Ted-Jan Bloemen. If you haven’t heard his name or don’t know his story, it is the perfect example of the difference a supportive network can make. He was part of the Dutch speed skating program and he’d be on the senior team one year, then they’d drop him the next. The program didn’t commit their support to him, he didn’t get consistent coaching, and he was always just on the verge of reaching his potential. His dad was born in New Brunswick and so in 2014 he became a dual citizen and moved to Canada.
The Canadian program welcomed him with open arms, believed in his potential, supported him, and gave him the opportunities he needed to succeed. At Pyeongchang, his first Olympics at 31 years old, he started with a silver medal in the 5,000m and finished it with a gold in the 10,000m. He got to watch the maple leaf rise after beating the dutch skaters and setting an Olympic record.
He was the same athlete, but when given a supportive environment and access to the right resources and coaching he became an Olympic champion!
I’ve struggled to stay positive in this journey when it feels like the work I’ve done hasn’t been recognized or valued. I’m grateful for someone I just met in September who listened to what had happened the previous years, they understood the work I’d put in, and every time I’ve gone through something since (midterms, finals, struggles) her messages lift me up. Since the first time we met, she’s been genuinely interested in what I’m doing, where I’m at, the successes I’ve had, and also listened when things were hard.
When someone really sees you. When they ask “how are you?” and they mean it. When they really believe in you. It’s invaluable and it’s extremely powerful.