Cody Simpson’s INSANE Comeback: From Pop Star To Olympic Swimmer | Cody Simpson X Rich Roll Podcast

Cody Simpson’s INSANE Comeback: From Pop Star To Olympic Swimmer | Cody Simpson X Rich Roll Podcast thumbnail

Added: Sep 22, 2023

Cody Simpson, a former pop star turned Olympic swimmer, discusses his journey from being a young musician to pursuing a career in swimming in a podcast interview with Rich Roll. Simpson started his career as a musician at a young age, sharing his songs online on platforms like MySpace and YouTube. He was discovered by a producer and eventually signed with Scooter Braun, Justin Bieber's manager. Simpson went on tour with Bieber at the age of 15, which was a significant milestone in his music career.

However, Simpson felt a desire to pursue swimming again, a sport he had been passionate about as a child. He made the decision to return to swimming and began training seriously. Despite facing skepticism from others, including his own mother, Simpson was determined to prove himself and pursue his passion for swimming. He started training with renowned coach Dave Salo at the University of Southern California.

Simpson reflects on the similarities between his experiences as a musician and an athlete. He believes that hard work and dedication are essential for improvement in both fields. He also acknowledges the importance of taking risks and stepping out of one's comfort zone to achieve success. Simpson's parents, who were both athletes themselves, were supportive of his decision to pursue swimming and provided him with the necessary guidance and encouragement.

Simpson's transition from music to swimming was not without its challenges. He had to navigate the complexities of the music industry and make difficult decisions regarding his management and record label. He eventually decided to go independent and take control of his own music career, including owning the rights to his masters.

Simpson's swimming journey has been marked by both successes and setbacks. He has competed in various swimming events, including the Commonwealth Games, where he had the opportunity to perform for the Queen of England. Simpson's goal is to qualify for the Olympics and represent Australia in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He acknowledges that there are no guarantees in the sport and that he is on the cusp of qualification for the major events.

Simpson credits his experiences as a musician for helping him handle stress and pressure in his swimming career. He believes that his background in performing on stage and being in the public eye has prepared him for high-pressure situations. He also recognizes the importance of mental preparation and staying focused during competitions.

Simpson acknowledges that swimming is a challenging sport and that success does not come easily. He talks about the importance of mindset and how being relaxed and focused is crucial for performing at a high level. He draws parallels between swimming and performing music, highlighting the need for relaxation and not forcing things in order to achieve the best results.

He also discusses the importance of experience and learning from others in the sport. Simpson recognizes that he is still relatively new to swimming compared to other athletes, but he is determined to gain more experience and improve his performance. He embraces the mindset of being a question mark and using that as a superpower to surprise his competitors.

Simpson reflects on his past experiences in the music industry and how they have shaped his approach to swimming. He talks about the temptations and pressures he faced as a young pop star and how he was able to navigate through those challenges with the support of his family. He credits swimming as a sobering thought that helped him stay grounded and focused on his goals.

The conversation then shifts to the topic of aligning with one's true self and pursuing one's passions. Simpson emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and not getting caught up in external expectations or pressures. He talks about the need to cultivate resilience and not be discouraged by failure, viewing it as a learning opportunity rather than a setback.

Simpson also discusses the concept of untapped potential and how everyone has the capacity to achieve great things. He shares his own journey of recognizing his potential and tapping into it through hard work and dedication. He emphasizes the importance of staying in the game and continually nourishing oneself to reach one's goals.

The podcast delves into the challenges of being a public figure and dealing with the tall poppy syndrome, particularly in Australia. Simpson acknowledges that there is a level of scrutiny and expectation that comes with being in the public eye, but he also recognizes the value of staying grounded and true to oneself.

Simpson's relationship with his girlfriend, Emma, who is an Olympic swimmer herself, is also discussed. He talks about how her experience and mindset have influenced him and inspired him to stay focused on his goals. He admires her level-headedness and her ability to stay grounded despite her success.

The conversation continues with Simpson reflecting on his journey and expressing gratitude for the lessons he has learned. He acknowledges that he is in a better place now and feels more aligned with himself and his goals. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-awareness, and staying true to one's values in pursuing one's dreams.

Simpson continues by explaining how he got into swimming at a young age and how it became a passion for him. He talks about the discipline and dedication required in the sport and how it has shaped his character. Simpson also shares how swimming has helped him develop resilience and overcome obstacles in his life.

He emphasizes the importance of taking risks and stepping out of one's comfort zone. Simpson believes that one should not wait until they feel ready to pursue their dreams, but rather train themselves to do it even when they are not fully prepared. He shares his own experience of pushing himself to swim a challenging distance and realizing that it wasn't as bad as he had anticipated. This mindset has allowed him to approach new endeavors with confidence and a willingness to learn.

Simpson also discusses the impact of swimming on his creativity. He admits that his training schedule often leaves him exhausted and dampens his creative impulses. However, he still finds time to write songs and play music, even if it's not as much as he would like. He believes that creativity will come when it's supposed to and that he will eventually return to making music.

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