Can you imagine training four years for an event and having it all come down to one day of performance? Welcome to the life of an Olympic athlete. I have had the honor of training numerous Olympic athletes including swimmers, sailors, hurdlers and curlers. Many athletes work day jobs and still find time to train and put countless hours into their sport.
What sets Olympic athletes apart from the weekend warrior is their mental toughness, something we preach at Pat’s Gym. These athletes go to the point where they can’t instead of won’t. They will never leave a session without giving it everything they have.
In addition to mental toughness, here are a few other ways Olympic athletes stand out from the rest:
Competition
Have you heard people say they only need to compete with themselves? Chances are these people suck and are too nervous to get out of their comfort zone. Olympic athletes throw themselves into the fire and see how much they can burn. Competition is great because it can expose you, make you fail and it will find your weakness. When you compete with others and are in the right environment, you are forced to push yourself to new places and higher standards.
Standards
Olympic athletes hold themselves to high standards and become better in more ways than just numbers in the gym. They are not scared to admit they need improvement and which areas to focus on. They create an environment that will always hold them accountable and force them to bring their best every time.
Trust the system
There are only so many hours in a day with work, family time, sport specific training and gym workouts. Therefore Olympic athletes need a program they can trust and stay disciplined to the plan. Learn to trust your coach and earn their trust with effort, time and dependability.
Ask the question why
Olympic athletes need to become independent because you might only see a coach one to two hours a day. Make sure what you are doing is helping you reach your goals. Athletes are easy because they have measurable goals and numbers they need to hit. Asking the question why will shape your priorities and give you a map for how to proceed. Know why something is working, why it is failing and what you need to do to be successful in the future.
Selfishness
Everyone is selfish in some way, but I don’t mean this in a bad way. The people who are the best at what they do need to be selfish to become the best. The only way to get great at something is to do it and think it every day. You can balance other things but your number one goal needs to be on the main objective if you truly want to be on top.
Testing
It is easy to stay in your comfort zone when you’re good at something. When I train Olympic athletes I constantly test them. I do this because the constant pressure is a psychological commitment that is needed to attempt a test. There is a negotiation that goes on in their mind that gives them doubt. Everyone experiences doubt and most people throw in the towel when it gets too hard. The only way to overcome that adversity is to constantly put yourself in that situation and overcome it. Learn to say the right words for success, stay relaxed and continuously beat that negative voice in your head.
Although many people won’t become an Olympic athlete, these attributes can still benefit anyone. Apply it to your goals and your way of thinking. Focus on becoming great at your goals.
