Throughout my 18 years alive on this planet, I have basically played every single sport imaginable, from bowling to volleyball to gymnastics. Every sport has taught me a lesson or two about life or about myself that I may not have known before. The game of rugby is extremely unique in the way that every move you make in this sport, it teaches you something special about the world around you and about you as a person. These are the six things I have learned about myself from playing rugby:

1. You’re always stronger than you think you are...

In rugby, you can tackle a girl twice your size if you put your mind to it and use every ounce of strength that you have. In life, you have to climb some huge mountains to reach goals that are set higher than you think you can reach.

2. When you get hit hard, you have no choice but to get back up...

In rugby, if a girl hits you and knocks the wind out of you, you have no other option than to get up and keep playing just to get tackled again. In life, you face some obstacles that can hit you like a brick wall but you just have to shake it off and keep pushing on, because in reality, life really does just go on.

3. Even when you think you can’t possibly push yourself any further, you still manage to...

In rugby, you will run for 80 minutes straight, and somehow you still make it out alive after getting tackled, tackling other girls, rucking, scrumming or simply just running and avoiding every opponents' body possible. In life, you will be exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally from things that happen and even when you think you can’t take anymore, you make it out alive.

4. You can’t lose your cool even when you’re getting defeated, no matter how bad you want to...

In rugby, sportsmanship is key, and respect is the most important word of the game even when you’re getting your butt kicked and there’s only 10 minutes left in the game. In life, respect is still the most important word of the game. No matter what the score is between you and someone else or just you and life, maintaining your composure is huge.

5. Working as a team is the most important aspect of the game...

In rugby, teamwork is the only possible way to win the game and you can’t have a scrum with only one person. In life, you’re always going to be forced to work with people and no matter the circumstance, working together and getting along is a big deal and a requirement in the work force especially.

6. You always have to keep your head up because you’re more likely to lose if you can’t see what’s around you...

In rugby, if your head is down while you run into a cluster of four of your opponents, you’re going to get wrecked simply because you didn’t see what you were running into. In life, keeping your head up opens you up to immense possibilities and gives you a chance to really see the world for what it’s worth.