Together with BOLAS, I feel supported on my journey; they help me build that self-confidence and work hard, every single day. It's not about quick wins, but about the growth that comes from within.
The power of self-confidence and hard work
As a top athlete (and even more so as a decathlete), you quickly learn that the path to success is not a straight line. The path is winding, full of unexpected turns, and sometimes the finish line seems further away than ever. But it is precisely this challenging path where growth takes place. I believe that a challenging path is even necessary to grow and get the best out of yourself. I want to briefly talk about hard work and self-confidence, two pillars that support me on my journey, not only in my sport, but in everything I do.
How hard work builds self-confidence
For me, self-confidence is not an arrogant belief that I will always win. It is much more subtle, much deeper. It is the calming realization that, no matter what happens, I am in control of my effort, of how I challenge myself and grow, regardless of the outcome of a competition. You don't build self-confidence by always performing perfectly (because that's not realistic). It arises from knowing that you have done everything to prepare. For me, that is the biggest advantage of hard work: it gives me peace and certainty in the moments that matter. I know my worth because I have already put in the work.
Self-confidence does not develop overnight. It grows with every training session, every improvement, and even every mistake. It is the knowledge that I am always moving forward and that I must make mistakes to learn from them. This realization ensures that I stand at the starting line with peace of mind, because I know that I have done everything to be as well prepared as possible.
For Men With Balls
And that's exactly what BOLAS means to me. Their slogan, "For Men With Balls", perfectly encapsulates that: it's about courage, about the strength to persevere, to always believe in yourself with confidence because you know your own worth like no other.
Together with BOLAS, I feel supported on my journey; they help me build that self-confidence and work hard, every single day. It's not about quick wins, but about the growth that comes from within.
So, as I continue to build my sport and my future, one thing I know for sure: if you believe in yourself, if you are willing to do the work and embrace the journey, you will eventually end up exactly where you need to be.
