While many incredible athletes have come and gone during the last two centuries, setting huge milestones in their respective sports, some of them became legends and earned the recognition of greatest players of all time. These athletes have not only inspired their own fans, but had a huge influence all over the globe.
The American football quarterback has become a great source of inspiration since coming into the professional game. In just ten seasons of his professional career, Tom Brady has guided his team New England Patriots into the Super Bowl five times; winning three titles in the process and has marked his name in the legends already.
The retired American swimmer and a legend Michael Phelps was the most powerful, energetic and passionate sportsmen in the history of swimming and no one have managed to match his brilliance to this day. Having 22 medals to his name, Phelps is also the most decorated Olympian of All Time.
The former world-class cricketer and one of the top inspirational personalities of Asia, Imran Khan has turned everything he touched into gold. From leading his team under the least favorite conditions to become World Champions in 1992 to registering a significant impact in the world of politics in Pakistan, Imran Khan has shown the true traits of a leader all his life. Imran Khan’s idealism and high dreams is what makes him a sheer inspiration.
Seven-time World Champion and the greatest Formula One driver Michael Schumacher is a name recognized all over the globe. Schumacher has set a golden standard on the racing tracks and is among the most influential personalities in the world of sports.
How to Become Inspiring
- Intrinsic Motivation: Baker calls intrinsic motivation the “currency of athletic performance.” If your child does not have it, not only is it very hard to instill, but your athlete will never have the drive, grit and mental fortitude to train and play hard enough. I see many parents who are the ones leading the charge when it comes to going to training, doing extra work on the side, and finding opportunities for the athlete to challenge himself and get out of his comfort zone.
- Enjoyment: for some reason, there are a number if misguided coaches and parents who think that competitive sports and enjoyment are mutually exclusive, they are not. In fact, if an athlete does not love her sport, is she does not enjoy the experience, she will never hang around long enough to be good. This does not mean that every single moment has to pleasurable, as I know many top athletes who might not consider conditioning training to be enjoyable. But the experience, taken as a whole, must be fun, it must keep them coming back, and it must be something they look forward to doing.