How to Start

The first step in your athletic journey is to consider why you’re even beginning it. What purpose are you setting out with? Maybe you want to run faster? Swim faster? Jump higher? Become stronger? Look better? For me, ever since I surpassed 6 feet in height, I have wanted to dunk. However, I spent all of high school pursuing waterpolo rather than conditioning myself for explosive land movements, such as the powerful jump required for a clean dunk. I had to start from scratch, but I started with a clear goal, which has since developed as I’ve gotten stronger and more athletic. This can be the case for you too.

After developing a goal and identifying your purpose for pursuing an athletic journey, create a framework for how you will get there. Your framework may entail a diet, a workout regiment, a stretching routine, a recovery day, etc. Regardless of what your framework is, hold yourself to it and you will improve.

Lastly, understand that the process of developing as an athlete is not only physical, but mental. You will have to stretch your idea of what you conceive as possible for your body. As I was learning to jump higher, I realized from watching videos of myself that my limbs and muscles move slower than I thought. I began believing that I can move faster and more explosively; thus, I was training my mind to unlock the fast twitch fibers in my body. Believe you can run faster, believe you can swim faster, believe you can jump higher, believe you can lift more weight, believe you can obtain your ideal physique. The mind leads, the body follows.