Brandi's Blog
My Awesome Day At The Olympic Training Center!
Today was an AWESOME day. I made my way last night to Colorado Springs, CO to the Olympic Training Center. It’s been about 20 plus years since I have been to the center where I had my first taste of the Olympic spirit. The place has changed but the memories came flooding back to me as soon as I stepped out of the car. There have been amazing changes to the facility physically but after working with Bonnie Blair speed skater(4 time Olympian, 5 gold medals and a silver), Jessica Mendoza softball (gold medalist) and the US women’s hockey team (multiple medalists) today, I realize the Olympic Dream never changes. Even though Bonnie, Jessica and I were supposed to be sharing our experiences and helping facilitate positive imagery and problem solving I couldn’t help but be inspired by the athletes and what they have ahead of them. We talked about different scenarios they could encounter from media responsibility, to scheduling issue, to living in the Athletes Village and different food in the cafeteria. Its a time where everything will matter and nothing should be left to chance. The athletes shared their excitement, concerns and desire for their team to play their best (especially against their neighbors to the North and hosts of the games, Canada). We all took pictures, shared hugs and high fives, and laughs. There is something so special being apart of the Olympic family. There is no distinction between past or present, medals or not. The aura that covers the campus is just incredible. I felt like I could have put on my cleats even in the falling snow, and been unstoppable. Just like the first time I stepped foot onto campus, today gave me the same kind of thrill. I got to look into the eyes of the future of women’s hockey and seeing young athletes who want to not only be awesome on the ice but also to make a difference off of it and it left me with chills. I hope like them, you that are reading this, find that thing that makes your heart pound with excitement and you GO FOR IT. There isn’t anything stopping you from being special, so make your way.
Oh, to end the day at the training center, I went outside in the freezing cold and snow to build Jaden a snowman, albeit small, a snowman nonetheless. It was a quick labor of love for my little man.
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