No beating around the bush: I have an obsession with Nike products.

Sometimes I find my consumerism a little bit embarrassing. But no matter how much my friends berate me for the thirteen (GASP) pairs of jeans I own, I can’t help myself: I’m an athlete, but also a shopper. And to be honest, if let loose, I could single handedly pull any country out of a recession. Just ask my mother. Or any of my friends who receive hand-me downs from my closet (namely Meghan Byrd (’12)

Now wouldn’t you think that I’ve always realized my secure attachment to Nike attire? (HA! Mrs. Mattes, using that AP Psych lingo hawllaaaaa) I truly had not until today. Like most athletes, I’ve gotta get my endorphins flowing around at least once per day, so I was out on my run and I couldn’t explain it: this tingling sensation. I felt like a million dollars. Normally, for a water mammal like myself, running is an absolutely pathetic endeavor that is my walk exaggerated times ten. (With that in mind, I do keep up a decently fast pace—sub seven mile club at Jordan Middle School, baby!) I stopped to stretch out my cramp and examined myself. Where could this newfound burst of speed originated? I was perplexed for a moment, the cool fall air nipping at my cheeks. Until BAM. The unmistakable white swoosh practically glowed on my sports bra and shorts. Good ol’ Nike.

Time for Shans to come clean. Honestly, I have this really embarrassing fantasy that I am a soccer player (HAHA jokes…I know how far fetched this sounds but it is the truth) and I think it’s because of Alex Morgan. Let’s get real; she is a classy lady. And plays with confidence. And wears her pink Nike sports bra EVERY game so she will play her best. Just like today when I was running, I was rocking the Alex Morgan: my own version of the swanky pink number. Putting it on just gave me that feeling of strength, as if I was Gerard Butler in 300 when he screams “THIS IS SPARTAAAA” : anything seemed possible. Now that sounds so corny, I know. But think about it: we all have those things that give us that extra spring in our ste: a lucky pencil for a test, doing yoga every night before bed, a different color of Nike shorts for every day of the week (or maybe that’s just me…) – whatever the item or brand, it gets you mentally prepared for game time, literally or metaphorically. No wonder Alex has a “Just Do It” attitude.

So I guess it makes sense that Nike brand and athletes just go hand in hand. It’s the swag of our generation. In the seventies and eighties, it was basketball short shorts and other wild sporty “fashion” concoctions. But it’s the 21st century, people. And I am here to embrace all that Nike has to offer, including a confidence boost. And if Nike isn’t your thing, readers, then maybe you can find your own brand to represent. It will step your game up big time.

(Note: DO NOT feel like you can’t represent a brand because you don’t own as much of it as I do. Like I said, consumerism is an issue for me. The first step of rehab is admitting that you have a problem and I am a recovering shopaholic.)