12. Adam Nelson - Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion, 3x Olympian American Shot Putter

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Today’s show is a peak into the mindset it takes to become an Olympic and World Champion. Adam had an incredible collegiate and ultimately professional athletic career that resulted in two consecutive Olympic podiums and 3 total Olympics. He shares with us his journey from being a multi-sport high school all-american to making to selecting an Ivy League University over perennial southern sports powerhouse programs. We discuss the balancing act that was playing two Division 1 sports and the self confidence it took to be unwavering in his commitment to excel at both. The winning of a national championship and how the decision to pursue a professional shot putting career and an Olympic dream almost didn’t happen.

A recurring theme throughout this show, Adam recounts how taking a bet on himself may have seemed the riskier choice but the one he had to make. He shares the attributes that set him apart as a young athlete and the evolution of his source of motivation that would ultimately propel him to Olympic champion. Reflecting back on the source of his determination, we talk about the impact his father had on his own success and how he as a father himself now thinks about setting his kids up to have the tools and mindset for success. Subsequently we have a candid conversation about the role adversity plays and the extent that it’s a requisite to achieve your full potential.

One to chart his own path, Adam explains why having hopes and dreams is not enough to get you to your goals and the term “Olympic Hopeful” requires revision. He describes his belief in taking action and why you have to be willing to push the boundaries if your goal is to be uncommon. The theme of extraordinary work ethic permeates throughout the conversation, but Adam shares how in a sport won and lost by inches he explored both physical and psychological to reach his peak performance. Listeners get to hear about his eccentric sports psychologist and his experience with visualization to get him into an ideal mental state to perform.

Follow Adam:

Instagram:  @adamnelson5376

Mentioned In the Show:

Adam’s Visualization Training with Pete Siegel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqtU3bO_DHM

Follow The Professional Athlete Podcast with Ken Gunter:

Instagram: @the_professionalathlete

Website: Kengunter.com

Produced By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter

Music By: Justin Gunter, Ken Gunter