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August 12, 2024 • 59min
The “Bronze Medal Mindset” (and 4 More Surprising Habits From Olympians)
The Mel Robbins Podcast
In this episode, Mel Robbins breaks down 5 key habits and mindsets of Olympic athletes that anyone can apply to their own life. She draws lessons from recent Olympic moments and athletes to illustrate powerful principles around visualization, mindset, enthusiasm, knowing when to quit, and getting clear on your goals. Mel explains how these habits of top athletes can be transformative when applied to everyday life.
The “Bronze Medal Mindset” (and 4 More Surprising Habits From Olympians)
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Key Takeaways
- Visualization is about feeling, not seeing - Olympic athletes like pommel horse champion Steve Nedorozhkin use visualization by feeling themselves go through their routines, not just seeing it in their mind
- Have a "bronze medal mindset" - Bronze medalists tend to be happier than silver medalists because they compare downward and are grateful, rather than comparing upward and feeling like they missed out on gold
- Enthusiasm is contagious and influential - Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christensen went viral for his enthusiastic videos about chocolate muffins, showing how infectious genuine enthusiasm can be
- Winners know when to quit - Simone Biles demonstrated courage by withdrawing from events at the 2021 Olympics when she was struggling mentally, putting her health and safety first
- Mindset is a muscle that needs training - Top athletes like Simone Biles prioritize mental preparation and therapy as part of their training regimen
- Get clear on what you really want - Paralympian Fida Anbeku's success started with simply wanting to learn to run with her new prosthetic blade, showing the power of having clear goals
Introduction
In this episode, Mel Robbins breaks down 5 key habits and mindsets of Olympic athletes that anyone can apply to their own life. She draws lessons from recent Olympic moments and athletes to illustrate powerful principles around visualization, mindset, enthusiasm, knowing when to quit, and getting clear on your goals. Mel explains how these habits of top athletes can be transformative when applied to everyday life.
Topics Discussed
Visualization is About Feeling, Not Seeing (4:01)
Mel discusses how Olympic athletes like pommel horse champion Steve Nedorozhkin use visualization techniques to prepare for competition. The key insight is that effective visualization is about feeling yourself go through the motions, not just seeing it in your mind. She explains:
- Steve was seen with his eyes closed and then moving his hands/shoulders before competing - he was feeling his routine
- Brain scans show visualization stimulates the same regions as actually performing an action
- This taps into "procedural memory" which encodes patterns through repetition
- Visualizing the difficult steps, not just the end result, is most effective
Mel gives examples of how to apply this type of visualization to goals like running a marathon or writing a book - visualize the challenging moments, not just crossing the finish line.
The "Bronze Medal Mindset" (24:04)
Mel introduces the concept of the "bronze medal mindset" based on research showing bronze medalists tend to be happier than silver medalists. Key points:
- Silver medalists often compare upward and feel they "lost gold"
- Bronze medalists compare downward and are grateful to be on the podium at all
- Comparing downward creates gratitude and humility
- In life, there will always be someone "better" - focus on appreciating your own progress
Mel shares a personal example of being disappointed at debuting at #2 on the NYT bestseller list, illustrating how comparing upward can rob you of joy in your accomplishments.
The Power of Enthusiasm (34:07)
Mel discusses Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christensen, who went viral for his enthusiastic videos about chocolate muffins at the Olympic village. Key takeaways:
- Genuine enthusiasm is infectious and influential
- Enthusiasm means expecting the best and working to make good things happen
- Bringing enthusiasm to everyday things makes life more joyful
- Enthusiasm can raise your energy and make you "luckier" by being more present
Mel encourages listeners to bring more enthusiasm to their daily lives, even for simple things.
Winners Know When to Quit (42:10)
Mel uses the example of Simone Biles withdrawing from events at the 2021 Olympics to illustrate that winners have the courage to quit when it's the right decision. Key points:
- Biles was experiencing the "twisties" - a dangerous disconnect between mind and body
- She made the brave choice to withdraw, putting her health and safety first
- This is different from quitting out of fear - it takes courage to make the right call
- Examples in everyday life: ending relationships, quitting jobs, etc. when it's right
Mel also discusses how Biles has come back strong in 2023, showing the power of taking care of your mental health.
Mindset as a Muscle (48:12)
Building on Simone Biles' example, Mel explains how top athletes treat mindset as a muscle that needs training:
- Biles spoke to her therapist at 7am the morning of competition
- Mental preparation is as important as physical preparation
- Past traumas (like the Larry Nassar abuse scandal) impact athletes mentally
- Mindset needs to be stretched, strengthened, repaired and rested like a muscle
Mel encourages listeners to prioritize their mental health and preparation in the same way.
Getting Clear on What You Want (52:13)
Mel shares the story of Paralympian Fida Anbeku to illustrate the power of getting clear on your goals:
- When given a prosthetic running blade, Anbeku simply said she wanted to learn to run
- This clear but modest goal was the start of her journey to becoming a Paralympian
- You don't need huge goals - start with wanting to improve yourself
- Many people are stuck because they haven't gotten clear on what they really want
Mel introduces her upcoming episode and free workbook to help listeners get clear on what they really want in life.
Conclusion
Mel wraps up by encouraging listeners to apply these Olympic mindsets and habits to their own lives:
- Use visualization by feeling yourself taking action, not just seeing the end result
- Adopt a "bronze medal mindset" of gratitude and comparing to your past self
- Bring more genuine enthusiasm to everyday moments
- Have the courage to quit or change direction when it's the right choice
- Treat your mindset as a muscle that needs consistent training
- Get clear on what you really want, even if it's just a small step forward
She promotes her upcoming episode and free workbook to help listeners identify what they truly want in life, positioning it as the first step to achieving Olympic-level goals in their own way. Mel emphasizes that once you're clear on what you want, you can visualize the path forward and start taking daily action to achieve extraordinary things.