Obadele Thompson - Secrets of a Champion Student-Athlete: A Reality Check (2nd ed.)

Secrets of a Champion Student-Athlete:

A Reality Check (Second Edition)

Copyright 2010, 2021 Obadele Thompson.

All rights reserved. This book and no parts within it may be sold or reproduced in any form without the publishers permission, except for brief quotes by reviewers.

For comments, permissions requests, speaking inquiries,
or bulk order purchase options, please visit www.obadelethompson.com
or email .

First edition published by Brown Books Publishing Group (2011)

ISBN (print): 978-1-7375439-0-9

ISBN (digital): 978-1-7375439-1-6

Front cover photograph: Obadele Thompson winning the 200-meter dash at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, used by permission of NCAA Photos.

Back cover headshot by James Dixon, Dixon Digital Photography. Tel: +1 (512) 233-9095.

Printed in the United States of America

To my parents for setting the bar high and for teach ing
and encouraging me to go hi gher.

Prologue

T here I stood, at the starting line, my heart racing. I was a senior, moments away from the start of the Championships marquee match -u p and my final collegiate race. If I won, Id become one of few athletes in NCAA Division I track and field history to win both the - and -m eter dashes at the same national championships. If I failed, I would end my collegiate career with a loss. The stakes were high.

There he stood, only feet away in the outside lane, ready to stop me. He was hungry to win his first national title; I was hungry to end my career by winning my fourth. Our journeys to this point were different, but we shared a singular, consuming goalto win!

Id won the -m eter dash title in the driving rain about an hour before. Frankly, I was the favorite in that event because hed skipped it despite having the best time in the nation and recently defeating me. Only two weekends before, he had impressively beaten me at our Outdoor Conference Championships. Once again, only one of us would be the cham pion.

When the starter called us to our marks, a hush moved across the stadium. In that instant, all my hard work, sacrifices, the lessons Id learned, and the experiences Id had over the last four years flashed across my mind. How quickly time had passed! I could vividly remember my first day on ca mpus.

Now, in just about 20 seconds of running, my collegiate career would be over.

This is it . Show time !

I positioned myself in the starting blocks and waited for the starters next com mand.

Set! I assumed the set position. My muscles flexed, and my mind momentarily went blank, ready to react to the next s ound.

The starters gun cracked, and I exploded out of the blocks, fully focused on executing and winning. I was in a zone.

I caught everyone by the end of the turn and powered into the straightaway, as the pitter -p atter of my feet on the wet track became my only companion, through the headwinds and the pain. It was no longer about revenge, rivalries, or redemption. It was about ending my collegiate career as Id begun itpushing to reach my poten tial.

A few strides from the finish line, I relaxed and raised both arms in victory. Id finally done it! I had created history and recorded a new personal best.

There I stood, six months later, as the schools banner bearer at my graduation ceremony. When they announced my name, I crossed the stage to receive my college degree, feeling immensely proud and relieved at completing that challenging jou rney.

There I stood, one month later, receiving one of the NCAAs most prestigious honors, the Todays Top VIII Award. Being selected with the seven other awardees there made me proud but humbled. They were some of the most accomplished student -a thletes of my era, including Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee, a future five -t ime NFL MVP and two -t ime Super Bowl Cham pion.

Despite my ambition, I had no idea I wouldve experienced such fantastic life moments and become so successful. Certain secrets allowed me to excel in the classroom and on the field and be involved in my local community. Ill share many with you. But first, lets go over some basics so you can start strong too.

Acknowledgments

I am deeply grateful and indebted to my family, friends, coaches, teammates, and those who contributed positively to my life and to this book. You know who you are.

Thank you!

Introduction

Why I Wrote This Book

I ts been a while since I last suited up in my schools colors to compete. Ill admit that I look at my college uniform some days and wish I could turn back the clock and do it all over again. Being a college student -a thlete was one of the most valuable and tremendous experiences in my life, one I would never trade. But if Id known then what I know now, I wouldve made even better choices and accomplished so much more. Many years ago, a conversation with a friend let me know I wasnt alone in feeling this way.

My friend had recently graduated from her college and relocated to pursue her Masters degree. While visiting her former teammates, she observed many making similar poor decisions shed made or seen in college, including about their romantic relationships, sexual partners, partying, and other issues. Although she was only a few years older, her views had matured considerably. During her week -l ong stay, she became the mother hen for manylistening, observing, and advising them. Despite having an outstanding career at a major university, she wished she had someone like her older self to help her make better choices in col lege.

After that conversation, I talked to several other former student -a thletes . Regardless of their school, sport, or achievements, most wished they had a personal guide in college. Those conversations inspired this book.

Why You Should Read This Book Now!

Personal experience can be an excellent teacher, and youll learn much from your college experience. But, you can often accelerate your success and avoid common pitfalls by learning from ot hers.

I wrote this book with one purpose: to be a pocket mentor to help you cultivate winning mindsets, habits, and tools to succeed in college and life.

Few student -a thletes win championships or graduate at the top of their class. Those are outstanding achievements but being a champion student -a thlete is so much more than that. Its about overcoming obstacles and setbacks, pushing yourself to new peaks, and maximizing your opportunities before your eligibility ends.

Much has changed in college sports since I graduated. But what it takes to excel is very much the same. Although most stories in this book are about me, this book is for you to shine. Theres sure to be something useful for you, even if you read only specific topics, randomly select pages, or listen to the audio book.

Ultimately, only your willingness to do more, better, or different from others will unleash your highest potential and set you a part.

Cheat Sheet

10 Tips to Remember When Reading This Book

1. Read to learn and to improve. Youll gain far more when reading with a pur pose.
2. Look for the key point of stories, reality checks, tips, and secrets. Use your thinking cap.
3. Read with an open mind. Consider how topics relate to your goals and life.
4. Take notes and return to what challenges, motivates, or confuses you.
5. This book is much like your season. Early chapters (1 to 4) are like pre -s eason training, full of the basics and the not - a lways - s o -f un but essential stuff. Later chapters (5 to 12) offer more practical tips.
6. Reading it over multiple sessions may help you understand the contents be tter.