E75 - Olympics Special #3: Adam Peaty

Adam Peaty is the first British swimmer to retain their Olympic title after winning Team GB's first gold medal of Tokyo 2020 with victory in the men's 100m breaststroke.

Adam now has the 16 quickest times in history over the 100m breaststroke and is the only swimmer ever to dip under 57 seconds with his 2019 world record. 

With eight world titles, 16 European titles, Adam is one of GB’s greatest Olympian’s of all time. 

*****

Thank you to Lotus Cars for being our very special parter for this Olympics series. Lotus has created the new cutting edge Olympic bike to be raced by Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics – 25 years after the Lotus 108 helped Chris Boardman win a gold medal. It is an incredible design you really have to see for yourself! Check it out at lotuscars.com 

Get you hands on signed copies of our new book, High Performance: Lessons from the best on becoming your best, right here: https://bit.ly/3xQwAsL The brand new cover of the book is here too! We love it. 

We have a brand new newsletter out for our members club THE HIGH PERFORMANCE CIRCLE! This month we have exclusive content including: 

Winning when it’s impossible - Cath Bishop

Mindset in Conflict zones - Hamish de Breton-Gordon

Self-belief is Like a Muscle - Ben Saunders

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# Adam Peaty: The Art of High Performance and Mindset Mastery in Swimming

## Introduction:

- Adam Peaty, Britain's most dominant swimmer, shares his insights on high performance and mindset mastery.
- He emphasizes the importance of being in a flow state, treating competitions as normal events, and finding techniques to achieve this state.

## Achieving a Flow State:

- Peaty describes the flow state as a moment of peak performance where everything comes naturally.
- He highlights the significance of muscle memory and trusting the training process to achieve this state.
- Visualization and music play a crucial role in helping him enter the flow state.

## Dealing with Pressure and Anxiety:

- Peaty acknowledges the pressure and anxiety that come with competing at the highest level.
- He shares a technique involving headphones and audio from past races to simulate the competition environment and reduce anxiety.
- The focus is on technique and the race itself, rather than external factors.

## Maintaining Longevity in High-Performance Sports:

- Peaty emphasizes the need to come out of the flow state to maintain longevity as an athlete.
- He explains that staying in this state can lead to a breakdown in communication and trust within the team.
- Finding balance and engaging in activities outside of swimming helps him transition out of the flow state.

## Dealing with the Post-Olympic Lull:

- Peaty discusses the post-Olympic lull, where athletes experience a sense of emptiness after achieving their goal.
- He suggests redirecting focus to other aspects of life, such as moving, commercial ventures, and spending time with family and friends.
- Acknowledging and understanding the feelings associated with the lull is essential for recovery.

## Preparing for the Olympics:

- Peaty avoids counting down the days to the Olympics to prevent anxiety and focuses on making each day count.
- He emphasizes the importance of living in the present and accepting that external factors are beyond his control.
- This mindset allows him to concentrate on his performance and trust his training.

## Advice for Managing Anxiety:

- Peaty shares advice from an ex-SAS soldier, suggesting that if a problem cannot be solved, it should be accepted and moved on from.
- He stresses the need for honesty with oneself and avoiding hiding feelings that may cause anxiety.
- Confidence in one's abilities and past achievements can help mitigate anxiety.

## Overcoming Social Media Comparisons:

- Peaty acknowledges the negative impact of social media comparisons and the need to focus on personal goals and achievements.
- He emphasizes the importance of being free and authentic, rather than constantly comparing oneself to others.
- Embracing individuality and focusing on personal growth are key to overcoming the influence of social media.

## Conclusion:

- Adam Peaty's insights provide valuable lessons on achieving high performance, managing anxiety, and maintaining a balanced mindset in competitive sports.
- His emphasis on living in the present, trusting the training process, and finding techniques to enter the flow state are essential for athletes seeking peak performance.

# Podcast Episode Summary:

## Adam Peaty: The Art of Swimming, Mindset, and Achieving Greatness

1. **Introduction:**
- Adam Peaty is a British swimmer, the first to retain his Olympic title after winning Team GB's first gold medal of Tokyo 2020 with victory in the men's 100m breaststroke.
- He holds the 16 quickest times in history over the 100m breaststroke and is the only swimmer ever to dip under 57 seconds with his 2019 world record.
- Peaty has won eight world titles, 16 European titles, and is one of GB's greatest Olympians of all time.

2. **Social Media and Comparison:**
- Peaty acknowledges the negative impact of social media on athletes and the younger generation.
- He emphasizes the importance of gratitude and humility in combating jealousy and comparison with others.
- Peaty limits his social media usage to 15 minutes a day to avoid陷入负面思维的漩涡。
- He highlights the need for athletes to be confident in themselves and their abilities, rather than comparing themselves to others.

3. **The Catalyst for Success:**
- Peaty credits a fellow swimmer, Craig Benson, as the catalyst for his drive and motivation to succeed.
- He describes how Benson's speed and talent inspired him to work harder and improve his own performance.
- Peaty's relentless pursuit of improvement led him to break world records and achieve Olympic gold.

4. **Finding the Right Motivation:**
- Peaty's motivation has evolved over time, from a desire to be the best to a focus on creating history and achieving personal goals.
- He emphasizes the importance of setting clear and achievable goals, rather than being motivated solely by external factors.
- Peaty recognizes the need to balance hard work and recovery to maintain peak performance.

5. **Communication and Trust:**
- Peaty acknowledges the challenges of communicating effectively with his coach, Mel Marshall, due to the complexities of the sport and the athlete's mental state.
- He emphasizes the importance of open and honest communication to ensure the best possible performance.
- Peaty respects Marshall's expertise and trusts her judgment, even when it involves making difficult decisions.

6. **Balance and Flow State:**
- Peaty stresses the importance of achieving balance between intense training and relaxation.
- He describes his ability to switch off from swimming and engage in other activities to maintain a healthy mental state.
- Peaty emphasizes the importance of finding the "flow state" during competition, where he feels completely in control and focused.

7. **Becoming a Parent and Its Impact:**
- Peaty discusses how becoming a father has changed his perspective on life and his approach to swimming.
- He recognizes the sacrifices made by his partner and family to support his athletic career.
- Peaty emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for his actions and being a positive role model for his son.

8. **Lessons for the Younger Generation:**
- Peaty advises younger athletes to focus on their own lane and avoid getting caught up in the rat race.
- He encourages them to take responsibility for their actions and to strive for continuous improvement.
- Peaty believes that small, consistent efforts can lead to significant achievements over time.

9. **Responsibility and Accountability:**
- Peaty emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and performance.
- He believes that accountability is crucial for growth and improvement.
- Peaty recognizes the influence he has on others and strives to be a positive role model.

10. **Overcoming Self-Doubt and Taking Risks:**
- Peaty encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to overcome self-doubt and take calculated risks.
- He believes that it is better to try and fail than to never try at all.
- Peaty emphasizes the importance of breaking down large goals into smaller, more manageable steps.

11. **Conclusion:**
- Adam Peaty's journey as an Olympic champion is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in his abilities.
- He serves as an inspiration to athletes and aspiring entrepreneurs alike, demonstrating the power of perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.

# Podcast Episode Summary: Adam Peaty, British Swimmer and Olympic Gold Medalist

**Introduction**

* Adam Peaty is a British swimmer and the first British swimmer to retain their Olympic title.
* He has won eight world titles, 16 European titles, and holds the world record in the men's 100m breaststroke.

**Interview Highlights**

* **On failure:** Peaty believes failure is healthy and necessary for growth. He says, "I think it's very healthy to fail. I don't think anyone who is successful hasn't failed, because you understand and it resets the boundaries of risk as well."
* **On resilience:** Peaty credits his resilience to his parents and his upbringing in a working-class family. He says, "I think coming up through that and being the youngest child, you've got to be resilient, especially when you've got two older brothers and a sister."
* **On the importance of equality in sport:** Peaty is passionate about equality in sport, particularly in swimming, which he says is predominantly white. He says, "If we can access those communities, I think it's not necessarily about being the best swimmer or involving people in sport, but it's also about being safe in the water and how many people can, you know, swim in the country."
* **On doping:** Peaty is outspoken against doping in sports. He says, "I think doping is, it's not as just simple as someone wants to be faster. I think sometimes there is a lot of backstory to it and why people do it."
* **On the role of a coach:** Peaty believes a great coach is charismatic, adaptable, and honest. He says, "I think a great coach is someone who continually learns, continually tries new things and can have fun with it."
* **On the key to living a high-performance life:** Peaty says the key to living a high-performance life is to "keep it simple." He says, "The greatest coaches always understand that they'll keep it simple and that's what Mel does brilliantly."

**Conclusion**

Adam Peaty is an inspiring athlete and role model. He is a champion in the pool and an advocate for equality and fair play in sports.

**High-Performance Lessons from Adam Peaty: Mindset, Self-Belief, and Olympic Success**

In this captivating podcast episode, Adam Peaty, the British Olympic swimmer who holds the world record in the 100-meter breaststroke, shares his insights on high performance, mindset, and the journey to Olympic success. The conversation delves into the mental and physical aspects of achieving peak performance, offering valuable lessons for athletes, coaches, and anyone seeking to excel in their endeavors.

**Key Themes and Insights:**

1. **Mindset and Self-Belief:** Adam emphasizes the significance of a strong mindset and unwavering self-belief in achieving success. He believes in visualizing success, setting ambitious goals, and maintaining a positive outlook even in the face of challenges.

2. **Consistency and Commitment:** Adam highlights the importance of consistent hard work and unwavering commitment to training and preparation. He emphasizes the value of discipline, attention to detail, and the willingness to push boundaries in pursuit of excellence.

3. **Embracing Failure and Learning:** Adam acknowledges the role of failure and setbacks in the path to success. He encourages individuals to embrace failures as learning opportunities, to analyze mistakes, and to use them as fuel for growth and improvement.

4. **Importance of Support System:** Adam recognizes the crucial role of a supportive team, including coaches, family, and friends, in fostering a conducive environment for high performance. He emphasizes the value of surrounding oneself with positive and like-minded individuals who believe in one's potential.

5. **Balancing Physical and Mental Health:** Adam stresses the importance of maintaining a balance between physical training and mental well-being. He advocates for prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and mental health practices such as mindfulness and meditation to optimize performance and overall well-being.

6. **Adaptability and Flexibility:** Adam acknowledges the ever-changing nature of competition and the need for adaptability and flexibility in training and preparation. He emphasizes the importance of being open to new ideas, adjusting strategies, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

7. **Legacy and Impact:** Adam reflects on the legacy he wants to leave behind, not only in terms of his swimming achievements but also in inspiring others to pursue their passions and achieve their full potential. He believes in using his platform to make a positive impact on society and to promote the values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

The podcast concludes with a call to action for listeners to share their biggest takeaways from the episode on social media, emphasizing the value of sharing insights and experiences to collectively learn and grow.