Anticipation is in the air, well in my airspace at least. It’s that time of the year when my fledgling cottage industry of massage therapy and athlete support enters a busy phase after the quieter winter months. Like the boat charterers and many other professions, this sort of industry is seasonal in nature. That said I would probably be quite content were that not to be the case but then again, seasons are there for a reason.
I recently read a most profound and insightful blog post or two from the sage Gordo Byrn. The well-travelled Canadian really does have a knack for delving into the more philosophical side of endurance sport through his deeply insightful writings.
The first post questions what he would do if he had unlimited means, whilst the second is delves into finding and understanding one’s true motivations and potential in pursuing whatever form of athletics.
What would you do if you won millions in the National Lottery, had unlimited means and never had to work another day?
Referring back to my opening paragraph, I would definitely do more freelance work in the world of athlete support. In fact, I would make a full-time profession of it. Many people have asked me over the years why I choose roles behind the scenes as opposed to actually participating in the respective events. While there is probably no one answer to that question, I’m going to try and outline my own reasons (in no particular order) for embracing life as an athletic “lackey” via the following points:
Travel and Adventure
Being a rather adventurous fellow by nature, I embrace the notion of shoestring traveling. Working in sport provides the ideal platform for this where I’ve been fortunate enough to get know many a small town fairly well. This complements the challenge of getting to some of these out-of-the-way towns, finding decent accommodation, shops, resources, laundries and so on.
Be it the isolation of the retreat-like chalets in the Robertson mountains or “tok-tokkie” in the streets of Swakopmund; 1am calls to fetch a repaired bicycle or sleeping under the stars at Jeffrey’s Bay – the collective experiences and ability to go with the flow are what makes working in sport the exhilarating adventure that it is.
Challenge
Even with all the planning in the world, things often just don’t pan out as intended. Such is rollercoaster of life, although when others are dependent on your efficiency and ability, you just have to make a plan.
Having worn a few hats as far as supporting roles go, probably the most critical personal attribute to cultivate is that of sangfroid. Whilst this borrowed term often emerges in tales of espionage and the like, a sense of calm goes a long way in reassuring tired and stressed-out athletes when logistics take a turn for the worst. Mutual respect and willingness to help one others go a long way in this industry, where a doing a favour one day is rarely forgotten in the future.
People
Sport makes people and people make sport. The multitude of personalities and backgrounds that I’ve come into contact with over the years continues to fascinate me. Sport attracts people from all walks of life, and not just the athletes for that matter. The faces behind the scenes tend to crop up time and time again. Whilst many of those faces are remunerated for their respective services, I’m confident that many would still be involved if that was not the case.
Look at the soigneurs at the feed zones and finishing areas of Le Tour – these guys and girls are certainly not in it for the money. For many it is more than a job – it is a vocation.
Care
Helping and caring for athletes of all levels is wholly rewarding as far as personal satisfaction is concerned. While the distinction between servant and carer can seem rather blurred, continued experience in this field does make this distinction clearer over time.
Whilst a caring nature is a necessity from a supporting side, one of the key factors that I’ve come to learn is that elite athletes are also human beings. Many fans fail to realize that these athletes have their own qualities and faults like everybody else. In my opinion, one of the critical factors to an effective athlete-carer relationship is mutual respect sans admiration – in other words support staff should be star struck in light of going the extra mile for the athlete(s) in question.
Respect is earned and not commanded.
In light of the above reasons often emerges another question, where a non-participating yet passionate sportsman is seemingly sacrificing his own sporting goals to pursue various roles in helping others achieve theirs.
How does embracing “life on the road” translate to maintaining peak physical fitness though?
This is a great question and one that would need further insight in a future post.
Back to my true métier and as I write these final few paragraphs, I’m just days away from hitting the road for my latest adventure. After several busy weeks of juggling my day job with my “industry-of-fun,” an extended period of massage work at the 2014 Cape Pioneer Trek begins this Sunday . Having plotted my route up there and managing to pool race-week transport thanks to a well-known bio-feedback guru, things have worked out on that front. The days will be long and the quiet moments few but that is beauty about the whole thing.
Small towns, great people and new routes await.
As do some photos. Watch this space.
PS: I do have space available for another human wishing to travel to the 2014 Cape Pioneer Trek. I'm leaving around noon this Saturday - contact me if interested!
