Original article published on Livestrong
In the world of sports, mental training is as important as physical training. To reach peak form, athletes must push through difficult workouts, grueling schedules and extreme conditions. Quotes from coaches and other athletes can help them get through the difficulties toward success. These quotes can be applied to everyday life as well, encouraging you to persevere as you reach for your goals.
Inspiration
Three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer Muhammad Ali is an inspiration in both athletics and in life, as he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s syndrome in 1984. One of his famous quotes elicits an emotional response: “Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, a vision.” Similarly, American baseball player and sports manager Tommy Lasorda said, “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” Inspirational quotes like this encourage you to keep working, even through difficult times.
Motivation
Belief in yourself can be the difference between success and failure. Coaches like American football coach Lou Holtz are well-known for their motivational quotes that instill this belief, such as: “Remember. Every day, some ordinary person does something extraordinary. Today, it’s your turn.” These simple yet powerful words motivate you to strive for success, as evidenced by American basketball coach Pat Riley’s quote, “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.”
Attitude
In sports and in life, it’s important to develop a positive attitude. Negative thoughts can affect your mental and physical performance. Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Michael Phelps is well-known for his can-do attitude. “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get,” said Phelps. Canadian ice-hockey player Wayne Gretzky demonstrated his positive approach to life when he said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
Persistence
Athletes learn to keep practicing and endure even if they make mistakes or lose. “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run,” said the baseball great, Babe Ruth. American tennis player Billie Jean King said, “Champions keep playing until they get it right.” And NBA star Michael Jordan talked about how to overcome barriers when he said, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
References
About the Author
Cindy Killip is a medical exercise specialist, health coach, author and speaker who has been teaching and writing about exercise and wellness since 1989. She authored the book Living the BONES Lifestyle: A Practical Guide to Conquering the Fear of Osteoporosis [2012]. Killip holds multiple certifications through the American Council on Exercise and degrees in communications and sociology from Trinity University with a focus on pre-med and exercise science/lifetime fitness. She attended graduate school studying exercise physiology at the University of New Mexico.
Original article published on Livestrong
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