"Setbacks make you STRONGER!" Mindset Lessons from a World Champion Athlete & Oscar-Nominated Writer

Added: Aug 21, 2023

McColgan explains that having structure and working towards a goal is important in both sports and creativity. She believes that if you give yourself some sense of structure, you can work towards something and achieve greatness. In sports, pushing your mind and body creatively is necessary to reach the top. McColgan emphasizes that mindset is crucial in both sports and creativity. McColgan's love for sports began at a young age when she fell in love with rugby. Despite being the only girl among 250 players, she excelled in the sport and even won the Scottish championships at the age of 10. She attributes her success in sports to her drive and determination, which she believes comes from her upbringing in a Scottish family that values hard work and perseverance. The discussion then delves into the parallels between sports and creativity. McColgan explains that the discipline and structure she learned from sports have helped her in her creative pursuits. She believes that having a sense of structure allows for more creativity and intuition to flow. In sports, training and pushing oneself to the limits can lead to finding the "zone," where everything comes together effortlessly. Similarly, in creativity, understanding the structure and rules allows for more intuitive and creative expression. McColgan also highlights the importance of self-reflection in both sports and creativity. She believes that understanding oneself, one's strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, is crucial in achieving success. In sports, self-reflection helps in finding ways to progress and improve. In creativity, it helps in understanding one's own creative process and finding ways to overcome obstacles. The conversation then turns to the challenges and conflicts that arise when pursuing both sports and creativity. McColgan acknowledges that there can be conflicts, such as balancing training with creative pursuits or dealing with the pressure to perform in both areas. However, she believes that it is possible to find a balance and prioritize what is important in each moment. McColgan's partnership with her husband, who is a psychologist turned screenwriter and producer, is also discussed. They have a collaborative approach, with each bringing different skill sets to the table. McColgan focuses on the macro aspects of storytelling, while her husband delves into the nitty-gritty details of scenes and dialogue. Their partnership allows them to create layered and impactful stories. McColgan believes that setbacks and challenges are essential for growth and success. She embraces the love of suffering and seeks out opportunities to push herself. She values the joy and learning that comes from trying new things and believes that failure is not something to be feared. McColgan's mindset of always seeking growth and pushing boundaries is what has led to her success in both sports and creativity. McColgan continues by discussing her athletic career and the setbacks she faced, including a broken shoulder and Lyme disease. Despite these challenges, she persevered and made a comeback, eventually becoming a world champion. McColgan emphasizes the importance of taking the next step forward and not giving up, even in the face of adversity. She then transitions to her career as a screenwriter and the 10-year journey it took to get her movie, "All Quiet on the Western Front", made. McColgan talks about the challenges of renewing the option for the film and the difficulties of navigating the Hollywood industry. She emphasizes the importance of mindset and having a growth mindset, as well as the need to focus on the journey rather than the destination. McColgan discusses the inflection point that led to the film getting made, which involved meeting producer Edward Berger and his producing partner Malta Grenier. She highlights the passion and intention behind the film and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. McColgan also reflects on the challenges of not being credited as a producer on the film and the frustrations of the Hollywood industry. The conversation then shifts to the success of the film, including its BAFTA wins and Oscar nominations. McColgan shares her mixed emotions about the awards season, including the disappointment of not winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. She discusses the politics and complexities of the awards process and the challenges of being marginalized in the industry. Despite the setbacks, McColgan remains optimistic about the future and discusses her upcoming projects, including a psychological thriller and a film set in Africa. She also talks about her perspective on racing and how it has changed, emphasizing that racing is now about the experience and not the outcome. In the final part of the podcast, McColgan and Rich discuss the teachability of mindset and the importance of understanding the brain. McColgan shares insights from her book, "The Brave Athlete", which provides tools for working on the brain and developing a growth mindset. She emphasizes the importance of challenging oneself and pushing through adversity to build resilience.