The Importance of Discovering Your True Inner Self for Athletes
Being an athlete is not just about physical strength and endurance, it’s also about mental fortitude, resilience, and the ability to push through pain and adversity. But to truly reach our full potential as athletes, we must first discover our true inner selves.


You see, as athletes, we often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of training, competing, and striving for success. We become so focused on the external, on achieving that next personal best, or winning that next medal, that we forget to look inward. We forget to discover our true inner selves and unlock the untapped potential that lies within. When we discover our true inner selves, we unlock a world of possibilities. We gain a deeper understanding of who we are, what drives us, and what truly makes us happy. We learn to tap into our inner strength and resilience, and we develop a growth mindset that enables us to overcome obstacles and push through pain and adversity.
But how do we discover our true inner selves? The answer is simple: by being honest with ourselves, by taking the time to reflect on our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and by truly listening to our inner voice. By asking ourselves the tough questions and being honest with the answers.
It all starts with setting aside dedicated time to reflect, whether it be through journaling, meditating, or simply taking a walk in nature. This reflection time should be focused on analyzing our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and identifying patterns and habits that may not align with our true inner selves.
During this reflection time, it’s important to be open and receptive to our inner voice, even if it may not align with our current beliefs or desires. It’s also important to ask ourselves the tough questions, such as “What truly makes me happy?” or “What are my core values and beliefs?” and be honest with the answers, even if they may be uncomfortable or difficult to confront.
We should also be curious and open-minded to try new things, and experiment with different activities and hobbies, to find out what really resonates with us. This will help us to identify our passions and create goals that align with our values and passions.
Finally, it is important to take action towards these discoveries. Once we have a clear understanding of our true inner selves, we can start making positive changes in our lives. We can let go of the things that do not serve us and focus on the things that do. We can set goals that align with our values and passions and take the necessary steps to reach them.
In summary, discovering our true inner selves is not a one-time event, it’s a continuous journey that requires honesty, reflection, listening to inner voice, asking tough questions, being curious, taking action and being open to change. It is a journey that will help us unlock our full potential as athletes and as human beings. Once we discover our true inner selves, we can start to make positive changes in our lives. We can start to let go of the things that don’t serve us, and focus on the things that do. We can start to set goals that align with our values and passions, and we can start to take the necessary steps to reach them.
As athletes, it’s important to remember that our true inner selves hold the key to unlocking our full potential. By discovering our true inner selves, we can tap into a world of possibilities and become the best versions of ourselves. So take the time to reflect, listen to your inner voice, and discover your true inner self. The journey may be difficult, but the rewards are endless.
As your training volume and intensity increase, your mental training needs to do the same! We often forget that in order to be able to handle all the ups and downs that come with endurance training, there's mental work that needs to be done, which starts with being fully grounded in who we are, without judgments and without shying away from our selves. The more comfortable you feel in your own skin, the more you'll be able to focus on the tasks at hand!

Stefanie Sichler
Mental Power Coach
Something for you to try...
Set aside dedicated time for reflection Schedule regular time to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and actions. This can be done through journaling, meditating, or simply taking a walk in nature.During your reflection time, ask yourself questions such as “What truly makes me happy?” or “What are my core values and beliefs?” and be honest with the answers, even if they may be uncomfortable or difficult to confront.
Experiment with new activitiesBe curious and open-minded to try new things, and experiment with different activities and hobbies. This will help you identify your passions and create goals that align with your values and passions.
Take actionOnce you have a clear understanding of your true inner selves, take action towards making positive changes in your life. Let go of things that do not serve you and focus on things that do.
Practice mindfulnessMindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga and breathing exercises can help you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This awareness can help you identify patterns and habits that may not align with your true inner self.
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