What it Means to be an Athlete of Life
Text by Dany Garcia
5 Minute Read
How to train for success on your own terms.
In college, I rowed on the crew team at the University of Miami. Those grueling afternoons on the water taught me the value of discipline—the deep reward of setting goals for yourself and following through. But it wasn't until my life imploded in 2006—facing divorce while managing a multimillion-dollar enterprise—that I truly became an Athlete of Life.
Standing in the wreckage of what I thought was success, I realized something powerful: The mindset that truly propels athletes forward isn't about physical performance. It's about owning your journey. It's about having the courage to follow your gut, work hard, and sometimes fail—all in an effort to build systems that honor who you authentically are. Ultimately, it’s more than a mindset, it’s an attitude rooted in a truth: Women are so damn capable. What if we put ourselves first?
Let's be clear: Being an Athlete of Life isn’t about hustle culture, being like the boys, or pushing ourselves to extremes. In 2025, we know better. Rather, this mindset gives us permission to contain multitudes. We can be both strong and soft, ambitious and present, disciplined and also forgiving. It's about recognizing that these so-called contradictions are actually our superpowers, and that many of sports’ core values—endurance, resilience, persistence, community—can be reclaimed and re-defined on our terms.
Women are built differently, and I believe that’s our edge. When I became a professional bodybuilder at 42, I turned pro in three years (pretty unheard of). Men who train the conventional way often take 10 to 20 years to achieve the same. The difference? I rejected the one-size-fits-all approach and created systems that reflected my strengths: grit, complexity, and grace.
So how do you bring this mindset into every aspect of your life? Here are my rules for success.
1. Choose Your Sport. The Athlete of Life mindset isn't about doing it all—it's about doing all that you want. This distinction is critical. Athletes learn early that precision matters. Every yes and every no has consequences that show up in performance. When I stepped into building and managing a global entertainment enterprise immediately after finalizing my divorce, I had to be ruthless about what deserved my energy. The most powerful question was not, "Should I do this?" It was, “Do I want to do this? Will this fuel my fire?"
Women are conditioned to say yes to everything, but athletes know better. We know that focus is the currency of excellence. I may appear to "do it all," but the truth is simpler: Almost everything I do naturally falls within my wheelhouse. If it doesn't, I say no. That heavy word—”no”—may well be the hardest part of this mindset to master, but trust me, it gets easier with practice.
Agency is the foundation of sustainable success. Your "sport" should ignite passion and be worth the inevitable struggle. Whether it's raising humans, building community, or mastering a creative discipline—choose it deliberately and commit on your own terms.
2. Strength as Foundation. There's an adrenaline rush that comes with moving a weight and knowing your body is different afterward—that you are different afterward. This tangible transformation is profound: It shows you that change is possible through intentional action. This is why I'm obsessed with getting women into the gym to strength train. It's not about aesthetics. It’s about that moment of realization when you think, “Wow, I just changed myself. And if I can transform my body, maybe I can transform my mind. Maybe I can transform my life.”
Physical strength becomes metaphorical. You know that if you can move your body for an hour, you can move yourself through difficult emotions in a few days. In a world where women are constantly told what we can and cannot be, there's immense power in proving to yourself, repeatedly, that you can become stronger. The barbell doesn't lie. And this foundation of self-belief permeates every aspect of your life.
3. Permission to Begin. I was not a natural athlete. I was an awkward giraffe. So I understand the hesitation when I suggest women embrace athletic thinking, especially if you've never seen yourself as "sporty." But remember: Every great athlete was, at some point, a beginner. There is glory in progression.
It helps to consider the worst case scenario. Whenever I get nervous about facing something new, my best friend will ask me: "So, what if you're right? What if you do suck at that?" It’s weirdly freeing. If I’m not naturally good at something, I’ll improve. And if not, well, I can handle that. It’s better to stop worrying and just get started.
“Women are conditioned to say yes to everything, but athletes know better. We know that focus is the currency of excellence.”
4. Denial keeps you emotionally frozen. Permission to be imperfect gets you moving. If you lift nothing the first day and five pounds the next, that's a 500% improvement. This mindset celebrates that beginnings—however humble—contain the seeds of transformation.
Training on Your Terms. Elite athletes understand that rest isn't lazy—it's strategic. Could I push through a 10-12 hour day without breaks? Of course. But I'd be compromising tomorrow's performance, and my productivity the day after that. Being an athlete means taking care of your mind and body because the season is long. In life, we have to "play" every single day.
Women have an edge here: We're more in tune to our bodies' signals and able to adapt to changing conditions. Instead of the rigid, push-through-pain model that was optimized for male athletes, train on your terms. Work when energized. Recover when depleted. That isn't "soft." It's smart.
Remember: Athletes don't just train for a single event. They train for a career, for longevity. Your life deserves the same approach.
5. Upgrading with Intention. Sports have a unique language around self-improvement. "I need to upgrade myself" doesn't mean failing—it means you're evolving. Athletes understand that humility yields important information. Curiosity becomes a tool. It's the difference between thinking, "I'm a failure" and "That approach failed. Let me try something different."
Importantly, this perspective isn't about being hard on yourself. It’s about being honest and open. Research shows women are uniquely equipped for this way of thinking: We’re more open to feedback, willing to collaborate, and adaptable when strategies shift. Weaknesses? Hardly. These are competitive advantages in a rapidly changing world.
