**Image courtesy of Sharon Baker Brown**
A Tribute to Strength: Sharon Baker Brown
By Akilah Chandler
AC: It’s been over 5 years since the last time I got on a track field and competed competitively. During the prime of my track & field days, it was assumed that I would run track in college and eventually continue on to compete professionally, but something happened this time 5 years ago while in high school. Until recently, I couldn’t even put to words why, but the sport that was once my release and passion became a burden and a form of resentment. I haven’t stepped foot on a track field since. The transition away from track happened quite naturally, I stopped training over the summer and I stopped accepting offers to invitational meets. Before I knew it, track was completely out of my life and when I continued on to college, I didn’t look back. Interesting enough, my parents never questioned this decision but when friends or other family members asked, my infamous response was ‘it was just time’. The unanswered question of why leave track, remained unanswered and it wasn’t until I sat for lunch with a woman by the name of Sharon Baker Brown that I realized why I let it go and what made it so easy.
What you’re about to read is an in-person interview that I conducted with Sharon over a two hour lunch. Prior to this conversation we had never met but had spoken on the phone twice. She didn’t know what I looked like nor I her but she recognized me as soon as I walked in. Prior to commencing the interview, she also provided me with a written response to each of the answers. The testimony below not only highlights the verbal conversation that took place but incorporates her written responses as well.
AC: What made you decide to pursue water skiing competitively?
SBB: It was never my intention to compete competitively, it just evolved. Each step led to a natural progression. I don’t compete professionally, I’m just an amateur. Massage therapy is my profession; water skiing is a sport I’m passionate about.
Insight—Prior to asking this question she spoke about her first time going water skiing. She was invited by friends and despite being unable to get up on the Slalom ski, she had such a good time that she took it upon herself to invest in water skiing equipment with the hopes of being invited again. After doing some research, she took a water skiing lesson and after some encouragement and coaching, decided to ski competitively.
AC: Success cannot be cited without discipline. What forms of discipline did you have to acquire over the years to ensure success as a competitive athlete?
SBB: I competed in swimming from the time I was 6 years old through college, so the discipline I applied when swimming competitively transitioned into ski discipline.
SBB: When I was younger, my father was a pilot in the Air Force and when I decided I wanted to become one, he discouraged me from pursuing it. I think it was because I was a girl. Not too long after he passed away, I got my pilot’s license and worked as a pilot for a small airplane rental company. Now I occasionally fly for practice.
Insight: Prior to posing this question Sharon mentioned a five year old telling her she was ‘too old’ for water skiing. There seems to be a pattern of people doubting her abilities and her overcoming them. She makes a point of stating she didn’t persevere with the intention of proving them wrong but rather to prove she can achieve a chosen goal.
AC: Many tend to forget the mental preparation that goes in hand with physical preparation before a competition. How did you mentally prepare for your competitions?
SBB: By feeling confident that regular practice will support my ability and to believe I can accomplish the task at hand.
Insight—Sharon admits that she does not work out in the traditional sense (i.e. the gym). She cites her regular practices as being the most efficient form of working out. Even with the encouragement of coaches to work on strength training in the gym, she believes practice and competing gives her all the preparation she needs. Here she also mentions that in her three years of water skiing, the first year was her learning and her second year was competing in tournaments. Between March and October of her second year, she competed in 14 tournaments in order to get experience at tournament skiing, virtually competing every week.
AC: What personal habits have contributed to your skiing today?
SBB: Regular hours of sleep, releasing addiction to coffee, meditation, and my secret weapon.
Insight—Sharon provides further insight into her secret weapon and reveals that she regularly gets Thai massages.
AC: Since competing have you altered your method of massaging to suit your clients?
SBB: Yes and no, it depends on that individual client’s needs. I have incorporated it into my business model. Some of my clients are professional skiers.
AC: Any words of wisdom you would like to impart in regards to strength?
SBB: We all have an inner strength that we can tap into. If we believe in ourselves, others will too. Exercise your inner strength’s belief and the outer strength will follow. There is a champion in all of us. [You] just need to nurture and activate that desire to achieve your goals. Surround yourself with other positive people who will support your desires and goals. Help support them in achieving theirs, it’s a mutual effort. Be thankful and recognize each step of the way of how fortunate you are.
Insight—Sharon touches on having no intention of ever competing professionally. For one, she believes her time has passed to compete at that level and doing so would no longer make it a choice but a necessity.
Concluding Insight—
Upon the conclusion of this discussion, I realized what made track and field so easy to give up. It no longer felt like a choice. Winning became a necessity and becoming a pro was an expectation. Like Sharon, prior to mandated summer training, I went 7 years without ever going to the gym. In fact, I never practiced on my own. I only practiced with my team and competed at school track meets. When expectations shifted to me going pro and spending my free time training, it stopped being fun. Unlike Sharon I allowed pressure and the influences of my peers and family to get in the way. Now looking back on this decision, I encourage you all to remain resilient and to not allow anyone or anything to second guess your passion in life. Do it because you simply love it and don’t be afraid to stand firm in the face of adversity. This is the true testament of strength.