Long before an athlete picks up a baseball bat, a hockey stick or a pair of running shoes, their brains are already wired for an interest in and a talent for physical feats. They naturally gravitate toward sportsmanship because of how their brains are wired for discipline, competition and energy. Athletes are known for their physical prowess, their agility and their sportsmanship, but the motivation for these physical abilities comes from the way an athlete thinks. Athletes do not receive enough credit for the mental strength they apply to their vocation, but it is just as valid a part of their process as the physical feats they achieve.

A competitive nature is also an essential component to an athlete’s personality and psychology. One cannot be an athlete without a healthy competitive sense. Those lacking it will become overwhelmed by the competitive nature of their peers. This pushes an athlete to reach their full potential by challenging their own limitations. A competitive nature that is unchecked can cause problems, however. When competition turns obsession, athletes make bad choices, such as to sabotage another athlete’s performance or to use performance enhancing drugs.

An athlete is nothing if not eager. They are endowed with incredible energy and exuberance for what they do. An athlete’s level of stamina is considerably higher than most other people’s. This makes them a perfect fit for the heavy physical demands of professional sports. It can be hard for an athlete to turn their energy off in times of quiet or meditation, which can make their inner lives harder to come by. Sometimes athletes have to submit to counseling or self help in order to quiet their energy.

And lastly, an athlete cannot succeed without a strong sense of discipline. This quality is innate in all athletes who excel at their sport. The focus and dedication they put into their training is unrelenting and it shows in their athletic performances. This quality is very respectable, but it can breach on obsession for those athletes who do not learn a balanced lifestyle.