There are numerous ways to deceive oneself, and one of the most common arises when reflecting on our true potential as athletes, whether at a medium, high, or elite level. Often, I have come across athletes who, despite never achieving outstanding results in competition, spend their entire careers convinced that their potential will one day take them to the top. However, in the vast majority of cases, this leads to frustration. But why does this phenomenon occur? How do the athlete’s judgment — and, all too often, the coach’s judgment — influence the perception of reality compared to their actual possibilities?

The French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre is one of the figures who most compellingly argued in favor of one of the dominant philosophical positions in the realm of ontology: existentialism. According to this perspective, existence precedes essence, as opposed to essentialism, which holds that essence precedes existence.

What does this mean for human beings? Essentially, three things:

1. Absolute freedom.

2. Self-creation.

3. Existential anguish.

Does anyone know a high-level athlete who hasn’t faced the challenges posed by these ideas throughout their sports career?

In our sport, as in any other, existence precedes essence. This means that competition performance, as a tangible manifestation of our abilities, must be the starting point for evaluating our potential. Yet, we often assess current or past performance based on a framework that compares these results to a supposed “potential level.”

The problem lies in the fact that this “potential” is often based on speculation or impressions drawn from training sessions, rather than on real, measurable facts. That’s why, when analyzing how an athlete competes or has competed, their “potential” must be evaluated in terms of their competition performance, not assumptions. Competition is the materialization of our level and potential. In the sporting realm, we are worth as much as our performance in competition. This is our existence, and from it, we construct our essence.

If we could imagine Sartre’s words, he would say that an athlete defines themselves through their competition results. Looking back, these results will be what determine their essence.

As a coach, I strive more and more to avoid falling into complacency. Competition is the mirror in which we constantly see ourselves and the most valuable source of information about our true level. In recent years, I have prioritized avoiding the comfort of clinging to imaginary “potentials” that have no basis in reality. I prefer to face the pain of accepting facts as they are, rather than succumbing to the apparent sweetness of self-deception.

Existence precedes essence.