I think we would all agree how inspiring it is to watch the Olympic Games and cheer on such wonderful athletes as they live out their dreams of being the best while representing their countries so proudly. I feel blessed that Robyn Andrews, a Paralympic dressage athlete, chooses to train here at NRG 4 Life Fitness with Neil. She has overcome many obstacles to bring her where she is now and to know her is to love her! Robyn has a winning spirit and I’m sure if you asked her you wouldn’t hear her use the word “should” in her daily vocabulary.
According to sport scientists, Olympic-size success isn’t really about science. “It’s about practice. It’s the application of will, sweat and patience.” Winning and success starts in the mind. Success is a craft, and although sports scientists, coaches and trainers all provide cutting edge prescriptions to physically and mentally gain the strength and technique to win, something I’ve learned is that an Olympic athlete’s vocabulary is vital to them having an edge to capture a medal.
As much as we glorify Olympic athletes as superhuman, they are merely mortal. They suffer; they hurt; they miss home, and like many of us, they are trying to chase or find more. They aren’t always happy. The problem with elite athletics is you start to believe that success will make you happy. In reality, it’s finding a way to be happy—regardless of what it is we do or dream about—that makes us successful.
What can we learn from an Olympian’s training approach: Be flexible with your plan and listen to yourself. You might go to the gym with a certain workout in mind and end up not feeling it. It’s important to not simply push through it. Most Olympians have learned that they have to listen to their bodies to get the most out of their bodies. That sometimes means going harder than planned when they feel good and going a lot easier than planned when they feel bad.
Adopt an Olympian Spirit – think more like an Olympian: Believe in what you do or do something that you actually believe in. The thing about Olympians is that they believe despite impossible odds. Mentally, this is what gives them their edge.
My favourite advice to live a happy and healthy life: Remove the word “should” from our vocabulary. Nobody does anything when should is involved. We should get together sometime. Yeah, right, never going to happen. So be definitive. Don’t make health and happiness a “should.” Make it real. And reality starts with the little voice in your head. Change the voice. Get that voice to stop using should. It works.