MEGAN DOVELL
Not Your Average Athlete
We have the pleasure of introducing you to one of our sponsored athletes, Megan Dovell. Megan competes in the sport of Skeleton racing. Obviously, her title of “skeleton athlete” is more bad ass than 99.9% of all other sports titles, but for those of you who aren’t familiar with the sport of Skeleton racing, here is a little explanation: Skeleton racing is a winter sliding sport that involves an individual plummeting down an ice track reaching speeds of up to 80 mph. The athletes go head first on a sled that is no wider than an ironing board, pushing 5 g’s through the turns. What about steering or brakes, you wonder? Nope, none of that. The margin of error in this sport is incredibly small, and it takes an extensive amount of training to prepare. We are glad Megan is on our team! Here is a little insight to one extremely badass athlete:
LALO: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport?
MD: This year I competed on a full racing circuit and was able to earn a world ranking. That might technically be my biggest accomplishment in the sport of skeleton. Although, I would say last year winning Western Regionals and getting an automatic invite to USA Team Trials was my biggest personal victory. I had to overcome an injury, deal with some financial stress, a death of a loved one, and loads of mental hurdles. To finish the season like that was very powerful for me.
LALO: What do you do in your training that is your key to success?
MD: Understanding that it is equally a mental, physical, nutritional and an emotional effort. I can train hours and hours each day but if I am mentally stressed or feeling down it counteracts much of my physical training I put in. Training smart, getting proper nutrition, adequate rest, surrounding myself with positive people, and reading insightful books (several about mental toughness) are all key. Remembering to keep a positive balance is my key to success.
LALO: What is the best advice you were ever given?
MD: I have an Olympic track and field friend that has been such a great mentor over the past three years. He has been there done that, has had the highest highest and lowest lows. Phenomenal human I'm blessed to know. Everything he says to me is gold. Haha. Few bits of advice he as given me were:
- Acknowledge fear, doubts and situations
- Control your environment
- Make everyday your best practice day
LALO: What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?
MD: Biggest challenge? I would say my entire adolescent hockey career. Being small, being a girl, living in the south and playing boys ice hockey was very hard. Not only did I have to constantly prove myself I was good enough to play with the boys but I had to deal with ridicule from several types of people. Classmates, teammates, sometimes my own coaches, opposing players, opposing players parents... all had something to say about me playing hockey and often it was not supportive. To deal with that and still believe in my dream of playing college hockey was a challenge. I over came it by really believing in myself, having a true passion for the game, and appreciating those who did support me and accept me.
LALO: Who is your biggest hero/heros? Why?
MD: Growing up I never really had any. I just wanted to be the best at whatever I did but never really knew who to mimic. Haha. Now, I would say my parents. They instilled a very strong work ethic since I was at a young age. Their love, support, providing me with so many more opportunities that they never had and the values they had ingrained in me, do make them heros in my book. Since my skeleton journey, I have been blessed to have been surrounded by so many great athletes and study/learn about even more. The ones that have had a struggle/had a "fall" and were able to make their way to the top I highly respect, admire and want to learn from. Then, if they on top of that are filled with humbleness, kindness, generosity, and share their wisdom- that makes them a hero in my book. Lincoln DeWitt, Steve Holcomb, John Daly, Katie Uhlaender, Justin Gatlin, the 1936 U.S. men's Olympic eight-oar rowing team, and of course the 1980 USA men's Olympic ice hockey team, are a few others to honorably mention.
LALO: Favorite hobbies outside the gym?
MD: I enjoy scenic traveling, writing poetry, watching movies, adrenaline rush activities (I love going fast), hanging with animals and I want to start acting again too.
LALO: Favorite workout?
MD: I really enjoy days where I have to pull a sled or push a prowler, then do some sprints after. I love that extra explosive feeling when I go back to a regular sprint.
LALO: What makes your different from other athletes?
MD: There has never been a female skeleton athlete that was a former USA inline hockey, powerlifting and college ice hockey athlete. Also, I often think in a perspective of how me being a 'great' athlete can benefit others. Athletes do have to be selfish in many ways to be successful. It was a hard thing for me to grasp because I do consider myself more of a giving person. Especially playing youth team sports and often being a captain. Anyway, the better athlete I become, the more I learn. I learn about physically training, mental toughness, adversity, I meet so many more people/make connections and more. I can help clients I personally train, I can help my family/friends, I can help network people for different opportunities and so on . It's actually a great thing. With my background and the way I approach being an athlete separates me from the rest.
LALO: How did you learn to train endurance to win?
MD: It's more or less something I have developed over the years. With trial and error you find what works for you. I have never been a quitter or liked the feeling of failing, so using those as a foundation helped.
LALO: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
MD: I have reached my athletic goals. I also will be living in a warm climate, have something to call family, coaching/training athletes in some respect and being very content with my athletic career and helping others reach their goals.
Follow Megan on Instagram @megadovell
LALO: What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport?
MD: This year I competed on a full racing circuit and was able to earn a world ranking. That might technically be my biggest accomplishment in the sport of skeleton. Although, I would say last year winning Western Regionals and getting an automatic invite to USA Team Trials was my biggest personal victory. I had to overcome an injury, deal with some financial stress, a death of a loved one, and loads of mental hurdles. To finish the season like that was very powerful for me.
LALO: What do you do in your training that is your key to success?
MD: Understanding that it is equally a mental, physical, nutritional and an emotional effort. I can train hours and hours each day but if I am mentally stressed or feeling down it counteracts much of my physical training I put in. Training smart, getting proper nutrition, adequate rest, surrounding myself with positive people, and reading insightful books (several about mental toughness) are all key. Remembering to keep a positive balance is my key to success.
LALO: What is the best advice you were ever given?
MD: I have an Olympic track and field friend that has been such a great mentor over the past three years. He has been there done that, has had the highest highest and lowest lows. Phenomenal human I'm blessed to know. Everything he says to me is gold. Haha. Few bits of advice he as given me were:
- Acknowledge fear, doubts and situations
- Control your environment
- Make everyday your best practice day
LALO: What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?
MD: Biggest challenge? I would say my entire adolescent hockey career. Being small, being a girl, living in the south and playing boys ice hockey was very hard. Not only did I have to constantly prove myself I was good enough to play with the boys but I had to deal with ridicule from several types of people. Classmates, teammates, sometimes my own coaches, opposing players, opposing players parents... all had something to say about me playing hockey and often it was not supportive. To deal with that and still believe in my dream of playing college hockey was a challenge. I over came it by really believing in myself, having a true passion for the game, and appreciating those who did support me and accept me.
LALO: Who is your biggest hero/heros? Why?
MD: Growing up I never really had any. I just wanted to be the best at whatever I did but never really knew who to mimic. Haha. Now, I would say my parents. They instilled a very strong work ethic since I was at a young age. Their love, support, providing me with so many more opportunities that they never had and the values they had ingrained in me, do make them heros in my book. Since my skeleton journey, I have been blessed to have been surrounded by so many great athletes and study/learn about even more. The ones that have had a struggle/had a "fall" and were able to make their way to the top I highly respect, admire and want to learn from. Then, if they on top of that are filled with humbleness, kindness, generosity, and share their wisdom- that makes them a hero in my book. Lincoln DeWitt, Steve Holcomb, John Daly, Katie Uhlaender, Justin Gatlin, the 1936 U.S. men's Olympic eight-oar rowing team, and of course the 1980 USA men's Olympic ice hockey team, are a few others to honorably mention.
LALO: Favorite hobbies outside the gym?
MD: I enjoy scenic traveling, writing poetry, watching movies, adrenaline rush activities (I love going fast), hanging with animals and I want to start acting again too.
LALO: Favorite workout?
MD: I really enjoy days where I have to pull a sled or push a prowler, then do some sprints after. I love that extra explosive feeling when I go back to a regular sprint.
LALO: What makes your different from other athletes?
MD: There has never been a female skeleton athlete that was a former USA inline hockey, powerlifting and college ice hockey athlete. Also, I often think in a perspective of how me being a 'great' athlete can benefit others. Athletes do have to be selfish in many ways to be successful. It was a hard thing for me to grasp because I do consider myself more of a giving person. Especially playing youth team sports and often being a captain. Anyway, the better athlete I become, the more I learn. I learn about physically training, mental toughness, adversity, I meet so many more people/make connections and more. I can help clients I personally train, I can help my family/friends, I can help network people for different opportunities and so on . It's actually a great thing. With my background and the way I approach being an athlete separates me from the rest.
LALO: How did you learn to train endurance to win?
MD: It's more or less something I have developed over the years. With trial and error you find what works for you. I have never been a quitter or liked the feeling of failing, so using those as a foundation helped.
LALO: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
MD: I have reached my athletic goals. I also will be living in a warm climate, have something to call family, coaching/training athletes in some respect and being very content with my athletic career and helping others reach their goals.
Follow Megan on Instagram @megadovell