Success Stories: Thriving as a Non-Athlete in an Athletic World

Madeline in the Chicago Marathon

Being part of the one percent who have completed a marathon is an incredible feat that demands unwavering determination, steadfast dedication, and thorough preparation. By committing to a consistent training schedule, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and having the right equipment, I could conquer the physical and mental obstacles that come with the marathon distance. Despite encountering the infamous "wall," I emerged victorious; I finished.

When I returned home, drained and bone tired, my youngest son asked me if I won the race. In his mind, winning first place is not just a participation medal for finishing. Although I felt a sense of accomplishment, I reflected on my many episodes in sports of not winning and not being an athlete.

My childhood was a complete failure in sports. I played volleyball, but more accurately, I warmed the bench. Unfortunately, I was one of the tiniest in my class. Not just because of genetics, I am still not tall, but also because I was almost a year younger than most classmates.

Completing with much older children, I didn’t pass the Presidential Physical Fitness Test in elementary school, which awards children for their fitness achievements. When it was time to pick sides in dodgeball, I was the last chosen. But I would be the first to be called for “Red Rover, Red Rover” since I could never break through the opposing lines.

I skied as I entered high school, which my parents taught me at five years old. But I enjoyed going slowly down the hill and doing some tricks along the way, nothing too daring. But my skills were put to shame on my first adventure to ski in Switzerland. Let’s say the mountain won, and I limped away with a torn ACL.

In college, I had to take drown-proofing to graduate. Fortunately, the requirement changed, and I just had to pass beginning swimming. I was the only girl in the class and was put with basketball players. I passed despite the teasing and graduated.

So, as our kids started coming along, I wanted to ensure they didn’t endure that low confidence that comes from having no athletic abilities. From the age of 11 months, they had Gymboree class, which evolved into gymnastics. Swimming, yep, I couldn’t save them with my poor swimming abilities, so they learned to swim at 3, 4, and 6 years old. Soccer, baseball, tennis, hockey, wrestling, rugby, basketball, golf, archery, fencing, cross country, lacrosse, skiing, and more were all sports they were exposed to.

Although, as their mother, I didn't play a significant role in making them into the talented athletes they are today. I endured the endless smell of dirty socks, pungent shin guards, and the ridiculously rank smell of a gym bag that was left at school all season.

While some might argue that nature vs. nurture is a factor, I would like to point out that their father, my husband, is also very talented in sports. We encouraged our children to try various sports, but we also didn't pamper them every time they stumbled or tried something new that we thought they weren't ready for, such as riding a bike without training wheels and skiing at three years old.

Mason playing roller hockey, 3 years old.

Today, raising an athletic child involves creating a supportive environment that promotes physical activity, skill development, and a healthy lifestyle. However, enticing them away from electronics might be the most brutal battle. Here are some ideas.

Encourage your child to engage in active play from an early age. Provide opportunities for them to run, jump, climb, and explore outdoors. Tag, hide-and-seek, and bike riding promote physical fitness and coordination. So they take their training wheels off at 3 years old; who cares if they are determined to learn?

Be a role model for your child by staying physically active and leading a healthy lifestyle. Children often emulate their parents' behaviors and attitudes. Even if it is a non-talent sport like my running, it shows that physical health is prioritized.

Expose your child to a variety of sports and physical activities. Let them explore different options to discover their interests and talents. But let your child be your guide. While our middle son was being twisted in a knot during a wrestling match, he looked at me and said, “Mommy, he is hurting me.” Little did I know he would become a Ju Jitsu black belt as an adult.

Create a supportive and positive environment for your child's athletic pursuits. Please encourage them to enjoy the process of learning and improvement rather than solely focusing on winning. We were fortunate to have good coaches who concentrated on our child’s development to be good men, not just to win at all costs.

Give your child opportunities for unstructured, free play where they can be creative and imaginative. But be careful what you wish for; this can lead to over-creativity. For example, our boys took their circle sleds down the basement stairs. They had a ball; Mom had a scare.

Remember that not every child will be an athlete, much less a one percenter, and that's perfectly fine. The primary focus should be promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, developing essential life skills through sports, and having fun. Look at me. I had no skills or obvious talent but made it into that elite category. Athlete or not, get moving!