I was that kid who'd run through a wall for their coach. Any task that was asked of me was never too much. My coaches expected perfection and I did everything I could to provide that.
I remember one practice in college where we were doing "Shell Drill". For those of you who are unfamiliar, it's where you practice your defensive rotations over and over again until the coaches decide it looks good enough, or get tired of blowing their whistle. And of course, this was one of my favorite drills.
During that particular practice session, we had a group of new Freshmen who were struggling to adapt to the fast pace of college basketball. Rotations were out of sync, assignments were being missed, and there was a lot of extra running involved as a result. About 20 minutes in and it was my turn to miss a rotation. But instead of a gentle correction, I was singled out and ripped a new one for my mistake. The message was clear - as team captain and a leader on defense, perfection was not just expected, it was demanded. I was the standard, and any lowering of that standard was a direct reflection of my effort - at least, that's what I told myself.
My love for defense runs deep. Defense is a mindset - a test of willpower. When exhaustion sets in and the pressure is on, can you rise to the occasion? Can you find the strength to push through and give it your all for 24 more seconds? These were questions I asked myself time and time again, and the answer was always yes. I'd do anything for my team, my coaches... I'd run through a wall for someone if I had to. And I'd do it without question or hesitation.
Throughout my career, I never saw a problem with this. In all honesty, I still don't. If you want to make it to the next level, you have to be willing to run through walls. This blog is about asking yourself what do you need once the wall has been ran through? This was something I was never asked.
As an athlete, I was always focused on asking others what they needed to succeed. How could I support them better? What more could I do for them? But in all my efforts to please others, I never stopped to consider what I needed myself. This pattern followed me beyond the realm of sports, turning me into a dedicated people-pleaser who would go to great lengths for others, without realizing my own needs. I used to believe I was low-maintenance in most aspects of life, but the truth is, I am human and I do have needs that deserve acknowledgment.
I may not have all the answers to my needs just yet, but I'm on a journey to discover them. So, here's a gentle reminder to all my washed-up athletes out there (and anyone else tuning in), that your needs are important. Keep pushing your boundaries, keep aiming for the stars, but above all, take a moment to ask yourself: what do I need right now? And then, muster up the courage to speak up and ask for it.Until next time.