It has been a challenging couple of years for all of us. The uncertainty of health, careers, and the effects of the pandemic has become a reality so fast, it filled us with dread. Most of us live a life where everything happens the same usually every day. So when something challenges our day-to-day, we are not sure how to hold everything together.
In the world of sports, no matter how good you are, everything can change in an instant. When you live your life on top of the world one minute and back to the training block the next, you tend to look at life differently. Maybe that is why we pay attention more to motivational quotes from a Top Sportsman or Sportswoman. The following quotes are not the ones you see in most publications. These are spoken from the heart, directed at a recent event. They give us a glimpse into the minds of superstars. That gives us an idea of how we can motivate ourselves to see the world as they do.
Rugby
Siya Kolisi
Siya Kolisi is the Springboks’ first Test caption after South Africa’s victory at the World Cup in Japan. She said, “We have so many problems in our country but a team like this – we come from different backgrounds, different races, but we came together with one goal and we wanted to achieve it.”
Football
Megan Rapino
When former President Donald Trump accused Megan Rapino, the US World Cup-winning superstar of being unpatriotic in a bit of a disagreement about whether or not the team would be hosted by the White house.
She said, “I think I’m particularly, uniquely, and very deeply American.”
Lou Holtz
Former football player, coach for multiple colleges, analyst, and world-renowned football expert Lou Holtz is the recipient of several awards. Most recently, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Trump.
Here are some of the quotes Holtz has shared with us:
“You are the only one that is invested in your success. No one else is dependent upon you to reach your fullest potential. If you believe that and know that, you have to be the one to take responsibility to push yourself to your limits. When you reach that limit, set a new one and go for that.”
“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”
“When all is said and done, more is said than done.”
“You’ll never get ahead of anyone as long as you try to get even with him.”
“You’re never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose.”
“Never tell your problems to anyone...20% don’t care and the other 80% are glad you have them.”
Marathon Run
Three-time Olympic medal winner, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge made history when he smashed the 2-hour barrier in the marathon in Vienna.
Kipchoge has been quoted as saying: “The message that no human is limited is now in everybody’s mind”
Golf
Tiger Woods - Pro-golfer Eldrick Tony ‘Tiger’ Woods is an American professional golfer. He is tied for first in PGA Tour wins, ranks second in men's major championships, and holds numerous golf records. Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time and one of the greatest golfers of all time.
Woods had gone through the darkest days of his career. He had survived a scandal, but not unharmed. His marriage was destroyed and his image was tarnished. This led him into a ten-year “dry-spell” to put it mildly. Finally, in 2017, he went through spinal fusion surgery due to back pain. But he did a complete 360 and reclaimed his career.
Tiger said, “ It’s overwhelming just because of what has transpired. I could barely walk. Couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t walk. Couldn’t do anything.
To have the opportunity to come back, it’s one of the biggest wins I’ve ever had for sure.”
“It’s overwhelming just because of what has transpired” Wood said. “I was just lucky to be playing again”. It has come full circle,& Woods said. This tournament has meant so much to me and to have everyone here means so much to me and my family. Now to be the champion -- 22 years between wins is a long time -- it’s unreal for me to experience this. I just couldn’t be happier, more excited. I’m just kind of at a loss for words. All people go through high times and low times in life. Our goals may not be in the public eye and unless we hit the lottery, few people will know when we have accomplished our financial dreams. Regardless, the motivations for us are the same as theirs. We have to work hard, never give up, and don’t let others get in our way. Just that our sports heroes, we will only succeed if we demand no less from ourselves”.