By: Emerson Pattillo
Seeking new, as well as recycling current methods that drive motivation within you, is
essential as a Division I lacrosse player. There is no denying that this lifestyle is demanding and exhausting, but it is also fun and extremely rewarding. I have found that teaching your brain to zero in on your “why” is pivotal. In life, you have probably been asked at some point: “Why do you play?”, "What motivates you to play?”, or something along those lines. Highlighting your “why” may sound cliché, but the pieces that make up my “why” are not only what has prompted me to love playing lacrosse for the past fourteen years, and counting, but also get me through hard practices, workouts, lengthy injuries, and long seasons.
When I reflect on why I play and how I push myself physically beyond what I deem possible, I often think about three things that motivate me: connection, gratitude, and fulfillment.
I am constantly motivated by those around me. I love that my teammates and I do challenging things together every day, but we also find great joy in doing so. The strength in the relationships I have built within my team is something for which I will forever be thankful. My team and I have so much fun together, and with 38 diverse personalities, we push each other on and off the field to be better every day. I enjoy being surrounded by tenacious and driven individuals who, on the field, ask each other to “hit me harder” but then go home and laugh about it at the dinner table, sharing a strong emotional bond. I’m inspired daily by my best friends and grateful that we continue to grow together, showing up for each other not just for lacrosse, but in life.
I possess so much gratitude for my ability to play lacrosse and the privilege to work hard. In 2021, I endured a serious knee injury requiring three surgeries and over fourteen months of rehabilitation. Unfortunately, ACL injuries have become extremely common among female lacrosse players, and the return to play process is no easy feat. My three knee surgeries spanned seven months and created deeply rooted emotional trauma that is still difficult to navigate. I am still reminded of my hardships, but I believe that the lessons they taught me have made me a better athlete today. My long knee recovery changed my mindset. The hard work I put into rehab and the time I spent unable to participate now motivates me during difficult practices and conditioning sessions. When things get tough, I remind myself that there was a point when I couldn’t run or even walk properly, and that perspective pushes me to keep going.
When my non-athlete friends ask, “How do you do it?”, my favorite thing to explain is how incredibly rewarding my lifestyle can be. Showing up every day and pushing myself to be better makes everything else feel that much sweeter, and learning how to handle and move past all the challenges life as an athlete throws at you is unlike anything else. The feeling of winning big games after months of hard work, especially when you get to do it with your best friends, is something truly special. Being part of a sport you love brings a deep, intrinsic satisfaction and daily enjoyment. The practices, competitions, and shared goals create a constant sense of purpose and motivation. There’s nothing like doing what you love alongside others and feeling that moment of accomplishment, that “yeah, I just did that”, even when you didn’t think you could, and letting that feeling continue to motivate you every day.
The connections I have built playing lacrosse and on my team encourage me every day and make everything more enjoyable. I feel empowered through the gratitude I possess to be able to go out another day and dedicate myself, as well as the feelings of fulfillment and passion that motivate me to keep going and be better.
Motivation drives consistency and effort. Those who are able to identify what motivates them are more successful because, without motivation, even skilled athletes can underperform.
With this, I encourage you all to hone in on your “why” and refer back to it to fuel yourself. We all have a reason for why we do what we do, and using it to our advantage is paramount. Do what you love, and love what you do.