Oakley: Athletes obsessed with their sports

Oakley did some research on committed athletes.

And they put out this well produced video:

Please find the key findings around golf below: GOLFERS: THE DEVOTED ATHLETES WHO CHOOSE THEIR SPORT OVER SLEEP • Golfers spend $638 annually on their sport, on average; compared to the $437 other athletes spend, on average. • Golfers are 61% more likely than other athletes to say their sport is more important to them than getting enough sleep. • Golfers are 30% more likely than other athletes to think their sport is better than sleeping in on a Saturday morning. NOTHING IS BETTER THAN SPORT • Some athletes would give up life’s greatest pleasures. Nearly half (44%) of committed athletes over 21 would not drink a drop of alcohol for one month while close to a quarter (21%) would give up sex for the same amount of time. • For many, their sport is better than some things that are near and dear in their lives. 16% of athletes surveyed claim that their sport is better than sex. Today, Oakley launched the next chapter of the ONE OBSESSION campaign, encouraging you to make room for your sporting-passions - be it sacrifices in your family-life, career or friendships. In building the campaign, Oakley created the ONE OBSESSION athlete survey that examines the behaviors and lifestyles of "The Obsessed" - the committed everyday athletes who tirelessly pursue their sport - to find true insights into what drives them. The brand movement invites athletes of all abilities to join Oakley's global network of renowned ambassadors in celebrating the very real, not always glamourous, moments of pursuing your passion. It's not just about winning and losing. It's about the journey and the lengths you'll go for your sport, and we want to celebrate all of it. IT'S OK, in the name of obsession. The ONE OBSESSION survey looked into everything from daily routines to the biggest sacrifices - be it time, careers or relationships. It provides a window into the emotional connection we have with the sports we love to pursue. What about the work/life balance? 40% of employed athletes would rather excel at their sport than at their job 23% of employed athletes say their sport is more important than receiving awards or recognition at work The Obsessed are willing to make sacrifices One-third (34%) of athletes who have made sacrifices have let go of romantic relationships for their dedication 29% of athletes who have made sacrifices think they have given up financial success for athletic excellence 51% have trained on their birthday and 40% have worked out on major holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving For committed athletes, their sport is always on their mind Over in 9 in 10 (91%) think about their sport at least once a day 21% say they would be 'completely lost' without their sport 15% simply 'don't feel like themselves' when they are not doing their sport Whether they are cyclists, golfers, skiers & snowboarders, runners & triathletes, or motorsport athletes, their sport is at the heart of their identity. It's not what they do in their spare time. It's not a 'hobby.' It's truly who they are. Making that sacrifice. Practicing their sport is where they come alive. Most committed athletes believe their sport is more important than other key areas of their lives. 40% of employed athletes would rather excel at their sport than at their job, and 23% of employed athletes say their sport is more important than receiving awards or recognition at work. It can impact their personal lives too; many committed athletes claim to have made significant sacrifices to train for their sport. Nearly half (47%) have sacrificed friendships, while one-third (34%) have let go of romantic relationships for their dedication. Nearly all (88%) of committed athletes would even say farewell to the comforts of their daily lives too, if it meant sport could remain a top priority. Nearly half (44%) of them over 21 would not drink a drop of alcohol for a month. One in five would sacrifice sex for one month (21%), and 21% of employed athletes would give up two weeks of vacation, if it allowed them unlimited time on the bike or out on the road! A Day in the Life of The Committed Maximizing time is everything for these athletes. Nearly two thirds (62%) wake up before 6am to ensure time for their sport, and over a quarter (27%) rise before 4am. Runners and triathletes are the earliest risers, with 72% waking up before 6am, followed by cyclists (58%) and action sports athletes (57%). Commitment and obsession constitute 365 days a year for these athletes. More than half (51%) have trained on their birthday, and 40% have played their sport on a major holiday, like Christmas or Thanksgiving. Fifteen percent have even broken a sweat on their wedding day. "Early to bed, early to rise" is crucial, with committed athletes getting an average of seven hours of sleep each night. 40% go to bed before 10pm each night, and nearly a quarter (23%) actually get into bed before 9pm. Also interesting, vacations aren't breaks from what they love, as 91% of committed athletes who vacation participate in their sport while they're away, spending close to one quarter (22%) of their vacation time training, on average. Athletes recognize the positive benefits their sport brings to their lives. 42% percent say their sport provides balance in their life, and one third (33%) say they play their sport because it's the best way to alleviate stress. In fact, 24% admit they're able to sort through most of their personal issues when they're training.