Gold Medals Aren't Just for Athletes
Like many people, I watched some of the 2026 Winter Olympic events. It had been many years—decades in fact—since I had watched the Olympics with much interest. When I started watching the Olympics as a child, the commentators were former Olympians and professional sportscasters. The focus was on the athletes and the sacrifices they made in pursuit of excellence. I felt inspired. Countries could set aside their political differences, compete as equals, and the best teams and individuals were recognized for being the best in the world. Hard work, determination, and skills were on display for all to see.
Unlike the coverage of my youth, today’s coverage is very different. Television personalities and other celebrities are now a large part of the Olympic lineup. I have to admit, I am not a fan of this change. So what made me decide to watch this year? I'm not really sure, but I'm glad that I did. Even though I'm not an athlete, I've learned so many life lessons from watching the Olympics. Lessons that I can implement in my work as a legal recruiter, and lessons that attorneys can implement to be top-notch practitioners and mentors.
Lesson 1: Becoming a Great Attorney Requires as Much Practice as Becoming an Olympic Athlete
After the U.S. Women's Hockey team took home the gold, the Canadian Women's Hockey team’s coach denounced the win. Hilary Knight responded with the calmness and strength of character to which most of us only aspire. She stood up for her team and herself, declaring, “we don't buy wins—we earn them with heart, sweat, and the kind of skill that legends are made of. If it's too much for some to handle, maybe it's time to look in the mirror instead of pointing fingers."
Athletes are competitive and lawyers are competitive. No one is born an Olympic champion, and no one is born a superstar lawyer. Law and sports have a lot in common. Both require practice. Athletes spend years practicing their skills, doing drills, and working out in the gym. Attorneys spend years learning to draft, negotiate, deal with opposing counsel, and develop business. Athletes and attorneys earn their successes.
Lesson 2: The Importance of Mental Health
Watching Alysa Liu skate across the ice, with her radiant smile emanating joy, is something that I will never forget. The fact that she took home the gold was as much a testament to her talent as it was to her mental health. Her willingness to discuss her decision to retire from skating at the age of 16—an age when more of us are just getting our driver's licenses—blew me away.
Many of us have a very hard time recognizing how we feel. When we do, we have a hard time honoring our feelings and devising a plan to change our situation. After taking almost two years away from skating, hearing Alysa Liu say that she felt at "peace on the ice," illustrated another important lesson: we all struggle and we all need support.
When I was in law school in the 1980s, mental health issues were not openly discussed. We've made a lot of progress over the decades, but mental health is still a difficult topic for many of us. Fortunately, law schools and law firms are paying attention and providing support. The first step is having the courage to ask for help. The second step is allowing yourself to accept help, and the third step is taking the time needed to get well. No one is superhuman, not even gold medalists.
Lesson 3: Time Away is Restorative
One of the most powerful lessons from these Olympics is that sometimes the best way forward is to step away for a while. The lesson applies to the legal profession as well.
Attorneys are known for working long hours and pushing themselves through demanding schedules. Many lawyers hesitate to take real time off because they fear falling behind or missing opportunities. Yet rest and distance often provide the clarity we need to do our best work.
Vacations are not a luxury. They are restorative.
Time away from the office allows you to recharge, gain perspective, and return with sharper focus. Sometimes stepping back is exactly what you need to move forward.
Lesson 4: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Never lose sight of the reality that all of your colleagues, including support staff, are on the same team as you are. What you do impacts their success and vice versa. If a colleague is struggling, lend a hand—or at least lend an ear.
Conclusion
No matter what we do for a living, we all have the opportunity to exhibit gold medal behavior. Be prepared. Don't procrastinate. Own your mistakes and don't point fingers. If a colleague is being unfairly treated, stand up for them. If a colleague, client, or opposing counsel is behaving badly, stand your ground. Every day you can find a teachable moment. You just need to open your eyes.
