Every athlete chases a moment, but what happens when that moment ends?
“You work your whole life to celebrate winning for a few minutes”. That’s how World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler describes the emotional aftermath of winning. With 16 career wins, including three majors, Scheffler has lived the dream many athletes chase. But behind the victories, his words reveal something deeper: success doesn’t always satisfy.
Despite standing at the verge of a career grand slam, Scheffler admitted that victory doesn’t always bring the fulfillment people want and expect. Scheffler loves the game, the grind, and the chance to compete, but even in his highest moments, he finds himself wondering what’s the point?
This thought of “what’s the point” is a question that lives inside many athletes. Sports provide athletes with structure in their daily lives while also offering the kind of challenge that pushes both physical and mental limits. This structure and challenge help create a deep sense of purpose for athletes, but when identity is tied too closely to outcome, the result, no matter how impressive, can feel empty.
Scheffler isn’t speaking from a place of failure. He’s experienced what many tennis players dream of: at the precipice of a grand slam after having won multiple majors. Despite all his success, he still battles the “what’s next” question even after his biggest wins. He states, “You win it, you celebrate, [I] get to hug my family, my sister’s there, it’s such an amazing moment. Then it’s like, OK, what are we going to eat for dinner? Life goes on”. Athletes face immense pressure to win and continue to improve, only to realize how quickly those moments come and go.
Athletes who work to build a healthy mindset learn to root their confidence in effort, not outcome. They focus on the joy of growth, the meaning of practice, and the values they bring to competition, rather than the results. Success becomes a moment, not a measure of self-worth.
Lasting fulfillment doesn’t come from crossing the finish line first; it comes from understanding the purpose behind the journey and finding meaning in the process.