9.1 Mal Swanson: On and Off the Field

"I've realized that me being whole off the field is gonna get the best version of me on the field." - Mal Swanson

How helpful or hurtful are your off-the-field or court habits?

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory that explains what motivates people. It says we must first meet our basic needs, like food, water, and sleep, before moving on to other goals. 

After that comes safety, friendships and belonging, and feeling good about ourselves. At the very top is self-actualization, which means becoming the best version of yourself.

If you want to be the best you can be, you have to make sure your basic needs are met—you have to eat right, get enough rest, and feel safe. Then, you have to put in the work you need to put in, but you won’t have the mental, physical, and emotional energy you need if you don’t meet your basic needs

Maybe that is what professional soccer player Mallory Swanson meant when she said, "I've realized that me being whole off the field is gonna get the best version of me on the field.”

You can’t be great off the field if you don’t have good habits off of it. The best know that success doesn’t just come from practice and competition—it comes from discipline in everyday choices. The way you sleep, eat, manage stress, and treat others off the field directly shapes how well you perform on it.

Strong habits off the field build the foundation for confidence, focus, and consistency when it matters most.

Question of the Day: Which of your off-the-field habits helps you the most, and which one holds you back?