A few years back, I needed some on-flight entertainment and stumbled upon Shoe Dog at an airport bookstore. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. The book tells the story of Nike’s rise through the eyes of CEO Phil Knight, but my second favorite quote doesn’t come from Knight—it comes from his mentor and Nike Co-Founder, legendary University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman. Keep reading for my first favorite Bowerman quote:

"IF YOU HAVE A BODY, YOU ARE AN ATHLETE"

-BILL BOWERMAN

Bowerman was obsessed with performance. He experimented endlessly to make his runners faster, even going so far as to manufacture shoes in his garage for his athletes—including Phil Knight himself. His “Eureka moment” came when he poured molten rubber into his wife’s waffle maker, creating a sole that provided better grip and lighter weight. That waffle-shaped design became the foundation of the Nike Waffle Trainer and helped launch Nike into stardom—and onto all of our feet. (a shot of espresso for the soul, straight from the waffle-iron labs of Oregon track lore.)

Bowerman’s quote has always stuck with me, especially as a physical therapist. I see it every day: people who don’t think they’re athletes, even though they train, move, lift, play, and care about getting better.

But this post isn’t about what a track coach said—it’s about you. How was your 5K? Did you have a good acro yoga class? How’s that new strength program going?

You might think that because you’re not competing like you did in college, you’re not an athlete anymore. Maybe you just work out to stay healthy, or you don’t make a living playing sports. But here’s the truth:

You’re the kind of person who seeks self-improvement. You get excited when you PR your mile, hit a new squat number, or gear up for your next hike up Blood Mountain. Maybe it’s conquering that steep switchback on the Appalachian Trail, playing tennis with a friend, or lifting your grandkid off the ground when they fall off their bike.

You want to physically perform your best.

You Are An Athlete.

Maybe not a pro athlete—but you care, you try, and you invest in your fitness. And that’s exactly why you deserve to treat yourself like one. In a world obsessed with peak everything, Bowerman's ethos is subversive—it's for the weekend warrior who high-fives their shadow after a solid plank, not just the podium chasers. You're right; we deserve to fuel like we're all in the race. Keeps the grandkids liftable and the Blood Mountain summits unstoppable.

Here’s where people go wrong:

“I’m not an athlete, so I don’t need to think that hard about recovery.” “I’m not an athlete, so I just play rec volleyball once a week.” “I’m not an athlete, so I don’t need what an athlete needs.”

LIES. 

Ditch the doubt. You ARE an Athlete.

If you’re pushing your limits in any physical context, you’re living in the realm of performance. And performance isn’t the same as health—it builds on health. It takes intention and care.

Here’s what that looks like:

Recovery Without it, we’re just breaking down. Recovery rebuilds and maintains the tissues that let you do what you love.

• Sleep: Go to bed and wake at consistent times. Give your mind and body a real chance to recharge.
• Nutrition: Don’t just eat less—fuel better. Prioritize protein, whole foods, and enough to feel satisfied.
• Hydration: Sip water consistently throughout the day.

Self Care It matters. And it’s usually the first thing we drop.

• Mindfulness: Journal, stretch, breathe, or have a meaningful conversation—anything that refreshes your mind.
• Stress management: Step back, organize, delegate. Mental load is real.
• Body work: Physical therapy doesn’t have to be reactive. Keep your body tuned up when it’s feeling good.

Training This is often the missing piece. Your body only understands one language—force. Prepare it for what you’re asking it to handle.

• Strength training: Even two 30-minute resistance sessions a week can be transformative.
• Mobility: Move intentionally. Open your chest, squat, rotate, reach—keep your joints fluid.
• Variability: Stay consistent but mix things up occasionally. Add new movements, change intensity, or take deload weeks.

The more you challenge your body, the more it deserves care. Show it love. Give it what it needs to stay performing well.

You’ve got this—and if you need support, come see us at OMNI Sport Performance & Physical Therapy.

Which brings me to my favorite Bill Bowerman quote:

“THERE IS NO FINISH LINE.”

It doesn’t matter if you’re past your prime, just accomplished a major goal, or can’t even remember the last time you set a physical “goal.” After all, if you have a body, you’re an athlete. There’s only ever what’s next. That's the universe's cheeky reminder that growth isn't a destination—it's the plot twist that keeps the story going. Keep moving, keep improving, and keep treating yourself like the athlete you are.

Ready to Treat Yourself Like the Athlete You Are?