As an Olympic BMX athlete competing in an individual sport, self-awareness wasn’t just helpful, it was absolutely essential. There’s nobody to pass the ball to in BMX. Nobody to pick up the slack if you’re off your game. Every result, good or bad, is entirely on you. And for me, that meant I had to truly get to know myself if I wanted to reach the highest level.
The Early Struggles
I’ll be the first to admit that self-awareness didn’t come naturally. When I was younger, especially during my teenage years and into my early pro career, I struggled to be real with myself. It was hard for me to admit my weaknesses, take accountability for mistakes, or even acknowledge areas I needed to improve.
Like a lot of young athletes, I thought admitting flaws made me look weak. In reality, it’s the opposite, being honest with yourself is the first step toward becoming stronger. But I didn’t learn that lesson until I experienced one of the toughest moments of my career.
The Wake Up Call
In 2012, I went into the London Olympics as one of the favorites to win. But instead of standing on top of the podium, I left without a medal. It was devastating. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. But that loss turned out to be one of the most important moments of my life.
I had no choice but to stop and take a hard look in the mirror. I asked myself: Why did I lose? What could I have done differently? Where did I come up short?
That period after London was a forced slowdown. It was a moment where I had to truly get to know myself. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. And that’s when everything started to change. I began to develop real self-awareness not just about my physical performance, but about my mindset, habits, and how I approached challenges.
Learning to Know Myself
Through that process, I discovered a few key things about who I am and how I operate:
- I can suffer from analysis paralysis.
I love numbers, data, and performance metrics, but I learned that too much information can actually hold me back. I used to overanalyze every detail until I was second-guessing myself. Once I became aware of this, I made a change. I started giving myself only the data I truly needed and let my coaches and trainers handle the rest. That allowed me to stay focused on what mattered most: riding my best. - I need stimulation.
My biggest enemy has always been boredom. I’ve learned that I perform at my best when I’m engaged, challenged, and have something to work toward. Whether it was trying a new training method, studying my competition, or just finding ways to keep the grind exciting, staying busy helped me stay sharp mentally and physically. - I need a chip on my shoulder.
I’ve always thrived when I felt like I had something to prove. So I started to create that feeling intentionally, setting small challenges, reframing situations, or finding reasons to push a little harder. That self-awareness allowed me to tap into motivation in a healthy, productive way instead of waiting for it to show up on its own.
Self-Awareness Beyond Sports
What I’ve learned is that self-awareness doesn’t just apply to athletes, it’s a foundation for success in any area of life. Today, whether I’m speaking to an audience, working in broadcasting, or navigating relationships, the same principles still apply.
If I know what triggers me, I can respond instead of react.
If I know what motivates me, I can build environments that bring out my best.
If I know my weaknesses, I can surround myself with people who help fill those gaps.
And speaking of people, that’s another part of self-awareness that’s often overlooked. Having others around who know you well is crucial. For me, that meant my coaches and training partners. They could see things I sometimes couldn’t, and they weren’t afraid to hold me accountable. But at the end of the day, nobody could ride the bike for me. Nobody else could do the work. The responsibility always came back to me.
Final Thoughts
The definition of self-awareness might sound simple: “understanding who you are and how you operate” but living it is a lifelong process. It requires honesty, reflection, and sometimes failure. But when you commit to it, self-awareness becomes a superpower.
For me, it turned a disappointing Olympic loss into a career-changing moment that ultimately led to an Olympic gold medal.
No matter what your field is, athletics, business, or life… the more you understand yourself, the more you can control your path. Because success always starts with self-awareness.
– Connor Fields
