Olympic Thinking – when I thought of this blog, I searched this term and it came back with a lot of mindset strategies that olympians use to deal with the pressure of competing at the highest level in their sport.
But that’s not what this piece is going to be about.
The winter olympics ended a few months ago now but I enjoyed watching it, as I do with every Olympic games (summer & winter). Having some experience racing Biathlon & Cross Country skiing, I watched some version of all of these races whether that be live or a replay. If you watched any news around the Olympics then I’m sure you heard of Johannes Høsflot Klæbo – the cross country skiing phenom!
What he did at this years Olympics was absolutely wild. He won the super short sprint race and the supper long 50km distance – just a few days apart. In running terms, that’s like being the best mile runner and the best marathoner in the world. That just doesn’t happen, the demands are so vastly different that these events are for specialists.
Klæbo had already won hundreds of races and Olympic medals prior to this years games but it was the first time I had heard his name since the last Olympics. These games were also the first time I’d watched Cross Country skiing since the last Olympics too. I realized that most Olympic sports that I love watching, I only watch when the Olympics are on – and I think that is the case for most people.
As an Olympian you have one chance to shine every 4 years. 72% of Olympic athletes only compete in one games – so they have one chance to shine. Sure, there are world championships and other events that they can do well at but the majority of the world is only watching the Olympics.
This is Olympic Thinking – years and years of dedication to have one chance to shine and if you’re lucky you can go again in another 4 years!
This is the type of mentality we need to be building when it comes to our own health and fitness…
It’s a lifetime pursuit to maybe perform a few times over your life – that could be a big challenge, a crazy situation you find yourself or just being in great shape as a 70 year old. This is your Olympics.
…And the beautiful thing is, unlike the Olympics, we do not have to peak for one day.
We get to train for life.
That is what I mean by Olympic Thinking.
Not obsessing over gold medals or chasing perfection. Thinking long term. Training with the understanding that what you do today might be preparing you for something years from now.
The workout you do this morning might be helping you carry a pack through the mountains at 60.
The strength you build now might be what allows you to get off the floor unassisted at 80.
The discipline you practice by showing up three days a week might be what helps you stay calm and capable when life throws something hard at you.
Most people approach fitness with short term thinking.
Lose ten pounds.
Get ready for summer.
Do a six week challenge.
That is not Olympic Thinking.
Olympic Thinking says I am preparing for a life where I stay useful, resilient and capable.
Because life has events.
Sometimes they are chosen. A marathon. A backcountry trip. Playing sports with your kids.
Sometimes they choose you. Injury. Illness. Stress. Crisis.
When those moments come, you do not rise to the occasion. You fall to the level of your preparation.
Olympians understand this. Klæbo did not become capable of winning the sprint and the 50km because of what he did in the Olympic fortnight. That performance was built in thousands of quiet sessions nobody saw.
Your life works the same way.
Health is not something you cram for.
Fitness is not something you borrow when you need it.
It is something you build, slowly, patiently – over decades.
And maybe that is the mindset shift we all need.
Stop training for beach season.
Stop training for the next 30 days.
Start training for the moments that matter.
Train for the hike you have not taken yet.
Train for the grandchildren you want to keep up with.
Train for the hard seasons you hope never come.
Train so that when your Olympics arrive, whatever form they take, you are ready.
Because real fitness is not about peaking once.
It is about staying ready for a lifetime.
