Pursuit of Gold with Laura Wilkinson

Laura is very excited to welcome four-time Israeli National Champion in skeleton, AJ Edelman, to the podcast today. AJ is an American-Israeli who, by competing for Israel at the 2018 Winter Olympics, became the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Olympics, and the first Orthodox Jewish male to compete in either Olympic iteration. He has since retired from skeleton, intends to compete in the coming seasons and qualify Israel for the 2022 Olympics in 4-man bobsled, and is currently head of development and programming for the Israel Bobsled and Skeleton team. As impressive as these accomplishments are, they constitute just one part of his truly inspirational story, as you will hear today.

AJ begins the conversation by relating his experiences with, and advice regarding, both bullying and mental health. He then goes on to describe the remarkable impact that fellow athlete Steve Holcomb had upon him, the ‘I’ll show you’ attitude which propels his performance, the steps he took to improve his skill in skeleton so quickly, and, above all, the importance of having a goal greater than yourself. AJ’s faith, his duty to represent his community, the special tradition which he started, and his experience of training in Jamaica are all discussed as well. The conversation draws to a close with their exploration of being the best version of yourself, AJ’s Olympic experience in 2018, and what he is up to these days. Intelligent, articulate, passionate, and committed are just a few of the words which come to mind as you listen to AJ speak about all he has been through and accomplished to this point in his life. He is a visionary who puts his heart and soul into each and every goal he sets, and you will undoubtedly be equal parts amazed, impressed, and inspired as you listen to him here today.

Episode Highlights:

Quotes:

“The only reason why I try to do any of the things that I try to do is borne out of using those experiences, in particular the negative feelings that sometimes come about from depression, as fuel.”

“It’s always been about rise above and be the best that you can be, but initially motivated by some very negative experiences.”

“Even though people hurt you, oftentimes, they themselves are hurting, but that’s also not an excuse to take it.”

“Realize that you are on a higher plane than your bully.”

“We have to fight bullying by addressing the root causes.”

“Mental health is very similar to most other health issues, in that it presents differently for people, but we have to acknowledge that it not only exists, and that it exists within ourselves, but that there are many methods that we can take to treat it, but we have to treat it.”

“I don’t believe that decisions are ever wrong if they’re made with the right intent.”

“The plan was to find a sport in which I could actually become truly excellent and elite, to show that Jews can become elite in a sport, even later on in life.”

“People may not register on your scale, but you can impart an enormous amount of influence and help on other people’s lives.”

“I was fighting in my mind for the future of my program.”

“I will not be part of the end product, but I will be, I can be, a significant stepping-stone to creating something really good.”

Links:

This week marks one year out from the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, and Laura is deeply honored to welcome Gold Medal Paralympian, Brad Snyder, to the podcast today. A highly experienced competitive swimmer, Brad graduated from the US Naval Academy and was deployed to Iraq and later to Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer. After six months in Afghanistan, Brad sustained complete vision loss as a result of the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED). What’s incredible about Brad is not what happened to him that fateful day, but as you will hear, how he responded to it.

Brad begins by detailing his start in swimming, the impact that becoming the swim team captain in college had upon him, and how he found himself in the role of an EOD Officer.

Episode Highlights:

Quotes:

“We’ve been water people my whole life.”

“It was so humbling to go to the pool for the first time and watch what competitive swimming was all about.”

“My bailiwick is leadership.”

“In the modern era, what we do predominantly is the mitigation of explosive hazards in support of military operations worldwide.”

“They were able to save my face, but they weren’t able to save my eyes, unfortunately…the good news is I walked away with my life.”

“I’m never going to be who I was, and that shouldn’t prevent me from being who I am.”

“So much of our frustration in our daily lives comes from a mismatch of expectation.”

“It felt nice to go back to doing something I was good at.”

“Statistically, I actually think my blind times may be as or faster than my able-bodied times.”

“I felt like I belonged…I felt fulfilled.”

“You have to be vulnerable. You have to learn how to make a mistake, but then vow not to do it again, and to learn something from it.”

“I love how you just keep challenging yourself.”

“We’re on the road to Tokyo full force.”

Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradsnyderusa/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradSnyderUSA

Brad’s book:

Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle is the Way:

Today’s episode is the second part of Laura’s interview with Kaillie Humphries, two-time Olympic Women’s Bobsled Champion, first female bobsledder to defend her Olympic title, and the most successful Canadian bobsledder in history. In part one, Kaillie shared the exciting story of her epic gold medal win on her home soil, and this week the conversation picks up right at that historic point in her life.

Kaillie shares the stress, pressure, and expectations on her following her gold medal win and the preparation for her next Olympics. She talks about becoming a leader, her 2014 Olympic performance, what kept her wanting to continue to compete afterward, and her efforts to ensure equality and equity in her sport. Kaillie also goes into great detail about the verbal and mental abuse she suffered at the hands of the Canadian coaching staff and Federation in the lead up to her 2018 Olympics, the steps she took to address it, and precisely why athletes are so hesitant to speak up about such abuses. The conversation draws to a close with her story of joining the USA Team, the grace and humility that both she and the team demonstrated during this transition, and her plans for the future. Kaillie’s story is one which ranges from the sheer joy of victory to the pain and personal agony of being bullied and excluded by those who should have been supporting and protecting her. There is so very much for everyone to learn from the perseverance, consistency, and courage she has shown throughout her life – listen in to today’s episode (and part one if you missed it) to be inspired by all that she has to share.

Episode Highlights:

Quotes:

“If we don’t win, at least I’m happy with how I competed.”

“I wanted to push and see how far I could go.”

“I was constantly being told that I was wrong, that I was incorrect, that I was letting my country down, that I wasn’t, you know, living up to expectations, that my teammates didn’t like me.”

“These are people who are supposed to be looking out for you, and they don’t have my best interests at heart.”

“They were challenges that I faced to the best of my ability and I handled them with as much grace as I possibly could.”

“I am best friends with one of my biggest competitors – there is no need for people to look down on another based on hair, color, race, gender, it doesn’t matter what it is.”

“There was a lot of what I consider verbal and mental abuse that had occurred.”

“I needed to speak my truth, and I needed to hold people accountable, and I needed to make sure that moving forward I was in a safe place.”

“Be who you are and respect other people for the fact that they’re who they are.”

Links:

The Pursuit of Gold homepage: http://thepursuitofgold.com/

Laura’s Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lala_the_diver/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLauraWilkinson

Kaillie’s Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kailliehumphries/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BobsledKaillie

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/bobsledkaillie/

Chip Baker is a fourth generation educator who has been a teacher/coach for 20 years, is the creator of ‘Chip Baker – The Success Chronicles’ and the ‘Chip Baker Character Development Program’, and is a best selling author. His motto is ‘Live. Learn. Serve. Inspire. Go get it.’, and he brings this motivating statement to life in his conversation with Laura today.

Beginning with a look at his own background and the powerful model his family provided for him in terms of service to others, Chip then relates his experiences as he entered the coaching field and the level of mentorship which these positions offered him. He shares the changes he has witnessed as a teacher/coach over the years, explores the qualities that make up a good coach, and reviews his transition from coaching to producing ‘The Success Chronicles’. With great passion and humor he shares some of his formulas for helping people achieve success, his own definition of success, what it takes to become an effective leader, and how to handle times of doubt. Chip’s remarkable warmth, wisdom, and humility shine through in this informative, entertaining and inspiring conversation.

Episode Highlights:

Quotes:

“I have stories upon stories upon the…positive difference that my family members made in the lives of others.”

“If you are open-minded and you work hard and you treat people right…I believe that great things will happen for you.”

“Input equals output.”

“In any situation that we’re placed in, every choice we make either, you know, pushes us forward, or holds us back.”

“I love that it all started with you wanting to give back, wanting to give service.”

“Formulas are the way to help us get through things.”

“Show up…have a great attitude…give your all.”

“It’s not about me.”

Links:

The Pursuit of Gold homepage: http://thepursuitofgold.com/

Laura’s Social Media:

Connect with Chip:

Laura’s guest on the podcast today is two-time Olympic Women’s Bobsled Champion, Kaillie Humphries. In addition to her two gold medals from the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, Kaillie has won Olympic Bronze in 2018, is the first female bobsledder to defend her Olympic title, and was named the flagbearer for the 2014 closing ceremonies. In 2019, Kaillie left the Canadian team and now represents the United States in competitions.

After a brief discussion about the adorable similarities in their dogs, Kaillie and Laura go on to delve into Kaillie’s history with sports and the road that led her to bobsledding. Kaillie offers a vivid account of what it’s like to compete in a bobsled, shares the training process for the sport and emphasizes the critical importance of intense focus within it. With great candor, Kaillie then describes her career in bobsledding, especially her Olympic experiences, the disappointments along the way, and the lessons she learned from them. The two continue by exploring the value of overcoming negative advice, focusing on being your best rather than winning, and then finish up with the inspirational tale of Kaillie’s Olympic Gold performance in her home country. Kaillie Humphries’ story is a testament to the power of perseverance, surrounding yourself with people who love you, and believing in yourself. Today’s conversation is one that, while it focuses on the sports world, provides valuable examples and lessons for virtually every aspect of life.

Episode Highlights:

Kaillie and Laura’s dogs

Quotes:

“For me, sports was always an outlet, it was where I felt the most comfortable, where I felt the safest…I got to push myself, challenge myself.”

“Coming last on a consistent basis, it wears you down.”

“It’s a second hand sport, as they call it.”

“I feel like if you’ve been in a fighter jet or like a Formula 1 race car, you’re going to have an idea.”

“Unfortunately, there’s fatalities that can occur, so you need to be 100% focused every single time you step on the ice and you go to push.”

“I wasn’t doing it to impress anybody, I was doing it because it fulfilled me.”

“Surround yourself with people who do care about you, more than what you’re doing.”

“The goal wasn’t on winning, it was about doing my best each and every step that it was going to take in order to ultimately have a great result.”

Links:

The Pursuit of Gold homepage: http://thepursuitofgold.com/

Laura’s Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lala_the_diver/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLauraWilkinson

Kaillie’s Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kailliehumphries/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BobsledKaillie

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/bobsledkaillie/

Given that today marks what should have been the fifth day of competition at the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, Laura welcomes to the podcast the broadcaster who has covered a total of eleven Summer and Winter Olympics, Ted Robinson. In addition to his extensive experience with the Olympics, Ted has, among other roles, been the radio voice for the San Francisco 49ers, and covered tennis from the U.S. Open to Wimbledon for three decades. Today’s conversation is a fascinating and entertaining one which honors the Games that everyone had hoped for this summer, and now excitedly look forward to next summer.

Ted shares both how he started in broadcasting and his vast experience in the field. He discusses the athlete who has had the greatest impact upon him, looks at the mindset of a defending Olympic champion, and relates some memories of his most unexpected Olympic moments. He also offers his perspective on the most common trait found in the most successful athletes, details the reasons why he continues to call sports, relates some of the crazier Olympic moments he has encountered, and explores just what makes good sports drama. You can hear the passion in his voice as he shares his remarkable experience and insight with Laura, and you will undoubtedly come away with the same high degree of respect for Ted Robinson that he and Laura so clearly have for each other.

Episode Highlights:

Ted’s broadcasting career and how it started

Quotes:

“I was completely channeled from age 17 on to do what I am still doing into my early 60’s now.”

“There are Olympic sports, and there are sports in the Olympics.”

“Suddenly, you understand the formula, you lose your fear…you’ll handle it…it helps your employment greatly.”

“I’m going to work the Olympic games until I’m disinvited.”

“In that moment you realize that all these things you have done are not just for you, it’s, like, for your country.”

“The ability to be ready for the moment.”

“As soon as…the competition starts, I love it, I love it, and that’s what keeps you going.”

“Crazy things happen in the Olympics – good and bad.”

“We were lectured very sternly by NBC going to Athens that we were really not supposed to wear things that identified us as Americans. I purchased Canadian t-shirts.”

“When you understand that the lights are at their brightest and you still see an athlete perform – that’s the moment…that’s what you come back for.”

Links:

The Pursuit of Gold homepage: http://thepursuitofgold.com/

Laura’s Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/lala_the_diver/

https://www.facebook.com/TheLauraWilkinson

Ted Robinson:

https://twitter.com/tedjrobinson

https://www.instagram.com/tedjrob49/

Laura’s guest this week is the Sports Dietitian and Physiologist for the United States Olympic Committee, Susie Parker-Simmons. With her experience in both Australia and the United States, and her involvement at 7 Olympic Summer, Winter, and Paralympic Games, Susie is a wealth of knowledge and experience in employing nutrition to extend athletic careers.

Susie begins today’s discussion by reviewing her journey to her current role and her work during the pandemic, and offering an extensive analysis of how to use nutrition to extend athletic careers. She explores the impact of nutrition on the physical, cognitive and emotional development of athletes, offers some tips for young athletes, and shares her perspective on nutritional supplementation. Susie also looks at the evolution of the nutritional content of food over the years, dietary practices for recovering from injuries, breakthroughs in sports nutrition, and preparing athletes for easing into retirement. She finishes by providing her recommendations regarding the use of apps by athletes. As you listen today, you will be struck not only by Susie’s expertise in this field, but her sincere desire to make the life of athletes better both within and outside of their sport – she is truly as informative as she is inspirational.

Episode Highlights:

Susie’s journey to her current role

Quotes:

“During the peak growth phase…you need to modify the load through the body because that’s the at-risk time for injury.”

“If you listen to your body, your body will tell you…what it needs.”

“It’s important not to neglect the emotional and the cognitive sort of development that happens with these kids as well because they may stop the sport.”

“It’s important to look at who you are, what your dreams are…what you need to do to fulfill your dreams.”

“I want to prevent the loss of athletes from sport, and also the loss of the love and the passion for their sport.”

“We’ve just got to make sure we look after their life outside of the sport as well as their life in sport.”

“Go back to the basics.”

“I try to take the emotion out of food.”

Links:

Susie’s work with Olympic athletes: https://www.teamusa.org/News/2018/February/17/Nutritionists-Behind-The-Scenes-Give-Team-USA-Athletes-The-Right-Fuel-For-Success

Prepare yourself for the unique and unusual story of today’s guest, Lauren Gibbs, Silver Medalist and World Champion Bobsledder, not to mention Laura’s newest BFF. Throughout their lively conversation, you will laugh, you will learn, and most of all, you will be inspired to start dreaming big, no matter how old you are.

Lauren starts things off by describing her unique journey to becoming an Olympian, what it is like to actually live at an Olympic Training Centre, and emphasizing the importance she places upon having and following an effective recovery regime. She also shares what she has learned from this journey, about dealing with self-doubt, and exactly how the Olympic Bobsled Team is selected. Her emotional tale of her first Olympic experience, her preparation for a potential second Olympics appearance, and her strategy for getting through the ‘tough times’ that all elite athletes encounter are explored as well. Finally, she shares with listeners her recent collaboration with airbnb which offers people the opportunity to interact with her online in real time. Lauren is a thoroughly engaging speaker whose honesty, insights, and humor in today’s episode will not only educate and entertain, but also inspire all listeners.

Episode Highlights:

Lauren’s journey to becoming an Olympian

Quotes:

“Lauren Gibbs in high school and college was kind of lazy.”

“At any point in your life you can change who you are and do better.”

“And by the way, bobsledding feels like being kicked off a cliff in a trash can. Have fun!”

“Most of us Olympians don’t make much money, if any at all, like, we’re paying to do our sport oftentimes.”

“Lauren, you worked hard at something, you committed yourself to something, and you did it. Congratulations, here’s your new life.”

“The difference maker was going to be how I handled those tough days.”

“In a time when the world kind of feels like it’s on fire and ending, it’s really nice to have something positive and exciting and interesting to do.”

Lauren’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagibbs84/

Lauren’s bio: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-bobsled-skeleton-federation/athletes/lauren-gibbs

Lauren’s ‘Airbnb Online Experience’: https://www.airbnb.ca/experiences/1661397?locale=en&_set_bev_on_new_domain=1593448886_xxh3CusJGZToEWMP

This week, Laura is extremely excited (and geeking out a little bit) as she welcomes one of her childhood heroes, Kim Zmeskal. to the podcast. Kim is a National Champion, World Champion, Olympic Bronze Medalist, and the first American to win the All-Around World Championship title in gymnastics. Currently, she co-owns Texas Dreams Gymnastics with her husband Chris Burdette in Coppell, Texas, and coaches there as well.

Today, Laura talks to Kim about her illustrious career in gymnastics, including the 1991 World Championships, as well as the times that she retired and then returned to the sport. They also delve into her transition into coaching, what she has learned through it, how her coaching style compares to the coaches she had, and her opinion on the top qualities for being a coach. Kim also offers some valuable advice for recognizing and acting upon abuse. As you listen, you will soon discover that Kim has a great deal of wisdom to share not only about gymnastics, but about life as well, proving that she truly deserves the heroic status which Laura has bestowed upon her.

Episode Highlights:

Kim’s gymnastic career and her reflections upon it

Quotes:

“You’re living through history, and sometimes living through history is not always comfortable.”

“Define before you go into something what is going to make you happy with it.”

“It’s okay to grieve a broken or lost dream, but you can’t stay there.”

“How do I help convince them that they have the tools to do it, is really more what it is.”

“This is both ways, we’re all learning through this.”

“Keep encouraging openness.”

“We are all evolving humans, and I think if we can be there for each other, and own things, that we can do better and be there to inspire people.”

Kim’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimZmeskal

Kim’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimzb/

Texas Dreams homepage: http://texasdreams.com/

Laura welcomes three-time National Player of the Year, four-time All-American, and two-time Olympic medalist in softball, Cat Osterman, to the podcast today. Cat is an incredibly successful, multiple record-holding pitcher who is now an Assistant Coach at Texas State, and is coming out of retirement to play for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics next year now that softball has been reinstated.

In this episode, Cat describes her start in softball, her journey to becoming a star at the University of Texas, and her experiences at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. She also shares her standout collegiate career moment, the difference between pro and college ball, and softball’s fluctuating status with the Olympics. Her coaching career, her return to softball, and how she and her team are handling these unusual times are also explored, and she offers some sage advice for up and coming athletes when dealing with adversity such as this pandemic. Cat Osterman is an elite athlete possessing a vast amount of knowledge, skill, and insight regarding both sport and life in general, and you will be educated, informed, and inspired as you listen in on this conversation today.

Episode Highlights:

Cat’s start in softball and her journey to the University of Texas

Quotes:

“That 2004 group was a special group, how we kind of gelled and worked together.”

“When we’re immersed in this sport and it’s what you love to do…you almost do anything to make sure it happens.”

“Keep your eye on your goal, and remember to do your part towards that goal.”

“With team…you also love bronze, because you’re winning the bronze, whereas a silver, you’re losing the gold.”

“Everything we preach to our kids, we have to remember it applies to ourselves as well.”

“In just being a teammate and communication-wise, I think coaching has helped me be a better player more than playing has helped me be a better coach again.”

“Control what you can control.”

Cat’s homepage: https://www.catosterman.com/

Cat’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catosterman/