Introduction by Jonathan Males | Performance1 - We go through many stages in life. As teenagers and young adults, many people experience a strong desire to conform, to fit in with other people's expectations. This often shows up as the need to belong to a peer group who dress and behave the same way.  Pursuing a competitive career in sport invites psychological growth beyond this, to a way of being that is more focused on standing out and achieving results. Ursa's thoughtful blog describes the realisation that freedom, creativity and independence are the rewards for daring to be different, to be true to one's own dreams. This is not an easy transition to make because it requires letting go of old certainties, beliefs and habits.  And while it's difficult for every competitor to achieve all the results they dream of, every athlete can learn, mature and grow through their sport.  Good luck Ursa, enjoy the journey!

'Stop for a moment' - Urša Kragelj

"The hardest thing is to write down something clever when you’re feeling anything but clever. Although I’m happy I finally got to finish the few exams that I had left after a 6 month of my so called mental blockade. Nothing pompous but sometimes you need to start the blog with a positive note, since my positivisms have returned along with this spring boost of blossom and greenery.

My paddling is pretty good even though would many, who got the chance to see the race results in the past month, give a slight cough to what I just said. And they would be right. But if there is something that I have learned over the years, is that in life it takes patience. The improvement in paddling was good this year but the problem is I don’t need improvement, I need a leap. Meaning a leap of thought, rather than a leap of technique, endurance etc. And because it will have to be a high jump without the pole (meaning: support), could even be a triple jump – I don’t really care – I need to confront myself with my desires and fears. Because we can only be free when creative. And creativeness is the very core of our existence. Stop for a moment and listen to your voice within. In every single one of us lies a hidden treasure of creativeness, which craves to be expressed. The secret to find this treasure is to dare to be WHO YOU REALLY ARE. And when you do, the ideas, thoughts, happiness and satisfaction starts pouring out like a volcano. It is that simple but why is it sometimes so hard?"

Website Urša Kragelj: http://en.ursakragelj.com