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:
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:
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:
86. Mastering Visualization: 8 Common Mistakes Athletes Must Avoid
Laura goes solo here today to unravel the intricacies of visualization, an indispensable mental tool that underpins athletic success. With her trademark eloquence and expertise, she dissects the eight common missteps athletes often make when navigating the realm of visualization, emphasizing its paramount role in achieving sports-related aspirations. Laura transcends the conventional wisdom that physical prowess alone suffices, acknowledging the array of challenges athletes face, from injuries to burnout, mental roadblocks, and performance anxiety.
As the episode unfolds, visualization is heralded as a transformative skill that can reshape athletes’ journeys, and with our host’s seasoned guidance and personal anecdotes, listeners gain the tools needed to unlock their full potential, not only in sports but also in life beyond the arena. She reminds us all that excellence doesn't solely hinge on physical exertion but also on cultivating a resilient and strategic mindset. Join Laura here today as she unveils the secrets to successful visualization, affirming that the pursuit of gold demands not only physical dedication but also the bolstering of mental fortitude—a journey well worth embarking upon.
More key components for this journey can be found in 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:
Visualization takes practice
Start small, grow big
Sitting up matters
Eyes closed, mind open
Modeling vs. visualization
Diverse approaches to visualization
Consistency is key
Quotes:
"Just like physical training, mental training like visualization also takes practice and time."
"Start small and you can always grow bigger."
"It's actually much more functional and effective if you are sitting up and thinking through the process."
"When you close your eyes, it helps you see the images in your mind clearer instead of having your eyes open and distracted."
"With consistency, with consistent practice, you will get better at visualization also."
"This is a mindset skill you are growing. Build that consistency and it will become easier for you."
"When you can also take time to just visualize in your head alone without the action, you're actively kind of rewiring your brain in ways you might not be able to yet with the actions attached to it."
"You have to have patience with yourself. It takes practice. Mental training, real quality mental training, takes practice."
Links:
Laura’s Social Media:
69. How to Effectively Implement Visualization with Our Host Laura Wilkinson
On today’s episode, Laura’s talking about one of the things she gets asked about most frequently: visualization. Laura credits this technique as a big part of why she was able to make the Olympic team and win gold when no one else expected her to. Having seen other athletes succeed with this approach, she adopted it as a way to continue training after shattering her foot three months before the Olympic Trials, making an opportunity out of that forced sidelining. Visualization has remained part of Laura’s personal toolset, and she uses that experience in this episode to explain what the technique is and walk us through how to get started visualizing in a way that will actually make a difference.
Visualization is defined as purposely rehearsing a skill, routine, or performance in your mind to program your body physically for success. Practicing it consistently becomes a fortifying competition strategy, rewiring your brain to prepare it to deal with all the different factors that come into play while competing. Laura explains that there are a few different ways to visualize, including first and third-person versions, which contribute different effects and should be used in conjunction with each other. She also points out the importance of engaging all your senses while visualizing to better immerse your brain and make changes more easily. Laura then shares some how-to basics for those wishing to start visualizing, from giving yourself a set amount of time to practice, to making sure you have a quiet place to visualize in, and starting with the approach that comes most naturally to you. And finally, Laura finishes the episode with some tips and tricks for beginners, including practicing frequently and consistently, mixing things up every day, and using video study to enhance your visualization.
Episode Highlights:
Laura’s personal experience with visualization
What visualization is
Types and elements of visualization
How-to visualizing basics
Tips and tricks for getting started with visualization
Quotes:
“When I burst onto the scene winning an unexpected Olympic victory—well, unexpected to everyone else—the story that was being told was centered around me having shattered my foot before the Olympic trials and being unable to physically train. So I visualized, and that not only helped me make the Olympic team, but I consider it a big part of the reason that I was able to stand atop the podium and listen to my national anthem play.”
“The more senses that you engage, the more your mind starts to believe that you’re really doing the activity. You’re actively rewiring your brain on how to fire and react when you’re doing specific movements and techniques. So the more real it is to you, the more real it is to your brain, and the more effective changes you can actually make.”
“People say practice makes perfect, but really, practice makes permanent. So if you’re practicing or thinking about or visualizing the wrong actions, that’s what you are making into concrete in your brain. So you really want to make sure, as you’re visualizing, that you take the time to think about doing all the things, all the tiny, little details, correct because that’s what you are programming in your brain.”
“These visualizations of the competition scenarios, it just allows you to put yourself in so many different situations that maybe you don’t have the actual time to be going out and doing the thirty different competitions against the same people to see how you would stack up in different scenarios. But you can do that in your mind.”
“Make sure that you’re keeping this positive. This is not a place to beat yourself up or to get frustrated. This is a place to learn, to experiment, and to see yourself doing all these awesome and amazing things that you’ve dreamed of doing.”
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:
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:
50. Worth the risk with aerial skiing Olympian Emily Cook
Joining Laura on the podcast this week is 3 time Olympian and 6 time National Champion in Aerial Skiing, Emily Cook. Currently the manager of sport and human potential at Skullcandy, Emily also manages programming for the non-profit, Classroom Champions, coaches young athletes at the Utah Olympic Park through the US Ski Team’s Elite Aerial Development Program, and is an ambassador for Right to Play and Kids Play International. Throughout her career, Emily has routinely demonstrated her ability to overcome obstacles and elevate her game to new levels, and she shares her inspirational story with listeners here today.
In today’s episode, Emily discusses her commitment towards her sport, her experiences at the World Cup and the Olympics, and the multiple emotions she went through while training. She also delves into dealing with injuries, making difficult decisions, and compares being a coach to being an athlete. She brings the conversation to a close by sharing details about the important work she does these days. An inspiring model of perseverance, Emily has so very much to share here today that is sure to motivate all who listen.
Episode Highlights:
-Emily’s realization of her love for aerial skiing
-Dealing with injuries as an athlete
-Her experiences at the Olympics
-Emily’s work at The Speedy Foundation
-How she had trust in her coach
-Emily’s commitments in the sports sphere
-Being a coach vs. being an athlete
-Emily’s work outside the sports sphere
Quotes:
“So, I always determined before a training block, whether it was a three-week training block or something, what my negative thought stoppers would be, and, you know, exactly what mindset I wanted to be in on the hill. I use music a lot as well.’’
“And then, every once in a while, like, as humans, we’re just not reliable, we’re not reliable to our own commitments.”
“But regardless of who’s there watching, you know…you’ve accomplished something that you set out to do so many years earlier, and it’s an incredible feeling.’’
“And so, it was a daily choice, it was a choice of showing up and showing up 100% no matter what, no matter what my mood was, no matter what was going on around me.’’
“In the end of the day, knowing exactly what I wanted to accomplish, and then debriefing exactly what I did accomplish, so that I knew what I needed to change the next day in order to perform even better.’’
Links:
Life at 10 Meters: Lessons from an Olympic Champion
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Emily:
40. Coming back from injuries stronger than before with our host Laura Wilkinson
One topic that Laura has been receiving a lot of messages about lately is that of dealing with injuries. There seems to be some worry, frustration, and uncertainty expressed by more and more athletes when it comes to feeling productive while they’re sidelined for weeks, months, and even longer during their recovery. Definitely no stranger to the world of injuries, Laura draws upon her own experiences, and those of previous podcast guests, to address all of these concerns and share some valuable advice.
Laura begins by recounting some of the injuries she has sustained during her career and how she and her coach responded to them. Throughout these stories, she highlights the importance of being ‘all in’ on your recovery plan, learning from these injuries and carrying those lessons forward, the power of mind, mindset, and perspective, as well as working through the many resulting emotions. Laura also reviews the stories of some past guests of the podcast whose journeys through injury and illness are both inspiring and enlightening, and she concludes the episode with her advice on ways to deal with injuries, how to use the time while on the sidelines, and just how critical it is to really take the time to assess your injury and recovery before choosing wisely on how to move forward. As you will hear, today’s topic is one with which Laura is greatly familiar, and the knowledge and wisdom she shares here is drawn not only from her own experience but from others in the world of high level sports. This is, truly, an important listen for all athletes, and really, for anyone who may suffer perceived setbacks in achieving their goals in life.
Episode Highlights:
· Some of the injuries that Laura has sustained throughout her career and how she and her coach responded to them
· Believing in what you’re doing when coming back from injury
· Learning from injuries and recovery and carrying those lessons forward
· The importance of our mind, mindset, and perspective
· Working through your emotions
· Inspiration to be drawn from past podcast guests
· Laura’s advice on ways to deal with injuries and what you can do while sidelined
· The power of nutrition, video study, visualization, mindfulness, coaching others, and restructuring goals
· Choosing your response to injuries wisely
Quotes:
“Obviously, hindsight, I wish we would have pressed for X-rays anyway, but my coach and I were just hoping that, you know, it wasn’t a big deal.”
“That first week, I still had all those mix of emotions that you get when you feel like your world is caving in on you.”
“We’re not going to look back and say, ‘What if?” and ‘Could I have?’, we are only going to look forward with a new plan.”
“I have to tell you that believing in what you’re doing - as crazy as it might appear to anyone watching - if you believe in what you are doing, you’ve got to be all in.”
“I would not have stood on that podium if I had not broken my foot.”
“They basically took two of the discs out in my neck and fused the bones together.”
“You can come out the other side even stronger.”
“If your goals have changed and you don’t want to be in your sport anymore, you don’t always have to use the injury as an excuse.”
“Sometimes these injuries turn into something more beautiful.”
“These injuries, they can break you if you let them, or they are something that can turn you into an entirely new athlete with a new purpose.”
“I encourage you to even check out the small injuries.”
“Take your physical therapy seriously.”
“Be smart. Know when to go slow. Know when to push forward.”
“There is so much you can do while you’re sidelined.”
“The mind is powerful. You need to learn how to use it.”
“Don’t underestimate the power of coaching. Even if it’s some younger kids that are around you, it can be really, really beneficial.”
“It all truly comes down to how you chose to look at it…choose wisely, friends.”
Links:
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
Laura’s Social Media:
Previous episode links:
Robert Paylor, episode 38
Chanelle Price, episode 37
Allysa Seely, episode 29
Dr. Ben Houltberg, episode 27
Abby and Jacob Cooper, episode 23
Chaunte Lowe, episode 18
Apolo Ohno, episode 16
Amy Dixon, episode 14
Brad Snyder, episode 12
Susie Parker-Simmons, episode 7
38. Paralyzed to Powerful with Rugby Player Robert Paylor
Laura has been looking forward to today’s interview for a while, and the reason will become very clear, very quickly. On May 6, 2017, Robert Paylor was playing for the number one college rugby team in the country as they competed in the National Championship, a dream come true for any young athlete. Mere moments into that game, Robert broke his neck and was subsequently told that he would never walk or move his hands again. His life was changed forever in that instant, but if you think that’s where Robert’s story ends, you couldn’t be more wrong. That fateful day not only impacted his physical life, but his mindset, his faith, and his outlook on life, and he shares the whole story with us all today.
He begins by describing how he got involved in rugby in the first place, his experience at Cal, and then he shares, in chilling detail, the events of that day in May, 2017, as well as the immediate and long-term decisions and treatments involved in his rehabilitation, which continues to this very day. Along the way he touches upon the need for mental toughness, working through the daily grind toward his vision, the role that neuroplasticity plays in his rehabilitation, and the power of forgiveness. Throughout his story are woven Robert’s feelings of gratitude, the incredible support from family, friends, doctors, teammates, and coaches, and, especially, his discovery of the greatest purpose and commitment of his life. What happened to Robert truly changed his life on so many levels, and by listening in to his heartfelt and moving conversation with Laura today you’ll find out why he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Episode Highlights:
· How Robert got involved with rugby
· His experience at Cal
· The day Robert’s life changed forever
· The advice he received and the decision he made in his darkest hour
· Accessing mental toughness to make treatment decisions
· Robert’s post-surgery experience
· Support of family and friends
· Robert’s rehabilitation at Craig Hospital in Colorado
· False hope and false hopelessness
· Working through the grind toward his ironclad vision
· The first flicker of movement
· Accessing perspective to be more grateful
· The three ways to achieve recovery form spinal cord injury
· The role that neuroplasticity plays in his recovery
· Robert’s rehabilitation since he left the hospital
· The support from Robert’s rugby team and especially Coach Billups
· Graduating from Cal
· The power of asking yourself, “Compared to what?”
· The impact that Robert can have on the lives of others
· Talon’s story
· The biggest commitment that Robert has ever made
· The power of forgiveness
· Counting the days and appreciating the daily grind
Quotes:
“It was a day of legacy.”
“My face slams against my chest, I feel this crunch in my neck, and I immediately can’t feel or move anything below my neck.”
“The reality is, you will never walk again. You will never move your hands.”
“The one thing you have control over is your mindset. Your positivity, your ambition, your willingness to wake up every single day and fight is up to you.”
“I was going to give everything I had to get absolutely everything I can get.”
“I knew I couldn’t live with the regret of not going into this surgery.”
“It was like Death was sitting with me in that hospital room, waiting for me to quit.”
“If I don’t do this, I might die!”
“They look at me and they see potential, not some broken body.”
“The one thing we do know is that we are going to give you everything that modern science and medicine has to offer.”
“I came here to walk out of these hospital doors.”
“Appreciate every victory we have no matter how small they are.”
“There was just so much that I had lost that I had taken for granted in my life.”
“I couldn’t have graduated if it weren’t for this team.”
“Just being a quadriplegic is a job in itself.”
“It was my perspective that really fueled me.”
“Remind me not to complain about anything ever again.”
“I think that’s very unhealthy when we dismiss our challenges.”
“There are so many positives in our lives that we can be focusing on right now.”
“If I could go back and change what happened to me on May 6 of 2017, I wouldn’t and I couldn’t, because…it has given me now the greatest purpose that I have in my life.”
“I forgive him whether he is sorry or not.”
“I’m either going to get out of this wheelchair one day or I’m going to die trying.”
Links:
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
Laura’s Social Media:
Connect with Robert: