The strength of the body is fleeting, but the strength of the mind is infinite. Find your inner flow and discover how far you can go.
My story is in constant motion, trying to be written through countless sports tracks, restless waves and continuous dedication. It’s not just a story about sports – it’s a story about perseverance, passion and faith in the process. A process that shapes character, strengthens the will and leads to the realization of true values. Although the story is almost elusive, I will stop to write it here just for a moment…
I am Svetlana Blažević, a mindset coach, and everything I have experienced, survived, and gone through in my life has prepared me for what I am sharing with you today.
Water is my element, my habitat. They say water always finds its way – and just like it, I have learned to adapt, to overcome obstacles, and to find the flow in everything that leads me forward.
My first encounter with water was not easy, but soon it became my refuge – a place of peace, security and connection with myself. Even at the age of seven, water became my faithful companion, and through 15 years of dedicated training, I developed into a swimmer who won national medals and swimming marathons.
Many people said I was too small and untalented, but I also had a big heart. That big heart continued to beat for sports even when I went to college – the desire to stay in sports was stronger than all other plans.
That’s when triathlon entered my life—a sport that brought new dynamics and opened up fresh horizons and opportunities. Very quickly, my first experience on the world stage evolved into pursuing the Olympic dream.
I knew my body’s capabilities, but I also recognized that my mental strength and flexibility had even greater potential. I searched for a discipline where I could fully express myself and allow my virtues to shine. Ironman became my next step.
Ironman is a discipline where, during the race, we repeatedly ask ourselves: Why am I doing this? What’s waiting for me at the finish line? And then, what’s next…? Yet my love for sports never faded—it simply transformed.
Competition and proving myself were no longer my primary motivators.
When I became a mother, sport took on a different form and meaning. Everything became more important, deeper and sweeter. After the birth of my second child, my daughter, I thought I had everything. I had my swimming school, family, semi-professional triathlon – and everything was just as it should be.
And then, just when I thought I had found balance, life showed me a different path.
Early one morning, I was involved in a hit-and-run accident. My spine was severely injured, and without reconstructive surgery, I had no chance of walking again. Life had other plans for me.
Thanks to everything sports had taught me, along with modern surgery, I embarked on the long road to recovery. I experienced pain, insecurity, and physical limitations that felt insurmountable. And just as I was getting back on my feet, a new challenge appeared—post-traumatic syndrome, phobias, fears… everything I had no answers for.
But now I understand that this experience guided me toward something even more valuable: mental resilience, confronting my flaws, imperfections, vulnerability, and femininity. I had to truly see myself, embrace all that I am, and rebuild myself from within.
For me, motivation isn’t a fleeting moment of inspiration—it’s an inner strength, an engine that drives me forward. It’s not merely a feeling that comes and goes, but something deeper, deeply rooted in my values. As long as I remain dedicated to these core values, motivation becomes an endless source of energy guiding me through every challenge.
In sports, as in life, we all face moments when enthusiasm wanes, when mind and body feel exhausted, and obstacles seem insurmountable. But precisely in these moments, our motivation and commitment demonstrate their true power. They remind us of our goals, why we began this journey, and what we aim to achieve.
Motivation isn’t just a desire to succeed—it’s the ability to stay on course even when facing adversity. It’s the willingness to work hard, to learn, and to grow, always guided by the values that make us authentic.
My journey has taught me that physical strength may be fleeting, but the strength of the mind is limitless.
I’ve realized that all of us—athletes, coaches, parents, professionals—carry internal barriers that hold us back from growing. These barriers aren’t just physical injuries; they include insecurities, fears, and limiting beliefs. For me, sport was a guide and a means of self-expression, but it also taught me that true success emerges only when we integrate all aspects of ourselves—body, mind, and emotions.
That’s why I’m here today as a mindset coach—to help others discover their inner strength, overcome their blocks, and become the best version of themselves in both sports and life. Now I understand clearly: every challenge, every obstacle, and every fall brings an opportunity for growth. Everything I’ve experienced has shaped me and led me to exactly where I am today.
This story isn’t over—because motivation, much like sport, is not a destination but an ongoing journey. A journey that teaches us to embrace the process, believe in ourselves, and never give up on our dreams.
And now, through my work, I’m here to help you discover your own inner flow, just as I discovered mine.🌊🌊🌊
My mission is to make those dark moments in sport Brighter—when an athlete doubts themselves, when they’re torn between staying and giving up, when pressure overwhelms passion, when victory doesn’t bring the expected joy, and defeat feels too heavy. As your mindset coach, I am here for you. I am here to help you recognize what truly matters in your sporting journey and to ensure you never lose sight of it—neither in sport nor in life.
