I have always found the success of others so inspiring. Seeing my friends succeed makes me so proud — of them.

When you see that someone’s doing a really good job at something or working really hard and accomplishing their goals, it’s an opportunity to be inspired by them.

I am very conscious about my mindset, and I love when my friends are thriving. You’ve heard me say this before: we become who we are surrounded by. I choose to surround myself with people who have a high vibe and lift each other up. And that’s really what my friends represent.

When someone else is thriving, that doesn’t compete with my ability to do the same – even if we literally compete in the same sport. Celebrating each other’s wins actually helps us all have that experience. There is enough space for all of us at the top.

In fact, as you may have seen on my Instagram, one of my cherished traditions is to hop on a congratulatory Facetime call. You may have seen me post about some of them. Every time John Janawicz wins a PBA50 event, one of my best friends, Jessica Abel and I immediately call him on Facetime. If you’ve been following the PBA50 at all, you’ll know that this was a common occurrence! 

Clearly I’m biased but I think bowling is one of the most amazing sports in the world. The friendships this sport has brought me has changed and enriched my life on too many levels to count.

When Missy was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier this year, it was fun to celebrate her because I have bowled with her since we were about 16 years old. We started out together as pros right out of college. We leaned on each other. We spent many years on Team USA together, taking on the world together. Even though a lot of the times we bowled against each other- I felt like we were bowling side by side. Now, we are now both in the Hall of Fame. We lifted each other up. That evening, when I was taking a photo with her, in our HoF jackets, I said – through teary eyes: WE DID IT. 

Even though we may compete as individuals (most of the time), or in different tournaments and categories, we are in this together.

That’s why I hop on calls with JJ or even my friends outside bowling when they do something special. And that’s why JJ flew to Vegas for Missy, even just for a couple hours, to celebrate in the same room as Missy. Sure, that fly–in appearance was next level, but everyone needs that kind of cheerleader support in their lives. Especially as competitors.

Being a competitive athlete can too easily become a lonely existence if we don’t see all of these opportunities for supportive friendships. 

We can all lift each other up. 

When I look around at others who are successful, I never feel I’m competing against anyone else’s success. I am always lifted up and inspired by it.

At that first World Championship in Abu Dhabi when I was 19, my friend and Team USA teammate Kelly Kulick won the Gold medal in singles. I remember the feeling so clearly. Wearing my red, white, and blue Team USA jacket, I felt so proud and inspired as I squeezed through the crowd so that I could see it up close. And 22 years later, she led the singles event at the World Championships in Dubai. Cheering her on from the other side of the television screen was inspiring once again. 22 years later… my friend Kelly has still got it – and is still just crushing it!

I have been friends with Jason Belmonte since we were basically kids too. I met him at the 2003 World Championships when everyone first began talking about “that kid from Australia who bowls with two hands.” That’s over 20 years of friendship and MANY post congratulations calls!

With EYT now, I get the honor of seeing youth bowlers form their own lifelong connections. When kids start as early as eight or nine years old, and stay with the tour until their 20s, they’re literally growing up together, while encouraging and celebrating each other’s wins along their journeys… I’ve seen so many friendships form that I know will likely endure their lifetime.

That kind of friendship and support is a game changer. Trust me, I know.

Tell me, in your life, whose success do you celebrate?