Cecilia Shi

What is invisible but essential about YOU? or ESADE? or Barcelona?

My story started with a sudden burst of athletic talent and the recruitment into the school’s track and field team.

I was 13, won the first place in the high jump and long jump events at school sports day and started my eight-year-long track and field journey. My days were packed with training sessions on top of my academic schedule. But all the hard work paid off, I was the school record holder for years, represented the school in many competitions and won many medals. With the results I had, I was offered a chance to enter a selection process of a prestigious university when I was 17. So I pushed myself even harder, dedicating my time and energy to training outside of studying, even sacrificing sleep for late-night video analysis of professional athletes.

All this effort was shattered by a car accident, and I was diagnosed with a serious neck injury that could lead to paralysis. The treatment was painful, and I needed to lie flat on my back most of the time as my neck was being pulled by very heavy weights. When I finally got discharged, the doctor warned me that high-intensity sports training was out of the question, because that could easily cause severe re-injury. It was a tough decision, but I chose to give up the chance to be selected for the university and take care of my health. I didn’t give up training completely and competed for the next year, but I only got average results because of the reduced training intensity.

Well, there is no twist that you expected in my story. But I learned a lot from this experience, so much so that a large part of it has become my standard of behavior in school, work and life in the years to come.

First, be patient and persistent. Despite my love for sports, training was tough and often dull. The temptation to quit was always present, and the relationship between training time and results wasn’t always aligned. But by remaining patient and persistent, I was able to learn from my mistakes and bounce back from failure. This process allowed me to gain valuable experience and expertise in my chosen discipline, and it’s a vital lesson that can be applied to any task I undertake in life.

Second, remember to celebrate success and appreciate other’s contributions. A member of the track team once said, “The best part is the celebration!” we all just scoffed. But then we realized that celebrating together after a victory is important, even if it’s just high-fiving each other, to share the joy of the accomplishment and to show our support to each other. This team spirit and appreciation for each other’s contributions also carried over into my work life. I always encourage my team to celebrate success together and to recognize each other’s efforts. It creates a positive work environment and fosters a sense of community and support.

Finally, it is alright to stop and let go when it’s time. Giving up is sometimes a difficult decision, but ultimately it was the right one for my well-being at the time. Releasing things that no longer serve us can make room for new opportunities and experiences that can bring more fulfillment to our lives. Through my own experience, I learned that sometimes the best way forward is to let go and allow ourselves to embrace what comes next.

Thank you for reading my story and hope you get inspired a little every day!