Jordan Burroughs – Today would have been the opening ceremonies for the 2020 Olympics. Instead, it marks one year out from next summer’s postponed Olympic Games in Tokyo. With all the uncertainty that this year has brought, I’m honored that @ralphlauren, a proud outfitter of @TeamUSA, has continued to support their athletes as we commit to another year of training. The Polo Ralph Lauren One-Year-Out Collection drops today, and gives 25% of the purchase price from each item sold from the collection to the Team USA fund. Hit the link in my bio to learn more!
?But it’s not just the magic of the Olympic Games I am looking forward to, it’s the pursuit. ?
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?Setting such a lofty goal requires so much of yourself. It will take you on a journey of self discovery, growth, pain and joy. ?
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I remember the advice two-time gold medalist rower, @erincafaro gave to me months before my first Olympic Games:?
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?“(As athletes) You’re are on this rainbow right now and you think there’s this pot of gold at the end of it, but there’s not. There’s just the rainbow and when you’re done with your journey you’ll realize how amazing the rainbow is and how beautiful it was, and that will be the best part” ?
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“Pshhh, easy for you to say, you have a gold medal” I thought. Until, I got one myself. Then I realized how true her words were. Now I pause more, reflect more, and am grateful for every single day. So here’s to 365 more of amazing memories in this pursuit
Erica Wiebe – Here I am.
Sweaty. Tired. Frustrated. Grateful. Relentless. Loved.
Just crushed a workout in my tiny apartment after endless calls with Alberta Health Services and Calgary Police. Off training for the week after opting to self-isolate as I await the test results after getting spit at on the weekend (one of many women in a series of incidents in Calgary – thankfully someone has been charged in the case).
Fortunately ALSO on Zoom 4-5 hours a day running a camp for 40 youth wrestlers with some other bomb leaders in my community. Funny how timing works out.
Needless to say, this is not how this week should’ve been. I should’ve been in Tokyo. I should’ve been getting ready to walk into the opening ceremonies. I should’ve been vibrating with energy and fear as I prepared to defend my Olympic gold medal.
Who else has a lot of “should have been’s” that has been hit off course because of global pandemic?
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What I know – I was never defined by that one moment I won in Rio and I’m not defined by any singular action past, present, or future.
I am who I am. How I show up every day and how I am relentless in the pusuit of my why.
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This morning at the camp we shared our “why” and I was inspired and buoyed by the joy and wisdom in this little wrestling crew.
When you know your why – you can get through almost any how. And I’m fortunate to be surrounded and supported by some incredible people that remind me everyday of my why.
It’s not an ?
It’s the pursuit of living my full potential. Seeing just far I can go. Each and everyday. On and off the mats.
SakshiSatyawart Kadian – Seeing these young wrestlers from Varanasi took me back to the days when I got into the sport and followed my passion to represent India at the global stage. The path of an athlete is far from easy, but the support and appreciation from you all makes it possible.
I feel humbled to have inspired Kashish and Apeksha in their foray into the world of wrestling and it is great to see their families supporting them in their goals.
Catch the episode on “Pehlwani” on Home Game on NETFLIX to hear the stories of these fierce young wrestlers in India.
