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Our Favorite Quotes From Athletes To Live By

There’s wisdom to be passed on beyond the court, field, track and stage

Whether or not you’re a fan of sports, the chances are you know the names of those who have gone against the odds and won and shattered records. You know the stories of how they changed the game, where they came from and how far they’ve come. In all essence, the world of sports extends beyond its corners—for the sheer fact that the stories they tell are worthwhile to those that live beyond it.

So whether or not you know how basketball, track, volleyball and football work, here are a few athlete quotes that you can still live by:

“Don’t be afraid of failure. This is the way to succeed.”

—LeBron James

Because sometimes, we let the fear of failure stop us from ever taking a step forward. And we end up in the very same place we swore we would move away from.

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.”

—Michael Jordan

Every issue has multiple solutions. It’s a matter of trying out what works for you, trusting your gut and knowing there is a way to get past it—and not giving up after the first try.

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion.’”

—Muhammad Ali

Keep your eyes on the prize. There’s a reason for your hustle.

“Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back…play for her.”

—Mia Hamm

Just a little reminder that doing things for you might be the best motivator. It’s not the accolades and records and money; it’s knowing you did something for yourself.

“A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.”

—Mary Lou Retton

Don’t get lost in the material things.

“Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.”

—Mike Singletary

For those inevitable moments of frustration, anger and doubt.

We may not all have the physical prowess and skills that some of our favorite athletes do, and we maybe not share the exact same struggles, but we can relate to their core experiences. And if we can’t get close to their trophies, championship belts and hall of fame inductions, we can at least live by these athlete quotes that can serve as reminders for all the big moments and everything in between.