It’s almost 2022, and for many of us, getting where we want to go on our fitness journeys will come down to sustaining the momentum we have going into the new year. One proven way to stay committed, push past your limits, and see real positive change is to speak confident and encouraging words over yourself in the form of a personal mantra. So to give you some extra juice with your workouts this year, here are four powerful mantras from professional athletes that can help you reach your next level.
Why Not You?
When he was coming out of college and entering the 2012 NFL draft, there were plenty of questions about 5-foot-11-inch quarterback Russell Wilson. While he watched names like Brandon Weeden come off the board in the first round, Wilson waited until Round 3, the 75th pick overall, for his turn. Over a remarkably successful career that includes a Super Bowl victory, Wilson has exacted his revenge on the rest of the league, and when he reflects on his motivation, he often cites a question his dad used to ask him as a child: “Why not you?” No matter where you’re starting from, never underestimate what you can achieve!
Shut Up, Legs!
Former professional cyclist Jens Voigt might be best known for his short, punchy, and completely amazing mantra “Shut up, legs!” It was such a meaningful phrase to him – and to the community of professional athletes – that Voigt used it for the title of his autobiography. The perfect fitness adaptation of mind-over-matter thinking, this quippy phrase will give you a go-to response when your body tries to tell you no.
Breathe, Believe, and Battle
Three-time beach volleyball Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings credits a former coach for her inspiring mantra “Breathe, believe, and battle.” The three elements to this alliterative call to action – staying present, staying positive, and staying persistent – can help any athlete push themselves to new heights. If it has worked for arguably the greatest female beach volleyball player in history – it’ll work for you, too.
To Give Anything Less Than Your Best Is to Sacrifice the Gift
A hero of mythical status at the University of Oregon and in the global running community, Steve Prefontaine still captures our collective imagination not because of his records but because of the way he carried himself. Bold and charismatic, Pre approached every day and every race like it was his last, refusing to settle for anything less than the fastest pace he could run. Why did he stubbornly insist on pushing himself at all times? He answered with this famous quote: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” Give your best today. You owe it to yourself – and to the world.
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