In my post about excellence I argued that excellence is so much more than achieving a goal or reaching the podium. It’s about embracing the process, showing up with intention, and aligning your actions with your values. Excellence is being in flow—adapting with grace, celebrating small wins, and thriving in imperfection.
But what fuels this pursuit of excellence? It comes down to two factors:
Your why – You may do sport for health, longevity, community, being able to run after grandkids or joining your son or daughter in an activity. Your why connects you to others and how you want to show up in the world.
Your desire to learn – You may want to master the push (grit) and pull (recover) of training, acquire a skill, be stronger and faster or, as you age, maintain the strength you have without getting injured!
Your why and learning propel us forward, give purpose to our efforts, and keep us moving, even when the journey feels challenging. How does motivation intertwine with excellence and how can you cultivate both in a way that feels fulfilling and sustainable.
Consider the remarkable journey of Betty Brussel, a 99 year old woman from British Columbia, who, at 99 years old, broke three world records in swimming for her age group. Starting her swimming journey at 68, she expressed a unique approach: "I was never that serious [about swimming]. I go for it but if I don't really, it's ok too." Her mindset was about embracing the process and doing her best without being overly concerned with the outcome. This attitude highlights a powerful lesson in motivation—pursue your passions with dedication, but without being overly attached to the results. (Check out the full interview and article here!)
Contrast this with the story of Katie Ledecky an elite swimmer who represented the USA three times at the Olympic Games and became the second women in history to earn 9 gold medals. Her drive for improvement and willingness to surpass her previous achievements exemplify the essence of excellence. She combines a fierce desire to win with an acceptance of failure as part of the journey. Her enjoyment of the hard work underscores the idea that the pursuit itself can be a core part of the fun.
Athletes in our stage of life, perimenopause and beyond, have widely different motivations for doing sport. Athletes who engage in sport purely for lifestyle benefits often have lifestyle, health and longevity are key motivators, with the positive feeling of exercise being a close second. Athletes who love to compete with others and/or want to achieve their personal best and reach their performance potential often prioritize the thrill of the challenge and the satisfaction of that achievement.
As a coach working with athletes across various levels, from lifestyle enthusiasts to world champions, I see that each embodies excellence through their commitment to learning, growth, and self-improvement. To sustain passion and motivation, it's essential to:
- Have confidence in your ability to tackle hard challenges.
- Believe in your reasons for pursuing your goals, which helps push through difficulties.
- Understand the purpose behind your efforts so that hard work feels meaningful.
- Be prepared to embrace discomfort as a sign of progress, not just a hurdle to overcome.
Ultimately, it's crucial to reflect on a fundamental question: What do you want? This question is at the heart of reigniting passion and finding your drive.
If you want to explore this question with me and see how I work with athletes for health, longevity and performance, let's connect!
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