Lesley Paterson, 3x XTERRA Triathlon World Champion and 2x World Triathlon Cross Champion, discusses her perseverance in pursuing her dream of making a movie, which eventually won four Oscars. They also explore mindset and challenges in sports and filmmaking, the importance of selecting impactful projects, finding balance and avoiding burnout, and the complexities of the Oscars campaign.
Read more
AI Summary
Highlights
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Setting audacious goals and pushing beyond limits can lead to greatness in both sports and creative pursuits.
Athletes and artists can coexist and benefit from each other, as discipline, structure, and creativity are essential in both pursuits.
Persistence, self-reflection, and embracing suffering are vital in achieving success in athletics and the arts.
The collaborative nature of filmmaking requires navigating challenges and compromises, but staying focused on telling meaningful stories is crucial.
The complexities of awards campaigns and personal experiences at prestigious events like the Oscars can provide valuable lessons about visibility, recognition, and the shared dedication of athletes and creatives.
Deep dives
The Power of Discipline and Creativity
Leslie Patterson, a professional triathlete and Oscar-nominated screenwriter, discusses how her background in sports has enhanced her creativity. She emphasizes the importance of structure and discipline in both sports and creative pursuits, explaining how setting audacious goals and pushing beyond limits can lead to greatness. Leslie shares her belief that athletes can also be artists and that being creative is crucial for pushing one's mind and body in sports. She highlights the significance of mindset and persistence in achieving success and discusses how her love for suffering and seeking pain has influenced her journey.
The Balance Between Athleticism and Creativity
Leslie reflects on the misconception that athletes and artists exist in separate worlds and must choose one or the other. She shares how her passion for both sports and the arts has shaped her life and career. Leslie discusses the intersection between discipline, structure, and creativity, explaining how these elements are essential in both pursuits. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, pushing boundaries, and finding positivity in any situation. Leslie also highlights the benefits of being open to new experiences and embracing the joy of learning and growing in different areas.
The Parallel Journey of Endurance and Filmmaking
Leslie traces her journey from being an athlete to becoming a screenwriter and producer. She discusses the process of writing a screenplay and collaborating with other creative minds to bring stories to life. Leslie emphasizes the significance of layering meaning and intentionality in film, drawing parallels to the complexity of training and excelling in endurance sports. She shares her love for the process of creation and the joy of solving creative problems, while also recognizing the challenges of navigating the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Perseverance and the Pursuit of Meaning
Leslie reflects on the determination and patience required to bring a film project to fruition. She shares her experience of facing obstacles and setbacks throughout her professional journey, especially in securing and maintaining the rights to a film she passionately believed in. Leslie emphasizes the importance of facing fears, embracing suffering, and finding joy in the pursuit of meaningful projects. She discusses the role of self-reflectivity, passion, and the search for meaning in both athletics and the arts.
Overcoming Adversity and Pursuing Passion
The podcast episode explores Leslie's journey in endurance sports and her rediscovery of passion through triathlons. After facing setbacks and health challenges, Leslie perseveres and finds success in the sport, ultimately winning multiple world titles in off-road triathlons.
The Journey of Optioning a Book for Film Adaptation
Leslie recounts the 16-year journey of optioning the book 'All Quiet on the Western Front' and the challenges they faced in getting the film made. Despite setbacks, she and her team are driven by their passion for storytelling and their belief in the unique angle of the script. Finally, they connect with director Edward Berger and producer Malte Grunair, leading to the production of the award-winning film.
Challenges and Triumphs in the Production Process
Although Leslie and her team faced challenges throughout the production process, including their inability to be on set and the complicated dynamics with other people involved, they stayed focused on their why – telling a meaningful story. The collaboration with Edward Berger and the attention to detail in the film, including the remarkable performance of lead actor Felix Vosmer, contributed to the film's success and impacts on audiences.
Unrecognized Contributions and Lessons Learned
While Leslie and her team made significant contributions to the project, they were not credited as producers due to the complexities and compromises involved in the production process. Despite this, they remain grateful for the opportunity to tell stories and have learned valuable lessons about the importance of collaboration, empathy, and mentorship in the film industry.
Navigating the Complexities of Awards Campaigns
The podcast episode explores the complexities of awards campaigns, particularly in the context of the Oscars. It discusses the political and financial aspects of running an awards campaign, highlighting the role of money, social engagement, and studio support. The episode also touches on the challenges faced by individuals and films that are marginalized or overlooked in the campaign process and how personal PR efforts can impact visibility and recognition.
Experiencing the Oscars and Dealing with Disappointment
The episode provides a glimpse into the personal experience of attending the Oscars and dealing with the emotions of competition and disappointment. It delves into the highs and lows of the event, including the nerves, exhaustion, and internal devastation of not winning. The episode also explores the surreal moments and interactions with other industry professionals, highlighting the shared passions and dedication between elite athletes and creatives.
With over 400 triathlons to her name, today's guest Lesley Paterson is a 3x XTERRA Triathlon World Champion and 2x World Triathlon Cross Champion.
But if you asked about her greatest test of endurance, it wouldn’t be a race. It would be chasing an Oscar.
For 16 years during her professional triathlon career, Lesley fought to secure and maintain the film rights to All Quiet on the Western Front out of her own pocket from race winnings. She wrote and rewrote the script, and despite the odds stacked heavily against her, never gave up on her dream of getting the movie made.
After many years of starts and stops the film was finally released and took home four Oscars and seven BAFTAs—including one for best-adapted screenplay (this was Lesley’s first screenplay might I add). All of which is a testament to her patience, discipline, and hard work.
Lesley’s relentless persistence is the focus of today’s conversation, along with the importance of self-belief, playing the long game, and the ‘never quit’ drive required to crush audacious goals.
Delightful, engaging, and strong, I adore Lesley. There’s a lot to learn from this fiery Scottish lassie.
Note: If you like this exchange, be sure to check out her book The Brave Athlete, which is packed with actionable practices to build an endurance mindset.
