As the Winter Olympics pick up, I am enjoying watching the various sports that revolve around cold weather and snow. In many ways, it is our natural given duty and right to become experts at the cold and snow. It is largely why we are here today – our ability to thrive even under freezing cold temperatures and with that, the mindset that comes with it.

While watching the Olympic snowboarders do epic tricks off a massive jump, I was reminded about the legendary snowboarder Sean White. There is one particular story that has always stuck with me. It’s a simple story:

When asked what he thought to himself right before the gate opened, before he went on to win gold, Sean White said two words came to his mind: “Who cares.”

Biggest event of your professional career… Who cares! I love this mentality. It’s something I don’t think is taught or practiced enough, yet it’s THE mindset that most winners have over long periods of time.

At its core, it’s about recognizing that you have one incredible opportunity to give your best and whether things go well or badly, it’s all part of the process. If you take yourself too seriously, if the pressure is too high, if you’re too nervous, you’ll never perform at your highest peak.

Something will always hold you back.

When you commit to doing your absolute best, without letting fear, distraction, or circumstance restrain you, that’s when your greatest potential begins to unfold.