Secrets of a Champion Student-Athlete: A Reality Check (2nd edition)

By Obadele Thompson

DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT SEPARATES CHAMPIONS FROM OTHERS?

"This book is a treasure for all student-athletes. Obadele shares his wisdom on how to achieve excellence on and off the field."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thompson World Class Performance Consulting LLC
• Release date: Nov 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781737543916

Obadele Thompson

Obadele Thompson is an Olympic medalist, multiple NCAA champion, author, speaker, and attorney.Unrecruited in high school, Obadele contacted The University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP), hoping for an athletic scholarship. He succeeded and went on to have a record-setting collegiate career.After graduating summa cum laude in Economics and Marketing, he competed globally as a professional athlete for a decade, winning a medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.SELECT HONORS•Olympic 100-meter dash Medalist•4 x NCAA Individual Champion•2 x NCAA Record Holder•NCAA Indoor Track Athlete of the Year•NCAA Today's Top VIII Recipient•CoSIDA First Team-at-Large Academic All-American

Book preview

Secrets of a Champion Student-Athlete:

A Reality Check (Second Edition)

Copyright © 2010, 2021 Obadele Thompson.

All rights reserved. This book and no parts within it may be sold or reproduced in any form without the publisher’s permission, except for brief quotes by reviewers.

For comments, permissions requests, speaking inquiries,

or bulk order purchase options, please visit www.obadelethompson.com

or email [e-mail].

First edition published by Brown Books Publishing Group (2011)

ISBN (print): 978-1-7375439-0-9

ISBN (digital): 978-1-7375439-1-6

Front cover photograph: Obadele Thompson winning the 200-meter dash at the 1997 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, used by permission of NCAA Photos.

Back cover headshot by James Dixon, Dixon Digital Photography. Tel: [phone].

Printed in the United States of America

To my parents for setting the bar high and for teaching

and encouraging me to go higher.

Contents

Prologue

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Cheat Sheet

Chapter 1 : Start Strong

Prepare for Changes

Get It Straight: You are a Student-Athlete

Focus On the Right Priorities Right Now

Understanding the Athletic Department

Common Student-Athlete Benefits

You Control Your Fate

Traits of Successful and Unsuccessful Student-Athletes

Balancing Act: Student + Athlete = Student-Athlete

One-On-One

Chapter 2 : Set New Personal Bests

Be True to Yourself

Understanding Your Personal Values and Core Identity

Performance Does Not Equal Identity

Create Your Personal Mission Statement

So, What Type of Student and Athlete are You?

Keep Up Your Core Training

Not Exactly Mr. Perfect

Be Patient with Yourself

One-On-One

Chapter 3 : Master the Playbook

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

How to Learn the Rules

Rules Aren’t Always Bad

Know Your Rights

Master the Game

One-On-One

Chapter 4 : Get Ready to Sprint

Use Your Relationships Advantageously

You’ve Got the Power, So Use It

Enable Yourself

The World Owes You Nothing

Be Practically Proactive

One-On-One

Chapter 5 : Improve Your Personal Goalkeeping

You Can’t Win When You’re Goal-Less

Success Tips for Setting and Reaching Your Goals

Cultivate Meaningful Relationships

Action Time

Keep Up Your Target Practice

One-On-One

Chapter 6 : Perfect Your Personal Game Plan

The Power of Systemization

Become Systematically Successful

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Tips for Enhancing Your Game Plan

Avoid Extreme Makeovers

The Four Es of a Good Personal System

Improve Your Personal Game Plan

One-On-One

Chapter 7 : Watch Your Game Clock

You Already Manage Your Time

Consequences of Your Time Management

Tips for Improving Your Time Management

Extra Time Management Tips

No Time Like Now

One-On-One

Chapter 8 : Develop a Winning Lifestyle

Lower Your Stress

Take Care of Your Mental Health

Take Care of Your Body

Live Like a Champion

One-On-One

Chapter 9 : Stay Inbounds When You’re off the Field

Control Your Social Life Before It Rules (Or Ruins) You

Use Social Media Wisely

Let’s Talk About Sex

Sexual Misconduct: The Sad and Silent College Epidemic

Party Smartly

Monitor Your Commitments to Extracurricular Organizations

Avoid Hazing and Interpersonal Violence

Safeguard Your Environment

Build Your Relationships Carefully

Be Careful With Alcohol and Drugs

Be Smart With Your Money

Stay Out of Personal-Foul Trouble

One-On-One

Chapter 10 : Cross-Train Your Brain

Aim to Do Well Academically

Evaluate Yourself as a Student

Choose the Best Major for You

Create the Best Class Schedule for You

Set the Tone from the Start of Each Semester

Make the Most of Class Time

Success Tips to Improve Your Studying

Go After the Grade You Want

Master Facial Recognition

Give Your Instructors What They Want

Prepare to Do Well

One-On-One

Chapter 11 : Train and Compete Like a Champion

Exercise Your Will to Win

You Can’t Consistently Outperform Your Training

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

Master the Basics

Make Your Bad Good and Good Great

Develop Your Plan Bs

Take Your Recovery Seriously

Supplements Maybe, Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDS) Never

Go the Extra Mile

Get Your Mind Right Before You Compete

Find Your Own Zone

Gain a Mental Edge

It’s Okay to Get Help

Focus On the Process Not the Results

Manage Distractions Properly

Compete to Win

The Champion Mindset

Develop a Champion’s Approach to Training and Competing

One-On-One

Chapter 12 : Prepare for the End Zone

So, You Want to Turn Pro?

Continue Your Education If Your Eligibility Ends Before You Graduate

Prepare for Life After Sports

Prepare for Life After College

Network, Network, Network

Get Ready for the Workforce

Find the Right Job for You

Tips for Becoming Self-Employed or an Entrepreneur

The End Zone

One-On-One

Chapter 13 : Reality Check

Secrets of a Champion Student-Athlete

About the Author

Prologue

There I stood, at the starting line, my heart racing. I was a senior, moments away from the start of the Championships’ marquee match -u p and my final collegiate race. If I won, I’d become one of few athletes in NCAA Division I track and field history to win both the 100 - and 200 -m eter dashes at the same national championships. If I failed, I would end my collegiate career with a loss. The stakes were high.

There he stood, only feet away in the outside lane, ready to stop me. He was hungry to win his first national title; I was hungry to end my career by winning my fourth. Our journeys to this point were different, but we shared a singular, consuming goal—to win!

I’d won the 100-meter dash title in the driving rain about an hour before. Frankly, I was the favorite in that event because he’d skipped it despite having the best time in the nation and recently defeating me. Only two weekends before, he had impressively beaten me at our Outdoor Conference Championships. Once again, only one of us would be the champion.

When the starter called us to our marks, a hush moved across the stadium. In that instant, all my hard work, sacrifices, the lessons I’d learned, and the experiences I’d had over the last four years flashed across my mind. How quickly time had passed! I could vividly remember my first day on campus.

Now, in just about 20 seconds of running, my collegiate career would be over.

This is it. Showtime!

I positioned myself in the starting blocks and waited for the starter’s next command.

Set! I assumed the set position. My muscles flexed, and my mind momentarily went blank, ready to react to the next sound.

The starter’s gun cracked, and I exploded out of the blocks, fully focused on executing and winning. I was in a zone.

I caught everyone by the end of the turn and powered into the straightaway, as the pitter-patter of my feet on the wet track became my only companion, through the headwinds and the pain. It was no longer about revenge, rivalries, or redemption. It was about ending my collegiate career as I’d begun it—pushing to reach my potential.

A few strides from the finish line, I relaxed and raised both arms in victory. I’d finally done it! I had created history and recorded a new personal best.

There I stood, six months later, as the school’s banner bearer at my graduation ceremony. When they announced my name, I crossed the stage to receive my college degree, feeling immensely proud and relieved at completing that challenging journey.

There I stood, one month later, receiving one of the NCAA’s most prestigious honors, the Today’s Top VIII Award. Being selected with the seven other awardees there made me proud but humbled. They were some of the most accomplished student-athletes of my era, including Peyton Manning from the University of Tennessee, a future five-time NFL MVP and two-time Super Bowl Champion.

Despite my ambition, I had no idea I would’ve experienced such fantastic life moments and become so successful. Certain secrets allowed me to excel in the classroom and on the field and be involved in my local community. I’ll share many with you. But first, let’s go over some basics so you can start strong too.

Acknowledgments

I am deeply grateful and indebted to my family, friends, coaches, teammates, and those who contributed positively to my life and to this book. You know who you are.

Thank you!

Introduction

Why I Wrote This Book

It’s been a while since I last suited up in my school’s colors to compete. I’ll admit that I look at my college uniform some days and wish I could turn back the clock and do it all over again. Being a college student -a thlete was one of the most valuable and tremendous experiences in my life, one I would never trade. But if I’d known then what I know now, I would’ve made even better choices and accomplished so much more. Many years ago, a conversation with a friend let me know I wasn’t alone in feeling this way.

My friend had recently graduated from her college and relocated to pursue her Master’s degree. While visiting her former teammates, she observed many making similar poor decisions she’d made or seen in college, including about their romantic relationships, sexual partners, partying, and other issues. Although she was only a few years older, her views had matured considerably. During her week-long stay, she became the mother hen for many—listening, observing, and advising them. Despite having an outstanding career at a major university, she wished she had someone like her older self to help her make better choices in college.

After that conversation, I talked to several other former student-athletes. Regardless of their school, sport, or achievements, most wished they had a personal guide in college. Those conversations inspired this book.

Why You Should Read This Book Now!

Personal experience can be an excellent teacher, and you’ll learn much from your college experience. But, you can often accelerate your success and avoid common pitfalls by learning from others.

I wrote this book with one purpose: to be a pocket mentor to help you cultivate winning mindsets, habits, and tools to succeed in college and life.

Few student-athletes win championships or graduate at the top of their class. Those are outstanding achievements but being a champion student-athlete is so much more than that. It’s about overcoming obstacles and setbacks, pushing yourself to new peaks, and maximizing your opportunities before your eligibility ends.

Much has changed in college sports since I graduated. But what it takes to excel is very much the same. Although most stories in this book are about me, this book is for you to shine. There’s sure to be something useful for you, even if you read only specific topics, randomly select pages, or listen to the audiobook.

Ultimately, only your willingness to do more, better, or different from others will unleash your highest potential and set you apart.

Cheat Sheet

10 Tips to Remember When Reading This Book

Read to learn and to improve. You’ll gain far more when reading with a purpose.

Look for the key point of stories, reality checks, tips, and secrets. Use your thinking cap.

Read with an open mind. Consider how topics relate to your goals and life.

Take notes and return to what challenges, motivates, or confuses you.

This book is much like your season. Early chapters (1 to 4) are like pre-season training, full of the basics and the not-always-so-fun but essential stuff. Later chapters (5 to 12) offer more practical tips.

Reading it over multiple sessions may help you understand the contents better.

Read it during your spare time—road trips, vacations, weekends—or when you need guidance or motivation.

Answer the One-On-One questions at the end of each chapter.

Try the tips and figure out what works best for you. Share what you learn with others.

This book is a blueprint for success, not a magic pill for you to avoid hard work.

chapter 1

Start Strong

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

—Lao Tzu (ancient Chinese philosopher)

Prepare for Changes

Coming to college challenged me because I had to start over in many ways. I left my friends and family and moved from a small Caribbean island almost 3,000 miles away to one of the largest cities in the United States. Instead of looking at the sunset over the beautiful ocean from my home, a mountainous desert