Q&A for How to Train for the Olympics

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  • Question
    Do Olympians train everyday?
    Scott Anderson, MA, ATC, SFMA, DNSP
    Sports Medicine & Injury Prevention Specialist
    Scott Anderson is the Chief Clinical Officer at SyncThink, an award winning startup founded out of Stanford University. Scott previously served as the Director of Sports Medicine/Athletic Training for Stanford University for over ten years from 2007 to 2017. Scott has over 18 years of clinical and management experience, and is a recognized international speaker on topics of clinical specialization, which include developmental kinesiology, neuroscience/concussion, and movement dysfunction. He is a certified Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Practitioner (DNSP), Sports Safety Specialist and is certified to conduct Selective Functional Movement Assessments (SFMA), and Functional Movement Screenings (FMS). He earned a BS in Athletic Training from Washington State University in 2000 and an MA in Athletic Administration from Saint Mary's College in 2002.
    Sports Medicine & Injury Prevention Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Most athletes still do some type of physical activity on their recovery days. Do something that challenges you but is only about 50% of the intensity of your regular workouts. Being completely sedentary on rest days will cause your muscles to stiffen up.
  • Question
    How can I keep training even when I feel unmotivated?
    Scott Anderson, MA, ATC, SFMA, DNSP
    Sports Medicine & Injury Prevention Specialist
    Scott Anderson is the Chief Clinical Officer at SyncThink, an award winning startup founded out of Stanford University. Scott previously served as the Director of Sports Medicine/Athletic Training for Stanford University for over ten years from 2007 to 2017. Scott has over 18 years of clinical and management experience, and is a recognized international speaker on topics of clinical specialization, which include developmental kinesiology, neuroscience/concussion, and movement dysfunction. He is a certified Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Practitioner (DNSP), Sports Safety Specialist and is certified to conduct Selective Functional Movement Assessments (SFMA), and Functional Movement Screenings (FMS). He earned a BS in Athletic Training from Washington State University in 2000 and an MA in Athletic Administration from Saint Mary's College in 2002.
    Sports Medicine & Injury Prevention Specialist
    Expert Answer
    It's important to take a look at what's causing you to feel unmotivated. If you're feeling overtrained and it's taking a toll on your mental health, take a break and focus on other things for a bit. Try refocusing on your goals and what you were trying to accomplish when you started.
  • Question
    How much do coaches usually cost?
    Michele Dolan
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Coaching costs vary from place to place and sport to sport but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 US per hour for an Olympic level coach. Many young athletes who are talented end up attracting the attention of higher level coaches and manage to convince sponsors from their community to help cover some of their training.
  • Question
    Does training for the Olympics require a lot of pain and money?
    Michele Dolan
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Olympic level athletes make many sacrifices or compromises because they are driven and passionate to compete in a certain sport. They don't consider their training a lot of pain because they are mentally focused on their goals, not the drawbacks. The costs vary significantly from sport to sport. Some athletes have to move to live near where they train. Some sports require top of the line, state of the art gear. Travel to competitions with all your gear costs money, there are entry fees and coaching fees, so yes there are significant costs involved. Successful athletes usually manage to obtain sponsorships at an early stage to help offset the costs. Local businesses, equipment manufacturers and various clubs all play a role in supporting hopeful athletes.
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