for not only me but also my fellow teammates, and I am forever grateful for them.
