Yes, this is my actual passport; but no, I am not going anywhere (soon). However the significance behind it is worth the read. As a senior in high school, I created 3 goals for being an athlete: 1. Play basketball in college. 2. Sign to a college in Texas. 3. Play overseas. #1 and #2 was easy! I signed to Tyler Junior College (later Stephen F. Austin State University). My senior year at SFA, I hit a low and just knew my 3rd goal was not attainable and the emotions behind realizing playing was over was devastating. #AndThen! I received a phone call from someone in Germany who contacted me after my senior season was over. A team wanted me to play for them in Munich, Germany!! (Come on 3rd goal)!!!!!! We went over all the specifics, such as pay, travel, etc. I'd leave that Friday in November and return April. I'm ecstatic!!! #AndThen...I received a call the next day: IW: There's one question I forgot to ask. Do you have your passport? Me: No, but I can get one! That will not be a problem!! IW: No, no, you don't understand, it takes a couple of months to get a passport. I'm sorry the team is needing you now. We will have to pass. My. Heart. SUNK. I missed my goal. How do I function now "PastSport" because of no "Passport?" Well the answer wasn't easy to find but I found it. One of the emotions that a lot of athletes experience past sports is depression. If a person started playing their sport at the age of 5, for example, and make it to college to play that same sport, then for 2% of those people would end their career in college. This means that the person has been connected with their sport for at least 18 of their 22 years of life. This means that 82% of their life has been dedicated to this sport. And now what?
What if I told you that the key to redefine the identification of an athlete after sport is resilience. As an athlete, we already have instilled in us what we need to succeed. We have already proved our dedication and determination in developing our destination. I am excited to share my story and strategy to athletes in high school and college about how sport is never over; it just has another definition.
Find out those strategies and many other topics that are a must read in "The Mental State of Sports."