As athletes, adversity is the name of the game. In the end, it is the challenge and dedication to the craft that makes it so rewarding. After a span of losing games and obvious frustration, my coach would tell us a simple line that resonated in all of us, “We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.” It was a simple line to many, but for me, it meant focusing on improving myself and pushing others to do the same. Winners are born through adversity.

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That said, change is scary. So how do athletes balance out our human need to feel safe and secure with the risk-taking inherent to being the best we can possibly be? My advice: weigh the pros and cons. Look at how much you have to lose by tweaking your form or increasing your training load. The potential benefits may outweigh the risks in surprising and rewarding ways.

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* Originally published on June 20, 2022, by Mary Archibald