It may sound cool and glamorous – being a professional athlete or sportsperson – but is it? Only the top-tier and second-tier athletes make a decent living; many others struggle. You enjoy the purse only when you win, or meet the stringent criteria of a series of races. There are little guarantees, and you cannot insure your sustained fitness or wellness. Yet, this profession attracts a few select ones, as it can be a calling, or something they have to do.
Having had a few days off to prepare for next week’s busy schedule, I attempted to train like a professional endurance athlete (since I am three weeks out to my next 226K race). As fun and flexible as the job title sounds, I learnt that it is tremendously hard work.
1) You need to be disciplined in your ‘working’ day. Mild distractions need to be kept that way.
2) A ‘rest day’ may include ‘active recovery’ where you have a lighter day of physical exertion. Naps and recovery are a necessary part of your working equation.
3) You have meetings and other business commitments around your training sessions.
4) Your value is determined by your performance: how many podium placing, and your overall ranking.
5) If you are established, you may live on a retainer rate or sponsorship fees (sponsored products is not enough as you have bills to pay). New pros find it challenging in the start-up stage.
6) You may supplement or enhance your income with personal or group coaching, as well as leading in training camps.
7) Build your personal branding: presence and pleasance. You need to be liked by your fans or sponsors will be hesitant to collaborate with you.
8) This is a profession and a business. You have to mind (mine) your own business (busyness).
9) Stay injury-free and fatigue-free; you cannot perform well when you are hurting, or over-committed with races.
10)You work on most weekends, as that’s where most races occur.
11)You need to be financially savvy, and plan your budget and expenses around your races. Every race is an investment, and these need to be planned far in advance.
12) Travelling to race is stressful, and you can live out of a suitcase and bike-case for wide stretches of time.
Thus, I have very high respect for professional athletes who live their dream profession. It is, undeniably, a very tough way to earn a living, yet it is driven by one’s passion, belief in their talent, and a desire to reach their potential. It is a shorter-term profession, which needs to be planned long term, and beyond.
Leadership Lessons: When was the last time you trained like a professional athlete? How do you schedule and prioritise your daily and weekly events?
Give yourself a tougher challenge by considering training twice a day – it is no different than students who do twice-daily, swim squad training. If you are coached, you may be experiencing such a commitment. You will sleep very well though. Sleep comes readily for those who train hard.
