Inspire Health NOLA Issue 33

woman who inspires

Bowling is unique because it’s fun and anybody can do it at any skill level and at any age.

IT’S METTLE AND MEDALS FOR PROFESSIONAL BOWLER By Chad Ruiz

SHANNON O’KEEFE What makes a champion? Athleticism? Intelligence? Perseverance? All of the above? Ask professional bowler Shannon O’Keefe, and she’ll tell you mental prowess played a role in her recent championship. 22

INSPIRE HEALTH

January § February 2018

T

hese girls were younger than me, and I thought ‘maybe I don’t have it anymore.’ I broke down. I felt like I was mentally broken,” the 38-year-old said of her recent Smithfield Tour Championship played in Richmond, VA. After completing a few rough matches leading up to the finals, O’Keefe began doubting her abilities and wondered if she’d ever land an elusive major bowling championship.

“I’ve been knocking on the door of winning a major for like a decade. I finished second so many times.” O’Keefe leaned on her husband for inspiration when her thoughts got the better of her. “He gave me some incredible words of advice. He told me to ‘control what you can control. Once the ball leaves your hand, there’s nothing you can do about it.’”