Podcast Summary
Mental health, self-worth: Simone Biles and Lori Hernandez emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health and self-worth over external expectations and pressures.
Key takeaway from this conversation with Simone Biles and Lori Hernandez is the importance of prioritizing mental health and self-worth over external expectations and pressures. Simone made headlines for putting her well-being first during the Tokyo Olympics, while Lori bravely spoke out about surviving a toxic coach. Both women inspire us to trust ourselves and remember that we are worth more than our accomplishments or what others may expect of us. Their advocacy for mental health awareness and self-confidence is a powerful reminder to value our humanity above all else. As we cheer them on during the Olympics, we can learn from their courage to prioritize our own well-being and worth.
Self-Trust, Mental Health: Learning to trust yourself and prioritize mental health can lead to empowerment and inspiration for others, despite the challenges and societal expectations.
Trusting yourself and valuing your experiences and feelings is a powerful act of self-care and empowerment. Simone Biles shared her story of being gaslighted and silenced for years, but eventually learned to trust her gut and make decisions for herself, no matter how small. This courage was on full display when she prioritized her mental and physical health over the expectations of the world at the Tokyo Olympics. By speaking up and putting herself first, Biles inspired others to do the same and brought attention to the importance of addressing mental health injuries with the same care and respect as physical injuries. It takes time and effort to learn to trust yourself, but the rewards are worth it.
Athlete community: Athlete community and using Airbnb for team trips can save costs and provide a comfortable space for larger groups, while injury and recovery emphasize the importance of time, support, and self-discovery.
Athletes, like Rachel Braithwaite, understand the importance of community and making the most of downtime during their rigorous training schedules. Rachel shares her experience of using Airbnb for team trips, which not only saves costs but also provides a comfortable and convenient space for larger groups. She also discusses her personal journey of injury and recovery, emphasizing the importance of time, support from coaches, and self-discovery. Rachel's story illustrates the resilience and determination of athletes, as well as the value of community and finding joy in the journey, even during challenging times. Listen to Rachel's podcast, From the Heart with Rachel Braithwaite, for more inspiring stories and self-care tips.
Athlete's human side: Acknowledging the human side of athletes, including their struggles with anxiety, depression, and the pressure to perform, is crucial for understanding their experiences and promoting their well-being.
Being a talented athlete comes with both blessings and curses. Simone and Lorrie, two gymnasts, discussed their experiences of feeling burdened by their gifts despite the opportunities and success they've gained. They emphasized the importance of acknowledging the human side of athletes, as they also face challenges like anxiety and depression. The pressure to perform at superhuman levels can create a disconnect between athletes and their fans, but ultimately, they are human beings deserving of choice and happiness. The word "quit" has a negative connotation, but it's essential to remember that choosing to stop doing something is a valid decision for one's well-being.
Support system and personal space: Successful women need a support system and personal space to maintain humanity and happiness amidst intense scrutiny and criticism. Creating a balance between public life and personal happiness is crucial, and adults must prioritize the well-being of children in institutions.
Successful women face intense scrutiny and criticism, and it's essential to have a support system and personal space to maintain humanity and happiness. Simone Biles shared her experiences of dealing with public judgment and the importance of having a loving relationship and personal time with her boyfriend, Jonathan, as a source of comfort and human connection. Laurie Hernandez echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of having a support system and personal moments away from the gymnastics world to remind herself that she's more than just an athlete. Both women highlighted the need for adults to speak up and create safer environments for children in institutions, even if it means risking their own jobs. The conversation underscored the importance of creating a balance between public life and personal happiness for successful women and the need for adults to prioritize the well-being of children.
Gymnastics Abuse: Speaking up against abuse in gymnastics is crucial for creating transparent environments and preventing harm. Suffering is not necessary for strength or success, and treating people with respect and dignity is essential.
The experiences of abuse in gymnastics, while some may argue that they made athletes stronger, are not necessary for growth and success. The speaker emphasizes the importance of speaking up against abuse and creating transparent environments to prevent it. She shares her experience of being a victim of verbal abuse by coaches and how it impacted her negatively, both as an athlete and as a person. She encourages breaking free from the mindset that suffering is necessary for strength and emphasizes the importance of treating people with respect and dignity. The speaker also reflects on her post-gymnastics life, sharing her feelings of being paralyzed by newfound freedom and the importance of finding passions and pursuits outside of the gym.
Rigidity vs Flexibility: It's important to have a schedule and structure, but also allow for flexibility and following one's curiosity to find joy and growth. Don't feel trapped in one path, be open to change and find what brings happiness and fulfillment.
Having a schedule and structure can be beneficial for some, but it's important to also allow for flexibility and following one's curiosity to find joy and growth. Both individuals expressed a desire to pursue new passions and experiences, whether it be helping foster kids or studying acting and animation. They emphasized the importance of not feeling trapped in one path and being open to change. A perfect day for one person might be at the beach, while another might prefer sleeping in and enjoying a podcast and movies. Ultimately, it's about finding what brings happiness and fulfillment, and not being afraid to make a change if needed.
New ways to learn and be entertained: Staying curious and engaged through various means like books, podcasts, and music can bring joy and connection. Discovering new favorites can lead to memorable experiences.
No matter what stage of life you're in, there are always new ways to learn and be entertained. Whether it's through reading books, listening to podcasts, or enjoying music, staying curious and engaged can bring joy and connection. For instance, one retiree shared how she started listening to books on tape to keep fit and discovered a favorite title, "The Art of Not Giving a F\*ck." Another person, a gymnast, mentioned the podcast "Cereal" as a favorite for its intriguing murder mysteries. Music, too, was a common thread, with preferences ranging from Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion to more mellow tunes. And sometimes, unexpected moments, like meeting the creator of a beloved podcast, can lead to memorable experiences. Overall, the importance of staying open to new experiences and continuing to learn was a clear theme in the conversation.