Kelsey HigginsonSports Nutrition Coach and Founder at Clutch Day Coaching

If you hate the work to get there, you will hate the work to stay there

5 Oct 2026 · 1 min

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In this motivational monologue, the speaker—drawing on personal experience working with NBA and MLB athletes—highlights the demanding, nonstop schedule that elite athletes endure, including early mornings, late nights, constant workouts, and the expectation to show up regardless of personal circumstances. He argues that many athletes are attracted to the prestige of playing at a higher level without fully appreciating the relentless grind required. The core message is that if an athlete loves the process and is willing to continuously put in the work, they will enjoy being at the elite level; if they dislike the effort needed to reach that level, they will also despise the effort required to maintain it.

Chapters

I don't think that athletes fully realize what it takes to be elite. I have personally worked with NBA players, MLB players. I've seen their schedules. I've seen their workload. It's early mornings. It's late nights. It's constant workouts. It's being told where to be and when to be there. It's showing up even when you're sad or sick or had a bad day. And it is nonstop. I think a lot of athletes and players like the idea of playing at the next level. They like the thought of being able to say they're a Division 1 player or that they're a professional But when it comes down to it, are you willing to put the work in that's required to get there and to keep doing the work that is required to stay there? And if you like that lifestyle, and if you love the grind and the work and the process, then you're going to love being there. But if you don't love the work to get there, you are going to hate the work required to stay there.