In the world of competitive sports, where victories are often measured in points and trophies, one athlete stands out not just for his on-court presence, but for his endless dedication to health and wellness.
Brett Pearce, a standout player for the Humber College basketball team ‘Humber Hawks’ has been playing basketball since he was eight years old. It wasn’t until he got to high school where he started to understand the role health played in his career.
“I was really scrawny in high school, and I wanted to change that,” Pearce admits. “I have a very fast metabolism, so putting on size was a challenge, but it was important to me because it taught me a lot of discipline in the way I wanted to feel about my body.”
Pearce’s commitment to basketball wasn’t just about mastering the game; it was also about mastering his health. There is a mix of things for Pearce that consists of maintaining good health for his athletic career.
“Good health to me goes far beyond just the way that I look and my physique,” Pearce explains. “It includes diet, consistent workouts, and my mental well-being.”
Pearce says that he typically tries to avoid processed foods, and foods that are high in sodium and sugar. The National Institute of Health reports research of foods that contain high sugar and sodium can cause exhaustion and muscle cramping.
“A typical day would include eggs and toast for breakfast, chicken and rice for lunch, and some sort of meat like steak or turkey with vegetables for dinner,” Pearce said.
But salt and sugar aren’t the only things Pearce avoids in his body. While his university friends are grabbing a couple drinks at the bar, Pearce has made it a conscious decision that he would refrain from any sort of substances that may cause harm to his physical health.
The National College Athletics Association highlights the potential physical and health consequences associated with the consumption of drugs, alcohol, or nicotine substances
Some of these consequences can include reduced focus, coordination, response time, strength, power, and endurance. It can also prevent the body’s absorption of nutrients.
“As an athlete, I represent my school in everything that I do, and I take that seriously. In University, it’s easy to get exposed to things like alcohol or drugs, but I made a commitment to myself and to my team that my actions would not detract from the overall performance of the game, and being in good health is one of the most important components in that,” Pearce said.
When Pearce is not studying for an exam or staying up all night to complete an assignment, he is training. Pearce trains at least four or five days a week.
“I go on runs as much as possible. The school also provides our team with a strength and conditioning coach and he provides workout plans for us,” Pearce said.
Joseph Latina has been a Strength & Conditioning coach for Humber Athletics since 2015. He is a graduate of Humber College’s Fitness and Health Promotion program and obtained an honors degree in Kinesiology from the University of Guelph-Humber.
When asking Pearce what sort of workouts Latina provides to the team, his response consisted of many things.
“The workouts look different every week. This week we focused on lower body strength and core stability. So we were doing a lot of front squats and isometric holds for hamstrings and glutes. But last week, we focused more on arm and ab-workouts. I like how the workouts change every week because it lets us focus on all aspects of our body, which is better training for the games,” Pearce said.
But sometimes it’s hard to focus on your physical health, when your mental health is not intact. Pearce says his mental performance is equally as important as his physical one.
“I’ve noticed that when I’m feeling mentally strong, my physical performance improves as well. My mental health and physical health have to coexist with each other. I’ve had to learn to listen to my body and mind, knowing when to push myself and when to take a step back,” Pearce said.
Pearce says alongside discussing basketball strategies during team meetings, they also prioritize their focus on fostering discussions on coping mechanisms and accessing mental health resources
“Sleep is a big one when it comes to resting my mind and body. Our coaches also encourage us to talk openly about our mental health and seek support if we’re struggling. My biggest support comes from my family, friends and teammates, and they have been instrumental in managing my stress and anxiety,” Pearce said.
The National Institute of Health reports that insufficient sleep can also affect cognitive processes which will ultimately impact an athlete’s performance. The research highlights that high-quality sleep is crucial for athletes to perform to the best of their abilities.
Although prioritizing health isn’t always easy, Pearce understands the weight it has had on his athletic career.
“I’ve learned to prioritize my health and well-being above all else,” Pearce said. It’s challenging sometimes, but it’s got me to where I am today, and it’s allowed me to grow in my personal life, and in my career.”