When it comes to the best of the best in the world of triathlons, one name you will surely know is Simon Whitfield.
Simon Whitfield is considered one of the top 10 triathletes of all time, accomplishing a Gold medal in the summer Olympics in Sydney 2000, as the first-ever Olympic gold medalist in triathlon. To understand how amazing and astounding his win for the Gold medal was, Simon, actually worked his way back up through the field after crashing on his bike, and out-sprinted Germany’s Stefan Vuckovic in the final meters to take the coveted first gold medal.
It was a true come from behind win. I had the unbelievable opportunity to interview this a four time Olympian, two time Olympic medal champion, Gold in Sydney 2000 and Silver in Beijing 2008, and I was incredibly excited and honored, to ask Simon what it takes to be a world Olympic champion.
Our doubts are traitors,
and make us lose the good we oft might win,
by fearing to attempt
-William Shakespeare
Here are some pearls of wisdom from Simon regarding taking one step at a time, he calls it his size 11 mantra, named after his shoe size, which of course is size 11:
“Often we spend so much time by looking up, and being overwhelmed by where we are going, and overwhelmed by this grand thing that we are trying to accomplish. Its important to understand where you are going, but its so important to put your head down, I call it size 11, because I have size 11 feet, and look at your feet.
Put one foot forward and then the next foot forward and then the next foot forward. That’s the controllable steps. That is where you can control. Its overwhelming how much training you have to do. Its overwhelming it is. Its overwhelming the expectations people have of me.And where you can find great solace is in what I call size 11.
You look down, you put one foot forward you put the next foot forward. You do the work. And often when you look up, all of a sudden, you are there. You are fit, you are ready. You’ve prepared. And you express that fitness. And it doesn’t just apply to sport it applies to so many other things.
So many other times we are overwhelmed by so much that is going on and often, just knocking off one job at a time, just taking one step forward, just moving that size 11 shoe, or that size 6 shoe, or the size 15 shoe, just moving it forward, one foot at a time, is the best way to move toward whatever you are trying to accomplish. Whatever overwhelms you.”
Definitely great words to live by. Thanks Simon.
Here is my interview with Simon Whitfield.
Thanks for joining us Simon, to start off….
You are without a doubt, an inspiration to people all around the world, if you had to choose one person who had the biggest impact over the course of your career and that inspired you, who would that be?
Honestly I’m not really sure. I had so many great mentors. I could start with Craig Alexander, Ironman World Record holder and Greg Bennet, former World Number One, Olympian, Hall of Fame triathlete. We trained together in the Balmoral Tri Club as kids and have always been there for each other. In terms of biggest impact, it would be my families support, mom, dad, sister, the whole gang.
What advice or pearls of wisdom would you have for anyone wanting to compete or simply enter into the world of triathlons?
As with any activity, I think in terms of how do I make my 80 year old self healthier. What am I doing now that extends the quality and therefore opportunities later on in life. Always investing in our future self. How does this relate to triathlons? Develop your mind and then your body with an eye to brain health and physical health. Patiently build your tolerance to training with an eye to consistent work over a long period of time. Set goals related to health and process over times and placings. Health is wealth.
What’s the most important lesson you have learned competing at a world class level?
The most important.. meditation. I understood the incredible value of physical activity as a way to meditate – while moving. Meditation, learning stillness, focus, centered breath unlocks all of the potential within us.
In one sentence or phrase how would you define success?
The look in my daughters eyes when she dove down and touched the bottom of the deep end.
As an Olympic medalist, you are tasked with being methodical and meticulous in the decisions you make, what was the best decision you have made?
Committing to fly off to Australia as a 16year old to boarding school on my own and not returning to live in Canada until I was 23.
What was the most challenging or difficult decision you had to make?
Coaching decisions, very challenging. I had great coaches, all of them. Switching coaches was always a hard decision.
Among all the accolades and the medals won, if you had to choose your proudest moment or accomplishment of your career what would that be?
Sydney 2000, hearing the anthem.
Looking over your career thus far, is there anything you would have done differently or that you possibly regret?
Lots I would have done differently. I wasn’t held very accountable through my career. It was a function of many factors, partially my personality and equally a system that wants athletes to remain “kids”. Something I really struggled with. I was often talked about both when I was there and when I wasn’t, rarely talked with.
You have done so much, accomplished what many would call the impossible, what does the future hold for Simon Whitfield? How will you continue to improve and expand?
My mission is personal development, learn, learn, learn. We get one life despite acting at times like we have many. Learn, learn, learn so you can help educate others, as they do for you.
What question should I have asked you that I didn’t ask? Why is that question important and what is the answer?
Read, read, read.
Journal, journal, journal.
Sketch, build, create.
Music, listen, practice.
Languages, as many as possible.
Play. Dance. Spend time awake with your eyes closed.
Think.
To learn more about Simon Whitfield, check out his site.
To learn about his cool company that brings bike repair to your front door without having to leave the house, check out his company, Velofix.
Listen to Simon discuss his size 11 mantra:
(Time: 1:31 Minutes)
