ELITE ATHLETE | PERFORMANCE COACH | P.E. TEACHER
The moment I felt my hamstring pull, I knew I had pushed myself too far. The Sydney Olympics represented years of preparation and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to achieve my goals. In just one training session, my dreams were shattered. Little did I know, this marked the beginning of my long journey back to fitness, ultimately leading to my Olympic gold four years later in Athens.
Fear is a natural human response. Regular readers will know how I learned to embrace my nervousness before races, which helped create a positive mental state. However, some fears are deeply ingrained and harder to shake off; they linger in the subconscious and can impact decision-making and performance.
Know Yourself, Know Your Fear
I've met many individuals grappling with a debilitating fear of failure or the anxiety of disappointing their peers. Others feel social pressure that hinders their progress. Some fears arise from past experiences, while others may seem irrational but feel very real to those affected. Personally, I fear being a burden to others, often going to great lengths to avoid imposing on anyone. While it may not always be rational, it is undeniably real for me.
Those who have bravely shared their fears with me are already on the path to overcoming them. Building self-awareness allows you to confront your fears and integrate them into your conscious mind. Elite performers in academics, business, and sports take time for self-reflection. At the British International School in Shanghai Puxi, we encourage students to develop a healthy relationship with fear, viewing challenging situations as opportunities to grow into more well-rounded global citizens.
You Either Win or You Learn
To be clear, I race to win. An inherent competitiveness drives me to cross the finish line ahead of others. It’s not losing that bothers me; it’s underperforming. Many equate losing with failure, especially in the public eye of professional athletics. Ironically, despite my national and international successes, I’ve lost far more races than I’ve won. When I don’t win, I focus on understanding why and how I can improve for next time. Every experience in training and competition can be a learning opportunity; nothing is wasted.
“I have lost far more races than I have won. If I don’t win, it’s all about WHY I failed to perform and how I can either win next time or get closer to winning in the future.”
At BISS Puxi, we talk to students about "failing forward." We strive to create an environment where students can challenge their limits and discover their potential. Progress is rarely linear; it involves ups and downs, often requiring a few failures before learning and succeeding. Facing the fear of failure is an integral part of the peak performance journey.
Pushing to Your Limits, at the Right Times
As an athlete, a constant fear is injury. You must push yourself to the absolute limits to become the best, but pushing too far can lead to setbacks that jeopardize your dreams and the hopes of those supporting you.
During my first Olympics in Sydney, I was in the best shape of my life, feeling confident and prepared. However, during a training session, I pulled my hamstring. Injuries are part of sports, and the GB team had a fantastic medical staff. With their support, I was able to recover and prepare for the race.
Despite my recovery, fears of letting my team down resurfaced. However, I believed that if I channeled my determination, I could win. On race day, I felt ready. As the starter's gun went off, I bolted from the blocks. I entered the bend with all my might, but on that day, my speed just wasn’t there. Despite my psychological efforts, my body let me down, and I fell behind. It was one of my darkest hours in sport.
The sense of disappointment was overwhelming. Years of sacrifice led me to that moment, only for it to slip away in an instant. It was a crushing blow to me, my coaches, and everyone who had supported me.
Yet, from such dark moments comes strength, maturity, and resilience. I was forced to confront my greatest fears. Over time, the support from my community helped me grow stronger. The strange thing about fear is that, most of the time, it doesn't reflect reality. My fears were unfounded; my coaches and loved ones rallied around me during that difficult time.
After winning Olympic gold four years later in Athens, I was often asked what made the difference. I can say that facing my fears in Sydney and learning from that experience were instrumental in my success. There will always be races to win and lose, and while losing can be painful, if we look beyond our limitations—fear included—our successes await.
Fear is a natural human response. Regular readers will know how I learned to embrace my nervousness before races, which helped create a positive mental state. However, some fears are deeply ingrained and harder to shake off; they linger in the subconscious and can impact decision-making and performance.
Know Yourself, Know Your Fear
I've met many individuals grappling with a debilitating fear of failure or the anxiety of disappointing their peers. Others feel social pressure that hinders their progress. Some fears arise from past experiences, while others may seem irrational but feel very real to those affected. Personally, I fear being a burden to others, often going to great lengths to avoid imposing on anyone. While it may not always be rational, it is undeniably real for me.
Those who have bravely shared their fears with me are already on the path to overcoming them. Building self-awareness allows you to confront your fears and integrate them into your conscious mind. Elite performers in academics, business, and sports take time for self-reflection. At the British International School in Shanghai Puxi, we encourage students to develop a healthy relationship with fear, viewing challenging situations as opportunities to grow into more well-rounded global citizens.
You Either Win or You Learn
To be clear, I race to win. An inherent competitiveness drives me to cross the finish line ahead of others. It’s not losing that bothers me; it’s underperforming. Many equate losing with failure, especially in the public eye of professional athletics. Ironically, despite my national and international successes, I’ve lost far more races than I’ve won. When I don’t win, I focus on understanding why and how I can improve for next time. Every experience in training and competition can be a learning opportunity; nothing is wasted.
“I have lost far more races than I have won. If I don’t win, it’s all about WHY I failed to perform and how I can either win next time or get closer to winning in the future.”
At BISS Puxi, we talk to students about "failing forward." We strive to create an environment where students can challenge their limits and discover their potential. Progress is rarely linear; it involves ups and downs, often requiring a few failures before learning and succeeding. Facing the fear of failure is an integral part of the peak performance journey.
Pushing to Your Limits, at the Right Times
As an athlete, a constant fear is injury. You must push yourself to the absolute limits to become the best, but pushing too far can lead to setbacks that jeopardize your dreams and the hopes of those supporting you.
During my first Olympics in Sydney, I was in the best shape of my life, feeling confident and prepared. However, during a training session, I pulled my hamstring. Injuries are part of sports, and the GB team had a fantastic medical staff. With their support, I was able to recover and prepare for the race.
Despite my recovery, fears of letting my team down resurfaced. However, I believed that if I channeled my determination, I could win. On race day, I felt ready. As the starter's gun went off, I bolted from the blocks. I entered the bend with all my might, but on that day, my speed just wasn’t there. Despite my psychological efforts, my body let me down, and I fell behind. It was one of my darkest hours in sport.
The sense of disappointment was overwhelming. Years of sacrifice led me to that moment, only for it to slip away in an instant. It was a crushing blow to me, my coaches, and everyone who had supported me.
Yet, from such dark moments comes strength, maturity, and resilience. I was forced to confront my greatest fears. Over time, the support from my community helped me grow stronger. The strange thing about fear is that, most of the time, it doesn't reflect reality. My fears were unfounded; my coaches and loved ones rallied around me during that difficult time.
After winning Olympic gold four years later in Athens, I was often asked what made the difference. I can say that facing my fears in Sydney and learning from that experience were instrumental in my success. There will always be races to win and lose, and while losing can be painful, if we look beyond our limitations—fear included—our successes await.
