For athletes, being in tip-top physical shape is very important. But according to this UFC champ, it takes more than that to compete and win.
To outperform, Georges St-Pierre told Cheddar in an interview on Cheddar Wednesday, that he makes sure that he trains in three categories: physical, tactical, and technical. The middleweight champion is fresh of a titular win at UFC 217 from last Saturday.
“Confidence of a competitor comes from how he prepares himself, and I was very well prepared,” he said. “It’s a little bit like when you study for an exam. If you studied well, you’re very confident that the exam will go well.”
While St-Pierre acknowledges that preparation does not ensure winning, he says it’s required to win.
The martial arts fighter told Cheddar that it’s imperative to view all three components of his training regimen as complementary to each other.
Mental preparation, or the tactical aspect, is about clarity, and focusing on things that the athlete can control. He told Cheddar that a common mistake among athletes is focusing on other people.
Winners don't focus on their fans or critics, he says, but on their opponents instead. He encourages athletes to focus only on what they can control, “especially leading up to a fight.”
On the flip side, the physical preparation or being in shape, is the foundation, according to St-Pierre.
Technicality is one’s ability to understand and excel in the sport, ie, knowing things such as chokes or counterattack strategies.
The combination of these three elements ultimately results in one thing, St-Pierre says: focusing on yourself.
The American women are having a rough Olympics in the figure skating rink. All three American competitors fell in the women's individual short program. It's a sharp turn from the years when American women landed on the podium year after year. Olympic gold medalist Dorothy Hamill explains why things have been more difficult for the Americans this time around.
On Between Bells: Talking to kids about gun violence, Dallas Mavericks under fire, restaurant servers fight tip-pooling laws, and more. With Eater, Parents Magazine, and Popular Science.
If someone told you that asthma would help you win gold at the Olympics, would you believe them? Well according to a new study, athletes with asthma are more likely to win at the Winter Games than those without these breathing problems. Popular Science's Claire Maldarelli explains why.
A new report from S.I. details allegations of sexual harassment against the team's former President and CEO, Terdema Ussery.
Amazon launches health products line, Chipotle adds quinoa to the menu, and Tinder reveals the most-swiped athletes in the Olympic Village.
The athlete, who took home the Olympics' top prize at the 1976 Games, says entering the sport is much more expensive these days, and the physical moves are more demanding.
Austin Dillon, who won the Daytona 500 race over the weekend, says this win will add to his grandfather's legacy.
This Sunday the Daytona 500 Race went into an exciting overtime when 27-year-old Austin Dillon finally pulled into first place during the final lap. The Daytona 500 winner joins Cheddar to explain the emotions that came with the big win.
We're a week into the Olympics and by now most viewers have noticed that Ralph Lauren, Nike and Under Armour are the official sponsors of Team USA gear. Joining The Long and The Short to discuss the benefits of outfitting Team USA is Nick Martell and Jack Kramer, Co-Founders & Co-CEOs of MarketSnacks.
Dwyane Wade made headlines for his recent trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers back to the Miami Heat, but the NBA star is also busy with a film that hits close to home. Alyssa Julya Smith caught up with the basketball player at a screening of his new film "Shot in the Dark," which he acted as executive producer alongside fellow Chicago-born star Chance the Rapper.
