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Refinery29
4 days ago
- Sport
- Refinery29
One Day Of Rugby Taught Me To Stop Chasing Perfection & Start Showing Up
I remember growing up when the most popular high school sports for girls were track and field, volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, cheerleading and cross-country. But Rugby? It was never even part of the conversation. So when I was asked to participate in an Olympic training experience with the United States women's national rugby sevens team, I didn't hesitate. I was all in. Admittedly, I was nervous. However, that changed the moment I received the roster and recognized not one but two women who looked like me. Two Black women, smiling from ear to ear, standing tall as part of an Olympic history-making team. My anxiousness gave way to curiosity and pride. Rugby has long been perceived as a predominately white sport. A 2020 report by The Guardian found that fewer than 8% of players identified as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background. And if you isolate that figure to solely Black athletes? The percentage drops even lower. With representation so limited, the challenge isn't just physical—it's mental. It's knowing you're one of the few. It's pushing your body to its limits while also carrying the invisible weight of visibility. But it's also a gift to compete, to create space and to reshape the narrative in real time. As two-time Olympian and Bronze medalist Ariana Ramsey reminded me after training during a lunch hosted by Quest Nutrition, "Great and hard work shapes you into the athlete you're meant to be. Your willingness to go to practice every day and be consistent is a life skill you'll always need and use." Those words stuck with me because, as a Black woman athlete, or in my case, a journalist, showing up is only half the battle. It's never just about the game or profession; it's about rewriting what's possible, even when the narrative was never written with us—Black women and many others from historically marginalized backgrounds—in mind. Is it about being seen? Yes, absolutely, but it's also more than that; the older I get, the more I realize it's about making sure the next little brown girl sees herself, too. Being in the center of it all at Chula Vista Elite Training Center, one of the top Olympic training campuses in the country, the game itself challenged every physical limit I thought I knew. It was exciting, yes, but it also sparked something deeper. It created an internal shift from imposter syndrome to embodied power. I began to understand that true strength in all forms isn't just about physical ability. I missed a few kicks. My athleticism definitely didn't kick in the way I hoped. And when it was time to race, did I come in first place? Absolutely not. (laughs) But the real win had nothing to do with numbers. It was in letting go of the mental chains, silencing the inner critic and quieting the outside noise that sometimes held me back (and at times continues to do so) in my everyday life. The silent whispers of discouragement, defeat or doubt. The lingering question of 'What if I'm not enough?' What if things don't go as I planned? "What if I'm not ready or live up to the expectation?" That day, I didn't just show up on the field. I pushed through the noise. And not only did I show up for Dontaira K. Terrell in her full entirety—I proved something to myself and no one else. Even if I didn't make the field goal, land the tackle or run my fastest race—I laughed through it all. No pressure. I was present. I enjoyed the moment. I took what I couldn't do and turned it into a lesson, not a curveball. ' When everyone else seems to be gaining momentum, racking up wins or living their so-called best lives, it can leave you crashing out and wondering, ' What about me?' ' It took time to get here. For so long, I carried the weight of trying to be perfect. To be a winner. To overachieve, no matter the cost. That pressure has caused me more harm than good. But letting go of those limiting beliefs? That was the freedom. Who cared if I didn't catch on as quickly as the person next to me? That was the push I didn't know I needed. If I'm honest, I grew up in a household of excellence. College-educated parents. High-achieving siblings. World travelers. Trophy winners. My older sisters aren't just entrepreneurs and businesswomen—two are attorneys, and one is an audiologist (in fact, the first Black woman to receive a Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degree in the Midwest). So, as you can imagine, anything less than my best never felt like an option. "Growing up, I worked really hard but didn't immediately see the payout, so it kind of made me feel like what I was doing wasn't worth it," American rugby union player Nia Toliver said, reflecting on the advice she'd give to her younger self. "But when I think about where I am now, it's because of the work I put in. It was a long-term gain—not immediate success." Talk about words that resonated. In today's society—from television to TikTok, Instagram and everything in between it's easy to feel like you're falling behind. When everyone else seems to be gaining momentum, racking up wins or living their so-called best lives, it can leave you crashing out and wondering, ' What about me?' We're in a microwavable culture. Everything looks instant. But real success? Real alignment? It takes time. And that's why I've had to learn to separate the two to put things into perspective. Just as Maya Angelou reminded us: 'All great achievements require time.' That's why I'm adamant about celebrating the small wins. They're the proof of grit, grind and perseverance behind closed doors. The effort you're putting in when no one is watching. When the applause is quiet. When the likes on the 'Gram are few and far between. I know firsthand that those moments are the hardest. It's about reframing the narrative: you don't have to be perfect, but you do have to keep going and keep showing up. After spending the day with the team, when it came time to leave the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, another realization struck me. The roles of coaches, sports psychologists, team nutritionists, personal trainers and the list goes on in rugby mirrored something I've come to understand in my own life: your support system matters just as much as your skill set. If you want to win at anything on the field or in real life, let me tell you, that foundation has to be solid. That encouragement, that accountability, that belief in you when you're doubting yourself? That kind of support is top-tier because no matter how gifted you are, you can't do it alone. To win in this thing called life, both on and off the playing field, you need people who help you stay in the game, even when life is doing the absolute most.
USA Today
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham discusses Quest Nutrition partnership, Chiefs fandom
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham discusses Quest Nutrition partnership, Chiefs fandom This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to WNBA standout Sophie Cunningham at the Stumble Inn in New York City during a March Madness watch party as part of her partnership with Quest Nutrition. Cunningham, who has risen to prominence with the Indiana Fever as one of the WNBA's most exciting young guards, told Easton about her experience with Quest Nutrition's products before revealing details about her Chiefs fandom. "As a pro athlete, you have to take care of your body, but you also have to remember, we're human; we like to indulge. We like tasty things, so when I partnered with Quest, I fell in love with their products," said Cunningham. "I think everyone at the bar is starting to realize, 'Hey, these are healthy, but delicious food too, I love that. I do have a sweet tooth, so they have a lot of products where I can get my sweet tooth craving out of the way, but they are just good people, good company, and they like to empower and be around positive things because the W (WNBA) is one of them, and so I'm just happy to be one of their athletes." Cunningham declared her loyalty to the Kansas City Chiefs as more than just her hometown team and opened up about her longtime support of the defending AFC champions while calling out their naysayers. "I love the Chiefs. I think that the Midwest just fell in love with it. They gather around really great things. I think Andy Reid has done a phenomenal job, and everyone's falling in love with him," Cunningham explained. "I'm a Chiefs fan until I die, Red Kingdom, and everyone says again that I'm a bandwagon fan, but I absolutely am not. Y'all are bandwagoners; you guys are haters because we're winning. So I'm all for the Chiefs." Cunningham notably responded to a social media post from her former team, the Phoenix Mercury, applauding a pass during a game last season. Instead of comparing it to the Cardinals, she clarified that the play was more of a nod to the Chiefs. For the first time, Quest Nutrition offered Dirty Nachos and Cheesy Chicken Bites, two of its most popular recipes from via the "Questified" bar menu for the many fans who attended. Cunningham shows her love for the product in a series of viral videos. For more information on Quest Nutrition, follow the following links: Website | Instagram | X
Fox News
01-03-2025
- Health
- Fox News
March is nutrition month – here are 8 nutrition products that can help you live a healthier life
Eating better can help you get better sleep, improve your energy levels and just make you an overall happier person. Sticking to your health goals can be difficult, but with a few simple upgrades, you can start to improve your nutrition in no time. Nutrition products like protein powders and electrolyte water additives can be added to your daily diet, helping you stay full and hydrated. Juicers and smoothie makers can transform your breakfast and snacks into a healthy meal, while healthy meal cookbooks and meal kits can make cooking healthier a breeze. When you're trying to eat healthier and live a more active lifestyle, protein powder can help you stay full and give your body the nutrients it needs. There are all kinds of different protein powders, it's just about finding the one that works best for you. Orgain organic protein powder is a popular choice, largely because it's made entirely from plant-based ingredients. It's low in sugar and can be added to smoothies, oatmeal and even ice cream shakes. If you want a tastier protein powder, Premier Protein has a chocolate protein powder that has 30 grams of protein per serving. Quest Nutrition has a naturally flavored peanut butter protein powder for any peanut butter lovers out there. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get many of these items to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Original price: $70 Smoothies are packed with fruits, vegetables and other ingredients that keep you healthy, and the easiest way to make a smoothie is with a Nutribullet. These small, powerful blenders make single or double-serve smoothies in minutes. You can find Nutribullets on sale right now at Walmart, or get the more advanced Nutribullet Pro from the Nutribullet site. Instead of buying highly processed juice packed with added sugar, a juicer can help you make fresh juice at home with your favorite fruits. A Hamilton Beach juicer is an affordable option that lets you put whole fruit through the machine, creating over half a gallon of juice you can store in the fridge for later. Planning to juice every day? A Nutribullet juicer is the perfect machine. It's a powerful 800-watt juicer that features two different speeds for different sizes of fruit. All the parts are machine-washable, so you can easily clean them. Staying hydrated is a huge part of staying healthy. Liquid I.V.s are water additives that are packed with electrolytes and nutrients. Plus, they come in a variety of delicious flavors. Amazon has a multi-pack of different Liquid I.V. flavors, including strawberry, lemon lime, passion fruit and tropical punch. The flavors don't stop there, though. You can build your own bundle on the Liquid I.V. site. Choose from dozens of flavors and get sugar-free options if you prefer. Cooking healthy every night can be exhausting, especially if you're constantly looking up new recipes. Meal kits make cooking healthy food more realistic. You can choose from 20- or 30-minute meals, filled with healthy ingredients. Sunbasket is a healthy meal delivery service that includes options for a wide range of diets, including paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free and diabetes-friendly. HelloFresh is another popular option for health-conscious eaters. You'll get healthy, ready-made meals that you just pop in the microwave or oven. Switching to healthier meal options can be difficult if you don't know where to start. Luckily, there are hundreds of cookbooks that can walk you step-by-step through delicious recipes. "The Wicked Healthy Cookbook" is a vegetarian cookbook packed with all your favorite recipes, just in a healthier form. You can make tacos, pizza, dips and more from plant-based ingredients. "Gordon Ramsay's Healthy, Lean & Fit: Mouthwatering Recipes to Fuel You for Life" is another great healthy cookbook option. It has breakfast, lunches and dinners that are healthy but still delicious. "Super Gut" is a book all about keeping your gut healthy so you can lose weight. It's a four-week plan designed by a doctor to reset your gut's health. For more Deals, visit Keeping yourself well hydrated doesn't have to be boring. You can add whatever flavors you'd like to your water when you use an infuser water bottle. Infusing your water can help you actually drink it each day. An Infusion Pro is a well-designed water bottle with an infuser built in that you can fill with berries and other fruit to get nutrients and make your water taste better. The modern design fits in with the most stylish water bottles. The aquaFrut water bottle is a simple clear bottle with an infuser built in. It also has a hand grip to make the bottle more comfortable to hold, and each bottle comes with a cleaning brush, so you can easily clean your water bottle daily. Original price: $23.99 When tracking your weight-loss journey, a smart scale can help you understand your weight and health better. A basic Smart scale from Amazon connects to an app, offering a customized diet and exercise plan based on the results on the scale. The Withings Body Smart scale is more high-tech. It also comes with an app that measures your health metrics, but the Body Smart scale looks at more than just your weight. It tracks fat and muscle percentages, your heart rate and offers metabolic monitoring.
