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As a bonafide soccer chick, I have to say that I am already missing the World Cup. The past month has been so RAD, and I’m already daydreaming about 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. Hands down, chanting “I Believe That We Will Win” and high five-ing strangers over ice cold Stellas set my summer off right! However beyond the festivities I found myself thinking about how this incredible sport has ultimately transformed my life and hopefully yours too. Whether you are a soccer fan or not, enjoy this beauties!

1. Claim Your Space

Unlike most sports, watching the world literally represent for their respective countries during the World Cup is so mesmerizing. I love watching each country pledge their allegiance to their flags and sing their national anthems with pride and passion. However after tears were shed (P.S. United States’ players never cried…no judgement, just sayin’) the part I loved the most was the spiritual connection each player had on the field before kickoff. Some crossed their hearts and kissed the sky, while others threw a posture of prayer to the sky followed by a quick finger graze across the field.

However no matter their spiritual practice, I watched thinking “look at them, they are claiming their space.” This act of honor and confidence made me think how often do we enter the places we plan to excel in with such a practice? Wonder what would happen if the next time you walked into an interview or a first date perhaps you participated in a spiritual practice – claiming it’s success before it even begins? The result could be transformative I imagine.

2.Believe That You Will Win

Although the odds were stacked against our new and young United States team I was inspired beyond words by the chant “I Believe That We Will Win!” This widely popular saying started in the late 1990s and was originated by former Naval Academy Prep School student Jay Rodriguez – however sports teams and organizations everywhere have adopted it. So when it became the official chant for team USA I was hooked. It proved that despite what the world may think of you (sports critics), the people who believe in you (the fans) matter the most. Their faith in your success can carry you in unfathomable ways, even when the people who you think would be in your corner lack faith (ie. team USA’s head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s consistent not so positive assessment of his team). You can show up show off and surpass their expectations if you too believe that you will win. P.S. Proof – the US advanced far further than expected.

3. You Can Lose And Still Be Advanced

The unique tournament rules and point system of the World Cup is something most newbie watchers don’t understand. Watching their favorite teams lose can send them into a world wind, however recognizing that you can lose and still be advanced in the World Cup is the most magical element of the tournament if you ask me. How many goals you scored in previous games, who you are currently playing in your group, and the score of another game being played in a different group all can have an affect on your placement. Confusing yes, inspirational totally. Basically you can lose during the first couple rounds of the World Cup yet still be advanced (i.e. this is what happened for team USA). Yo, if this doesn’t apply to life I don’t know what else does. Think of the times in your life when you felt like you loss yet still came out on top. Maybe your first love asked you for a divorce one year only to lead you to finding the love of your life the next. Or maybe you just got laid off, but in turn found your true passion and were able to turn that into a career. In short we are not defined by our loses, but by the triumphs that come out of them.

4. Dive In Head First

Although majority of my childhood soccer days consisted of being told, “be aggressive and attack the ball,” the way pro soccer players play is undoubtedly on another level. For instance I remember not having the courage to head the ball until high school. I mean the last thing my 4.17 needed was a concussion. However there is something to be said about people who dive in head first. Simply put, they are fearless. Watching the players of the World Cup dive into the air head first time and time again left me thinking, wow, how often do I dive into things like that? Starting a new business. Scary. Trusting a new lover. Scary. Forgiving. Scary. Being fearless. Scary, but worth it.

 

5. Shock Them With The Shots You Do Take

Speaking of just going for it, my absolute favorite moments of the World Cup were when there was what I call a “sneak goal.” No one saw it coming and then pow, corner pocket. The shooter saw the opportunity and went for it and each and every time this happened I thought wow, this is just like life. If you have a dream, something you know that you know will be successful, then the confidence to just go for it (despite the recognition of others) is automatic. I find that the moments when I go for the goal in life, the outcome is incredible. People are shocked. What opportunities do you see in our life today beauties? I double dog dare you to shock them with the shots you do take. 

6. At Some Point You Are Gonna Have To Rely On Your Own Skills

These last two “life sure be like the World Cup” moments happened during the finals. During this all or nothing phase of the tournament many games not only went into overtime but ended with penalty kicks. At this point it is player against goalie, no defenders to block your shot, just skill against skill. It was in this moment that each team’s stars either rose up or choked up. I loved watching the penalty kick endings primarily because it made me think what would I do if the fate of the game depended on me? Talk about pressure. But beauties moments like this happen all the time in real life. For instance, while the success of your team at work may advance the company, your skill sets are what will advance your own salary. Relying on others is RAD, but the ability to rely on yourself when it really counts is the RADdest of all!

7. Despite Your Performance, Play Until The Finish

Last but not least the moment during the World Cup that completely transformed my thought process was the Brazil Germany game. As the home team, Brazil undoubtedly had the fan base advantage. However when Germany came out the gate and scored five goals back to back (all in the first half) I was so inspired by Brazil’s determination to finish. Most teams would’ve claimed defeat in this moment however this home team did not. They fought to the finish and got on the board eventually with one goal. I could feel their sadness through the screen, but in the midst of this great disappointment I could also feel their pride. Huge lesson here – despite your performance, finish. A lifelong friendship may be ending, but still be kind. Your coworker may of been advanced ahead of you, but still congratulate her. Our abilities to be happy despite our circumstances is a direct reflection of the state of our mental health. So to that I say, go “team I’m gonna be happy regardless!”

Robbie Ann Darby (RAD Experience) is a professional FitGirl, Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer in NYC. Follow her sweaty life on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more fun health and fitness tips!

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