To the Committed Hearts and Minds

by Stella Whalen Athletics is a language that all countries speak. Audiences across the world gather to watch sporting events from Little League baseball to high school soccer to the Olympic trials. Society acknowledges that committing one's body, time and energy to sports is respectable and beyond most people's threshold. It's a wonder why so many of us choose to put our bodies through repeated voluntary pain. Some do it for fame, some for self-improvement, and others because they've never known anything different. For athletes who have ever wanted more from sports or for themselves, I present a piece of my heart and mind. My name is Stella Whalen, and I am by no means an insanely gifted athlete, but I have been immersed in sports for the past seven years of my life. I live by what people call a "trial and error" mindset. During my rise to fame, or fall to failure more like, I quickly found out that any sport involving a ball was not in the cards for me. Consequently, I have spent the past six years of my life running.  Stella Whalen competes in the 400-meter hurdle race in the spring  of 2023 placing third. From 5K's to 400-meter hurdles to conference titles to not making finals, I have tried over 15 track and field events and learned many lessons along the way. I am currently competing at Washburn University specializing in the mid-distance events of track and field.  Athletes are commonly left feeling empty after their life's investment in their sport doesn't produce the outcome they've spent years working for. Or maybe they win the national championship, and their 10 minutes of fame do not bring the lifetime of fulfillment they believe it will. I've found one purpose in life to make my investment worthwhile and that is the purpose of bringing glory to God. I believe that athletes across the world are craving this sense of calling and my blog will offer any level of athlete a unique mindset to endure the mental and physical requirements of their sport.  Works Cited:  The Guardian: Sports is the Most Unifying Tool for Peace in the World Athletes for Hope: Mental Health and Athletes Photo Credit: Blake Poje