Get Some

"You would fain be victor at the Olympic games, you say. Yes, but weigh the conditions, weigh the consequences; then and then only, lay to your hand--if it be for your profit. You must live by rule, submit to diet, abstain from dainty meats, exercise your body perforce at stated hours, in heat or in cold; drink no cold water, nor, it may be, wine. In a word, you must surrender yourself wholly to your trainer, as though to a physician...."
- Epictetus



The remainder of the above quote goes on to say how even though all the focus, dedication and hard work goes into training, most athletes wont win or even compete. Olympic athletes may spend their entire lives working for a dream they may never fully realize. This is why I am so enamored with the Olympics- Athletes dedicating themselves fully to a moment of all out effort and truth. I made a trip up to Lake Placid, NY over Memorial Day weekend and was fortunate enough to get to see some active Olympians and future Olympic hopefuls train. The age range on the athletes training that day were from the early teens to the mid-twenties. 14 and 15 year olds training with Olympic athletes who competed in Vancouver. The only consistency was the focus and intensity every single time the athletes got on the jump. The human body is a remarkable thing when it allows itself to be pushed properly. Too many of today's young athletes are afraid to pushed, to find out what they are capable of, to reach their full potential...
Actually too many people are afraid to find out what they can truly accomplish if they would just allow themselves too!

The way to tell a great athlete from a good athlete is the intensity they bring to the gym, to the field, to the court, to life. They give it everything they have, there is no holding back to worrying about what-if. Sure, talent will always play a part in the equation, but I guarantee an athlete with decent talent and great intensity will go a lot further then an athlete with great talent and no drive. We see it all day long, good athletes who come in and do the work but don't have the fire or intensity to reap all the rewards. They are content to be good and convince themselves they are working hard. I learned something while watching those ski jumpers train. There are no "bad" days in this sport... you land your jump or you get hurt. There is no time for lack of focus or lack of intensity. I think it's time for all athletes to learn a lesson from our Olympians... Train intensely, Recover Intensely, Play Intensely... Don't just do it, Do it right!


Wise