Video Transcript
Hi, I’m Chellsie Memmel, gymnastics coach, True Sport athlete and retired Team USA gymnast. Today, I want to talk to you about preparation and recovery, and there are three things I’d like you to know. First, a pre-game routine increases opportunities for success and helps build confidence. Second, a plan for post-competition recovery is more than just stretching. It should include rest, nutrition and hydration too. And third, a positive mindset and self-talk will often guarantee good results. As an athlete with a demanding schedule, I learned the importance of taking time to recover. Throughout my career, my recovery plan changed as I changed training locations, and as I learned more about my body. Eventually, I learned what my body needed to feel its best every week. It was things like walking to wind down and recover my body after a hard week of training or reading a book to allow my mind to rest. I could always tell if I hadn’t taken proper time to recover come Monday.
Sleep was also a huge part of my recovery plan. I needed enough sleep to be productive in training. And to get enough Z’s that meant I needed to go to bed at a decent time. When I started practicing a recovery plan that included getting enough sleep, I discovered the equal importance of recovering your body and recovering your mind. Recovery habits and routines I developed over time allowed my body to recover and replenish itself, which in turn helped me to maximize my performance and feel more prepared in practice and competition. Preparation and recovery are both crucial elements of athlete success. They take time to develop, but the benefits of practicing both are absolutely worth the investment. Prepare for competition, recover your mind, listen to your body, and I’ll see you out on the floor.
