Masters, a seven-time Paralympian heading to Paris in August, overcame early-life hardships in Chernobyl, Ukraine, including radiation exposure, surgeries, and adoption by an American. Despite winning 17 Paralympic medals, she still battles insecurities.
She emphasizes the importance of mental training for athletes, acknowledging the difficulty in building mental toughness. Masters competes in skiing and cycling year-round, facing societal expectations for women and disabled individuals as additional challenges.
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Masters aims to defy doubt and criticism, using them as motivation to excel. She offers four strategies for training the mind to support the body.
The hardest thing is getting to the start line—kind of
While the training is done, the mental challenge of facing the start line remains. Masters advises athletes to trust their training and let their body take over during the competition.
She emphasizes the importance of self-trust and dealing with uncontrollable variables, relying on her body to perform when needed.
“Getting to the starting line is still hard for me, but I remind myself of the impact I make by representing my country,” she says.
Don’t count yourself out
Despite setbacks, Masters stresses the importance of not counting oneself out, particularly when faced with injuries. She acknowledges the anxiety and strives to use failures as learning opportunities for improvement.
“I have to work to stay hungry, committed, and not let setbacks defeat me. They should fuel motivation for future success,” she says.
Count on second chances to do it right
Patience and resilience are crucial for Masters, who learned the value of perseverance through multiple setbacks before achieving success. She emphasizes the importance of resilience in the face of challenges.
Keep a solid support system around you
When lacking motivation, Masters draws inspiration from loved ones who believe in her. Despite self-imposed expectations, she finds strength in the faith and support of her family, coaches, and team.
You can catch Oksana Masters competing in Para Road Cycling starting on September 4. All 22 Paralympic events will be available to stream on Peacock, and a select number of events will be airing on CNBC, USA Network, and NBC.
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