by Akwasi Frimpong, Global Athlete Start-Up Group Member
To the world outside, athletes look like they have nerves made of steel. They appear to many a seemingly invincible breed.
They look like they can take on anything and anyone without even breaking a sweat. They are the heroes that never run out of energy. They are the heroes we all aim to be.
But let me tell you one thing: most people forget that athletes, too, have weaknesses and have their flaws. Athletes are human, after all.
We have limited strength and energy. And just like everyone else, we have bad days.
There are days when I wake up on the wrong side of the bed. There are days when I want to throw in the towel. There are days when I don’t have the energy to get out of bed, and lack the motivation I need.
A lot of people ask me how I manage and how I pull through. The truth is, I don’t have a magic pill that helps me. I just follow these simple rules…
One: I Take a Break When I Need To
There are times when I’m willing to push past my limits because I know I can. But I’ve also trained my mind to say no when I can’t.
It’s tempting to push yourself. But there are times when your body needs a rest. And it’s important you let it rest. If you can’t get up at 5 am in the morning, then sleep in ‘till 7 am.
But don’t skip training. It’s better to let your body and mind rest a little more than to give up completely. You’ll thank yourself later.
Two: I Count My Blessings
I’m a human being and I have bad days too. I’m not afraid to admit that. But one thing that helps me get through a bad day is counting my blessings and knowing what’s important in life.
I’ve worked really hard to get where I am today. I have a beautiful wife and a lovely daughter. I’ve had the honor of participating in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. I’ve had the honor of becoming Ghana’s first skeleton slider to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Whenever I feel like throwing in the towel, I count my blessings. It’ll take a while, but think about how far you’ve come and all you’ve achieved.
Three: I Focus My Energy on Training
Living your life in the public eye means you’ll come across supporters and haters. There will always be people who’ll say negative things about you – that’s just life. You’ll never be good enough for these people no matter what you do, so concentrate on yourself instead.
It’s better to ignore them than to give them a piece of your mind. Instead, I focus all my energy on training and improving myself. I focus on honing my skills.
It’s not easy but it’s worth it.
I’m Akwasi Frimpong and I am the first Ghanaian skeleton slider to participate in the Winter Olympics .
