E108: Molly Thompson-Smith - Qualifying and preparing for The Olympics!
Jul 31, 2024
auto_awesome
Molly Thompson-Smith, an accomplished athlete, shares her journey to successfully qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. She navigates the intense mental pressure and hard work involved in her preparation. Molly talks about life as a member of Team GB, the exhilarating yet daunting atmosphere of the Olympic village, and the unique camaraderie found among athletes. Personal anecdotes reveal the emotional toll of pursuing Olympic dreams, the thrill of Olympic culture, and her thoughts on the evolving competitive climbing landscape.
Molly Thompson-Smith discusses overcoming mental pressure and self-doubt on her journey to qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Reflecting on her Olympic experience, Molly highlights the diversity and camaraderie within the Olympic village, contrasting with traditional climbing communities.
Molly debates the future of climbing disciplines in the Olympics, advocating for changes to enhance viewer engagement and understanding.
Deep dives
Molly's Olympic Journey
Molly Thompson-Smith shares the emotional and surreal experience of qualifying for the Olympics, reflecting on her initial disbelief upon entering the Olympic village. Upon arrival, she felt a mix of excitement and imposter syndrome, overwhelmed by the scale of the event and the diversity of athletes from various sports. Despite the enormity of the competition, she felt a sense of pride and gratitude for the journey that led her here, particularly during her moments of vulnerability and self-doubt. This achievement marked not just a personal goal, but also a significant milestone in her climbing career.
Life in the Olympic Village
Describing the Olympic village, Molly highlights its massive scale, the bustling atmosphere, and the various facilities available for athletes, such as dining halls and accommodations. The experience of mingling with diverse athletes across multiple sports offered her a unique perspective, contrasting the limited diversity often seen in climbing. Engaging in activities like pin swapping, which is a way athletes interact and bond, showcased the camaraderie within the village. Molly's time in this vibrant setting reinforced her sense of belonging among elite athletes from around the world.
Mental Fortitude During Challenges
Molly discusses the tremendous mental strain experienced during her Olympic qualifying journey, navigating injuries and the pressure to perform. She reveals how this process pushed her to strengthen her resilience, finding motivation even in moments of self-doubt. With the uncertainty of competition results, her commitment to training derived from her passion and determination to reach her Olympic goal. This mental fortitude became evident not only during her qualifiers but also as she navigated her feelings leading up to the Games.
Comparing Climbing Disciplines
During the conversation, Molly reflects on the significance of different climbing disciplines within the Olympics and whether bouldering should continue to be included. She argues that speed climbing and lead efforts may be more viewer-friendly and easier to understand than bouldering, which can often appear less engaging to audiences. The narrative around competition climbing has shifted significantly since the Tokyo Olympics, with the recent introduction of bouldering raising questions about the future of sport climbing. While acknowledging the challenges this brings, Molly remains hopeful for a potential return to single-discipline events in future Olympics.
Emotional Breakdown and Recovery
Molly recounts a challenging moment at the beginning of the year when she experienced a mental breakdown due to overwhelming pressure, leading her partner to express concern for her well-being. This experience forced her to confront her mental health and question whether she should pursue the Olympic qualifiers. Navigating these emotional hurdles ultimately contributed to Molly's growth as an athlete, empowering her to prioritize self-care while remaining committed to her goal. The support she found in her team and loved ones played a crucial role in her recovery process.
Reflecting on Competition Realities
As Molly approaches the Olympics, she acknowledges the shifting landscape in the competition climbing scene, particularly among younger athletes who are dedicated solely to climbing. The focus on combined events has shaped the experiences of many climbers, where specialization may no longer be an option. Molly emphasizes that even amidst the pressure, her goal remains to enjoy the experience and embrace the journey. The realization that she has achieved her dream of Olympic qualification brings a sense of relief and allows her to focus on the event itself.
Molly has been through a hell of a lot since we last spoke! In that time she has successfully gone through the Olympic Qualifying Series and has booked her place at Paris 2024! We catch up about the hard work and mental pressure it took to get her there as well as what life is like for a member of Team GB. Really cool to be able to get a moment in such a hectic schedule to give you a behind the scenes look!
Huge congratulations and good luck to Molly!
If you're enjoying our podcast and would like to help us keep the adverts out of it: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823
