Eight Things Learned from Winning an Olympic Gold Medal
What happens when you achieve your dreams? Steve Mesler, Olympic Gold Medalist and Co-Founder of Classroom Champions takes us back to February 24, 2010.
You know how sometimes you stop and realize how old you are? Or you can’t believe that happened that long ago?
Well, here’s what it feels like when that was an Olympic gold medal exactly ten years ago today in a sport Americans only know because of Disney, John Candy and four guys from Jamaica.
I remember crossing the line with my brothers Curt, Olsen, and Holcy, and seeing the scoreboard, only to realize that the dream had ACTUALLY come true. When you’re 31, reaching a goal your ten year-old-self had set is a really, really strange feeling. To wish on the clock every time you saw 11:11, or 2:22 for good measure, and then have the clock come through is a bit daunting. (And awesome, don’t get me wrong, very awesome.)
What comes after you achieve your dream?!
I vividly remember texting my sister about where the family was standing when we were about to walk out onto the podium and I remember the American flag, in a perfect square, going up over the Olympic medal plaza in Whistler. I also remember an elbow surgery ten years earlier that derailed a broken track and field dream only to bloom into a bobsled adventure. And a decade before that, I remember standing on my first Junior Olympic podium.
As I take a few minutes to reflect over the past ten years since that day — which has seen the birth of my daughter; marrying a woman I frankly know I don’t deserve; turning a family idea into hundreds of athletes inspiring millions of kids across the globe with Classroom Champions; and mourning one Olympic teammate (RIP Speedy, we miss you) and then another who stood on the podium with me (RIP Holcy-baby, I can’t believe I can’t call you today)
I’d like to humbly share a little of what I’ve learned since that fateful day in Whistler, Canada…
1. Tom Hanks is a Bobsled Fan!
Yup — true story. Sorry, had to start here. So is Michelle Obama (I’m pretty sure it’s because we’re the tallest winter Olympians), and Stephen Colbert, and NASCAR fans. Get on the bus. It’s a great place to be.
2. Gold Medals Open Doors (no shocker there!)
When you’ve accomplished something magical and the whole world is watching, people tend to want to know more about it — it’s a natural reaction. From meeting the President, flying in an F-16, throwing out first pitches at MLB games, speaking to thousands at conferences, or meeting with CEOs — people were enamoured at how we did what we did. It’s fun.
3. Doors Close Quickly (unless you’ve got something good to say)
As quickly as the door opens, it closes once people get their photo op and hold the medal. From there, it was up to me to learn how to find common ground and explore ways to do even bigger things with the people I was fortunate enough to meet.
Over the years I’ve learned to frame my conversations about our accomplishments into something people want to hear today… and for me, being able to talk about the hundreds of athletes involved in Classroom Champions is a great way to show that my hard work has been turned into something beneficial for millions of others.
4. Vulnerability Can ACTUALLY Be Powerful
As a bobsledder who stood on the podium every weekend for a decade, there were always 40 guys who wanted nothing more than to take my place. You don’t show weakness. You don’t get sick. You don’t get injured.
Once you leave sport and become a leader off the ice, you learn that being vulnerable helps bring people together, shows you’re human, and shows people that their struggles are ok too.
I’m still adjusting to that. When you live in a world where you become the best through not showing any vulnerability, it’s hard to transition. It’s a work in progress for me, but I at least recognize the humanity in that kind of strength as a first step. The people I respect the most today are strong and vulnerable leaders.
5. Life Only Gets Better
Years before winning gold, I used to say that if I could win an Olympic medal, I’d be happy sitting on the curb next to it for the rest of my life. Within three weeks of doing just that, I was already thinking about what was next. So many athletes feel that once they retire “it can never be as good as it was” when they were competing. I’m here to tell everyone that the mindset we bring to sport serves us endlessly for the rest of our lives. My hunger and drive is greater now than it ever was, and my life is fulfilled in so many more ways.
6. It’s About the People You Meet
Collect good people, see them, and ask them how they’re doing, randomly, from time to time. There are hundreds of people who you interact with who support your dreams and there will be hundreds in the future that will have dreams you will support.
The bigger you can make both of those numbers, the richer you will be.
7. Mental Health Trouble is Like A Hamstring Tear — You Need a Team
I don’t feel like I’m exaggerating when I say I fully believe that ALL people who have been successful have seen the other side in some way. But when I was an athlete, if I had a hamstring tear, I wasn’t expected to go to the line. I went to my trainer, chiro, acupuncturist, or massage therapist. There was a team of half a dozen people to help. I limped. People saw it. When I’ve experienced depression, and I have, no one could see it, there was no multi-pronged team to get me on my feet and I was still expected to “get on the line” everyday.
You have to be able to show people your limp, get a team, and know when you can’t get on the line. → Reach out to the Speedy Foundation here if you think you can use a team or someone to talk to.
8. With Great Recognition Comes Great Responsibility
To those who much is given, much is expected. I was fortunate — I had incredible people in my life who helped me accomplish my goal of winning a gold medal. A lot of people don’t have that luxury.
When you’re an athlete, the majority of your world revolves around you. My life is different now than it was before — as are the lives of hundreds, thousands of athletes — by having my world revolve around others.
Especially kids!
Classroom Champions, which gives voice to incredible athletes, students, teachers, and schools, has shown me that there are more good people in this world than not.
I believe that any of us who have accomplished things in life owe that to more than ourselves — and the world needs us now more than ever to show kids there are right and wrong ways to operate.
Thank you to everyone who made 2010 possible — it was the privilege of my athletic career. And thank you to the infinite more who have made the last ten years the privilege of a lifetime!
— Steve
