-- by Dylan Crane, Athlete / Tea Drinker
If you ask any athlete out there what the most important part of their success is, it’s almost guaranteed the response you’ll receive is a strong and healthy body. This goes without saying that their headspace and mood are part of that. You could have the strongest athlete in the field but if that athlete isn’t focused, confident, and mentally prepared then kiss that result goodbye. Many, athletes included, have their own routine to help them get into their preferred headspace, not just before competition, but also daily to keep them happy and persistent in the pursuit of their goals. For me, tea is a huge part of that daily routine.
Now, I’ll be honest, I am no connoisseur nor am I well educated in the process of making tea. However, I think everyone can appreciate and relate to how a great cup can make them feel. What’s better is different teas have their own personalities and can completely alter one’s mood. Be it waking up in the morning, staying up late to knock out that extra work, a rainy day, traveling, or simply to relieve some stress, I have come to enjoy different tea for just about any occasion or activity. While I am grateful for it, it is less about the health benefits that come from tea and more about its ability to calm me down yet keep me focused that I find invaluable.
The most important part of my day is the first two hours after I wake up, which typically sets my mood for the rest of the day. I make it a point, as often as possible, to start my day with a cup of tea, typically Tea Spot’s Earl of Gray; turn on some of my favorite music, such as Big Wild or Odeza; and whip up a solid breakfast. This sort of calm and upbeat morning has a profound effect on my ability to stay happy and productive all day which is super important for an athlete trying to balance his training, school, and work. If your morning feels rushed and stressful before heading out the door, I would highly recommend training yourself to get up 20-30 minutes earlier, maybe quietly watching the sunrise, and let their mornings slow down.
I travel more than just about anyone else I know. Sometimes putting 60,000 miles on my car in one year and being home for maybe a couple of days at a time totaling no more and a couple of weeks over the course of four or five months during the racing season. Most people would get pretty burnt out with this, but I enjoy being on the move, seeing new places, meeting new people, and keeping things fresh and interesting. It’s an integral part of my lifestyle as a mountain bike athlete and one of the large reasons I have persisted to the point I am now. That goes without saying, it is tiresome and consists of some extremely long days. Once again this is where tea has come to my rescue. I no longer leave for a trip without a bag of tea and my Steepware Tea Tumbler easily available.
Whether its hour 10 in the driver seat or a red-eye flight it allows me to keep on moving and, more importantly, keep things positive. While very few people can relate to the volume of travel, I think there are many people that would agree with the notion that your favorite cup of tea has some magic to it. If you don’t, then maybe it’s time to try a different leaf!
-- by Dylan Crane, Athlete / Tea Drinker