https://www.facebook.com/USASkateboarding/
It was the first time I had ever watched Skateboarding on TV. Knowing this was the first Olympics to include the sport, I was curious to witness this historic event happening in Tokyo. In 20 minutes of viewing, here’s what ran through my mind:
Oh NO, she just fell!
She better be careful…not wearing a helmet!
OMG, I could NEVER do that!
Ouch! Looks like that really hurt!
She fell too? Yikes, is the Olympic Skate Park cursed? Damaged?
My concern and empathy for these skateboarders quickly turned to admiration when I realized the life lessons that they were reminding us of:
- In life, you have to take risks to have a chance at reaching your goal.
- You will fail sometimes.
- Each time you fall, you have to pick yourself up.
- When you fail, you must not give up on yourself. Try again.
- Enjoy the ride!
- If you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.
It’s clear that these athletes love their sport. Almost everyone who fell broke out into a smile and either waved to the crowd or camera with an expression that seemed to say, “Falling is part of life as a skater. Watch me be awesome on my next run!”
So now, I’m a fan of these Olympic skateboarders. Beyond their skill and athleticism, they provide inspiration and reminders of some good life lessons.
Oh, and a big high five to Alexis Sablone of New York (pictured above). She’s representing Team USA at 34 years of age with an undergraduate and graduate degree already under her belt, in addition to multiple X Games titles!
In voiceover as in any type of performance or artistic industry, failure and rejection come with the territory. We do our best on auditions but have to accept that there are many factors that determine who and who does not get cast. We don’t have control over most of them so it’s best if we get in the zone like the cool skateboarders: do our best, enjoy the ride, and if we fall (i.e. don’t get booked), get right back to microphone and audition for something else.
Which of the above “life-lessons” is your favorite? Is there one that you struggle with? Please share in the Comments section.
I’ve struggled with risk-taking in the past, but mostly because I was working off of someone else’s risk assessment. Since then, I’ve made it a point to not let someone else’s fear dictate my own course of action. (Geez, why can’t we learn all this stuff in our 20s?)
Oh, you are so right, Jeffrey! If only we knew then what we know now! Thanks for your comments. I don’t see myself ever doing skateboard tricks but am hoping to go skydiving at some point. Have you ever done that? That will probably be the riskiest thing I’ll ever have done.