The gym mentality and the professional athlete mentality are two separate mindsets that emerge in the world of sports and fitness. Understanding the differences between both might help us appreciate the commitment, discipline, and perseverance needed to achieve the pinnacle of athletic accomplishment. Of course, each has their place and worth.
Gym Mentality: Pursuing Personal Fitness and Well-being
The gym mentality revolves around personal growth and well-being. It’s a journey which allows you to become the best version of yourself. To be healthy and stay fit. When you embrace the gym mentality, you finally prioritize yourself. Your life is finally coming to the perfect balance: working out, eating healthy and going to sleep early.
The challenging part, though, is being consistent. After the first 3 months of going to the gym, everything is fun, you see progress very fast and you believe it’s very worth it. But after 8 months or a year, things begin to change. It’s a battle with yourself because results aren’t coming as easy as they were in the beginning, your workouts are getting tougher and tougher and you finally look exactly like you imagined. You have your dream body.
So, why bother if I already have my dream body? Haha, that, my friends, is a mental trap! You probably started going to the gym because you wanted to be fitter. But after all the time and effort, you owe it to yourself to push through. Think about your health and the discipline you have gained from going to the gym.
Professional Athlete Mentality: The Quest for Excellence
On the other hand, people who wish to compete at the greatest levels of their sport should obviously adopt the professional athlete mentality. So, what’s the difference? When you’re a professional athlete, your main goal is to become the best at your chosen sport. It’s a consistent commitment to push your boundaries and strive for greatness.
When you’re a professional athlete, that sport is your whole life. You voluntarily give up everything else just to practice. Going out on weekends or weekdays has to be kept to a minimum, working a ‘normal’ job is out of the question, you can’t even think about going to the gym or whatever other sport, you compromise everything.
Also, the fact that you get the chance to compete against the best athletes in your city/country, or in the world, it feeds your competitive spirit like no other. Winning is the best reward an athlete could have.
But, there’s hard times for athletes, as well. There are so many obstacles on the way to getting to the top. It’s mentally draining and frustrating as fuck. But, when you fail, you shouldn’t see it as an impediment. Get back up and do it again and again and again until you succeed.
The mental impact a sport has on you is extremely complex, to say the least. It can inspire motivation, sharpen focus and build resilience. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a gym lover, the key to success is consistency and motivation. No matter how hard it gets, PUSH THROUGH!
