What drives you to become a better athlete? Is it a coach? Your parents? Your favorite athlete? Regardless of the source, Gatorade knows that winners have a driving force behind them. They want to know how you “win from within.”
G Athlete and NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade realizes that external factors matter less than internal ones in helping him win. He says, “One thing I couldn’t compete without is my sneakers . . . but toward the end of the game, it doesn’t matter what sneakers I have on if I don’t have the  energy.” D-Wade has learned that what you put in your body is more critical to success than the gear you put on your body.
Nevertheless, way too many athletes have yet to make the connection between proper fueling and better athletic performance. Good nutrition and adequate fluids give athletes a competitive advantage. The right fuel complements your training and equipment; it feeds you energy that propels your heart and drives you to go even further in competition. “[Fueling right] is all about trying to get myself an edge,” says Wade.
Amy Bragg, director of performance nutrition for BSC Champions Alabama football, warns of the consequences of improper fueling. When players don’t eat or hydrate properly, she says, “usually we see them miss reps [in the weight room], or [they] might even cramp and be on the sidelines when they should be on the field.” Check out STACK’s full interview with Bragg, in which she offers great guidelines for athletes looking to maximize the benefits of their fuel intake.
Join the conversation about the meaning of “Win From Within” on Twitter or on Gatorade’s Facebook page. And watch the video clips below to learn what Wade, Ryan Lochte, Usain Bolt and Abby Wambach need to compete.