It’s moments before the biggest competition of your life… you’re rattled by something your coach just said… you have one minute alone to yourself before go time. You look in the mirror… What do you say to yourself to get in the zone – to ground yourself – before the race begins?

On day 13 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with Summer Sanders, a two-time gold medalist and renowned television commentator. 

They delve into the evolution of the Olympic experience from Summer’s 1992 games to the present, exploring the impact of social media, technology, and mental health awareness on athletes today. 

Summer reflects on the pivotal moments that defined her career, including the three powerful questions she asked herself in the mirror before her gold medal race. 

They also dig into what makes a great coach, the crucial role of parenting in shaping an athlete’s journey, and what Summer believes is the real “game inside The Games” for Olympians today. Having been to 13 Olympic games, Summer has a unique inside perspective on the state of The Games today, and what it takes for an athlete to excel.

Episode Insights By Microsoft Copilot:

1. The Evolution of The Games: Summer highlights how the Olympic experience has evolved, particularly with the advent of social media and the internet, which were non-existent during her 1992 Olympics. Today’s athletes face the added pressures of public scrutiny and the need to manage their online presence.
2. Mental Health Awareness: There is a growing recognition of mental health in sports, with conversations around it becoming more integrated into the Olympic narrative. Summer notes that this shift allows athletes to be more vulnerable and authentic, which also helps in building a personal brand.
3. Pre-Competition Self Talk: Before her races, Summer asked herself three critical questions to help her stay grounded and focused on what truly mattered, beyond the competition.
4. Parenting Perspective: Summer shares her approach to parenting, emphasizing that she never pressured her children to excel in sports. She believes in allowing kids to find their own path, which contrasts with the often intense pressure seen in competitive sports environments.
5. The Role of Coaches: Summer discusses what it means to be a great coach, highlighting the balance between pushing athletes to reach their potential and supporting their mental and emotional well-being.

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This episode is brought to you by Capgemini and Microsoft.

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“During my Olympic Games the internet wasn’t invented… we focused on what was in the here and now.”

Finding Your Best

If you want to dive deeper into the mental skills we discuss on these episodes, be sure to check out our Finding Your Best course where we teach the same 16 high-performance principles, mindset skills, and wellbeing practices that Dr. Mike has used to train 30+ gold medalists, Fortune 50 CEOs and more.