104. Scaling New Heights with 2024 Sport Climbing Olympian Natalia Grossman
At just 22 years old, Natalia Grossman’s incredible track record of success includes winning Gold and Silver at the 2021 International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Climbing World Championships, 19 podium finishes at World Cup events and, most recently, qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Today, this rapidly rising superstar sits down with Laura to candidly discuss a number of topics, including her awe-inspiring journey to the pinnacle of her sport, the trials of relocating for climbing, facing online criticism, and the transformative experience of turning pro.
Diving into the complexities of competitive athletics, Laura and Natalia illuminate the mental fortitude required to navigate the highs and lows of elite sports. From the weight of expectations to the quest for balance and mental well-being, they dissect the emotional journey with honesty and vulnerability. The episode unfolds with a raw exploration of the toll of external scrutiny and the healing power of open communication within a strong support network while also offering insights on discipline, resilience, and the profound joy of pursuing one's passion. Sharing her experiences here today, Natalia joins Laura in taking listeners on an inspirational journey of self-discovery that embraces the pursuit of excellence with renewed determination and purpose, serving as a beacon of inspiration for all those seeking to conquer their own challenges and achieve greatness in their endeavors.
Episode Highlights:
Natalia’s remarkable journey
Balancing training, competitions, and schooling
Natalia's shift from gymnastics to climbing
Confronting online criticism
Finding joy in climbing
Natalia's triumphs amid setbacks
Looking ahead to the Olympic Games and beyond
Managing expectations and public scrutiny
Quotes:
"I was just training for fun, and I ended up winning. Then I thought, 'Well, now I have to keep doing them!'"
"I think one of the biggest things that drew me to the sport was how the community was so close and it's a lot smaller of a sport."
"It was just new to me to be going to new countries every month with my team and just getting to compete."
"You never forget your first World Cup win. It was just so cool having everyone there."
"Don't google your name... I think having people around you that have got your back is a big deal."
"Getting it out and talking to people who, you know, love and care about you no matter what, I think that's really important."
"I'm a lot more than just a climber.”
"You can't control what the other person is doing, especially if it's not like a combat sport. You know what I mean? You're not really like controlling the other person necessarily."
"When you go, I guess, pro, and then you have sponsors and you feel like you're supposed to perform to their wants and your income can be based on performance, that can sometimes add another layer of pressure."
"What's done is done. We can't go back and change it, right. So now this is a new opportunity."
"Just listen to your body and if you feel tired, take that rest day. It's okay to take rest days."
"If I'm not having fun, it's not worth it. And if I'm not having fun, I'm not going to perform very well."
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