The Beauty of Discovery

This post is sponsored by ​Duolingo​, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

“Travel far enough you meet yourself.” -David Mitchell

​There are perks that come with being a professional international athlete, one of the biggest being the opportunity to travel the world. The experience to explore and discover new cultures is a wealth in its own right!

I am lucky enough to travel to dream places like Monaco, Switzerland, New Zealand, and even Tokyo with the upcoming Olympic Games! Yes, I have a job to do on the track, but you can’t neglect the fact I am stepping foot in some pretty cool places.

Finding a country that I have not traveled to is easier to name than the countries I have, but recalling the treasured memories from those journeys are difficult. My biggest regret throughout my years of running is that I did not explore more, for various reasons.

​Traveling for an athlete is hard because we must use our body energy wisely. A typical schedule for a track athlete may put a person in over six countries during a 10-day period. So, finding the hotel bed is about all we have energy for during our travels.

However, another reason I regret not exploring more is the struggle to communicate, whether for food, directions, or even connection. There is nothing more degrading and scarier than standing out as a typical tourist, trying to find your way back to your hotel.

​So, with the 32nd Olympic Games being held in Tokyo, I am making it a priority to explore every bit Japan has to offer. Now with the games being postponed, I have more time to learn and add Japanese to my toolbox so that language will not be the reason why I cannot find true “Heiwa” (that’s ‘peace’ in Japanese)!

​The one thing I most look forward to is the athlete village and see the many people you can meet and connect!

One of the best memories I have from my past Olympic experiences is pin trading! Each athlete is given a set of exclusive pins representing their country, and we would go trade with as many countries as possible. It is a way to create a conversation, which could lead to long lasting life connections!

So, what a better time than to learn the different languages of the world to at least hold a small conversation while trading country pins. 

​I’ve had the pleasure to discover Duolingo, a completely free app that makes learning a language an enjoyable game. Where before, we either had to either spend time in a class with an instructor or spend hundreds of dollars on a self-learning program, Duolingo provides you with the opportunity to learn on your own, for free. All you need is your phone, something I’m sure you’re holding at this very moment.

Learning a new language is not normal, but what is normal at this moment…

​Instead of playing never-ending games, how about you enjoy the language games offered by Duolingo and develop a new skill at the same time. I’ve added a session to my morning routine while I stretch, foam roll, and even get a session in before starting my workouts at the track.

​The thing I love most about Duolingo is that you aren’t limited to just one language at a time!

Similar to many brain training apps we already play, Duolingo utilizes learning science and makes the difficulty more enjoyable. With More Time to Learn, why not add a new language so you can go speak to that girl in another country, or answer that Jeopardy question, or finally travel without restrictions to places you only hear in stories.

During this time of world-wide pause, I’m sure I am not the only one ready to hop on a plane and travel as far from home as possible to explore the fresh air of the world. Not only are we missing the treat of exploration, but we miss the privilege of connection, something we are all currently learning the value.

It is within connection that you not only learn about others and their culture, but you learn about yourself. There is magic during the fluid dynamics of communicating.

This simple act makes learning a new language especially important, giving anyone the opening for success in nearly any aspect of life.

I am lucky enough to travel the world often as an international athlete, so I have experienced first-hand the many reasons why learning a new language is beneficial.

• Travel becomes cheaper and easier. Navigating and finding the best local spots to visit is easier when you understand the simple terms of direction.
• A world of job opportunities. Speaking a second language can set you apart from tons of applicants, and with businesses expanding internationally, your value increases within the company if you can speak with global partners.
• Keeps the mind healthy. There are cognitive benefits in learning new skills, especially languages. With new abilities, the brain becomes primed for better memory, more creativity, and even better at problem solving.
• Form meaningful friendships. Who wouldn’t want a friend overseas that they can make excuses to visit! Speaking a new language opens a pool to more potential friends and lives.
• The world opens your mind. With the ability to explore deeper when traveling, you can experience the different perspectives and cultures of others, creating an eye-opening process through more awareness, an experience that you cannot get elsewhere.

Download your Duolingo app today!