110. Overcoming Nerves & Gaining Confidence with Elite Gymnast Dulcy Caylor
Laura delves into the dynamic world of elite gymnastics with the prodigiously talented Dulcy Caylor on the podcast this week. Highlighting the essential blend of physical prowess and mental fortitude, Dulcy's journey from clinching gold medals at a tender young age to aiming for the 2024 Olympic trials encapsulates the essence of determination and resilience. As you will hear, today’s episode not only uncovers the universal battle with nerves that athletes face but also emphasizes the crucial role of mental training alongside physical preparation.
Dulcy's candid insights into overcoming competition anxiety, her strategic approach to training, and the invaluable support from figures like Simone Biles exemplify the intricate tapestry of challenges and triumphs defining an athlete's journey to excellence. Her narrative further reveals the profound bond of camaraderie among gymnasts, transcending age and experience, fostering a united front in the pursuit of their Olympic dreams. Through detailed discussions on the Olympic trials process, the significance of a supportive ecosystem, and Dulcy's personal strategies for combating nerves, listeners are offered a unique glimpse into the relentless pursuit of gold. Her insightful dialogue with Laura here today stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship, and the indomitable spirit of young athletes such as Dulcy, who navigate the complexities of elite sports with grace and steadfast ambition.
Episode Highlights:
Ambitious beginnings to senior success
Overcoming mental hurdles
Customized coaching for peak performance
Resilience through ups and downs
Building a supportive environment
Strategic mindset and preparation
Aspirations beyond the mat
Navigating the path to Olympic Trials
Quotes:
"Even the most elite athletes battle with fear, nerves, anxiety, impostor syndrome...they are overcomeable."
"I am obsessed with gymnastics, but once I started getting into level nine, level eight...I really wanted to go as far as I can with this."
"Age doesn't matter in this now. It's 16 and up and you just have to compete with it."
"You can't let anything spiral...I care too much that I'm not going to care."
"It's those tiny little changes sometimes that are the hardest because you have to focus so differently."
"Keep your dream in mind every day. If you really want it, work for it every time, as much as you can."
"Work hard and work smart."
"Have fun with it every single day. It's still the sport that you loved as a kid."
"I would love to do something that helps people."
"I'm keeping my options open, but I also have my eyes on ‘28."
"If you set your mind to something, it's going to happen."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Dulcy:
107. My Untold Journey Through Trials with Pursuit of Gold Host Laura Wilkinson
In this special episode, listeners are invited to explore Laura's journey to Olympic triumph, shaped by resilience and determination. Approaching the 24th anniversary of a pivotal moment in her life, personal audio clips, as shared here today, recount significant moments along her journey that profoundly impacted her path. Laura’s tale of being a young diver filled with Olympic dreams and facing momentous decisions at times of relative uncertainty inspires many of the episode's themes such as overcoming adversity, embracing gratitude, and finding strength in challenges.
Using this momentous event as a springboard, the episode delves into resilience amidst adversity, from life-altering decisions to recovering from injuries. Through this intimate account, listeners gain insights into how resilience shapes Laura's responses to life's trials, and how gratitude emerges as transformative amidst setbacks, shifting her focus towards opportunities and fostering a positive mindset. As you will hear, community support proves vital in overcoming obstacles, brilliantly highlighting the importance of unity, and each setback becomes a chance for growth, paving the way towards Olympic success. As the world looks ahead to the upcoming Paris Olympics, Laura’s very personal reflection here today offers timely, hard-earned lessons and insights from her own stellar career that will prove invaluable to all those engaged in their own Pursuit of Gold.
Episode Highlights:
Facing career-altering decisions and overcoming devastating injuries
Embracing gratitude amid setbacks
Transforming obstacles into opportunities, fostering resilience, and maintaining a positive mindset
The pivotal role of coaches, teammates, and loved ones
How each setback serves as a chance for growth and self-discovery
Persevering through setbacks and challenges
Reflecting on past challenges
The anticipation building for the forthcoming Olympics in Paris
Conquering uncertainty and fully committing to Olympic dreams
How moments of reflection and gratitude provide solace and fortify determination in the face of adversity
Quotes:
"Every cloud really does have a silver lining. If you open your eyes, you'll find it."
"Recognize that although you may not be happy with the competition, there is more to life than that competition."
"Sometimes we will win that amazing gold medal and sometimes we'll miss it. But amazing things still happen because I didn't give up."
"Every obstacle that we face, there is an opportunity inside of it, but we have to be willing to find it."
"Find things to be grateful for. In the middle of the tough, in the middle of the painful, in the middle of the hard, there is something to be thankful for. Fill your mind with that and focus on those things."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
95. Courage is a Learned Skill with High Diver David Colturi
Laura joins forces with professional cliff diver, coach, and performance expert, David Colturi for this week’s installment of the Pursuit of Gold podcast. One of the standout cliff divers over the last decade, David has accumulated 14 podiums in 52 starts, including becoming the youngest ever winner of a World Series event at the age of 24. After returning from the enforced World Series break, he was narrowly edged out of the permanent places in 2021 and will return to the 27m platform as a wildcard this year. David also currently serves as a coach, runs high performance workshops, and is a gifted public speaker.
Together with Laura, David embarks on an exhilarating journey that delves deeply into various riveting topics, such as his awe-inspiring transformation from a budding diver to an experienced professional, the pivotal role of balance in the pursuit of one's dreams, and the fearless approach required to confront and conquer personal fears head-on. From his early days as an athlete determined to conquer the heights of high dives to the heart-pounding moments during his debut at the Red Bull Cliff Diving event in Corsica, this episode is a treasure trove of adrenaline-pumping narratives and invaluable life lessons. Our dynamic duo also go on to share intimate anecdotes and profound insights into the psychological and emotional battles they've waged during their illustrious careers. From grappling with fear and self-doubt to contending with the physical toll exacted by high-speed impacts, they shine a light on the indomitable spirit and tenacity that define success in extreme sports. Their conversation here today transcends the realm of diving and touches upon the profound importance of setting well-defined objectives, aligning actions with one's authentic values, and embarking on a purpose-driven journey throughout our lives. Whether you're a thrill-seeker or an individual seeking inspiration to confront your personal trials, this episode guarantees to leave you profoundly moved and ardently motivated.
If you’ve been wanting to make some crucial mindset shifts like David, in order to perform better, love your sport again or grow your confidence, start getting excited for my awesome Black Friday bundles that are here now but only for a limited time! Every single amazing bundle also comes with a FREE ticket into a new workshop I’ll be hosting in January called Turning Obstacles into Opportunities. Make sure you don’t miss this window of opportunity- go check out these special bundles at LauraWilkinson.com/blackfriday!
Episode Highlights:
David’s remarkable journey
Dedication and sacrifices
How college athletes grapple with the decision of pursuing their sport professionally or exploring alternative career paths
David's unexpected leap into professional cliff diving
Red Bull Cliff Diving events
David's inaugural experience in Corsica
Unforeseen setbacks and the power of resilience and a positive attitude
Overcoming fear and early challenges in high diving
The journey toward control and focus
The role of peer pressure and accountability in overcoming platform hesitation and building confidence
Quotes:
"Courage is a learned skill just like anything else."
"These tough days, these are the ones that define you. This is the good stuff."
"You're just competing against yourself... all you've got to do is be better than you were yesterday."
"You’ve just got to sometimes do what you’ve got to do. And it can be a scary road, but I think you learn a lot of lessons in that, too."
"So it's kind of just learning to take those skills we learn in our sport and applying it into our life."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with David:
67. Unlocking Your Potential with High Diver Ellie Smart
Joining Laura on today’s episode is professional high diver, CEO of the International High Diving Institute—America’s first high-diving facility, and founder of the Clean Cliffs project, Ellie Smart. Their conversation begins with Ellie’s journey from childhood dreams of diving at the Olympics to the tough realization that she wouldn’t reach that standard and her decision to retire from diving during college. She shares the challenges of walking away from the sport that defined her, finding her worth outside of diving, and finally discovering her purpose in cliff diving. Ellie then discusses how she made the move into professional high diving, started competing, and eventually made it onto the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series as a permanent diver.
Next, Ellie talks about her desire to keep challenging herself and working on new dives—including one partly inspired by Laura—so that she can continue unlocking her potential to the highest degree. She also speaks to how she and other cliff divers manage their fear, pointing out that fear can be a good thing physiologically, but only if we learn how to control it and use it in a healthy way. Ellie takes a moment to discuss the impact of social media and how she uses it as a tool while enforcing personal boundaries to ensure she avoids the urge to compare herself with others. Closing out the episode, Ellie reveals some of her pursuits when she’s not diving herself, including creating the High Diving Institute at the Utah Olympic Park and co-founding Clean Cliffs, a project with the mission to prevent plastic pollution in the world’s bodies of water.
Episode Highlights:
Walking away from and coming back to diving
Learning to cliff dive and starting to compete
Unlocking potential and managing fear
Creating the International High Diving Institute
Giving back with Clean Cliffs
Quotes:
“I wanted to represent Team USA, I wanted to go to the Olympics, and I would practice my gold medals speech in the shower every single night as a kid and my autograph. In class, I used to get in trouble all the time for practicing my autograph.”
“The answer is always ‘no’ if you never ask, so I would rather ask and get the answer ‘no’ than not ask at all and maybe miss out on a really cool, incredible opportunity. So I definitely get embarrassed or shy or self-conscious sometimes when I have things that I really want to do, like, it’s definitely not just easy. But I know that the reward of asking and what could come of it is so much better than not asking.”
“It was also very humbling to realize that if I was going to keep diving, I needed to dive for me and not for the results or what it looked like from the outside to other people. Because there’s always going to be something bigger and better and different that you can do if you’re basing your life on decisions or opinions of other people.”
“I really think comparison is just the absolute worst thing that you can do. And so, I try to eliminate that as much as possible from my everyday life. So you know, if any of my friends are listening to this, I love you, but I’m not going to watch your Instagram stories. You can tell me all about it in person.”
“I think that that’s the most exciting thing about life is we don’t know, we get to figure it out as we go. And, you know, I used to have a different approach of, ‘I want to know the answer now. I want to know what I’m supposed to do.’ And now I have this whole new mindset of, ‘I’m so excited to see what I can do versus what I’m supposed to do.’”
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:
Ellie’s Social Media:
59. Finding a New Path Forward with Master Yoga Instructor Cristi Christensen
Today, Laura catches up with her dear friend, fellow competitive platform diver, and bridesmaid in her wedding, Cristi Christensen. Originally an elite-level gymnast, Cristi went on to train with the US Olympic diving team as a young adult. After an injury cut her Olympic dreams short, Cristi shifted her focus to helping others improve their level of fitness through personal training, Pilates, Core Fusion, and yoga. In addition to a degree in Kinesiology, Cristi has studied extensively for over 10 years with world-renowned teachers including Saul David Raye, Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, Elisabeth Halfpapp, and Fred DeVito.
Cristi begins by sharing what inspired her to get into gymnastics, her journey to becoming an elite gymnast, her transition to diving, and the injuries that ultimately ended her Olympic dreams. She goes on to describe what drove her to yoga, how it changed her, and why she eventually began teaching it. Cristi also details her experience as a global traveling yoga teacher, how the pandemic caused her to pivot yet again, and the outcome of her most recent pivot. The episode draws to a close with an overview of Cristi's work to expand the definition of wellness and well-being, and how her style of yoga brings her back to how she grew up. Cristi’s story of responding to injuries with her determination to bounce back, keep learning and moving forward will captivate and inspire all who listen into this fascinating conversation today.
Episode Highlights:
Cristi’s transition from being an elite gymnast to an elite diver
Diving injuries ended her dream of the Olympics, just as they’d ended her gymnastics career
How Cristi’s pain and anxiety drove her to yoga
How yoga changed her
Cristi begins to teach fitness classes, but she refused to teach yoga
What changed her mind?
How flying by the seat of her pants helped launch her career as a global traveling yoga teacher
How the pandemic forced Cristi to pivot yet again
The outcome of Cristi’s most recent pivot
Cristi’s work to expand the definition of wellness and well-being
How Cristi’s style of yoga, which incorporates dance and music, brings her back to how she grew up
Quotes:
“My mom was like ‘No more. No more. I know it’s your dream but we’re not risking you being paralyzed.’ And there was no pushing… that was the end of my gymnastics career.”
“That’s just so quick though, too. I mean, you go for a summer, doing a sport you’ve never done, and you just decide to move for your last two years of high school. Like, that’s pretty intense. But it sounds like that’s kind of the way you roll.”
“I did shatter my left hand into a million pieces. Basically, I had three metal plates and 22 screws to put it back together.”
“And that’s where joy, like a joy of movement, started coming back. My body was healing, I was connecting to my breath.”
“But now I had a new lens on it, because the practice I was doing was healing me and I wanted to be able to share that with others… I taught tons of different fitness classes and was still doing yoga as my personal practice… yoga really opened me up in a way that I didn’t even know I was closed.”
“Every time you show up and do it, those voices will get smaller.”
“I had some really bizarre instances that just made it so, so clear that the way I was living and the way I was working were no longer in alignment.”
“I got to a point where the fear of if I failed was much smaller than the fear of actually staying and staying small and staying trapped in something.”
“Over the years it evolved… how could something that was so right, now be something that’s actually a detriment to the evolution of my career or the evolution of where in my soul I believe I wanted to go?”
“I just thought I was going to be hanging out in LA for six months, like figuring it out… but as the opportunities came, I was like, ‘Well, I just have to say yes’.”
“I didn’t realize I had all my eggs in one basket; I thought I was diversified.”
“Everything I teach is based off of ‘how can we use this as a map for our own empowerment, our own awakening, so that we can live a life that is full of color and rich in love and passion and freedom, but really be grounded in this very human experience and be able to deal with everything that life brings?’”
“The whole idea was to share women’s stories… I want more women’s voices to be heard. I want more kids growing up to have more access to role models from different backgrounds.”
“I’m not teaching a routine. It’s not like ‘5, 6, 7, 8’. It’s actually getting you to a place that you feel free enough to express and to move and to breathe, and just enjoy the aliveness and the power pulsing through your body - letting it move, letting the emotions move, letting everything just flow. And it’s super powerful and super fun!”
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:
Cristi’s Links:
47. An unstoppable drive with our host Laura Wilkinson on the Jedburgh Podcast
Once again this week, things are a little bit different as today’s episode features Laura being interviewed by former Special Forces Green Beret, Fran Racioppi, on ‘The Jedburgh Podcast’. Touted as ‘a conversation with prominent visionaries, drivers of change, and those dedicated to winning’, this podcast is a natural and timely fit for Laura, as she participates in the Olympic Trials this week and next in her bid to compete in her fourth Olympic Games. Be sure to tune into the Olympic Channel and NBC and join Fran in cheering her on in her attempt, and enjoy this interview here today which outlines precisely just what it takes to reach similar success in your own life.
Laura and Fran begin by looking at what it takes to reach elite levels, and then discuss Laura’s career from her start in high school to present day. Along the way, they explore her perspective on failure and fear, the need to take ownership of your performance, her Sydney Olympics experience, and her Dream Chaser philosophy. They also delve into Laura’s neck surgery and recovery, her preparation for the Tokyo Olympics, and her take on finding balance in life and achieving longevity in sports. The interview concludes with her thoughts on channeling the pressure of the moment, ‘The Pursuit of Gold’, the 3 things she does every day, and the elite performance characteristic that Laura most exemplifies – drive. As Laura heads into the Trials which will determine her immediate Olympic future, today’s sweeping examination of the many components which have brought her to this moment could not be more relevant – listen in and prepare to be inspired.
Episode Highlights:
· What it takes to reach elite levels
· Laura’s high school diving experience and her ‘call to action’
· Her perspective on failure
· Taking ownership of your performance
· Laura’s performance at the Sydney Olympics, the events leading up to it, and the pep talk she gave herself
· Dream Chaser
· Her neck surgery and recovery
· Laura’s thoughts on fear and moving past it
· Preparing to qualify for Tokyo
· Dealing with the ‘uncontrollables’
· Her thought on finding balance in her life
· Achieving longevity in sports
· Channeling the pressure of the moment
· Her ‘Pursuit of Gold’ podcast
· Laura’s next couple months
· The 3 things Laura does every day to be successful
· The elite performance characteristic that Laura most exemplifies
Quotes:
“Faith and determination separate the good from the great.”
“Just because somebody tells you you can't, doesn't mean it's true.”
“Failure is part of success. And the concrete actions that you take from the moment you accept that you failed are what defines you as a leader and as an elite performer.”
“I'm not afraid to look like a fool.”
“When we talk about the development of elite talent, there's a requirement to be humble and show humility.”
“How can I become better? How can I fix that? How can I move forward?”
“It doesn't matter how old you are, doesn't matter what station you have in life, you can really make a difference for somebody just by being there for them.”
“This pressure that you felt became a power.”
“I realized that there were so many people that probably would never have the opportunity that I was in at that moment.”
“The task ahead of you is never greater than the power behind you.”
“I absolutely loved it, because it wasn't about me in that moment...it was about something so much bigger.”
“So it's about the pursuit, it's about the hunt. It's about who you become. And I think that's what I really mean by Dream Chaser.”
“You have to have this done just to be a mom because if you trip down the stairs, if you have a small car accident, like, that could lead to a quadriplegic.”
“A lot of times we're scared of the unknown…fear is a lot of times a liar.”
“To wholly stay in the moment is really the biggest key…and you have to practice that in practice.”
“I think really breaking my foot back then was such a gift because it gave me that opportunity to focus on visualization, to go through so many competition scenarios in my mind with so many different athletes.”
“Adversity makes you stronger.”
“The challenge in front of you sometimes becomes the blessing that you needed.”
“I have learned this last year is that I can just tear my plans up, throw them out the window, because I’ve got to roll with it. And I'm not good at that.”
“I think one of the best things COVID taught me was that I need to have my kids be part of what I'm doing.”
“They saw the sweat, they saw the tears, they saw the frustration, they saw how many times a day I was having to do this stuff and how hard I was working, all just hoping to get back in the pool. So it provided a lot of really good conversations for us.”
“The best people you see doing this are beginners at some point, like, you have to start somewhere.”
“I've had a lot of times where I'm like, you know, God, I'd be okay, if He closed the door, and we're done with this. But He's made it very clear, this is where I need to be, and He's made a way, and then that fire is back, and that fuel is back.”
“I've learned not to be scared of my emotions. I've learned how to use them and how to direct them.”
“And it's not about the pressure, or the expectations, or all these other things, just let that go. And it's just about me enjoying the moment.”
“This is actually my way of finding the resources and giving them to other athletes.”
“Learning those lessons from people and taking that with me, I think makes me not just stronger mentally, but emotionally and spiritually.”
“There's this need for achievement and growth mindset - be better today than you were yesterday, continuous self improvement - that you display that has set you apart from all of your competition.”
“For all the people who maybe think they're too old to do something they love to do, don't let society or culture decide that for you. If you love something, do it.”
Links:
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
Laura’s Social Media:
The Jedburgh Podcast:
The Jedburgh Podcast on iTunes
The Jedburgh Podcast Instagram
35. How to Face and Overcome Fear with Our Host, Laura Wilkinson
Due to the winter storm that hit Texas recently, and the ensuing power outage, Laura has had to postpone some of the fantastic interviews she had lined up for the podcast. However, today’s episode proves equally fascinating as she delves into something which we all experience, and about which she is asked all the time: fear. While no one is immune from it, there are ways to manage it rather than let it spiral out of control, and today, Laura breaks it all down for you.
She begins by defining what fear actually is, how healthy fear works and can help, the relationship between fear and control, and the only way to overcome fear. She also discusses the need to change the way we talk and think about fear through refocusing and reframing, the gift of gaining courage through fear and commitment, and then finishes with an offer to participate in her ‘Free 5 Day Fear Challenge’. This is a topic with which Laura possesses a vast amount of experience, and her insights and advice here today, once again, go far beyond the world of sports and into each of our daily lives, making this yet another ‘must listen’ episode of ‘The Pursuit of Gold’.
Episode Highlights:
· Defining what fear actually is
· Healthy fear
· Fear and control
· Overcoming fear
· Changing the way we talk and think about fear
· Refocusing and reframing
· Gaining courage
· Commitment
· Laura’s Free 5 Day Fear Challenge
Quotes:
“Fear is huge in my sport…I am no stranger to fear.”
“Fear basically boils down to a strong feeling.”
“A healthy fear should not be absolutely paralyzing.”
“However big your fears are, you are not powerless against these fears.”
“Fear has no actual control over you, it’s only making you feel a certain way.”
“When we ignore our fears, they don’t get smaller, they begin to grow.”
“When we’re trying to push our fears away, we’re actively interacting with them.”
“The only way to overcome fear is to face it.”
“We have to begin trusting ourselves and our knowledge and what we know will help us.”
“You cannot have courage or be brave unless you are first afraid.”
“The most important ingredient to becoming courageous is commitment.”
“It’s normal to freeze up and get scared just before a big, important moment. That just let’s you know how important it is to you.”
“You can’t dip your toe in from the 10m to see if the water feels nice.”
“The thing on the other side of fear is more important to me than the fear itself.”
Links:
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
Laura’s Social Media:
Instagram: Laura's Instagram
Facebook: Laura's Facebook page
32. The Secret to Dominance with World Champion High Diver Gary Hunt
Today you will be treated to an ‘extreme’ episode as World Champion High Diver, Gary Hunt, joins Laura for an absolutely fascinating conversation. A legend in the high diving world, Gary is actually a 2-time World Champion and an 8-time winner of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. Before he took on the daredevil world of high diving, Gary competed in 10-meter platform diving, and, in fact, took home a Bronze in the 10-meter Synchro at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. If you have ever wondered what it takes to have the courage and skill to dive off of cliffs and castles, and even out of helicopters, and still continue to set even loftier goals for yourself, you’ve come to the right place.
In this conversation, Gary tells his story all the way from first getting into diving all the way to what he is doing now and what his lofty and inspiring new goal is. In the process, he shares his favorite places to dive, his craziest and most memorable dives, the dangers he and his colleagues face, and the mental preparation that allows him to do what he does so well so consistently. Finding coaching in a relatively new sport, maintaining focus, his exciting new goal, and the impact that COVID has had upon him, his sport and his training are all discussed as well. Gary’s calm, thoughtful and humble nature shines through in this episode as he shares his vast amount of experience and insight into a sport which would seem unthinkably perilous to so many of us. Combine all of these qualities with his penchant for setting new goals and pursuing passion projects, and you will undoubtedly agree with Laura’s assessment of Gary Hunt as truly ‘an inspiration’, certainly one well worth listening to here today.
Episode Highlights:
· How Gary found his way to diving
· Transitioning from platform to high diving
· His favorite places to dive
· Gary’s craziest high diving story
· The potential dangers in high diving
· The process involved in introducing a new dive
· The worst lead up he has to do
· Gary’s mental preparation
· The Red Bull World Series
· How he’s navigated coaching
· His favorite moment in diving
· His perfect score dive
· Preparing for dives
· Using juggling to remain focused
· Gary’s new goal
· How COVID has impacted him
Quotes:
“I started noticing the divers in the other side of the pool looking like they were having much more fun than I was.”
“It was like a new door was being opened before me with so many possibilities.”
“Sometimes when it’s really windy, you just want it to be over.”
“The training is often much more scary than the actual competitions.”
“I couldn’t remember anything about after the dive.”
“You have to expect that it’s not always going to go your way.”
“There are horror stories of people being swept away.”
“We feel like we’re in safe hands.”
“In the times where it hasn’t gone well, I think I’ve learned from it.”
“I was the first of a wave of new high divers that were really going to push the boat out.”
“I entered the sport at the right time.”
“I think diving from a helicopter is one of my highlights.”
“Usually, I will do one of each dive before the competition when we get to a new location.”
“This dream of competing on 10-meter again just started to get more and more interesting.”
“I prefer looking ahead and just focusing on my training.”
“As long as your head’s into it and you’re focused, you can do it.”
“You are an inspiration…giving yourself new passion projects…new goals.”
Links:
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence: https://www.laurawilkinson.com/learn
Laura’s Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lala_the_diver
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLauraWilkinson
Learn more about Gary:
24. Special birthday Q&A with our host Laura Wilkinson and daughter Arella
This week’s episode is a little different, because today is Laura’s birthday! And to celebrate, she has a very special guest who will be asking the questions – her oldest daughter, Arella. Many of the questions that Arella will be asking Laura have been submitted by listeners, and she has also added a few of her own. Towards the end of the podcast, Laura turns the tables and asks Arella a couple questions as well. You will quickly discover that Arella is an excellent interviewer who might just be ready to host her own podcast someday, and you’ll also learn a lot more about Laura, her sport, her faith, her physical and mental training, and, of course, her Olympic experiences. Today’s episode is an excellent opportunity to learn so much about the life of an Olympian and her family, and if there is more you would like to know, be sure to send in your questions to Laura and they might just be answered on a future episode!
Episode Highlights:
Questions for Laura:
· How do you set your goals when everything is changing?
· Since you compete all over the world, and you have met lots of different people, has it ever given you the opportunity to share your faith with a fellow athlete?
· Why do you love ‘Learning to Fly’, the song by Petty so much? Is it inspirational or is it just because you think it’s a cool song?
· Coaching mental and physical abuse – how can we combat this as athletes?
· Recovering from intense diving practices
· How do you overcome the feelings of personal failure?
· Why do some divers wear swim caps now?
· What Gym did you go to gymnastics at before you did diving?
· Who are some of your mindset coaches or influencers at this point in your life?
· What dive has caused you to have the largest mental block, and how do you overcome it?
· What made you want to go to the Olympics?
· What are your chances of qualifying for Tokyo?
· How did you get into diving?
· How many medals do you really have?
· How many sports did you do before you did diving?
· How many times have you gone to the Olympics?
· What is your hardest dive ever?
· What’s your easiest dive?
Questions for Arella:
· What was the first sport that you did?
· What did you do after gymnastics?
· How do you get bored in gymnastics?
· Why do you enjoy Ninja Warrior so much now?
· Do you have any big goals for Ninja Warrior?
· Are there any lessons that you learn while you’re training for Ninja Warrior that help you in your everyday life?
· What is your new dream that you just came up with that you want to be when you grow up and why?
· Do you want to talk about the workout that you created during homeschool after you watched the Navy Seals?
· How has homeschooling been going?
Quotes:
“Your ultimate goals don’t need to change…what changes is your path to get there.”
“Research what other athletes in your sport are doing out there right now, like, stalk Instagram or Facebook or YouTube.”
“Obviously, the biggest part of being able to share your faith is starting relationships with people. That has to come first.”
“That’s really when you get a chance to show people what your faith is, what it means to you, and begin to have those discussions if they’re open to that.”
“’I’m going to free fall out into nothing. I’m going to leave this world for a while’, and to me, that just encapsulates what it feels like when I’m diving 10 meter, and I’m just in my happy place, and I’m in my zone, and it kind of feels like a place of worship for me because I’m using the gifts that God has given me.”
“Episode 11 with Kaillee Humphries, she talks about mental and verbal abuse…from one of her coaches…and also in Episode 20, with Tracy Hanson, there was kind of a very long term abuse going on there.”
“It’s kind of like a small car accident every time.”
“Sometimes it’s not your body that’s wearing out, it’s your mind…if that’s the case, go play.”
“If you’re not failing, you’re not going to succeed.”
“It’s to keep the chlorine from absorbing into their hair.”
“Mostly, ‘Flips’ was my home gym.”
“The Bible has just been, kind of, my firm foundation since I gave my life to Christ.”
“If you’re ever going through a really hard time, Psalms is a wonderful place to go.”
“It really broke a barrier for me to all of a sudden, I could do anything.”
“I tried a bunch of sports until I finally found diving.”
“My biggest challenge is really getting my body back to the point where I can get my entries clean again.”
“I didn’t give up just because I had a bad dive…I came back and I won the competition.”
“In 2000, it was in Sydney, Australia. In 2004, it was in Athens, Greece. And in 2008, it was in Beijing, China.”
“The back 3½ somersault pike just felt really, really, really hard.”
“Sometimes, the simple ones are the hardest.”
“My easiest dive is probably just, like, jumping in the water…a pencil dive.”
“My first sport was gymnastics.”
“I did soccer and now I’m a Ninja Warrior…I did diving…before soccer.”
“The trapeze bar is probably my favorite.”
“I keep trying over and over again until I finish the route.”
“I want to be…the first woman to be a Navy SEAL.”
“I like hard and challenging things.”
“I started working out while I was doing my Math.”
“I really like homeschooling – it’s really fun!”
“I think we should make another episode.”
Links:
Mental Training: https://www.laurawilkinson.com/learn
Laura’s Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lala_the_diver