078: Lizzy Yarnold on talent, ownership of performance and team

This week I speak with Lizzy Yarnold. Lizzy is double Olympic Champion in that chilled out sporting event Bob Skeleton. Lizzy was spotted through a talent identification scheme, selected to be part of the development team for skeleton racing and rose to competitive on the world stage, World Cup winner and took the Olympic gold in Sochi in 2014. Lizzy discusses the journey towards that gold, how she was able to channel some of the talents she already had, how she could focus under pressure and take the step to the highest heights in the sport.  She also discusses burning out, needing to take time out from the grind of the sport to orient herself to what is important to her and so refresh herself to take a different approach to trying to win again in Pyeongchang in 2018, which she did, but with a flurry of physical and mental challenges. Lizzy is thoughtful, fun, softly spoken, ever recognising the collective contribution of those who supported her to perform - but what's always present is a steal, grit, commitment to being a student of her craft her event, and a fiendish ability to compete.   Show notes Sharing her experience through the selection process for skeleton via Girls for Gold  Trying to fit in and get her foot in the door with Skeleton Lizzy can switch on her competitive focus The bleakness of training Lizzy discusses her winning run in Sochi The support team and how they were paramount to her success Lizzy discusses her burnout as an athlete Becoming more than ‘an athlete’ The critical review and ownership of training Life after skeleton   Links Lizzy on Twitter https://twitter.com/lizyarnold Lizzy's website https://lizzyyarnold.com/   Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on; Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/supportingchampions If you’re ambitious to work in sports performance, and you realise that there’s no golden ticket to the chocolate factory – that you have to learn and develop and build a network of collaborators to get there – then sign up for our Graduate Membership today – go to http://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ and enrol. We’ll look forward to connecting with you there. If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at [email protected] then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.