108. Rising Above with Olympic Gold Medal Volleyball Player Jon Root
This week, Laura introduces us to the remarkable Jon Root, a volleyball luminary whose journey to success defied expectations at every turn. From an unforeseen introduction to volleyball in West Los Angeles to clinching prestigious All-American accolades at Stanford University to achieving Olympic and international glory, Jon's trajectory epitomizes the indomitable spirit of passion and perseverance in the sporting realm. Through Laura's engaging dialogue with Jon, listeners are immersed not only in Jon’s many spectacular achievements but also in the intricacies of athletes' transitions beyond the competitive sphere, delving into themes of identity, purpose, and personal growth post-athletics.
From his storied collegiate career at Stanford University, where he navigated the rigorous demands of both academics and athletics with aplomb, to his triumphant representation of the United States on the international volleyball stage, Jon's journey is a testament to unwavering determination and dedication. As he candidly shares his experiences, Jon unveils the myriad challenges athletes encounter upon bidding farewell to professional sports, emphasizing the paramount importance of self-discovery, resilience, and adaptability in charting a course through the uncharted waters of post-athletic life. Through their illuminating discourse, Laura and Jon offer invaluable insights and inspiration, urging athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts to embrace change, forge supportive networks, and leave an enduring legacy that transcends the boundaries of the sporting arena. This episode stands as yet another poignant reminder of the transformative power of sports, guiding listeners on a journey of empowerment and self-discovery as they endeavor to realize their fullest potential, both on and off the field.
Episode Highlights:
Jon's unexpected journey from baseball to volleyball
The challenges of California's volleyball scene
Jon’s Stanford University choice
His reflections on his Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame induction
The intense training leading to the 1988 Seoul Olympics
Winning a gold medal and post-competition challenges
Jon's personal transformation
Coaching impact, personal growth, seeking support, and leaving a lasting legacy
Quotes:
"Sports kind of saved me from myself."
"I was a good mess, but I was kind of a mess."
"There's more to this than just the bread and butter."
"You're allowed to have your own journey, and that's what makes it beautiful."
"I think I was just so lost in the humility and the kind of what just happened."
"If you're good at performance but you're not great at change, can you look at change in a different way? In changing, we do perform. In performing, we do change. It's inherently part of the walnut."
"You're going to have to get out there and try a couple of things. The first thing may not be the only thing, and it may not be the best thing."
"We need to let athletes know that we are more than just athletes. There's so much more involved in our stories and in who we are as people."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
102. From the Platform to the Podium with Olympic Silver Medalist Jessica Parratto
Two-time Olympian, Olympic Silver Medalist, twelve-time National Champion, NCAA Champion, and World Championship Bronze Medalist, Jessica Parratto, is Laura’s very special guest on the podcast this week. With deep aquatic roots in her family, Jessica’s journey was almost inevitable, as her mother was her coach until age 14, and her father once coached Olympic legend Jenny Thompson. Jessica shares her remarkable story in this episode, from her daring decision to leave home at 14 to train at the National Training Center to her tumultuous Rio Olympics experience, partnership with Delaney Schnell, pursuit of Olympic medals, and specialization in synchronized diving.
Jessica’s candid conversation with Laura details her unique upbringing, the parental support in choosing her path, and her journey to becoming an elite diver. Showcasing the power of passion, determination, and strong team support, her journey epitomizes determination and resilience, from pivotal synchronized diving partnership decisions to her comeback from retirement. Her collaboration with Delaney Schnell highlights teamwork, trust, and the relentless pursuit of Olympic glory, and beyond the pool, Jessica's story illuminates her life outside diving, emphasizing her supportive family and deep friendships with fellow divers. Tune in here today to share in this truly fascinating tale of all the sacrifices and joys of chasing Olympic dreams from two superstars who have experienced them firsthand.
Episode Highlight:
Jessica's aquatic family background
Her bold choice to leave home at 14 for National Training
Jessica’s Olympic journey
Her discovery of a passion for synchronized diving
The role of mental strength in her career
The importance of setting boundaries for focus and success
Navigating the challenges of Olympic trials, embracing the Olympic experience, and dealing with unexpected situations
Insights into Jessica’s Rio Olympics experience and post-Rio career plans
Adapting to the pandemic's impact on the Tokyo Olympics and making a comeback
Demonstrating determination and resilience
Synchronized diving intricacies
The value of Olympic dreams
Quotes:
"I did a lot of sports growing up. I did swimming, I did diving, gymnastics, soccer, dance. I mean, I did it all."
"My parents made me and my sister feel so comfortable in just wanting to do whatever we wanted to do in life."
"I just remember Drew being like, 'Do you think that you can make an Olympic team right now?' And I was just like, 'No.' And he was like, 'Well, I do.'"
"I think crazy things can happen in a small amount of time, so don't ever count yourself out.”
"It literally changes everything when you think differently, right? And you're like evidence of that right here."
"It's so important. It is definitely a difference-maker. And even if you have to preface it like, 'Hey, I don't want to hurt your feelings, I love you guys, but this is just what I need right now. And I just really would love and appreciate that support.’"
"It's never just yourself, it's always this army that you have behind you. And so that's what makes it really special."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Jessica:
97. When Your Hobby Becomes Your Profession with Rugby Olympian Naya Tapper
Joining Laura on the podcast this week is Naya Tapper, a thoroughly remarkable 2020 Olympian and professional women's rugby player who, after earning All-American track and field honors in high school, began her rugby career at UNC Chapel Hill where she starred from 2012-2016. Having turned professional in 2016, Naya has since become the All-Time leading try scorer for USA Women’s Eagles, and some highlights from her illustrious career include the 2017 Sydney Sevens Player of the Final, 2017 Sydney Sevens Dream Team, 2017 Vegas Sevens Dream Team, 2018 Rugby World Cup second leading try scorer, and 2018 HSBC Dream Team. She has also earned a silver medal at the 2017 Dubai Sevens Tournament, a gold medal at the 2019 Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque, a silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games, and was a member of USA Rugby’s 2020 Olympic team that competed in Tokyo.
Naya's incredible odyssey from her collegiate discovery of rugby to Olympic glory, as shared here today stands as a resounding testament to her steadfast resilience and dedication. Together, she and Laura discuss navigating the challenges of professional rugby, the mental toughness of elite athletes, appearing on Project Runway, and the journey to the Tokyo Olympics. Naya's passion for supporting youth rugby players through the Naya Tapper Scholarship and her dynamic brand, "Naya on Fiya” shine brightly throughout the episode, and listeners will also gain a glimpse into her aspirations beyond her athletic career, particularly in the realm of sports business. Naya's remarkable story is one that resonates far beyond sports, exemplifying the power of unwavering perseverance and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams.
Episode Highlights:
Naya's journey from discovering rugby in college
The importance of having a backup plan in professional rugby
Overcoming adversity and making a comeback in the sport
Building a personal brand and preparing for the Olympics
Highlighting the beauty of diversity and unity in sports
Favorite international rugby destinations, like Dubai and South Africa
Insights into the Olympic selection process and the importance of staying healthy
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and team dynamics
Naya’s future aspirations
Quotes:
"It was destiny because my college coach had connections with the national rugby team."
"I got cut from the team. My immediate reaction was, 'I'll just go back to North Carolina and start applying for PT schools.'"
"It's always for me, like, 'Okay, what's the next move? How do I get back on my feet?'"
"It was nice to be able to chill and relax and let my body decompress and spend time with family and friends that you miss out on a lot when you're full time in this type of profession."
"As long as I can stay healthy and continue performing at the level I am, I have the best shot I can possibly provide myself."
"Sports have literally changed my life. So to be able to provide that opportunity for people who also want to have that experience, I think was really important to me."
"Nobody really knows how to sell you better than you can sell yourself."
"I've officially strayed away from PT school mainly because I really don't want to go back to school."
"I think something that I've gained a passion for is just sports business."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Naya:
93. Getting Creative with Olympic Diver Brandon Loschiavo
This week, Laura shines the Pursuit of Gold spotlight on Brandon Loschiavo, an exceptional athlete whose journey is truly a compelling one, and whose impressive resume includes Big Ten championships, NCAA championships, seven U.S. national titles, a World Cup bronze medal, and a coveted spot as an Olympian. Following a brief retirement period post-Tokyo Olympics, Brandon has resurfaced with a resolute focus on competing in the men's ten-meter platform diving event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Together with Laura here today, he addresses a number of pivotal themes, including unwavering determination, resilience in the face of adversity, the power of a positive mindset, and the art of adapting to life's challenges.
Throughout the episode, Brandon delves into his college years, which were far from a straightforward path to success, and his diving career which was marred by knee injuries that threatened to halt his progress. Rather than succumbing to these setbacks, however, Brandon relates how he embarked on a journey filled with creativity and proactive injury management. He also goes on to share with listeners a wealth of wisdom on such topics as life after competitive sports, strength training, coaching, and the unique challenges faced by elite athletes when transitioning into new roles. Tune in and join these two legendary athletes for this powerful reminder that success often stems from embracing challenges head-on - an invaluable lesson so very pertinent to all aspects of life.
Episode Highlights:
Overcoming adversity through creativity
Chasing Olympic dreams
Mindset and Olympic trials
Post-Olympic experiences
Embracing change and adapting
Resilience in the face of adversity
Seeking multiple opinions regarding injuries
Adaptive training approaches
Quotes:
"Simple mental skills and mindset shifts can make a huge difference in your confidence."
"I had that goal, I had that aspiration to make it to the Olympics, and I just put my head down and grinded for the long haul."
"It's not the last dive that matters. It's all 18. And I did 17 out of 18 well enough to just keep me not just in the game, but, like, well above second."
"I want to walk into the prelim feeling like it's the final. You don't want to just kind of, like, mosey through the prelim, because then you'll do terribly, and it's a cumulative event, so every list counts."
"When you're a hyper-focused athlete on these huge goals, there's life outside of it, but you kind of forget how to live."
"It felt good to find a new community, and I did for at least probably, like, the first two, three months. I made it a goal to not be defined as a diver when I was outside of diving."
"Coaches need coaches. And so I decided to have the team USA strength coach be my strength coach, write my programs."
"Strength training is a slow burn, just like getting an Olympic pursuit. it's a long-term investment that pays off at the end."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Brandon:
90. Honor Your Goals with 2x World Champion Water Polo Player Jaime Komer
Welcome to yet another elite episode of the Pursuit of Gold podcast, as Laura takes the plunge into the remarkable journey of Jaime Komer, two-time World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist in water polo. Drawing from this storied Olympic career and her own personal journey of self-discovery, Jaime has gone on to guide Olympians, Paralympians, professional athletes, women's groups, business executives, parents and entrepreneurs alike through challenging transitions they’ve encountered, all with compassion and an open mindset. The Founder of Consciously Connected, a personal growth consultancy, our multifaceted guest has also created a new and unique practice for self-exploration and personal growth known as The Kampfire, and, as if that’s not enough, serves as the host of the Consciously Connected Podcast. This girl gets things done!
As you will hear, Jaime's narrative is nothing short of inspiring, encompassing a journey of transcending boundaries in Central California by initially joining a boys' water polo team to eventually achieving global acclaim. What truly distinguishes Jaime, though, is her transition from the pinnacle of sports to becoming a facilitator, guiding individuals and groups to embrace authenticity and prioritize emotional well-being. Today’s conversation unravels the spectrum of Jaime's insights, including the importance of setting ambitious goals and unleashing the power of creative imagery and visualization techniques. Uncovering the peaks and valleys of Jaime's athletic odyssey - from the heights of Olympic Silver glory to the emotional turbulence of facing rejection - her narrative embodies the indomitable spirit required to chase dreams while imparting invaluable wisdom for all. Join Laura and Jaime here today for this testament to resilience and determination, and immerse yourself in the wealth of knowledge, advice, inspiration and motivation to be found in this riveting installment of the Pursuit of Gold podcast.
Episode Highlights:
Jaime's remarkable journey
Goal setting and perseverance
Authenticity and emotional well-being
Visualization techniques
Navigating life transitions
Olympic dreams and training
The Olympic experience
Navigating career transitions
Quotes:
"It's really hard because you're like this tight-knit family, and at the same time, there's a very competitive energy in it because you don't know who or what's going to happen."
"It felt like such an honor. It felt like such a proud moment in my life, and for our team to be there. And then at an individual level, I'm kind of working with my own emotions, my own mental health."
"It is a funny experience because you are feeling so many things, and it's so exciting at the same time."
"We went in going big. And I think that's why it was so hard, actually when we did get silver.”
"Through coaching, by asking people questions and helping them find their own answers, you're way more motivated to do stuff."
"There's so much that can happen when we do share it, even if it's maybe not the most comfortable thing to start."
Links:
The Confidence Journal- FREE SHIPPING with checkout code: STARTNOW
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Jaime:
89. Fall in Love with Failing with 3x World Champ Softball Player Haylie McCleney
In this week’s captivating episode, Laura is joined by the outstanding Olympic Silver medalist and softball legend, Haylie McCleney, for an entertaining and informative conversation chock-full of ‘mic drops and truth bombs’. Haylie's extraordinary journey began early in her life, fueled by an insatiable passion for sports and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Graduating with a degree in Human Performance from the University of Alabama and attaining a Master's in Exercise Physiology at Florida Atlantic University, Haylie's dedication has ultimately led to her becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with membership in the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Throughout her discussion with Laura today, Haylie shares invaluable insights touching on her approach to thriving as a leadoff hitter, embracing relentless presence, and the profound significance of playing the long game.
Key takeaways from the episode reveal Haylie's emphasis on prioritizing personal growth over mere trophies as well as valuing the role of a supportive teammate in boosting morale. She also illuminates the transformative power of journaling as a means to navigate emotions, set goals, and express intentions, offering an enriching perspective on personal growth and competition. While recounting her journey to the Olympics, which saw the unique challenge of softball's temporary removal from the Games, Haylie's tenacity shines through in her work to realize her dream of representing the USA in Tokyo. The complexities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic are addressed as well, emphasizing the importance of stability during uncertain times. Haylie McCleney's inspiring narrative, as shared here today, stands as a testament to relentless dedication, unwavering commitment, and the unending pursuit of excellence - a truly inspiring tale brimming with invaluable wisdom born out of extensive and elite experience.
Episode Highlights:
The pursuit of personal growth and competition over mere trophies
Being a supportive and uplifting teammate in sports
Dedication to playing the long game and maintaining focus
The distractions and obligations faced while playing professional softball.
Navigating the unique challenges of an Olympic journey
Coping with disappointment
The importance of resilience and team bonding
Positive aspects of unconventional Olympics
Journaling for mental health
Quotes:
"You've got to be really in love with failing and learning from your failure."
"I was raised to begin with the end in mind and trust that the effort you put in today, weeks, months, years from now, you're going to see the benefits of it."
"Softball can be my year-round, full-time job. I can sign one contract, and that's enough money for me to make an incredible living."
"What if we try out again and get cut? What if I was an Olympian? But now I'm not an Olympian. Do I still say I'm an Olympian?"
"I might as well just have some fun, like, continue to play softball."
"Time heals everything."
"Play the long game, try to see the long game as best you can."
"Every single second matters."
Links:
The Confidence Journal- FREE SHIPPING with checkout code: STARTNOW
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Haylie:
88. Hitting New Heights with High Jump Olympian & Pro Volleyball Player Erin Aldrich-Shean
In today's very special episode, Laura is honored to welcome Erin Aldridge-Shean, a true multi-sport athlete extraordinaire whose many achievements include being a 2000 US Olympian in track and field as well as a five-time US National Volleyball Team member. In this riveting conversation, Erin recounts her inspiring journey, shares insights into crucial issues within the NCAA system, and offers valuable guidance to athletes and heartwarming tales of transformation along the way.
Our guest’s remarkable career shines a spotlight on the potency of multidisciplinary athleticism and perseverance in the pursuit of Olympic aspirations. Together, she and Laura uncover the advantages and hurdles of engaging in multiple sports, the significance of setting audacious goals, and the paramount importance of ensuring a safe experience for all involved in sports. Erin's perspectives on the realm of collegiate sports and her dedication to helping individuals unlock their inner Olympian provide invaluable lessons for budding athletes and those in search of inspiration. Join Laura and Erin here today for this thought-provoking discussion on resilience, career transitions, and the importance of addressing misconduct in sports.
Episode Highlights
Erin's remarkable journey balancing collegiate sports
The importance of ambitious goals and pursuit of Olympic excellence in multiple sports
Challenges and rewards of participating in various sports during youth and high school
Erin's insights into crucial NCAA issues and advice for athletes
Heartwarming stories of transformation and resilience
Multidisciplinary athleticism's power in Olympic dreams
Awakening the inner Olympian
The power of resilience, determination, and family support in overcoming challenges and personal growth
Quotes:
"Participating in multiple sports during my youth allowed me to develop exceptional body awareness skills that translated into success in volleyball and track."
"The NCAA system has its challenges, but it's essential to raise awareness about issues like grooming and abuse, and I'm committed to helping athletes navigate these challenges."
"I just remember being so relieved that someone from my family was there. I just felt the love."
"Seize the moment, seize the day, because you never know if you're going to get another shot."
"I was never going to be 6’3”. I was going to be stuck at 6’1”, and that's something that you can't coach."
"I think that is actually my calling. I completely quit my career in commercial real estate and I launched Ascension Coaching."
"I believe that everyone has an Olympian within them. Whatever that looks like, you just have to find it and tap into it."
"Grooming, obviously, because it hits so close to home for me, is such a scary thing because you start to trust these people."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Erin:
87. Your Sport is Not Your Identity with Olympic Weightlifter Carissa Gordon Gump
Welcome to yet another captivating episode of The Pursuit of Gold podcast, where, this week, Laura Wilkinson reconnects with Carissa Gordon Gump, USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame inductee, the first 63 Kilogram American woman to qualify and compete at the Olympic Games, multiple American record holder, and five time consecutive American Open Champion. Carissa currently serves as the Executive Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation and is part of the United States Anti-Doping Agency Athlete Presenter Team, so you know she has a lot of knowledge and experience to share with everyone.
Her journey, as shared here today, serves as a powerful reminder of the potential challenges athletes face during their transition from elite sports to retirement, and emphasizes the importance of having a well-thought-out plan and discovering new passions to lead a fulfilling post-athletic career. She also highlights The National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation's role and her own dedication to staying active and healthy, even after retiring from competitive weightlifting. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of Olympic weightlifting, the pursuit of Olympic dreams, the critical importance of clean sport advocacy, and the potential fate of weightlifting in the Olympics. You do not want to miss this one.
And you do not want to miss Laura’s transformative program, Confident Competitor, which is designed to empower athletes to enhance their mental game, improve performance, and rise to challenges. Be sure to check out this comprehensive online program which offers 19 lessons on mindset, mental game, and performance skills, alongside practical activities, bonuses, and group coaching to equip athletes with the tools for success.
Episode Highlights:
Carissa’s "Golden Prison" experience
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
Pursuing Olympic dreams
Balancing education and sport
Carissa's transition from athlete to a professional
The value of knowledge and intelligence beyond athletic accomplishments
Seeing sport as a component of life, not the entirety of one's identity
Carissa’s Olympic journey and challenges
The potential fate of Olympic weightlifting
Quotes:
"’We can guarantee you a spot in February of 2001, but, like in June when you graduate high school, I don't know if we're going to have anything available for you.’ And I said, ‘I'll be there.’"
"I need to prepare for life after sport, and so that's what going to school was doing for me."
"What I would really encourage athletes to recognize, is: your sport, yes, it is a part of who you are, but it is not you. It doesn't define who you are for the rest of your life. You have other identities as well."
"I am still part of sport but just in a very different way."
"You still need to have a plan to make sure that you, as a person, are fulfilled and have some sort of direction in your life."
"Unfortunately, doping issues have been very common in the sport of weightlifting."
"You don't just disappear. You still need to have a little sprinkle of whatever in your life."
"Weightlifting is on the chopping block for 2028.”
"I like to say we're the science behind strength and conditioning."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Carissa:
79. Making a difference through sport with 3 time Olympian Hugo Inglis
Welcome to an electrifying episode of the Pursuit of Gold podcast as Laura sits down with three-time Olympian and esteemed member of the New Zealand Black Sticks hockey team, Hugo Inglis, to discuss his remarkable journey in the pursuit of excellence. One of the world's most revered field hockey players - currently training towards his fourth Olympic Games in Paris 2024 - Hugo is not only a successful, multifaceted athlete, but he has also excelled in the realm of academia, earning an MBA with distinction. Today, he and Laura delve into the depths of the mental game in sports, the arduous journey of a professional athlete, and the power of unwavering dedication.
Together, they peel back the layers of what it takes to excel in the world of elite sports as they review Hugo's humble beginnings on the fields of New Zealand to the grand stage of the Olympic Games to Managing Director of High Impact Athlete. The duo explores the trials and triumphs of a professional athlete, reveal the power of mindfulness in boosting performance and nurturing mental well-being, and share invaluable advice on cultivating mental skills from an early age. As the conversation unfolds, you'll be transported to different corners of the globe, as Hugo shares his experiences of playing field hockey in various countries, the unique challenges and rewards that come with that, and the unyielding determination and unbreakable spirit that propelled him to such greatness. This is an episode you won't want to miss, as Laura and Hugo unearth the keys to pursuing excellence, unveil the secrets of a gold-medal mindset, and take you on a journey that will leave you inspired, motivated, and yearning for more.
Episode Highlights:
The role of mindfulness in enhancing performance and mental well-being
Hugo’s journey to becoming a professional athlete
Maintaining a love for the game and embracing one's strengths
Strategies for overcoming self-doubt and finding joy in the pursuit of excellence
Perfection, personal growth, and recognizing one's progress
Mental well-being and the significance of identity beyond winning or losing
Overcoming challenges
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports
Balancing professional team commitments and national team obligations
Hugo’s motivation in pursuing an MBA
High Impact Athletes
Quotes:
"I think it's a really beneficial part of my development, was never quite settling."
"Remember what your best part is, what you bring to the game, whatever sport you're playing, and recognize that and be proud of it and own that and let that be your just kind of magic sauce."
"It's about more than just the medal at the end of the competition... I wanted to find out how great I could be."
"Perfection itself is not truly attainable, but the pursuit of perfection is a good thing when we can recognize that we might never get there."
"Our self-worth or value is not dependent on achieving perfection."
"The surgery and the recovery from the surgery was easy. The hard part was standing still for six months to a year with the recurrent back problems."
"When you have purpose, a purpose-based performance, it's going to drive you far more than if you're doing it out of fear or something else."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Hugo:
73. Falling Forward with Olympic Medalist Jonathan Horton
From wild child to Olympic medalist, Jonathan Horton is the kind of athlete who truly inspires, his determination and grit winning him silver and bronze Olympic medals. Jonathan begins the episode by discussing his experience as a hyperactive kid, including the time he climbed a twenty-five-foot support beam in the middle of Target! He then talks about how watching the ’96 Olympics women’s gymnastics team provided a moment of intense motivation that would help him become a pro gymnast. He also discusses the importance of finding your passion and not giving up, including taking new opportunities and embracing challenges.
Next, Jonathan chats about his time in college and how it helped him evolve from a self-centered athlete to a team member who supported and fought for his teammates. He then talks in detail about his Olympic experiences, from the doubts about the 2008 men’s team, to bonding through anxiety on the eve of team finals, to winning bronze against the odds. Plus, he shares how going for broke against his coach’s advice led him to a silver medal. Jonathan then discusses the injuries that led to the end of his gymnastics career and his one regret from that time before closing the episode with his experiences on Ninja Warrior and how he became a two-time author.
Episode Highlights:
From hyperactive kid to motivated machine
Finding your passion and taking on challenges
Learning to be a team member
Jonathan’s experiences at the Olympics
Competing on Ninja Warrior
Quotes:
“That was inspirational for me and millions, if not billions of people, to see those gold medals go over those women’s necks and watch the American flag go up in the air and listen to the national anthem. And I just remember thinking, ‘That’s it, that’s why I’m doing gymnastics, that’s what I want to do one day.”
“I think that you owe it to yourself to not quit on looking for that thing that fires you up and clicks in your brain and etches itself into your soul.”
“I was such an individual, selfish, self-centered athlete that only wanted to win win win for myself. And then, I got to college, and I quickly learned what it meant to have teammates that were all chasing after the same thing. And my first year of college was a steep learning curve where I had to toss all of my own, not all of my own self desires to the side, but really learn how to compete for the guys standing next to me.”
“We suddenly just became a brotherhood. We were more than just an Olympic team. We were a family of guys that were like, ‘Hey, screw it. I know that no one believes that we can win a medal. We barely believe that we can win a medal because we’re all panicking right now. But let’s just go out there. And we always said, grip it and rip it, just grab the equipment and just go.”
“My goal was always to be like Laura Wilkinson and win gold. I wanted that gold medal. And that’s what kept driving me. I never got to really call myself an Olympic champion. But I also tell people, I didn’t lose gold. I won silver, I won bronze, I didn’t lose anything.”
Links:
5 Ways to Stay Focused in a Competition
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
Laura’s Social Media:
Jonathan’s Links:
Falling Forward: How An Ordinary Kid Failed His Way to His Olympic Dream on Amazon
If I Had Known: Life Lessons From An Olympic Pro Athlete on Amazon
72. Enjoy the Journey with Olympic Diving Coach Kenny Armstrong
On this episode of the Pursuit of Gold, Laura welcomes her diving coach of thirty years, Kenny Armstrong, to the podcast. Not only is he a two time Olympic diver, but he’s also a coach turned father figure who helps aspiring divers get Division One scholarships and even gold medals. The pair dive into Armstrong’s origin story as well as his ‘out of the box’ training style, and why it works. As a young boy, Kenny began his diving career rather uniquely: diving into a pond. A decade and a half later, he would find himself at the 1972 Olympics, diving in front of a large audience for the first time. It wasn’t until the University of Calgary, however, that he got his start coaching.
Since then, his career earned Kenny a legacy defined by consistency, adaptability, culture, and fun. Like Laura says at the onset of the episode, “A good coach can change the game. A great coach can change your life,” and for so many athletes, Kenny has done just that. Today, he talks about why he loves it all so much, what it is about the sport that gets him excited, and why the athletes’ success is far more important than his own. Reminiscing on ‘offbeat’ diving retreats during which he lost half of his squad, his team’s special comradery, moments of victory with Laura, and practicing sports psychology, he notes that the journey always supersedes the destination to him. He and Laura strongly hold the belief that the two minutes of victory on the podium are too fleeting to hold onto; it’s the moments in between that really matter. So listen to this special conversation to hear about the legend that is Kenny Armstrong and his unique and highly successful career.
The Finer Details of this Episode:
Armstrong’s first dives into a pond
The ‘72 Olympic Games
Reckoning with his international status
Getting his coaching start at the University of Calgary
Creating culture
Why consistency wins
Knowing your people and letting them know you
Winning gold together
Why the journey > the destination
The freedom of diving
Father figure and mentor
Quotes:
“A good coach can change the game. A great coach can change your life. I feel like that describes Kenny in a nutshell.”
“These athletes would want us to continue, which was probably true. I mean, if they had a vote… we'd have been probably still going.”
“Well, I finally found out that I could be competitive on an international level. I did pretty well in Nationals and in the Olympic trials. Finally, I think the year of 1980, I beat Greg in his home pool.”
“Everybody says we have to separate politics and sports, but it's impossible. You can't do it.”
“You have to have a culture. Like it's one thing for me to tell somebody how to win a gold medal. It's another thing if they get to train with somebody that is doing that.”
“People seem to say about all the greats from different sports that these coaches knew each one of their athletes so well individually, how to push their buttons, or how to back off– and they had to back off.”
“This whole culmination of your life has to be about more than two minutes standing on the podium.”
“So don't lose the fun in sport. That's what brings kids, and when they get too serious about it, that takes the fun away. So you've got to be obviously serious, or you're not going to make it, but you have to also be very careful with that.”
Links:
Grab the Black Friday Catalog!
Laura’s Social Media:
64. "Swimming Chose Me" with 12 Time Olympic Medalist Natalie Coughlin
Laura’s guest on today’s episode is record-breaker, trailblazer, and history-maker Natalie Coughlin. Natalie has won twelve Olympic medals and twenty World Championship medals; she was the first US woman to win six medals at a single Olympic Games and the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the same event and consecutive Olympics. And as if that wasn’t enough, Natalie was also the first woman ever to swim the hundred-meter backstroke in less than a minute. Her achievements also include winning eleven out of a possible twelve individual NCAA titles, being NCAA Swimmer of the Year three years in a row, and winning a total of sixteen medals in major international competitions (twenty-five gold, twenty-two silver, and thirteen bronze) spanning the Olympics, the World Championships, the Pan-Pacific Championships, and the Pan-American Games. As impressive as her achievements are, Natalie’s also just a really cool, down-to-earth person who’s so much fun to talk to. During the episode, we jump into how her story began, her fierce competitiveness, and an injury that changed her whole perspective on swimming.
First up, Natalie shares how she got into swimming at a young age and how her natural competitiveness drove her to break onto the swimming scene at just thirteen. She then relates how she suffered a torn labrum in the run-up to qualifying for the 2000 Olympics team, the effect that had on her mindset and perspective, and her choice to avoid surgery and recover through physical rehab. Next, Natalie discusses how she chose which college to attend (eventually ending up at Cal, Berkeley) and the choices she made in her career post-injury, including ditching the two-hundred-meter backstroke and transitioning to sprint events. She talks about qualifying for the 2004 Olympics and the relief when she did, followed by the experience of winning her first gold medal and the positive impact that had on her confidence and ability to stay calm while competing. She also discusses how becoming a gold medalist led to more media attention and street recognition, how the Michael Phelps phenomenon helped shield her from the worst of that, and how she managed to achieve a happy medium of attention for her record-breaking success. Natalie then shares how it felt when other swimmers started nipping at her heels, firing up her competitiveness, and the mindset she gets into when preparing to compete. She then discusses how she prepared for the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, keeping her cool when the media were pushing retirement, and circling back to that early injury and how it helped her keep swimming in perspective. Laura then asks Natalie to share her most memorable and toughest moments in her career, including winning the hundred-back in Beijing and feeling isolated during the 2012 Games. And finally, Natalie shares what she’s been up to since retiring from competition, including writing her cookbook Cook to Thrive and starting the women-owned winery Gaderian Wines in Napa Valley.
Episode Highlights:
How Natalie got started in swimming
Natalie’s competitive spirit
Breaking onto the swimming scene at age thirteen
Dealing with injury while trying to make the 2000 Olympic team
Choosing between colleges
Ditching the 200 backstroke
Qualifying for the 2004 Olympic team
The impact of winning gold at the Olympics
Dealing with media attention
Winning medals and breaking records
The mentality of competition
The road to Beijing 2008 and London 2012
The most memorable vs. the toughest moment of Natalie’s swimming career
What Natalie’s up to now
Natalie’s cookbook, Cook to Thrive
Quotes:
“Like the Water Babies type thing, you know, that every parent really needs to do for the safety of their children. It’s very, very important, whether you want them to be a swimmer or not, you have to get your kids in the water early.”
“When we did soccer at school, like during PE or during recess and lunch, all the kids in my class, they were in soccer, and they were just, they were so much better than me. So I remember going home and practicing with a soccer ball against the wall in the backyard, just so I could get better. And no one was coaching me, I was doing this by myself.”
“I will never forget, like, walking out onto the pool deck in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and they’re like, ‘And in lane one, Natalie Coughlin. Thirteen-year-old Natalie Coughlin.’ And then I choked because it was the first time I was on, like, the major stage.”
“A doctor, you know, finally told me, ‘Hey, you tore your labrum.’ So I had to deal with that, you know, most of ’99 and the lead up until 2000. And so my training really suffered. Emotionally, I really suffered. It was a really, really tough thing. And so I got to the 2000 Olympic trials, and by that time, I was just a shell of like, what I was before.”
“Honestly, the 200 back is one of the most painful events. And by that stage in my career, I was transitioning much more into sprint. And so that was just kind of the proof that I needed of like, ‘Hey, see? I don’t need to do this dumb event.’”
“Olympic gold, kind of, you just enter this other stratosphere of athletics where you will forever be an Olympic gold medalist - no one could ever take that away.”
“Because I had the confidence to do so, I would go pretty easy that first hundred, I would build the fifth twenty-five, and then that last seventy-five meters, I would just hammer it home and just mow people down. It was so fun to swim that way.”
“I remember being in the middle of Manhattan and people stopping me on the streets and, like, being on a train in the middle of nowhere, and people stopping me and being recognized. And, you know, part of that was really cool. But also, you know, I turned twenty-two at that Olympic Games. So it was, it was a lot, you know, like, it was great, but it also was super-overwhelming at the same time.”
“I didn’t want all that pressure on me. It’s that catch-22. You know, if you want all that attention, you have to take all that pressure, and I felt like I had kind of the happy medium of it.”
“And then, all of a sudden, I started crying. And then I started crying because I was crying. I was just like this sobbing, like, snotty mess.”
“2012, I failed to make the Olympic team in the 100 back. And people were like, ‘Oh my God,’ you know, waiting for me to freak out or something. And like, 'It’s just swimming, guys. I already have two gold medals. Like it’s, I’m fine.'”
“One, it’s so misogynistic, and two, none of their business. Like, it is so inappropriate for people to tell women that they need to retire and have babies. Some women don’t want it. Some people have a hard time getting pregnant. There’s like, so many reasons to not.”
“What I’m most proud of is just, kind of, my consistency throughout the years. The ability to, you know, be in medal contention for twelve different events over three Olympic Games. Like that’s something that no one’s done. You know, even you know, Dara and Jenny. They didn’t do it in three Olympics. I’m really proud of that.”
“I knew definitively after the ’16 trials that I was done. Like, I love swimming, and I love training so much, but honestly, I don’t feel the need to compete ever again. Like, that was kind of my mentality. And so, you know, I ended on my own terms, and I was really, really happy about it.”
“I’ve always made sure when my teammates have had disappointing races or whatever, to not hide from them, and not hide from the conversation, just to be there for them. Like, it was a learning experience for me too.”
“I think it’s really telling of us as maybe a culture sometimes. Like, we expect people to have a hissy fit or just have this giant pity party.”
“I eat very healthy, but I don’t deprive myself. So like, I allow myself to have butter, and I eat chicken with the skin on it. And like, I believe in Whole Foods, and I believe in balance.”
“People really wanted to peg me into, like, just clean, just healthy. This, like, boring Spartan, like, oh, this is what athletes eat. And that’s not how I’ve ever eaten. And if I ate that way, I would go crazy. I need to have a glass of wine, I need to have my chocolate and butter and like all those things.”
Pursuit of Gold Podcast is brought to you by Kaatsu Global
Links:
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
Laura’s Social Media:
Natalie’s Links:
63. Talking Injuries, Underdogs and Epic Advice with Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Wilkinson
We’re changing things up this week with a slightly different episode from usual, in which our host, Laura Wilkinson, answers some questions gathered from our Instagram followers. The questions cover topics including starting sports at an older age, dealing with injuries and mental blocks, epic advice that Laura’s received, being an underdog versus a favorite, and having purpose.
Episode Highlights:
How Laura got into diving at an older age
Is it ever too late to start diving and compete?
The best advice Laura’s ever received
Being the underdog vs. the favorite
Moving forward from a loss
Laura’s favorite and least favorite dives
How Laura feels watching her kids play sports
Using injury time as an opportunity
Dealing with mental blocks
Setting goals and having purpose
Quotes:
“I wanted to continue learning and pushing boundaries and trying things, and I just kind of realized it was time to move on. But that dream of the Olympics was still in the back of my mind. I just recognized at that point I needed to find a new sport.”
“I’m not sure if it was ever that I recognized my own potential. I just wanted this thing so badly that I was going to pursue it. Whether it was switching sports or, you know, I was just going to pursue it no matter what. I was going to find a sport that I could go to the Olympics, and I was going to find a way to the Olympic Games.”
“If you are interested in diving and competing at any age, give it a whirl. I think, at the very least, you’re going to try something new, you’re going to learn something, and you’re gonna have a blast.”
“Soak it in. You’re at the Olympics, you’re in your dream, you’re getting to do all these things, just live it up. But when it’s your time to dive, when it’s your time to compete, that’s when you just let all that go. And at that point, you’re just at another diving meet against competitors you’ve competed against so many times, doing dives you’ve done a thousand times, you know exactly what you’re doing.”
“When I was kicked off my high school diving team for being a waste of space, yes, obviously, it still gets under my skin today, but I am so glad I was told that because it lit a fire. And sometimes, we need that kind of fire lit under us.”
“We want adversity, we want obstacles because that’s when we rise to the occasion. So I don’t think being labeled an underdog is a bad thing. I think fighting for something, it gives you that fuel—it’s just such a perfect description—that fuel to push forward and to overcome. Because you want this thing, and you’re fighting for it.”
“It’s okay to be sad, it’s okay to be angry, it’s okay to just lose it, and just kind of want to cry or vent or whatever, like, make sure you are allowing yourself to experience that emotion. If you are stuffing it in and trying to avoid the emotion of what happened, it will come out later in a much uglier way.”
“Don’t sit in the grief for, like, forever, you know, but give yourself a few days, a few weeks, whatever the timeline is, a little bit of time to process it. Then begin to create a new game plan and analyze and work on what happened and what is going to come next.”
“My other kids are still kind of figuring out what it is that they’re going to do. One has said she is not an athlete, she is an artist, and I respect that, although she will run sprints with me, and so that’s really cool, maybe one day she’ll go for track. But you know, I love, I love, absolutely love watching them find the thing that lights them up the way that I feel like diving lights me up.”
“Don’t be afraid to get more than one opinion on what your injury is. You know, one doctor doesn’t always have the answers or may not pick up everything, like, it’s okay to get two or three opinions on things to make sure you’re making the right choice.”
“When you have injuries, this is the number one thing I will tell people to do: take care of your injury and then train mentally. Everybody says sports is 90% mental, but no one trains that way. Not one. I can pretty much guarantee you that.”
“When you close your eyes as you start implementing all of your senses, you’re not just seeing it with your eyes, you can actually feel what you’re doing. You’re actually firing muscles, like, from the neurons in your brain, you’re starting to react with the right muscles that are going to be doing all of these skills. You’ll be blown away by what you can do if you do this consistently in that time.”
“A lot of times, the issue is not starting in the pool or in the gym. Sometimes, the issue is starting at home or in your personal life. We have this way of carrying stress and anxiety, and it begins to burden us so badly that it comes out in our sport, looking like mental blocks and things like that, or this ultimate fear that is overwhelming. And it’s actually not coming from your sport.”
“A lot of times, our sport, even if you’re a sprinter, the whole process is a marathon, not a sprint. So have that long-term vision and hang on to that.”
“I’m very, very goal-oriented. And so, even when I’ve done really awesome things, I’ve always wanted more. I’ve always strived for more, like, my whole goal wasn’t… I mean, I wanted to win the Olympics, but I also wanted to find out what I was capable of, how good can I be, how hard of dives can I do and do them really, really well, for like nines and tens.”
“I love training as much as I love competing. Competing is exciting and it’s fun. But the hunt to get there is almost better. Like sometimes, when you get to the meet, you’re like, man, I kind of wish it wasn’t here because I love that process. And that hunt. And that work. There’s just something so fulfilling about that to me.”
“My purpose doesn’t just lie in having goals. And it’s not just in what I’m doing. I know that I have worth and value because God created me, and he told me that. And, you know, for me, diving has always been a beautiful way to feel really connected with God. Because that is a gift I know he gave me, and when I do it with everything that I am, it feels like worship. And it feels beautiful and completely fulfilling to me.”
“I’m still learning how to not just juggle all these things, but how to, you know, shift my priorities to where diving isn’t my number one priority, my family is, and then diving will come after that. And learning that I don’t have to be so intense all the time, but I can actually just fully embrace it and enjoy every step of the way.”
Pursuit of Gold Podcast is brought to you by Kaatsu Global
Links:
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
Laura’s Social Media:
62. Praying for Rain with Two-Time Olympic Medalist Michael Hixon
Today, Laura is joined by Michael Hixon, an American diver and two-time Olympic medalist. The pair open up the episode to talk about Hixon’s abnormally young introduction to sports. Growing up with two parents that were collegiate coaches, he was practically raised on the basketball court and in the pool, but it wasn’t until his eighth grade year that he decided to pursue diving full time. It would soon be a career full of seemingly unachievable goals, Olympic success, and unusual circumstances. Michael, however, remains humble and expresses his gratitude for his parents, especially his mother, in that they never pressured him to play the sport for the wrong reasons.
He raves about the importance of purpose based performance, and how his parents taught him that true success is hardly ever achieved when you compete for the wrong reasons. These lessons helped guide him on his Olympic journey and during his initial introduction to synchro, which, afterall, was fairly different compared to his experience previously competing alone. It was during this time period that Michael feels he honed his skills the most, perhaps due to the help of his coaches, his teammate, Andrew, or the ‘Pray for Rain’ speech from a former Olympian. Laura and Mike draw this episode to a close as they talk about embracing hiccups and mishaps - if you welcome adversity into your life, you transform your mindset.
Episode Highlights:
Hixon’s young introduction to sports
Growing up with parents who coach for a living
Feeling behind during his junior career
Why unrealistic goal setting is a strong suit for Hixon
The importance of having someone believe in you
Proving others wrong
Purpose based performance
Grounds for transferring universities
The redshirt process going into the Olympics
Hixon’s experience with synchro
Olympics in Rio
Praying for Rain
The Olympics during Covid
Quotes:
“I grew up in a gym and a pool. I actually refused to go to kindergarten my first year, because I was having so much fun, and there was no way that anyone was going to ever get me to sit in a classroom when, prior to that, all I had done was play all day.”
“Eighth grade was when I wanted to quit playing basketball. I wanted to go fully into diving, but when you stopped growing at five foot eight, your decision’s kind of made for you.”
“I was diving alone in a pool with my mom and that was very isolated, absolutely. Then the other side of that is I got to go play basketball with my friends, and that was a social outlet as well - it was a ton of fun to be a part of a team.”
“I thought you know, ‘If I'm going to chase this guy and have the success that he's had, and get onto that international level the way he has at a young age, I've got a lot of work to do.’ To be honest, chasing him was one of the easiest ways to get better. When you have a really high standard and you hold yourself to that, that's going to push you forward quickly.”
“There is a difference between fear based performance and purpose based performance, and you are talking about a purpose. You had meaning to this, not pressure, not expectation. You had a purpose doing it for somebody else– something bigger than yourself.”
“I think maybe the wrong reason to transfer is maybe if you think everything's supposed to be just 100% perfect, and exactly what you envision. It's just not, and understanding that going into that is important.”
“Whether it was this crazy wind that's blowing over, you know, the backdrop at Rio, the green pool, the food, or all these crazy little wrenches thrown into what would have been a perfect plan, we were excited for that. We weren't just okay with it. We were like, ‘This is great’.”
“I got off the airplane from Rio…I was listening to pump up music on the flight back. I was just so excited for what was next, and I ended up really burning myself out that next year a little bit for that reason; not taking time to maybe allow that whole situation to sink in and give respect to what had happened.”
“I might wake up tomorrow, and I'm going to find out at the same time as everybody else. I'm going to wake up tomorrow, and the Olympics are going to be canceled, you know. All this work, what was it for?”
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Links:
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Michael:
61. The State of Doping in Sports with Olympic Medalist and USADA Director Allison Wagner
Drug scandals are unfortunately notorious in sports, as the Beijing Winter Olympics so recently illustrated with its flashbacks to the vast Russian doping scandal of the 2014 Sochi Games. These doping issues have cheated many clean athletes out of their rightful medals and can take several Olympic cycles to sort out, leaving the true champions in the shadow of the doper and their scandal. Today’s guest, Allison Wagner, has very personal experience with this issue and is now in a place to start making effective changes in sport for athletes. Allison is an Olympic silver medalist, a three-time World silver medalist, a thirteen-time national champion, and even held a world record in swimming for over fourteen years. On several occasions, Allison was beaten in major championships by swimmers who are highly suspected or have proven to be users of banned performance-enhancing substances. She now works for the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as their first Director of Athlete and International Relations. On today’s podcast, Allison shares her story and gives us a basic understanding of how the drug testing process works and our rights as athletes. We also dig into the Russian doping scandal that started way back in 2014 and what we can do as athletes and coaches to affect change.
Allison begins the episode with a rundown of her history as an athlete and her personal experience competing against dopers. She shares the frustration of not being protected by those in positions of power and influence and how that led to her current position working for USADA, where she’s committed to driving changes in the global anti-doping system. Allison then gives some advice for current athletes on what to do if they find themselves up against dopers and an overview of how doping controls function, including the requirements enforced by the Whereabouts System. She also explains what rights athletes have to appeal in the event they miss a test or receive a positive result. The conversation then switches gears to discuss the Russian doping scandal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the failure to effectively punish those involved, and the negative impact that has had on trust in governing bodies in sport. Alison points out that there are still major issues regarding trust and transparency in sports governance, as highlighted recently with the Kamila Valieva scandal at the 2022 Beijing Games, and calls out the lack of concern and acknowledgment for the harm done to the clean athletes competing against Valieva. She calls for those in positions of power to speak up and take action and suggests ways that athletes can push for change by speaking to their sponsors and representatives, emphasizing that communication is key to making those in power take notice and change their priorities.
Episode Highlights:
Allison’s history as an athlete
Competing against dopers as a clean athlete
Allison’s advice for current athletes on dealing with dopers
How doping controls work
Athletes’ right to appeal
Turnaround times for sample analysis
The Russian doping scandal at Sochi and its influence
Issues of trust and transparency in sports governance
The Kamila Valieva scandal
How and where change can happen
Speaking truth from positions of power
How athletes can push for change
Quotes:
“Over the years, these doping issues have become front and center in the news to the detriment of the clean athletes. Sometimes, several Olympic cycles will pass before athletes are even found to have cheated, and the clean athletes are finally awarded their rightful medals and place on the podium. But that’s long after the world has forgotten about the event and moved on, leaving the true champions forever in the shadows of the doper and their scandal.”
“That experience, for me, was gradually and more increasingly frustrating and defeating. You know, realizing that my devotion to respecting the rules and a fair playing field and respecting my competitors, you know, that devotion wasn’t being protected by those people in positions of power and influence.”
“This is how things change, if people get engaged and involved. While there’s a lot of room for improvement in terms of how athletes have or don’t have power, decision-making power in sport-governance structures, I think it only helps if athletes can engage.”
“I had a DCO once accompany me to a theater show. I had just emptied my bladder, and I had tickets to this show. And so, they just came with me. So I could, like, provide a sample again.”
“I think that it’s pretty unfair as an athlete to have to compete against a system that wasn’t effectively sanctioned. And what we see now is that I don’t think anybody’s really confident that they’ve not been coordinating doping amongst their athletes. And that any punishment, or the lack of punishment basically, has led us to where we are today.”
“It’s unfair to everybody. It’s unfair to the Olympic Games and the Olympic system overall. You know, people lost confidence in the Olympic Games being clean, they lost confidence that there would be bold action taken in response to the state-sponsored doping that was proved.”
“What was concerning to me as well was that there was no acknowledgment for the irreparable harm to the clean athletes in competition, as well. So it was all focused on the harm to Kamila, but what about the harm to the clean athletes and also the sport and the Olympic Games?”
“The Olympics in LA in 2028 are going to be a great opportunity for the US to assert concerns and create a new stage for the Olympics that is more dedicated to protecting athletes—clean athletes and athletes in general—from injustices.”
“The Olympic spirit, as we know, and the Olympic values are a cherished part of the Olympic movement, I think by everybody, but they’re not being sufficiently protected. And the Olympic Games are not being, and the Paralympic Games are not being sufficiently protected.”
“Speaking truth is something that takes, you know, courage and boldness, and it’s to be respected and supported. And I think we need more people doing that.”
“I’m just trying to find a way to change this, you know, I don’t want to just leave it the way it is. I love sports, and I want it to be this awesome thing for my kids coming up, for the next generations coming up. I want it to be this beautiful thing that made us fight for things and want to be these amazing people, you know, in this pure, beautiful way.”
“What I’m hearing is the moral of the story is we just can’t stop pushing. I guess we just need to be this consistent drumbeat where we just don’t let it go.”
“I’ve experienced the downsides of sports. And I am happy to keep any concerns confidential. And there will be no selling out on my behalf. Because I just, you know, I paid too high of a cost personally, for what I experienced in sport, to take anything lightly. Most especially confidence.”
“We need to start speaking up. We are courageous athletes, we need to be courageous people as well, you know, outside of our arena, outside of the sport, when it has to do with these things like our sport that we love.”
“The conversations I have with people from the IOC, WADA, and other sport-governance people is that they just have no idea. You know, they’re living in this bubble of unicorns and rainbows, and that is not in touch with the reality of how athletes fight their way through their careers oftentimes. And athletes need more support in lots of ways, and they need more advocates.”
Pursuit of Gold Podcast is brought to you by Kaatsu Global.
Links:
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
Laura’s Social Media:
Allison’s Contact Info:
Allison’s email: awagner@usada.org
Allison’s phone number: 802-380-0688
60. It's Only Gymnastics with Olympic Gold Medalist Coach Cecile Landi
You may know today’s guest, Cecile Landi, as Simone Biles’ coach or for coaching multiple gymnasts to Olympic medals, World Championship titles, and numerous full-ride scholarships to D1 schools. What you might not know is that Cecile was an Olympian herself; she claims to have been a late-bloomer, but once she made the French Senior National Gymnastics team at fifteen, there was no stopping her. Cecile competed at three European Championships, three World Championships, and the 1996 Olympic Games. She’s always up for a challenge and constantly wants to be pushed to the next level in everything she does, yet manages to maintain her calm throughout it all. Today, she walks us through her journey from gymnast to coach and how she and her husband Laurent make an unstoppable coaching duo. She also discusses the difficult time during the Tokyo Olympics last summer and the beautiful silver lining that came from it.
Cecile starts the episode with her story of growing up in gymnastics, telling her parents at age seven that she wanted to be an Olympian, and getting invited to the National Team Training Center at age nine. She discusses her transition from not being the hardest worker to deciding she wanted to be pushed to be better and how that let her break through to the Senior National Gymnastics Team. Cecile then gives an insight into her competitive experience, describing her favorite memories of going to her first World Championships and to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, before moving on to describe how she decided to continue with gymnastics at the club level following her Olympics experience. She follows that up with the story of how she got into coaching and moved to the US, how she and Laurent balance their professional partnership and their marriage, and their journey to coaching at the elite level, a journey that brought them an amazing opportunity. Cecile and Laurent were on a break from coaching and in the process of buying their own gym when they got a remarkable offer—to coach record-breaking gymnast Simone Biles at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Cecile discusses how the couple couldn’t turn down the opportunity, how she coped with the pressure of training a superstar, and the impact of the pandemic on their preparations. She also goes into detail about what happened when Simone began experiencing the twisties, including how they dealt with the fallout and put together a beam routine that would win Simone and Team USA a bronze medal. And finally, Cecile discusses her latest success, winning level ten in Texas, and gives her trademark advice to other coaches—be there for your athletes and remember that it’s only gymnastics and the sun will rise tomorrow.
Episode Highlights:
Cecile’s experience growing up in gymnastics
Breaking through to the national team
Cecile’s most memorable experiences at the national level
Going to the ’96 Olympics
Choosing to continue in the club world
Becoming a coach
Moving to the US with Laurent
Coaching at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy
How Cecile and Laurent work together and maintain their marriage
Stepping up to coaching elite athletes
Taking a break in 2017
Getting the call from Simone Biles
Coaching Simone and coping with pressure
The impact of the pandemic on training
What happened at the Tokyo Games
Dealing with the fallout of Simone’s decision
Figuring out the medal-winning beam routine
Winning level ten in Texas
Cecile’s advice for other coaches
Quotes:
“I started when I was five. And it was just one club in my city of 40,000 people. And I just started because my sister started. She’s three years older than me. And by the age of nine, doing some little competition, I ended up being invited to the national team training center.”
“I didn’t feel pushed. And I wanted to feel it. So we had a couple of Chinese coaches that were there. And they had the best kids. And I wanted my chance to be there. And most of the people there were like, 'I don’t think you’re going to survive. I don’t think you’re strong enough to do it.' And actually, it helps me. When someone tells me I can’t do it, I’m going to prove to you that I can.”
“When I was younger, I wanted to be a nurse like my mom. And then she told me really early on, 'Don’t do it, it’s too hard, you don’t make money, you work too much.' And I look at her now and say, 'Look what I do. I work way too much. I don’t make a lot of money. And I’m not a nurse.'”
“I have a lot more respect for my coaches and anyone who coaches because it does not get any easier as the years go on. It’s just, it’s a hard job. It’s a hard job. Sometimes, a lot of people think it’s a hobby. It’s more than that. It has to be more than that.”
“Year by year, we just kept working. Kept working with the girls, and they were just learning so fast. And they followed our leads and the process and trusted that we had the best interest for them. And it just worked out.”
“We went back to Dallas, and we looked at each other, we’re like, man, we can’t pass this opportunity. We can always open a gym later. But working with the most talented athlete I’ve ever seen in my life, it’s not going to happen again.”
“The pressure for us was toward her, we didn’t want to disappoint her. We wanted to make sure she got the chance that she deserved. And other than that, I didn’t really care what anyone else was saying. You’re not in my shoes, and I do know that I’m doing the best that I can to help her. And as long as she knows that, then the rest doesn’t matter.”
“The pandemic had been such a mental struggle for everybody, but nobody wanted to talk about it. And I think she was the one who said, ‘Hey, I’m not okay. And it’s okay to not be okay. And I’m struggling.’”
“We started training, and something was said by our national team staff that she took wrong. And her demeanor changed. And I saw that pressure on her shoulders even showing up more, and she was not practicing as well. And that’s when she started having her first case of the twisties on the floor.”
“She looked at me, she looked really good. I was pretty confident that, you know, she was okay. But she said as soon as she stepped into the arena and the lights, something just clicked, and she just lost her confidence in everything, and she started panicking, but didn’t want to say anything, so went for the vault.”
“She said, ‘Those girls, they need a medal, they deserve a medal, and they will get a medal without me. If I compete, we’re done.’”
“In a sport like gymnastics where, like you said, you’re landing on a hard surface, and if you don’t know right side up from upside down, and you land on your head, you break your neck, like this could be it, you know, like, like life-altering, ending.”
“Understanding what she couldn’t do in that moment, to say she couldn’t compete, I feel like was a very impressive thing to do. I’m actually really, really impressed by that choice that she made. I think that was really smart. But it had to be excruciatingly hard.”
“When she hit that dismount, that was just, the relief, like, she did it, she’s safe, she competed the way she wanted to compete. She proved to herself that she could do it, and it’s going to help her on the healing process. For me, that was what was important. It was, I know if she can do this, it’s going to help her.”
“Time will tell what she decides to do. We told her, if you come back again, it has to be for you. Can’t be for us, can’t be for anyone else but yourself. And we’ll be here if you want us to be.”
“Even if it’s an individual sport, they’ve noticed that they only get better if the team is better. And so that’s why, really, we want them to understand, the stronger your team is, the stronger you’re going to be.”
“At the end of the day, you are here for the athletes. They’re not here for you. You’re here for them. It’s your job to figure out how you can help them become their best. And the sun will rise tomorrow. It’s only gymnastics. It’s going to be okay if today is not perfect.”
Pursuit of Gold Podcast is brought to you by Kaatsu Global.
Links:
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
Connect with Laura:
Connect with Cecile:
57. Be in the Moment with Olympic Champion Wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock
Today’s guest is Tamyra Mensah-Stock, an American freestyle wrestler who won Olympic gold for the USA, becoming the first African-American and second American female athlete to win a gold in 68 kgs freestyle wrestling in the Olympics. In her journey to this remarkable level of success, Tamyra has also encountered and persevered through a number of difficulties and today she shares her inspiring story with us all.
She opens up the episode by describing her transition from life as a sprinter into that of a wrestler. While Tamyra didn’t love the sport at first, it became a big part of her life that stayed with her through bouts of loss and depression. She goes on to talk about meeting her husband and their decision to move to Colorado to train for the Olympics. Some rough patches followed her through 2016, but she notes that these tough times really taught her the importance of faith and compartmentalization. Tamyra also notes that COVID gave her a much needed breather that allowed her to prepare for the Olympics. She was incredibly successful in the 2021 Olympic Games, and in the wake of vaccine mandates, she’s become a key supporter for Athletes for Medical Freedom. She makes it clear that she isn’t anti vaccine, she’s anti mandate, and, to close out this week’s episode, she expresses gratitude for Athletes for Medical Freedom, because it taught her how to use her voice.
Episode Highlights:
Transitioning from sprinting to wrestling
Tamyra’s experience confronting the death of family and friends
How she met her husband
Making the decision to move to Colorado Springs for Olympic training
Learning to compartmentalize and trust in her faith
Why COVID was a breath of fresh air
Tamyra in the 2020 Olympic Games
Athletes for Medical Freedom
Quotes:
“For some reason, back in the day, I was an early riser, and I loved going to school when it was dark and there was nobody around. There was just some kind of freedom about that.”
“I don't blame wrestling now because it has given me the platform to identify with people who have dealt with the struggle.”
“You cannot succeed without a little loss.”
“Some people in college had asked me why am I dating a white man. And I went, ‘You never asked me out. You never showed me any consideration that you wanted to date me. Jacob took the initiative.’”
“When you are wrestling for one of the biggest tournaments ever, stay in the moment and leave the mat with no regrets.”
“COVID was a blessing. I just had time to breathe. I came up with a great win. And I could just relax and it was awesome. And once the Olympics came around, I came to destroy.”
“When you go to the Olympics, you're going to represent whatever country you are representing, and I'm proud to be an American. And I got up on that stage, I represented America, and I was extremely happy. I've been doing this since 2008 - wanting to go on that stage - nobody was gonna take that away from me.”
“They're just trying to mandate the vaccine. And I'm fine with vaccinations. But when you force people to do things, that's where the line gets really skewed.”
Links:
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
Laura’s Social Media:
Tamyra’s Links:
55. Creating Opportunity with 8 time Olympic Medalist Coach Jane Figueiredo
On today’s episode, Jane Figueiredo joins Laura Wilkinson to discuss her long standing career as a one-time Olympian and diving coach for the British and Russian Olympic teams and the University of Houston. Among her many accomplishments, Jane was named the NCAA Diving Coach of the Year four times and has coached a number of international divers, including multiple divers, including Tom Daley, to Olympic medals.
She opens the episode by recounting how she made the leap from her home in Zimbabwe to Houston, as well as her experience of becoming a diving Olympian for team Portugal before becoming a coach. Jane goes on to discuss her coaching career, attributing much of her success in this field to being in the right place at the right time. She also highlights what she learned by working with the Russian Olympic Diving Team, and also by working with Tom Daley. Taking a note from Laura’s book, Jane notes that she has started valuing the importance of mental preparedness more, and encouraging her athletes to focus less on medals, and more on striving to be the best they can. This fascinating interview draws to close with Jane sharing her plans for the future.
Episode Highlights:
Growing up in Zimbabwe
Coaching at University of Houston
Olympian for one year on Portugal’s team
International presence
The importance of being in the right place at the right time
Figueiredo’s time working as a coach for the Russian team
Lessons learned from team Russia
Presently coaching British team
Tom Daley and his strong work ethic and need for planning
How Tom made her a better listener
Tom’s lack of success in Rio
Confidence going into Tokyo
The importance of mental preparedness
Focus on being the best you can be; not gold medals
Jane plans to return to London to prepare for Paris Olympics
Quotes:
“Obviously, I was born and raised in Southern Africa. And we had, believe it or not, a deep history of diving. Most of the divers that ever came out of Zimbabwe, all dove in the States on scholarship.”
“There is certainly an extra drive, because you’ve got to understand, a lot of them… they live with their parents for many years into their adult life. So they don't have the same opportunities that American kids have. So yes, the drive is certainly there to try to better themselves in a different way.”
“My technical knowledge exploded because once I started coaching Vera Ilyina I understood they coached me on twisting technique. Because I would ask a lot of questions.”
“In the US, we never had trials, and nobody used dry land, whereas in the Russian system, it was 80% dry land. And that's where they develop their divers, in dry land. And then the other 20% was, ‘Okay, let's have a look in the pool.’”
“Tom called me and said, ‘Hey Jane, I want to come over and chat with you. Can I come train with you?’ I said, “Sure, you can come.” And– I thought he was coming in two weeks. He said, ‘I'll be there tomorrow morning.’”
“I'm pretty satisfied with my career and the college thing had gone really, really well, and I was okay. I was happy with myself, and then he came along, and I was just like, ‘Oh, my God, this is just, Oh, my God, he's got me.’”
“I'm happy to admit that as an elite coach, we become quite controlling, because we want to try to control all of it. Sure. We want to try to control the mindset, the physicality, the emotion, the private, because all of it contributes to whether you're successful or not. And then I had to really just let some of it go.”
“We talked too much about winning the gold medal, and I think that puts so much pressure and expectation on you. And that when you don't deliver, it's like you go below the surface. It's like the iceberg below the water. And so we decided, I don't want to hear a word about it. Don't let me hear you, in any interview, talk about a gold medal. I don't want to hear about it. Do not say a single word.”
“Life does not go exactly to schedule. So you know, maybe the event gets postponed, maybe you're up there getting ready to do front, four and a half. And they blow the whistle just as you're running because something's fallen in the pool. I said, ‘Tom, I'm going to schedule this out. But the only thing that I want you to always remember is that things can change.’”
Links:
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
Laura's Social Media:
Jane's Social Media:
53. Anything is Possible with Olympic bronze medalist Krysta Palmer
Today’s guest made history in Tokyo this summer, becoming the first woman to medal in springboard diving at the Olympics since Kelly McCormick won Bronze 33 years ago in Seoul, Korea in 1988. Krysta Palmer made her first Olympic team this summer at the age of 29. Watching her smile and giggle at the podium with her Bronze Medal proudly hanging around her neck warmed hearts all over the country. Krysta’s positivity is infectious and her perseverance throughout her journey to get to the Olympic podium is absolutely inspiring. Today she opens up about the injuries that took her out of contention in the sport of trampoline, what it was like to start a brand new sport at the age of 20, and she walks us through her extraordinary adventure in Tokyo, from a close call in the preliminary round to the very moment she realized she had medaled. Krysta offers mindset tips all along the journey, and she shares with us her favorite way to process both the good and the bad so that she can keep coming back stronger.
Krysta begins with her unique journey in sports, and reflects on coming back stronger from her recurring injuries, as well as how she ultimately found diving at the age of 20. She talks about transitioning her skills from trampoline to diving, working with her coach, Jianli You, to change certain habits, and entering the 2016 Olympic Team Trials following her graduation from the University of Nevada. Krysta tells Laura about a training trip to China that served as a turning point in her path to becoming an Olympian, as well as how her own experience as a coach has helped her as an athlete, and what she learned from competing in the 2017 and 2019 World Championships (her first international meet). She explains how her mindset to learn and grow from setbacks has helped her through the pandemic, and shares the moving story of receiving her Olympic ring from Laura. You’ll hear about Krysta’s memorable experience at the Tokyo Olympics, how her faith keeps her grounded, and the surreal and exciting moment she realized she had medaled in Tokyo.
Krysta’s honesty and perseverance throughout today’s conversation are sure to motivate and inspire as she shares her incredible journey, and everything she has overcome to be able to do what she loves to do.
Episode Highlights:
· Krysta’s journey in sports, beginning with gymnastics and trampoline at a young age
· Coming back stronger from her heartbreaking injuries and finding diving at the age of 20
· Transitioning her skills from trampoline to diving, changing certain habits, learning new dives on the fast track
· Entering the 2016 Olympic Team Trials following her graduation from the University of Nevada
· Her training trip to China in 2016, and how it brought her closer to becoming an Olympian
· The difference between platform and springboard diving, and Krysta’s transition from platform to springboard
· Supporting her athletic training after college through coaching, and how this has helped her become a better athlete
· Her experience at the World Championships in 2017 and 2019
· Learning and growing the most from disappointments or poor competitions
· How this mentality helped her make the most of trials and tribulations brought on by the pandemic
· Training through injuries and her family’s support throughout her career
· Krysta’s very special memory of receiving her Olympic ring from Laura
· Her unique experience at the Tokyo Olympics
· The importance of Krysta’s faith
· The surreal and exciting experience of realizing she had medaled in Tokyo
· How Krysta continues to process her accomplishment and what the next season of her life looks like
· Continuing her education and studying toward an MBA
Quotes:
“At the age of five, when I was young, I really really had this lifelong dream of being an Olympian one day.”
“You're always having to use your visual awareness to spot where you are. And make changes based on where you are. So I learned that through trampoline, and that actually really progressed well into my diving career.”
“I've had two big struggles in learning how to make a proper entry. And also learning how to get the rhythm and the timing with the springboard, because also trampoline is very quick - quick twitch muscle work.”
“I competed platform in the 2016 Olympic Trials because we weren't quite there yet with springboard. And my coach had always said, Give it time. Because springboard diving...you need time to develop the skill of it.”
“I came into the team mid-semester, so in January. And I had to learn all my springboard dives for 1-meter/3-meter before Conference in February.”
“I think the biggest thing was just trusting my coach [Jianli You], because I knew that she has the knowledge and the skill to teach me, whatever it is. I'm learning and I have the talent to try it. And it only takes me trying it to learn something new.”
“That was the trip that made me stronger as a diver and as a person.”
“I really gained a whole other level of respect for my coach at that time, because I really saw how respected she is amongst all the Chinese coaches and athletes.”
“For me, it really made me appreciate my sport and my country and our freedom to choose to be able to do sports.”
“I think that was the biggest takeaway for me from the trials is just feeling like I fit in. But I know that there's still more in me and I still need to learn more in order to get to that point.”
“We really did take a step back from platform at that time. Then springboard started to pick up, and I was competing in it at all the Nationals and getting better and better.”
“The springboard is very similar to trampoline, and I can do a lot of the same skills that I would typically do on a trampoline as well.”
“I was coaching our club team. And that's really the majority of where I got money in order to survive and make a living. And so I was starting to see things from a coaching perspective, which actually helped me as an athlete as well.”
“That's been a big learning lesson as I transition from a college athlete to now a professional athlete, is just to really pay attention to everything that surrounds me as an athlete, and what's going to help me achieve my dream.”
“My first ever international competition was the World Championships in 2017.”
“Coming back from that competition, I really had done a lot of processing and journaling, writing things down of what went wrong. What I learned was my mentality going into this event - I really learned that I had put a lot of pressure on myself. And nobody else did that. I was the one that did it to myself.”
“I really needed to learn from that. And not necessarily get dragged down by the failure of it. But stepping into, kind of, that failure and learning from it, and then growing from it, and taking the next step into the next chapter, and facing what happened… These competitions were actually the ones that I've learned and grown the most from.”
“I think my mentality through all my injuries really helped me through the pandemic, because it was really, Be stronger than you were before the injury. And coming into the pandemic, I could see it two different ways - I could see it as a disappointment and as a setback. Or I could see it as an opportunity and an area to grow, and another year of training, which is really beneficial for me because I’m still a new diver.”
“I really chose to look at it that way and took that mentality from the injury standpoint and said, Hey, I'm going to be stronger than I was before the pandemic.”
“For me, it's a performance. I love getting out there and just showing off what I love to do.”
“That was just a beautiful, beautiful moment for me to receive [my Olympic ring] from you. And you're telling the story - I'm still getting chills because it's special for me.”
“For me, what keeps me grounded is reading the Bible and getting my time with God.”
“At that point, [Coach Jianli You] knew that I had medaled. And so I gave her this big hug. And she just held me tight. And she just said, We did it. We did it. And so that's just - that was a beautiful moment.”
“I don't think this is my peak performance as a diver... I know that there's so much more that I still have left in me.”
Show Links
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
Laura’s Social Media:
Krysta’s Social Media:
46. 17 scars that paved the way to Tokyo with taekwando Olympian Victoria Stambaugh
Joining Laura on the podcast today is Olympic Taekwondo athlete, Victoria Stambaugh. The daughter of a professional boxer, Victoria took to Taekwondo at an early age, made the US National Team in her teens, eventually joined the Puerto Rico National Team, and has since qualified to compete for Puerto Rico at the upcoming Tokyo Games. Having suffered a number of injuries and resulting surgeries over her career, Victoria has demonstrated remarkable resilience, and, through her faith in Christ, has persevered to achieve her dream of becoming an Olympian. In today’s conversation, she not only shares her inspirational story, but also turns the tables to pick Laura’s brain for some of her sage advice as well.
As with all guests, Victoria begins by sharing how she found her way to her chosen sport, and then she goes on to relate the story of her career to date. Starting with how she made the US National Team, Victoria proceeds to recount her battles with injuries over the years, how they have affected both her career and her emotional state, her transition to the Puerto Rico National Team, and how qualifying for the Olympics works in her sport. She also delves deeply into the role that her faith has played in her life and career, the impact of handing control over to God, her 17 scars and what they mean to her, and her work with Master Bang in preparing for Tokyo. Victoria concludes the episode by questioning Laura on her Olympic experiences and advice, and the role that her faith has played in her life and career. As you will hear, Victoria and Laura are very much kindred spirits whose personal, professional, and spiritual lives resonate considerably with each other, and also offer valuable lessons for all listeners here today.
Episode Highlights:
· Victoria’s sports history and how she got into Taekwondo
· Making the US National Team
· How Taekwondo athletes are selected for the Olympics
· Her knee injuries and surgeries
· How Victoria’s faith has helped her
· Her story of not qualifying for Rio and focusing on Tokyo
· The times when God spoke directly to her heart
· Transitioning from the US to the Puerto Rican Team
· How Olympic qualifying works for Taekwondo and diving
· Her knee injuries and surgeries while preparing for Tokyo
· Handing control over to God
· Qualifying for Tokyo
· Her 17 scars and what they mean to her
· Master Bang
· Victoria and her fiance’s Taekwondo and Parkour studio
· Laura’s best advice for someone competing at their first Olympics
· What’s different for Laura now
· Laura’s thoughts during the finals for her gold
· How Laura’s faith has helped her throughout her career
· Laura’s biggest goal when competing at the Olympics
· Her upcoming trials
· Laura’s thoughts on not being able to have family at the Tokyo Olympics
Quotes:
“When I saw Jackie Chan, Jet Li, I was like, ‘I want to be these guys’.”
“For the Olympics, only two weight categories can qualify, female and male, per country.”
“Deep down inside, I knew that my knee was never the same.”
“I know God put the right person at the right time that I needed to hear those words, ‘not to quit’ and to ‘come back’.”
“That started the process of three knee surgeries within a period of six months.”
“What I picture is kind of like God just wrapping His arms around me and giving me a hug. And at that moment, I was able to continue on and it was actually just the very next day where I was like, ‘Okay, I'm going to go for Tokyo’.”
“He had to take out the rest of the meniscus…in my mind, I was like, ‘You just took my whole career away from me’.”
“And then, sure enough, God always sends the right message, the right person, at the right time.”
“God has seen your tears and, and He's with you. Don't give up, keep going.”
“I was done emotionally, mentally, you know, physically, spiritually. I was just drained. And that's when I just released total control to Christ and let him handle it.”
“Christ was my confidence…and I qualified for the Olympics.”
“A reminder of everything I've been through and everything God has brought me out of. And what better reminder, really? It's basically tattooed on my body.”
“People get so lost in the aura and the bigness and the pressure of the Olympic Games. But, just, you’ve got to be able to let that go.”
“That's for Him to use this for my good and for His glory.”
“You don't have to have the lead if you have the heart to come from behind.”
“I've had a lot of big dreams that I've fallen very short of, but, in that moment, I was living it. And to me that was one of the greatest things that I got to take away.”
“Now I do want to boast about my weaknesses, because that's the chance for the power of Christ to rest upon me, and for the world to see, you know, exactly what He can do.”
“The biggest thing that I need to do is stay in the moment.”
“Maybe I can just really spend that time dependent with God.”
“You've got to kind of expect the unexpected, and just roll with it.”
Links:
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Victoria: