This is How to Level Up

This question is inevitable. I get to work with so many athletes, coaches, and parents (by the way there are still spots available for my New York clinic this weekend) and hands down my favorite part of any camp, clinic, team practice, or lesson is the Q&A part. I absolutely love sharing stories from my career, lessons I have learned along the way, and general life/athletic development advice. Without a doubt, one of the most simply complex questions I get is:

"What is the one thing I need to get to the next level?"

I say it is simply complex because of a few things. One, it simple because it is a one word answer. Two, it is complex because if it really were that easy, just to do one thing, then wouldn't everyone do it? Wouldn't everyone be a Power 5 All-American? Olympian? National Champion? There are layers to this one answer. There are different types of this one answer. There is also the fact that this answer has to show up consistently over the course of days, weeks, months, and years of high level training to be the best at what you do. 

The answer? Compete. 

That's it. Be a consistent competitor in everything you do. Never be satisfied with putting minimal effort into things. This is the one separating factor that has proven itself over the course of my life and my career. I HATE TO LOSE and I'm not shy about it. I know this is especially tough for young women I work with because working hard, being bold and tenacious and competitive and passionate... well, it isn't considered cool. Young women are often so worried about other people's opinions that they are hindered from reaching their full potential by this simple fear. Guess what? Being "cool" is for common people. And, if you want to be elite, you can't be common. You must be unique and you must stand out. The way to do this is a fearless competitiveness. 

This is the exact thing that stands out to me as a professional player and a coach. The kid that is fearless about trying to win in a game we play at the clinic. The young woman who isn't afraid to take charge of an icebreaker or team competition. The one who isn't afraid to fail. The one that IS visibly frustrated (not sad, they are different) when they lose and things don't go their way. Those are the athletes that impress me. Let this serve as a reminder for you that it is cool to be competitive, it is cool to care, and it is cool to show emotion and passion and tenacity to WANT IT.

People used to tell me I took my games to seriously and cared too much when I was younger. Maybe that's why I got to the podium with an Olympic medal. Maybe that's why I'm the only one still playing the game that I cared that much about. 

Compete. Care enough to want to win. The results matter. 

Win. Repeat.