77. How To Be a Gold Medal Mom with Linda Wilkinson
In this latest episode of The Pursuit of Gold podcast, Laura welcomes her most special guest ever - her mom Linda Wilkinson. With Mother's Day approaching, Laura wanted to explore the topic of parents' roles in their children's athletic lives, and, given that Linda raised a successful athlete in guiding Laura on her journey, she definitely has plenty of wisdom and advice for parents raising passionate young athletes. Among the many topics discussed are Linda’s reasons for not wanting Laura to join a large gym, her encouragement of Laura's dreams, and the importance of structure and fun while pursuing one's passion.
She and Laura also cover a number of themes such as handling difficult situations, rising above negativity, and the importance of being an example for others. They provide personal anecdotes and insights into their own experiences of dealing with negative comments and unfair judgments in sports, and emphasize that the value of an athlete is not determined by their place on the podium. The importance of perseverance, family support, and the power of prayer are also highlighted, and the role of parents in supporting their children's passions, but allowing them to navigate their own journeys is also examined. Filled with sage advice drawn from first hand experience, today’s episode offers a unique perspective on the hard work, dedication, and support necessary for achieving one's dreams, rendering it an invaluable resource for parents seeking to raise successful and well-adjusted young athletes.
Episode Highlights:
The important role parents play in their children's athletic lives
Supporting and encouraging children's passions and dreams
Valuing perseverance, concentration, and skill set
Choosing the right gym for your child's needs
Striving for a good home life, structure, and fun
Letting children make their own decisions and navigate their own journeys in sports
Importance of trying new things to find the sport that "lights you up"
Dealing with challenges and negativity, and rising above it
Quotes:
"Life doesn't come with a manual. It comes with a mom."
"I wasn't in it for all the competitions, just for you to learn some skills and to have fun and to make friends."
"You may not make it to the Olympics, but you would be good at whatever you did."
"Listen to your child's frustration... respect their opinions."
"You let me fall, you let me get back up."
"Part of that is when you get knocked down, if you are fighting to get back up, you're learning real quick how important this thing is to you."
"Just give it a try for a season."
"Your value is not in your place on the podium...your value is because you are you."
"Just be there to support them...let your athlete and coach do their thing."
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