Discover how 17-time-medalist and Paralympian Oksana Masters has learned to train her mind to compete as well as her body.
very four years, the best of the best from around the world gather in one place to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Some have the confidence and bravado necessary off the bat to line up with confidence. Some, like paralympian, must overcome mental barriers every time they get to the starting line—despite demonstrating time and time again that they belong there.
Masters competes in downhill skiing in the winter and road cycling in the warmer months, which means she has to be primed to compete year-round. And while staying fit throughout the year is tough, it's the mental blocks she says she fights the most with training. A major culprit? Society’s expectations for both women and disabled people.
“Once you're there, you can kind of relax,” she says. “You just let your body go into autopilot, there's nothing more you can do, you just let your body do what it was trained to do.” “I tell myself it’s okay. I know what it's like to fail, and I know what it's like to have the best race of your life,” she says. She also acknowledges that anxiety holds her back, which was a hard lesson to learn. “Honestly, I'm still learning that, because even when I'm done being a professional athlete, I'm still going to want to compare myself and push the boundaries of what's possible.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Paralympian Melissa Stockwell’s Post-Training Beauty Routine is *Super* EasyThe athlete shares how she's preparing her body to compete in the 2024 Paralympics, plus her go-to SPF and training sneakers.
Read more »
Ukranian paralympian practices his spike when he’s not flying drones over Russian troopsDima Melnyk, a Ukrainian soldier on the frontlines who has had a lifelong passion for sports, has qualified to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. “It gives me, athletes, my brothers in arms and Ukrainians the strength to keep moving forward despite all the difficulties,” he says. NBC's Richard Engel reports for TODAY.
Read more »
Ukrainian paralympian practices his spike when he’s not flying drones over Russian troopsDima Melnyk, a Ukrainian soldier on the frontlines who has had a lifelong passion for sports, has qualified to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. “It gives me, athletes, my brothers in arms and Ukrainians the strength to keep moving forward despite all the difficulties,” he says. NBC's Richard Engel reports for TODAY.
Read more »
American Paralympian Daniel Romanchuk strives to give more access to wheelchair racing with initiativeParalympic gold medalist Daniel Romanchuk talked to Fox News Digital about Wheels for Change and his goal to give more access to wheelchair racing.
Read more »
US Paralympian Ezra Frech talks charitable endeavors, impact as role model ahead of ParisAmerican Paralympic athlete Ezra Frech talks to Fox News Digital about his Angel City Sports foundation as he gears up for the 2024 Games in Paris.
Read more »
Paralympian Ezra Frech 'grateful' to have chance to represent USAAmerican Paralympian Ezra Frech spoke to Fox News Digital and expressed just how important it is for him to represent the red, white and blue on the global stage.
Read more »