Defining an Athlete

Let’s make it official by defining an athlete using the dictionary. Merriam-Webster defines an athlete as “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility or stamina.”

In high school, if you were involved with a team sport you were defined an “athlete”. While the rest of the student body may have just been phy. ed. students. The adult version of this… Some people intentionally train and compete in events, and then there may be recreational exercisers.

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!

Let’s skip defining an athlete, and consider that 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.

And no matter where you are on the spectrum of exercise and training, whether you compete or not. You are worthy of fueling your body well with a solid nutrition strategy.

Defining An Athlete: ALN works with all athlete levels!

At Alex Larson Nutrition, we work with a wide range of athlete skill levels. Even if you aren’t necessarily competing, if you’re someone who recreationally runs, bikes or swims for longer distances, you are our people and who we love to help optimize nutrition. Not only to support your exercise, but to support your daily energy levels, health and body composition. If you’re looking for support to continue doing what you love, reach out and let’s chat more about how ALN can help.