Are you an athlete or do you just play a sport?

This is a question that I have struggled with honestly answering for a lot of my life.

For a long time, I thought I was an athlete simply bc I had the physical ability to play sports. I grew up playing basketball, softball, volleyball, and golf. I only played basketball until my sophomore year of high school but continued playing volleyball and of course golf throughout high school. I thought that because I was pretty good at them that meant I was a good athlete. And I thought because I went on to be a collegiate and professional golfer that meant I was a successful athlete. Now, years later, I finally realize what being an athlete really means.

Every day, through my actions and decisions, I strive and sometimes struggle, to continue to become a better athlete in hopes that it encourages rising junior golfers to embrace their inner true athlete.

I wanted to share a few of the things that I have learned that it takes to be an athlete:

📌 Remember that your mindset, habits and goals aren’t the same as a non-athlete
📌 Accept that you don’t get to treat your body and spend your time like non-athletes and expect to get better
📌 Surround yourself with athletes and non-athletes who inspire and support your goals
📌 Encourage and lift others up as they work to reach their own goals, not be envious or jealous.
📌 Build a team of coaches who aren’t willing to let you settle for being average
📌 Trust that team of coaches and allow them to do their job no matter how tough they are on you
📌 Know when it’s ok to take a break and enjoy life and appreciate the little things
📌 Be willing to “do” what it takes to achieve the things you, “say” you want
📌 Never be willing to settle for good enough
📌 Create an inner confidence in yourself and your abilities that shines thru as humbleness and kindness