Photo credit: liset_photography/ Unsplash
Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky shared this classic bit of wisdom during a 1983 interview with commentator Bob McKenzie, and would later go on to explain that the words were passed down to him by his father, beloved Canadian philanthropist Walter Gretzky. Wayne said of his dad: “He inspired me to be the best I could be not just in the game of hockey, but in life." Gretzky Sr.’s words remind us that we cannot succeed unless we try — and we must take the shot if we want any hope of succeeding.
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There can only ever be one winner. The whole point of
athletic competition is to determine who is the fastest, strongest, or most
skilled in their athletic endeavor of choice, but victory is never guaranteed,
and records are made to be broken. All athletes suffer defeat from time to
time. The ones who return to the top of the podium over and over are the ones
who get up after every fall, who train harder, practice longer, and push
themselves further than they ever thought they could go.
In the pursuit of victory, mental toughness is just as
important as physical fitness. In every competition there will be a critical
moment when an athlete’s mind has more influence on their performance than
their bodies do. Thankfully, mental endurance and strength can be fostered just
as sure as our bodies can be trained to build muscle and flexibility.
One of the most important parts of mental training is
positive self-talk. Seasoned athletes know that the words “I can’t” can be just
as crippling as a twisted ankle, and the ones who persist replace that dreaded
phrase with something else, such as “I’m getting stronger” or “I’ve got this.”
Every athlete begins, in this way, by supporting themselves, but as they gain
some skill and expertise, many find they have words of wisdom to share with
other athletes traveling on that same path toward victory.
Here are 12 quotes from athletes who have seen the lows,
the highs, and everything in between.
The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man
who will win.
– Roger Bannister, first man to run a sub-four-minute mile
Winning is fun… Sure. But winning is not the
point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting
up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you’ve done is the point.
– Pat Summitt, head coach of the University of Tennessee women’s
basketball team
An endurance challenge is a lever for
personal growth. What’s most critical is how you evolve and grow as a result of
the attempt.
– Rich Roll, ultra-endurance athlete
Have a dream, make a plan, go for it. You’ll
get there, I promise.
– Zoe Koplowitz, author and marathon runner with multiple sclerosis
I hated every minute of training, but I said,
‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'
– Muhammad Ali
Never let your memories be bigger than your
dreams.
– Laird Hamilton
Winning a rowing race is not like winning
anything else. Here’s my theory: You’re facing backwards, so you’re
looking at the people you’re beating — and there’s something exquisite about
that.
– Hugh Laurie, actor and former rower
The only reason I enter an event is to win.
– Tiger Woods
For me, winning isn’t something that happens
suddenly on the field when the whistle blows and the crowds roar. Winning is
something that builds physically and mentally every day that you train and
every night that you dream.
– Emmitt Smith, football player
Winning doesn’t always mean being first.
Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve ever done before.
– Bonnie Blair, speed skater
There are always new, grander challenges to
confront, and a true winner will embrace each one.
– Mia Hamm, soccer player
It doesn’t matter what other people think.
Not everyone is going to always support you 100% but as long as you are doing
you and you know that you’re becoming a better person then that’s what’s
important.
– Gwen Jorgensen, triathlete
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