Olympic Training

I LOVE watching the Olympics! It's great to see what one person can accomplish when they put all their time, energy and heart into their dream! In order for most of these superb athletes to get to the level that they have acheived, they had to do FAR more work than what most people would consider healthy. However, if they didn't, they wouldn't be Olympians! Many olympic athletes train 4-8 hours each day in preparation for the olympics! Their one and only concern is to be the best and win gold!

I believe that so many of us find the Olympics inspiring and compelling because it shows what truly is possible when we let go of our own self-imposed limitations and work as hard as possible! What's holding you back from being the Olympian that you know you can be? Every olympic athlete trains through adversity and difficult situations. Many of these athletes have families that they struggle with balancing time, work and training. These athletes have MANY injuries and setbacks. It sounded like every mogul skier had at least 5 knee surgeries by the time they were 25 years old! However, that didn't stop most of them!

What I have noticed is that most olympic athletes train to win gold for their country. They believe they are called to be the best for a higher calling! They want to be a part of a bigger picture. Just like what one of the most recent gold medalists from USA Hannah Kearney stated after she won 1st place. She said that she wanted to be a part of an American montage for the 2010 winter olympics. Her hard training was focused on being a part of a team of athletes that would come back with gold medals. It wasn't just about her!


I personally find that I struggle with my own training when I just focus on myself. When I think all I am working out for is just for me, that's when I start to lose ground. I tend not to try as hard and I lose sight of the big picture. However, when I focus on the real purpose for living a healthy, active lifestyle, my training sores!

By staying fit and healthy, you inspire more people than you realize. Everyone you interact with, you have the potential to create a positive impact in their lives. Someone who just found out they have the beginning stages of heart disease may bump into you and be motivated to change their lives after interacting with you! You could literally be the tipping point for someone to make a change for the positive just by living a healthy lifestyle!

Besides helping others, God calls us to create the best 'temple' for Him in ourselves. 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV): "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" God also gives us the ability to be strong and persevere Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Let go of your self-imposed limitations and trust that the Lord will take care of you when you don't feel capable. Follow your higher purpose, it's not just about you! You and I have been called to be Olympians!