I have been missing the days when I was always training and focused on achieving the best that I could in sports competition. Volleyball became so much of my identity that even three years after I finished playing I struggle to dissociate myself from that volleyball player. The goal of being the best that you can be physically, technically, mentally and every other way is much easier when you have a concrete goal of competition to focus on. But in the more abstract realm of life beyond sport the waters get muddied. Three years removed from these experiences I still struggle with how I view myself, what motivates me, and how I can translate the amazing self work I did for myself while playing volleyball into the rest of life. It is a hard task when the answer isn't always more reps or more time in the gym, but I'm hoping that I continue to find my way through the more abstract and that over time it becomes more comfortable.
Here's a shot of me while I was playing at the University of Alberta.
Love always,
Ian (+ AL in Absentia)