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Toughen Up: Teresa Weatherspoon on Strong Body, Strong Mind
Basketball, two-time Olympic medalist and two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
“You’ll never be a basketball player.” That’s what my coach told me in seventh grade. He said I was too tough. Can you imagine the look on his face when I busted through his front door with an Olympic gold medal around my neck? Never a great idea to underestimate T-spoon. The grit he knocked has been the key to my game. Toughness – strength of body and brain – has taken me to the top of women’s hoops and helped me through life off the court.
Here’s how I see it. The power of your mind and the power of your body have a tight connection. If you have a strong body, your mind feels pumped and healthy, too. If you have a strong mind, you can craft your body to accomplish amazing things. I focus on constantly developing this double toughness. I train hard, play hard, and when life snaps at me, I live hard. This philosophy gets me through anything and everything.
Three years ago, my 19-year-old nephew Anthony died in a fatal car accident. We were so tight; he was like my brother. Every summer he’d come stay with me in New York; he was definitely my biggest fan. Anthony was always proud of me, just like I was always proud of him. When he died, the light went out. I didn’t care about basketball. I had no drive. The strength I once felt in my body and spirit was totally drained.
My family helped motivate me to get back out on the court. As soon as I started training my body, my mind got tougher. Getting strong and being fit was my recovery – my comfort. Everything I did to get strong physically made me stronger mentally. The routine of training, being on the court at 6:00 a.m., lifting hard and staying disciplined gave me direction again. Now I dedicate everything I do to Anthony. He is always with me. Before every game I talk to him. Whether we win or lose, I hear his voice talking back to me.
Sometimes life knocks the air out of you. People get in your face and tell you what you can’t do, tragedy strikes, whatever. Every effort you make to strengthen your whole self – mind and body – will take you one step closer to overcoming your challenges and helping you achieve your dreams.
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