I recently had a conversation with my 11-year old son in which he told me of his goal to play college football.  Now as his Dad, I was naturally excited that he wants to pursue this goal and I was encouraging at first.  However, the practical side of me kicked in and I shared with him how much work that will entail and how low the percentage of high school football players play college football, somewhere right around 1%.  After I gave what to him probably seemed like a rather negative speech, he looked me right in the face and said, “But Dad you were in that 1%”.  

While he is correct in the statement that I was in the 1% and he has half my genetic ability, that ultimately will not be enough for him.  He could have the genetic ability but if he doesn’t do the work, then he won’t achieve his goals and that brings me to controlling the controllable.  

While genetics set the foundation; training, nutrition, recovery, and mindset are where the magic happens.  These are the factors that you influence and optimize to enhance your athletic performance, regardless of your genetic disposition.

  1. Training:  Hard work, consistency, and smart training are the keys to improving performance.  Whether you’re lifting weights to build strength or running drills for speed, structured training will help you maximize your genetic potential.  Even if you’re not naturally gifted in a certain area, dedicated practice can lead to impressive improvements.
  1. Nutrition:  The food you fuel your body with directly impacts your performance.  You would not put diesel in a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport and expect it to run.  It is the same with our bodies.  If we fuel our bodies with fast food and donuts, we will get fast food and donut results.  It’s not just about healthy eating – eating for performance is a science.
  1. Recovery:  Your body needs time to repair and grow stronger.  Sleep, stretching, foam rolling, and active recovery all play an essential role in improving performance.  Prioritizing recovery allows you to train harder and more effectively, preventing injuries.
  1. Consistency:  Regardless of your starting point, staying consistent with your training and recovery routine over time will lead to gradual but meaningful improvement.  Patience and perseverance are essential for long-term success in any sport.

Do not let your perceived notion about the gifts God gave you be the limiting factor in your athletic success.  If you WANT IT……WORK FOR IT.

Speed is a learned skill,

Jaxson