HEALTH | FITNESS
Words: Elana Meyer | Photos: Marc Moore Photography
WHAT INSPIRES ATHLETES TO BECOME GREAT?
INTERNAL VS. EXTERNAL MOTIVATION
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Elana Meyer.
EVERY FOUR YEARS WHEN YOU WATCH THE OLYMPIC GAMES, NEW CHAMPIONS COME TO THE FORE, AND EACH WITH A STORY TO TELL ABOUT THEIR JOURNEY TO THIS MOMENT. OFTEN
YOU WILL HEAR HOW A CHAMPION WAS INSPIRED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF ANOTHER CHAMPION (EXTERNAL MOTIVATION) WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE.
My own story goes like this: I was nine years old when Nadia Comaneci achieved perfection in 1976 at the Montreal Olympic Games. Nadia Comaneci achieved the perfect 10 for the first time in history and took home a total of five medals; three golds, one silver, and one bronze. I was instantly inspired to become a gymnast. But coming from a small town with limited opportunities and facilities, gymnastics was never an option. As a result that Olympic dream never got wings to take off.
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WHAT INSPIRES ATHLETES TO BECOME GREAT?
INTERNAL VS.
EXTERNAL MOTIVATION
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WHAT INSPIRES ATHLETES TO BECOME GREAT?
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WHAT INSPIRES ATHLETES TO BECOME GREAT?
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ALTHOUGH I WAS NEVER ABLE TO PURSUE THAT DREAM, I FOUND ANOTHER FORM OF MOTIVATION INTERNALLY.
LATER THAT YEAR, MY SCHOOL ANNOUNCED THAT IT WOULD HOST A FUN RUN OVER 4 KM AT THE SCHOOL. AGAIN, SOMETHING INSIDE OF ME GOT EXCITED ABOUT THE IDEA AND I ENDED UP DOING VERY WELL.
It was not for the rewards to be won or the motivation of offers that convinced me to take up that challenge. It was something inside of me that got me going. I fell in love with distance running from the moment I left the house to go for my very first run. I loved the sense of achievement I got from every run. I also loved the feeling of freedom I experienced from running and the fact that I could explore and determine my own limits. With every little achievement I realised that I could achieve more and before long, I knew that I could achieve much more than I initially thought was possible.
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EVERY DAY I MEET YOUNGSTERS WITH LOTS OF POTENTIAL AND
PARENTS WITH HUGE EXPECTATIONS - BUT OFTEN NOT ALIGNED.
The greatest gift to any youngster is to put them in a position and environment where they can discover their gifts and passions. And when any individual discovers that unique talent and passion, the journey to personal achievement will start. Some will go on to become champions, while others will become the best they can be, but they will all be successful individuals.
TIPS TO HELP YOU PERFORM AT YOUR BEST • Create a race plan for the big day you have been training for. • Know the reason why you are there, as this will give you the motivation to stick it out when things really get tough. • Stay calm and do the things that you normally do. For example, eat the same breakfast you normally have, use the same warm-up routine you would do before training, and run in the same shoes you trained with. Stick to the things that work for you. • When you feel those nervous butterflies, take a deep breath all the way into your tummy (belly breathing) and repeat five times. • Enjoy the whole experience; it is not about the destination or results but about the journey. • For more information, visit www.endurocad.co.za
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