When people hear the word “Olympian,” they think of glory, medals, and maybe a flag raised high. But what they don’t see is the grind. They don’t see the years of unseen work, rejection, and relentless belief in yourself despite the obstacles. That mindset isn’t just for sports. It’s packed with lessons for entrepreneurs, too.
As Ghana’s first skeleton athlete in the Olympics, I’ve had to push through more closed doors than I can count. I didn’t grow up with access to fancy facilities or elite training. I had a dream, and a lot of people told me that I was crazy. Sound familiar? If you’re building a business, chasing a new idea, or trying to lead a team, you know what that doubt feels like.
Let me share some of the ways Olympic thinking crosses over into entrepreneurship.
Train Your Mind Like You Train Your Body
In sport, your body does what your mind believes. I learned early that if I let fear run the show, I’d never make it down the skeleton track. That thing moves at 80 miles per hour, face-first, on ice. The stakes are real. To stay focused, I had to train my mind every day by visualizing races, repeating affirmations, shutting down doubt before it could take hold.
Entrepreneurs face their own version of the skeleton track. Uncertainty, risk, and high stakes come with the territory. The mental game matters just as much as strategy or funding. You have to believe before others will. And that belief isn’t just wishful thinking, it’s a muscle. You build it through action, consistency, and picking yourself up when you fall.
Discipline Isn’t Glamorous, But It’s Everything
There were days I didn’t want to train. Days my body hurt, my spirit felt crushed, or the funding didn’t come through. But I showed up anyway. Not because it was exciting, but because it was necessary. That’s discipline.
The same goes for building a business. You’ll have moments when it feels like nothing’s working. When results are slow and the world seems uninterested in your idea. But showing up, day after day, and sticking to the work? That’s one of the most powerful lessons for entrepreneurs.
Forget waiting for motivation. That comes and goes. Discipline is what stays.
Pressure Is a Privilege
There’s nothing like standing at the top of the Olympic track with cameras rolling and millions watching. It’s terrifying, but it’s also proof that you made it to that level. That pressure means you’re playing a big game. This is a lesson for entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs feel pressure too. Every decision can feel like it matters. Every risk could go wrong. But if you shift your mindset, you can start to see pressure as a privilege. You’re doing something that matters. You’re taking swings that most people are too scared to even try. That’s not a weakness, that’s your edge.
My journey as a skeleton athlete and entrepreneur has taught me that true success is about lifting others as you climb. That’s why I’ve dedicated myself to sharing the lessons for entrepreneurs I’ve learned, helping people worldwide build their own paths to success.
Through my work with the Hope Of A Billion foundation, we’re not just talking about business; we’re actively empowering underserved kids across the globe with the tools and mindset they need to become the next generation of leaders and innovators. Join me in this mission.
Find out what the official Olympics Instagram page says about our impact at Hope Of A Billion. You can also make a donation to help a child succeed.
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