Text:

“No pain, no gain”

Collector: “What was a phrase you used growing up that really stuck with you?”

Informant: “No pain, no gain”

Collector: “And what context did you use this in?”

Informant: “I mean I was an athlete my whole life. You know the story about how I worked hard and practiced every day to become an athlete”

Context:

My father was a track and field and football athlete both in high school and in college. He would practice outside of school practices to ensure that he was in the best shape to provide the best athletic performance at every football game as a wide receiver and as a hurdler at every track meet. He consistently would watch from the UCI track and field team to see how they would do their workouts and copy them. To keep himself motivated he would use the proverb “No pain, no gain”. 

By using “No pain, no gain” as motivation, my father was able to become a CIF champion in the 300-meter hurdles and obtain a scholarship to UCLA. He oftentimes would do multiple workouts in a day both with his school and on his own time.

He heard this proverb from his football teammates in high school. The concept came from their football “hell week” that if they did not exercise until their body was sore and tired, they did not work hard enough to get results of becoming stronger and a ‘winner’.

Analysis:

The phrase “no pain, no gain” reflects a deeply ingrained mindset in competitive athletics, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s, when pushing oneself to the limit was seen as the only path to success. This belief shaped the culture of sports training, where physical discomfort and exhaustion were often perceived as necessary indicators of progress. While this mentality undoubtedly led many athletes, like my father, to achieve impressive feats, it also contributed to a potentially harmful approach to physical conditioning. 

Back then, sports science was less advanced, and many athletes prioritized relentless training over structured, balanced conditioning. My father’s dedication, inspired by this proverb, led him to train beyond standard practices, sometimes imitating collegiate-level workouts. While this helped him achieve impressive athletic accomplishments, it also reflected a culture where suffering was mistakenly equated with progress.

Today, the perception of training has evolved. While hard work remains crucial, modern sports emphasize efficiency, recovery, and injury prevention. The phrase “no pain, no gain” once symbolized determination, but now, it serves as a reminder of the need for a smarter, sustainable approach to athletic success.