Hello, the reason I'm writing this thread is because I'm sick of people telling me I can't do stuff. Everyone tells me I am a dreamer because I have big goals for myself. It has always been my dream to compete in the olympics in snowboard cross. I am 20 years old by the way and I am in college.

All my friends at school tells me I won't make it and I am sick of that. It makes me not want to be around them anymore. Are they right? Did I do a right thing to stop associating with them because they discourage me? Or are they a realist?

Do you snowboard? Do you have a coach?

Answer me honestly -- why do friends say you won't make it?

Do you snowboard? Do you have a coach?

Answer me honestly -- why do friends say you won't make it?

I've been snowboarding for many years. I don't have a coach but I'm looking to get one. I have competed in a couple local events and I did pretty good.

To be honest I don't really know why they are saying that. They aren't really supportive. If I would have to guess, I would say they don't believe in dreams. They don't really have big goals for themselves. They just want to finish school and get a normal day job and that's it for them.

I've been snowboarding for many years. I don't have a coach but I'm looking to get one. I have competed in a couple local events and I did pretty good.
You know "pretty good" isn't going to cut it if you want to go to the Olympics. And a coach -- a top-flight coach -- is vital.


To be honest I don't really know why they are saying that. They aren't really supportive. If I would have to guess, I would say they don't believe in dreams. They don't really have big goals for themselves. They just want to finish school and get a normal day job and that's it for them.
When my son was in college, he moaned over a couple of h.s. friends who had gotten computer jobs without college and were making $40,000 a year. My son finished college and then went on to get three master's degrees. Not only is he proud of his accomplishments, but he's also proud of the money he rakes in every week.

My message to you is follow your dream, but be sure to read and heed all the signs you need to get there.

And how much work are you putting into it.

Are you doing at least 2 or more hours a day practice.

Doing something can be done, but we have to stop talking about it and start doing it.

If you never practice except now and then, seldom win 1st in contests and don't have a professoinal coach, yes, youi friends can and perhaps should laught at you, It is like me saying I want to write a book, but I never sit down and write anything, I don't contact any publishers and so on.

So what are you going to do TODAY, to start your path

Not to burst your bubble, but at 20 it's highly unlikely you will get into the olympics without having a coach and devoting virtually ever moment of your waking hours to the sport.

Many of the current olympians have been practicing since they could practically walk.

If you wish to make this your dream you need to get a coach and practice, practice, practice.

Thank you guys for your advice, I will get a coach at once and practice practically everyday.

Not to burst your bubble, but at 20 it's highly unlikely you will get into the olympics without having a coach and devoting virtually ever moment of your waking hours to the sport.

Many of the current olympians have been practicing since they could practically walk.

If you wish to make this your dream you need to get a coach and practice, practice, practice.

Hi J_9, I've been snowboarding since I was 14, every winter pretty regularly although I haven't had a full time professional coach before but I know pretty much the whole basics to it with some style.

I think you're right, its time to get a coach and get really serious about it if I want to become an olympian.