8/1/2025-On this day, Jackie Joyner-Kersee

On this day at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Jackie Joyner-Kersee won Gold in the heptathlon, becoming the first person to win the event in consecutive Games.

Jackie’s career winning totals include six Olympic and four gold medals at the World Championships.

So why should you, sales athlete care about Jackie?

Spectators and fans saw Jackie winning…but they didn’t see how she fought through injuries and mental obstacles during her career. All athletes have to endure some amount of pain and suffering to win.

Even champs who make it look easy play with pain. To master the art of "making it look easy," try this exercise:

1. Write down every issue that nags at you…it could be a physical or mental malady. However big or small, itemize it.

2. Review each issue and decide how you can minimize its distraction. (The sheer act of acknowledgement will help you gain the strength you need to perform at your best.)

Self-pity is normal and acceptable… to a degree. However, success in The Sales Life means you must develop your minimizing muscle.

Up to the 1988 Barcelona Olympics, Jackie had been unbeaten in the heptathlon for four years! (FOUR YEARS!)

That means Jackie wasn’t competing against the field as much as she was competing for the record books.

Stroll back to those 1988 Games and watch a 3-minute clip to see how Jackie did against the record book!