Introducing Kristin Tattar: The Woman Behind the Athlete.

Behind every successful athlete lies a multifaceted individual balancing their professional pursuits with personal responsibilities. For Kristin, this delicate equilibrium takes shape through her roles as an athlete, mother, and partner.

In this blog, we delve into Kristin's journey, exploring how she navigates the intricate dance between her career and family life. From her experiences as a professional disc golfer to her insights on managing pressure and setbacks, Kristin offers a candid glimpse into her world.

Join us as we uncover the strategies Kristin employs to stay focused during competitions and the advice she imparts to aspiring athletes. Additionally, we discuss the evolving landscape of women in sports and how communities can continue to support and empower female athletes.

Don't miss out on this inspiring narrative as we shed light on Kristin's path to success and her aspirations for the future. Read the full story here!

You're an athlete, a mother, a partner. Maintaining a balance between a professional career and personal life can be challenging. How do you prioritize your time and ensure you have time for yourself and your loved ones?

Sometimes it’s challenging, but fortunately, my partner is also a professional disc golf player, which helps us to spend a lot of time together. We occasionally travel the globe side by side. However, the hardest aspect for me is the time spent apart from my daughter. Particularly during extended trips to the States, there are instances when I’m physically unable to see my daughter for two months at a stretch.

Nevertheless, I’ve managed to make it work. When I’m not on the road, I make a concerted effort to maximize family time and engage in various activities with them.

With success often comes pressure. How do you manage the pressure that comes with being a professional athlete, and do you have any strategies for staying focused and composed during competitions?

From the perspective of pressure, there are two main aspects. On one hand, there’s the pressure of performance on the course. There’s an expectation from others, as well as from myself, to play at a certain level. I make an effort not to dwell on this too much. Typically, I focus on doing my thing, seizing the moment, and putting forth my best effort. If I manage to do this, I’m confident that my performance will be solid and positive results will naturally follow.

On the other hand, the pressure also stems from public attention, particularly in Estonia and across social media platforms. Fans and media alike often seem to want a piece of me, which can be overwhelming, considering I also need to find time for training, competing, recovering, and spending moments with my family and myself. Juggling all these responsibilities is quite a challenge. Fortunately, I’ve come to realize that I don’t have to handle everything alone. I’m in the process of expanding my team, with the hope that this will help to alleviate some of the burden and free up more time.

Ultimately, it boils down to your mental preparation and your ability to rationalize your actions. There are certainly moments when everything feels overwhelming, but I strive to comprehend the reasons behind the current circumstances, why certain moments might be beneficial for the future, or what adjustments to make if similar situations arise again.

As a professional athlete, you've likely faced your fair share of setbacks along the way. How do you deal with setbacks and challenges, and what keeps you motivated during difficult times?

I faced tough times early in my career but managed to get through them. Everything happens for a reason, and challenges make us stronger. As long as you stay mentally strong and tackle your problems, you can find motivation for the future. I truly believe you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it.

As a role model for many women, what advice would you give to those who aspire to pursue a successful career?

Keep believing in yourself and work hard. Grinding through tough times is important. Like I said before, I truly believe you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it.

Representation and visibility of women in sports have improved over the years, but there is still work to be done. In what ways do you think the disc golf community, and sports in general, can continue to support and empower women athletes?

Equality matters, and not just in disc golf but everywhere. Although things have gotten better over the years, men still often have it better than women in many areas. However, it’s not about making everyone the same. Men and women have their differences, from the roles we play to how we handle emotions. The goal is to recognize these differences while making sure both have equal rights. This approach will help make society more fair and understanding for everyone.

What advice would you give your younger self?

There are no right or wrong choices, there are simply choices with no label on them. The worst thing you can do is be afraid of the right or wrong choice, which is just an illusion, and not do anything at all. Put yourself out there and just make a step in whichever direction your intuition says to you and trust that everything will unfold just the way it has to. Everything that you want, wants you even more, just be open to it and ready to recieve.

Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for the future?

There is a saying that when humans are making plans, than gods are laughing. Keeping that in mind, I just want to be ready and open to everything that life has to offer. And of course by leading with example, hopefully inspire others to achieve their goals and enjoy life to its fullest.

_{Photo credit: Ajakiri Jooksja}