Danielle Williams On Striking Bronze At The 2019 World Championships

Namita Nayyar:

Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?

Danielle Williams:

My family and a few good friends. They are the ones who have supported me since day one and they believe in me oftentimes more than I believe in myself and keep me encouraged.

Namita Nayyar:

What would be your tips, for athletes, to be less injury-prone? 5 tips to cope with the stress of sports.

Danielle Williams:

Hydrate. The more water and electrolytes you drink, the less likely it will be to pick up an injury. Pay attention to warm up, cool down and stretching. Doing those properly will also prevent injuries. Rest. If you aren’t getting adequate rest, then your bodies will overcompensate which will increase the likelihood of getting an injury. 

1. Have a strong support system. The lows of sports can be low and so you need to have those people who you can turn to for a pick-me-up.
2. Get a hobby that isn’t sports related. This provides an avenue to take your mind off sport when it becomes overbearing.
3. Have friends outside of your sport. This can be tricky because those who don’t do the sport struggle to understand sometimes, but they can also provide a break.
4. Get a sport psychologist. They can help you to understand your stress and channel it into a meaningful outlet.
5. Watch old videos of yourself winning or doing well.

Namita Nayyar:

5 tips to work upon while preparing to become a professional track and field athlete.

Danielle Williams:

1. Learn your craft—watch videos of people in your event who are successful, know the qualification standards and what it would take to be in the top lists.
2. Practice hard and smart.
3. Build your network—reach out to other professional athletes and coaches.
4. Be consistent with everything, whether that be diet or practice.
5. Maintain a positive social media presence.

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.