We’re so inspired by Olympic athletes!
The Olympic Games start in one week and here’s what’s bound to happen. We’re going to be watching these impressive athletes, almost seeming superhuman in their abilities. As we sit on our couches with our snacks, we’ll be captivated by their performances. But then, something unexpected happens. We start to feel inspired, driven, and motivated by what we see on the screen.
Studio 5 Health & Fitness Contributor Emily Nelson believes that there are lessons to be learned from these athletes that can benefit the everyday walker, runner, or gym-goer.
Olympic athletes may seem unreachable due to their incredible abilities and talents, but at the end of the day, they are human just like us.
“At the end of the day, they’re human,” Emily emphasized. “It’s the the habits that they formed that took them where they are.”
Consistency is Key
One of the most important lessons we can learn from these athletes is the importance of consistency.
Michael Phelps once said that, “Consistency is more important than intensity.” It’s about showing up every day, even on the days when you don’t want to get out of bed or move. Even if you only give 10, 20, or 30%, it’s better than zero.
“I think consistency is actually the greatest tool that we can put in our belt, that no matter what, we show up,” Emily said.
Embracing Hard Work
Another lesson is that hard work pays off. It requires getting uncomfortable and pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones. Olympic athletes demonstrate this principle every day. When the going gets tough, we can draw inspiration from them and remind ourselves that it’s okay to do hard things and be uncomfortable.
Emily emphasized, “It’s okay to do hard things. It’s okay to be uncomfortable, and this will only lead you to great.”
Learning from Failure
Failure is another aspect that these athletes are familiar with. “They are okay with failure because they have failed over and over,” Emily said. But, they view each failure as an opportunity for growth. When we fail, it can be an unpleasant feeling, but if we change our mindset and see each failure as a stepping stone towards growth, we can learn and grow from it.
“When you flip that script, and that’s what these athletes have done… the failure is not what we remember or what we see, but it’s actually what got them to where they are,” Emily emphasized.
Progress is Personal
Progression is another important lesson we learn from Olympians. It’s about taking steps in our own progression and not comparing ourselves to others. At the Olympics, while athletes are competing for medals, they are also competing against themselves.
“It’s why the the personal record is celebrated,” Emily said. “In addition to the medal count, they are competing against themselves in many of these events.”
Enjoying the Journey
Lastly, it’s important to enjoy the journey. If you’re not enjoying your fitness journey, it might be time to try something new.
Remember, mental toughness is 99% of success. “You have to be mentally tough and tell yourself you can do it when your body wants to give out,” Emily said.
Find more advice from Emily on Instagram, @highfitnessemily.
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