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Becoming a Professional Athlete

Tennis star Maria Sharapova is the world's highest paid female athlete.

Courtesy of maria-sharapova.org

Do you want to be like Mike... or Tiger or Ronaldo? (We could go on with a list of amazing athletes, but we'll stop here). Find out how to turn your love of the game into a professional career!

Pro Athletes - The Basics

Professional athletes are people who get paid to play sports. To be a pro, you need to have something that we like to call the 3 D's - drive, determination and dedication. If you don't possess these qualities, it'll be hard to haul yourself to training on a day when you don't feel like getting out of bed.

Pro Athletes - Training Ground

It's not enough to be talented in your sport. You have to spend most - or all - of your time training to be the best since you're competing with thousands of other athletes who are just as talented as you. Basically, you have to live, eat and breathe it! So get exposed to your sport as much as possible by playing on school teams, in leagues and athletic clubs, and at sports camps. Just like the entertainment industry, it's hard to make it to the top of the sports world, but you can succeed if you have the talent. And of course, the 3 D's.

Pro Athletes - The Upside Is Also the Downside

Professional athletes know that if they don't play well, they won't last long. That's why they push themselves past their limits to perfect their game. Basketball players spend hours working on their jump shot, figure skaters on their triple salchow and golfers on their swing. But while it's good to be healthy and in great shape, it's also brutally punishing on their bodies and increases the risk of injury. Fame is another double-edged sword cuz it's great to be in the spotlight and have peeps look up to you and want your autograph. But it's not so great to have cameras follow you everywhere you go, even to the bathroom.

Pro Athletes - Show Me the Money!

Some pros make as little as $10,000 a year. Surprised? That's cuz you're used to hearing about the multi-million dollar contracts! But that's reserved for superstar athletes like LeBron James and Maria Sharapova. And the reason why they make millions is because they endorse products or companies like Nike and Adidas.