Why Are You Even Here: The Mindset That Shows Up When It Matters

This past weekend, I attended a major swim meet with one of our Forged by Sports athletes — the kind of meet that represents the significant training, early mornings, and commitment put in over the course of the year. Coaches plan for it. Volunteers run themselves ragged. Parents rearrange work schedules — all for a chance to witness the competition between the best swimmers in the state.

But it was also one of those weekends where the weather didn’t cooperate. Outdoor meet. Rolling thunderstorms. Multiple age group sessions stacked on top of each other. And the rule is clear: every time there’s thunder, the pool clears for 30 minutes—every time.

It’s frustrating. It’s unpredictable. It’s part of the game.

And then came the moment.

Our FBS athlete had already won her 50m backstroke the day before and was dialed in for her best event: the 100m backstroke. She was on the pool deck, locked in, ready to go — when the thunder struck again. Six heats had gone off. She was next. Then came the delay… and then the cancellation.

She was devastated.

But that’s not what this post is really about. This post examines a negative mindset that appeared to be prevalent among several athletes at the meet.

The weather that day wasn’t shocking, and neither was the ultimate decision to cancel the remainder of the session. What shocked me was the reaction from the crowd — not from the parents, volunteers, or officials who had been on their feet for hours. It was the swimmers. Teenagers. High-level competitors. When the thunder clapped, they cheered. When the cancellation was announced, they cheered even louder.

They celebrated not having to compete.

I stood there stunned. This wasn’t just a recreational meet; it was a serious competition. These are year-round swimmers. Athletes with goals and expectations who put in countless hours in the water, and when given the chance to not race, they celebrated? All while others who were prepared for this moment stood stunned and disappointed. Our athlete was one of them, crushed that her shot at a championship swim was taken away.

I couldn’t help but think, ‘ Why are you even here?‘

I get it. Teenagers are complex. It might’ve been nerves. It might’ve been fatigue. It might’ve just been a few voices that swayed the group. But mindset matters. If you’re serious about your sport — if you want to grow, to test yourself, to win, or to learn — then you don’t cheer when the opportunity disappears.

Great athletes don’t fear competition. They lean into it. Even when it’s uncomfortable, and the outcome is uncertain. You don’t have to love every moment of the grind. But if you’re going to show up wearing the cap and goggles — or the jersey, or the cleats, or the skates — you should want to compete.

And if you don’t? If you’d rather be somewhere else or secretly hope a storm cancels your event, that’s fine. But don’t act like you’re chasing greatness.

Because someone else is, and they’re heartbroken when they don’t get their chance to show what they can do.