Merriam-Webster defines an athlete as “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility or stamina.”

There there’s Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike.

In high school, if you were involved with a team sport you were dubbed an “athlete”. While the rest were just PE students. The adult version of this… Those who “work out”.

For a lot of people, the term athlete doesn’t even cross their mind. You may look at others who have all the right gear and are better than you and say, “Now they are athletes.” But, what do you call yourself?

It’s so easy in sports to chronically compare yourself to others. “They’re faster”, “they’re stronger”, “They have a better body.” Be proud of what you’ve accomplished and the commitment you made and saw through. You belong.

How you see yourself plays an important role in how you ultimately perform in your sport. Viewing yourself as an athlete should not be reserved for people who get a paycheck from it. Don’t devalue what you’re doing.

Whether you’re a top competitor, an average finisher, or you cross the finish line dead last… you are an athlete!

No matter your shape, size, level of fitness or athletic ability… you are an athlete! 

I’m on a mission to take back this word! So if you see me using the term athlete… Yes, I am speaking directly to you. I see you, and what I see is a bad-ass athlete.

Comment below how you define yourself… Athlete? Or something else?