As an athlete, my value and power have always been measured by:
1) Sport-related skills
2) Physical power
3) How in shape I am
4) Being chosen for a (particular) team
5) Winning competitions
6) Or, simply, being a better athlete than others.
So naturally, in my life, I began to measure my success by my wins and achievements – which lead to an empty life in which struggling was equivalent to failing.
I could not let myself fail.
Guys, I have a chronic knee injury.
So, my career doesn’t always look like high-level achievements or elite level playing – but,
1) That does not make me less of an athlete.
And,
2) It doesn’t take away the power and value that I can bring to a team.
I wish someone would have told me that my value, in and out of my sport, comes from within me.
Female athletes: Your value and power come from within you.
It comes from being the best version of yourself, each and every day, and bringing that to your sport and your team.
It comes from being authentic, vulnerable, and real with yourself and your teammates.
You have so much power in you.
Use it to be respectful, disciplined, committed, caring, and the best athlete you can be.
It is the little steps in your journey and the small things that count.
