Podcast Summary
Story of Leslie Patterson's relentless persistence: Discipline, creativity, and persistence can lead to great achievements in various fields. Believe in yourself, set ambitious goals, and keep promises to oneself to overcome challenges.
The combination of discipline, creativity, and relentless persistence can lead to great achievements in both sports and arts. Leslie Patterson, a 5-time world champion triathlete and Oscar-nominated screenwriter, is a prime example of this. She fought for 16 years to secure and maintain the film rights to "All Quiet on the Western Front," chasing her dream of getting the movie made despite the odds being stacked against her. This story of relentless persistence is a focus of today's conversation. Additionally, the importance of self-belief, setting audacious goals, and keeping promises to oneself were also discussed. Leslie's book, "The Brave Athlete," offers actionable practices to build an endurance mindset. Leslie's unique journey demonstrates that the worlds of elite performance and creativity are not mutually exclusive.
Defying Societal Norms: A Life of Determination: Born with an insatiable drive, the interviewee has defied societal norms and expectations throughout her life, using adversity as fuel to excel, shaped by her parents' support and Scottish cultural values, and remaining unyielding in male-dominated fields.
The interviewee, born with an insatiable drive and determination, has defied societal norms and expectations throughout her life. From her early days playing rugby as the only girl among 250 players, to her current success in Hollywood, she has faced adversity head-on and used it as fuel to excel. Her parents' support and the Scottish cultural value of self-reliance have shaped her into the fierce and unstoppable individual she is today. Despite facing numerous challenges, including being the only girl in a male-dominated sport and breaking into the male-dominated film industry, she has remained unyielding and driven by her internal motivation. Her story is a testament to the power of determination and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Exploring Athletics and Creativity: Embracing both athletic pursuits and creative exploration can lead to unique insights and achievements, challenging the notion of having to choose between the two.
The combination of athletic pursuits and creative exploration, which may seem contradictory, can actually enhance personal growth and success. The speaker's upbringing, characterized by supportive parents who encouraged independence, allowed her to explore both her athletic and creative sides. She learned discipline and self-motivation through sports, which in turn fueled her creativity. Conversely, her creativity helped her find new approaches to athletic challenges when traditional methods didn't work. The speaker's experience challenges the notion that individuals must choose between being an athlete and an artist. Instead, she suggests that the tensions between these seemingly disparate pursuits can lead to unique insights and achievements. Ultimately, the speaker's story highlights the importance of embracing a multifaceted approach to personal development and not being limited by rigid labels or expectations.
Creativity and discipline go hand in hand: Find balance in self-reflection, accountability, and a positive attitude to progress in creativity and discipline
Creativity and discipline are interconnected, and both are essential for personal growth and success in various fields, whether it's art or sports. The speaker emphasizes that there isn't one fixed path to the top, and it's important to find alternative ways to progress, just like a cargo net provides multiple routes up instead of a ladder with only one way. This approach requires self-reflection, accountability, and a positive attitude towards finding progress, even on difficult days. The speaker's upbringing, with influences from both a tough and critical father and a gushing and supportive mother, helped her strike a balance and find positivity in any situation. By applying the rigor and structure of sports to creativity, she enhances her ability to perform and find new ways to progress. Ultimately, this approach allows for personal growth, self-discovery, and the pursuit of excellence in various aspects of life.
Balancing technique and adaptability in triathlon and screenwriting: Focusing on technique and adaptability, as well as collaboration and personal growth, are key to success in both triathlon and screenwriting.
Both triathlon training and screenwriting require a balance of technical mastery and adaptability, as well as an understanding of the importance of collaboration and personal growth. In triathlon, focusing on technique and finding positive elements in challenging situations can lead to progress, while in screenwriting, being open to feedback and learning the rules before breaking them can lead to success. Both require a deep understanding of the craft and the ability to navigate complex environments. Triathlon is an individualistic pursuit, while screenwriting is a collaborative art. By approaching each with a growth mindset and a willingness to learn, one can continuously improve and find joy in the process.
The Zone: Preparation and Emotional Control: Preparation and emotional control increase the chances of entering the zone, but it cannot be forced. Use emotions as fuel through task emotion theory.
Being in the zone, or that meditative moment where mind and body are fully aligned, is a rare and valuable experience that comes from a combination of preparation and emotional control. The speaker, who has experienced this state only a few times, believes that working hard and setting up the right circumstances can increase the chances of entering the zone, but ultimately, it cannot be forced. The speaker also shares how their upbringing led them to view emotions as a weakness, but later learned to use them as fuel through the concept of task emotion theory. Their background in theater and drama studies further reinforces this idea, as every element in a performance, no matter how small, contributes to the end result. While the speaker feels privileged to have had the opportunity to train as an athlete and now as a screenwriter, they acknowledge that both require dedication and hard work. Conflicts between the two worlds may arise, but the speaker prioritizes their training when deadlines collide with their athletic routine.
Embracing Meaningful Experiences: Assess importance of each day, find joy in problem-solving, and recognize that balance isn't for everyone, but meaningful experiences contribute to personal growth and fulfillment.
It's important to prioritize and embrace meaningful experiences, even if it means temporarily setting aside routine commitments. The speaker shares her personal struggle with balancing her passion for training and her newfound success in the film industry. She acknowledges the addiction to training but also recognizes the significance of experiencing unique moments and opportunities. The speaker encourages assessing the importance of each day and finding joy in creative problem-solving. She emphasizes that every project has a bigger purpose and that these experiences contribute to personal growth and fulfillment. It's essential to recognize that balance may not be achievable for everyone and that embracing one's unique extreme approach to life can lead to a rich and meaningful experience.
The Importance of Balance and Avoiding Obsession: Recognize the importance of balance in life, avoid obsession, find sustainable ways to fuel your soul, value partnerships and collaboration, and trust your intuition to find success.
It's essential to recognize the importance of balance in life and avoid the pitfalls of obsession. This was a theme that emerged in the conversation, as the speaker shared her experiences of pushing herself too hard and the negative consequences that came with it. She emphasized the need to find a sustainable way to fuel one's soul while also recognizing the importance of relationships and self-reflection. Another key takeaway was the value of partnerships and collaboration, as exemplified by the speaker's relationship with her husband. They have different skill sets and backgrounds, but they complement each other and have created a successful production company together. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of trusting one's intuition, taking risks, and finding balance in life.
Factors influencing individual decisions: People make decisions based on personal fears, insecurities, new opportunities, setting goals, and focusing on steps to achieve them. Embracing new experiences, even with challenges, can lead to joy and meaning in life.
Individuals make decisions based on a combination of factors, including personal fears, insecurities, and a desire to take on new opportunities. Some people, like the speaker, are driven by a fear of missing out and a desire to constantly try new things, even if it means taking on too much. Others may be more hesitant and prefer to focus on what they know they're good at. The process of refining one's decisions and determining where to go involves checking in with oneself, setting goals, and focusing on the steps that will get you there. Embracing the pursuit of new experiences, even if they come with challenges or a sense of suffering, can lead to meaning and joy in life. Ultimately, the best artistic expression and ideas come from deep thought and intricate layering, requiring a great deal of intentionality and effort.
Finding Inspiration: Prepare and Stay Open: Prepare for creativity by observing life, reading, and watching films. Stay open to inspiration by understanding project parameters and capturing ideas when they come.
Creativity and artistic expression, much like in sports, require preparation and a state of openness to allow inspiration to come to you. This process can be influenced by various sources, such as watching films, reading, or even observing everyday life. The key is to understand the parameters of your project and let ideas evolve naturally. Inspiration can strike at unexpected moments, and it's essential to capture it, whether through writing it down, recording a voice memo, or simply remembering the feeling. Collaboration with other creatives, such as co-writers, directors, and musicians, can elevate the project and add layers of meaning. The journey to bring a project to life involves grit, perseverance, and patience, as well as a willingness to adapt and grow.
Finding joy and passion in different areas of life: It's important to find joy and passion in various aspects of life, not just in one area, to maintain overall well-being and happiness.
It's essential to find joy and passion in the process of what we do, rather than focusing solely on the outcome or achieving a specific level of success. The speaker's experience of transitioning from a career in triathlon to the arts illustrates this idea. After feeling disheartened and unfulfilled in triathlon, she found joy and excitement in the arts, which led her to rediscover her passion. It's crucial to maintain a balance between different aspects of our lives, as letting one take precedence over the other can negatively impact our well-being. The speaker's experience also highlights the challenges some athletes face in adjusting to life after their athletic careers, emphasizing the importance of finding new passions and sources of joy.
The power of passion and determination: Passion and determination can lead to remarkable achievements, even against all odds. Stay true to your interests and pursue them relentlessly.
Passion and determination can lead to remarkable achievements, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. The speaker's journey from giving up on triathlon to discovering Xterra and becoming a three-time world champion is a testament to this. Similarly, the decision to invest time, energy, and resources into adapting "All Quiet on the Western Front" into a film project demonstrates the importance of having a unique intellectual property and the drive to bring it to life. Both stories illustrate the power of staying true to one's interests and pursuing them relentlessly.
Calculated risks lead to opportunities: Identifying relatable themes and leveraging industry trends can lead to successful adaptations of books into movies
Taking calculated risks and investing in your passions, even if it seems financially daunting, can lead to significant opportunities. This was exemplified by the speakers' experience in purchasing an option for a book with a relatively small upfront cost, which later turned into a successful movie project. However, the process of adapting the book into a screenplay was a challenging task that required extensive research and multiple drafts. The relevance and authenticity of the project were crucial factors in convincing potential investors and audiences. Ultimately, their success came from identifying relatable themes, such as betrayal and historical context, and leveraging timely developments in the industry, like the rise of streaming platforms.
A 16-year journey to make a WWI film with numerous challenges: Despite uncertainties and setbacks, staying true to the vision and learning from experiences led to eventual success in the film industry
The film industry is unpredictable, and success often comes after facing numerous challenges and setbacks. During a 16-year journey to make a World War I film, the team encountered numerous obstacles, including the reluctance of German directors to touch the material and the lack of financial clout to attract big names. They even met with Daniel Radcliffe, but his involvement didn't lead to funding. The team learned the business side of filmmaking, encountered unconventional producers, and had memorable encounters with directors. Despite these challenges, they kept their vision alive and continued to strategize. The eventual success of foreign language films like "Parasite" and "1917" validated their belief in the project. Ultimately, the journey was about staying true to their intention and learning valuable lessons along the way.
Overcoming Challenges with Determination and Resilience: An elite triathlete shares her experience of facing a flat tire at the Xterra World Championships and finishing in second place, teaching us the importance of determination and resilience in overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Despite being diagnosed with Lyme disease, she continued to compete and push through the challenges.
Determination and resilience are key to overcoming obstacles and achieving success. The speaker, an elite triathlete, shared her experience of competing in the 2011 Xterra World Championships in Maui, where she faced a flat tire and was 10 minutes down on the leader with only a 6.3-mile run left. Instead of giving up, she fought to finish in second place. This experience changed her perspective and gave her the confidence to continue pursuing her goals despite the challenges. Additionally, she ran the same time as the men's winner and her run split was 10 minutes faster than Lance Armstrong's in the same race. However, her success was short-lived as she was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2013, which tested her determination once again. Despite the doubts and setbacks, she continued to push through and compete. The prize money from her wins also allowed her to extend the option on her movie project.
Staying motivated through challenges and setbacks: Perseverance and determination can help overcome challenges and setbacks, leading to a renewed appreciation for opportunities and a deeper connection to one's passion.
Finding and maintaining motivation in life and sports requires a deep connection to one's essence and passion, as well as strong support from loved ones. However, even with these elements in place, challenges and setbacks can still arise, leading to difficult periods of failure and pain. In the case of the speaker, her journey included achieving great success, followed by a debilitating illness and years of chronic pain. Through perseverance and determination, she was able to eventually overcome her health issues and regain her passion for competition. The experience taught her to appreciate the value of any opportunity to compete and to never take her health for granted.
Navigating Complex Health Issues: Mold Toxicity and Lyme Disease: Understanding the root causes of complex health issues like mold toxicity and Lyme disease can be a long, emotionally and financially draining process. Knowledge and awareness of one's health situation can help individuals cope with symptoms and navigate their recovery journey.
Dealing with health issues, especially those as complex as mold toxicity and Lyme disease, can be a long, frustrating, and expensive process. These conditions often require working with specialized doctors and undergoing extensive testing and treatments. Exposure to mold, which is common in many homes, can have severe and chronic effects, particularly for those with a genetic predisposition. Symptoms can range from physical pain and anxiety to depression and panic attacks. The journey to recovery involves peeling back layers of the issue to address the root causes, which can be both emotionally and financially draining. Despite these challenges, having knowledge and awareness of one's health situation can help individuals cope with their symptoms and navigate the complexities of their recovery process. For instance, Simon, who initially doubted the impact of mold on his health, eventually came to understand its significance when he and his partner discovered black mold in their old house, which contributed to his anxiety. Despite setbacks, such as falling off a bike and breaking a shoulder during a race, individuals can find ways to persevere and continue their journey towards recovery.
Overcoming challenges with determination and a positive mindset: A broken shoulder and swimming with one arm didn't stop this world champion athlete from winning a race. She remained focused on opportunities for growth and brought a movie about her life to fruition despite long challenges.
Determination and a positive mindset can help overcome even the most challenging circumstances. The speaker, a former world champion athlete, shares her experience of participating in a race with a broken shoulder and swimming with only one arm. Despite the difficulties and setbacks, she persevered and managed to make up the time lost during the swim leg on the bike and won the race. The story of her heroic comeback became a recurring theme in her career and inspired the making of a movie about her life. Throughout the long journey of trying to get the movie made, she remained undaunted and focused on the opportunity to tell a unique story, rather than just the destination. The mindset of seeing challenges as opportunities for growth and development proved invaluable in her quest to bring the project to life.
Passion and collaboration led to unexpected success: A strong vision and passion from collaborators can transform a project into a critically acclaimed masterpiece, even with initial complications and unconventional production choices.
Passion and intention played a crucial role in the unexpected success of a German film adaptation of a script they had written. Despite initial complications and being tied up with other projects, the opportunity to collaborate with German producers Edward Berger and Malte Grunier, who shared a strong vision for the project, led them to make the bold decision to produce the film in German. The resulting film, which defied typical Hollywood production norms with an unknown lead actor and a relatively unknown director, turned out to be a critically acclaimed and emotionally resonant masterpiece. Berger's clear passion for the story and its cultural significance to Germany elevated the material above expectations, and the collaboration of various individuals, including European Netflix, resulted in an epic quality production.
The importance of storytelling in filmmaking: Fostering relationships and empathy in filmmaking leads to authentic, impactful stories that resonate with audiences and stand the test of time.
The process of bringing a meaningful and impactful story to life involves meticulous attention to detail and the right collaboration between talented individuals. From casting to production, every step requires dedication and a commitment to authenticity. However, the current landscape of the entertainment industry, with its focus on quick turnaround and financial gains, can often overlook the importance of story and the role of writers in the creative process. This can lead to a lack of transparency, undervaluing of talent, and a dilution of the art form. It's crucial to remember that storytelling is a people business, and fostering relationships and empathy can lead to a more rewarding and fulfilling experience for all involved. Ultimately, the goal should be to create content that resonates with audiences and stands the test of time.
Producers' Fight for Credit in Film Industry: Producers play crucial roles in filmmaking, but credit recognition can be contentious. Learning from a disappointing experience, they emphasized the importance of treating collaborators fairly and focusing on the art of storytelling.
The role of a producer in filmmaking is multifaceted and complex, with credit recognition being a contentious issue. The producers of a film, in this case, fought for a full producing credit but were unable to secure it due to financial and contractual obligations. Although they didn't receive an Oscar for best picture, they were instrumental in getting the movie made and were eventually recognized with an executive producer credit. The experience taught them the importance of taking care of the people they work with and ensuring they are credited for their contributions. Despite the initial disappointment, they remained focused on their passion for storytelling and learned valuable lessons throughout the awards circuit. The end product exceeded their expectations, and they realized that every step of the filmmaking process is essential and collaborative.
Navigating the complex world of filmmaking and awards: Having a strong team and campaign can increase film visibility, the process is like a presidential campaign, self-advocacy is important when being sidelined.
The film industry can be a complex and political world where external validations like Oscar nominations and wins can be both elusive and crucial. The speaker, a filmmaker, shared her experience of making a critically acclaimed film and the unexpected journey towards recognition. She emphasized the importance of having a strong team and campaign to increase visibility, as the process can be compared to a presidential campaign in terms of resources and effort required. However, she also highlighted the disappointment of being sidelined and the importance of advocating for oneself to be heard. Despite the challenges, the film's success, with 14 nominations and 7 wins including for the screenplay, was a surprising and welcome outcome.
A dream come true: The joy of the process and the end result: The success of a project stems from the passion and perseverance put into it, the joy of the process, and the satisfaction of achieving the goal.
The success of a project, be it in sports or film, is not just about the end result but also the process and the passion put into it. The speaker's experience at the BAFTAs, where they received immense support and recognition, was a dream come true after years of hard work and perseverance. The shared DNA between elite athletes and creatives is their obsession with being the best and their joy coming from the process rather than the outcome. The speaker's encounters with famous figures like Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg were surreal moments, but they bonded over their shared love for their craft. The politics and external validation, while important, pale in comparison to the pure joy and satisfaction of being in the moment and achieving their goals.
The Comparison of Creative Expressions and Athletic Competitions: The creative world offers unique and beautiful expressions, each deserving of recognition and appreciation, regardless of awards outcomes.
The creative world, including filmmaking, can be filled with intense passion, competition, and emotion, much like athletics. However, the comparison between creative expressions and athletic competitions is inherently flawed, as there is no objective way to determine which is better. Despite this, the allure of awards shows captivates the imagination of the world. The experience of attending an awards show, such as the Oscars, can be both exhilarating and devastating, filled with long hours of preparation, nervous anticipation, and unexpected outcomes. The emotional toll of not winning can be particularly challenging, especially for those who are new to the experience. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that the creative world is full of unique and beautiful expressions, each deserving of recognition and appreciation, regardless of the outcome of awards shows.
Missing opportunities for growth: Despite setbacks, remember they're opportunities for growth and learning. Persist, focus, and stay positive to achieve goals.
Setbacks and disappointments, such as missing an opportunity to advance one's career, can be devastating. However, it's important to remember that these moments are also opportunities for growth and learning. The speaker shares her experience of feeling devastated after missing an opportunity to advance in her career, but she eventually found solace in the support of others and the realization that she could create her own opportunities. She also emphasizes the importance of persistence, focus, and hard work in achieving one's goals. The speaker's story illustrates that while talent is important, it's the mindset and behaviors that lead to success. These traits, such as grit, perseverance, discipline, and positivity, are deeply ingrained in who we are but are also teachable. The speaker and her writing partner have written a book, "The Brave Athlete," to help others cultivate these characteristics and approach challenges with a more positive and resilient mindset.
The brain can change and grow through challenges: Challenges strengthen the brain, leading to improved coping skills and performance breakthroughs in all areas of life
The brain, like a muscle, can be trained and changed through experience and adversity. The anterior cingulate cortex, a part of the brain that monitors emotional and physical pain, grows denser when faced with challenges, allowing us to cope with harder situations. This concept, often overlooked in the athletic context, can lead to significant performance breakthroughs not just in sports but in all areas of life. To explore this idea further, consider reading our book and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone every day. Get to know yourself, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and create your own personal journey towards growth and resilience. The mind and body are interconnected, and by focusing on mental training, we can unlock new possibilities.
Emphasizing Art and Connection: Leslie discussed the significance of experiencing art, staying connected, her past coaching career, and future plans, showcasing her passion for helping others and personal growth.
The guest, Leslie, emphasized the importance of experiencing art, specifically the film "All Quiet on the Western Front," and staying connected with others through various platforms. She also mentioned her past coaching career and her current need for assistance with her social media presence. Leslie shared her upcoming plans, including helping others with their social media and potentially working on a movie project. Overall, the conversation highlighted Leslie's passion for art, her dedication to helping others, and her ongoing desire to grow and adapt. To learn more about Leslie and connect with her, listeners can visit her IMDB page or braveheartcoach.com.
