My Monthly Sports Minute: The Feeling I Get From Watching & Playing Sports

Watching sports inspires me in many ways. The talent level of athletes across various professional sports leagues is quite impressive. I admire their competitive fire and passion. I’m not only inspired by the way they push their bodies, but also how they take care of themselves — for career longevity.

I recall seeing female athletes such as Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards-Ross, Candace Parker, and Serena Williams play sports, be a BEAST, and still be a BEAUTY. They taught me a lot. They made me feel comfortable with maxing out in the weight room. I realized my muscles and strength added beauty.

While in high school, I was a four-sport athlete participating in soccer, volleyball, basketball, plus track and field. This was the best time of my life — I found myself filled with so much joy! I enjoyed the adrenaline rush that playing sports and competing against other athletes or teams gave me. I enjoyed practice even more because it allowed me to compete against myself.

Playing sports gave me such a sense of pride, especially when I accomplished new skills and broke personal records. Being a four-sport athlete taught me that I can literally accomplish anything if I put my mind to it. This bred a sense of self-confidence and self-respect in me. I think this is the greatest reward you can give yourself as an athlete.

To this day, playing sports still brings me great joy!

There is something about being competitive and getting active that shifts my entire mood to a positive one. On my worst days, I know that I can get up and go shoot some hoops or get active and it will turn my day around. Playing sports is something you can do with your friends and family to create bonds and memories. I met all of my friends in HS while playing my four sports. After 15+ yrs, they are still my friends. Hopefully, we remain friends for life.

Winning championships is the ultimate reward for playing sports or being a fan of sports. As an athlete, it’s an indescribable feeling to find out all of the hard work you put in to your sport actually paid off with a victory.

As a fan, knowing the team or athlete you’ve invested so much time following has succeeded in their efforts makes watching the champagne celebration such a fun occasion! (Shameless Plug: Shoutout to the LA LAKERS! 2020 Finals Champs!!!!) Ultimately, experiencing championship wins translates into me wanting to win at everything in life!

The feeling I get from playing & watching sports electrifies my entire life.

— Kimara Morgan, former four-sport athlete and current track coach