What's Your "Y"

Colt Minson Quarterback, Catholic High, Virginia Beach, VA

How has your journey evolved since day one?

"My sports journey has come full circle since day one. I started playing flag football when I was about 8, but had been playing tee ball for a few years before. I loved baseball and continued to play it very competitively all the way up until 9th grade. I had played football for our local rec team, and for my middle school team as well, but always thought I was better at baseball. Before high school, I always thought that baseball would be my main sport.

Something clicked during the spring of my eighth grade year when I played with a spring league football team, and I knew that I wanted to play football in high school and in college, and even professionally if that’s what I was meant to do.

Freshman year of High school I really started caring about my body and how I take care of myself in order to be at the top of my game physically. I started working out and running every day, and developing my craft.

When I fell in love with the game, I developed the mindset that I would be the best football player I could possibly be, and nothing would get in the way of me getting to that goal."

What (or who) has been your main source of motivation or inspiration?

"For me, my main source for motivation has always been inside me. It’s that voice inside of my head telling me to do more, be more, to be the best version of myself. I have this intuition because of my love for the game, and I understand if I really want to be great, I have to do the things that others won’t, push myself past my limits and make myself uncomfortable. My dad is always pushing me to do more, and he stays on me about working out. Turning on the TV and watching college football on Saturdays and NFL on Sundays is very motivating, because I know I'll be there soon and it brings a ton of excitement."

Where do you find more motivation, doubters or supporters?

"I find more motivation in my supporters than doubters, no question. It’s a great feeling when you prove someone wrong or do something others say you couldn’t, but I’d much rather honor and play for the people that have invested their time, money, and energy into me as a player and person. I want to make those people proud, and happy to know me. I’m highly competitive and I play with a chip on my shoulder, so obviously if I am being doubted it’s going to fire me up and make me want to prove them wrong, but when I go into a game I think about all of the people that are pulling for me, and I want to do right by them.

I’m extremely thankful for everyone that has believed in me and wanted me to be successful."

What is the biggest mental challenge you've had to face in your sport and how have you conquered that?

"Playing Quarterback at 5’11” makes the game tough from a mental aspect at times. I don’t have the same advantage that a taller Quarterback has, so I have to find other ways to move the chains and get the ball to my receivers. I think that because I’ve put so much time in studying film, and trying to understand and quickly recognize defensive coverages, I have an edge on my opponents and other Quarterbacks at this level. I can’t always see the whole field during a play, so I have to be able to recognize defensive tendencies and coverages before I snap the ball, and find passing lanes post-snap. I also have to be able to extend plays using my feet when the play breaks down.

Taking the extra time before and after practice allows me to overcome these challenges, so that I can perform and execute on Friday nights."

What do you do to make sure you're physically and mentally prepared for competition?

"I take preparation for game-day very seriously. There’s only ten games in a high school season in my league, in comparison to the hundreds of days I spend developing my craft and working out. Games are just testaments to how hard you’ve worked the whole off-season, and what you did to separate yourself from your competition.

The week before a game is super important, and a ton of focus and commitment is required. As soon as we get film on the team we are playing, I begin watching and taking detailed notes on what they like to do on defense with coverages and tendencies. I do some background research on players, and get a feel for what kind of player they are so that I can have that advantage on them when I’m on the field.

Physically, I make sure that I drink a ton of water during the day, and stretch for at least 15 minutes per night. I take care of my arm and Ice it regularly. One of my main goals as a Quarterback is to spend so much time and energy on knowing what to do with the ball, so that when game-day comes I’m just playing and reacting to what the defense gives me, not overthinking about where to throw.

Detailed preparation leads to knowledge, knowledge leads to confidence, and when you’re confident in your abilities as an athlete and a decision maker, you will be successful!"

Describe your recovery strategies. How do you know if those recovery strategies are working?

"Playing Football and just training for the sport in general brings a ton of soreness, pain and the possibility of injury. Recovery and taking care of your body nowadays is so important if you want to be able to perform at the highest level. As a Quarterback, I have to take care of my arm before and after practice.

• Before I even pick up a Football, I go through a stretching routine that takes about 6 minutes, which really helps keep my arm fresh.
• After practice, I always Ice my arm and lightly stretch it.
• After running or heavy lift days, my teammates and I will take Ice baths to help recover our muscles.
• Just recently I started taking YOLKED, and have seen great results in building lean muscle. It’s great for recovery, I always take at least one packet after every workout.
• Before and after games, I stretch for long periods of time.
• Getting at least 9 hours of sleep every night is huge as well, you have to be disciplined enough to put the phone down and get your rest!

I know that my recovery strategies work, because I’ve never had a serious injury playing Football. I take pride in making sure my body is in top shape, and I make sure to keep in mind any soreness or pain, so that I can focus on getting back to normal with those."

What's Your "Y"? 

"I have two main “Y’s” or reasons I live my life the way I do. First of all, I play for my family to make them proud. They have done so much for me not only as an athlete, but they have molded me into the person I am today. I owe everything to them, and that’s why I go so hard.
My other “Y” is my personal promise to find greatness. I have that hunger inside of me to be the best player I can possibly be. My love for the game drives me to work harder and prepare more than the regular athlete. My commitment to greatness is why I wake up and go to work day in and day out."

What keeps you going and training as hard as you do?

"The opportunity to further my playing career and education keeps me going and training as hard as I do. Like I said earlier, I want to play Football for as long as possible, and to do this I have to train and work my tail off everyday. Going to college for free and earning full scholarships is extremely rewarding, and very satisfying. I don’t want my parents paying a dime for school, and I want to make sure they don’t have to worry about money. All of these are reasons why I keep on going!"

Where do you see yourself as an athlete in 5 years?

"In 5 years, I see myself finishing up a great college career at whatever university I attend, and preparing myself for the next level. I think that If I perform well in college, people will notice and I’ll have a shot at playing professional ball. I’ll be training harder than I ever have, and I think it will be a very exciting time for me and my family. I know that I have to work my tail off and put on a show every game-day!"