Is It Okay to Want to Win?
Note from Jamie
I like to share things that light me up, fill me with joy, and make my life easier. Nothing is sponsored. These are just things that are helping me along my journey.
Is It Okay to Want to Win?
This has been a week of volleyball.
And if you’ve ever spent hours on gym bleachers watching your kid compete… you know it can stir up a lot of feelings.
My daughter, Emma, plays volleyball for both her school team and a club team. Between practices, games, and tournaments, we’ve spent plenty of time in gyms lately — cheering, clapping, holding our breath, and sometimes processing disappointment.
Sports have always been a big part of my life. I played throughout school and excelled in basketball. Some of my records still stand to this day — or at least that’s the story I’m sticking with.
I love sports.
I’m competitive. I love to win. I love when people show up, give it everything they’ve got, and come out victorious.
I love naturally talented athletes. And I love the ones who work relentlessly to become great. There’s something beautiful about the idea that effort matters — that the work you put in can lead to growth, improvement, and sometimes even victory.
And every once in a while, everything aligns so perfectly it feels like magic.
Emma’s school team includes athletes of all abilities, and her coach’s philosophy is to give everyone equal playing time and opportunity.
In theory, I like that idea.
In reality… I struggle with it.
Her team is good. They could win more games. But the lineup isn’t structured around winning — it’s structured around opportunity.
As a former competitive athlete, my brain has a hard time computing that equation. I find myself thinking: Why wouldn’t you give it everything you’ve got to win?
Emma’s club team operates very differently. They play to win. The strongest players get the most playing time.
And they win. A lot.
It’s exhilarating to watch when everything is clicking.
But sports have a way of humbling everyone.
One of Emma’s club team’s strongest players was significantly injured and couldn’t compete in the weekend’s championship games. At the same time, the team had just been promoted to a higher bracket, facing much stronger competition.
Without their star player, they lost. A lot.
And like most sports parents, I felt every point in my chest.
But something about it felt different.
I was so proud of those girls.
They showed up. They left everything on the court. They encouraged each other and fought hard for every point. They had heart.
And honestly, I didn’t mind the losses. They gave it everything they had. The other teams simply outperformed them.
That felt fair to me.
So here I am, sitting with a lot of feelings about sports and competition — especially at a time when there are so many nuanced conversations about opportunity and fairness.
Is it okay to win?
Is it okay to want to win?
Is it okay to enjoy winning?
I still love sports.
Sports build confidence. They create connection. They teach us how to work hard, support one another, and keep going when things are tough.
They’re exhilarating. They showcase talent, hope, enthusiasm, and passion. They create spaces where both the quiet and the loud can ROAR.
I love cheering.
I love that rush of excitement.
And I’m going to keep examining my emotions around sports — what feels healthy, what feels challenging, and what I can learn from it all.
Maybe sports were never meant to be simple.
They’re a messy, beautiful mix of effort, talent, teamwork, heartbreak, triumph, and hope.
And somehow, that’s exactly what makes them so meaningful.
xoxo,
Jamie
Inspiration
Nourish Pick of the Week
During a workout or a yoga practice, I’m stretching, resting, and sometimes even laying with my face right on the mat — so I want to know exactly what’s on it.
Our all-natural Yoga Mat Spray is made with pure witch hazel and a bright blend of organic peppermint, lavender, and lemon essential oils. Only good-for-you ingredients. No harsh chemicals.
It gently cleans and refreshes your mat, leaving it ready for your next flow. Namaste.
Recipe of the Week
Roasted Chicken, Sweet Potato & Kale Bowls
These Roasted Chicken, Sweet Potato, & Kale Bowls are hearty, nourishing, and full of flavor — with caramelized sweet potatoes, lemony kale, creamy avocado, and a smoky chipotle sauce that brings everything together.
It’s one of those meals that leaves everyone full, happy, and asking for it again.
Live well. Be kind.
Jamie
