Getting Outside the Comfort Zone

Motivation. Sometimes I get motivated from random things. Recently I’ve been enamored and in awe of the riders of the Tour de France. Something about watching athletes absolutely put their bodies on the line and sacrifice themselves for something huge is utterly captivating. Although I can confidently say I’ve put myself through a great amount of pain in my training, I doubt my legs and stomach have ever felt the agony of the mountain stages the tour riders are putting themselves through. No doubt these guys are in a league of their own.

In athletics you can train and train and train but when it comes down to the race what matters is putting your body and mind on the line. Eddie Reese says confidence comes in different ways and means something different to everyone. Many athletes get their confidence from training and from pushing their bodies to be fitter and stronger. Eddie admits the truth is that what sets most athletes apart is that some are willing to lay it down on race day and give it everything they’ve got, some are not. You’ve just got to do what’s necessary.

My career at Texas has been an incredible journey from college through the Beijing Olympics and beyond. I credit Eddie and Kris for much of my success. I entrust them with my swimming career and together we have done some great things. In classic Eddie Reese fashion, the other day this quote rolled off his tongue which I think is really quite impressive and true…”If you’re comfortable and getting what you want you’ll never be as good as you want to be.”

So let’s take Eddie’s advice. After all he’s been the epitome of success for decades. Push outside the comfort zone…it may be the surest way to success!