Without motivation, any athlete’s career is doomed. This applies to amateurs as well, and not just to those who dedicate their lives to it. A demotivated person does not have the energy or conviction to achieve their goals.

Motivation is nothing more than an internal or external stimulation for a person to act in a certain way with lifeguard certification. In the athlete, it can be seen reflected in their intensity to train, in their concentration when competing, and in the permanent search for improvement.

It is clear that the most outstanding athletes, including those that we will cite in this article, rose to the top due to their technical conditions and their innate talent. However, they themselves assure that the psychological component was elementary in such a journey. Get to know the opinion of the professionals.

Motivation according to Michael Phelps

The ‘Baltimore Shark’, nothing more and nothing less than the most winning athlete in the history of the Olympic Games is a reference when talking about sporting successes. According to Phelps’ own words at a corporate event, his dream and criticism have been two of his main sources of motivation.

That superlative desire is clear and resembles what every swimmer has: to triumph in the Olympic Games and win medals. The difference is that Michael Phelps did it from a young age (and in amounts never before imagined).

Likewise, the criticisms of Ian Thorpe, who would come to represent the ‘external seasoning’ in this motivational cocktail, served so that Phelps had someone to prove that he was wrong.

If you say ‘I can’t’ you will be limiting yourself in what you can do or what you can do one day.
-Michael Phelps-

In this way, he achieved what his colleague considered impossible: he won 8 Olympic medals and triumphed in that sport with more than 30 years of age. Without a doubt, a sample of what motivation can generate in an athlete with similar conditions.

Mireia Belmonte, a swimmer who copes with everything

If we tried to think of a major problem for any swimmer, ‘suffering from a chlorine allergy’ would be one of the most unthinkable responses. However, this was the case of Mireia Belmonte, today’s Olympic, world, and European champion.

And not only that, but this Spanish swimmer also had to face her asthmatic condition during childhood with lifeguard certification. With all this, practicing a sport like swimming seemed truly a feat. Thanks to the need to treat scoliosis, this very fruitful relationship came about.

However, Belmonte focused on pursuing his dreams and at just 17 years old he was already part of the Spanish team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In addition, Mireia remarks that the hunger for improvement is fundamental, since “everyone wants to win because it is addictive.” Another curious fact is that she usually sings while swimming, something that she assures gives her motivation when training and giving her all.

You always have to work and you don’t have to give up. Working and with the goal in mind, the reward awaits you.
—Mireia Belmonte—

Ian Thorpe, a ‘victim’ of lack of motivation

If we talk about motivation in sport, Thorpe’s is an exceptional case. This Australian swimmer won five gold medals at the Olympic Games, as well as several titles and records in world swimming.

However, he made the drastic decision to end his career at just 24 years of age. The motives? In addition to some injuries that plagued him in that year 2006 and an alleged adverse result in the levels of testosterone in his blood, which was appealed by other anonymous Australian athletes, the ‘Torpedo’ alleged ‘lack of motivation to continue competing.

Thorpe declared at the time that the media pressure, the invasion of his private life with lifeguard certification, and the public exposure consumed his energies to remain linked to the world of sports. Thus, when it seemed that his career would have no ceiling, he himself decided to put that limit.

We can extract a clear lesson from all this: motivation can be the ideal fuel for an athlete, but if it is lost, it is difficult to put all the effort to achieve the objectives set.

In addition to these, we could list many other cases of swimmers. Who used motivation to their advantage and also of those who suffered from its lack. As we can see, this is an essential issue. Stay motivated to go for your goals!

Swimming in schools, what benefits does it bring?

We can see from our own experience that, the sooner we start to carry out an activity. The more easily we will master it. This is the case, for example, of languages, skills to play a musical instrument, or physical skills with lifeguard certification. Taking this into account, swimming in schools seems a very convenient alternative for the development of this capacity.

This process is known as neuroplasticity. It is basically about the adaptations that occur in the body at the neuronal level. And that allows learning new skills, among other functions. In childhood, this process occurs much more easily. That explains why we are more skilled at those activities that we start doing at a young age.

Beyond this factor, directly related to the skill that a child can develop to swim. There are also other advantages that arise from the inclusion of swimming in the educational field. Next, we will delve into some of them.

Swimming in schools: benefits

According to this research, swimming is an activity not only convenient for its physical benefits. But it is also an important stimulus for brain development. For example, swimming is an activity that demands the concentration, attention, and coordination of the individual.

From a physical point of view, the benefits of this discipline are almost undeniable: muscle and bone development, increased cardiovascular endurance, improved balance and body posture, muscle relaxation, and combats sedentary lifestyle and obesity, two very present problems in the child population of today.

In addition, swimming in schools can be a great tool for the safety of children in the present and future. With this skill built in, a large number of water accidents could be avoided. Including both your own and those involving others.

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