Overcoming self-limiting beliefs is a crucial step for anyone, including elite masters athletes who strive for excellence in their sport. Renowned motivational speaker Bruce W. Conner often emphasizes the importance of mindset in achieving success, especially in disciplines like speed skating. By addressing and overcoming these beliefs, athletes can unlock their full potential and reach new heights in their athletic pursuits.
Bruce W. Conner is an accomplished motivational speaker and a Masters World Speed Skating Champion. As a retired Captain of the B-787 for United Airlines, he brings a unique perspective to his audiences. At just 17 years old, Bruce was part of the US National Long Track Speed Skating team, competing among elite masters athletes, where he narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympic team in 1976. Following that disappointment, he stepped away from speed skating for many years.
Watching the Olympics it is so evident that we can't achieve on our own. We need a support network. We stand on the shoulders of those networks.
For an adult, the support of a spouis essential. Trying to balance the responsibilities of a husband or partner while training at an elite level for a sport can place difficult demands on any relationship. Maripat and I try to maintain and balance our priorities. Sometimes, it can be very tough.
Spouses find it easier to support you if they have something at stake in your success too. If it is a shared sport, that is a plus. When I was I spending a lot of time in the car between my home in Kildeer, Illinois and the skating rink 75 miles north in Milwaukee, Maripat always came with me. I am fortunate that the love of my life wants to come with me. We love sharing our time in the car.
She also works out when I am on the ice. She loves to hang out with the other athletes that we have adopted as our “kids”. This is another chosen family for us and we share the experience together.
