Chapter 6It's Not Just About You

“The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.”

John Wooden

The people around us can have a powerful influence on us. Their feedback, their support, their encouragement, or indeed their doubts, all have the potential to shift our thinking and emotions. When I watch young athletes at work, I see some that have an incredibly supportive family. Their parents pick them up, drop them off and drive the lengths of the country taking them to training camps or competitions. Often these parents invest a huge amount of time and energy in their children.

Of course, not all of the influences are positive. How often do you see “pushy parents”? Their ambitions for the child can actually present other challenges. It ...

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