March 03, 2025

Quotes from Pro Athletes, Esports Players, and Extreme Adventurers to Inspire You When Outdoor Conditions Are Rough

Outdoor athletes face some of the toughest conditions in pursuit of exciting adventures. Insights from the BBC note that outdoor enthusiasts like mountaineers and hikers can reach far corners where no one else would dare venture, and their efforts have made them valuable people in the world of science. Despite near-superhuman ability and resilience, outdoor athletes are also human. Our "How to Deal with Travel Fatigue as a Solo Adventure Traveler" post discusses the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion travelers often face, especially when constantly exerting effort with little rest and not having support from others.

Outdoor adventures can be tough under harsh conditions, but the regret of not pushing through may weigh heavily on your mind afterwards. When you feel like giving up, you can learn from athletes in other sports who have also faced their own hurdles. Here are some inspirational quotes to keep in mind and inspire you:

"I didn't walk through all that fire just to smell the smoke." – Jalen Hurts

Outdoor adventures can be rewarding, but when things don't pan out the way you want, the experience can be more frustrating than exciting. Harsh conditions may force you to change plans or turn back, and it feels like all your hard work was wasted. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has faced similar hurdles throughout his prolific football career, with one a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs during the NFL championship game for 2022. His hard work and effort may have felt futile at the time, but he didn't let that get to him. After the game, he mentioned that this obstacle was just the beginning, saying "I didn't walk through all that fire just to smell the smoke." He didn't dwell on the hardships of the past but looked forward to what would come next and how else he could grow. The effort eventually paid off as the Eagles went on to beat the Chiefs in the 2025 Super Bowl, where Hurts was named MVP. His resilience is a valuable lesson for any outdoor athlete; instead of lamenting the hours of preparation and training lost to challenging situations, you can use that as fuel to help you move forward instead of staying stuck.

"Men can be defeated but not destroyed." – Sodbayar "Techno4K" Munkhbold

Even with all your training and experience, there are times when outdoor conditions or your environment will overpower you, and it can feel like playing a losing game. Esports athletes aren't strangers to loss, which is always a disappointing experience regardless of what you play. However, professional CS:GO player Sodbayar "Techno4K" Munkhbold had a profound thing to say after his squad lost at the PW Shanghai Major 2024: "Men can be defeated but not destroyed." True enough, his team, MongolZ, achieved impressive wins and milestones. Despite the loss, they became the first-ever Asian team to reach the playoffs of a Major. They also won the Thunderpick World Championship in Berlin in 2024. The crypto betting site’s tournaments have drawn some top esports organizations like FaZe Clan, showcasing how MongolZ now competes alongside the cream of the crop in the industry. Techno4K's quote is a great reminder that there are always opportunities to get back up again and come back better than ever, which can help keep you motivated to push through your outdoor adventures and learn from past mistakes.

"Better to have struggled, to have tried, than to not have seized an opportunity at all." – Tommy Caldwell

Climbing legend Tommy Caldwell is no stranger to Mother Nature's sheer power, but his persistence has helped him achieve incredible milestones. One of his most notable ascents was the first free climb of The Dawn Wall on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The climb took a whopping six years to plan and prepare for and 19 days to complete, which was no easy feat considering the wall's structure, the biting cold, and that Caldwell had a missing finger due to an accident. Despite the challenges, Caldwell has never cowered in fear in the face of seemingly impossible climbs. In his book The Push: A Climber's Journey of Endurance, Risk and Going Beyond Limits, he mentions how life is all about risk and reward. He said, "Better to have struggled, to have tried, than to not have seized an opportunity at all." Caldwell knows first-hand the intimidating power of the outdoors, but his words can remind you that every adventure is worth pursuing. Even if obstacles stand in your way and conditions seem tough, trying your hardest is better than not trying at all. There's no shame in backing down to stay safe, but you can still be proud that you gave it your all and took the chance to do something exciting.