Episode 39
Olympic Level Optimism with Laura Wilkinson
How would you react if the person you thought would guide you to greatness told you you're a waste of space? Imagine how troubled you'd feel when even your coaches don't believe you have what it takes to make it.
If you feel everybody and everything is going against you, remember it takes one person to believe in you, see your talent, take a risk on you, and change your life. And that person better be you.
Laura Wilkinson is an American diver, 3-time Olympian, and Olympic gold medalist. She is the first woman to win the three major diving world titles. After nine years in retirement and four children in tow, she returned to competing in 2017 and placed 2nd at the US Nationals. She is also the host of the Pursuit of Gold Podcast, where she seeks to equip athletes with the most effective tools to help them reach their biggest goals in sports.
Topics Covered:
00:00 Introduction
03:19 Challenging parts of Laura's early life
05:55 Imagine being told you're a waste of space by your coach
07:29 Laura's transition from gymnastics into diving
10:24 Why imposter syndrome affects the most successful people
13:34 Never stop setting goals
15:58 The difference between goals and expectations
18:03 The pressure of being an Olympic champion
20:37 Set big goals but have realistic expectations
23:52 Life lessons you can learn through sports
25:17 The joy and challenges of motherhood
29:17 From diving to running a successful business
34:09 What to expect from Laura moving forward
38:07 Balancing family life with growing a business
40:16 The importance of communication in relationships
42:50 The kind of legacy Laura would like to leave behind
45:15 Parting thoughts
Links and Resources Mentioned
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