Part 7/10:
Central to the athlete's success was a profound work ethic cultivated over two decades. Every day presented an opportunity to hone skills and analyze weaknesses. The athlete understood that while they may not possess peak natural gifts, the path to excellence lay in dedicated practice. Their dedication was unwavering—they never took a vacation from their craft, believing that “when I retire, I didn’t want to have to say I wish I would have done more.”
This commitment manifested during moments of discomfort and pain, such as playing through injury. The athlete expressed that when the stakes were high, mental resilience allowed them to push through physical barriers, prioritizing the game’s importance over personal discomfort.