The Athlete's Ego: Boost or Time Bomb?

The ego, engine du sports stakeholders diligent

To be a dedicated athlete, ego is often a good driving force. But it's said that it's sometimes misplaced, leading to certain situations, if not comical, then certainly conflictual and fueled by our society open to communication, social media, and a form of free expression. Let's use our ego wisely instead!

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: depositphotos.com

When the Ego Goes Wrong: Illusions and Conflicts

Today, it is very easy to communicate with the outside world, even though, paradoxically, we spend more and more time inside our homes. Within oneself, one could even move forward, as it is easier to pretend and distort reality a little, from the moment one presents or confronts oneself less directly with one's fellow human beings.. Look at our methods of communication: telephone, Internet, social networks, dating sites...

Sports practice is no exception to the rule, with fewer and fewer participants in "official" events, but more and more practitioners whotagvirtually share their outings, their experiences, their performances. Centered on themselves, on their practice, on their vision of things and sometimes not really connected with reality.

And it's sometimes funny, like those new riders who, as soon as they get a feel for speed on the descents, imagine themselves as future winners of the Tour de France. Or others who maintain a fan club, based on GPS traces, supposed performances (where, when, how, against whom?) and provocative comments.

Need some form of reconbirth

Having ego is having a kind of false representation of oneself, thoughts or attitudes constructed from memories or experiences that differ from what we really are.We remember climbing this pass on a beautiful summer day, and the sensations weren't so unpleasant. Even euphoric. And here we are, professional climbers!

The ego transforms our need for love and acceptance of ourselves into a need for reconbirth. Well, we're not going to make a case against the ego, because it is indeed a driving force. reconof any dedicated athlete, and particularly in our opinion in a discipline as difficult and time-consuming as cycling. Without a minimum of ego, how can you want to surpass yourself, have goals, or even go riding when the weather isn't really conducive? And don't they say that you need a rather developed ego to become a champion? Some even set the bar very high. And when you're up against the wall, you have to "make it," or else look like an idiot.

The cyclist in front

Ego is what drives most practitioners to want to catch up on the route the cyclist in front. It's stronger than anything. When two cyclists are alone following each other in the open countryside a few hundred meters apart, the second almost always tries to catch up with the first. Then to overtake him, if he can and if his physical means allow it. Because ego sometimes makes us forget that the rules of the game are not really established at the start, and that if the cyclist caught is simply in the clouds or in an "active recovery" session, he can also have a response. It is always a question of point of view. But rather exhilarating as a general rule. And a source of progress for those who use it at the right time. Or on the contrary, a salvation for those who refuse to see themselves grow old.

In this case, if the ego maintains the illusion of a youth and power that have gradually vanished (the style is still there, but the strength is gone!), reason calls us to order. And it is better to go riding alone, letting the legend that we have forged continue, rather than being directly confronted with the reality of the years that have passed. Because fortunately, we are able to reconto give birth to these deceptions of our ego. And sometimes to admit them and deal with themCycling also imposes a form of humility. Sooner or later, it takes a malicious pleasure in putting things back in their place. With experience, we know that this moment comes much more often than we would like.

The virtual and its drawbacks

But in this world of increasingly virtual communication, the scope for expressing our ego is almost infinite. Sometimes fantasized, often unverifiable, our "performances" are displayed, even relayed, which contributes to reinforcing this same ego. The images we broadcast of ourselves are most often controlled. To the point of forgetting that the photos are retouched. But who cares as long as it's about making yourself feel good. We're human after all.

To return to sport, the sedentary person who discovers that he is practicing and is excited by his progress, it's rather coolAs for the rest of us, if it helps us find a certain balance, then let us be consenting, if not complicit. However, things can get out of hand when our feelings are clouded by our own point of view, our own experience.

So, an objectively modest or physically limited athlete (by talent, lack of training, willpower) may have difficulty imagining that the abilities of a professional runner are far superior to his own. In light of his experience, his life, his suffering, climbing a pass at 20 km/h is impossible. His ego then manifests itself through protestation, a slow enterprise of discrediting and attempting destruction, permitted by the space of freedom – and the flaws – of our communication systems.

On Internet forums or social networks, thousands of anonymous people, most of the time hidden behind a pseudonym, have the opportunity to demonstrate through the darkest prism of their ego.. Not necessarily out of concern for justice and fairness, but more often out of jealousy. The human ego has certainly never needed the virtual world to express itself.

Since the advent of cycle racing, malicious tongues have taken great pleasure in commenting on and criticizing the performances of each other on the roadside. routeBut the virtual nature of the exchanges gives them the impression of having more weight, more importance.

Driving element

Finally, is there an ego? well put, especially in the field of sport? A question of perspective, once again. If we assume that this weakness is inevitable, let us above all learn to avoid its pitfalls. To use it as a driving force for performance and self-improvement.

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