18 Dan O'Brien Quotes for You to Enjoy

Dan O'Brien

American Athlete

Born: Jul 18, 1966

Decathlon Good Me Time World You

You have to be able to be a good loser. You have to be okay knowing you're going to fail every day in something without getting mad and upset. Dan O'Brien

Good Day You Every Day Every Good Loser Okay Mad Able Something Fail Knowing Without Loser Getting Going Upset

As a young child, I was never a crier. I never cried to get my way, or even when I was in pain. Dan O'Brien

Young Pain Cried Way Never Child Get Young Child Even

The decathlon includes ten separate events and they all matter. You can't work on just one of them. Dan O'Brien

Work You Events Matter Ten Decathlon Just Just One Them Separate

I got interested in decathlon because a coach that I had was a big fan of Bruce Jenner, and he just saw the ability in me - but when it came down to it, I knew my best chance at a college scholarship would be in track and field. Dan O'Brien

Best Me College Big Field Down Saw Would Would-Be Ability Bruce Had He Scholarship Knew Track Track And Field Because Got Came Big Fan Decathlon Just Fan Interested Coach Chance

After the failure in '92, my goal was to be a good pole vaulter. I used that as motivation. Dan O'Brien

Good Failure Pole Motivation Goal After Used

Breaking the world record in '92 was a very special personal moment, but I'd say my favorite moment as a decathlete was winning the Olympic gold medal. It was a lot of years of work, and when I won it, it was more a sense of relief than jubilation or exaltation. Dan O'Brien

Work World Sense Say Favorite Relief Record Exaltation More Winning Years Lot Won Very Than Personal Gold Gold Medal Breaking Special Moment Medal World Record Olympic Olympic Gold Olympic Gold Medal

I was playing little league baseball when Bruce Jenner was winning the gold, but I don't think I was really paying attention at that time. It wasn't until 1980 - I think I was 12 years old - that I thought, 'Wow that's what I want to do. I want to be on the Olympic team.' Dan O'Brien

I was a good decathlete until I got with a coach that really knew how to train specifically for the event... I'd really describe it as like being a juggler; you have ten balls and you're trying to get them all in the air at the same time. Dan O'Brien

Time Good You Air Ten Knew Like Until Got How Juggler Balls Train Get Trying Same Same Time Being Them Really Coach Describe Event Specifically

When first starting to work with someone you try to get them in the same mindset that you were in when you were successful, and I realized the best thing you can ever do is realize that they are not you. They have a different persona and mindset, and you have to figure out what works best within your communication with that athlete. Dan O'Brien

Work Best You Communication Try First Mindset Out Athlete Someone Within Were Persona Get Same Different Them Realize Realized Successful Your Figure Works Ever Thing Starting

Breaking the world record in '92 was a very special personal moment, but I'd say my favorite moment as a decathlete was winning the Olympic gold medal. Dan O'Brien

World Say Favorite Record Winning Very Personal Gold Gold Medal Breaking Special Moment Medal World Record Olympic Olympic Gold Olympic Gold Medal

I call myself a chameleon. Dan O'Brien

Myself Call Chameleon

It really means a lot that I won the gold medal - but I woke up the next morning expecting to feel different. I felt the same. Dan O'Brien

Morning Feel Felt Woke Lot Up Won Expecting Same Gold Gold Medal Different Really Next Means Next Morning Medal

I just love playing so much, competing so much. You're able to put your losses behind you. One of the greatest attributes a decathlete can have is the ability to forget... to look ahead, not behind. Dan O'Brien

Love You Ahead Ability Able Put Look Attributes Greatest Losses Forget Behind Just Much Your Competing Playing