Tim O'Donnell on Being Vulnerable, Letting Go, and Be Your Best

The Chris Lieto Podcast

I spent the day with Tim O’Donnell, one of the world’s most successful and experienced American long-course triathletes. Tim recently finished 2nd at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. He set a new American record on the course and went sub 8 hours!! As a professional, he has earned 50+ podium finishes including over 22 wins at major events throughout the world. We discuss the ins and outs of events, injuries, mindset and family life as a professional athlete. You will appreciate Tim’s genuine sincerity and example of dedication and integrity.

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SHOW NOTES

Check out Tim at the following: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Questions Chris asks:

• How do you normally approach a race? (11:28)
• Was race week this year different since you were hurt? (12:41)
• How is your thought process to come through injury or setback physically and mentally (14:00)
• What were you telling yourself in Ironman when you didn’t feel well and were hurting? (17:00)
• Did your injury give you the opportunity to do things differently than in the past? (23:40)
• Have you ever done anything great where you didn’t take a risk? (24:45)
• You allowed yourself to feel and go through the cycle. How did that affect your race? (26:40)
• You ended up finishing 2nd in the world. (28:40)
• Do you feel pressure or expectation when you’re racing? (33:15)
• How was it to share your win with your wife and daughter? (39:20)
• How is it being a dad? (39:52)
• What would be three characteristics to make a successful athlete? (43:20)
• What kind of state is determined? (45:08)
• Is there anything you would do differently as you look back at your career? (50:05)
• If you were only to have a year to live, what would you want to do in this next year and what lesson would you leave behind? (51:50)

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the race is like in Hawaii (11:13)
• How Tim managed his thought process to come through injury or setback physically and mentally (14:00)
• Tim talks about his mindset (16:00)
• Tim shares how he learned about his injury and decided to do what he could for any chance of success (22:20)
• How to avoid a downward spiral (25:39)
• Tim shares his race experience (31:00)
• Tim shares what he was thinking about when racing (36:35)
• Tim shares about his wife (38:00)
• Tim shares about his parents (42:00)
• Chris and Tim talk about the relationships of athletes (43:05)
• Three characteristics to make a successful athlete (43:50)
• What Tim cherishes most (52:05)

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