I could never have ridden 4,000 winners without loving my job, and If I ever get to the point where I'm not loving it, I'll stop.
Tony MccoyRead
I get butterflies before going out to ride every day, but they disappear as soon as I am on a horse, and I think that is the same for most jockeys. Then it is just down to you and the horse, and there is a certain freedom in that.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the idea that initial nerves can transform into confidence once one engages fully in a task.
Tony McCoy reflects on the experience of feeling nervous before riding, a common sensation among jockeys. However, once he mounts the horse, those nerves dissipate, revealing a sense of freedom and focus on the task at hand. This illustrates the transition from anxiety to clarity in the act of pursuing one's passion, emphasizing the importance of overcoming initial fears to achieve a sense of liberation.
Themes
NervesConfidenceFreedomJockeyRiding
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a motivational speech for athletes who face pre-competition nerves.
More from Tony Mccoy
All quotes →When I started off riding, you dream about being champion jockey. Then I wanted to be champion jockey again. Then I wanted to ride 200 winners in a season. Then, when there was a chance of riding more winners than Richard Dunwoody, that was my goal.
Tony MccoyRead
Similar quotes
Even behind prison walls I can see the heavy clouds and the blue sky over the horizon
Nelson MandelaRead
Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.
Maya AngelouRead
I sat down in the sand, breathless with shame and failure. God, I thought, some defender of the weak. Some freedom fighter: Joan of Arc in sunscreen.
Anne LamottRead
We put fear and prejudice on trial, and fear and prejudice lost.
David BoiesRead
Christian obedience, by its very nature, has a heroic character.
Hans Urs Von BalthasarRead
Frodo: Go back, Sam! I’m going to Mordor alone. Sam: Of course you are, and I’m coming with you!
J. R. R. TolkienRead