Jan 25 2024 58 mins
Welcome to the latest exciting episode of the Pursuit of Gold podcast, where Laura is joined by the remarkable Katrina Young, a two-time Olympian and five-time world medalist in diving for an inspiring journey through Katrina's life and career. Starting with her outstanding achievements in both gymnastics and diving during her formative years, Katrina's story reflects her steadfast ambition throughout as, despite the fact that her college dreams in sports didn't come to fruition, she persevered, ultimately propelling herself towards Olympic greatness. As she now prepares for the 2024 World Aquatic Championships in Doha and aims for her third Olympic appearance in Paris, Katrina's path is filled with highs, lows, and a focus on authentic competition.
Laura and Katrina embark upon this remarkable voyage of ambition, self-discovery, and the relentless pursuit of Olympic gold by delving into Katrina's gymnastics-to-diving transition, her familial inspiration from her Olympian grandmother, her transformative mindset shift, and her candid discussion on handling performance anxiety. This inspiring conversation provides invaluable insights into the trials of Olympic competition, the post-Olympic challenges athletes face, the pursuit of a music career alongside diving, life-altering decisions, and the significance of trust and authenticity in the competitive arena. Katrina Young's captivating journey, balancing both diving and music careers, reminds us that the pursuit of passion and authenticity is the true path to greatness. Don't miss out on this engaging episode, as it resonates with ambition, offers inspiration, and underscores the relentless pursuit of one's dreams.
Episode Highlights:
- Katrina's dual background in gymnastics and diving
- The profound influence of her grandmother, an Olympian in track and field, on Katrina's ambition and determination
- The challenges Katrina faced during her college years and the pivotal shift in her mindset
- The significant transition to coach John Proctor and the crucial moments leading up to the 2016 Olympics
- The importance of authenticity and staying true to oneself in the competitive world
- Dealing with the pressures of nerves and performance anxiety as a competitive athlete
- Katrina's ongoing journey of self-discovery and personal growth in pursuit of Olympic success
- Exploring post-Olympic challenges, including the phenomenon of "post-Olympic blues," and how music played a healing role
Quote:
"When you're going after your dreams, you don't feel like you have a choice."
"No matter what great things our coach says or our friends say, it's our voice in our head 24/7."
"It felt a little bit scary to have that much time to think about the possibilities."
"I felt like I had to change who I was to become an Olympian, and that's not the truth."
"For me, it's more of a performance than anything."
"It's a very ironic mix of emotions for me. Every time going into it, I'm like, “I'm going to throw up.””
"Fear is totally normal. It's a totally human thing. But that is also the only time that you can be courageous."
Links:
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Connect with Katrina: