Pushing on and breaking through.

Tenacity is a word associated with the SportsPodium brand and one of our values – not just a word to dazzle in marketing documents, but a character trait we see as essential in ourselves and our community.

There are hard days. Let’s not sugar coat this, days when you want to throw your diaper into the ring, switch the lights off and run away screaming. BUT…….We all know the clichés of it being darkest just before sunrise – and it is a cliché for the very reason that is the truth.

The special extra magic champions have lies in this ability to plough on and just put one foot in front of the other even when you are in a zombie like state of daze. That is your star quality. Therein lies the podium moment, the ribbon, the medal…..the anthem ringing in your ears. And this does not only go for sport, but also for life. Today was one of those days for me. I went through a horrific break up last year, and each time I think I am okay, I am flooded with old memories and yes, hope. This morning I woke up thinking my ex was still next to me. And nothing makes you feel more discarded than an empty place in the bed where someone once was.

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Hot on the heels of this self-inflicted worthlessness was a look in the mirror. I looked like hell. I am getting older. My skin is sagging and the stubble on my chin has flecks of grey. Life after 40 feels like being punished for an offense which I didn’t commit. My knees hurt. I need to lose weight and my best years are behind me. Or so it felt at that point.

But then I made the decision to say ‘to hell with this’. I got into my shower, stood under the jets of hot water till all the doubt went down the drain, I brushed my teeth, fixed my hair and decided this is MY flipping day. I dressed up in a suit for a change, took myself out for a champagne breakfast with eggs benedict and read the papers as though I was some business mogul. (I am NOT encouraging day drinking, but sometimes a glass of champagne on a really dull morning lets the sunshine in).

And I made a list. Of the good things I can still do. For and with SportsPodium. For myself, for an elderly family member who is in my care. For the generations of athletes who faced corrupt federations, who were bamboozled out of money and rewards by unscrupulous agents and managers.

And before I knew it, the tiger inside me roared again. And I saw the birds outside the restaurant. And the vibrant colours in the garden. And I had my podium moment when I realized that you just put one foot in front of the other and break through the barrier. Because inside all of us is a winner. One who doesn’t give in to quitting.

So yes, I may never beat Adam Rippon in figure skating, or Phelps in a 50m pool – but I have other strengths. And I am doing my part for the sports world with SportsPodium. Because I can. And because I want to because it is worth it.