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What advice would you give your twenty-year-old self, and what should they ignore?

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Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

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Rahul Dravid India Test and one-day international cricketer, 1996–2012; later India head coach

I know it is utterly fanciful to expect professional cricketers to play the game like amateurs; but the trick, I believe, is taking the spirit of the amateur - of discovery, of learning, of pure joy, of playing by the rules - into our profession. Taking it to practice or play, even when there's an epidemic of white-line fever breaking out all over the field.

Recorded Bradman Oration, Anzac Hall, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ESPNcricinfo, 14 December 2011 source ↗

Megan Rapinoe United States international footballer, 2006–2023

Even more simply, you can ask yourself this question: "Do I truly care about equality for all people in this country?" If the answer is yes, then demand to be a better, more educated, more empathetic version of yourself. And demand the same of every single person you know.

Recorded First-person essay, The Players' Tribune, 6 October 2016 source ↗

Eliud Kipchoge Kenyan marathon runner

Only the disciplined ones are free in life. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods. You are a slave to your passions.

Recorded Address at the Oxford Union Society, November 2017, Outside, 10 February 2018 source ↗

Abby Wambach United States international footballer, 2001–2015

I stayed on the path out of fear, not of being eaten by a wolf, but of being cut, being benched, losing my paycheck. If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing it would be this: "Abby, you were never Little Red Riding Hood; you were always the wolf."

Recorded Barnard College commencement address, Radio City Music Hall, New York, Speakola, 16 May 2018 source ↗

Siya Kolisi South Africa international rugby union flanker and captain

I think I wouldn't have made it if I didn't go through those struggles but that still doesn't make it right for kids to have to go through the past that I went through.

Recorded Red Bull, 8 November 2019 source ↗

Naomi Osaka Japanese professional tennis player

I feel uncomfortable being the spokesperson or face of athlete mental health as it's still so new to me and I don't have all the answers. I do hope that people can relate and understand it's O.K. to not be O.K., and it's O.K. to talk about it. There are people who can help, and there is usually light at the end of any tunnel.

Recorded First-person cover essay, Time, 8 July 2021 source ↗

Simone Biles United States artistic gymnast

Yeah, I say put mental health first because if you don't, then you're not going to enjoy your sport and you're not going to succeed as much as you want to. So it's okay sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are rather than just battle through it.

Recorded Post-competition press conference, Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo Olympics, Rev, 27 July 2021 source ↗

Jürgen Klopp German football manager; Liverpool 2015–2024

You have to change from doubter to believer.

Recorded Introductory press conference as Liverpool manager, Anfield, October 2015, Sky Sports, 17 May 2024 source ↗

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