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:
99. Battling Counterfeit Comforts with Author, Expert and Coach Robia Scott
In the latest episode of the Pursuit of Gold podcast, actress, author, emotional coach, and Hollywood professional dancer turned iconic musician Prince’s muse, Robia Scott, takes center stage. Her riveting and candid conversation with Laura here today delves into her storied career, the highs and lows of the entertainment industry, and the sacrifices and life-altering choices made by high achievers in pursuit of their dreams. Beneath all the glitz and glamor, they uncover the emotional and mental struggles that often accompany success, particularly the damaging relationship between body image, food, and self-worth.
Throughout the episode, Laura and Robia explore the complex world of emotional eating and its roots in societal pressures and personal insecurities as Robia shares her two-decade-long journey to recognize and address these underlying emotional wounds. Together, they stress the critical significance of seeking help, mentorship, and guidance while underscoring the role of accountability and the power of vulnerability in the healing process. Advocating for self-awareness through journaling and investing in personal growth, this episode is a profound journey into emotional healing and self-discovery, providing valuable guidance for those seeking happiness and fulfillment amid the demands of high achievement and success. Don't miss this opportunity to join Laura and Robia’s insightful conversation today so you, too, can continue on your own path to emotional well-being and self-empowerment.
Episode Highlights:
Robia Scott's remarkable journey from professional dancer to Prince's muse
The sacrifices made in the pursuit of dreams
The hidden struggles behind the glamour of a successful career
Body image, food, and self-esteem
Robia's journey of self-discovery and emotional healing
The significance of acknowledging and processing emotions
Robia's role as a coach
The cycle of emotional eating and its roots in societal pressures
The importance of recognizing the underlying emotions driving destructive behaviors
Quotes:
"In many of our sports, there's this elephant in the room that people don't want to talk about because we're high achievers, we're tough, we think we should be impenetrable, like some kind of superhero."
"These escapes might offer temporary relief and comfort, but they can easily become addictive, enslaving, and destructive patterns."
"The feelings we're not dealing with are dealing with us."
"Awareness is the first step of change. You can't change what you don't know."
"If I'm overweight, you just, like, go on a diet. You try to white knuckle things. You try to quit the smoking. You try to stop the addiction. You try to stop drinking the alcohol. But if you don't deal with the root, it just parlays into a different addiction."
"I call them counterfeit comforts because they're those comforts that we turn to, that they're an imposter, they give us some temporary satisfaction, some temporary relief, but they're really a counterfeit."
"You don't have to be controlled by these…counterfeit comforts. You can overcome that and move past it."
"It's important because like you said, we all struggle with it in some ways, so we have to talk about it."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Robia:
94. How to Let Go of Expectations with Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Wilkinson
Laura goes solo today to speak directly with listeners regarding the intricate issue of expectations that can plague athletes across all levels. Her wealth of experience shines through as she adeptly guides us all through the nuanced landscape of expectation management, providing not only invaluable insights but also practical strategies to shift focus from the burdensome weight of unrealistic pressures to the exhilarating pursuit of goals and personal growth. Laura also delves into the emotional ramifications of expectations, shedding light on how their emotional nature can lead to disappointment, potentially eroding athletes' self-esteem and confidence.
A key theme highlighted in this episode is the essential distinction between goals and expectations, with Laura emphasizing that goals should be concrete, measurable, and underpinned by a well-defined plan, while expectations often manifest as vague desires devoid of concrete strategies. By encouraging athletes to view their goals as destinations and expectations as the vehicles of their journey, Laura inspires a profound mindset shift that enables athletes to sidestep undue pressure and instead immerse themselves in the rewarding process of athletic excellence. A truly essential listen, today’s episode is a beacon of guidance in particular for athletes seeking to master the art of expectation management and cultivate a goal-oriented mentality along their path to athletic success.
More outstanding guidance will also be available through Laura's upcoming Black Friday Sale, where she will unveil a trove of valuable resources designed to reshape mindsets and elevate athletic performance. Join the Black Friday Waitlist here to ensure you're among the first to access these transformative offerings.
Episode Highlights:
Understanding the critical difference between goals and expectations
Navigating the emotional challenges and potential pitfalls of expectations
Expectations as motivators
The power of goal-centric focus
Leveraging expectations for daily training and character growth
Laura's upcoming Black Friday Sale
Quotes:
"So many of us are carrying the weight of either our own expectations or the expectations of others, whether it be a coach, a parent, teammates, the media, whoever."
"Expectations are desires, but they don't have any precise shape or boundaries.”
"I really despise the term ‘realistic goals’ because when people say ‘realistic’, they're trying to say, “Set a goal you can already do,” and that's not a goal."
"Goals are stable, yet they're pliable enough to adapt to changing circumstances."
"Your goal is where you are aiming. That is your final destination."
“The secret to not confuse expectations with goals is to let your expectations direct the quality and effort of your training, not your end result.”
"Let's be goal-oriented and goal-focused and really just expect that we are going to train with quality, that we are going to train with integrity, every single day."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
66. Confidence is the Answer to Fear with High Performance Coach Rebecca Smith
Today, Laura welcomes Rebecca Smith, the Founder and CEO of Complete Performance Coaching and PerformHappy, who has been helping high achievers thrive under pressure for more than 20 years. A former gymnast herself and a fellow recovering perfectionist, Rebecca understands very well the mental health challenges that professional athletes have to go through. Having struggled with mental blocks for years, she eventually quit her gymnastics career and decided to move on. Now, she’s committed to helping young athletes nurture their mental health while still winning competitions. Her unique evidence-based approach helps fearful young athletes discover the confidence to stand up for themselves when faced with the notorious toxic culture of youth sport.
On this episode of the Pursuit of Gold podcast, Laura and Rebecca discuss mental blocks and how to overcome them. Rebecca shares her own story dealing with perfectionism, how mental blocks destroyed her gymnastics career yet helped her to uncover effective tactics for getting over them. She explains the two main parts of overcoming a mental block: the physical side and the mental side. Once you overcome the physical part, you need to work on maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself, meaning build your self-awareness and inner confidence. These two are fundamental to your self-growth. Rebecca goes on to share a few more useful tactics for overcoming mental blocks, such as turning nervousness into excitement, practicing mindfulness, and front-loading confidence. Finally, Laura and Rebecca wrap up the episode by touching upon the importance of having a supportive coach, emphasizing the fact that a positive environment sets the tone for success.
Episode Highlights:
Rebecca’s gymnastics background and moving past mental blocks
Winning the battle against perfectionism
The importance of praising effort versus talent
The incredible power of imagination and creativity for your competence
The two parts to overcoming a mental block
Increasing and front-loading confidence to avoid mental blocks
Turning nervousness into excitement
Practicing the mindful warmup and being present
Dealing with injuries as a professional athlete
Mental health and motivation during COVID
The importance of a supportive and positive environment for athletes
Supporting young athletes as a parent
Quotes:
“Their parents are like, ‘She’s the best tumbler anyone's ever seen, why can't she just go do it?’ And there's this because there's just such a combination of factors that lead to mental block. One of them is that it's the pressure of being amazing, being perfect.”
“Our brain only cares about keeping us safe. That's the only thing. It doesn't care about competitions. It doesn't care about scores, or metals or places, or deadlines, or any of that stuff It only cares about ‘keep the body alive.’”
“She was the kid who was a hard worker with heart. She was not the most talented kid on our team. But so, with that being said, if you want to move forward, you can't wait for your magic talent fairy to bless you with the ability to do your skill again, it just isn't going to work.”
“There is this huge kind of internal component that's all about connecting with your own joy and your own choice. Because if you don't, if you feel like you're doing it for anybody, but you, you're going to get burned out, it's just the way it goes.”
“Excitement and nerves are both high arousal, physical states. So, your heart's beating, you're a little more fidgety, you've got a little more energy, it is a lot easier to go from nervous to excited than it is to go from nervous to calm, especially when you only have moments before you compete.”
“Injuries, just like mental blocks, are part of the deal. For a lot of athletes, it's just a setback. And so, the worst thing you can do is compare yourself to where you should be or could be or where your friend is or where you would like to be because all that does is create self-pity.”
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:
Connect with Rebecca:
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:
30. For the love of sport with speedskating legend Bonnie Blair
Everyone is in for an extra special treat as speedskating legend, Bonnie Blair, joins Laura for this week’s episode. The first American woman to win five Olympic gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games, Bonnie dominated the sprint events of long track speedskating across three Games. At the time of her induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, she was the most decorated female U.S. Winter Olympian of all time, and was also one of the most decorated female U.S. Olympians in individual events. Today, she shares the stories of her life, career, and achievements in the most open, honest and down to earth way, clearly demonstrating that she is as much a champion off the ice as she is on it.
In sharing the story of her life and career from her earliest memories, Bonnie touches upon her many Olympic experiences, as well as her schooling, training, and her stint in track cycle racing. She also details the impact her dad had upon her and her career, the ways in which she handles pressure, her post Olympic competitions, and what life has been like for her and her family during COVID. She finishes up by discussing the dynamic she shares with Laura of being an Olympian parent whose children are pursuing sports, and offering valuable advice for all to take to heart. Entertaining, warm, and thoroughly engaging, Bonnie Blair is a superstar professionally and personally, a shining example of one who has discovered the winning formula in both sport and life.
Episode Highlights:
· Bonnie’s journey through skating from the very beginning
· Her ‘school through the mail’ experience
· Bonnie’s first Olympic experience
· Increasing her training diligence and consistency
· Bonnie’s second Olympics and how they differed from her first
· Her track cycle racing experience
· Bonnie’s third Olympics and the years leading to them
· Her dad and the impact he had upon her career
· How Bonnie handles pressure
· Her fourth Olympic Games, her preparation for them, and Dan Jansen’s win
· Bonnie’s post-Olympics competitions
· Life for Bonnie and her family during COVID
· The dynamic of an Olympian parent with their kids who are pursuing sports
Quotes:
“I was racing at the age of 4.”
“She just won the race and she’s thanking me!”
“It really kind of became a lot about personal best for me, and challenging that clock.”
“It’s funny to see these people we look up to, like fanboying or fangirling other people, too – it’s awesome.”
“We didn’t have somebody with US Speedskating who was a media person who handled any of this.”
“I know what I need to do.”
“Doing that thing for the very first time is a very powerful moment.”
“When they actually announced that the other girl won, I was so relieved.”
“I like that you’ve won so many that you don’t know!”
“Everybody gets there a different way, and everybody has their own path, and what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another.”
“Hone in on your strengths.”
“All these different coaches really gave me something at a time when I needed it.”
“The only person I can control is me.”
“He’s my younger brother that I never had.”
“To this day, hearing the national anthem has a whole different meaning to me.”
“It ended on a perfect note.”
“I did it because I loved it, the challenge of the clock, wanting to be the best that I could be, chasing those personal bests, and to me, you know, that’s kind of what it was all about.”
“It’s fun being a mom of kids that love their sports and are following their own journey.”
“What I did was stupid crazy…to try to think that you have to live up to something like that…that’s not right.”
“It’s really all about the love of doing something, and then giving it everything you’ve got.”
Links:
Mental Training: https://www.laurawilkinson.com/learn
Laura’s Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lala_the_diver
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLauraWilkinson
Connect with Bonnie:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonnieblairc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bonnieblair