Most athletes will tell you it takes years of dedication and commitment. I am inspired by the story of Noelle Pikus-Pace as an example of what it takes. Her story is a prime example of how difficult it really is to become an Olympic medalist. Her story is also an example of how to win an Olympic Medal. Although she didn't win gold it is inspiring regardless. Here's some key points.
1. Pick a Weird Sport - Personally, I think Skeleton is one of the most awesome Olympic sports.Riding a small sled down a frozen track while lying face down, during which the rider experiences forces up to 5 g and reaches speeds over 80 mph sounds like a thrill to me! BUT it's not mainstream. How do you even get involved in skeleton? Probably not going to be able to sign up at your YMCA which eliminates much of the other athletic competition.
2. Train hard - Okay, this is obvious. This must be extra difficult being a full time mom. Inspirational. Even if it is an AT&T commercial.
3. Take care of your body - This is what gets someone to the Olympics, treating your body like the perfect machine it is. Noelle's facebook fan page has several comments alluding to chiropractic care and making sure she uses the team chiropractor's while she is in Russia. She also had to recover from a broken leg from a bobsled incident and a miscarriage to get to the podium.
Chiropractic has been called the "drug-less, unfair advantage." It is a proven method to decrease healing times, reduce injuries, and optimize performance. That's why there are 6 chiropractors on the USA Olympic team.
Happy Olympic watching!