The great American wrestler Dan Gable once said, “After wrestling, everything else is easy.”
This comment applies to so much more broadly to all sports and intense competition.
So, if it’s so hard, then why should we choose to compete?
Or, perhaps more pointedly, why would you want to encourage yourself, friends, sons, and daughters to compete?
For the same reasons that people of all ages and backgrounds choose to challenge themselves – be it through marathons, or CrossFit, or adventure sports or competitions — to build self-confidence and to answer that one burning question: What am I really made of?
It’s not just about endurance or outwitting an opponent, it’s also about developing speed, strength, flexibility, and balance. . . along with quick, strategic thinking and most importantly, mental toughness.
How’s that for challenging? Success demands preparation which involves sacrifice. “Competition shape” is an elite level of mental strength and cardio conditioning requiring months of intense preparation for minutes of competition.
There are no short cuts. Sacrifice, discipline, and work ethic are every bit as important as athletic ability. But sport can also deliver immeasurable benefits to people – traits and qualities built to last a lifetime.
Certainly, at first glance, the notion of recognition stands out. It feels great to win a hard fought victory, with a crowd watching.
And there’s an undeniable comradery between teammates; a bond that is not easily explained or understood, unless or until you’ve experienced it firsthand. Yet it goes far beyond recognition and comradery.
Like building a muscle, all of the hard work, discipline and sacrifice quietly strengthens the mind. With a strong mind, comes the foundation of courage, confidence and a belief in one’s self — those critical yet elusive traits that lead to better self-image and success.
That is perhaps the greatest pay-off from competition: that a person will discover what it means and how it feels to be their best self – strong, capable, disciplined, resilient and focused.
Values that help drive success. And isn’t that what we all want for ourselves and, especially, for our children? We all want to feel confident about who we are. When we feel good about ourselves, then we are able to turn our attention to help others.
Yes, all of these life lessons and revelations which are slowly discovered in training, practice and competition that can last a lifetime — long after the final match.
Building the strong mind of athletes is critical. Help us work to #TakeDownTheStigma and foster mental health now!
The great American wrestler Dan Gable once said, “After wrestling, everything else is easy.”
This comment applies to so much more broadly to all sports and intense competition.
So, if it’s so hard, then why should we choose to compete?
Or, perhaps more pointedly, why would you want to encourage yourself, friends, sons, and daughters to compete?
For the same reasons that people of all ages and backgrounds choose to challenge themselves – be it through marathons, or CrossFit, or adventure sports or competitions — to build self-confidence and to answer that one burning question: What am I really made of?
It’s not just about endurance or outwitting an opponent, it’s also about developing speed, strength, flexibility, and balance. . . along with quick, strategic thinking and most importantly, mental toughness.
How’s that for challenging? Success demands preparation which involves sacrifice. “Competition shape” is an elite level of mental strength and cardio conditioning requiring months of intense preparation for minutes of competition.
There are no short cuts. Sacrifice, discipline, and work ethic are every bit as important as athletic ability. But sport can also deliver immeasurable benefits to people – traits and qualities built to last a lifetime.
Certainly, at first glance, the notion of recognition stands out. It feels great to win a hard fought victory, with a crowd watching.
And there’s an undeniable comradery between teammates; a bond that is not easily explained or understood, unless or until you’ve experienced it firsthand. Yet it goes far beyond recognition and comradery.
Like building a muscle, all of the hard work, discipline and sacrifice quietly strengthens the mind. With a strong mind, comes the foundation of courage, confidence and a belief in one’s self — those critical yet elusive traits that lead to better self-image and success.
That is perhaps the greatest pay-off from competition: that a person will discover what it means and how it feels to be their best self – strong, capable, disciplined, resilient and focused.
Values that help drive success. And isn’t that what we all want for ourselves and, especially, for our children? We all want to feel confident about who we are. When we feel good about ourselves, then we are able to turn our attention to help others.
Yes, all of these life lessons and revelations which are slowly discovered in training, practice and competition that can last a lifetime — long after the final match.
Building the strong mind of athletes is critical. Help us work to #TakeDownTheStigma and foster mental health now!
