Athletes are very cool to me.

"Athletes are very cool to me." These simple yet profound words by Regina King speak to the admiration and respect that many have for athletes—not simply for their physical prowess, but for their dedication, discipline, and the spirit they embody. The coolness that King refers to is not merely the fame or glory that comes with victory, but the deeper essence of what it means to be an athlete: to push beyond one’s limits, to face challenges head-on, and to inspire others through the sheer force of will and determination. It is the strength of character that lies beneath the surface of their athletic abilities that makes them truly remarkable.

In the ancient world, athletes were celebrated as heroes and gods. The Olympic Games in ancient Greece were not just contests of speed and strength, but sacred rituals that honored the human spirit’s capacity for greatness. Heroes like Heracles (Hercules) were not merely admired for their physical feats, but for their courage and perseverance in overcoming seemingly impossible challenges. The Greeks understood that the body could be a vessel for the soul’s power, and that through discipline, one could attain immortality in the hearts of those who witnessed their triumphs. Just as Regina King admires athletes for their "coolness," the ancients revered athletes for their ability to transcend the limits of their bodies and achieve greatness.

One of the most powerful examples of this in history is Jesse Owens, the American track and field legend who defied the odds at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. In a world marred by racial tension and prejudice, Owens not only won four gold medals, but did so in front of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime, demonstrating to the world the power of the human spirit over hate and division. His victories were not just physical achievements, but a symbol of defiance, of standing tall in the face of oppression. The coolness of Jesse Owens was not in his athletic abilities alone, but in his unwavering strength of character, his ability to stand firm when the world sought to diminish him.

Similarly, the ancient Romans held their athletes in high regard. While gladiators may be remembered for their brutal contests, the true power they embodied was not simply in combat, but in their ability to survive and persevere. The best gladiators were admired not just for their fighting skills but for their mental fortitude, their ability to face death itself with unwavering courage. The Roman Emperor Commodus, who famously fought as a gladiator, was enamored with this strength and often sought to emulate their tenacity. The ancient world revered those who could endure hardship and emerge victorious, and the athletes of today still carry that same spirit.

In modern times, athletes like Serena Williams and Michael Jordan have become icons not only for their unmatched physical abilities but for their mental discipline and commitment to their crafts. Serena Williams, for instance, has faced and overcome numerous obstacles throughout her career—not only in terms of competition but also in the form of gender and racial barriers. Yet, through sheer will and determination, she has solidified her place as one of the greatest athletes in history. Like the ancient athletes before her, she embodies the strength and resilience that are at the core of what it means to be truly cool in the eyes of the world.

The lesson to be learned from Regina King’s admiration for athletes is clear: the true power of an athlete lies not just in their physical ability but in their capacity to inspire, to overcome, and to push the limits of what is possible. Athletes serve as a reminder that greatness is not achieved by mere talent alone, but through dedication, perseverance, and a unified purpose. They show us that the true essence of being “cool” lies not in fleeting moments of glory, but in the steadfast commitment to one’s craft, the courage to stand in the face of adversity, and the ability to inspire others along the way.

As you move through life, let the athletes you admire serve as examples of strength and grit. Whether in your career, relationships, or personal ambitions, remember that true greatness is not about being the best at everything, but about showing up every day with determination, a willingness to face challenges, and the courage to keep moving forward. Athletes like those of the past and present remind us that our coolness is rooted in our capacity to face hardship and come out stronger, to push through adversity with grace, and to leave a legacy of inspiration for future generations.