S1E83 - Growing into a Leader with Swimming Olympic Medalist Elizabeth Beisel

Pursuit of Gold with Laura Wilkinson

In today’s episode, Laura engages in a captivating conversation with none other than Elizabeth Beisel, the 3-time Olympian and 2-time medalist, who was voted by her teammates to be the 2016 Captain of the US Olympic Team. Elizabeth’s journey, marked by her Olympic debut at the age of 15 and extensive subsequent success, unfolds as a tapestry of determination, resilience, and triumph over adversity. The episode offers a deep dive into Beisel's formative experiences, her trajectory towards becoming a swimming champion, and the transformative shifts in mindset that propelled her to her remarkable achievements. Throughout the discussion, themes of tenacious determination, the significance of self-belief, and the profound influence of mentorship are interwoven, presenting an inspiring illustration of the pursuit of excellence in both athletic and broader life contexts.

Elizabeth’s voyage within the realm of swimming serves as a testament to the confluence of ambition and unwavering dedication. Accomplishing feats both in and out of the pool, Beisel adeptly balanced her academic pursuits, emerging with a distinguished 3.9 GPA and clinching the esteemed 2011 NCAA Division One Scholar Athlete All American of the Year award before moving on to her storied Olympic career. Ultimately transcending the competitive sphere, Beisel found a new vocation as a talented and insightful media contributor, commentator and author, adding depth to audiences' engagement with the sport. Noteworthy among her endeavors is her charitable initiative, Block Cancer, wherein Beisel embarked on a remarkable nonstop swim that raised an impressive $600,000 for cancer research and clinical trials. A luminary both within the world of sport and beyond, Elizabeth’s tale, as shared here today, is as fascinating as it is inspiring - definitely one you do not want to miss.

Episode Highlights:

• Elizabeth's inspirational journey
• Her self-confidence and mindset shifts
• Mentorship and achievement
• Authenticity and connection
• Triumph over challenges
• Transition and charity
• Olympics: reality vs. perception
• Michael Phelps' Legacy and Motivation

Quotes:

• "I remember distinctly watching the 2000 Sydney Olympics on TV. I was seven years old, and it was the first time I'd ever seen my sport swimming on television. It was the first time that I also grasped the enormity and weight of the Olympic Games."
• "If there's one thing that I would love for any athlete or whoever it is to take away from this podcast, is like, you can do all of the reps in whatever it is that you do, but if you are not actively practicing how to be confident and believing in yourself, it's never going to click."
• "It's cool to trace a lot of things back to one pivotal conversation. Like one person made that difference."
• "I had this rosy colored view of the Olympics because all I had exposure to was what I saw on TV and all of the teams that I had been on leading up to the Olympics."
• "I think my brain was like, well, I didn't win. I don't have a gold medal yet, so I do want to keep going."
• "Self-reflection and a desire for personal growth guide decisions about the future."
• "My best type of leadership is just serving others."
• "Your life is a constant roller coaster."

Links:

• The Pursuit of Gold Website
• Learn more about the Take Action Workshop

Laura’s Social Media:

• Laura’s Instagram
• Laura’s Facebook

Connect with Elizabeth:

• Elizabeth's Website
• Silver Lining