Quotes on athletic training by coaches and trainers inspire and motivate everyday people as well as athletes. Reading them reminds us of what it takes to be successful. They apply not only to sports, but are also relevant to many aspects of life. They give us a glimpse of the rewards that accompany all the effort and pain of athletic training.
Attaining Excellence
Vince Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers in the 1960s, said, "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence." In athletics, catching excellence means winning and giving 100 percent. In the real world, striving for perfection and attaining excellence can apply to relationships, careers and personal health and fitness. Settling for less than perfection is OK and reasonable, but the process of seeking it whenever possible will lead to excellence in your life.
Confidence
"If you don't have confidence, you'll always find a way not to win," said Carl Lewis, multiple Olympic gold medal winner in track and field. To be a winner in athletics or in real life, you must believe in yourself and your abilities. Quiet, self-assured confidence, not loud and brassy cockiness, is required to find a way to win and succeed. Without confidence, winning or succeeding is improbable because your psyche does not believe you will win, so it will find a way to prevent you from winning.
Preparation
Wanting to win and having confidence isn't enough, according to Paul "Bear" Bryant, the late, legendary football coach at the University of Alabama. "It's not the will to win that matters, everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters," he said. As an athlete, that means showing up for practice, knowing the plays, training hard and eating properly. As a person in the real world, when preparation meets opportunity, good luck and success result.
Never Quit
Personal trainer, fitness writer and weight loss guru Jillian Michaels says, "Unless you puke, faint or die, keep going!" It's easy to quit when exercise or life gets painful or difficult. A successful athlete or person never quits but instead pushes through the pain and keeps going.
Vision
"Don't skate to the puck; skate to where the puck is going," says Wayne Gretzky, perhaps the greatest professional hockey player ever. As an athlete, having the vision to see how the play is developing and responding appropriately leads to success. As a non-athlete, heading in the direction of your goals will get you where you want to be. Your goals may be a moving target, and adjusting your course as you go will improve your performance.
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