"Sacrifice vs. Choice: The Power to Shape Your Future"

For athletes and their support system (families)who are ready to take ownership of their destiny

Too often I hear parents and athletes talking about the sacrifices they are making for their sport. They are “sacrificing” their social life, or they are “sacrificing” their weekend to go compete. To which I say, “No, that’s a choice.” There is a difference between choice and sacrifice, and it lies in the presence of agency and intention.

Sacrifice implies a sense of loss or giving up something valuable, sometimes under pressure or without full consent. However, this perception can be nuanced; if an individual willingly foregoes certain comforts for a greater purpose, such as dedicating time to your sport, or your goals, that is a choice rather than a sacrifice.

With that said, we often hear a quiet, nagging voice that follows us every time the weight of a difficult choice bears down on us. A convincing inner voice that wants you to take an easier path. It whispers,

"You know, you could be doing something else. I could be out with friends. Don’t go to practice, enjoy the moment, or taking it easy today.”

This is when you are faced with a choice. To give in to the feeling of the moment or take steps towards your goals. If giving up time with friends isn’t a sacrifice, what is? Will you listen to that inner voice?

The idea of sacrifice looms large in the world of high-level athletics. We speak of it like a necessary evil, like it’s something you do out of obligation or duty. You’re told that sacrifice means giving up what you want for what you need. But with that mindset we miss an opportunity to be empowered— because there’s a difference between sacrifice and choice.

A choice is an act of free will, we consciously select one option over others, fully aware of the trade-offs involved.

When you choose, you take control. You step into the driver’s seat of your own destiny. The difference between sacrifice and choice is empowerment.

Every time you choose training; you’re not giving something up. You’re investing in your future. You’re saying, “This is worth it. This time, this effort — it’s going to be worth it.” The investment in your person growth, in your values, regardless of the outcome, is always worth it! Remind yourself you’re not a victim of your commitment. You’re an architect of your own success. And that’s powerful.

In the world of elite athletics, those moments of choice — those moments when you decide that the sweat, the grind, the early mornings are worth it — are defining moments. They shape your future in ways nothing else can.

Think about it: when you choose to show up to training rather than hitting the snooze button for another hour of sleep, you’re making a choice for the version of yourself that you want to be. Every time you decide to focus on your goals rather than the instant gratification of hanging out with friends, you’re not sacrificing something — you’re choosing a path to something better, something greater.

But it’s not just about the physical commitment. It’s about your mindset. Every time you decide, consciously, that the pain of training is worth it, or that a hard-fought practice today will lead to a stronger you tomorrow, you’ve exercised the most powerful tool you have as an athlete: your mind.

This power to choose is what separates athletes who achieve greatness from those who simply get by. It’s the foundation of your discipline. It’s why top athletes can rise at 5 a.m., not because they’re "sacrificing" anything, but because they’re choosing to build a future with every lap, every lift, every push-up. They choose it because they know that the moments of discomfort are temporary, but the rewards of personal growth, seeing your values in action, and the strengthening of mind and body will stay with us well past our competition days.

When you understand that you’re not sacrificing your youth or your fun, but rather choosing to build something larger than yourself, you unlock a whole new level of commitment. Training becomes less about "missing out" and more about investing in yourself.

So, the next time you feel like you’re stuck in that tug-of-war between friends and practice, remember it’s not about what you’re giving up, it’s about what you’re choosing. The choice you make today will shape your tomorrow. It will shape your work ethic. It will shape your confidence. It will shape the way you approach every challenge in life — not just in sport, but in life. The more we can exercise the values and virtues of courage, discipline, and perseverance, to name a few, the better we become at making the tough choices in life. Know your values and lean into them.

And one day, when you stand on that podium, when you achieve your goal(s), when the final race is done, you won’t look back and say, “I sacrificed so much.” You’ll look back and say, “I chose this path. And it was worth it.”

Final Thought: Choices are powerful. You can choose the path of least resistance, or you can choose the path that leads to the highest peaks. The choice is yours. And each choice you make that aligns with your values is a small victory, and a step toward who you will become.

When it comes to competing or playing at the elite-levels, you need to determine what you want (goals) and why you are pursuing the elite levels (purpose). Then ask yourself, does the choice I am about to make align with my goals? Will it move me closer or further away from my goals/ the person I want to be? Have the courage to be honest with yourself and identify the correct choice and self-discipline to make that choice and stick to it!