Crushed it. The Carpool Lane with Special Guest Heather Petri
I first met Heather Petri at a Swim Across America charity event. We were standing in the hotel lobby on the Boston Harbor, about to visit children at the Mass General Hospital for Children- Cancer Center. Heather was holding a small black box, like something you would buy at Home Depot to hold a power tool. Heather casually opens up her case and inside are not one, not two, or even three, but FOUR Olympic medals. To put this in perspective, Heather played water polo- a team sport, so in order to get FOUR medals, that meant she played in FOUR Olympics. Another fun fact, she is one of only two women in the world who have accomplished this feat! Simply put, Heather is one of the best water polo players in the history of the sport.
Over the last several years, I have been lucky to call Heather my friend. We have traveled the world together, and made waves to crush cancer together. Heather joined us on The Carpool Lane today and dropped knowledge bomb after knowledge bomb.
Her parents taught her to take the word “I can’t” out of your vocabulary- remove the limits of the word to reach your full potential. When you feel like you can’t do something, reframe it into “I can’t do this YET!”
Parents, friends, and teammates are a support system that you will be able to lean on for the rest of your life.
When one door closes another door opens.(And don’t be afraid to RUN through it!) We all know the saying, but Heather is living proof. Heather wanted to swim at a very prestigious collegiate swim program and was told that it might not be the right fit for her. It turns out that this door closing opened the door to another opportunity- playing water polo. (I say that worked out pretty well for her!).
Reflection is an important part of sport. When you reflect you are able to check in with yourself to make sure that you are doing things for the right reasons, committing yourself fully towards your goal, and taking the necessary actions towards that goal.
Control what you can control. Ask yourself what do I need to do in this moment to be successful, in the next 30 seconds to be successful. Stay present.
When times are challenging, find your WHY, and what brings you JOY in life. Find something to do that will help you keep calm and make you feel good about yourself.
Leadership is something that can evolve over time. Once you are aware of your strengths and qualities you can share them with others.
“If you are on time you are late” is a lesson Heather learned from her parents. Her parents instilled the value of showing up early, prepared, dedicated, and ready to put her all into everything she does.
Heather’s parting advice to all of us watching-
“You are your own unique being. You bring qualities to your sport or your life that no one else can. Focus on your strengths and don’t ever try to be like anyone else. Know your own path. Your path will not look like anyone else’s. Focus on your journey, you don’t have to be like anyone else because you are an awesome, unique YOU!”
Heather, you are amazing. Thank you for all you do to give back through sport, inspiring the next generation of athletes!
