The Athletes Next Door
By: Anyesha Mohammed
Many would say they are living the best of both worlds, but for Concordia athletes, those two worlds tend to be double the amount. Having to focus on school, work, and their athletic life, as well as their own social life, is a skill that not many can maintain. However, the athletes donning the Concordia lightning bolt have taken this skill and perfected it-- turning it into a balanced lifestyle that promotes all aspects of their day-to-day schedule.
But how do they do it? Is it their habits that lead them to success in the classroom and their preferred sports field? Or is it the people that they surround themselves with that uplift them and give them that boost they need to make it through the day?
When asked, Concordia athletes shared their thoughts about the topic and even offered advice to new student athletes who may need a guiding hand.
Isabella Garritano and Abigael Burton (Concordia Soccer) coincidentally came to the mutual conclusion that maintaining a positive attitude is the key to remaining above the weight that life can put upon one’s shoulders. It’s finding the simple joys in the little things that can carry your day and really make an impact on the outlook you will ultimately have on life.
For Abigael in particular, an athlete who runs her own baking business, stress is something she is not unfamiliar with. But being able to “genuinely enjoy each of these pursuits” and use her passions as outlets is what allows her to remain focused and positive about her academic goals.
As it is easy to get buried with assignments and work, the best you can do is remember you always have tomorrow and not forget that every day won’t be perfect. “Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe bad,” is the personal mantra of Josh Acevedo (Concordia Soccer), who shared that it helps to know “I get to spend a couple of hours each day with people I love, playing a sport I love too.”
Enjoying time with teammates and fellow student athletes was a sentiment shared by Van Tooke (Concordia Volleyball) and Kevin Wilson (Edmonton Wildcats), who agreed that “it’s a little easier to be less stressed when you have others around you going through the same thing.” Having a solid support system with the people constantly surrounding you makes it easier to get through the day and can distract you from certain worries, even if it’s only temporary.
We may not always see ourselves in athletes, but if there is one thing we can share between us, it is the way we manage to consistently overcome the challenges thrown our way, no matter how different the battles may be. It’s important to take it a day at a time and appreciate our passions as much as we can, and remember that it’s okay to ask and rely on someone else for help. You’ve always got tomorrow and for Concordia students, there is always something exciting to be found about a new day.
