Among many factors, reaching the heights Stacey Michelsen did during her 12-year international hockey career required immense focus.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
But that didn't mean there weren't moments when the Black Sticks skipper, who announced her retirement this week, would allow her mind to wander.
"There were definitely times where I thought it would be so nice to just be a hockey player.
"Hockey was, and still is, something I am so passionate about but there were definitely phases in my career where I thought it would be so great if I didn't have to study and wasn't trying to have this other thing on the side.
"You always dreamed of playing hockey for a living but the nature of our sport in New Zealand, and other parts of the world, is that you have to have something else on the side.
"Now I have retired, I'm really grateful for sticking that out with my studies and attaining a job because it is great to have something else to move on to."
Sticking it out was an apt description.
Juggling study with training and playing at the elite level meant it had taken Michelsen twice as long as it would have otherwise to complete her law degree.
In Olympic years, and Michelsen was a three-time Olympian, study was shelved completely.
While it hadn't been easy, she felt lucky to have been able to manage the duel lifestyle, that is a Black Sticks' lot, for more than a decade.
"I've had support from everyone involved to balance my life in that regard.
"Spending a lot of time studying while playing hockey is great in the sense that you have that flexibility and long university breaks when you can really invest yourself into training.
"I've also been really fortunate since finishing my degree to get a job with an employer who has been incredibly supportive in allowing me to still prioritise hockey and have hockey as my number one focus.
"It's a huge part of being in the Black Sticks programme is that you are really encouraged and supported to do things outside hockey, whether that be studying, working and also time with family and friends."
Black Sticks captain Stacey Michelsen. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
After 297 tests, though, Michelsen's stint on that international hockey balance beam had come to an end.
It was time to devote more time to those parts of life she had been sacrificing since her international debut as an 18-year-old back in 2009.
A debut she reflected on when fielding enquiries about stepping away from the sport at the age of 30.
"It's a real funny one. I've had that a lot from people and it quite surprises me because I do feel old.
"That's probably because I have played for so long and was lucky enough to be part of the team from a young age.
"It feels like it's been a long time so I definitely don't feel like I've retired early or young or anything like that at all."
Michelsen's decision, no doubt, was made easier by the benefits it came with.
More time with friends and her Northland-based family was top of that list, while she was excited to finally dive fully into her role as a dispute resolutions solicitor with law firm Minter Ellison.
Hockey, though, would always hold a big place in Michelsen's heart, with many moments and achievements to reflect on.
"The London Olympics was a really special experience.
"We didn't achieve exactly what we wanted but we weren't really expected to go on and make the semifinals. That was also my first Olympics so that was really special for me.
"And the gold medal we got at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast [in 2018]. That was a real highlight because so many times we'd come so close and hadn't quite got there.
"I remember the feeling after we won the gold medal and being so, so happy."
The exact same emotion Stacey Michelsen feels, as her life after hockey begins.