Many coaches believe these moments are forks in the road, and that choosing to push through pain—in whatever form that pain comes—is what creates champions. Athletes often believe this, too. And it’s not entirely wrong. Pushing through pain, clearing hurdles others have crashed into, is how an athlete improves. Knowing the difference between a hurdle and a brick wall is also crucial—yet recognizing that difference is almost impossible when you’re eighteen years old. That’s the coach’s job. And if a coach isn’t sensitive to brick walls, athletes are often left to engage in debilitating mental
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