Let Your Inner Coach Lead Your Way To Succes. Be Found At A Fitness Retreat.

By Quincy Martel, MA, Life Coach

As long as I can remember, I was exposed to as many sports as my parents could afford…even ballet.  My sport growing up was tennis because my whole family participated in the sport. 

I recall hours after hours of hitting tennis balls with my dad and grandfather not to mention the stable and consistent backboard.  Early on, I chased more balls early on than hit. 

Eventually, time came to pass, and my discipline and hard work paid off.  I was awarded a tennis scholarship at Stetson University.  I am not playing as much tennis as I used to, but like most athletes, I picked up a new sport. 

I have run many triathlons, marathons, and ultramarathons.  As an athlete, I find the major competitor that I face is my mind and my thought process.  Constantly, I have to accept in an internal dialogue that no matter what the outcome and am going to enjoy the process and be positive to all of whom I come in contact with. 

My grandfather and father’s hard work and teaching me to be a good sport have paid off and have shaped and molded me into the multifaceted person, goal-oriented that I am today.

Similar to my testimony, at a young age, children are exposed to little leagues, peewee soccer and football track, ballet gymnastics, and other sports not listed.  Even at a young age tendencies and personality are being shaped and molded into adulthood.  

A wise saying once said that a child’s success or lack of success does not indicate what kind of parent you are.  But having an athlete who is coachable, respectful, a great teammate mentally tough, resilient, and tries their best is a direct reflection of your parenting.  Therefore, the young athlete’s personality, even though inherent is shaped and molded by environmental factors.

This athlete personality, which is molded and shaped at an early age into adulthood, is associated with drive, aggression, determination, coachability, responsibility, self-confidence, leadership, emotional control, perseverance, mental toughness, conscience, and trust. 

These athletes differ from the rest (non-athletes) in many personality traits.  Some of those traits are that athletes who participate on a team or in individual sports tend to be more independent, objective, and less anxious. 

More athletes are above-average IQs than non-athletes which dispels the myth of the dumb jock.  Athletes are good leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs.  Other positive assets are that athletes tend to be very disciplined, organized, goal-oriented, and hard-working. 

Some challenges athletes face are being self-critical, attention-seeking, and frustrated when sidelined lined, or injured.  Athletes would benefit from learning explaining new horizons getting in touch with thoughts and feelings, trying new things (basket weaving?) acceptance and compromising.

Affirmations for those who are frustrated, critical, sidelined or injured, over-achieving, critical, attention-seeking athletes.  “My Life is opening up in new ways.”  “I am excited about where life is taking me.” I am a multifaceted person.”  “I can let go of my identity as an athlete and enjoy playing the game.”

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