As a young player, I would spend the entire break from school playing “pick-up” hockey at the rink across the street from my house. “Pick-up” hockey is supposed to be all about having fun playing a game with your friends, but as the only girl out on the ice, it was more like fighting against the enemy.
My pony-tail was like a big target on my back and I had to fight for every single puck and every ounce of respect out there with the boys. It wasn’t good enough to be good enough - I had to better. And I didn’t just want to keep up, I wanted to show them up.
Not surprisingly, not every boy wants to play with a girl. There were entire games when no one would pass to me, even though I was blatantly open and calling for the puck. I quickly realized that if I ever wanted to touch the puck, the only solution was to go get it from the other team myself. That’s how I learned the fine art of forechecking - from stealing the puck off the boys on the outdoor rink.
But stealing the puck from the boys didn’t make me too popular. Some of the guys started to warm up to me once they realized that I could actually play, but for the most part, they took exception to me being out there. I was the victim of body-checks, slashes and trips that are usually absent from pick-up hockey. Except for when you are a girl, of course.
I realized that in order to play with the boys, I would have to play by their rules. I had to stand up for myself. In order to avoid losing any teeth, I had to be just as physical and just a little bit smarter than my opponents. I had to out-work them if I ever wanted to touch and I had to play a more aggressive game just to survive.
My motivation to be the best hockey player possible was born out on that rink. Each and every game, I was determined to be better than the boys and to be better than I was the day before. There were no shortcuts to take and absolutely no place to hide.
I put myself in a “sink or swim” situation where I had no choice but to get better. Most of the time, I was out of my comfort zone and out of my league. Until one day I wasn’t.
How can you get outside of your comfort zone and push yourself to be better?
Work Hard. Dream BIG.
~ Coach Kim
I can do more things when I excercise. Everytime I can do more to get out of my comfort zone. Like instead of doing 40 push ups, try and do 50. To get out of my comfort zone for practice, I have to try harder. Tonight I did my TFH program, 90 weights, eliptical for 20 minutes, 30 elbow to knee sit ups and 39 push ups.
See ya!
Amy
Just keep pushing yourself and make your goals and expectations greater for yourself everytime you achieve something. Have the drive to be better than everyone else out there.