Do you remember being a young kid and everyone asking you what you wanted to be when you grow up? Some of us gave generic answers like a doctor, a princess, a pilot… And then others gave specific names of role models we looked up to and wanted to emulate.
Role models are important at every stage of life, they provide inspiration, we learn from their mistakes, and they motivate us to uncover our potential and strive to be the best version of ourselves.
Do you ever wonder who other athletes look up to? Coach Kellie shares who her role model is below!
Did you know that I was a two-time captain at Northeastern University? I’m originally from Boston and everyone here was (or still is) a huge Tom Brady fan! That being said, I really looked up to him while I was captain – he may be one of the best quarterbacks in Football history, but I also see him as an incredible leader.
A strong leader is important to a team – this person needs to guide their teammates towards the common goal they want to achieve. Tom Brady isn’t successful because he is self-serving, he earned his success by working hard and being a selfless person. He has self-discipline, self-regulation and self-determination. But apart from all of that, he puts his team first and makes them better when he works on himself. Brady’s work ethic is admirable – the way he trains and fuels his body, his approach to health and wellness, all evident through the TB12 method.
A quote I really like from Tom Brady is this – “I thought I would never get a chance to play, until one time I did, because I was prepared, and the opportunity presented itself.” I love this, because as a captain, or leader on a team, you are never handed playing time or a specific position – you must work hard and earn it. If things don’t go your way or you hit some bumps on the road that’s ok! When you have dreams and goals don’t let the hurdles get in the way of staying the course to achieve them. Stick to the plan and keep moving forward by putting in the work – one day when the opportunity presents itself your hard work will pay off!
I think this is exactly what Brady did – he was the 199th draft pick chosen by the New England Patriots, he was at the bottom of the 6th round after six quarterbacks were selected, he wasn’t seen as exceptional by any means. But then he took his shot, worked hard and earned the respect of numerous players and coaches along the way. He is a leader that leads by example and sets high standards for himself and others. As a captain for my college team, I always had Tom Brady in the back of my mind, my mantra was “WWBD – What Would Brady Do?”