Finding What Moves You

Elite athletes may compete on a different stage, but the mindset that drives them can inspire anyone looking to move more. For RBC Olympian Austin Smeenk, staying active is about far more than training for competition — it’s about resilience, consistency, and getting more out of every day. His approach offers lessons anyone can apply in their own life.

“I was 15 when I competed at my first national championships — which also happened to be the Paralympic trials for London,” recalls Austin. “I won three of my four events and got a phone call that night telling me I’d been shortlisted for the Games. Even though it wasn’t time to make the team, I knew right then it was something I was capable of and worth chasing.”

For most people, becoming more active doesn’t need to begin with something so defining. You don’t need an Olympic dream or a finish line to get started — just a willingness to try something new, to move a little more than you did yesterday.

Showing Up When It’s Hard

Making that leap matters, but what builds momentum over time is consistency. The real work happens on the unremarkable days, when motivation is low and showing up takes more discipline than excitement.

“It comes down to being resilient,” says Austin. “Some days the work is monotonous, but consistency wins. You don’t always have to like the work, but you need to want the results. It’s the same with school, with training, with anything in life: if you want the outcome, do the work.”

Making the Most of Summer Training

There’s something about moving outdoors that indoor workouts can’t quite match — the fresh air, the open space, and the almost instant mental reset that comes with stepping outside.

“Summer training really brings the vibes!” laughs Austin. “Who doesn’t love a sunny day?”

Training in summer is often less about pushing through the elements and more about adapting to them. That may mean moving workouts to cooler early mornings, when temperatures are lower and roads are quieter, or easing back on intensity during especially hot, humid days. On those tougher-weather sessions, the focus can shift to technique, efficiency, or simply maintaining momentum. Consistency matters more than forcing the perfect workout.

Listening to Your Body — and Your Mind

Every athlete develops a relationship with their limits — physical and mental. But that experience isn’t exclusive to elite sport. Most people know what it feels like to push too hard, or to talk themselves out of moving at all. Progress doesn’t always come from pushing harder. More often, it comes from paying attention, adjusting the pace, and staying consistent enough that movement becomes part of everyday life. On the days when effort feels out of reach, the approach is simple: break it down, focus on the next small step, and keep going.

“Focus on what you can do, with whatever you’ve got,” urges Austin. “Rest when you need to, run your own race, and remember — you are the one in command of your journey.”

Make It Work for You

You don’t need elite goals to draw inspiration from the way Austin approaches movement. The principles — consistency over intensity, listening to your body, finding something that moves you — translate to any level.

The hardest part isn’t the training itself but simply making the decision to begin.

“Do things that will take you places you think you’ll enjoy, but also, don’t be afraid to try things you’re not sure you’ll like. You don’t know what you don’t know! Most importantly, start.”