With the Winter Olympics just days away, athletes from around the world have spent years training to represent their countries on sport’s biggest stage.
The sacrifices are immeasurable, countless hours in the gym, early mornings, sacrifices, and unwavering dedication.
For many, this becomes their entire identity, their singular goal is to win a medal for their country.
But what happens when it’s all over?
British cyclist Jack Carlin knows this feeling all too well.
When asked about his two silvers and two bronze medals, he admitted something surprising.
“I made the mistake of thinking that my purpose was this medal, and I achieved that purpose, and then I was lost,” he told The Endurance Podcast.
“I remember coming off of that podium and going straight to the BBC, and the BBC asked me ‘How do you feel, you must be so elated?’.
“They’re putting all these words in your mouth and I was just so perplexed by everything that was going on that I just said yes.
“This moment is everything I’ve dreamed of, and it wasn’t.”
His true purpose lies in his friends, family, and other pillars of support.
“The Olympics was a goal, a huge goal but it was a goal, it wasn’t a purpose,” he said.
“Purpose is other things, purpose should be friends and family, whatever it is for whoever it is.”
This realization is crucial, especially as thousands of athletes approach these Winter Olympics.
Many will pour everything into their performance, only to feel lost once the competition ends regardless of if they achieve their goals or fall short.
So how can athletes and anyone chasing ambitious goals protect themselves from this emptiness?
Find Your Why
Reconnect with the reason you started in the first place.
Was it the pure joy of movement? The thrill of pushing your limits? The camaraderie with teammates?
Understanding your deeper motivation creates a foundation that outlasts any single competition.
Clarify Your Values
Determine what truly matters to you beyond performance metrics.
Is it connection, creativity, growth, or contribution?
Once you identify these values, seek experiences and relationships that align with them outside your sport.
Cultivate Hobbies Beyond Your Sport
Just because there’s a competition around the corner doesn’t mean you should abandon the things that bring you joy.
Other hobbies aren’t distractions from your goals; they’re essential parts of who you are.
Build Genuine Pillars of Support
Surround yourself with people who value you for who you are, not just what you achieve.
The relationships that matter most are the ones that remain steady when you’re struggling, not just when you’re winning.
These are the people who make the journey worthwhile.
As large events approach and the pressure intensifies holding onto your why, protecting the hobbies and relationships that ground you, and not lose sight of who you truly are is crucial to ensuring a greater purpose holistically.
