The Drive of a Young Champion: A Special Episode of Average Sucks
Have you ever watched a young athlete perform at a high level and thought, Where does that kind of drive come from?In this electrifying episode of Average Sucks, we uncover the answer. Some kids discover a passion so strong that it fuels them to excel—transforming their love for an activity into a relentless competitive fire. And in the pursuit of excellence, they develop an extraordinary set of life skills that set them apart.Our guest? My daughter, Maya Bernoff. From the moment she stepped onto the ice as a little girl, she felt something powerful—like she had found her place. Skating isn’t just a sport to her; it’s where she feels most alive. And that passion? It’s what keeps her pushing, competing, and winning.Her results speak for themselves. Maya competes in over 50 events annually, traveling across the U.S., and more often than not, she leaves with a medal around her neck. At just 12 years old, she’s already earned five national gold medals at the 2023 and 2024 National Showcase competitions hosted by U.S. Figure Skating.In this episode, we dive into the mindset, habits, and strategies that fuel her success, including:Belief in Yourself: Maya’s philosophy? Love yourself first—because you’re the one person you spend your entire life with.Entrepreneurial Spirit: At just 10, she created a fundraiser for a local dog rescue with only $40 in startup money, turning that into a great win for the rescue. Passion for Figure Skating: The ice isn’t just where she competes—it’s where she thrives, setting goals and pushing herself to new levels.Mental Toughness: The mindset work that helps her power through challenges, setbacks, and the dreaded brain rot.The Power of Visualization: A mental exercise Maya swears by to break through negative thoughts.And that’s just the beginning!