The 3 Pillars of a Great Athlete
Being a competitive athlete is hard. It demands dedication, passion, hard work, and unwavering perseverance. But guess what? It’s not just about what you do in the gym. Your choices outside of the gym (like when you hit the hay, what you eat for lunch, and your goals) play a pivotal role. We often overlook these or dismiss them as insignificant, but hear when I say this - they matter a lot, and the higher you climb the competitive ladder, the more crucial these choices become. So, how do you become great?
The Mental Game
The mental game is the most important pillar, but so often overlooked. Knowing who and what you are as an athlete is crucial. Setting realistic goals, mental preparation, and how you handle losing— it all comes down to how you control your emotions and then how you direct those emotions. This takes training and practice.
Nutrition
Food is fuel. As an athlete, what you put in your body matters. It affects every aspect of your training, from recovery, building muscle, to even how you handle stress. How you fuel your body can and will make or break you as an athlete.
Strength & Conditioning
We all know athletes need to be strong; however, this is so commonly misinterpreted as just training your sport. Your body needs to be able to handle stress, withstand the skills you are training, and push through fatigue. Coaches and athletes get so caught up in their sport that they neglect the basics of strength and conditioning, which puts the athlete at risk.
Being a competitive athlete is an amazing journey, but not for the faint of heart. It is filled with joy and challenges, tears and frustration. But amidst these ups and downs, you’ll discover your true self. You’ll learn to push your limits and discover what you’re truly capable of.
Being a high level athlete requires coaches, trainers, physical therapists, strength coaches, and mental training professionals. You cannot become great alone. I also know that being a female athlete is unique. It requires different strategies and support. Every phase of your life affects your training differently.
As a Division 1 scholarship athlete, competitive gymnastics coach, performance coach, nutrition coach, behavior change specialist, and fitness instructor, I know that the work is tough and the hustle isn’t pretty. That being a competitive athlete is a complex process. That it takes perseverance, grit, commitment, mental toughness, physical strength, and sacrifice. It is in you.