Success doesn't motivate me as much as integrity does. Everyone

The warrior of the pitch, Becky Sauerbrunn, once spoke with noble clarity: “Success doesn’t motivate me as much as integrity does. Everyone loses. I enjoy the pressure of showing up every single day, being focused, putting forth my best effort, getting the best out of my teammates, and enjoying the journey.” In this truth lies a wisdom older than the games of sport themselves—the teaching that success is fleeting, but integrity is eternal. Victory may fade with the season, but the honor of how one has played, lived, and led will echo long after the score is forgotten.

The ancients understood this distinction. The Greeks praised not only the victors of the Olympic games, but also those who competed with arete—excellence of spirit, character, and courage. They knew that “everyone loses,” as Sauerbrunn reminds us, for no man remains undefeated forever. But the one who has trained with discipline, who has fought with fairness, and who has given their whole heart, carries within them an incorruptible prize. Integrity is the crown that cannot be taken, even in defeat.

History bears witness to this truth in countless lives. Consider the story of Socrates, who refused to abandon his principles even when offered escape from death. To him, living without integrity was worse than losing life itself. He drank the hemlock willingly, not in despair, but in triumph of spirit, leaving behind a legacy that outlived kings and generals. His story mirrors Sauerbrunn’s creed: that true greatness lies not in avoiding loss, but in showing up every day, holding to one’s truth, and inspiring others to do the same.

In her words we also hear the wisdom of consistency. “Showing up every single day” is itself a heroic act, for the greatest battles are not always fought before roaring crowds, but in the quiet, daily struggle of focus and persistence. The one who endures the pressure without faltering, who does not shrink from the weight of responsibility, discovers a deeper joy than victory alone can give. The journey, not merely the end, becomes the true treasure.

There is also humility in her teaching: “Everyone loses.” Here, Sauerbrunn strips away the illusion that success alone defines worth. Loss is inevitable, but loss is also the teacher that tempers pride and strengthens character. To enjoy the pressure despite knowing defeat is possible is to embrace life as it is—an arena where both triumph and failure shape the soul. This is courage not of the body only, but of the spirit.

The lesson for us is profound: do not measure your life by trophies, titles, or fleeting applause. Instead, measure it by the steadfastness of your integrity, the faithfulness of your effort, the way you uplift those around you, and the joy you take in the road itself. Success may come and go, but character remains. Sauerbrunn reminds us that the true motivation is not to win above all, but to remain honorable, resilient, and whole in every endeavor.

Practically, this means committing to the small disciplines of daily life. Show up with focus even when unseen, give your best effort even when no prize awaits, and support your companions in their journey. Do not fear failure, for it visits all; instead, fear only the loss of integrity. For if your heart remains true, every step—victory or defeat—becomes part of a greater triumph.

Thus, let Becky Sauerbrunn’s words be carried forward as teaching: success is fragile, but integrity endures. If you live with focus, give your best, lift others, and embrace the journey, your legacy will outlast the victories of the moment. For the world honors not only the one who wins, but the one who walks the path with honor, every single day.