Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and Lindsey Vonn Used the Same Technique in Their Career to Achieve Success

Often, Michael Jordan bullied his opponents on the basketball court. He pushed, pulled, shot, and fought to achieve greatness. But the road to success was not a pathway of roses. People doubted him and tried to get into his head to affect his mentality. Jordan never wavered. Michael Phelps too. The famous Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn used those intangibles to succeed and assure greatness.

Like the shooting guard, Vonn had doubters, with no belief in her ability, stating she would not make it. Hearing those claims, Vonn silenced those critics and won an Olympic gold medal. In addition, she returned from her injuries to win the Olympics bronze medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, yet again proving her mettle. 

Lindsey Vonn wanted to be the best!

Making her Olympics debut back in 2002, Vonn finished sixth in the combined event. As her coaches doubted her ability, she never looked fazed at the proposition of winning an Olympic medal. Working her way towards her goal, Vonn took a step back, honed her craft, and proved people wrong. “I remember very specifically every time someone said I couldn’t do something. So, you know, I think I’ve mitigated the pain by proving them wrong and succeeding, despite what they said.”

She recalled how her coaches doubted her during her teenage years for never making it to the big stage. “When I was 16-17 years old, you know, overhearing my coaches saying that you know, I wasn’t going to make the team and, you know, they should put all of their eggs in the other athletes’ basket, and you know, we’ll see if I ever make anything of myself, that was really hard to hear,” mentioned Vonn. 

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Some athletes take this fuel and replenish it in their performances. Hearing criticisms can work in two ways. Either the athlete succumbs to pressure, or they feel determined to prove them wrong. Vonn chose the latter. “They fueled me, and many critics over the course of my career fueled me as well. So, I think it worked out in the end.” It is fascinating to see her determination throughout her career, and she ended with 82 World Cup victories, the most for an Alpine Skier. 

Tale of two Michaels

Similarly, Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps had a similar approach to life. Whenever Jordan got hassled by opponents, he laughed it away, knowing he would prove them wrong. Famously in the Netflix series “The Last Dance”, Jordan laughed off Gary Payton’s claims of stopping him, and it was an iconic moment. Such was the confidence he had in his ability. 

Likewise, famous swimmer Ian Thorpe was on top of the world when Michael Phelps entered the foray. But Thorpe doubted him, and Phelps proved him wrong by winning 23 Olympic gold medals. To see them on top of the record-breaking list showcases their ability. With hard work, probably nothing is impossible. These three athletes established that supremacy from start to finish. 

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