Daily Grind articles are posted the 15th of every month to provide a look into a day in the life of a college athlete and to give an example of time management skills.

Shelby McEwen of the University of Alabama track and field team led the nation in the high jump in 2019. He opened his 2019 season with a 7'4” clearance in the high jump, which lead him to his first win of the indoor season. He then went on to win his fourth consecutive meet and reached his personal best at the high jump. At the South Carolina Invite, he broke a new record. He gracefully cleared the bar and had the second-best jump in the world by clearing 7'7”!

Shelby is a phenomenal athlete, but he didn't just wake up that way; he works on his craft every day to get better, so he is prepared for each meet. Shelby says, “Having a week to get prepared for SECs was good for my body. Going to get body treatments and a good rest was very beneficial.” It is imperative for every athlete, no matter what sport you play, to take care of your body by getting treatments, soaking your body, or whatever helps put your body at ease. As an athlete, your body is always taking a beating from all of your hard practices and games/meets, so make sure you give your body some time to rest to prevent yourself from burning out.

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Now let's jump into what Shelby does to get pumped up and ready for his meets.

Set the Vibe
Shelby starts his day with some good music to get his mind focused on the task ahead.

Breakfast
Next, he gets a tasty, nutritious breakfast to fuel his body for the day: “Normally, my breakfast consists of an omelet, bacon, and potatoes. I also drink some orange juice and go from there,” Shelby says. A consistent, routine breakfast is what most athletes stick to because consistency is key.

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Warm-Up
After Shelby arrives at the meet, he says, “I get a good flush (shake) out before I start my warmup.” If you are an athlete, you know that is one of the most essential part of your pre-game/meet routine. Next, it's time to warm up and get his body and mind ready to compete. After doing a light warmup, Shelby goes to his event station, sets up his station, does some run-throughs, then does 2 or 3 jumps to make sure he is fully prepared before the competition starts. Shelby states, “When it's time to compete, I'm in my zone and don't like talking.”

Shelby is the best high jumper in the nation, which means he has many accolades for all of his seasons. During the 2018 season, he was the SEC champion and First Team All American for the outdoor and indoor high jump, to name a few. Shelby is on track to become one of the best high jumpers ever to attend the University of Alabama and maybe even the best high jumper in the United States. Shelby works very hard to achieve his goals, and he would tell high school athletes looking to play any sport in college to reach for the stars and never give up. No matter how many times you fail, as long as you keep trying and keep working hard, you will reach your goal and be the best at what you do.

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Athletes who are at Shelby's level get to travel all over the world and compete in many different states and countries. Not only do they get to compete around the country, but Shelby has many accolades for his accomplishments. While being an athlete might be hard work, it gives him the opportunity to attend parties and events with his friends on his days off from athletics. Having fun and letting loose is very important for athletes because all work with no play can take a toll on your mental health, so get out there and have a good time when you have a chance.

Related: 5 Ways to Maintain a Social Life as a College Athlete

Being the best at your sport can also come with some downfalls. He is held to a higher standard than most; people are looking to him as a role model, which can put pressure on any athlete. However, Shelby says, “You just have to block out the noise and focus on what you are the best at doing,” this is excellent advice for athletes who are transitioning from high school sports right into college sports. College sports are an entirely different level than high school sports; only the best high school athletes have the opportunity to play at the college level, you have to stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize.

What's a day in your life like? Share your Daily Grind at [email protected]

* Originally published on March 15, 2022, by Nadia Isaac