" The first year I started hockey, I didn’t know how to skate, so I got on the ice with all of the hockey players, and we were doing drills where we had to go backwards in figure eights. And I could not skate, and I just kept falling on my butt, and it was very embarrassing. "
- Shawn Mendes

In the given statement, Shawn Mendes shares an early experience from his time beginning ice hockey. He recounts feeling overwhelmed as a beginner on the ice when everyone else was more experienced and skilled at skating. During practice sessions focused on moving backwards in figure eights, he struggled to keep up with the drills and repeatedly fell down, causing him significant embarrassment.

The quote reveals several deeper insights about learning new skills and facing challenges head-on. It highlights the importance of perseverance despite initial setbacks and the discomfort of being outside one's comfort zone. Mendes’s story underscores how resilience and determination can lead to growth and improvement over time, even when early experiences are filled with frustration or shame. This anecdote also serves as a reminder that everyone starts somewhere and that it's okay to feel unprepared at times, as long as there is a willingness to learn and improve.

Shawn Mendes, the artist behind this reflection, is known for his musical talent across multiple genres including pop and R&B. Born in 1998 in Toronto, Canada, he gained fame through social media platforms before signing with Island Records at just sixteen years old. His versatility extends beyond music; Mendes has also been involved in acting and ventured into various creative endeavors such as writing books. This quote comes from a time when he was less well-known but already showing signs of the determined spirit that would later characterize his career path.