92. Paving Your Own Path with 2x Olympic Skier Tricia Mangan
In this week’s captivating episode of The Pursuit of Gold, Laura welcomes the truly remarkable Tricia Mangan, a trailblazing skier who defied conventional norms to ascend to the pinnacle of her sport. As a two time Olympian, the 2023 US. National champion, six time North American Cup title winner, NCAA All American and All Academic Team member, and recent Dartmouth College Mechanical Engineering graduate, Tricia's story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams regardless of challenges encountered. Today’s episode immerses listeners in the multi-faceted world of athletic excellence, exploring the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual tools that empower athletes like Tricia to achieve greatness.
As you will hear, Tricia’s journey to the Olympics was nothing short of extraordinary. Initially an alternate, she received a last-minute call to join the Olympic team and faced the whirlwind of preparations. The episode highlights her emotions and experiences during this roller-coaster ride, from the excitement of Olympic swag shopping to dealing with self-imposed pressure and doubt. As you dive into this episode, you will gain invaluable insights into Tricia's underdog mindset, her meteoric rise to becoming a two-time Olympian and 2023 US National champion, and her tireless dedication to inspiring the next generation of athletes to relentlessly pursue their dreams. Throughout their conversation, Tricia and Laura also shed light on the inspiring connection between Tricia and her brother (and guest on The Pursuit of Gold Episode 84), para rower Andrew Mangan. Tricia’s incredible journey, as shared here today, serves as a shining example of relentless commitment and the drive to succeed, reaffirming that even amidst the most formidable challenges, athletes can evolve, learn, and continue to pave their own path in their pursuit of gold.
Episode Highlights:
Insights into the tight-knit Mangan family
Tricia's passion for skiing and soccer
The underdog mindset driving Tricia's journey to success
Balancing student-athlete life at Dartmouth College while chasing skiing dreams
Tricia's triumphant return to the US Ski Team
Her Olympic journey
Valuable lessons on process-oriented goal setting
Finding victories in every experience
The mental aspects of competition, handling pressure, and embracing challenges
Quotes:
"I knew that my path made me an underdog, but it was that very mindset that fueled my passion for always improving on and off the hill."
"My twin brother and I were six when we started ski racing. I just loved it because all of our friends did it, kind of the cool kids at the club did it."
"Growing up, I always knew that there were so many better girls out there, so I truly just focused on myself."
"I've learned the most about myself, and I still feel it's just a never-ending challenge."
"Everyone has their own lived experiences, and there's nothing wrong with feeling bad about a race. Like, you put a ton of work into that."
"I just feel so thankful and grateful for all the support I've received, and the most special moments are definitely for me being able to give back and share my journey."
Links:
The Confidence Journal- FREE SHIPPING with checkout code: STARTNOW
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Tricia:
91. Think Big, Act Small with 2x Olympic Medalist Skier Shannon Bahrke
Two-time Olympic medalist and three-time Olympian in skiing, Shannon Bahrke, joins Laura for this week’s fascinating episode of The Pursuit of Gold podcast. In addition to her Silver and Bronze Olympic medals, Shannon’s achievements over her astonishing 12-year career include being a member of the U.S. “A’ Team, earning 7 World Cup victories and 6 U.S. National titles, and winning the Overall World Cup title in 2003 , despite enduring multiple major injuries. Since retiring from her sport, she has gone on to create the Team Empower Hour made up of Olympians who empower corporate leaders and teams around the globe through leadership development, team building, keynote speeches, and fitness workout classes.
Today, Shannon shares details of her extraordinary journey, and, together with Laura, explores such themes such as purpose, resilience, and the power of mental training in sports. The episode delves into Shannon's early introduction to aerial skiing, her childhood in Lake Tahoe, and her love for adventure sports. It highlights her transition to mogul skiing and the pivotal role of community and freedom in her skiing passion. Shannon's journey from the University of Utah to competing at the World Cup level sheds light on the challenges she faced, and her accounts of using journaling and visualization in training and competitions underscore the roller coaster of success that defined her Olympic path. Shannon's story, as told here today, serves as a testament to the importance of mental and emotional resilience, seizing opportunities, and embracing unity and patriotism on a global scale. You owe it to yourself to join in on this remarkable journey, as Shannon's inspiring tale exemplifies the indomitable spirit of athletes who choose resilience and triumph, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of sports and beyond.
Episode Highlights:
Shannon's journey and her resilience and determination to overcome setbacks
Her development of mental toughness, a vital quality for elite athletes
The pivotal role of positive self-talk
The power of visualization
Falling in love with mogul skiing
The importance of seizing opportunities even when faced with adversity
Shannon's ability to bounce back from injuries and setbacks
Choosing resilience and turning failures into stepping stones toward success
Quotes:
"It was hard, it was difficult, it had so many challenges, but it had all of these super crazy and wild people just like me, so it seemed like a perfect fit."
"I'm a natural problem solver, and I like when people tell you can't do it."
"That was the moment that I first started to use visualization, closing my eyes and experiencing and seeing what it is that I wanted."
"We can be the best at our sport, but the difference is in your mental and emotional resilience."
"I could be the person that could change the world as a female to do these things."
"When you have a purpose that's greater than yourself, that gives you the ability to do things you wouldn't normally be able to do."
"Our destiny isn't given to us; we have the choice to make it."
"This is the resilience that I need right now to dig deep and be my best self and show the world what I am truly made of."
Links:
The Confidence Journal- FREE SHIPPING with checkout code: STARTNOW
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Shannon: