Journaling Is a Dope Start: Reflection Builds Stronger Athletes

One of my biggest regrets after traveling to 35 countries is not understanding the value of journaling—what it could have meant to me as an athlete and a person, or how it could have helped me carry less and play freer. 

Back then, I did not know journaling could be a powerful tool for self-care, healing, and clarity. 

Now, I do. 

As athletes, we are trained to focus on physical skills, conditioning, and execution. But we are rarely encouraged to reflect on our inner game. We are not taught to articulate what we are feeling or make sense of what we have been through. That silence shapes us. 

I have seen how it shows up: 

– Struggling to find words when emotions rise 

– Feeling stuck after setbacks 

– Shutting down in close relationships 

– Confusing identity with performance 

But here is the truth: 

If we want to grow, we must go deeper. 

We must give ourselves permission to slow down, to get honest about what we are carrying, and to share our truth with the people who care about us. 

Journaling is a dope start. 

It is a mirror. A release valve. A game plan for your mental game. 

It does not have to be perfect. 

It just must be real. 

~ Coach Delmont