The "Ask Me Anything" just closed, but I couldn't let this week pass without re-posting the "grilling" from my good friend Vegard Bitnes, Olympic Silver Medalist Biathlon coach from Sochi!
Thanks to everyone who wrote in. If you think of any questions that you wish you had asked, you can write in: shannonrowburyUSA@gmail.com
Question from VegardB:
Hi Shannon.
Greate to see that you are awnseering everything. So, lets us give it a shoot….
Many people find it difficult to make out what they are good for when it really matters.
In competition, when to make a speech, during exams and interview many people fall out completely.
Do you feel that you are a person “fixing” that, or not? Do you do any preperation before every competition to hadle that, or not?
in outher words, Is it possible to train oneself to control your nerves so that you get out what you are good for?
Every journey have a entry point, where is yours?
What is the difference between a dream and a gold in your eyes? And what do you spesific do to reach your gold? How do you work with goldsetting?
Sometimes people have dificulties to keep focus before/during/after race, people freeaking out/angy/say there frustration in media and so on..This means that it is not just a way to respond to a situation, everything depends on your truths.
In order to think positively when you feel you have reason to think negatively, you must learn to change “discs.”
When you don't get what you want (your gold), how do you think, what do you do?
Really looking forward to see your awnseers Shannon.
My response:
Thanks for the grilling Vegard...
I am a huge believer in practice and preparation. I take a detailed approach to my physical training and I have tried to do the same mentally. I treat each practice session as a dress rehearsal for races, and in each race, I set a goal beforehand that I can review afterward. I try to create this systematic approach so that I can learn and improve from each experience. I've been fortunate in my life to have some great coaches (mental and physical) to teach me these principles, and I have tried to make them a consistent part of my training.
In terms of nervousness, I definitely experience that, sometimes more than others, but I have learned how to keep things in perspective and I have lived through enough disappointment and hard times to know that they truly will not kill me, but only make me stronger. I enjoy a challenge and I see every setback as a way to learn about myself, my weaknesses, and what makes me tick. I also have learned the importance of finding a close and supportive team to rely on (coaches, teammates, family or friends) and otherwise keeping the circle small. I minimize my social media consumption, so that the thoughts and projections of others don't distract me from my own truths.
Not exactly sure what you mean by "entry point", but when I think about my journey as an athlete, it has always been guided by my desire to be the best possible at my given undertaking. I loved dance and I love running, but what I love more is the challenge of trying to be the best at something and the process of figuring out how to make that possible.