The Jedburgh Podcast #011: The Pursuit Of Gold - Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Wilkinson
“The task ahead of you is never greater than the power behind you.” Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Wilkinson, shares her “#DREAMCHASER” journey to compete in her fourth Olympic Games in 2021. Laura joins host Fran Racioppi to provide her lessons on facing fear, the unknown, the pressure of the moment and the drive to not only win, but also to become better versions of ourselves.
Laura is the first woman in history to win Olympic Gold, World Cup Gold and the World Championships in 10 meter platform diving. Motivated to reach for her dreams after being cut from her high school team, she won the gold medal on a broken foot. Get ready to be inspired by Laura’s story of courage, determination and longevity at the top.
Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website.
Highlights:
-The mentality of an Olympic athlete
-The need for elite performers to focus on the fundamentals
-It is not about being special; it is about doing the basics better than everyone else
-Laura’s high school diving experience and her ‘call to action’ after being cut from the team
-Failure as a needed part of success
-The humility needed to accept failure and the path to improve
-Taking ownership of your performance
-Winning the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics, Laura’s pep talk she gave herself, and how suffering the broken foot was the catalyst to winning the gold
-Dream Chaser mentality and the drive to push towards our dreams
-Her neck surgery and recovery during her return after nine years in retirement
-Laura’s thoughts on fear and moving past it
-Preparing to qualify for Tokyo
-Dealing with the ‘uncontrollables’
-Finding balance in life
-Achieving longevity in sports
-Channeling the pressure of the moment
-Laura’s ‘Pursuit of Gold’ podcast
Quotes:
-"Fate and Determination separate the good from the great"
-“It’s not comfortable. It’s not easy. And it may take time. People don’t want to do that. But that is how you move past fear.”
-“Every time I fail, it gives me the opportunity to learn.”
-“If you are not humble enough to receive corrections, you are never going to accept what you need to do to make a change to become better.”
-“It’s about the pursuit. It’s about the hunt. It is about who you become. If you have these dreams, chase them.”
-“The challenges that we face are what equip us for what’s ahead.”
Laura’s Three Daily Foundations of Success:
-Love your family
-Be active and move your body
-Stay hydrated