Blog #4

 While working on my project it prompted a lot of questions and self-reflection about my own experiences with athletics and in particular my sport of swimming. In one of my long discussions with coach Lew where we talked about the development of athletes and athletic burnout at a young age, we discussed how it has become much more common in youth sports because they are pushed too hard to fast through the LTAD model in correspondence to their chronological age. When an athlete was pushed too hard or asked to specialize too soon it could really accelerate burnout. Our conversation allowed me to open up and talk about the fact that I had almost quit swimming when I was thirteen. After learning this, coach Lew came up with the idea to have me self-reflect on why and what impacted me prior to and/or leading up to almost quitting, then write about why I almost quit, and finally reflect and communicate what got me through it. I spent time reflecting on my time not only in the pool and on deck but also at school, at home, and within my own head (mental health). The combination of all of these factors played an important role in setting up the right conditions for a near burnout. It was interesting to reflect on this time in my life, and how it has impacted my love for the sport and my progression to today.  Being an athlete and/or swimmer is one of the most important parts of my life and it has led to so many friendships and opportunities and I am blessed to have been able to heal my relationship with the sport.